Chapter 28: My Heart is Kind

Alexia arrived at the underground of the Imperial Castle and handed the stone sealing Alma’s soul to September Nine.

“Ah!”

September Nine exclaimed at the sight of the soul stone, a look of inevitable understanding flashing in her eyes.

“Witches who lose in the Witch Council are always pushed out as scapegoats in the end.”

It was this kind of cruel ruthlessness that led her to withdraw from the Witch Council.

Once you fail, you might even lose your qualification as a person.

Even so, there were still many witches who would do anything to join the Witch Council.

“I really don’t understand what’s so attractive about those seats in the Witch Council.”

Alexia spoke softly.

“It’s precisely because they’ve never seen the scenery at the summit that they desire it so much.”

She understood this well.

Just like the throne of the Empire, countless people yearned for it in their dreams.

But once enthroned, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were no longer under your own control.

Of course, giving up wasn’t impossible either, as long as you could be a stable puppet king without your own will.

September Nine accepted the soul stone and asked Alexia.

“Does Her Majesty the Empress wish for me to refine her?”

“Alma excels at mental power. Even if her soul is drawn out of the cycle of reincarnation, if made into a magic puppet, she could become even stronger than before.”

Alexia shook her head.

“No, I want you to awaken her first. I have something to say to her.”

Though she didn’t understand the intention, September Nine still complied.

Several mechanical tentacles extended from beneath her black robe, swiftly transforming into corresponding magitech devices.

Three minutes later, Alma’s soul materialized from the stone.

The moment she saw Alexia, her expression twisted in rage and terror.

“Alexia!”

She roared.

Everything she had experienced was thanks to Alexia.

Alexia remained indifferent to her attitude and raised her head to speak.

“Alma, out of mercy, I give you three choices.”

“Cease to exist, letting your soul vanish for all eternity. You’ll gain everlasting peace and never again be used by those with ulterior motives.”

“Fight alongside me, and seek vengeance upon those who brought you to this state. I will fully support you. Afterwards, if you still bear a grudge over my killing you, I welcome you to try again—so long as you do not endanger the citizens of the Empire.”

“Or, choose to leave and do as you wish, but under one condition: leave the Empire’s borders and vow never to set foot within them again.”

“Choose, Alma. Whatever you decide, I will honor it.”

Alma was stunned the moment she heard the second proposal, staring at Alexia in disbelief.

She spoke, unable to believe it.

“Alexia, I tried to kill you, and caused the deaths of so many… Do you even know what you’re saying now?”

“I do.”

Alexia answered firmly.

“After death, all grudges and hatred dissolve into smoke. I have killed you once. Our past is finished.”

Since reincarnation had occurred, it meant Alma had accepted her own death.

Unfortunately, the other witches didn’t think so—they sent her back as a gift.

“Do you think I would torment or take revenge on you for that day? I have neither the time nor the inclination to toy with an insignificant soul.”

Alexia didn’t even have time for amusement, let alone the possibility of tormenting others.

Alma’s expression grew complicated.

She couldn’t imagine that Alexia, an enemy just days ago, would now offer her such a choice.

She had come close to killing Alexia that day.

From Alexia’s pale face, it was clear her spirit had suffered considerable damage.

At the same time, she understood why the Witch Council was so determined to see Alexia dead.

Indeed, as long as such a person lived, the Empire could never be torn apart.

Such magnanimity was beyond Alma’s comprehension.

“Alexia, to be honest, the Witch Council wants you dead.”

Since Alexia had shown sincerity, she didn’t mind revealing some secrets about the Witch Council.

“I know.”

Alexia nodded lightly.

If Alma had been able to control her, there wouldn’t have been such a deliberate apology afterward.

This alone proved that the Witch Council did indeed want her dead.

“Is that all you know?”

Alma laughed softly.

“Do you know why the Witch Council is so intent on your death?”

“Because only if you are gone will the Empire fall into chaos, and in the chaos, a struggle for the throne will erupt.”

“The Eastern United Kingdom would take the opportunity to attack the Empire. At that point, the Empire and the Eastern United Kingdom would be trapped in the quagmire of war.”

“All that you said, I already know.”

Everything was within Alexia’s expectations.

That was why she could not fall.

“Then do you know what will happen to the world if the Empire and the Eastern United Kingdom reach such a state?”

“The Empire is just a fuse. The Witch Council intends to ignite that fuse and blow up the powder keg called the World.”

“It seems Her Majesty the Empress has been busy with Imperial Capital Affairs for so long, she’s forgotten that the Empire isn’t the only thing in the world.”

Alma’s reminder awakened Alexia.

Suddenly, she realized the Witch Council’s true aim.

They didn’t want to control the Empire, but to use it to plunge the entire world into chaos.

It seemed she had to stabilize the Empire’s situation and solve the problems in the Imperial Capital quickly, or she wouldn’t be able to withstand the Witch Council’s next move.

After finishing, Alma shared her own resolve with Alexia.

“This is my sincerity, Your Majesty. I hope you will fulfill your previous promise and give me a chance for revenge.”

Alma chose the second option.

Given the immense harm the Witch Council had caused her, how could she consider the first?

As for the third, she feared she wouldn’t even escape the Empire before feeling the touch of death again.

The Witch Council would not let her go.

“My words are as good as gold.”

Alexia nodded firmly.

For her, having another ally was always a good thing.

The number of people she could rely on was few, so the more the better.

Whether her or Alma, at least for now, they shared a common enemy—the Witch Council.

“In addition, let me warn Her Majesty that some witches possess extremely covert abilities, ones you can hardly detect even after being struck.”

Alma now suspected that her previous actions were influenced by a certain witch.

How could she have recklessly barged into the Imperial Castle and confronted Alexia directly?

Looking back, the more she thought about it, the more foolish it seemed—actions unthinkable for a rational person.

At this thought, a vague figure surfaced in Alma’s mind.

She thought of her superior witch—the Third Seat of the Witch Council, the Witch of Malice.