Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

”Guns from the God of Night and Thunder’s side are definitely the best.”

Loren twirled the submachine gun in his hand, deliberately showing off to Laila.

Normally, Loren wouldn’t do something like this, but meeting his good brother from back in the day made him feel much younger inside.

Since the God of Night and Thunder’s domain has electricity, it’s much more modernized there compared to other places, even boasting quite a few factories.

Consequently, the firearms they produce are the most sophisticated. At best, other places can only manufacture some simple rifles; some regions are even still using flintlock muskets. Only the God of Night and Thunder’s side can produce compact submachine guns like the one in Loren’s hand.

”They’re here, get ready.”

Loren’s intuition sent a warning. In these final moments, Anna stuffed the remaining food back into her backpack and gripped the longsword at her waist. Naclis pulled out her magic wand, and Luna placed her flute to her lips—she hadn’t fully mastered the new spellcasting technique yet.

Even Mirrorheart drew a gun. Only Scarlett silently crouched in a corner, covering her head.

In the next instant, an arrow shot forward with extreme speed, pinning the coachman to the carriage. The magical beast pulling the carriage panicked, causing the entire vehicle to tip over. Laila promptly leapt out through the carriage window, taking cover behind the overturned carriage to survey the surroundings.

”Loren, don’t come out yet. I’ll draw their fire!”After getting familiar, Laila addressed Loren directly by his name. Once she’d settled Loren, Laila immediately ran behind the trunk of a withered tree. Her petite frame could just hide behind it.

”I’ll go with you.”

Loren also vaulted out of the carriage. He guessed the attackers’ target was him. Staying with the children would actually be more dangerous.

Another arrow shot forth. This time, the target still wasn’t Loren. The vigilant Plague Envoy was also pierced through the head by an arrow.

”These are no friendly visitors.”

Loren estimated that, given the arrow’s speed, he couldn’t dodge it, but he could rely on his intuition’s warning plus Void-walking to avoid it.

”Long time no see, Master Mentor.”

After dealing with the guards, several figures emerged from behind nearby mounds of earth. They wore camouflage clothing. One of them held a crossbow—he was the culprit who killed the Plague Envoy.

”What business do you have with me?”

Knowing Loren’s identity yet still daring to attack him—they were either fools or genuinely capable. Judging by the two Plague Envoys being instantly killed, they clearly belonged to the latter category.

They approached Loren step by step, completely disregarding him. After all, Loren’s reputation for being physically weak was well-known; even fighting a Blackened was a life-or-death struggle for him.

”Loren!”

Seeing Loren surrounded, Laila immediately jumped out from behind the tree, shielding Loren behind her.

Yet, even with Laila’s gun muzzle pointed at them, they showed no trace of fear. Someone even stepped on the Plague Envoy’s corpse.

”No need to be tense, Master Mentor. We have a request for you. Please come with us.”

Seeing the group still advancing, Laila instantly fired her gun. While pushing Loren aside, she also ran in a direction away from the carriage.

But Laila’s plan failed. Her bullets were easily dodged by the man with the crossbow, and Loren also didn’t flee promptly.

”Run, Loren!”

Laila fired five shots in succession, still failing to hit them. Their reactions were swift. The ordinary revolver in Laila’s hands couldn’t do anything to them.

So, while urging Loren to escape, Laila also kept her eyes fixed on those people, skillfully reloading the revolver with practiced hands.

Yet Loren still showed no intention of fleeing. Instead, he shook his head at her.

Loren knew this meant Laila was planning to activate her Arcane Ability. Even though using it might expose her identity as a witch, she would still protect Loren.

Laila couldn’t figure out what Loren was trying to do, but she still chose to trust him. She lowered her gun, though her eyes remained locked firmly on the man leading the group.

Silently, without a sound, the mark of Relentless Pursuit had already been placed on him. If he truly intended to harm Loren, then Laila’s next bullet would definitely strike his vital spot.

”So, what do you need my help with?”

Even in this critical moment, Loren remained unhurried. He even had the leisure to help collect the Plague Envoy’s corpse. He also retrieved the body of the first Plague Envoy to die, placing it at his feet.

”You are truly a kind person. Surely you’re willing to help lift the curse on our boss.”

”Your boss is cursed... Let me think... Oh right, you seem to be from that so-and-so bandit group.”

Bandit groups are very common in this world, some strong, some weak. However, Loren’s impression of them still wasn’t deep. He only remembered casually wiping them out back then because their leader bore the God of Bountiful Harvest’s curse, which is why Loren had any impression at all.

”To think you know of us, what an honor. So, you must be willing to help us, right?”

Even if Loren didn’t remember their names, they still didn’t mind. It’s just that, whether in tone or action, they showed no sign of asking for help.

”In this world, information is the most important thing. Those with information can accomplish many things far beyond their actual strength.”

”You’re absolutely right.”

They continued advancing step by step.

”So, if I were you, I wouldn’t do this.”

”Oh? Right now, you’re far away in the Bardo Kingdom. The Bountiful Church can’t help you, and the Plague Envoys of Bardo don’t have much strength to spare either. You...”

The lead bandit’s expression stiffened. It wasn’t because he was scared by Loren, but because he felt something grab his ankle. He suddenly sensed danger, looked down, and discovered it was the Plague Envoy’s corpse gripping his ankle.

The Plague Envoy raised its head, its bird-beak mask falling off. The bandit saw the Plague Envoy’s already decomposed facial features. In the next moment, dense swarms of flies began pouring out from the Plague Envoy’s mouth, eyes, nose, and ears, instantly engulfing the bandit.

The other Plague Envoy did the same. The suddenly erupting flies surrounded them. Once the flies touched their bodies, their skin instantly began to fester.

”Plague Envoys have a deathrattle. You dare get close to their corpses with such terrible information, my foolish brother.”

Loren used Void-walking briefly, rapidly retreating.

Even with the deathrattle, Plague Envoys retain a bit of consciousness, knowing who is an enemy and who is an ally. They didn’t accidentally harm Loren.

Those flies only existed for a few seconds before dissipating, but that gang of bandits had also turned into rotting corpses.

Plague Envoys are rarely killed, and even if they are, the deathrattle takes out the killer, so not many people know about this. Even Loren back in the day died several times to Plague Envoys.

Today, the Plague Envoy’s deathrattle actually ended up helping Loren.