Another World Witch Training Manual

009, Execution

Xinlai naturally understood.

He didn't rush to reply, but leaned back against the car wall, his expression relaxing.

There was neither teasing nor eagerness to defend himself in those heterochromatic eyes; he simply met her gaze calmly and earnestly.

"Is the High Priest targeting me?"

Alaya was slightly taken aback.

She was neither a naive girl who would be unable to resist handsome men, nor a woman who would be manipulated by others.

Those words just now were three parts anger and seven parts testing.

Galend invited her in public, and given her status, she truly had no choice but to accept...

Thinking back on the rumors about Galunde that she had heard among the common people, Alaya knew that going to see Galunde would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

So she could only see if Xinlai beside her wanted to help her.

"I……"

She had barely opened her mouth when Xinlai looked away.

He turned his head to look at the execution platform not far away, his expression indifferent, as if he were only talking about a trivial matter:

"It's alright, I'll handle things with Galunde for you."

After a pause, Xin Lai's tone remained sincere:

"As for the rest, if you come to me, I will do my best... Of course, it's entirely up to the High Priest himself."

A seemingly casual remark, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Aleya's heart suddenly tightened. She wanted to explain, but then realized that explaining now would make her seem even more humble. The words stuck in her throat, like sand slipping through her fingers; the more she tried to hold on, the faster they slipped away.

What a brilliant example of turning the tables!

She pursed her lips, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and finally fell silent.

The carriage fell silent.

But the quieter it was, the more those words churned in my heart, troubling me and making me restless.

Xin Lai, however, seemed completely oblivious to the torment of the person beside him. His attention had already passed through the gap in the carriage curtain and landed on the hundred steps below.

The execution is finally about to begin...

He raised his hand to rub his temples, looking somewhat tired, but his gaze never left Eve and Simeon.

Simeon held one hand behind his back and the other hand held his silver sword horizontally, each step he took was steady and solemn.

On both sides stood layers of solemn guards, and the execution music of the honor guard echoed deeply. At the end of the procession was Eve's cell.

The entire execution ground gradually quieted down. Thousands of gazes followed the silver sword, inch by inch, as it moved forward.

Until Simeon stopped.

A slightly hot breeze swept through the area, ruffling the hair on his forehead.

He glanced at the person in the cage, a fleeting look of surprise flashing in his eyes, before glancing subtly at Xin Lai's location.

Immediately, the silver sword was raised high.

He took the final step and came to the prison door.

That look of surprise was fleeting; if one didn't look closely, one would simply assume it was from being shocked by the witch's alluring figure.

"Click."

Unlocked with palm print, the iron gate creaked open to both sides.

Simien's figure enveloped the girl who was slumped on the ground.

Eve, however, remained motionless, like a withered lotus root uprooted and devoid of any will to live, calmly awaiting the final frost.

"By the goddess Marika above—"

Simeon raised his head, his voice booming. The silver sword slowly rose above Eve's head, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"I will act on your will, cleanse the world of its filth, and eradicate heresy!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the silver sword cut through the wind, falling with lightning speed.

Xinlai suddenly drew the carriage curtain.

"Let's go, there's nothing left to see."

He spoke in a flat tone and ordered the driver to turn around.

Aleya was stunned: "Huh? You're not watching anymore?"

Xinlai did not answer, but only gave a faint smile.

This Eve is fake.

If it weren't for Simien's extremely unnatural surprise and furtive glance just before he swung his sword, he would have almost been fooled as well.

The only solution to this problem is to use the "substitution of the prince" tactic, which is also the simplest approach.

A woman was locked in a cage, her hair disheveled, making it impossible to see her face. In addition, her magic was restricted. As long as she dyed her hair the same color as Eve and wore the same prison uniform, it would be impossible to tell the difference between the real and fake.

More importantly, Sinlai realized that although she was not far from "Eve", the connection between their souls was pitifully weak.

This proves that although Eve was in the royal city, she was definitely not in front of him.

