Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 107: Ailora Is Washing Dishes

Chapter 107: Ailora Is Washing Dishes

On Isadella’s index finger, the Black Eagle Crest Ring shimmered faintly.

In the next moment, Xia Ya detected a subtle fluctuation of magic power.

An invisible soundproof barrier expanded from Isadella, enveloping the space between them while keeping the carriage driver and attendants completely isolated from their conversation.

—

"Ceylan’s fall had nothing to do with the Holy Theocracy."

Xia Ya spoke with certainty.

When he first uncovered clues regarding Ceylan’s destruction, he had considered the possibility that Warwick, the Holy Theocracy’s fugitive, was just part of a grander self-orchestrated scheme.

After all, he lived in a Western Fantasy world—and based on all the web novels and ACG works he had consumed in his previous life, the Church was usually a villainous entity.

They burned heretics, hunted witches, and schemed sinister apocalyptic conspiracies like it was their default setting.

Xia Ya had mentally prepared for the classic “rebel against the gods” storyline, where the Church would falsely accuse him and drag him to a tribunal.

But after thoroughly gathering and verifying intelligence, he had completely ruled out that theory.

For once… the Holy Theocracy wasn’t playing the bad guy.

What a rare and precious occasion.

—

Isadella studied Xia Ya intently.

Though, in name, he was a citizen of the Empire, the more she interacted with him, the more unreadable he became.

A Golden Elf mentor…

A Throne-Tier Master of the White Chalk Tower willing to severely injure a Legendary Beastmaster for his sake…

And now, even top-secret intelligence from within the Holy Theocracy itself was within his grasp.

Isadella understood his nature—Xia Ya would never speak in definitive statements unless he was 100% certain of the truth.

“…It seems I was overthinking it,” she admitted.

“Augustina has ruled the Shadow Council for many years. She is a master of interrogation, torture, and even soul-searching arts. If Guderian fell into her hands, there’s no way he could keep secrets.”

She did not ask Xia Ya for his sources.

As an Imperial Princess—and future Empress—Isadella had the capacity to tolerate secrets.

Whatever hidden depths Xia Ya possessed, as long as he stood on her side, that was all that mattered.

—

“…And about what Augustina mentioned—‘Golden Dawn’.”

Isadella frowned slightly.

“I have heard of this name from my mentor before. It seems to be some ancient transcendent organization, but my knowledge is limited.”

After all, she was still young—barely in her early twenties.

While her monstrous talent and relentless training had placed her among the top Beastmasters of the Western Continent, her accumulated knowledge and understanding of ancient secrets were nowhere near the level of centuries-old Legendary figures.

“Since Augustina warned us, I’ll request an investigation through my mentor and the Intelligence Bureau.”

"Additionally, you should be cautious. The impact of this banquet was far too great."

"With so many guests present, there’s no way to cover it up."

"You and Sylvia stole the entire spotlight at the banquet. Very soon, news about the two of you will spread across the entire Western Continent."

"If Golden Dawn was truly involved in Ceylan’s fall, then you and Ailora—as its only two survivors—will definitely enter their field of view."

"And no one knows what stance this ancient organization will take toward you."

—

"A group that could subtly manipulate a seasoned Legendary Beastmaster like Guderian… their influence may far exceed what we imagine."

Isadella turned her gaze toward the distant night sky.

“…After all, who knows how many beings have abandoned their humanity in those sub-planes, dimensional fissures, and the depths of the Starrealm—choosing to embrace the path of the gods instead.”

—

Her words were vague and ethereal, but Xia Ya understood the implications.

Currently, in the Western Continent, there were barely a dozen active Legendary figures—each well-documented.

But a Legendary Beastmaster had a lifespan of several centuries at minimum.

And with their soul strength, they had countless ways to artificially extend their lives.

Unless they were of a naturally immortal race, there were still ways to persist—

Contracting with a plant-type Summoned Beast to enhance vitality.

Using necromantic arts to become an undead being.

Or even shedding their mortal body and reincarnating.

If they were truly determined, a Legendary could survive for over a thousand years.

And in most historical records, ancient Legendary figures didn’t have “deceased” marked in their profiles—only “missing.”

For all they knew, countless old Legends could still be alive.

Like Sylvia—who had simply sealed herself away in a sub-plane for centuries.

—

Of course, Sylvia’s reason for sealing herself away was purely emotional—so she could reunite with Xia Ya someday.

But for others…

Centuries of existence would erode everything they once cherished.

Family, friends—all lost to time.

All that remained was their obsession with godhood.

These revived ancient Legends…

Their divinity had long overshadowed their humanity.

They no longer followed mortal laws or ethics.

—

“The Holy Sword and the Holy Lance were both forged by the will of the world itself—created by the planet for the purpose of ‘salvation’.”

“The last time these weapons appeared was nearly a thousand years ago, during the Old Era, before the Sacred Calendar was even established…”

“And now, they have reawakened with new wielders.”

“Does this mean we’re approaching an era of chaos far worse than the Era of Cataclysm—an age as turbulent as the end of the Old Era?”

A chilling light flickered in the Imperial Princess’s crimson eyes.

“…Regardless of where these revived figures come from.”

“If they have chosen to awaken in this era…”

“Then they will abide by the laws of this era.”

“Otherwise—”

“If they are already dead…”

“…then they should remain dead forever.”

—

"Her Highness has some big ambitions, huh?"

Watching the Black Eagle Carriage fade into the distance from the second floor of his estate, Xia Ya couldn’t help but silently comment.

