Chapter 114: Lucy Philias
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114: Lucy Philias
“Who are you asking if I killed?”
Lucy chuckled softly, the stem of her pipe pressed to her lips.
“Hmm, it would be quite wonderful if I possessed such convenient knowledge, child. Then this one could have been of more help whenever these little ones came seeking advice.”
Lucy flicked the ash from her pipe into an ashtray.
“However, I do know the name of the person you killed recently.”
Lucy snapped her fingers.
Snap!
At the sound, one of the pillars—shrouded in the thick layers of vines that blanketed the garden—slid toward the pavilion. Once it was close enough to Lucy, the vines unraveled smoothly.
It wasn't a mere pillar. It was a crystal.
Inside the transparent shard, like a prehistoric insect trapped in amber, was a woman.
“Child, do you know this girl’s name?”
It was a remarkably simple question.
“Echidna Philias.”
It was indeed Echidna. Her face looked peaceful, as if she were resting in an open casket before a funeral.
“The rune you created did this to her,” Lucy said, pointing a slender finger. “If you have anything to say, speak now.”
Her tone carried a sharp edge, suggesting he should choose his words with extreme care.
Ferda looked at the scene and asked, “Did she go without pain?”
His voice was utterly indifferent.
“Heh.”
Lucy’s laughter echoed throughout the pavilion.
“Hehehehe…”
The other witches grew visibly tense at her laughter. A sinister aura began to spread, stimulating Ferda's entire body with an intensity that rivaled Dragon Fear.
“Child, you are truly, truly shameless.”
Lucy rose from her seat and descended the stairs.
“You killed a child of the Philias line, and all you have to ask is if she died without pain?”
She came to a stop directly before Ferda. He couldn't tell from a distance, but now it was clear—she was even shorter than Ruri.
“A witch’s grudge is like a frost that lasts a hundred years. It does not mean merely that you will die a painful death.”
Mana was woven into her voice. It grated against Ferda’s five senses, as if she weren't just threatening him, but forcing him to experience the future he would face.
“I shall slowly destroy everything around you. I will prevent you from even choosing to take your own life, crumbling your world away until the very, very end, leaving nothing behind.”
Many had indeed lived and died in such agony; it was recorded in history. But Ferda remained unperturbed. He already knew. He knew she was bluffing.
“Aren't we both being shameless, Pavilion Master?”
“What?”
One of Lucy’s eyebrows arched upward. Ferda gestured with his chin toward the crystal where Echidna was preserved.
“What is it if not shameless to lie and say a living person is dead while keeping them trapped in a crystal?”
As soon as Ferda spoke, the atmosphere shifted. The threatening aura Lucy had been emitting vanished instantly. As if it had never been there, the anger disappeared from her voice.
“How did you know?”
“Didn't you say it yourself? That a witch’s grudge is like a hundred years of frost and that they pass down curses through generations.”
Ferda turned his head toward the crystal, looking at Echidna’s peaceful face.
“If your intent was truly to curse me because she died by my hand, I don't think you would have presented her to me with such a comfortable expression.”
“Fufu, it seems you know quite a bit about witches.”
Lucy floated into the air, looking satisfied. Her clothes fluttered as she drifted toward the crystal containing Echidna.
“Echidna, you poor thing. I told her time and again that loving a man leads only to tragedy, yet she remained stubborn.”
“Is the person who kicked her out the one pitying her?”
“It was simply that the name Philias did not suit her. This one's affection for the child remains unchanged.”
It was an unexpected sentiment from the leader of the witches, who were known to despise all men. Lucy looked up at the crystal for a moment and then spoke.
“Child, since she died due to your mistake, I shall take her back.”
To this unilateral declaration, Ferda replied immediately.
“I refuse.”
This time, a surge of sinister energy erupted from the other witches, who found his response offensive.
“How amusing. Do you think you’re in a position to refuse?”
“I think he’s trying to crawl all over us because we’re being too easy on him. Should we give him a little taste of bitterness?”
Their cackling laughter rang out chaotically, yet hatred and anger were palpable within the sound.
“Quiet.”
That single word from Lucy silenced them. Seeing her suppress those masses of malice showed just how tightly Big Sister held the witches in her grip.
“Do not worry. I am not so foolish as to be unable to distinguish between public and private matters. If something is lost, something must be gained.”
Hmm…
Lucy let out a heavy breath of smoke, puffing on her pipe, before speaking again.
“How about this?”
A spark flickered on her small index finger. It was a red spark.
‘Heaven-Defying Lightning.’
She was casually manifesting the pure power left behind by Lucy Philias—a power that was impossible to wield without a medium.
