Release that Witch

After spreading her blanket, Nightingale turned around and blew out the candle flame.

The room immediately darkened.

She found it amusing that after being accustomed to lights and magic stones, she was slightly uncomfortable returning to using candles, despite it being a normal occurrence in the past.

But there was not a choice in this matter, the lack of time prevented the island from having a complete electrical lighting system installed, to the extent that even their resting places were drilled out of a wall by Aphra and the rest. Soraya then added a soft layer and isolated the moisture of the underground chambers and made the place into a bedroom. The furniture within were the most ordinary, with simple wooden tables and cabinets. As for the mattresses, they were laid directly on the floor.

Although Isabella was on the floating island, all the magic stone illuminations were used for the factories rushing to produce goods. It would take her some time to transform God’s Stone for the residential areas.

Despite the simplicity of the room, it was not unbearable. Aside from the privacy of having a room per person, there were even standalone toilets. There were even ventilation shafts that provided airflow directly from outside the floating island into the chambers, preventing the rooms from being too stuffy or humid. There was a shared reading area and a warm public bath at the end of the caves as well, enough to satisfy the witches’ daily use.

She wasn’t that interested in the former, but Nightingale found the latter wonderful.

God knows how Pasha and the others had found the location—the stream that came down from the mountaintop into a cave mountain formed a natural clear spring, and after having the pool extend out the cave’s cliff walls, leaning against it provided a perfect view of the scenery outside. After the flight of the island, this location became the best place to overlook the vistas provided by the land.

Every day, Nightingale would soak in the spring water after showering and enjoy the spectacular sight.

Compared to this, the lack of lights in the room was nothing.

Just as Nightingale was about to lay down, she suddenly heard knocks on her.

She was startled, it was already late in the night and the majority of the people were asleep. Who could it be?

“Coming.”

Nightingale responded and relit the candle, while thinking about potential candidates that might be at her door.

The most probable choice was naturally Wendy.

After all, this person in charge of the Witch Union had the precedent of coming to her for idle chats after having had a few drinks.

But the person standing outside completely stunned her.

It was Anna.

Holding onto a small wooden bucket with a towel and toiletries, she asked, “Can you accompany me for a bath?”

Nightingale had taken a bath prior to heading to bed, but knew that the main point was clearly not the bath. “Of course, please give me a moment.”

Nightingale packed her things and followed Anna into the public bath, which was completely vacant and empty aside from the two of them. Occasionally, water droplets splashing onto the stalagmites could be heard, emphasizing the serenity of the night.

After stripping, Nightingale stepped into the pool and immediately felt the warmth envelop her entire body. Unlike Neverwinter, the island’s fuel was limited; thus, the public bath employed the use of a boiler that relied on magic power to ensure a steady supply of hot water the entire day.

The two walked through the white mist and slowly arrived at the entrance of the cave. Instantly, the refreshing night breeze swept the heat away as the world before their eyes opened up into a wide panorama. It was no longer edges and corners of the mountain stone, but stars and an endless night sky.

Nightingale gasped slightly.

The feeling was intoxicating.

Anna seemed to be content and heaved a sigh. She then proceeded to stretch.

“Where’s Roland?”

“Most probably in the Dream World.”

“Is that so? He’s really busy…”

“That’s right. Everyone claims that I’ve never stopped to take a break, but compared to him, my work is nothing.” Anna chuckled. “He even works through the night.”

“You’re equally as impressive as he is.” Nightingale lowered her body until the water reached her shoulders. “In the past, you were a young lady that knew nothing, but now, you’re able to assume so much responsibility.”

“It’s really nothing much.” Anna revealed a rare embarrassed expression. “I’m only good at these aspects; if not for Barov and Teacher Karl’s help, the Ministry of Engineering would be in a mess.”

Hey hey, you can’t just declare your shortcomings without any hesitation.

Looking at Anna, complicated emotions rose within Nightingale—it was impossible to say that she did not feel indignation; clearly she had come into contact with Roland much earlier than Anna and had more opportunities, but in the end, she was still a tad slower. But regardless of everything, she could not bring herself to hate Anna; her honesty, earnestness and her straightforwardness… The longer one interacted with Anna, the more one could sense her purity. Nightingale had met countless people before, from ordinary citizens to nobility, yet none of them were as dazzling as her.

She had complete respect for her.

After a short silence, Anna changed the topic. “What do you think will be the outcome of this Battle of Divine Will?”

Nightingale realized that this might be the reason for being invited to share a bath.

“I guess… very smoothly?” She gazed up to the stars in the sky. In all honesty, inferring or predicting the outcome of a battle far exceeded her scope of abilities, and she did not know how to answer. But with the battle approaching, saying such things didn’t seem too appropriate. Fortunately, Anna could not see through her lie.

“Oh.” Anna did not echo her thoughts. “I don’t actually think so. Especially when the last objective is the Bottomless Land. Legends state that it is the land of God and I’m afraid that the risks involved with it far exceeds our estimates. For some reason, I feel that Roland might disappear anytime, and the closer we get to the northern extremity, the stronger this uneasiness becomes.”

Nightingale’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Anna might had sensed Roland’s waning life expectancy? But that likely had to do with the Realm of Mind, and heading to the Bottomless Land was also a means to resolve the problem. It was not something that was inevitable.

“Maybe you’re just over worried about it.”

“I hope so.” Anna blinked. “Right… Do you remember our agreement?”

“Yes…” Nightingale was taken aback for a moment. “—Eh?”

“I’ve decided to bring it forward. After we defeat the demons, I will talk to him personally.”

“Why? Because of your uneasiness?”

“That’s half the reason,” Anna replied gently. “But more of it is that he needs you too. And I… have never hated you. In the coming war, you’ll have to take care of him.”

“…” Nightingale was momentarily at a loss for words. She muttered after a long time, “Even so, why are you not stopping him from going to the Bottomless Land?”

Anna shook her head with a calm expression. “This was the optimal plan after considering many factors, and regardless of the outcome, he has already made his preparations. How can I stop him? Being afraid and running away will not change anything, so the only thing I can do is to aid him with everything that I can, and witness the future with my own eyes.”