Otaku Witch

That pitiful look almost made Dorothy’s heart soften, making her wonder if she was being too harsh.

But the homebody witch forced herself to break free from that creature’s charm using the power of the Pact of the Heart.

Tsk, damn, this rebellious disciple can no longer be trusted even with punctuation marks; her expressions and emotions can’t be trusted for half a second either.

It’s well known that although Lord Demon King loves art, their own artistic ability isn’t great, but it’s equally well known that Lord Demon King is also the best actor.

Though the best actor not understanding art might sound contradictory, it is the truth.

True art should reach the heart, offering viewers a heartfelt shock, but Artie is like a mirror reflecting the audience’s hearts; people often see their own hearts in her performance, yet her own heart is empty.

Hmm, this statement was made by Dragon King.

As Lord Demon King’s direct teacher and the Witch World’s true artist, Dragon King’s evaluation is likely precise.

Dorothy’s recent soft-heartedness was just because she tends to be soft-hearted towards those close to her, which is the Family Knight’s weakness, and this weakness was reflected like a mirror by Artie’s performance, striking at the homebody witch’s vulnerability.

But in reality, Artie herself might not even realize why she does this; she just feels she should perform this way, as it achieves the best effect.

Just like a mirror can clearly reflect people’s emotions, but the mirror itself doesn’t know what emotions mean.

This is the highest level of the illusion technique — Mirror Heart.

In other words, to let the enemy deceive themselves.

Artie wanted the homebody witch to soften, so Dorothy saw the image most likely to make her feel soft-hearted.

If Miss Demon King wants to make someone angry, then that person will see Artie in the most unwanted image in their heart, like Miss Demon King is cuddling her wife or something.

But the same trick not only can’t work on Good Sister, but it also doesn’t work on me, Dorothy. Artie, stop your performance; this act only makes me feel ridiculous.

Dorothy thought proudly to herself.

Then, she saw Miss Demon King in the gift box suddenly shudder, and then display a "I’m done" expression of pleasure.

Homebody witch: "???"

No way, you sinful creature, what are you doing?

And with the deed done, Miss Demon King finally stood up.

She was just figurine-sized a moment ago, but a step forward restored her to normal size, now with strange fragrance she sashayed with the perfect catwalk to the astonished pure-hearted homebody, showing a charming smile on her blushing face.

"Teacher, you believed it, you really believed it, right? Hehe... what made you think your realization, your pride were genuine illusions?"

"You didn’t expect this did you, teacher? This is my pleasure route, occasionally experiencing this feeling of being deliberately overlooked by someone important is also quite nice."

Miss Demon King lifted homebody witch’s chin with her finger, her purple eyes gleaming with the joy of a successful prank, she said.

Dorothy: "...."

Damn it, you can play like this? I can’t tell apart, I really can’t tell.

Honestly, often I feel out of place with you witches because of holding my principles too high, Artie, no wonder it’s you, even such gameplay is possible.

And just as the homebody witch felt somewhat defenseless and introverted due to being tricked once again, Artie suddenly hugged her.

Yes, she just genuinely hugged her without any further inappropriate play.

"Teacher, don’t think of me as such a freak. I just know you pretended to dislike me just now, you don’t really hate me, otherwise, I would truly be sad, and that wouldn’t be pleasurable."

"Also, I’m not like that previous person who didn’t understand hearts, Teacher, you gave me a heart."

"Happy birthday, Teacher."

A truthful confession reached Dorothy’s ear, before she was released.

The homebody witch suspiciously looked at this suddenly serious rebellious disciple, she had a little PTSD from being deceived.

So, was that true confession genuine or not?

Yet the Miss Demon King who flaunted "I’m done" in front of her earlier was now visibly blushing, seemingly truly embarrassed.

Looking at blushing Artie, Dorothy calmed down inside.

Well, let’s believe this rebellious disciple was sincere.

"Okay, this is your birthday present, but those two old things are really coming, so I’m leaving first."

And bashful Artie, while speaking, pulled a gigantic gift box from under her skirt and tossed it to her, then darted to the room’s window and skillfully climbed onto the windowsill.

Dorothy watched her actions, but didn’t stop her.

The perfect beauty on the windowsill turned back to glance at her once more before leaving, then mimicked a gun with her hand and fired at her.

"Bang... My most beloved teacher, your heart will surely be taken by the Heart Thief Group member Artie, this is my advance notice, I’ll certainly return next time."

She said melodramatically.

Afterwards she donned the mask covering half her face, and with a flick of her cloak—who knows when it was draped over her shoulder—she was gone into the night sky.

Homebody witch: "..."

Damn it, melodramatic black history is still chasing me.

Nevertheless, does a mere number two phantom thief think to steal me, the leader?

Humph, next time I won’t let you succeed in your prank again.

Dorothy shook her head with a smile, then turned her gaze to Artie’s gigantic gift box.

She wanted to open the gift, but as she reached to untie the ribbon, her vigilance spiked.

Ah, this...

Artie, that creature just said she would certainly return, wouldn’t it be her inside the box again once opened?

Could the same trick come again?

Homebody witch really couldn’t tell.

Though she just vehemently declared the same trick wouldn’t work on her a second time, that was really just bravado, after all she didn’t have Good Sister’s Authority of the Fool’s Wisdom, unprepared she might genuinely trip twice on the same spot.

Trickery is never too much, if she thought Artie wouldn’t repeat the same prank, this weakness might be caught by her.

Damn, bloody Mirror Heart Demon.

Finally Dorothy understood why Devil King was so feared, such insidious existence without any defense is truly hateful, offering no sense of security.

Mirror Heart Demon, this was Lord Demon King’s early title, also the name of Lord Demon King’s demonic form.

Although her early evolution template was indeed a Succubus, by mid and late stage, Artie’s talent specialization clearly transcended the Succubus framework, becoming a brand new demon.

The highest achievement in illusion technique takes this name.

Yet perhaps only the homebody witch realized this frightening creature had progressed further.

The demon who could only mirror hearts originally began to understand human hearts.

Is this a good thing?

Good, my foot; it means this disgusting Merry Maker will be even harder to guard against and more capable of precise emotional manipulation.

Dorothy prepared full protection, then gritted her teeth and tore the ribbon from the huge gift box.

Then.....

Then she saw the true art.

Bang bang bang.....

Huge and beautiful fireworks exploded over the Dragon King Palace, causing the guests enjoying the banquet to look up and admire this wonderful moment together.

The dazzling fireworks burst open, revealing beautiful handwriting.

This is the Demon King Body.

"Dorothy, happy birthday."

This is the Master of the Banquet’s gift.

At that moment, the banquet’s atmosphere reached its peak.

Of course, a certain homebody witch, her face blackened by the explosion, looked at the bottom of the gift box with a simple drawing of Artie sticking out her tongue, making a funny face, her anger also reached a peak.

"Artie...."

...amidst the homebody witch’s angry roar...