Chapter 823: Information from the Witch Cult's High Level
Angel's first feeling about the witch's words was not curiosity, but astonishment.
It was like someone delivering a pillow just as she dozed off, bringing back some not-so-nice memories.
For example, the various coincidences that happened in Tingen City, the writing of "0-08" Alesuhod, or the "Imaginary Angel" Adam that he met before becoming a demigod...
After pondering for a moment, she asked without changing her expression:
"This is indeed the information I want to know, but where did you get it from? I don't believe that an ordinary member of the 'Witch Cult' could know such important information."
Contrary to her expectations, Tia's face showed a puzzled expression. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes reflecting a curious light in the candlelight in the room, and replied:
"It's not classified information. My superiors occasionally mention it to me during conversations, and I've also picked up a lot of useful information when I've taken the initiative to chat with other witches... Perhaps it's because I attended a religious school, but I'm quite enthusiastic about gathering clues and information."
"A church school?"
Angel had a guess.
"Yes, I was born in Lenburg. I attended the school of the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom' Church from a very young age. Of course, my grades weren't very good, so I left... It was because of that experience that after becoming an 'Assassin', I didn't agree with the sect's philosophies. It was fine when I was a Low Sequence, as my superiors allowed us a certain degree of autonomy. But after I was promoted to 'Witch', they planned to arrange my future life...
"So, I found an opportunity to steal my blood back, left Feynaport, and returned to Azshara, seeking refuge in the Church of Knowledge. Of course, I also became the target of the 'Witch Cult'..."
Tia finished saying all this in one breath, and turned her head towards William a little uneasily, as if secretly observing his expression.
But Angel confirmed his guess through Tia's answer.
As expected, the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom played a special role in this matter. At the very least, they proactively accepted a defected member of the Witch Cult and sent her out of the northern continent to the sea, where the Witch Cult's influence was relatively weak. Even some conspiracy theories, such as Tia joining the cult and becoming a Beyonder, could not be ruled out.
Before this, I'd only come into contact with a handful of Beyonders from the Church of Knowledge, or those associated with them, like "Eye of Wisdom" Isengard Stanton, "Vice Admiral Iceberg" Edwina Edwards... well, there was also "Strongest Hunter" Anderson Hood, who was expelled from the church school for poor academic performance. This shows that the Church of Knowledge is open to all, accepting "talents" from all walks of life, and it doesn't prove they have any conspiracy...
Thinking of this, a hazy, dim light flashed in her right eye, making her purple pupil almost black. Using her eye as a mirror, she performed a simple magic mirror divination and confirmed that Tia was not lying.
Or, she thought she wasn't lying.
Seeing Tia looking at him uneasily again, Angel chuckled and used a little "charm" to appease the little witch who escaped from the "Witch Sect", and then continued to ask:
"Aren't you worried that I'm also a member of the 'Witch Cult'? After all, 'Vice Admiral of Disease' Tracy is one of them. Having a new pirate king isn't surprising... Is this related to the 'information' you know?"
Regardless of whether it was a conspiracy of the Church of Knowledge, she could preliminarily judge the authenticity of the information through divination, so she did not worry too much about the other party's identity, but went straight to the point.
"No, the information I received didn't include you... But the bishop who escorted me from Lenburg told me that if I couldn't escape the cult's pursuit even after arriving in Bayam, I could try to contact a few famous pirates, such as you, Vice Admiral Iceberg, or Admiral Star. Therefore, I don't believe you have any connection to the Witch Cult."
Tia said, then glanced at William beside her and added:
"Of course, that's not why I met Carl. In fact, when I was still an 'Assassin', I once encountered him during a mission and learned that he was a crew member of the 'Golden Dream'. So this time, I wanted to use him to contact Vice Admiral Iceberg, but I didn't expect that he had already left the pirate admiral's command and became your boatswain."
Actually, it was Elaine’s boatswain… Angel did not correct this question, but continued to ask:
"What about the information you know?"
As if because Angel no longer questioned her origins, Tia let out a light breath and relaxed her body. She tilted her head slightly and said while recalling:
"The administrator of the 'Witch Cult' in the Kingdom of Feynaport is called the 'Golden Witch.' Although I don't know her name or rank, she must have reached the level of a demigod or higher. This is because my superior, a 'Pleasure' Witch, feels like she's seeing an evil spirit every time she mentions her codename...
"It's said that there are thirteen witches with similar color codes. They jointly manage the sect's affairs in various places. Aside from being directly responsible to the leader, there is no hierarchical relationship between them..."
