The Warden of The Witches

Chapter 102:

Witch Gathering

"Abigail, the Apex Witch, is the current host of the Witch Gathering, and she is widely recognized as the most powerful witch, without equal. On the first night of the full moon in the autumn, also known as the rising of the Blood Moon, she holds a grand gathering in the Witch Banquet Forest, inviting all the named witches from the gathering to attend,"

Melusine casually spoke while sitting on a chair, holding a cup of red tea.

"Even the Inquisition Bureau knows about this... or rather, the whole world knows. However, for some, these things are merely urban legends," Aiden, sitting across from her, also held a teacup.

They were sitting in the inner room of the infirmary. The room only accommodated Aiden, Melusine, and Dailey, who sat silently on the side, drinking tea. Only Aiden and Melusine engaged in continuous questioning and answering.

Priscilla's treatment had already concluded. After receiving the antidote and a sedative, her condition quickly stabilized. She had returned to her human form from the state of the monster and soon fell into a deep sleep.

According to Melusine, Priscilla only needed to be injected with a two-day hemostatic drug and consume liquid food for a while to fully recover. Aiden had someone take her to rest on a bed outside, then brought Melusine into the inner room to personally inquire about the information regarding the pendant Priscilla had vomited out.

Regarding this pendant, Dailey seems unwilling or unable to provide information, but Melusine clearly knows something.

When Melusine mentioned the "Witch Gathering," Aiden immediately began searching for information about it in his inherited memories.

The so-called Witch Gathering is a loosely organized group consisting of numerous witches and is also an annual event.

In this world, on the first night of the full moon in autumn, the moon always turns a vivid red.

On this Blood Moon night, the power of vampires, werewolves, and several types of monsters significantly increases. Moreover, the effects of many dark spells are enhanced, and the production of magical potions becomes smoother.

Then, at midnight on this day, Abigail, the universally recognized strongest witch known as the "Apex Witch," holds the gathering in the Witch Banquet Forest where she resides. She sends out invitations to almost all the witches, carried by bats, crows, and owls. Those who hold the invitations can successfully navigate through the mist that lingers in the Witch Banquet Forest throughout the day and reach the venue.

There, the witches trade their research findings and items with each other, and there may even be an auction. As the host and organizer, the Grand Witch Abigail imparts knowledge to the attending witches and distributes special "souvenirs."

-- These pieces of information come from the witches captured by the Inquisition Bureau in the past. However, unlike S-class criminals like Dailey and Priscilla, most of these captured witches are relatively unknown and have little influence.

Although the existence of the Witch Gathering event is almost entirely public, the Inquisition Bureaus of various countries and similar organizations have never considered launching an attack on the Witch Banquet Forest to wipe out all the witches on that day.

The Witch Banquet Forest is located in the central region of the southern continent and does not fall within the jurisdiction of any country. Strictly speaking, no country is willing to include this troublesome and practically valueless place within their territory.

The forest is constantly enveloped in eerie mist and is inhabited by countless magical creatures. It is said that besides the witches attending the Witch Gathering, no one who enters this forest has ever come out alive.

More importantly, the gathered witches possess the power to rival a small country. Witches are generally quite self-serving, which also leads to the loose structure of the Witch Gathering organization itself.

Anyone with a bit of intelligence would realize that dealing with witches should involve targeting them individually. Launching an attack openly when the witches are gathered together would be equivalent to declaring war on the entire assembly, essentially giving them an opportunity to join forces and eliminate the attacker.

"That's right, I also participated in the Witch Gathering before I was excommunicated," murmured Melusine. "The scale of this annual event can reach several hundred participants. By receiving recommendations from the witches during the gathering, one can obtain an invitation from Abigail. Of course, there are also witches who receive an invitation directly after causing a stir themselves."

"So what does this have to do with this thing? You just said it's the 'proof of the Great Witch'?"

(TN: great witch credential -> Proof of the great witch)

Aiden picked up the black crystal pendant and cleaned it. Only then did he notice a strange mist sealed inside the black crystal, constantly changing its shape.

"Yes, among the witches qualified to participate in the Witch Gathering, only the Great Witch selected by Abigail is granted this proof," Melusine replied.

"So what's the use of this thing? Is it just a medal, and other witches have to salute her when they see it?" Aiden inquired further.

It is said that by holding this proof, one can meet Abigail in person," Melusine answered.

"So, without this proof, you can't meet her? Isn't she the host of the Witch Gathering?" Aiden couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"She uses alchemy to create replicas of herself to preside over the Witch Gathering. Of course, only a small number of people, including the selected Great Witches, are aware of this. Most of the ordinary witches still believe they are meeting Abigail herself... After all, no one would specifically tell them about this. In the end, the relationships among most witches are just like that," Melusine explained.

Aiden turned his gaze to Dailey. In theory, someone of Dailey's caliber wouldn't be unaware of this. He had heard Dailey mention some things about the Witch Gathering before, but she had never told him about this particular information.

Most likely, the Inquisition Bureau also interrogated her about the Witch Gathering, and the information she provided was similar to that of the ordinary "small fry" witches.

However, according to Melusine, it seems that Abigail grants certain privileges to Great Witches like herself.

Dailey caught Aiden's gaze and sighed. "I owe a debt to Lady Abigail, so unless necessary, I won't willingly disclose any information about her. Warden, please don't press me."

"I didn't expect you to be so honorable," Aiden couldn't help teasing her.

"Even if I weren't honorable, I wouldn't dare offend that person," Dailey shook her head.

"Then how did you find out? Did you have this before?" Aiden turned to Melusine and waved the pendant again.

"I didn't have one, but my teacher did," Melusine calmly replied.

"I remember you mentioning your teacher earlier... "

"Lamia, the 'Potion Queen' Lamia. She is also one of the Great Witches selected by Abigail."

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