“The Calamity... Witch, huh...”
Luo Wei hadn’t expected that the witch he knew would now have such a notorious reputation in the church, associated with death and disaster—words that carried the most negative connotations. It was a stark contrast to the Tilis he had in his mind.
Suppressing the whirlwind of thoughts in his heart, Luo Wei silently gazed at Evelyn, waiting for her to finish speaking.
Evelyn continued recounting the intelligence she had gathered from a branch of the vampire family.
“Over the past few years, the Magus Hermetic Order, a once low-key underground organization of dark wizards, has become increasingly radical and brazen. They’ve openly attacked the city guards, killed clergy, unleashed large-scale forbidden dark magic, spread plagues, and sown panic...”
“From all the signs, it seems they’re brewing some grand conspiracy, undoubtedly aiming to pull off something monumental. However, my vampire contacts have limited information and don’t know their true intentions...”
“As for your witch...” Evelyn looked at Luo Wei and shook her head helplessly.
“She’s in a league of her own...”
“The intelligence suggests that Tilis holds an exceptional position within the Magus Hermetic Order, almost like a spiritual leader. Over the past few years, her presence has been spotted repeatedly across the northern continent, and her shadow looms over almost every major event.”
“The title ‘Calamity Witch’ originated from a clash with the church four years ago.”
“At that time, Tilis appeared in the coastal region of the empire’s southeast. Upon receiving the news, the church dispatched a knightly order to suppress her as quickly as possible. However, not only did they fail to kill her... the entire knightly order was annihilated.”
“It’s said that the battlefield was a scene of devastation, with the earth trembling and corpses littering the ground. Even the seawater turned blood-red... truly horrifying.”
“But then again,” Evelyn added, “if the church hadn’t suffered such heavy losses in that operation, the old emperor wouldn’t have been able to extend his influence into the church’s upper echelons. After a major reshuffle, not only did he weaken the church’s power, but he also managed to install his son into a key position...”
Evelyn paused, noticing Luo Wei’s increasingly somber expression.
“In any case...”
“From then on, the name ‘Calamity Witch’ became one that struck fear into the hearts of many...”
She shrugged. “If it weren’t for knowing all this, judging from the letter she wrote, I’d never have guessed she was like this...”
Luo Wei let out a deep sigh. If all these things were true, then Tilis had changed dramatically over the past four years...
In the first timeline, the witch, though solitary and gloomy, always seemed to have a moral compass in his eyes.
She was deeply engrossed in her magical research, striving to solve the age-old affliction that had plagued mages for millennia. Because of this, she often had heavy dark circles under her eyes, looking perpetually sleep-deprived and lethargic. She would lazily lean on Luo Wei, yawning and dozing off at any moment. Sometimes, upon waking up, she would wear a dazed yet adorable expression.
Back then, despite her high status within the organization, she remained aloof from worldly affairs, indifferent to the infighting among the various factions within the Magus Hermetic Order. But now, it seemed she had unified the internal divisions within the Order—an undeniably impressive feat.
The Magus Hermetic Order, with its millennia-long history, was rife with factions and disagreements.
Some were obsessed with uncovering the truths of magic, while others sought to restore the glory of the ancient magical empire. Among the latter, there were extremists who wished to eradicate all ordinary humans, as well as more moderate ones who believed in coexistence, with humans serving as slaves to provide food and labor...
Each and every one of them was a heavyweight lunatic.
The more Luo Wei thought about it, the more his head hurt. Seeing that he remained silent, Evelyn shrugged and walked over to fiddle with the various spoils she had bought earlier that day.
There was a floral sundress with a southern seaside vibe, and the rest were mostly food items—various seafood products. Compared to the troubled expressions on Luo Wei and Helena’s faces, she truly seemed like she was here on vacation...
“You’re really enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Helena shot her a glance before turning to the silent Luo Wei.
“Brother, since that witch is so dangerous, why don’t we just go back...”
“Going back would mean another three days and nights on the train, you know~” Evelyn interjected casually.
Helena’s face paled, and she covered her mouth, feeling nauseous again.
Even so, she really didn’t want her brother to meet that witch. After a fierce internal struggle, she turned to Luo Wei again.
“We could travel back on foot... yeah! Let’s treat it as a hiking trip!”
Luo Wei looked at Helena’s serious little face and shook his head silently.
“We’ve come all this way...”
...
As night deepened, Helena, who was already feeling unwell, drifted off to sleep again.
Luo Wei tucked her in and quietly closed the door to her room.
Returning to his own room, just as he was about to wash up, Luo Wei suddenly noticed a mysterious magical glow emanating from the ring on his right hand.
Then, a cool, melodious voice echoed in the hotel room.
“Why are you still up so late?”
“Were you thinking of me?”
Luo Wei turned around in surprise to see Ophelia’s translucent figure appearing not far away, smiling at him.
“Are you here to check up on me?” Luo Wei chuckled. “I was just about to sleep.”
“Well, I’m about to rest too, but I suddenly missed you, so I thought I’d come see you.”
Luo Wei smiled as he gazed at her. What appeared before him wasn’t just Ophelia, but also a faint, almost transparent view of the interior of a tent. She must be in an outdoor camp right now.
Ophelia had left five days before him, tasked by the emperor with an urgent mission. She had to travel day and night to Antius, a key northern stronghold of the empire, to visit the ancestral tomb of the Wigner royal family. Given their pace, they should have arrived by now.
Now, the two of them were separated by almost the entire length of the empire, one in the south and the other in the north. It felt like a long-distance couple video-calling across vast distances, which stirred something in Luo Wei’s heart.
“It must be pretty cold over there, right? How’s the mission going?”
Ophelia, rarely one to complain, let out a hint of frustration. “Further north lies the snowy tundra, so yes, it’s quite cold... Fortunately, Caroline prepared plenty of thick winter clothes. As for the mission...”
She shook her head, glancing toward the outside of the tent. “The mountain here has collapsed, and we’re still figuring out how to proceed. It’s a bit complicated.”
Ophelia had previously shared some confidential information with Luo Wei. He knew this was a matter of great importance to the old emperor and potentially very dangerous. He patiently reminded her to delegate tasks to Caroline and the shadow guards whenever possible, rather than taking everything on herself.
“I know, I know. You’re getting more and more naggy,” Ophelia said, though her smile grew brighter despite her words.
“Anyway, the ring’s magic reserves aren’t infinite, so we shouldn’t waste them like this. It’ll be needed for more critical purposes later!”
Ophelia seemed ready to end the conversation. “Once I descend, I might be out of contact for a while. Don’t go flirting with that woman while I’m gone! I’ve already secretly instructed Helena to keep an eye on you! Behave yourself!”
Luo Wei nodded with a smile, recalling the day she had come to say goodbye. She had whispered something to Helena back at the old house—now he knew what it was about.
It was surprising that these two, who usually didn’t get along, had managed to form an alliance...
Just as Ophelia’s figure began to fade away, a notification suddenly popped up.
[Side Quest: The Dragon Tomb of Antius]
A side quest? Luo Wei was momentarily stunned.
“Wait a second!”
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
