When the nightingale finished speaking, the room fell silent again, save for the occasional crackling of the burning candles.
Roland looked serious, and he finally had a general understanding of the group of witches.
Most witches' awakenings take place during the Devil's Month, the day when legend has it that the gates of hell open. Generally speaking, adulthood is a dividing line for witches. Women who have not awakened after the age of 18 are basically not likely to become witches, and those who awakened before the age of 18 will be devoured by demons every year on the day of awakening. pain.
This kind of pain is unimaginable for ordinary people. When Nightingale talked about this part, her voice was vibrato. According to her personal experience, it was as if something wanted to break out of her body, and every blood vessel and tendon felt unbearable pain. , in the end, the skin will ooze blood, and the eyeballs will bulge out of the orbit...
If you can get through it, your body will slowly recover after four or five days of rest, but those who can't persist will die in this torture, and the death condition is terrible.
Nightingale had witnessed the death of her companions several times. Their bodies lost their ability to support and turned into bulging flesh balls. Blood and water mixed with internal organs are sprayed out of the holes in the body, and it will turn into bursts of black mist when it encounters the air. In the end, when all that could be sprayed out, only a layer of charred skin was left on the ground.
This is evidence that witches are seen as incarnations of the devil.
Ordinary people are so frightened when they see this scene, who would care about the real cause of death? With the help of the church, declaring belief in the devil is the end. Over time, the witch has become the spokesperson of evil.
No matter how outsiders see it, this kind of torture is real, and it is also for this reason that witches are generally short-lived. The further back, the more difficult it will be, and many people choose to end their lives by themselves.
At the age of 18, this demonic devouring body can be regarded as the most difficult level to overcome. In fact, the magic power obtained by witches before is not complete, and this power will be stabilized only after adulthood. The stabilized magic power has been greatly improved compared to the previous one, and even new branch abilities will be derived.
Unfortunately, the stabilization process is extremely painful, the body-devouring magic power is beyond the limit that ordinary people can bear, and many witches will die on the day of adulthood.
After listening to it, Roland was silent for a long time, and then asked in a low voice, "It is recorded in ancient books that witches can obtain eternal peace in the holy mountain, and they don't have to be tortured by demons. Is this true?"
"No one knows, because the holy mountain has only appeared in legends. However, if you take them to the mutual aid club camp, the chance of survival is higher. If witches don't have to hide themselves and can live freely, the power of the body eater will be better than It has weakened a lot in the past.”
Roland was in a turmoil for a while, and his plan was inseparable from the help of Anna and Nana, but because his plan would expose them to huge risks, he couldn't bear it any longer. In the end he said feebly, "Anna is downstairs. I'll go and call her over. If she wants, you can take her away. For Nana, I can't see her until tomorrow."
"Thank you for your understanding, I really didn't read you wrong," Nightingale stood up and greeted.
At this time, Anna still hadn't fallen asleep. When Roland called her, she was lying on the table and copying something. Seeing it was Roland, she looked a little surprised. When she heard that she was going to the prince's room, Anna didn't ask a word, and followed upstairs obediently.
When she entered the room and found that there was another person inside, the girl was really startled. Roland took her hand and gave a brief introduction, and the three sat down around a round table. Nightingale repeated what she had said before, "...In the camp, there are many people just like you, and they are all your companions."
"That's probably the case, Miss Anna. Although I have signed an employment contract with you, I must respect your opinion in situations that may endanger your life. If you agree to—"
"I do not go."
Roland was stunned, "What did you say—"
"I said I won't go," Anna interrupted Roland quickly, "I want to stay here."
"Anna, I didn't lie to you," Nightingale said with a frown, "I can feel the magic power surging in your body, it's close to maturity. The Devil's Moon in two months will be your coming-of-age day, come to the camp one day earlier. You'll have more security."
She ignored the other party, but turned her head and looked at Roland.
"Your Highness, do you remember that you asked me if you wanted to go back to Teacher Karl's academy and study with other children like Nana?"
Roland nodded.
"I didn't answer at that time. I don't care about what you said later... Living like a normal person or something," Anna's voice was calm and natural, "I just want to stay by His Highness's side, that's all."
Roland thought he understood Anna's psychology, but now he realizes that he doesn't understand at all.
In the eyes of the other party, he could not read any emotion. It's not dependence, it's not love, nothing can be seen... Only a bottomless tranquility.
He remembered the scene when they first met, and it was also such a calm look.
The difference is that at this moment her face is full of vitality, like a flower bud waiting to bloom. She is still not afraid of death, but she no longer expects death.
"The demon bite can't kill me," Anna said word by word, "I will defeat it."
Nightingale closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "...Okay, I get it."
"So, will you leave alone?" Roland asked.
"No, I'll stay here too," she pulled on her hood and stood up. "Anyway, the camp won't move until the Demon Moon ends."
"Why?" Roland was taken aback. Could she still monitor herself all winter
"I don't think a chick who has not experienced adulthood will understand its dangers. I have struggled on the edge of death several times, and I have also witnessed the disappearance of my companions. When that day comes, I can help her. If..." Nightingale shrugged, "If she doesn't make it through, I also have experience in dealing with funerals."
She walked to the door, pulled out the dagger, and curtly bowed to Roland again, "Then, farewell." After speaking, her figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, leaving no trace like mist.
Is this the ability of Nightingale? Roland was thoughtful, and the silent stealth technique was simply a natural assassin. And judging from the dagger throwing in that hand, she definitely has received relevant training. In addition to accepting the same kind, is the Witch Co-op also developing its own power? Or did she master these skills before she was recruited into the Co-Aid Association
There is too little information about this organization, and Roland can't find any useful information in his memory, but he has a hunch that he will meet with this organization again in the future, as long as he insists on the path of witch farming.
"It's getting late, you go back to sleep," Roland said, patting the girl's head.
To his surprise, Anna pushed his hand away and walked out of the room without saying a word.
She closed the door, the lights were cut off behind her, and shadows enveloped her. She leaned lightly against the door, her eyes like the lake were no longer calm.
She raised her head, put her arms in front of her face, and finally murmured in a barely audible voice.
"… fool."