Release That Witch

"Is this where you docked last time?" Tilly asked as she looked at the lofty cliff.     

The Charming Beauty had been sailing west along the coast ever since they saw the coastline. Ashes did not shout for the sail to be stopped until they saw the beachhead.     

"Yes. Look." She pointed at the peak of the mountain.     

Following the direction that Ashes was pointing at, Tilly noticed two orange flags flying in the wind.     

"It was just a beach the last time we came, but the two flags show we're heading in the right direction."     

"I remember it too," old Jack said with a pipe in his mouth, "but last time they relied on a giant balloon to carry them over the cliff. How will you go over it this time?"     

"A giant balloon?" Tilly questioned curiously.     

"Yes. A balloon that flies as long as it's filled with hot gas." Ashes nodded. "I've heard that it's Prince Roland's invention. The hot gas in the balloon rises, lifting the balloon and people on it."     

Princess Tilly looked conflicted as she heard her answer. "The court mentors didn't teach us these things." She exhaled a white breath and then said, "I'll find out the answer soon since I'll see him anyway. Let's go ashore."     

"Are you sure you don't want to stay on the boat and wait for him to pick you up?" the captain said when he shook off the cigarette ash, "how can we go over the cliff?"     

"Shavi will handle it." Tilly smiled.     

Since they were unclear about the depths of the naturally-formed seabed, they anchored the boat at a discreet distance and released the landing boats to move the people to Shallow Beach.     

After they landed on the thick snow, Tilly turned to the one-eyed Jack. "Captain, I'll be troubling you to stay here for three to four days. I need you to send Lotus and the other witches back to Sleeping Island."     

"Sure," the captain said, "I dare not to sail back without you on board. God knows if those mutant sea ghosts will come back again."     

Tilly walked towards the foot of the cliff and flew to the top with the help of the Magic Stone. She observed her surroundings. The landscape behind the cliff was almost as high as the peak of the cliff. This meant they did not have to climb down once they reached the top. Lifting things with barrier would cost them considerable magic power, but the cliff, about 50 steps, was not at all high for Shavi. Tilly landed slowly near the other four girls. "Shavi, I'll leave the other three to you."     

"Yes, Lady Tilly." Shavi laughed while patting her chest. She then summoned the invisible barrier. After two days of rest, she had recovered from the violent attack from the giant sea monster. Waiting until all of them stepped inside the transparent barrier, she drove her magic power to slowly raise it. Before long, they had crossed the cliff.     

Under Ashes' guidance, it took them half a day to finally arrive at Border Town.     

A uniquely-designed iron bridge was the first that came into Tilly's sight. Supported by only two piers, the bridge crossed over the broad river. There were no extra decorations, except for well-lining iron beams and pillars. The contrast of the white snow on the black bridge cast an inexpressible momentum at the first sight.     

"It's... so huge," Breeze said in amazement, "how many iron ingots do they need to forge such a grand bridge?"     

"What a waste. A simple floating bridge is enough for transportation. Why did they build such a high bridge?" Ashes commented disapprovingly. "Since Border Town is the last stop for merchant ships, I doubt there're any ships that will head to the source of the river to trade."     

"You're shortsighted," Andrea said, shaking her forefinger gracefully, "even if I'm not from the Kingdom of Graycastle, I can understand the value of this west woodland. And I believe it's just a matter of time for a town to be built. Marching towards no man's land is a wise choice for someone who intends to expand his land. By then, the seemingly simple and low-cost floating bridge will significantly hinder transportation. Looks like Lady Tilly's brother is much more farsighted than you."     

Ashes raised her eyebrows. "You've nicknamed him as a vulgar nobleman who likes cooking in a barbarous way. Now you call him Lady Tilly's brother?"     

"It was you who added the word of a vulgar nobleman," the blonde haired witch said, looking away dismissively, "and the saying that he likes cooking in a barbarous way doesn't contradict the fact that he has a long-term view. Stop yourself from gossiping in front of Lady Tilly."     

However, Tilly paid little attention to their bickering. She turned her gaze towards the opposite of the river.     

She noticed something incredible.     

The flurries of snow in the sky lowered the temperature similar to that of a chilly winter. The civilians should be staying home, gathered around the stoves or cocooned in quilts. Few people could be seen in the streets even in the king's city. Since the cold accelerated the burning of their energy, people had to eat more to keep warm. There was also the danger of catching a cold outside their door. Hence, most people would reduce their outside activities to subsistence purposes.     

But that was not the case in Border Town. The town was bustling with people and activities. Some were pushing carts and some were carrying big bags. It seemed that all of them were in a hurry and engaged in all kinds of work. Tilly did not find any supervisors holding whips, so it meant they were working on their own account.     

How… is this possible?     

As they crossed the bridge, two guards equipped with peculiar-looking spears walked up to them. They wore uniforms and looked to be in high spirits, a stark contrast from the patrol teams in other big cities. "Stop. Why are you coming from the south?" One of the guards looked at them carefully for a moment. "Wait, are you… witches?"     

The question gave Tilly a slight shock. She was already aware that witches were openly accepted in this town, but when she heard ordinary people asking such a question in such a calm tone, billows emerged in her heart and stirred her. "Yes, we're witches," she answered.     

"You must be here to join the Witch Cooperation Association." The guard laughed. "Please wait for a while. I'll report at once."     

"Wait? No, this is..."     

"Great. We'll wait here." Tilly interrupted Ashes. "By the way, may I ask what're those people doing?"     

"Ah. They're busy repairing the shipyard. The snow caught them off guard and messed up many things. But I don't exactly know what they're doing."     

After the guard returned to his duty, Ashes asked in incredulity. "Why didn't you tell them who you are?"     

"Aren't you curious about how he'll receive a witch from another city?" Tilly winked playfully.     

It was not long before a tall, white-clad woman arrived. She had curly blonde hair and impeccable looks. Even though Tilly could not see her magic power, she can feel the piercing momentum radiating from her, just like a sharp blade.     

There was no doubt that she was a combat-type witch with extremely strong power.     

"I thought there really are new witches here for us. Hadn't you returned to Sleeping Island?" she said, glancing at Ashes before sweeping her gaze past the rest of them. The sight of Tilly unexpectedly shocked her. Her sharpness dulled, replaced with a water-like warmth.     

"Hello. I'm Nightingale." She nodded in greeting to Tilly. "You must be Tilly Wimbledon, the younger sister of Prince Roland."