Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

Everyone, gather quickly, the Brave One is going to announce his plan to deal with the Evil Dragon...

We’ve finally waited for this day...

...

Upon hearing this news, the vast majority of people dropped what they were doing and gathered in the square.

Even though it was Loren’s plan, everyone credited Naclis with the success. Loren didn’t mind this, as they were all on the same side anyway.

Once everyone was assembled, Loren began to announce his plan. At this moment, he was being supported by Mirrorheart, appearing extremely weak:

”Since it’s very difficult for us to see the Evil Dragon face-to-face, we cannot take the initiative to attack; we can only set an ambush.

”But no matter what, the Evil Dragon will come into contact with the tribute we offer. Therefore, we can hide within the tribute and launch a surprise attack when the Evil Dragon descends.”

The method Loren proposed was simple, yet practical, and received widespread praise as soon as he said it.

”Alright, it’s that simple. Everyone, get ready, we act tomorrow.”Oh, by the way, who is the chosen sacrifice? Let me see them.”

”It’s me...”

A little girl timidly raised her hand from within the crowd. The people around her cleared a space so Loren could see the girl’s face.

”Good, you’re lucky. You don’t have to die. Just cooperate with us as bait. Come to me later to discuss the plan.

”That’s it. I’m going back to rest now, cough, cough...”

Loren pretended to cough a few more times and was supported back to the castle by Mirrorheart.

”Master Mentor, is our plan really that simple?”

Only after returning to their quarters did Naclis ask.

She knew Loren’s plan definitely wasn’t that simple, but she didn’t understand why he hadn’t said so earlier. According to Loren’s description, that Murmuring Dragon was very cunning. Such a strategy definitely wouldn’t fool it.

”Definitely not. There are bad people among the populace. The Murmuring Dragon has bewitched some villagers to work for it. Everything that happens in the village will be reported to it, and the Evil Dragon merely returns to those villagers what originally belonged to them.

”So that was just a smokescreen. When the time comes, you all will secretly follow the tribute delivery team and then hide nearby to ambush the Evil Dragon.

”Only by appearing weaker will the Evil Dragon possibly show itself to check the situation.”

Loren hated dealing with this type of cautious opponent the most. Even if the opponent were a bit stronger, Loren could rely on the information gap to outsmart them.

”Is that why you’re pretending to be sick?”

”Yes and no. This is another layer of insurance.”

After their brief exchange, the little girl chosen as the sacrifice arrived at Loren’s quarters. Loren had already dismissed all the maids beforehand.

”Brave One, what are your orders?”

A fighting spirit burned in the little girl’s eyes, something Loren had never seen in anyone from this country. Perhaps it was because she was still young and hadn’t been assimilated yet, coupled with the fact that she had just been rescued by Loren and his group.

This was also why Loren chose her. Being young and chosen as the sacrifice meant she couldn’t possibly be a minion of the Evil Dragon.

”Alright, now go quickly spread the word in the village. Say that the Brave One’s strength is actually very weak, not much stronger than these ordinary people.

”Only then can you survive.”

Even if this news spread, the treatment of Loren and the others wouldn’t decrease much. The people would still support Loren with all their might, because they were going to fight the Evil Dragon. Even if they couldn’t save them, they were going to die in their place.

As long as the risk and responsibility weren’t on themselves, they would support Loren and the others.

”Alright, you may go.”

Loren’s earlier words had tied the little girl’s life to this operation, ensuring she would take it more seriously.

After sending the girl away, Loren lay down on the bed, quietly waiting for the public opinion to ferment.

In this small place, news traveled quickly. Before long, the news Loren had deliberately spread had circulated throughout the entire country.

Everyone learned about the Brave One’s party, such as them having Loren, the burden, and that the Brave One’s strength wasn’t actually that great.

However, the people didn’t start blaming Naclis because of this. Instead, they began to praise her courage. After all, the prophecy couldn’t be wrong. If the prophecy said they could defeat the Evil Dragon, then they definitely could.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the tribute offering. The villagers prepared several carriages. On the carriages were large treasure chests containing food and valuables. The chests were large enough to fit many people inside, which was enough to show how severely the Evil Dragon oppressed the people.

The entire country didn’t have many people, yet they had to offer this much tribute.

”Be careful on your journey, cough, cough...”

The Princess, who had been watching the carriages depart, noticed Loren standing alone, leaning against a wall.

”Where are your maids?”

The Princess walked over to Loren and inquired.

”Oh, she knows a bit of magic too. Adding her to the team to subdue the Evil Dragon increases the chance of success. Someone like me, on death’s doorstep, doesn’t need such meticulous care. Who knows when I might die.”

Loren’s words filled the Princess with deep respect. She couldn’t help but marvel that he was indeed the Brave One’s foster father, possessing such awareness.

Not only the Princess, but everyone who heard about this held Loren in even higher esteem.

”Let me help you back to rest.”

The Princess offered to escort Loren back, and Loren gladly accepted:

”Thank you. I’m actually quite tired, perfect timing to go back and rest for a while...”

The two slowly walked towards the castle. When Loren lay down on the bed, he found an excuse to send the Princess away:

”I’m going to sleep now. You should go back. I don’t need someone to take care of me everywhere.”

To maintain his sickly facade, Loren didn’t even carry Requiem with him. He had given Requiem to Anna.

Anna’s swordsmanship was already quite good. With Requiem’s enhancement, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to kill the Murmuring Dragon in one strike.

Moreover, Anna had strong willpower, so Loren didn’t need to worry about her being backlashed by the Cursed Blade, especially with his own suppression over Requiem.

”Alright...”

After pouring a glass of water for Loren, the Princess left. She was just the village chief’s daughter and didn’t carry herself like a princess. After leaving, she chatted with a few sisters about Loren.

Although she was only talking about Loren’s noble character and strong will, those with ulterior motives could always read something else into it. For example, that Loren was currently alone and completely defenseless.

A maid quietly left the area, her destination unknown.

...

Meanwhile, the carriages were slowly moving forward. Naclis and the others split into two groups. One group blended into the procession, while the other group followed closely behind.

The little girl chosen as the sacrifice sat in the foremost carriage. Even though Loren had promised to save her earlier, she still involuntarily shed tears of fear now.

The group pulled the carriages into the forest and then stopped. After unloading the treasure chests from the carriages, they left.

This was the designated tribute location, nothing particularly special. However, it was easy to hide within the forest.

After the escorting villagers left, the little girl intended to flee. But she was tied up, so she could only squirm away from the spot.

Just as she had crawled about a dozen meters away, the treasure chest exploded. The sturdy wooden chest was directly blown to pieces, fragments flying everywhere.