Grande's dining table was full, but the long table prepared in advance and set up in the backyard was not used. Max said there were more than twenty people, and only four came, Sibella, John, Max, and Game. St.'s girlfriend, Phoebe.
"I don't have a car that can carry so many people." Sibella answered Zach with this reason. Zach's plan to personally inspect the wizards was shattered.
"That's right, then you don't have to send Max here in person, but bring one with you." Zach responded to Sibella's answer.
"I'm here to invite Alice to have a casual dinner." Since the last time at the wedding, Sibella's way of speaking to Zach seemed to be much more direct, "It wasn't you at the wedding who asked me to ask John if he wanted to come to Georgia. Rand, why don’t I just bring people here?”
Zach, who was at the main seat, looked at John and Alice, who had their heads lowered, and continued to have a friendly exchange with Sibella, "Why are you inviting Alice?"
Sibella did not answer immediately, but carefully cut the dinner in front of her, "Alice, do you want to see other banshees?"
Zach put down his wine glass, and the table fell silent, with only the sounds of chewing creatures.
The coven of black witches are coming.
"They haven't arrived yet." After a silence, Sibella spoke again, "And not all of them, there are only two assembly members. People like Phoebe can enter the Barton North District directly and get off at Bache Station, but they can't ." Sibella paused, probably because she was worried about Alice's feelings, "After all, they are the bloodline transformed by Papa Midnight. They are temporarily staying in Newton. After dinner, John and I are going to pick them up at the border of the South District. .”
"So you must invite them before they can enter." Zach nodded, "Why are there only two of them?"
"Humph." Sibella moved her shoulders, "Of course they don't believe us yet. They have to confirm with their own eyes what Barton looks like before they decide whether to come here."
"Yes." Zach nodded and smiled, "Then I should also go together to greet her..."
"No need. They are a special group. I have already informed them that there is Toledo in Barton..." Sibella naturally regarded Zach's proposal as the vampire declaring Barton's sovereignty. In fact, if you think about it seriously, don't look at the friendly conversation between Sibella and Zach at this time. The relationship between the two people is actually not that good. Sibella just tried to poach Benjamin and failed, and had to take care of him while doing everything. It’s just the experience of arriving at Grande.
"You're thinking too much." Zac waved his hand and interrupted Sibella, "I'm going because I may know Salem (the famous place of witch trials. If you are interested, you can check it out. I will borrow this here) The place where black witches gather) is in the middle of the country, and the Secret Alliance also has some contact with them."
Sibella glanced at Zach and said, "You haven't been in the Secret Alliance for many years." She emphasized, meaning that the black witches that Zach knew through the Secret Alliance should be in the cemetery now. Those who are unlucky and live longer should catch up with the popularity of cremation. No bones will be left.
"It doesn't matter." Zach smiled and swung his glass. "The Secret Alliance created the current federation out of tribute and the agreement between Papa Midnight and has been helping these things Papa Midnight left behind."
Remember, the history of the Confederacy, the wars between the colonists and the Indians. In the end, there was a peace agreement, and the Secret Alliance and Papa Midnight reached a consensus and promoted independence from the Federation.
"He once helped them set up a gathering in Salem and protected their safety." Zach raised his eyebrows and looked at Sibella, with a chuckle in his tone. Zach is revealing the history, "These records are in the age of the Secret Alliance. They who were helped should have done the same thing."
Sibella raised her lips and frowned, "So it's you, your secret alliance that is helping the banshees. The wizard family has never known what is so special about Salem that makes those banshees gather."
Alice had raised her head. It was impossible for her not to be curious about these things. And she'd never heard of it.
"Haha." Zach raised his eyebrows, "What's even better? Why did you wizard families finally allow Salem and the Black Witch Coven to exist?"
Question
Sibella and John, the two high-level wizards who were eating dinner in the Grand Restaurant, looked at each other. Sibella frowned, "Because of the curse of Salem, the witch trials were carried out by the Holy Lord Faith. The black witch died on the stake of the Holy Lord Faith. The anger of the cross faith turned into a deathbed curse - 'Let this land The death of "can never be spied on, be careful, all creatures walking on this land, when it comes, you will not be able to hide". The curse of the black witch forced the wizard family to withdraw from Salem and terminate the siege of the gathering. .”
