[Moon Princess]: ?
[Moon Princess]: It may be a little rude to say this to the new arrivals, but what kind of compensation adds two new people to the chat?
[Moon Princess]: And this AI summary assistant — I already have this thing turned off on the networks in the Lunar Capital. Are we sure it's not here to spy on us?
Kaguya deployed her skepticism with full force. It said something about how technologically progressive the Lunar Capital was that group chats came with their own AI assistant feature.
[Acting Sovereign of Entropy]: Natasha… my poor Natasha… Forgive me, Mother failed to protect you…
[Acting Sovereign of Entropy]: Hm? What is this place — Honkai, you wretched thing, even now you're still trying to ensnare me?!
After a brief silence following Kaguya's message, one of the two new members sent the first response. The other remained quiet.
[Acting Sovereign of Entropy]: I will never become your lapdog! Even if it takes everything I have — I swear I will have my revenge on you someday!
[Moon Princess]: Ah — please calm down, new member…
[System Message: Group member [Acting Sovereign of Entropy]'s status has changed from [Online] to [Away].]
[Moon Princess]: ?
[Moon Princess]: Well, it's normal to be on guard, I suppose. Morgan herself didn't say a word for a whole day after she first joined.
[Moon Princess]: @Definitely Not a God — Welcome, other new member~ Let me introduce everyone. I am the princess of the Moon Capital's deities. This is [Queen of Britain], the queen of the fairy realm —
[Definitely Not a God]: A false god? A vessel of filth?
[Definitely Not a God]:(Ha!) .jpg
Ha! (×14)
[System Message: Group member [Definitely Not a God]'s status has changed from [Online] to [Away].]
[Moon Princess]: ?
[Moon Princess]: What does that even mean? Do I look that frightening? How rude — I am literally the most beautiful girl in all of history, you know~!
Kaguya was drowning in question marks, utterly at a loss as to why both new arrivals had taken an immediate dislike to her.
Being cautious and wary was understandable — but ha-ing at her was a step too far, surely!
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: …
Shin had actually recognized the two newcomers. The first had to be Cocolia from the Honkai universe. The second was a certain individual of considerable infamy — the so-called Lord of Loves.
Something was off about both of them, though. They didn't quite match the versions of them he had in his head.
But Shin was too preoccupied with the matter of the Great Witch's earlier mention of "leaving" to spare them more than a passing thought.
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: @Spreading Witch Factors — Great Witch, this "mission" you mentioned — the one you have to carry out alone — what exactly is it?
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: The way you said it makes it sound like you're planning to abandon your children and run off by yourself. Aren't you and your children family? Is there something you can't face together?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: No. This is my mission and mine alone. My revenge. My children must not be dragged into it — not under any circumstances.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: This matter is extremely dangerous — there's a very real chance it ends in my death. And beyond that… I don't want Shaya to know what I'm planning. He's too kind-hearted. I don't want to taint the image he has of me.
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: …?
Shin drew a slow, measured breath. Perhaps his questions in the chat had stirred the Great Witch into deep thought up on the second floor — the muffled crying had faded into silence.
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: If you'll allow me to ask — Great Witch, how exactly were you planning to make your children accept your disappearance?
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: From what we've all seen in the group stream, he's someone who places enormous weight on family. If he insists on following you, what would you do?
[Spreading Witch Factors]: I don't know. I haven't worked it out yet. …Perhaps I'll stage an accident. Let him and his little sister believe I died unexpectedly.
[Spreading Witch Factors]: Time heals all wounds. I believe they'll move on — and live the lives they want, free of any burden.
A textbook "noble fake death" arc — straight off the cliché greatest-hits list.
Oh, sure. So that's how it's going to be.
In real life, Shin was gripping the edge of his windowsill so hard his knuckles had gone white, fighting down every instinct screaming at him to charge upstairs, grab the Great Witch by her tiny shoulders, and demand answers on the spot.
Because he knew — if he did that, with her stubbornness, she'd teleport herself out of reach without a second thought. He had no way to physically stop her.
The bloodline of the Pillar Men and the power granted by the system made him unafraid to stand alone against a thousand — and yet he could not keep hold of the one person he cherished and who cherished him in return.
He needed a window of opportunity. Something that would catch the Great Witch completely off guard — a single, decisive opening to untie the knot she had wrapped herself in.
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: As an outsider, I'm not sure I'm in any position to say much. But I'll still urge you, Great Witch — please consider your children's feelings more carefully.
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: You said it yourself: time heals all wounds. But that cuts both ways — what is it you personally can't let go of, even given time?
[Aspiring to Be the Perfect Human Being]: That's all I have to say. I sincerely hope you sort out your family situation, Great Witch.
Shin closed the chat and sat with the storm raging quietly inside him.
Sixteen years. An entire sixteen years, lived on this solitary little island somewhere in what he suspected was the Pacific Ocean.
He hadn't ventured outside often. The nearest landmass to Witch Island had only scattered villages — judging by their level of civilization, somewhere around the fifteenth century.
He had walked his own path of vengeance. And the Great Witch had walked hers. Perhaps it really was a kind of fate — that the two survivors of their respective clans had found each other in this strange way.
Trying to take revenge on all of humanity by Spreading Witch Factorss was, frankly, never going to work. But at the very least —
Shin leaned against the manor's windowsill and let his gaze stretch to the distant horizon, his eyes capable of seeing for miles. A plan had taken shape in his mind.
He was going to need to ask the Great Witch for a leave of absence from Witch Island.
Of course — whether he actually needed her permission for that leave was a separate question entirely.
To be continued…
Guys, from today onwards, the fic will have one chapter update per day as Patreon has caught up with the raws! The author releases like 1-2 chapters on daily basis so I will also tl simultaneously to the author's release!
Advance 50 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
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