335 – Dramatic changes

I don’t guarantee a 100% perfect translation.

Feel free to correct me in the comments.

I think there are a few cliffhangers coming, starting on this chapter, i’ll try and finish a few more chapters today, at least the next one is coming soon.

Next chapter in 3-4 hours

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On the third day, with the completion of the new hot air balloon, also came the day of departure for the ruins exploration.

The new hot-air balloon was named Far Gaze, the gigantic hanging basket could accommodate more witches, and by being surrounded by a canvas encirclement, it could also ward off against the cold wind and heavy snow.

Since the faster they go, the faster they will return, Roland only gave a simple farewell and after the witches boarded the hot air balloon, it lifted off from the castle back garden and set its direction to the Stone Tower.

In case it encountered danger, the balloon could lower its altitude fast in order to meet with the enemies, and this time Far Gaze also flew lowly, passing slightly over Border Town’s rooftops as if almost touching them. Most citizen witnessed this „marvelous sight”, many people were stunned in place, but also some people shouted loudly Long Live Your Highness Roland because to them, such a miracle could only happen because of Border Town’s Feudal Lord. After closing in to the west city wall, the First Army soldiers simultaneously gave them salutes, whether it was Lightning or Macy, they were witches they were familiar with, in particular Lightning who often gave the artillery team directions and guiding, was showered with cheers and enthusiasm from the soldiers.

Soon, with the scattered snow flying in the wind, Far Gaze left behind Border Town and entered the Hidden Forest region.

Tilly stood on the side of the hanging basket, overlooking the limitless forest.

During the Months of Demons the snow continued to fall making the scenery turn into a white world, the dense forest tree tops were all covered in snow making it seem at first glance like ground mounds sprouting here and there. On the other side there was the view of the mountains’ top at the distance, appearing with a hazy mist and a tint of blueish-gray color, making it hard to see the point at with the mountain foot connected to the ground, almost as if those mountains were floating in the air.

„What a beautiful view” Shavi said after a sigh, „it’s the first time I see snow covering all over the western region.”

„Are you a western region witch?” Wendy asks.

„I originally lived in Fallen Dragon Ridge, since its close to the south, in the winter it rarely snows. Not long ago I heard news about Lady Tilly developing Sleeping Island, so I secretly went and boarded a boat to go to Port of Clear Water to join with the other witches.”

„So that was it” Wendy says shaking her head with a smile, „His Royal Highness the Prince has been complaining about why even after spreading rumors about the Witch Association settling down in Border Town, not even one witch has come…… He was always one step behind.”

„Eh, have you spread rumors to gather witches?”

„They have, what a pity the staff was not experienced, a little after arriving at Fallen Dragon Ridge he caught my attention” Ash says „I managed to bump into him in the Silver Light City. If I remember correctly was he called Tasa?”

„If you are a witch, you will naturally take note of this strange rumor” Andrea grins „if you had not met with Lady Tilly, you perhaps might already be a Border Town Witch.”

„I can’t be with Your Highness Roland”

„Oh” Andrea tries to mock her „Your Highness…… You called him very skilled, right?”

„Ptff” Tilly can’t help it and laughs out, yesterday she looked pretty depressed, but now she seemed to have returned to normal. In Sleeping Island, the only one who dares to pick a fight with Ash is Andrea who has a prestigious family background „no matter if its Sleeping Island or Border Town, every witch is our ally, don’t tease them too much.”

She turns around, reflecting in her eyes numerous witches.

Before they set off, they all understood each other’s abilities so that in case they encounter an enemy, the task allocation can be done properly. It can be said that Border Town combat witches are lower in numbers compared to those coming from Sleeping Island, even the majority of Border Town’s witches are not suitable for combat. But it’s also because of their tireless efforts, that the current town now looks the way it does.

Tilly’s eyes stopped on Anna. If she were to select the one making the biggest impression on her it would be her, with her deep blue eyes and being the first Awakened witch in the border region, one having really deep affection towards Roland.

As long as she stands next to him you can feel an indescribable peaceful and gentleness, the feeling she had the first time she met her, if she had to put it in words, it would be like lying down on a broad field, with the back on the ground both soft and firm, kind of the feeling of making the people around her feel at ease.

Roland aside, Anna’s words are not that many, her expression also shows very little changes, but the presence she has makes her very difficult to be ignored.

Moreover, after listening to Silvy saying that Anna was also Border Town first witch to evolve her powers, had astonishing huge magic power, and can change the shape of her black fire which is unusually strong, and moreover was the first witch to read the «Theoretical Foundations of Natural Science», makes Tilly feel like she found a kindred spirit.

In this winter, if she and Anna were to sit around the fireplace to discuss about magical knowledge and books, she wants to believe it would be a very pleasant thing. Tilly can’t help but to look forward to this with anticipation.

The Fifth Princess then looks outside the basket where Lightning is flying, she’s Thunder’s daughter, she is very similar to the fjord first explorer. Lively, curious and energetic, she was definitely born to fly, Tilly thinks, only under the broad boundless sky she is free to let her heart run wild. Although Thunder hopes her daughter can have a normal and honest life, but after seeing the little girl, Tilly understands that she’s destined to become an explorer, and maybe her achievement will surpass those of her father.

The only thing she can do for him is protect her as far as possible.

„We’re getting close” just as she was thinking this, Lightning comes close to the basket and notifies everyone.

„Come inside basket and rest” Wendy shows a kind expression „your mouth is already white.”

„It’s all right, only my face is a little cold” she pats her red cheeks „Thanks to the scarf His Highness gave me, my ears are not cold at all.”

Along the way they did not encounter any Devil, the demonic beasts in the forest will occasionally roar once or twice, but they obviously don’t have the ability to attack the hot-air balloon, therefore the first half of the journey is fairly smooth. However, when Far Gaze arrives above the destination, everyone was shocked by the current sight.

What they saw was the forest being swept away, with broken trunks and tree branches everywhere, the snow turned over everywhere mixing it together with the soil, a rather messy picture.

„Where is the stone tower?” Ash asked.

„It was there” the area Lightning pointed at was at the center of the cleared area in the forest, like if she couldn’t believe it „it’s……gone.”

Tilly looked towards the direction she pointed at, among the white snow and brown dirt there was a huge hole on the ground, almost as if someone had pierced the ground making a passage to the abyss. And looking at the size of the hole, the thing that excavates it must be amazingly huge

„Silvy, take a look at the hole and see if you find anything.”

Silvy frowns, making a sort of disgusted face „It’s a……a huge monster like a maggot , it is moving to northwest, wait, there are ruins in its stomach!”

„What, inside it?” Ash says surprised.

„Yes, I saw the stone roof… and the big ice cube you talked about” she focuses and says „God, it swallowed down the entire tower!”

What should they do next? Everyone’s eyes gather towards Tilly.

„Is there anything else besides the maggot monster?” The Fifth Princess lowers the voice a little and asks „especially a Devil.”

„Umm…… There are some demonic beats in its stomach, but they all seem dead.” After Silvy watched for a while, she shakes her head while responding.

After pondering for a moment, Tilly decisively says „We will descend now. A few people must remain outside to defend, the rest follow me into the hole, let’s kill the giant beast and recover the ice coffin.”

 

 

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