Chapter 397 (1/2)

Chapter 397: A Close Study

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

Hearing the news, Roland was shocked.

Rushing after Leaf he couldn’t even attempt to question her further until they had reached the castle’s backyard. As he stepped out of the castle he saw Lightening dragging two dead demons off of Maggie’s back.

“Your Highness, look, we won!” Seeing the prince, the little girl jumped up straight into Roland’s arms. “We defeated the demons!”

“No one is hurt?” Roland asked.

“No, everyone is fine.” Lightning looked up, her eyes sparkling with eagerness and hopes of praise. Her metaphorical tail wagging was with excitement.

Roland sighed. Seeing her look of sheer joy made him reluctant to point fingers. So, instead of asking why no one had reported seeing the demons he decided to say, “I am glad there are no injuries, but what just happened exactly?”

The three witches all replied at once. Roland had to listen for a long while before he was able to piece together what had happened.

The way they told it made the fight seem easy and it was over quickly. However, there were many moments that could have ended in disaster. If Maggie had not been able to withstand the impact of the electric arc, or if the demons had been able to shake off Leaf’s restraints, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

“Don’t you ever do anything like that again.” Nightingale couldn’t keep quiet any longer. Stepping from the cloak of her mist as she said, “To fight with demons is to leave us. With Sylvie, there is no escape.”

“But we won,” Lightning said while pouting.

“I call it dumb luck. Before the fight did you know Maggie was going to be hit?” Nightingale countered sternly, “I taught you to use a gun so you could protect your sisters and self. Instead, you drag them into danger!”

“No…” Lightning dropped her head in contrition and said, “I was wrong.”

“And you,” Nightingale said turning to Maggie, “You know you are obligated to fly back and report and yet you chose to stay? If you make a mistake like this again I won’t give you anymore dried fish!”

“Sigh…” Maggie’s head drooped, too.

‘Nightingale is indeed the toughest witch fighter Border Town has to offer,’ Roland thought, giving Nightingale a glance of approval. Then he said, “Well, as long as it was just this once. Go and bring Tilly and Agatha to me. It’s time for us to examine our new trophies.”

…

In the castle’s basement, on the cold stone floor lay two bodies stripped bare, their shabby clothes and meager belongings stacked beside them.

“Are they demons?” Tilly inquired while covering her nose, hoping to block the fetid stench.

“They don’t look stronger than ordinary people,” Ashes said, twitching her mouth.

Agatha looked glum. “Don’t underestimate them. Any demon is a tough opponent, with or without magic powers. A senior demon or even a Transcendent would wear a God’s Stone of Retaliation,” she stated frowning. Looking over at Roland she then said. “They really showed up near the town?”