Amber Sword

"I know, Princess, listen to me. I wouldn’t joke about my own life either. But I have a plan, perhaps worth a try," Ben said in the eager tone unique to players for anything. Princess Griffith looked at him, frowning, "Really?"

The doubt on the Half-Elf Princess’s face was utterly adorable in Ben’s eyes, a rare girlish demeanor she seldom showed. He nodded, "Of course, if we can sneak past under Jogen Digan’s nose, why not find a way to dismantle the Flame Gate?"

"But let’s not talk about whether we can destroy the Flame Gate; do you really believe they can lead us away from Jogen Digan’s army? Mr. Brand, they are witches, best at bewitching people with words." The Princess didn’t conceal her wariness at all, although this time she stood on Ben’s side. Her bright silver eyes revealed an unmistakable hope—hoping Ben wouldn’t take such a risk.

"Princess Kerkova, when your grandfather, the old Oberg, was on the throne, I already became a witch. Witches know their words can be stolen by ravens, so they are cautious. Compared to them, the nobles are like honeyed swords, yet you still trust them greatly." Barbara chuckled, like an old crow, replying with a hoarse, low voice.

"Audacious creature of darkness, who allows you to call the Ancestor King’s name directly?" The Princess rebuked coldly, with a soft clang, the slender bright sword blade slightly quivering in the dark.

Ben hurriedly held her hand, "Barbara."

"I misspoke, my Lord." The old witch glanced at Princess Griffith with cold eyes, like wooden beads that lost their luster.

"Barbara, the Princess is not wrong. You are most skilled at manipulating hearts. Although witches never lie, they would leave a backdoor. I want you to swear by the Pillar Goddess of Hell, swearing never to betray me. Can you do that?" Ben pressed Griffith’s hand, turning back to ask coldly.

Barbara deeply hunched over, said somewhat reverently, "My Lord indeed perceives all. We are willing to swear by the Pillar Goddess of Purgatory, swearing never to betray Lord Tonyger, Ben, our master. If violated, let the blind and lame Dias drag us into the Abyss—"

Princess Griffith saw Barbara put her hand over her heart. She vaguely heard about the witches’ ’arrow to the heart’ oath. However, she realized that this oath seemed extremely terrifying to the other party. Speaking the last sentence, the old witch even trembled slightly. She knew little about witches and found it hard to believe these cunning women would take such an oath so seriously. For this, she looked at Ben, puzzled.

Her silver eyes seemed to seek an answer.

"Rest assured, Princess, now they won’t deceive us." Ben took her sword while she was unknowing, gently placing it back into the sheath, answering, "The Pillar Goddess Modesti is their faith. Legend says Modesti was the first witch to steal Black Magic from the Sea of Magic. She passed such spells to the first generation of twelve witch prophets. However, later, she was captured by demons, nailed naked on a pillar in Iron Thorns Hell, to suffer for eternity. The blind and lame Dias was her first student, who became a monster obsessed with darkness. Witches violating Modesti’s oath would be dragged into Eternal Darkness by Dias crawling out from the Abyss. This is not a legend but truly existent. Falling into utter darkness and losing all senses is the most terrible punishment for witches. Since Barbara made such an oath, she definitely won’t deceive us."

Seeing the Princess’s still bewildered expression, Ben added, "These are secret knowledge of witches, rarely known by outsiders."

"Then how do you know?"

Good question, Ben didn’t expect the Princess to remain so clear-headed at this moment, quickly finding a reason, "Because, Princess, you know I have also studied the knowledge of wizards. They are as ancient an existence as witches. Although not enemies, they are at least competitors and know some secrets of each other, more or less."

Princess Griffith was skeptical. She turned back, "So how sure is she that we won’t be discovered? If merely relying on the witches’ spells, I think Jogen Digan’s commanders wouldn’t be entirely unprepared for this. I have heard there are more witches underground in Jogen Digan. Therefore, whether as enemies or allies, they wouldn’t be unaware of witches’ means, right?"