The Witch's Anatomical Notes

Chapter 79

Alliance and Wager

"You should be well aware that Eternal Silence Blackthorn and the Witch’s Cottage had already formed a secret alliance." Lucy’s voice sounded particularly clear in the mist. "If they proceeded with the tournament step by step, they could simply have their weaker apprentice candidates leave early with the badges."

She paused for a moment to give the two of them enough time to digest every word she said.

"Once we lost more than half, no matter what happened afterward, by the rules we would be defeated. So my plan was this before the first circle shrank, we would move along the edge of the arena and eliminate their remaining fighting strength, leaving the badges of Eternal Silence Blackthorn and the Witch’s Cottage in the hands of the Tower of the Four Sages."

Barry and Lann widened their eyes at the same time. This bold plan left them speechless for a moment.

After a long silence, Barry finally spoke.

"Lady Lucy, I admit you were very powerful among our cohort, but that alone does not prove you could suppress all the strongest contenders from the other two towers."

Lucy lightly pinched her chin and admitted, "You are right. I indeed have not yet demonstrated the strength to suppress everyone."

Then she changed her tone. "How about this? You can simply follow behind us. If we encounter an opponent we cannot defeat, you may retreat at any time."

Barry hesitated for a moment. "I need to find my squad first to explain the situation."

Lucy tossed a flare to the two of them.

"The sun is up and the mist is dispersing. When that happens, you can use this to let me find you."

The two of them nodded after taking the flare. They performed a wizard’s salute and quickly disappeared into the increasingly thinning fog.

Just then, a red firework burst in the distance.

Lucy tucked that small piece of Time Sand Silver into her robe and walked toward the direction of the firework.

…

After nearly half an hourglass of time passed.

As the bushes rustled, Lucy finally reunited with the six-member squad that had released the flare.

"You already dealt with the Tier-2 apprentice of that squad?" After hearing their report, Lucy looked slightly surprised.

"That was mainly Olivia’s contribution."

Lucy looked toward the black-haired girl, who, for the first time since the teleportation, showed a smile like a lily blooming on the mountaintop.

This made several of the male apprentices in the group stare in a bit of a daze.

Unfortunately, it was as fleeting as a flower that bloomed for only a moment.

After Lucy shifted her gaze away, the smile on Olivia’s face returned to its former coldness and nobility.

Lucy adjusted her expression and said in a solemn voice, "From this moment on, all of you must remember every word I say."

Her seriousness made everyone fall quiet.

"There was something I needed to accomplish, but if I followed the normal steps, there would be no time. So I intended to take the initiative and eliminate the remaining fighting strength of Eternal Silence Blackthorn and the Witch’s Cottage."

"And if my guess was correct, the goal of Eternal Silence Blackthorn in this Tri-Tower Tournament was by no means simply to take the championship."

She explained in detail what she had discovered under the crying-faced tree, and her conjecture about the Lord of Nightmares. The expressions of the squad members gradually grew grave.

No matter whether those wizards from Eternal Silence Blackthorn truly intended to awaken an evil god, it would not bode well for any of them participating in the tournament.

"But what was the purpose of using corpses to cultivate the crying-faced trees?" Helen asked in a low voice, voicing her doubt.

Although they had also found one, all the trees were scattered in different places across the arena and seemed unrelated to each other.

Lucy opened the Anatomy Notes and turned to the page where a rubbing of the Godfall Gorge map, copied from Traveling with Migratory Birds, was affixed.

She circled a small area of the arena with her pen and marked a point in one of the locations.

"Where was the crying-faced tree you discovered?"

After roughly judging, Helen pointed toward the edge. "It should be here."

Lucy likewise marked this spot with her pen.

"Next, when clearing out the apprentices on the periphery, record the locations of all the crying-faced trees." Lucy closed the notebook and said, "I suspect these trees were not placed at random."

Everyone nodded.

Olivia said, "But relying on our strength alone, clearing the periphery will be difficult."

"I already contacted two squads," Lucy’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "We will unite every force we can rally. Before the enemy realizes what’s happening, we will sweep along the edge of the arena and clear out hostile apprentices. Whether my suspicion is correct should soon be proven."

"And one more thing try not to take any more lives."

If the goal of Eternal Silence Blackthorn was the remains of the Lord of Nightmares, then their strongest members should be gathered near the center of the arena. Most of the wizards at the periphery were likely from the Witch’s Cottage.

"Now, recite your witchcraft incantations to me. I will help you optimize the casting speed and power using High Elvish."

Lucy’s words left everyone momentarily stunned.

Talia exclaimed excitedly, "Captain, you even know High Elvish!"

Nearly ninety percent of apprentices had tried to learn this advanced language, but very few ever managed to grasp its basics.

…

"All the apprentices have been sent inside."

Outside the teleportation array, Sarah finished the arduous teleportation task.

Although the distance of the teleportation was not very far, activating the array hundreds of times in succession was no easy feat even for a mid-level witch.

Several other wizards also gradually put away the array and quietly began restoring their depleted mental strength.

But just then, Rudolph, the occult scholar of Eternal Silence Blackthorn, suddenly spoke.

"Everyone, interested in making a wager?"

Fernando abruptly opened his eyes. "What do you want to bet on?"

"Hehehe…" Rudolph grinned, revealing only two front teeth remaining. "Same as always. Let’s wager which tower will win the championship this year."

The Tower of the Four Sages had already finished last for three consecutive tournaments. Fernando had lost the bet three times in a row.

But since the other had already proposed, how could Fernando possibly back down?

He raised his hand and grabbed the air. A dusty gray wizard’s robe appeared in his palm.

Although its appearance was completely unremarkable, everyone could still feel the terrifying pressure of magical energy radiating from it. This was clearly a wizard-grade robe.

"Seems you are quite confident this year, Fernando." Rudolph pulled out a black crystal, from which a faint, mournful wailing could be heard. "An occult creation, a Wraith Essence."

"Since everyone is in such high spirits this year, I will also wager that the Witch’s Cottage will take the championship."

When she finished speaking, Sarah also took out a broom.

Judging by its quality, this witchcraft broom naturally could not compare to the wizard robe or the Wraith Essence.

But the Witch’s Cottage was the weakest among the three towers and had never won a tournament championship. As a side bet and embellishment, it was still suitable.

"Then it’s settled. Whoever wins the championship takes everything."

"Agreed!"

"Hehehe…"

Just as the wager was finalized, Sarah’s expression shifted slightly. With a flicker of mental strength, she activated her faction’s teleportation array.

The match had only started for one minute, and already an apprentice had been eliminated.

Blue light flashed. A female apprentice in a red robe, her thigh wounded, appeared in a sorry state.

"What happened?" Sarah asked sternly.

The female apprentice cast a fearful glance at the wizards present. "Right after teleporting… we encountered the strong ones from the Tower of the Four Sages…"

Sarah shot a sidelong glare at Fernando and Madam Green Vine.

"Useless wretch, get out of here!"

"Yes, my lady."

The female apprentice lowered her head and fled to the side as if escaping. If she did not quickly treat the venomous bite on her leg, she would have no choice but to amputate it.

More than ten minutes later.

Sarah’s expression changed again.

As blue light flickered, another apprentice from the Witch’s Cottage was teleported out.

This time, the injuries were even worse blood flowed from all seven orifices, foam bubbled at the mouth, and a huge lump swelled on the forehead. She had already fallen unconscious.

"Brother!"