“You are a mage, and you seem to have a talent for lightning. I believe you would grasp the knack of it quickly with just a little instruction. What do you say? I will personally teach you.”
It was an enticing offer.
Heaven-Defying Lightning was a legendary element for which Ferda had yet to find a clue. He had conducted countless studies on the World Tree branch struck by her Heaven-Defying Lightning, but he had made no headway. Even with the finished staff, generations of research had yielded no progress.
If I could grasp that power…
He would become strong. Just as he was during his days as an 8th Circle Archmage.
Therefore, Ferda answered.
“I refuse.”
Lucy’s hand faltered. Even Lucy, who thought she had offered a fitting reward, hadn't expected him to decline.
“Ho, child. Is this girl that precious to you?”
“She is important.”
“More so than the Heaven-Defying Lightning?”
It was the best magical element for Ferda to become stronger. And Ferda always needed to become stronger.
“She is important.”
However, becoming stronger was a secondary issue for Ferda right now.
“I have someone who needs to know happiness.”
For Ferda, Valdrova was always the first priority.
“For that person to be happy, I need Echidna’s abilities.”
“So you mean to use her, child. As Big Sister and the Pavilion Master, I am not so dull as to let those words slide.”
“Is it not the nature of humans to use one another anyway? Just as she uses me, I simply use her.”
While Ferda did work the naive Echidna hard, it wasn't as if she was being swindled with her eyes wide open. Jed and Mori could stand as witnesses to that.
“Yes, I suppose that is what society is.”
Lucy exhaled a cloud of smoke as if sighing. She snapped her fingers.
Snap!
In that instant, the transparent crystal began to melt into water. The witches watching the scene asked in surprise, “Oh, are you letting her go?”
“I thought it was an attractive offer, but if he says he doesn't need it, what else can I do?”
It was strange to see her not being obsessive, which was uncharacteristic of a witch. Lucy stared only at Ferda. Beneath the black cloth, the slight glimpse of her lower face suggested she couldn't hide her intrigue.
Soon, the crystal melted completely, waking the woman within. Though she seemed to have lost consciousness, she managed to stand on her own two feet.
The sleeping Echidna’s eyebrows quivered.
“Huh? What on earth happened…?”
She rubbed her head with both hands and looked around. The first person she saw was Ferda. Perhaps because she had been subjected to so many gazes of hatred and loathing, her gloomy smile felt like that of an angel.
“Oh, Regent. You’re handsome today as well. Hehe…”
She let her gaze wander further and scanned the surroundings.
“Huh? This looks like a place I know… somehow it feels similar to the Rose Pavilion…”
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Lucy, the Big Sister, standing beside her.
“Hi-hieeeek!? B-B-B-Big Sister!?”
Echidna was startled out of her wits. She was so shocked she nearly bit her tongue. It was a reaction that bordered on being rude, but Lucy responded as if she didn't mind.
“It has been a long time, child. Have you been well?”
“Yes, yes! O-o-of course! I’ve been doing great!”
“I may have excommunicated you, but I believe I told you to keep in touch frequently. It seems my words went in one ear and out the other.”
“T-that’s… because communication doesn't work inside the castle…”
“Ho, then you’re saying it’s the Regent’s fault? Should I just take care of that Regent over there for you?”
“What? No! Not at all!?”
Echidna whipped her head around to look at Ferda.
“I absolutely didn't mean it that way!”
Ferda remained indifferent.
“Of course, I might be uncomfortable to be around,” Lucy continued. “Even so, we are practically family sharing the same blood; shouldn't you at least let me hear your voice?”
“U-uncomfortable! I have never once thought such a thing!”
She spoke with a forced smile that lacked any conviction. The other witches chuckled at the sight and began to chime in.
“Oh my? That’s a lie.”
“A lie? Sisters, I didn't think that at all…”
“Dear, just be honest.”
“You’ve been excommunicated anyway, so what’s the problem? Even Big Sister won't be able to say anything.”
“Besides, isn't it important to evaluate how things look from an outsider’s perspective?”
The voices buzzed around Echidna. Ferda saw through their intentions. They were trying to lure Echidna into a trap, like predators circling prey.
“Uh…”
Shrinking back like a frightened turtle, Echidna glanced around before opening her mouth.
“Well… I suppose it is a little uncomfortable?”
Lucy’s hand, holding the pipe, stiffened.
“H-honestly, I also find it uncomfortable whenever someone who has lived longer than my grandmother refers to herself as 'this girl'…”
“Pffft…”
“Kekeke…”
The witches who had egged her on struggled to stifle their laughter. Lucy’s reaction was remarkably simple.