This is a bit confusing. First of all, it needs to be clear that the black witch is the creation of Papa Midnight and a person who believes in witchcraft. Look at vampires. Life is a person who believes in the Holy Lord, and eternal life is a vampire who believes in the Holy Lord. Creatures under one's own beliefs are rewarded and punished by one's own beliefs, and other beliefs do not have the opportunity to participate. Otherwise, what’s the point of having faith
Then, if the black witch who grew up from a banshee is to be punished and executed, who should it be? Believe in witchcraft. The most beautiful situation is to kneel in front of Papa at midnight, make one last salvation for yourself, and then accept death calmly, instead of being tied up by a priest who appears from nowhere while holding a cross and chanting scriptures. Burned at the stake.
She was born as a powerful banshee who could see death in the witchcraft belief. Even if she inevitably got lost in her growth and became a black witch, she was still not considered a heretic of the Holy Lord belief and was burned to death. The anger is here.
"What you burned to death was just an ordinary woman." Zach took a sip of wine. "There is no curse, just a show manipulated by Toledo and the real black witch lurking around. We use the two kinds of things that have been flowing in the Federation The gap in the blood of faith creates a perfect scam." Zach tilted his head, "After all these years, don't you think this 'curse' is contradictory? If death cannot be spied on, the most powerful power of the black witch It can’t be used.”
Sibera's face was very sad, "We..." Sibera still changed the name, "the former wizard family." After all, the time has been a long time ago, "The most feared thing is this, the black witch will not hesitate to deprive herself of her abilities. Curse that land, and be angered by being regarded as a heretic in the Holy Lord's faith. No family is willing to try."
Zach raised his shoulders, expressionless, "Look, a perfect scam. And you are having dinner with its creator."
Well.
"you?!"
"Toledo likes to mingle with the crowd." Zach continued to shake the wine glass. "We know very well what humans in every era are thinking. For example, in the Middle Ages at that time, just the word 'heresy' could provoke people. Before the wizard family takes action, it is very easy to arouse the fear of the black witch among the civilians and the fanatics who believe in the Holy Lord."
Is this conversation about the history of black witches? No, it's Toledo's.
"It's a pity that the relationship between the Secret Alliance and the church has never been as good as the Sabbat in the West." It is necessary that the Secret Alliance supports peace, so the Federation was born. The Sabbat still adheres to the beliefs of the former colonists. Holding tightly to the Holy Lord's faith that originally brought them to this continent, their relationship with the church will naturally be good.
"So even I can't persuade a heavily armed priest to cooperate with the performance of vampires and black witches." Zach's face was still expressionless, "After inciting people's fear of black witches, we only Being able to blend into the crowd again and play the victim showed the appearance of the black witch being out of control, forcing the church to protect Salem. It was helpless. It could only let innocent people be pushed to the stake, and Salem was recorded in history. The Witch Trials."
"You..." Sibella really didn't know what she wanted to express. So this you is stretched and eventually disappears automatically.
Zach smiled, "So if the coven knows how to be grateful, my name should appear in their records. I think they will be happy to have the opportunity to see me in person."
"So. So, it was you who saved those female witches..." Alice looked at Zach, her eyes shining, "People like me."
Zach smiled and nodded. Excuse me. When has Zach ever told a story with pure motives
Sibella took a long breath, not wanting to say another word, and focused on dinner.
The table fell silent, this time to the end.
The first to stand up from the table was Max's Phoebe. Phoebe hadn't said a word since arriving at Grande, and even the introduction was made by Max. The first words she said surprised everyone.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Her voice was very soft, "Excuse me, Alpha..." There was a small pause, which seemed to show courage, "Do you need a wizard?"
When Max pulled Phoebe in shock, Benjamin answered directly, "No need."