"leader?"
Angel interrupted Tia's narration and asked.
"Yes, she's codenamed 'Gray'. Other than that, I don't have any other information." Tia nodded in response, glanced at Angel, and continued:
"Also, the 'Witch Cult' seems to be very interested in a place in Lunburg. The bishop who rescued me said that the witches have been sending Mid-Sequence Beyonders like me there, hoping to find something they are interested in... He said it is called the 'Exiled City' Morola..."
"Did he mention the 'man in the mirror' problem?"
Angel interrupted Tia again, which was not polite, but as the superior and the one asking the question, it was her right.
"The man in the mirror?"
Tia asked back in confusion. Angel performed a magic mirror divination at the same time and found that the other party was not lying or concealing anything.
It seems the "Mirror People" infiltrated Lenburg, seeking something different than the Witch Cult's goal. No, it's possible that Tia didn't get this crucial information, but she surprisingly knew the nicknames of the Witch Cult's high-ranking officials. This is information I didn't even learn when I infiltrated the cult in Backlund. Even "Lady Despair" Panatia didn't reveal it at all, so how could Tia have gotten it in a casual conversation?
Angel's mind raced with thoughts, and after a moment he gestured to the witch in front of him to continue.
"...Finally, before I fled the sect, I stole back my blood from my superiors and obtained an internal document detailing the location of the legendary 'Fountain of Youth.' I heard pirates and adventurers were interested in it, so I wrote it down, intending to use it as a bargaining chip in exchange for some promise of protection."
Having said that, Tia looked at Angel cautiously, hinting at something.
Is this a negotiation? Kill you, then channel your spirit, and I'll still get everything... Hmm, she's looking for Edwina, Cattleya, or me, perhaps because we have relatively good reputations, as opposed to notorious pirates like Admiral Hell and Admiral Blood, who are bloodthirsty and disregard the rules?
Angel muttered and nodded.
"We'll take you away from Bayam to prevent you from being found by the Mandated Punishers or the Witch Cult, but this voyage is limited to this one... Afterwards, I can send you to Backlund. The Witch Cult members there have suffered heavy losses from the official Beyonders, so it's safer than Bayam."
"Can I...stay on your ship? I don't want to go back to the Northern Continent. They won't let me go."
"My ghost ship is not accepting new members for the time being."
"This one will do, too!"
Tia said anxiously.
Well, according to the divination, Tia did not lie. Regardless of whether there was some "arrangement" involved, her escape from the Witch Cult was a fact. I had already provoked them a long time ago, so I don't have to worry about provoking them again... Angel thought for a moment, smiled, pointed to the sea chart on the table, and said:
"That depends on whether you can demonstrate the corresponding value."
After getting Angel's promise, Tia's body under the cloak was obviously relaxed. She came to the table, picked up a pen, and did not immediately point out the location of the "Fountain of Youth". Instead, she used tools to draw with the help of several small islands in the Misty Sea and the coastlines of the north and south continents.
As expected of someone who came from the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom... Angel muttered inwardly, watching Tia draw a few auxiliary lines pointing to a sea area on the east side of the Misty Sea, near the equator, and then draw a circle there.
"It's right here. The information says that this island is usually obscured by storms and fog, making it impossible to find by any means. Even if you could see the island with your naked eyes, you would miss it like a mirage. Only by using a special method known only to witches can you enter the real island and find the 'Fountain of Youth'."
Tia said as she pointed out the specific location.
Angel's gaze stayed on the circled sea area, and compared it with the cross that Black Cat Winsa had drawn on his expensive map hanging painting. He found that the two were in the same position, which confirmed the correctness of the information provided by Tia.
At the speed of the "Red-haired Girl", this distance would take about half a month one way, which is considered a long journey.
Fortunately, she had originally prepared this three-masted sailboat to head for the location given by Wensa. At this time, there was enough food, fresh water and wine, so she didn't have to worry about the long journey.
With this thought, Angel looked out the porthole of the captain's cabin. He happened to hear Elaine's roar and the sound of sailors shouting and pulling the sails. The "red-haired girl" under him swayed slightly, breaking free from the restraints of the dock. He wanted to leave Bayam in the night and set off directly for the Misty Sea before the "Manufactured Punisher" came to him.
"Well, Miss 'Witch', welcome aboard the 'Redhead'."
She turned around, looked at the anxious Tia, and said with a smile.
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