Otaku Witch

Chapter 28: 26. Naive Determination

The next morning, the luxurious carriage of the Dragon Witch had already arrived at the doorstep on time.

Dorothy had just carried her suitcase out from her room when she saw Euphilia sitting on the sofa. The towering Dragon Witch still commanded an overwhelming presence, full of oppressive force. Although she was a guest, she dominated the atmosphere, making it difficult for the host sitting opposite her to cope.

Upon seeing Dorothy step out with her suitcase, a glint of joy flashed in Euphilia's eyes, feeling that her daughter must have made the right choice.

On the other side, a hint of sorrow flashed in Adam's eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately he sighed and remained silent.

He had said the day before that no matter what decision his daughter made, he would support her.

Moreover, having lived together for so many years, Adam knew his daughter's character well. She was more human than witch, and even if she truly embarked on a path of arms, he believed she would not become as bloodthirsty and mad as other witches.

Even if his daughter truly turned into a complete witch, Adam had accepted it; over the years, his thoughts had changed compared to a decade earlier.

Back then, he had always seen his daughter through the eyes of a future war criminal, filled with thoughts of turning her from the path of evil, but now that seemed somewhat ridiculous.

This was his daughter, his own flesh and blood, not a crystallization of his sins but a continuation of his life, a redemption bestowed by heaven, and an independent person. What right did he have to impose his will on this child?

His hatred for war was his own concern, whether his child liked it should be her decision to make. In this witch-dominated world, it was he, full of ideals but incapable of changing anything, who was truly sick. Why should he wish his daughter to become the same?

Forcing a naturally carnivorous beast to eat grass in the name of what's best for it was the true sin. Even now, Adam firmly believed it was not he who was wrong, but this cruel world. Virtues like kindness, justice, and compassion should be upheld and promoted, and savage aggression and slaughter should never be seen as acceptable, regardless of the reasons.

But what was different now was that he no longer demanded Dorothy to adhere to these beliefs of his.

All he wanted as a father was for his daughter to live a happy life every day; he did not wish to ask for anything more.

"Merciful Lord, if there really is such a thing as karma of good and evil in this world, then if one day Dorothy truly follows her mother's path, please lay her sins upon me," he prayed silently to the vague deities, hoping for his daughter's lifelong peace and happiness.

But when Euphilia stood up and walked to her daughter, intending to take the suitcase and bring her home, she found that her daughter's grip on the suitcase did not loosen.

The Dragon Witch was puzzled as she looked earnestly at the young witch in front of her, waiting for her answer.

"Mother Superior, I thought it through seriously last night, and I've made up my mind. I want to make my own decisions in life, and if you can accept that, I hope you can witness my life," Dorothy said.

Although the misunderstanding between mother and daughter had been resolved, since they were only meeting for the third time, Dorothy couldn't easily call out 'Mom.' She took a step back and used the more formal 'Mother Superior,' and expressed her determination.

She was nearly an adult now; children made binary choices, but as an adult witch, she chose option three—I want it all, and yet I want none of it.

"I don't want to just go back with you, and then follow the life you've planned for me under your protection. This isn't because of my father's influence; it's purely my own decision. I want to live a life that is truly my own," she declared.

"I am going to Witch Academy to study, and after graduating, I might find some like-minded companions to go on adventures with, to establish my own witch territory. Although you may find father's ideas naive, ridiculous, or even weak, I quite agree with some of his views. This world shouldn't just be about oppressors and the oppressed. I want to create a special Witch Territory in the future, where my companions and all my subjects can live happily and joyfully," Dorothy explained.

"Mother, there are things in this world that should never be forgotten or scorned, and not everything popular is necessarily correct. I want to try to do what I can, and I hope you can forgive my wilfulness," she said bravely, staring into the imposing Dragon Witch's eyes and earnestly voicing her thoughts, then she bowed, asking and hoping for understanding and respect from this relative connected by blood.

......

On the other side, Euphilia was also seriously looking at her stubborn daughter in front of her. It was as if flames were burning in the eyes of the young witch, a glow of someone harboring dreams, beautiful and pure, which even as a Peak Witch, she couldn't help but feel slightly affected by.

But...

"I refuse,"

the Dragon Witch coldly spat out these three words.

....

Um.....

Dorothy, startled, lifted her head to look at her mother.

Mom, why aren't you following the script? Shouldn't this be a touching tearjerker scene of maternal love and filial piety? You really are just like Dad said, completely clueless about human emotions.

Feeling rejected, she was also a bit angry. She didn't care anymore whether her mother supported her or not; she had already decided on her path. Since the planned happy life as a homebody had been disrupted, she had to find something to do. Given that she had crossed over into this world, she might as well do something she truly wanted to do.

There's no way I'm going back with you to inherit billions, absolutely not. The Dragon Kingdom is full of warmongers, and the air there reeks of muscles and sweat. I don't fit in there at all. If I go back, I'd likely end up dragged to the battlefield, battling life and death; I'm really not good at fighting.

With this in mind, she quietly took a step back, distancing herself a bit more from the tall Dragon Witch, then watched her warily, afraid that she might be provoked enough by her own people to just tie her up on the spot.

Although that would be useless anyway. The entire family combined probably wouldn't stand a chance against Euphilia alone since Dorothy and Alice, those two little witches, aren't exactly known for their combat power. Let's not even mention it. Although Father is a High-order Mage, he is really just a theorist focused on research. Humanity's trashy attribute panel has dragged down his strength.

Stepmother Annie, on the other hand, is a genuine Great Witch. Even now as a Research Witch, she is actually a retired battlefield veteran who took the path from combat to research. So, despite her harmless appearance and short stature, her actual combat power is astonishing; the Lord of Sea Moon City, the Sea Moon Witch, might not even be able to defeat this good friend.

But, the problem is that the woman opposite is a Peak Witch, and moreover, she is recognized as the first in combat power among her peers, the Dragon Witch. Stepmother's skills would probably be overpowered in less than three moves in her hands.

Luckily, Euphilia appeared quite calm and didn't seem inclined to lose reason and start a fight immediately, so Dorothy plucked up her courage to ask cautiously.

"Why not?"

"You are too weak, my daughter. In this world, without strength, no one will listen to your reasons. You must first learn to overpower others. If you want my support, to strike out on your own after graduation, you must first earn my recognition of your strength,"

Euphilia said earnestly, her face stern.

Although these words were said by a Peak Witch, her own mother, Dorothy still found them harsh to the ears and irritating. She now understood why the Dragon Kingdom had such a notorious reputation. Apart from their true combat capabilities, this blunt and simple-minded character was probably a major reason; one word from them could offend others.

"Then how can you recognize my strength, you don't expect me to become a Peak Witch before you acknowledge me, do you?"

Dorothy slightly furrowed her brows and asked.

"That's not necessary. You just need to defeat her. She is my disciple, and she is also your age. If you can defeat her before you graduate from the academy, your strength will be sufficiently qualified, and I will allow you to go out on your own. Otherwise, come back and train with me until your strength meets the standards, even if it takes a few more years,"

the Dragon Witch said, pointing to a follower beside her.

Dorothy followed her mother's pointing hand and then saw, to her surprise, that familiar flash of pure white.

"Is it you?"

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