CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: HATTIE’S PREPARATION

Footsteps echoed from the stairs as Charles arrived on the second floor of the scriptorium. Seeing Ekta sitting at his left hand, he was a bit surprised but said nothing, taking his seat and waiting patiently.

Ekta’s heart pounded—this was her first time sitting so close to Charles at such a conference. She was so nervous she couldn’t control herself, glancing his way every second, only to find each time that Charles wasn’t looking at her at all. Her mind spun with worry and wild speculation.

There was no time for her to overthink, as the other nuns soon made their way upstairs. Each reacted differently to seeing Ekta so boldly seated at Charles’s side.

Hattie registered mild surprise in her eyes, but her smile remained steady as she confidently took her place on Charles’s right, as if assured of victory today.

Ruth frowned slightly, sensing a looming crisis—a certain longing growing more urgent.

Sephera arched an eyebrow, her golden eyes flashing a sharp warning at Ekta, still trying to intimidate her.

Sophia wore a faintly disdainful smile at the corner of her mouth, as if mocking Ekta’s futile attempt.

Nidalee looked rather lost, taking a seat in the back near Andny, still feeling she hadn’t quite blended into the group.

Only Theresa’s gaze brimmed with delight; she offered Ekta an encouraging look. Unfortunately, Ekta was too tense to notice this one shred of kindness.

When all the witches were seated, Charles declared, "Everyone is here, so our conference will begin. The first thing to discuss is who will travel to the Rubble District."

"Theresa and Nidalee are definite. Andny is too busy to go, so who will take her place and accompany me to the Rubble District?"

He left the floor open for opinions. As soon as he finished, Ruth was the first to raise her head. "Let me go. Since this time our foes are demons, my combat style is best equipped for such situations."

She wasn’t one for making speeches, simply stating her view. Beside her, Sephera bit her lip, feeling a bit deflated—fiends are mostly immune to toxins, leaving her nearly useless against them.

To outcompete Ruth, she had to shine beyond raw combat power. Thankfully, she’d already made up her mind: "With Eldest Sister present, we’re never lacking strength. What we need is someone more well-rounded. Ruth, do you really think you’re versatile?"

Ruth opened her mouth but couldn’t find a rebuttal. "More muscle is always good... I suppose."

Sephera smiled, continuing serenely: "Yes, but it’s hardly vital. In my opinion, the best candidate should have strong comprehensive abilities—whether negotiation, deception, interrogation, or other means, like the use of poisons..."

She pitched herself, while at the row’s end Andny frantically signaled Ekta to speak up. Ekta took a deep breath and was just about to open her mouth, when from Charles’s right—Master’s spot—Hattie had already spoken up first: "Actually, once I learned Andny would be staying behind, I began preparing for this expedition."

All eyes immediately turned to her. Unhurried, Hattie took out her Bag of Holding. "A few days ago, I made a special trip to the central district. With some luck, I gathered quite a few very useful magical items at excellent prices..."

With that, she pulled out a palm-sized, oval glass bottle filled with red liquid: "Healing potion, able to heal wounds instantly. Usually fifty gold per bottle, but with help from some Amazons, I got several at a twenty percent discount."

Next, she produced a tiny vial filled with translucent blue-green liquid: "Potion of Mental Clarity. After meditation, it restores the mana equivalent to a 3rd-level spell. It also normally costs fifty gold per bottle, but I found a secret channel at Strixhaven University and bought several at just sixty percent of the usual price."

Further along the table, Theresa lowered her head, a modest smile on her face. She was the one who had given Hattie that channel: the person who made those potions had once been her selected food. Back then, Theresa forged an ancient text so a poor Strixhaven student could make these potions at lower cost, to escape poverty and for her own benefit—only, Charles purified her before she could orchestrate a tragedy.

Now, with her old ways behind her, there was no reason to waste a good connection. So, when Hattie came for help, she taught her how to use this hidden channel and buy the potions at a low price.

As Theresa reminisced, Hattie continued pulling items from her bag: "Mana Restoration Pearl—usable once per day, instantly restores the mana of a 3rd-level spell."

She played with the large blue pearl before placing it in Charles’s arms. Then she continued, one after another: "Sentinel Shield, a perfect substitute for Master’s magic shield. Its protection is just as reliable, but it also gives early warning if foes are lurking close by."

"A revealing lantern to expose invisible enemies. Climbing rope... night vision goggles... everflowing water bottle... philter of love, um—"

Noticing she’d let something dangerous slip out, Hattie quickly stuffed the pink, heart-bubbling potion back into her bag, pretending nothing happened. "After all, this time we’re facing demons head-on. It could easily become a prolonged battle, so we need to be fully prepared."

"I’ve read countless adventure manuals and bought all these supplies in hopes they’ll prove helpful for this battle."

Once she knew Andny was staying behind to care for the spider eggs, Hattie guessed the Insect Witch wouldn’t be going to the Rubble District, so Charles would need a new companion. She thus started her preparations almost a week ahead—saving money, borrowing money, researching, buying magical items, and stockpiling them like a hamster, all to ensure she’d win decisively at this conference.

Beyond that, her aqua-blue eyes shimmered with longing as she even played the emotion card, worried she still hadn’t done enough: "It’s been ages since we went on an expedition together..."

Objectively speaking, that was a stretch—after all, they’d just gone to Garbage Island. But seeing her heartfelt gaze, and all she’d prepared, Charles’s heart tightened. He simply couldn’t reject her.

On his left, Ekta, now anxious, sat up straight and blurted, "Master, I think I also—"

Alas, it was only a burst of emotion. She opened her mouth, but her mind went blank. Against Hattie, she was utterly outmatched in strength, preparation, and appeal. She didn’t even know what reason to give that could possibly sway Charles.

Luckily, she didn’t need to say more. Charles gently touched her lips with a fingertip, offering her an apologetic look.

From the far end, Andny rubbed her forehead, sighing inwardly.

Ah, I forgot to warn her: Hattie always holds the highest place in Master’s heart. Compete with her? Don’t bother!

"Sorry, Ruth, Ekta," Charles concluded. "This time, Hattie will come with me."

At once, Hattie’s expression bloomed like spring. "Understood, Master!"

She shot a grateful look backward, toward Sophia, who received it with a silent smile.

Sophia was Hattie’s other pillar of support: she’d lent her money, offered suggestions, even told her where to buy the right gear.

Sophia knew she wasn’t suited for field adventure, so she might as well do a favor—ensuring the monastery’s top witch owed her one.

At the far end, Ruth bowed her head, sincerely impressed by Hattie’s thorough preparation, and made a private vow that next time, she too would prepare this well.

As for Ekta, her face became deeply aggrieved, then she turned, wronged and helpless, to Andny.

Andny only shrugged, thinking: Your luck’s just too bad—you ran into Hattie when she’d set her mind to this, and with so much prep, no one could have taken this chance from her.

Ah, just accept it!

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