Simeon's astonishment is also easy to explain. No one expected that Xinlai would be attacked suddenly. Simeon, who was hastily appointed, had no room to maneuver in such a short time and thought that Eve was doomed.

Simeon wasn't stupid; he most likely realized that the person locked in the cage wasn't Eve, or was just a "fake" Eve...

That look of surprise flashed by in an instant.

As a prince, Simien's calm demeanor and royal upbringing allowed him to quickly adjust and continue the execution with a blank expression.

Then, Simien assumed it was Xinlai's doing, which is why he glanced at Xinlai after discovering she was also there.

Little did they know that even Sin Lai couldn't be sure who did it.

Perhaps during his coma, Lorenz, the original protagonist of this world, took advantage of the chaos to sneak in and was rescued by Eve.

Perhaps Eve escaped on her own, or perhaps some of her relatives were plotting to rescue her.

But none of that matters anymore.

After all, if they wanted to escape the royal city with Eve, they would have to use teleportation magic.

And as long as teleportation magic is used, Eve will never escape Xinlai's grasp.

This is also what he relies on to remain calm and collected.

As long as Simien can't make a move, Xinlai will win.

"The outcome is already decided, so there's no need to waste any more energy."

This is like checking the answers after an exam, or finding that the black ball and the white ball are in a straight line in the middle pocket. Would you rather not?

……

As the carriage drove further and further away, the atmosphere became somewhat quiet.

Alaya sat quietly beside him, her mind in turmoil.

For the first time in many years, she couldn't understand the thoughts of her peers.

"Your Highness, Third Prince."

After much deliberation, she finally spoke:

"I feel really bad that you're going to negotiate with Prince Galendr alone. How about you take me with you?"

This was the most compromise she could think of.

This way, you can maintain your dignity while leaving yourself room to maneuver.

Xinlai glanced sideways and nodded slightly.

"Since Miss Alaya has extended such a warm invitation, I have no reason to refuse."

Alaya carefully discerned each word he uttered; Sinlai addressed her as "Miss Alaya," not "High Priestess."

Her expression relaxed a little.

Xinlai was probably in a good mood at the moment.

She leaned slightly forward and took out the small bottle she kept close to her body from inside her bodice.

The bottle was still warm to the touch and had a very faint, sweet milky aroma.

She handed the medicine bottle to Xinlai.

Xinlai glanced down and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Your Highness's injuries have not yet healed," Alaya said calmly, like a nurse giving a routine answer.

"This is a high-grade healing potion made by the church. Please accept it as a token of our gratitude for your future trip to see Prince Galund.

It's well-reasoned and hard to refuse.

Xinlai took the medicine bottle and smiled:

"Then thank you very much, Miss Alaya."

……

……

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the cathedral portico. Sinley lifted the curtain and turned to extend her hand.

Alaya gently placed her hand on his palm.

Her skin was as smooth and warm as jade, soft and fair, and once you held it, you didn't want to let go. As her hand was gently held, Aleya's cheeks were already faintly flushed.

As her graceful figure and flowing robes landed on the carriage, Xin Lai didn't linger any longer, releasing her hand: "Go back and rest now, thank you for your trouble today."

"Your Highness, please take care as well." She paused, "Do not overdo your cultivation until your injuries have fully healed."

"understood."

The sound of horses' hooves rose.

Alaya stood under the veranda, watching the carriage travel further and further away until it disappeared into the pale gold of the twilight at the end of the street, before gently lowering her eyes, turning and disappearing into the deep corridor of the church.

On the other side, in a luxurious carriage.

"Is my little brother really asking for trouble..." Galund watched Xinlai's carriage disappear into the distance, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "Just a high priest, what are you pretending to be?"

"Your Highness, please don't be angry." The woman beside Galunde gently ran her fingers across his chin, shifting her gaze to the side. "If Your Highness likes her, I'll go and get her back for you right away."

Galunde pondered for a moment, then looked at the alluring woman before him and laughed loudly, "Hmm... You have such awareness, good! Tonight, I'll pamper you properly!"

The woman was quite pleased and nodded vigorously, "Your Highness~, you're so annoying..."

……

……