Phoebe put on a smile with a stiff face, "At least I tried..." She laughed, and then she hugged Max, who had not yet recovered from his surprised face, and said, "Max, can you send me back? I've already seen it." It’s time to see what I want to see, so don’t disturb others.”
This sorceress is so curious... Leave her alone, Grande's master doesn't even look at her, and we don't need her either.
Zach pulled Alice, who came closer, and looked at Sibella with a smile, "Let's go."
Set off.
There is nothing to describe in the Southern District at night. It is so dark that it is not as eye-catching as the stars in the sky, not to mention that Sibella's car is still heading towards the border. Occasionally a streetlight passes by on Route 27, and most of it is broken.
The closer he got to the border, the more familiar Zach became with the scenery at night, which was the benefit of picking up Benjamin during the full moon cycle. There were very few lighted houses on both sides of the increasingly deserted road. As he passed one, Zach suddenly raised his eyebrows and said, "Stop on the side of the road."
John, who was driving, glanced at Sibella, who curled her lips and nodded, and the car stopped.
Zach, who was in the back seat, rolled down the window and waved to a running figure on the side of the road, "Cerris, what are you doing so late?"
Ceres and Briar, remember. He was just a commoner, and he only met Zach, the big boss of Grande, because of an unpleasant cooperation between the mill and the prison. At the same time, this Siris is also the guy who truly revealed the South Side's view of Grande - Grande relies on connections to keep this traditional funeral industry. Recall, this is what Siris said to James. , and Zach overheard it from the rooftop.
Ceres, who had run away, turned back again, and he heard Zach's voice. Originally, he didn't have a good impression of Zach. For details, see our vampire's first bus experience. But later, didn't Zach remind him of the prison breakout during a rainstorm? They met Brian again by chance when they were getting medicine, and the bad impression improved a bit.
"Mr. Grand." Ceres looked at the car first, then nodded towards Zach who stuck his head out of the rear window. He actually held a steaming teapot in his hand, "Uh, go over there, it's a bit Things." The direction he indicated was south, about to reach the border.
"Oh? We're going the same way." This was not Zach's car, but Zach took it upon himself to say, "I'll give you a ride. Come on up." Zach opened the car door directly, hugged Alice and moved out of the seat.
Of course, John and Sibella in the front seat frowned together, but what could they do? When Zach enthusiastically advised, "Come up, it's so dark outside." Should you just run away
John restarted the car, frowning, looking at the road while still winking at Sibella. They were going to pick up two black witches, why would they bring an ordinary human with them! Sibella tilted her head, staring at the dark 'beautiful scenery' outside the window and the occasional flashing street lights, not wanting to say a word.
"What are you doing?" After getting in the car, because Siris was carrying a teapot that seemed to have just been boiled and his hands were inconvenient, Zach tied his seat belt for him and 'wrapped' him in a slightly awkward posture. When Seris was an ordinary farmer, Zach looked at the teapot and asked.
"Briel met two new friends and asked me to send them tea." When he said this, Siris was obviously resisting, because he knew that it sounded very suspicious. Send tea? Well.
"Friend?" Zach actually started talking casually, "Doesn't your friend's house have a teapot?"
"Uh. No." Still showing resistance, Ceres pursed his lips, "They're not friends either. The two women I just met were standing at the signpost for entering the city, refusing to come in. Brielle discovered them. They were curious. I went up to ask a few questions, and then we chatted and then didn’t come back. They asked me to come back and bring them tea... "
"Those two women, what are their names!" Sibella turned her head, her expressions could no longer tell whether she was helpless or surprised, they were all mixed together.
"Uh, Yue Hua and Bai Ying, Indians."
"Oh." Seeing Sibella's expression that immediately turned into helplessness, Zach understood, smiled and patted Cerise, "What a coincidence, we went to pick them up, and we were still worried about the first time. Barton, they will be repelled by this city, it seems that they won’t be, right, Sibella, they have already made friends.”
What can Sibella say? Turn around and continue looking at the night view of the Southern District. (.)