Snap!
With a snap of her fingers, the roots that had moved the crystal stone bound Echidna’s entire body.
“Echidna, our foolish Echidna.”
Her voice was laced with anger. It was distinctly different from the act she had put on for Ferda.
“Since you haven't been disciplined by your sister in a while, you’re spouting nonsense again. You mustn't say such frivolous things in front of others.”
“Aaaagh! My arm’s going to fall off! My arm! My arm!”
“Don't worry. If your arm falls off, I’ll pull out your legs as well so they won't feel lonely, and use them as decorations.”
“I’m sorry! Sister isn't small! She’s a very tiny girl! A beautiful girl!! Aaaaaah!!”
The witches cackled as they watched Echidna being tormented. Only after being roughly harassed by the thorny vines was she finally released.
With disheveled hair and teary eyes, a trembling Echidna crawled toward Ferda.
“Waaaaah, Regent. My arms and legs hurt so much. It hurts, I need a hug, a hug— oof!”
“Get away.”
Ferda pushed her head back.
The witches burst into full-blown laughter. Having nowhere to go, Echidna let out a whimpering sound and cast her gaze to the floor.
“Are you really planning to take that half-wit with you?”
Lucy’s question now carried a hint of genuine concern for him.
“If such a thing were a dealbreaker, I wouldn't have brought her in the first place.”
“If that is your wish, then so be it.”
Lucy gave up surprisingly easily. It was ending suspiciously anticlimactically.
What is she plotting? Ferda did not let his guard down.
“Go back, Echidna. Make sure to contact me at least once a week.”
“Yes, I will. Regent, shall we head back?”
As she reached out her hand, Lucy forcibly pushed it down.
“The Regent will be staying with me a bit longer.”
“What? Here, all alone?”
It was a bewildering prospect for Echidna. This was the stronghold of witches who treated men as playthings. Ferda was like defenseless prey.
Lucy scolded her as if she were pathetic.
“He has already walked into the heart of this place; what does it matter whether you are here or not?”
“Ah, I guess that’s true…”
Fidgeting like a prairie dog watching an approaching storm, Echidna stole a glance at Ferda.
Ferda read her expression and replied, “There’s no need to worry. Go back and give Ruri a message.”
“W-what message should I give?”
“Tell her I’ll be back soon. That will be enough.”
“Yes, yes! Of course…”
With a wave of Lucy’s hand, Echidna’s body dissolved and vanished. She would have returned to the study where she originally was. Lucy watched her go and then spoke to Ferda.
“Let us walk a bit. I wish for this conversation to be between just the two of us.”
Leaving the quietly seated witches behind, she led the way.
They left the Rose Pavilion and walked through the garden. It was a place where nature did not exist, created purely by Lucy’s will. Consequently, the colors and shapes were alien. The leaves were sky-blue, and the sky was purple.
“Is it not a truly beautiful garden?” Lucy asked.
“It’s grotesque.”
“Then that is a relief.”
She put the pipe to her lips.
“It means you haven't gone completely mad yet.”
Those words, accompanied by a smile, made Ferda tense. Just as he was trying to read the meaning behind that smile, he sensed something.
He felt a presence from the direction of the rose vines.
Using the Shadow Hand hidden within his clothes, Ferda yanked his own head back. Something flew through the space where his head had just been.
Whoosh!
It was a giant rose thorn, so massive it wouldn't have been out of place as a giant’s cavalry spear. Ferda quickly widened the distance between them.
“…What is the meaning of this?”
“There is no need to overthink it; it is exactly what it looks like. I attacked you.”
“Why?”
“Rather than shallow provocations or conversation, I thought it better to get straight to the point. Is that not why I am attacking you directly?”
In other words, she was inciting a fight.
As she said, Ferda had no intention of being drawn into her provocation. It would be madness to engage. Although he had once been an Archmage, he was currently a 4th Circle mage. His opponent was the leader of the witches, whom even 8th Circle mages couldn't handle. And this was her home ground.
And Lucy isn't the type of person who is so obsessed with combat that she would provoke someone like this.
There was definitely a reason behind her provocation. What was her scheme?
“Are you curious about my intentions?”
Lucy was a mage who had lived for a very long time. Reading Ferda’s thoughts was child’s play for her.
“Rather than letting you know that, I shall give you a reason why you have no choice but to move.”
She gestured with her pipe. The vines of the rose garden writhed like thorny earthworms.
“If you do not come at me, I shall erase your very existence from the life of that ill-fated dragon.”
Her lips curled into a predatory smile.
That, too, was a transparent provocation.
A glint of light erupted from Ferda’s eyes. He could not back down.