Roland let out a sigh of relief after Tilly left the office.
It was clearly a daunting task to speak nonsense with such seriousness in front of a sharp-witted person, especially while maintaining an entirely sincere expression. Fortunately, Nightingale's report gave him a reprieve—the Witch of Sleep Island had returned to the castle in full force, and Roland seized the moment to wrap up the conversation.
"Hey, how does it feel to face your own Witch sister?" Nightingale flipped onto the table and looked down at Prince from above.
The latter rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Is high pressure really a special feeling?" "I thought it would be a deeply moving reunion," she said with a pout.
"I don't get along with her," Roland sighed. "I used to bully her constantly in the palace. Now she's just like any other stranger. It's a real surprise she's even here." "Oh?" she said with a knowing smile. "You don't hang out with random witches. I can tell you trust her." Roland didn't reply. He poured himself another cup of tea, leaned back in his chair, and took a slow sip.
"Anyway... you'll understand later," the Nightingale said, gently stroking his lips. "You'll tell me everything, won't you?" "Hmm." "I accept that promise," she murmured with a soft smile, then vanished before Roland.
Roland leaned back in his chair, mentally replaying the conversation to spot any possible inconsistencies—this was the most plausible explanation he could muster. Years of experience had taught him that the more lies one spun, the harder they stood up to scrutiny. Claims like childhood pranks, serendipitous discoveries of ancient texts, or guidance from hermits would crumble under closer scrutiny. With the other party being not only his sister but also the Witch Organization's leader, any exposed falsehood would deal a crushing blow to their trust until they forged a stable alliance.
Thus, he chose to speak truthfully about details that might be exposed, while attributing all additional knowledge to sudden memories—though this may sound implausible, it at least has fewer negative consequences than the even more inconceivable possibility of time travel, and it cannot be falsified. If the latter were true, whether she could accept a completely unfamiliar visitor from another world would be questionable.
No one could deny her claim to be Graycastle the Fourth Prince, and she likely sought only her own explanation. Roland knew a true leader wouldn't dwell on the past—what mattered most was moving forward together. This winter's meeting had opened up vast horizons in the West, and their genuine collaboration made it a success. As for their relationship, they'd have plenty of time to mend it later.
By evening, a lavish banquet was held in the castle hall.
Beyond the classic pepper steak, fried eggs, and white bread, the menu now features a dazzling array of dishes—from premium liquors to crispy fried bird's mouth mushrooms, steamed buns, and ice cream—all elevated to new culinary heights. The presentation introduces innovative plating concepts, with a large porcelain plate showcasing a small, sauce-drenched main dish that creates a visually stunning display, instantly making diners' mouths water.
Amidst the clinking of goblets and the glow of candlelight, the banquet concluded in a harmonious and lively atmosphere.
The next step is the more formal talks.
In the reception room, the fireplace blazed with roaring flames. Roland and the Witch Alliance members sat in a row at the long table, while Tilly and the Sleeping Island Witch occupied the opposite row. Due to her sensitive status, Maxi transformed into a dove and perched on the chandelier above her head.
Tilly spoke first: "My mission this time is twofold—helping Border Town fend off the demonic beasts while retrieving the five witches I sent earlier." She outlined the current situation on Sleeping Island: "Next spring, Silver Moon Bay will relocate ordinary citizens to the island. We'll need Lotus and Honey to provide additional housing and food." Roland's head spun. While the First Army could handle beast defense, requiring little beyond agile hybrid-type creatures, witches proved indispensable for construction. The port mountains remained unconnected, the dockyard only half-finished, and he still planned to build more cave dwellings. "Can we delay by half a month?" "I wanted to agree, but circumstances changed," Tilly shook her head. "Mutant water ghosts have appeared at the southern cape. They're fish-like demonic creatures. I suspect this is linked to the earlier Dark Moon events. Legend says the longer the Dark Moon persists, the fiercer the beasts become. It's safer for them to leave early." "They're not battle-ready." "I know. So the Wind will escort the ships—her abilities work best against low-intelligence enemies. We won't return via the original route. Instead, we'll sail north along the coastline to Blue Harbor, then take standard trade routes to Sleeping Island. According to the Bird Messenger, no demonic beasts have appeared on the fjord-to-kingdom route." Roland made a final attempt: "Uh... besides Lotus and Honey, can the other three stay behind?" "Primary education is only halfway through. If you leave now, it's like giving up halfway..." "Haha," Tilly couldn't help but laugh, "Looks like you're quite fond of them." "..." He was momentarily at a loss for words.
"How do you harness the candlelight and Evelyn's abilities?" "The metal-curing process and winemaking—the former dramatically boosts machinery efficiency, while the latter..." Roland paused briefly. "Wine is a remarkable substance, with applications far beyond drinking." "On Sleepy Island, they constantly fret about their abilities being underutilized, and often..." Tilly didn't press further, but Roland surmised it was likely due to discrimination, similar to Myster Moon's plight in the Guild. "I'm delighted to hear you so earnestly trying to retain them. Indeed, every Witch possesses unique capabilities that matter," she said, glancing at Evelyn and the others. "What's your plan?" "I wish to follow you, Lady Tilly," Sylvie replied.
"I..." Candlelight stroked his head. "I can go anywhere." "Lady Tilly, if you need me, I'll return to Sleepy Island," Evelyn paused before replying. "But otherwise, I'd like to stay in Border Town. I... still have so much to learn from Bookroll." "Don't be so tense. I'm not forcing you to choose between staying or leaving—it's not a binary decision," Tilly said with a smile, shaking her head. "I just want to understand how you're doing in the town. You can always return to Sleepy Island. Lotus and Honey won't be gone forever. I even want to invite the Witch from Border Town to visit. Through our efforts, we hope witches can live freely in both the Northlands and the Southlands. Do you agree, Brother?" Roland was slightly taken aback. This was the first time he'd heard someone call him that openly—even with the Fourth Prince's memories, it was over a decade ago. He smiled and nodded. "There will come a day."