Hate me, Miss Witch!

The Dawn Saintess before him was, aside from Ennie, only the second young woman of his age he knew.

They had met in the Arcane Arts City, the Knowledge City—Lokiya, only back then, she was not yet the Dawn Saintess.

The three of them had spent over a year together.

Later, Shiayar and Enola went to the Empire Capital, while she headed to the Sacred Court.

Several years later, news emerged from within the Sacred Court that a new generation's Dawn Saintess had been chosen.

Although, theoretically, the Dawn Saintess, like Ennie, could be considered one of Shiayar's childhood friends.

But her personality was completely different from Enola's.

If Ennie was like a blank sheet of paper, transparent at a glance, and her way of interacting with Shiayar was more like that of an old married couple...

Then the Dawn Saintess was like an abstruse and difficult-to-understand book.

Every communication with her inevitably involved teasing... yet it was hard to discern the true feelings behind her seemingly profound and affectionate words.

Of course, teasing was always a two-way street.

In any case, Shiayar didn't feel he was at a disadvantage in the slightest.

"Actually, there might have been a fleeting moment of heart-fluttering initially," Shiayar said.

"But lately, the people around me have stressed me out so much I can hardly feel my heart stir."

"The people around you?"

The Dawn Saintess paused for a moment.

Her chestnut-colored eyes lingered on Shiayar's face. "With Ennie's tsundere and 'three-no' personality, she'd never lower herself to play dress-up."

"So, is it Her Excellency, the Gray-Silver Witch?"

"It's a pity you didn't become a detective..." Shiayar expressed his sincere admiration.

"Speaking of which, have the details of the Borgia family's banquet and the news about Silvia already reached the Sacred Court?"

Although Shiayar felt as if he had experienced over half a year within the Echo of History...

In reality, it was only the second day since the banquet had ended.

Given the speed of information flow on the Western Continent, it shouldn't have become so widely known this quickly.

"The official news hasn't arrived yet... But I am the Saintess of the theocratic kingdom, after all; of course, I have my own channels."

The Dawn Saintess paused again.

"Although the direct link establishing that Family Head Guderian of the Borgia family instigated Wild Wolf Warwick hasn't been confirmed yet."

"However, the adjudication panel has already expelled the Borgia family from their cooperative relationship with the Sacred Court."

"Thanks."

Shiayar nodded.

He knew that such a resolution would normally take a good half-year to process through standard procedures. Reaching a decision so swiftly, on only the second day after the incident, was undoubtedly due to the efforts of the Dawn Saintess before him.

After Family Head Guderian died in combat, their cooperative relationship with the Sacred Court had been the Borgia family's greatest protection.

Now that this relationship had been severed, it would be much easier for Isadella to target the Borgia family.

With the Second Princess's methods, she could completely dismantle this once most powerful of the oath-sworn families, ensuring they could never recover.

Although, in theory, most members of the Borgia family were unaware of the events in Ceylon, Shiayar, as their enemy, would show no such misplaced compassion.

After all, if he were to wipe out an enemy's entire family and then encounter a young boy glaring at him with the same hatred he himself once had, Shiayar knew he'd likely be the type to say, "I was better at hiding than you. Next time we meet, I'll kill you," or, "Fancy meeting you again so soon."

"By the way, Histanlia..."

The Dawn Saintess's chestnut-colored eyes flickered.

"She is a Divinely Favored One of Dawn, has the support of a Cardinal, and is also one of the reserve candidates for the Thirteen Saints."

"So, the decision to revoke her status as a Divinely Favored One hasn't been truly finalized..."

The Dawn Saintess looked deeply at Shiayar, a knowing smile playing on her lips, her tone teasing, "Student Shiayar, are you interested in turning Histanlia into your little velvet ball?"

"Although she hides it well, this only daughter of your enemy, this Divinely Favored One of Dawn, is actually a lesbian..."

"If you're interested, I have plenty of evidence in my possession."

The Dawn Saintess's eyes glinted. "Given Histanlia's current situation, the entire Borgia family is depending on her alone to support them."

"Once it's confirmed that she's a lesbian, Histanlia will lose all standing in both the Sacred Court and the Empire, let alone gain the Sacred Court's support to revive her family..."

"With this as leverage, you could make Histanlia completely subservient... Even subjecting her to your 'Stardust Anger' at will shouldn't be an issue."

Shiayar paused. "If I'm not mistaken, Histanlia must be quite a loyal admirer of yours, right? I can see she imitates you in her every word and action."

"So, you'd really sell out your devoted 'female sycophant' like this? Is that really appropriate?"

"She is indeed quite the sycophant... But so what?" The Dawn Saintess's chestnut eyes turned a shade colder. "Who asked me to be such a wicked woman, not only scheming but also deeply vengeful..."

That icy gaze was merely a flash, gone in an instant. Soon, her lovely face was wreathed in smiles again.

"So, Student Shiayar, what do you think?"

"Imagine, turning the only daughter of your enemy into a little velvet ball, exclusively yours... to roll and flatten, to grind into the dirt as you please. Don't you want to retaliate fiercely?"

"Moreover, she's a Divinely Favored One of Dawn and a future Saint. Taking this chance to bring her firmly under your control would be like gaining an extra pawn within the Sacred Court."

Shiayar thought for a moment. "Although what you're suggesting is quite tempting, I think I'll pass."

"Since she's a lesbian who admires you, I'm genuinely a bit worried about wings getting tangled in my little pond."

Hearing Shiayar's response, the faint smile on the Dawn Saintess's pretty face grew more distinct.

"I didn't realize Student Shiayar was so possessive of me..."

She smiled contentedly, her gaze upon Shiayar filled with undisguised affection.

"It makes me quite happy... knowing I have a place in Student Shiayar's heart."

Wicked women are truly hard to understand...

Shiayar couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

I miss my little angel Enola.

But soon, the Dawn Saintess composed her smile and resumed a formal, upright posture.

"Alright, Student Shiayar, let's get back to business."

Her words carried a hint of complaint. "I know you wouldn't contact me unless there was a specific reason... Otherwise, you wouldn't have even told me you were planning to deal with the Borgia family."

"Indeed, there is serious business," Shiayar nodded. "The Mechanical Fire Spark I commissioned from the Steam Camp... how is it progressing?"

He had planned for his fifth Soul Pact Pet Beast to be a Mechanical-type.

The reason Shiayar had sought the Dawn Saintess's help for this was because this young woman was... the most exceptionally talented mechanic he knew.

Aside from the Spirit of the Sacred Light she was required to contract as the Dawn Saintess, every one of her Soul Pacts was with a Mechanical Pet Beast.

She was the Dawn Saintess who could transform into a Mechanical Valkyrie.

The aesthetic was a bit unusual, admittedly, but it was undeniably cool.

They had already discussed the matter of Shiayar's fourth Mechanical Pet Beast many times.

Their current communication was merely to confirm the pickup time and was quickly concluded.

"Then, Student Shiayar, I'll see you in Knowledge City."

"Remember, this is a secret just between the two of us..."

The Dawn Saintess brought her slender, pale fingers to her lips, touching them lightly as she smiled and spoke.

The next moment, the azure communication crystal flickered faintly, then dimmed, ending the call.

A secret just between the two of us?

Shiayar was still pondering the meaning of the Dawn Saintess's final words.

But then, as his spiritual power withdrew from the Spirit Realm channel, Shiayar understood the implication of her statement.

Behind him.

A golden-haired young woman sat silently on the edge of the bed, polishing a silver spear resting on her lap.

Enola watched Shiayar calmly, tilted her head, and offered a beautiful smile.

"Student Shiayar..."