CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: EKTA’S WISH

Charles gently patted Anno’s back. Once she had pulled herself together, he released her and returned to the cutting board, giving a silent order for the kitchen to resume. While pretending to chop onions, he asked, "Have you decided on the team members for this investigation?"

Anno shook her head. "Not yet; I came to find you as soon as my promotion ritual was over."

As she said this, her big blue eyes sparkled, and her voice took on a hopeful tone. "Charles, why don’t we..."

Charles gave a slight nod, having already understood her meaning. "Yes, I was thinking the same. We’ll form a team and head into the mountains together; that way, everything will be covered."

He understood Force Grey’s methods—they rarely moved in large groups. After all, being too conspicuous could easily alert their targets.

That was why their members often went undercover and made use of outside forces to achieve their goals.

Just like last time, when Anno disguised herself as an ordinary adventurer and teamed up with Bonnie’s group. This time, she could submit a report, give a suitable reason, and move with Charles.

As long as the investigation produced reliable results, Force Grey was flexible about such details.

Anno’s eyes glimmered with gentle affection. "Alright, I’ll go back and write a longer report... Oh, if only you’d officially join Force Grey, that would be wonderful..."

She murmured this quietly, but Charles only smiled and said nothing. Anno understood his thoughts and didn’t press the issue.

They chatted about other matters while Charles continued making lunch. He prepared a pot of lamb stewed with carrots, some eggs sautéed with onions, and a dish of duck breast.

Though these were common dishes, thanks to the kitchen’s enchantments, the results were extraordinary. Anno, never having tasted such flavors, ate with delight—her lips oily, her belly round and full—finally stopping only when she truly couldn’t eat another bite.

That afternoon, they talked in the scriptorium, then played together at the training grounds. Charles’s collection of steel-crafted gym equipment dazzled Anno, and she had a wonderful time, not realizing how late it had gotten.

By then, it was late autumn, and the sun set early. Though she hated to leave, Anno had to catch the last carriage. Charles walked her to the stop, waiting until the carriage disappeared before returning to the monastery to inform all the nuns to prepare for the coming mission.

...

In Andny’s room now.

It was a second-level dormitory, but no longer the den of crawling bugs it had once been—instead, it looked much like Charles’s room.

After all, there was always the chance Charles might drop by for a visit. If she disgusted her master, that would be her loss.

So she had given up most of her old habits. The purple spider plush on her bedside table, and stickers of caterpillars and butterflies on the walls, were all that remained of the Insect Witch’s old quirks.

Now, the girl sat on the bed, her big purple eyes gazing at the two basketball-sized, snow-white giant eggs on the nightstand, her heart full of anticipation for the future.

According to Sophia’s estimate, the first egg would hatch in about a week.

She could not wait to see what would emerge.

Would it be a drider—a cute spider-girl—or a human-faced spider, or something else entirely?

Andny was filled with hope for this new life. Just then, a knock sounded at the door behind her.

She jumped down and ran to open it. Expecting Charles, she was surprised to see Ekta.

The nun with fiery red, wavy hair and crimson pupils—normally so bold and passionate—stood in the doorway, looking rather shy and awkward, as if she were now lower in rank than Andny herself.

"Ekta?" Andny raised her eyebrows, then grabbed Ekta’s hand and pulled her inside. "What’s going on?"

Ekta’s figure was similar to Sophia’s, but even a bit taller. She didn’t have Hattie or Theresa’s exaggerated curves, but in summer her silhouette was still quite eye-catching.

Compared to Sophia’s noble, cool grace, Ekta’s cheerful mood exuded a bright, infectious warmth—like a little sun—apt for someone who used to turn bones into beads for fun.

But now, both her hair and figure were hidden under the bulky nun’s habit, and her lack of confidence made her charisma utterly invisible.

Inside Andny’s room, Ekta sat with her on the bed. The Flame Witch hesitated for a long moment before whispering, "Andny, at the last conference, how were you so bold?"

"I saw that, except for Theresa, all the sisters were glaring at you, but you stood your ground... It was amazing!"

Ekta spoke in wonder. Andny tilted her head, then answered with a bright smile, "Because I knew Master would indulge me. It’s not a serious offense—Master loves us! If you want something, just ask!"

She looked at Ekta, blinking her big eyes: "Are you thinking of asking Master to let you into the expedition this time?"

Ekta nodded. "Yes—since you’re staying here to look after the spider eggs, I thought I’d ask you for advice on how to bring it up to Master."

"Just bring it up at the conference," Andny said. Then she remembered how, at the meeting before last, Charles was mobbed by the Amazons, and how Ekta had tried to speak but was silenced by the other sisters’ glares.

Sensing Ekta might have some trauma, Andny encouraged her, "Don’t worry, as long as Master’s there, the sisters can’t do anything to you. If you’re still nervous, I suggest reading a few more scriptures of the Goddess of Life."

"That’s what gave me the courage to speak up at the conference!"

She cheered Ekta along, but Ekta’s expression remained troubled. "There’s not much time. The conference is about to start soon..."

She bit her lip. "Alright, I’ll give it a try at the meeting..."

Andny nodded with satisfaction, then her eyes brightened. "Master’s already back at the monastery—come, let’s hurry to the scriptorium’s second floor and grab seats before the others arrive!"

She seized Ekta’s hand and ran out of the room, with Ekta hurriedly stumbling after her. They hurried through the corridor, up the stairs to the scriptorium’s second floor.

Here, a circle of chairs stood ready. The chief seat was Charles’s, the rest for the witches as they chose. No one else had arrived yet.

Not interested in fighting for attention, Andny chose a spot at the very end, urging Ekta, "Go on, sit at the very front, right next to Master’s seat!"

Ekta hesitated, but Andny grew impatient. "Be brave, Ekta! If you keep this up, you’ll never get Master’s favor!"

That was the last straw for Ekta. She strode up and plopped herself into the seat beside the master’s chair.

"That’s more like it," Andny said with a smile, giving her a thumbs up.

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