Even as Helia returned, the new forest continued to grow as it assimilated all the broken trees in the collapsed region.
Eventually, the forest reached the edges and extended its roots to connect with the trees outside the collapsed region.
In that instance, Aeliana’s shared consciousness with the forest expanded rapidly, reaching far and wide and covering all of the Red Goblin Mountains.
Shortly after, Aeliana pulled herself out of the supertree and ended her Dryad Transformation, changing back to her former appearance.
However, her aura was different compared to before she used Dryad Transformation.
She approached Vaan without any difficulties in walking and gave him a pleasant smile that also radiated confidence and power.
“Lord Aeliana can perfectly control the power of her Plant-type Abomination form?” Helia uttered with surprise.
“According to Teacher Raphna, Lord Aeliana underwent a second awakening during her berserk transformation and acquired Dryad Transformation as her second Specialized Magic,” Astoria explained.
After listening to Astoria’s explanation, Helia’s eyes widened even further with astonishment.
“That’s the right reaction to expect from this sort of news. Lord Aeliana’s case is unprecedented and a groundbreaking discovery for witches,” Astoria smiled..
Aeliana’s second awakening painted a bright future ahead for all witches.
If every witch could also undergo a second awakening, the collective strength of witches would be raised by a level.
Astoria had seen the power of Dryad Transformation; whether it was range or utility, it was already comparable to High Witches.
Suddenly, her eyes sparkled.
She wondered if a second awakening was the requirement for High Witches to advance beyond the early stage.
Astoria glanced at Vaan, wanting to share her thoughts with him.
But at that moment, Aeliana reached him first.
“Of the fifty-six missing people in the camp, thirty-seven survived. Unfortunately, the rest didn’t make it; they were already dead when I found them. I’ve also done a quick sweep over the Red Goblin Mountains. The Fallen Witch and Grand Inquisitor are nowhere to be found,” Aeliana reported.
“Marquis Ember most likely fled to the capital on one of the magic airships, and the Fallen Witch fled south as Lord Helia speculated. Even if we take the last magic airship, we won’t catch up to either of them,” Astoria determined.
“That said, we don’t have the strength to stop Fallen Witch Elvira even if we chase after her.”
“Furthermore, our kingdom doesn’t have an amicable relationship with the neighboring powers beyond our borders. Even if Her Majesty is informed about the Fallen Witch, there’s nothing she can do since Fallen Witch Elvira would have already fled the kingdom.”
“Her Majesty wouldn’t leave the Black Rose Kingdom just to hunt down the Fallen Witch. It would cause an international dispute,” Astoria added.
“In other words, the Fallen Witch’s matter is out of hands now,” Helia calmly stated.
However, she felt complicated in her heart. She was relieved that her elder sister managed to survive. But at the same time, she knew it was wrong to feel that way.
The person was no longer the elder sister she once knew.
After all, they didn’t even exchange a single word despite seeing each other; she was treated as if she didn’t exist.
“Let’s head back to Redpine City to provide the wounded with better treatment and send a report of what happened here to Her Majesty. It would also let Marquis Ember know we are still alive,” Helia suggested after a soft sigh.
“We’ll find some people to excavate the rest of this land at a later date.”
“Alright,” Astoria nodded in agreement, but then she suddenly paused and turned to Vaan to seek his opinion. “What do you think, Teacher Raphna?”
“Sounds good. I still have some unfinished business in Redpine City,” Vaan replied after some careful contemplation.
With Astoria’s complete backing and Helia’s goodwill, he shouldn’t encounter any problems in the city.
“Great. I will fetch the magic airship. It will be more convenient to transport the wounded and save us some time getting back,” Helia stated.
Shortly after, she flew off with Flight Magic.
Aeliana stared at Helia’s distant back with a sharp glint in her eyes.
It was undetermined what she was thinking about. But one thing was certain; she was not happy with Fallen Witch Elvira getting away.
…
…
[0)ᴠʟ …
Somewhere south of the Blackmoon Region, a magic airship sailed through the sky, heading further south with great speed.
Bodies of the crew members scattered across the deck with a single hole through their heads; fresh blood still dripped out of them.
The entire crew had been slaughtered.
Yet, even without anyone to manage the controls, the magic airship continued to soar through the clouds as it headed south at maximum speed.
Fallen Witch Elvira stood at the front of the deck, biting her black nails as she stared into the distance.
“Dammit! All that work for nothing,” Fallen Witch Elvira gritted her teeth with burning hatred in her eyes.
She was forced to abandon everything.
Considering the magic airships flew at the same speed, she couldn’t catch Marquis Ember even if she wanted to.
Stubbornly chasing after Marquis Ember would only lead to her death.
“Hm?”
Having sensed something behind her, Fallen Witch Elvira turned around to check with vigilance.
Her eyes immediately locked onto a whirlpool-like black spatial portal that suddenly appeared on the deck, just a few yards away from her.
Moments later, a seemingly young lady wearing a black dress stepped out from the spatial portal.
Strangely, Fallen Witch Elvira sensed a connection to the young lady in black as if they belonged to the same group of people.
However, the lady in black was very beautiful, unlike her.
“Who are you?” Fallen Witch Elvira interrogated with her guard up, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.
“Claudette De Vile, a Fallen Witch like you,” the young lady smiled without concern.
“My Queen has ordered me to come and fetch you. She told me you would be somewhere in this area. And as it appears, her judgment was impeccably accurate like always.”
“Come with me. I will take you to our society of Fallen Witches, somewhere you can safely conduct your research without persecution by the nonconformists,” Claudette stated.