flstandardbreds Chapter 181 The City of Freedom, Kunozchi 9
Chapter 181 The City of Freedom, Kunozchi 9
"Although I'm trying to appear calm, to be honest, I'm quite surprised by what you've all done," Fran said.
After sending Mina back to the inn, Qin naturally returned to her own place. As soon as she opened the door, she saw the witch with her squinting eyes speaking to her.
In theory, it is certainly impolite to trespass into someone else's room.
However, this room also belonged to Elena, so it was quite reasonable for Fran, as Elena's teacher, to wait for her without prior notice. But before Elena returned, Jean arrived first.
“I was quite surprised too,” Qin said. They had sensed each other before they even met.
“Although I’ve already said it before, I still want to apologize again—it was wrong of me to judge people by their appearance without considering right or wrong,” Fran said.
It took Qin a while to remember what Fran was talking about, but she shook her head and didn't say anything.
He had mastered the skill of letting things go in one ear and out the other; without this skill, he might not have survived his childhood.
He selectively forgets most things.
“Although Elena hasn’t mentioned a word about your story, I’ve learned some things through my teacher,” Fran said with a smile. “Speaking of which, you probably don’t know who my teacher is… Elena herself doesn’t know either.”
"Do you know how important your teacher is?" Qin asked, somewhat puzzled.
Every witch has her own teacher… wait, why does her teacher know some of my secrets? Could it be that her teacher is a high-ranking witch in the realm of prophecy… Do we know each other?
“Elena’s mother, Victorica, was the witch teacher of both me and that old man Sheila,” Fran explained. “The last time I met my teacher, she already knew about Elena and you through Elena’s letters.”
Qin couldn't recall ever seeing Elena's mother.
I do remember visiting Irene's hometown, Roberta, a long, long time ago... but it was so long ago that even with my fairly good memory, I've naturally forgotten about things I don't really care about.
Besides, even if you've met her in person, how can you be sure you've seen her based on just one letter? After all, the letter only mentions her name at most.
“A male swordsman named Qin is quite impressive,” Fran chuckled. “Don’t underestimate my teacher. When she was young, she didn’t care about anyone except the top-ranked witches in the Magic Integration Association—that’s how incredible magic is; a little bit of information can be enough for someone to know a lot.”
Well... I must admit, it's really difficult to find another man named Qin in this world.
We can determine the answer by supplementing the information using magical means.
“She said your hometown is Beatrice…” Fran said. “She searched through countless books but couldn’t find any information about the place. She asked me to ask you how to get there if I had the chance, and if you had any maps or anything. After all, she said she wanted to meet your parents sometime.”
Meeting my parents...
Qin doesn't know how she feels right now.
I probably just casually mentioned Beatrice and didn't take such insignificant information to heart. Who could have known she would become my mother-in-law...
Now that they're pressing for answers, we can't really criticize them. After all, they have limited information and don't know the specifics of our situation.
But how should I answer this...? It's a bit difficult... To be honest, even if I wanted to go back now, I'd probably get lost in that Sighing Snowfield for a while—not to mention that if I went to that hell, I might never be able to get out.
Seeing that Qin remained silent, and considering that Elena rarely spoke to her about Qin, Fran didn't press the matter further.
This might involve something bad.
“If you have the chance, go to Roberta and see my teacher again—she said she really hopes to see you again,” Fran said, patting Qin on the shoulder with a smile.
Having finished saying all this, Fran had completed the task Victorique had given her, so she bowed slightly and left.
She knew that Qin was very reserved around people she didn't know well, and couldn't say anything for a long time. Rather than that, she thought it would be better to go see Elena.
……
Time flies like an arrow, days and months pass like a shuttle, and time is like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall... (200 words omitted from a primary school student's composition)
It's impossible for everyone to stay in Kunoz forever.
Although the Kunoz Magic Integration Association branch desperately wanted these witches to stay, because of them, the crime rate in Kunoz had plummeted in the past few days, and the terrorists that used to be a common sight were nowhere to be seen.
But they will always have to embark on their own journeys.
The original group split into three groups, each heading in their own direction.
"Ms. Fran, wouldn't you like to travel with me?" Elena asked politely.
"Heh, how about you pay me a salary?" Fran said with a forced smile. "Do you think I'm as idle as you?"
"You were just asking politely, and you actually took it seriously," Elena retorted.
"What a rebellious disciple..."
Fran's vacation was coming to an end, and she naturally had to return to the Royal Celestia Magic Academy to continue her studies. Meanwhile, Sheila and her two apprentices had to return to work at the Magic Integration Association.
The remaining group, of course, consists of the trio who came to Kunoz back then, and they will also be heading to that mysterious city of faith.
"Come visit the Magic Integration Association headquarters if you have time. It's not far anyway." Although she wasn't as lively as usual, Saya had at least regained her spirits.
Ultimately, it just takes time to accept it.
"I'll have time," Elena replied vaguely. It wasn't far, but it was still quite a long way...
The headquarters of the Magic Integration Association... the magical capital of Pierpont—I'll definitely have to go and see it when I have time.
After all, it is said that it is the country where magic first flourished, and it is also the kingdom with the strongest magical reserves at present—any powerful magical nation would have to bow down in front of it.
The true magical powerhouse that I had encountered before, the Garden of Demeria, which dominated hundreds of surrounding kingdoms, was no match for Pierpont.
Only the strong can establish order.
Otherwise, who would obey and abide by the magical order established by the Magic Integration Association?
but……
“It’s nothing compared to Beatrice’s monster kingdom…” Elena murmured.
"What did you say?" Saya clearly didn't hear her clearly.
"It's nothing," Elena said with a smile, shaking her head.
Thousands upon thousands of witches shrouded the sky, and the magic that could instantly kill demons from afar... as well as "war machines" like harp that ordinary people cannot comprehend, all originated from there.
An unimaginable magical kingdom... Does the Magic Integration Association headquarters even know that such a powerful kingdom exists in the far north?
“I thought you were going to cry and fuss for a while longer,” Sheila said to Saya.
“She’s very strong,” Saya said, hands on her hips. “Qin, remember this: if you dare to be half-hearted, she will make you pay the price, a terrible price.”
"So he was Qin..." Mina belatedly recognized the guy who had knocked her down. Damn it... that guy.
"Next time I see you, I'll get my revenge," Mina said viciously. "And I'll settle the score for bullying my sister too."
“Mina, you can’t beat him,” Saya said with a wry smile.
“Sister, I know, but we can’t lose in terms of spirit.” Mina spoke the truth.
"Well then, goodbye." Elena waved her hand.
Emnesia waved to each other—though they weren't very familiar with each other yet… Jean remained silent as ever, like a statue, as if she hadn't heard what the Saya sisters said at all.
"Remember to invite us to the wedding..." Fran interjected again.
One sentence broke Saya's defenses once again, even though her mood had already turned from gloomy to partly cloudy.