Chapter 128

Divine Artifacts and the Cat Witch

“Jejejeje…”

Theodosius let out a sinister, malevolent laugh, sending the hound fleeing back to the Abyss of Nightmares in terror.

Once the laughter subsided, he turned serious and asked, “Little Lucy, do you know the source of ‘contamination’?”

Lucy shook her head in confusion.

Although both witchcraft and divine power involved phenomena of contamination, even Mentor Fernando had never explained its origins to her.

“Contamination, at its core, is a process of assimilation,” Theodosius explained slowly and deliberately.

“For example, take the followers of Outer Gods. The mad gods exert influence on those who wield the power of their laws—whether mentally or physically. If the Outer God is mad, the followers will become increasingly frenzied. If the god is bloodthirsty, the followers will be so as well. This entire process is what we call ‘contamination’ by the law. The Outer Gods, however, call it—‘purification.’”

As he spoke, the old wizard extended his index finger, and a cluster of deep blue magical energy coalesced at its tip.

“Then, do you now understand what the so-called knowledge tax—also known as ‘magical energy contamination’—truly is?”

Lucy pondered for a moment, then suddenly widened her eyes.

“You mean… magical energy itself is also a type of law?”

“Precisely.” Theodosius withdrew the magical energy. “Legend has it that after the Goddess of Life created humanity, she gained the divine authority to draw power from them. When humans ceased to worship her, she fell into eternal slumber. Likewise, when wizards created witchcraft and meditation methods, magical energy became our divine authority.”

Lucy seemed to grasp something. “So in a sense, wizards are also…”

“Gods? That’s one way to look at it,” the old wizard continued. “So-called deities are merely beings who exist at a higher tier of life. When the first wizard created meditation, it was akin to opening a new tributary in the river of laws.”

“And what we wizards must do is continually channel more streams into this tributary, until it becomes a river independent from the great river of laws.”

Although she didn’t fully understand why the master suddenly brought up this topic, Lucy, seeing the fervent light in his eyes, wisely chose not to ask further.

Perhaps, this was a mantra that every member of the Round Table would eventually hear.

“When humanity can no longer govern itself, the world loses its very reason for existence.”

“I will remember that.”

Seeing Lucy so obedient, Theodosius smiled once again.

“In the time we have left, I’ll show you my specimen collection. We can also discuss the live dissection technique you’ve developed.”

He truly couldn’t understand how Lucy managed to precisely locate the position of enchanted organs while the subject was still alive.

Individual differences weren’t something that experience alone could explain.

Even he couldn’t pinpoint organ locations without dissection.

To this, Lucy could only offer an awkward smile and shifted the topic. “By the way, Master, can the Star Law Institute repair the Sickle of Harvest?”

She had grown quite accustomed to using that divine artifact of the Lady of Harvest.

Unfortunately, it had broken at one-tenth of its length.

“You can try asking Her Excellency Molly,” Theodosius replied with a chuckle. “If even she can’t repair it, then I’m afraid there’s no hope.”

“But I haven’t joined Her Excellency Molly’s tower. Would she…”

“Don’t worry,” Theodosius reassured her with a smile. “Her Excellency Molly isn’t that petty. She’ll help you.”

…

Star Law Institute · Alchemy Tower

Led by a tower knight, Lucy arrived at the top floor of the tower.

Pushing open the door etched with arcane runes, she saw a black cat lazily sprawled across a desk.

“Excuse me, Her Excellency Molly…”

The female knight who had escorted her respectfully pointed at the cat.

“This is Her Excellency Molly.”

A black cat!

Lucy suddenly recalled the description of the “Black Cat Broom.” No wonder Her Excellency Molly was known as the “Cat Witch.”

Before she could say anything, the dozing cat opened its eyes.

It stretched first, then licked its front paw and spoke softly, “You may go now. I’ll take it from here.”

The knight replied, “Yes.”

As the door closed behind her, the black cat leapt gracefully from the desk and transformed into the red-haired girl Lucy had seen during the Round Table meeting.

With a cheerful tone, she said, “Little Lucy, you’ve finally decided to join my tower?”

Lucy shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Her Excellency Molly. I’ve already promised Master Theodosius to join Zone 8, and my hometown also falls under Zone 8’s jurisdiction.”

“That annoying Theodosius! Always stealing people from me!” Molly puffed her cheeks and huffed. “Then why are you coming to me?!”

Lucy’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Refusing someone and then asking them for help—she did feel a bit like a flirt.

“Ahem… Her Excellency Molly, I was hoping you could help me with something.”

She hesitantly took out the broken Sickle of Harvest.

Only for Molly to snatch it from her hand in one swift motion.

“No good, little Lucy,” Molly said after a moment, tilting her head. “This divine artifact isn’t just physically broken—the internal divine energy circuit has completely dried up.”

“Even if you forcibly reattach it, that little fragment up front will be all show and no function.”

Just as Theodosius had said, even though Lucy ultimately chose not to join Zone 6 where Her Excellency Molly resided, Molly still took the time to examine the Sickle of Harvest.

“But why bother repairing a divine artifact that’s already ‘dead’?”

Molly pointed to the broken end and remarked, “Aren’t you a wizard from the School of Anatomy? This piece is just right for crafting a scalpel.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up.

As Her Excellency Molly had said, the scythe’s tip—both in shape and size—closely resembled a scalpel. With a simple adjustment to the blade and the addition of a handle, it could be turned into a perfect dissection tool.

Seeing the excitement on Lucy’s face, Molly chuckled softly.

“Leave this thing with me then. But remember—you owe me a big favor. You must repay it in the future.”

Lucy bowed solemnly. “Rest assured, Her Excellency Molly, I will repay you.”

At that moment, Molly suddenly leaned in close.

“By the way, when I first met you, I sensed a familiar aura from you. Do you happen to possess one of the magic tools I crafted?”

Lucy made no attempt to hide it and retrieved the “Black Cat Broom” from the Abyss of Nightmares.

“A witch’s broom!” Molly’s face was full of nostalgia. “That was my first creation when I began studying alchemy. I can’t believe it ended up in your hands.”

Although she appeared even younger than Lucy, Molly was actually older than Theodosius.

Suddenly recalling something, she glanced with guilt at the gray stockings under Lucy’s robe.

“When using it… you didn’t experience anything strange, did you?”

Lucy clearly understood what she meant.

Apparently, the “cat claws that tear stockings” was nothing more than a mischievous quirk of a certain cat witch in her younger days.

Lucy suddenly realized she might have stumbled upon some delicious leverage.

“You mean…”

“For instance… your stockings being ripped.”

“It… did happen once or twice.”

Molly coughed awkwardly. “Well, that must’ve been barbs on the broom. How about I give it an upgrade for you?”

But Lucy swiftly stowed the broom away before she could respond.

“No need to trouble yourself, President Molly. I’m quite satisfied with it. No upgrade necessary.”

“Huh?” Molly replied awkwardly. “That’s… really a shame.”