Chapter 256: The Burning Valley

Inside a hollow tree, the witch, Moon, was carefully mixing potions, her expression solemn as she handled several small vials. Beside her, Princess Elysia diligently ground herbs with a mortar and pestle.

Moon knew her injuries were a punishment for venturing into the forest too frequently. No matter how skilled she was in brewing magical medicine, there was no remedy for the curse afflicting her.

Yet, in that moment, she found comfort in the stillness, and in the presence of the girl who had healed her loneliness.

The forest was a prison to Moon. And for the princess, the royal palace was no less a cage.

Suddenly, Moon's body tensed. She sensed someone powerful approaching, likely a skilled warrior sent by the palace. This time, they had probably dispatched someone to kill her and take the princess back by force.

But the panic on her face faded quickly. She had expected this outcome ever since she took the princess. No matter, she could accept her own end, but she would never allow the princess to return to the place that had never made her smile.

"What's wrong?" Elysia asked, sensing Moon's tension.

"Someone's coming. Hide!" Moon whispered.

"No! If it's someone sent by my father, then I want to stand with you. Even if they try to enforce his will, I'll make it clear, this is my decision!" Elysia declared, grasping Moon's hand.

Moon gave a gentle smile, then led the princess out of the tree.

But the tension in Moon's face softened the moment she saw the newcomer. It was Jon.

Even she was surprised by her reaction, why did she feel relief seeing him? He had helped her before, yes, but that could've been a one-time favor. This time, she assumed he'd come for the king's reward.

Jon, for his part, was briefly stunned to see the two walk out hand in hand.

"Showing off your love life now?" he muttered under his breath.

"Why are you here?" Moon asked.

Jon replied casually, "Relax. The soldiers sent after you? All dealt with. And the one true threat left in this kingdom, the only person who might actually defeat you? I've taken care of him too."

Moon blinked. That was a favor she doubted she could ever repay.

"Why help me?" she asked.

"Because now you owe me," Jon said flatly. "I need a favor."

"What kind?" Moon asked.

Jon pointed westward. "On the far edge of the forest, there's a region where the trees and grass grow thicker than anywhere else. Why? Because no creatures dare go there. Beyond the woods lies a valley shrouded in mystery, the Burning Valley. It's engulfed in green flames all year round. The king once sent a team of explorers to investigate. None returned."

"Even you, witch, wouldn't dare approach it alone."

Moon's expression changed. She had a secret she'd never shared; she had been to the valley once. Though she hadn't ventured deep, she had returned alive. The only one to ever do so. And what she saw there... terrified her.

"I want you to come with me," Jon said.

"I agree," she answered without hesitation.

Elysia turned pale. "No! I've heard even our kingdom's strongest warriors perished in that place! And your injuries—"

Before she could finish, Jon raised his wand and whispered, "Sanitatem Lucis."

A beam of gentle golden light burst from the tip, striking Moon in the chest. At first, she staggered—then gasped as warmth surged through her.

"It's an ancient healing charm," he said. "Something the old Hogwarts scrolls called the Light of Mendel. Not taught to students anymore. But, don't know why I am talking about things you don't understand, Tch."

The spell, drawn from deep magical knowledge, enveloped her in shimmering light. Her wounds closed, her breath steadied, and the curse's weight lifted from her shoulders.

Then she felt it, an itch between her shoulder blades, growing stronger.

"Moon! Your wings!" Elysia cried.

Moon turned and saw them, white, fledgling wings sprouting from her back. At the same time, the feathered ornament on Elysia's head began to shimmer. The feather was from Moon's wings.

The wings grew, strong and radiant, until they spread to match her full height, like those of a majestic eagle.

Moon now stood in her white robe, golden hair flowing, radiant with divine grace. She looked like an angel.

Elysia smiled in awe. She remembered how she'd first met Moon, captivated by those same wings.

Seeing her restored, Jon flicked his reins. "We leave at dawn."

***

Meanwhile, in the distant ducal estate...

The city wasn't close to the capital, though not terribly far either, one could make the journey in a day by carriage.

Inside a dim chamber, the former Duke Fexius stood by the window, gazing outside. Darkness filled the room, and it seemed to cling to him as well. His presence was brooding, oppressive.

He was the former duke, father to William, and had passed the title on early. Not to retire in peace, but to focus entirely on a much greater undertaking.

Just then, a raven flew in from the shadows and landed in the room.

A dark fog enveloped the bird. Slowly, it transformed, into a hunched old man in a black cloak, leaning on a cane...

"I told you, unless it's urgent, don't disturb me, Lyman," Fexius said coldly.

The hunched old man named Lyman bowed deeply, his raspy voice trembling. "Your Highness, the Duke's guards have all been slain..."

Fexius stiffened. He turned sharply, his gaze piercing Lyman like a blade.

Lyman continued with a shiver, "And the Duke himself... has vanished."

Fexius's expression eased slightly. The Duke and his guards bore magical marks, if they died, he would know. Vanished merely meant the Duke lived.

"Then why are you standing there? Bring him back and find who did this!" Fexius snapped.

Lyman lowered his gaze, trembling further.

Fexius narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"

"My Lord... the Duke's mark—it was erased."

Fexius exploded. If the mark disappeared, death was imminent. "You said he vanished!"

"Forgive me!" Lyman quickly corrected. "It wasn't death. The mark was forcibly removed."

Fexius's frown deepened. Why erase the mark before killing him? The only reason would be to use the Duke for something.

"I cannot say why, but the one who erased it wields powerful magic," Lyman explained. "I teleported to the capital immediately. The mark's location led me to a forest where I found the Duke's guards—torn apart. The Duke was gone."

"At first, I thought the forest witch was responsible, but I felt a lingering aura. It was strong, sinister... similar to Void creatures, but different."

Lyman shivered again, not from Fexius' wrath, but from recalling the power he'd sensed: the Spirit of Vengeance's essence.

Fexius noted his fear. That mere residual aura had unsettled Lyman this badly?

Lyman insisted, "We must send an elite force to the capital. The Duke is in danger."

Fexius turned to the window. He no longer managed the kingdom directly; William did. Even his trip to the capital could be disguised as leisure travel.

"Fine," he said. "We take Nightmare Knight Saegas, Chaos Mage Syndiga, and select a few elites from the Dark Vanguards."

These were his greatest assets, his secret cards. Not even William knew of the Dark Vanguards. Now Fexius would deploy them to retrieve his beloved son.

***

Meanwhile, in the forest village, witches and cursed beings gathered around a monstrous figure, a towering creature with a centipede's lower body, spider legs, and a human torso cloaked in black matter. She bore mantis claws, wild gray hair, and a grotesque, wrinkled face. This was Snow White's Stepmother, now on Jon's assistant.

Behind her stood a black altar. On it was a handsome blond man, writhing in agony, he was William.

Around the altar, witches chanted strange incantations.

The elder witch approached. "My Lady, the ritual is ready."

Grimhilde's monstrous face stretched into a chilling smile. "Excellent. Let us begin."

She turned to William, her voice dripping malice. "I hope you're ready, duke. With the knowledge bestowed by our Leader, I will remake you into his most powerful weapon."

"What an honor to serve our Leader with boundless power~!"

William screamed, "You monster! Release me! You have no idea who my father is!"

But it was too late.

Just days before, Jon had planned to kill William, absorb his powers or convert him into Penalty Points. But at the last moment, he felt... bored. William was weak. Killing him wouldn't yield much.

Then a better idea struck: repurpose the trash.

He handed William over to Grimhilde through a portal, not to kill, but to transform. To forge a new weapon from a discarded pawn.

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