So she planned to pacify the impending chaos—even conquering the ancient revived Legends?

Well, with an ambition like that, no wonder the Holy Sword chose her.

—

"Xia Ya, I’ll be going as well."

Sylvia extended her small notebook toward him.

Delicate golden letters shimmered on the page.

—

Back in the Historical Echo, Xia Ya had already helped restore her broken divine authority and Twilight Power deep within her soul.

And after five hundred years, Sylvia had fully mastered her strength, no longer fearing that merely speaking would unleash massacres through her divine words.

Even so, she still preferred writing over speaking.

It was a self-restraint technique Xia Ya had taught her five centuries ago.

By now, it had simply become habit.

—

Xia Ya nodded.

“You’re heading to discuss the White Chalk Tower’s branch in Camelot with Vice Tower Master Iswida, right?”

Sylvia blinked her argent-blue eyes and nodded.

More golden words appeared in her notebook.

"Five hundred years ago, after I became a Legendary Beastmaster, Golden Dawn once sent an envoy to contact me."

"I sensed an aura similar to my own from him."

"Like me, he must have contained a fragmented divinity or authority through some special method."

"But compared to me… his fusion was far inferior."

With Sylvia’s mental strength, Isadella’s soundproof barrier was nothing more than an empty formality—it couldn’t block her out.

Or rather, it was never meant to.

"However, while similar… it is not the path I have chosen."

A single line appeared in Sylvia’s notebook.

But those few words carried an immense weight.

—

Legendary-Tier marked a fundamental evolution of existence—a transition from human to non-human.

Most Beastmasters knew nothing about what lay beyond the Legendary-Tier, but as a Throne-Tier Beastmaster, Sylvia had glimpsed past the fog of uncertainty.

Beyond Legendary, there were two primary paths.

—

One path involved embracing divinity—absorbing fragments of godhood and authority, becoming a Mythical Being, a Demi-God… eventually forming a Divine Kingdom, gathering followers, and finally ascending to godhood as a True God.

This was the most structured, the most systematic, and the most well-documented path.

The Seven True Gods of the Church of Dawn…

The False Gods and Evil Gods worshiped by cults from the Abyss…

They had all walked this path—the only difference was how far they had traveled.

—

From the moment she was born, Sylvia had already contained the complete divine authority of a Twilight Ancient God’s Half-Body.

In theory, she was the perfect candidate to ascend to godhood—all she had to do was fully embrace her Twilight Divinity and she would immediately transcend from Legendary to Demi-God.

—

But she refused.

Because she did not want to forget who she was.

She did not want to become some high and mighty being, overlooking all of existence, losing her humanity in the process.

—

Gods became powerful through faith, but they were also changed by faith.

Their very essence morphed to match the perception of their followers.

—

Or rather…

She feared that if she and Xia Ya met again, he would no longer recognize her—or worse, that he would despise what she had become.

—

So Sylvia chose the other path.

She rejected the temptation of instant ascension through divine authority.

Instead, she treated her Twilight Power as nothing more than a tool—and continued her journey as a Legendary Beastmaster while still retaining her human identity.

—

It was the harder path.

Every Legendary’s path was different.

Even though there were precedents of Throne-Tier Beastmasters, there was no guarantee that she could successfully reach the end of her own journey.

—

But in the end… she won the gamble.

She surpassed the Legendary boundary—and achieved Throne-Tier.

—

"At the time, I was too focused on searching for you, Xia Ya, so I ignored Golden Dawn’s invitation."

"But that organization is ancient and mysterious."

"Even their mere envoys had already stepped onto the path of godhood as Legendary figures."

"If my estimation is correct, Golden Dawn likely has more than one Demi-God in its ranks."

—

Sylvia lowered her gaze slightly.

She didn’t want Xia Ya to see the icy coldness that had surfaced in her argent-blue eyes.

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

—

In terms of rank, Demi-Gods and Throne-Tier Beastmasters were equal.

But there was still a gap in accumulated power.

A newly ascended Throne, like Sylvia, naturally couldn’t compare to those Demi-Gods who had existed for millennia.

—

But if they ever laid a hand on Xia Ya…

—

A moment later, the coldness in her gaze vanished.

Sylvia smiled faintly.

"In any case, Xia Ya, it’s best to stay cautious."

"But I also worry that while I’m away, certain ‘people’ might take an interest in you."

"So I’ll be leaving one of my Summoned Beasts here in your home."

"Until we meet again, Xia Ya."

—

Golden text shimmered in the air.

In the next instant, Sylvia’s figure began to fade.

A few seconds later, she disappeared into the golden glow of twilight.

—

With Sylvia and Isadella both gone, the large estate suddenly felt much quieter.

Only Xia Ya and Ailora remained.

—

“I’ll wash the dishes.”

The golden-haired girl finally stood up, retracting her gaze from Xia Ya’s face, where it had lingered for quite some time.

Xia Ya exhaled in relief.

Ailora’s "First Wife’s Gaze" was not something just anyone could withstand.

—

As she began gathering dishes, Ailora suddenly spoke softly.

“…Do you want a lap pillow tonight?”

—

With Sylvia’s arrival, she had finally sensed a huge crisis—and was taking the initiative to offer Xia Ya a benefit.

—

Xia Ya wiped up the spilled wine on the table, then casually picked up a stack of porcelain plates—before pulling Ailora into his arms.

—

“What about a miniskirt and no stockings?”

—

Snap—!

A pair of chopsticks snapped in half.

—

Beneath her golden hair, the tips of Ailora’s ears flushed bright red.

“…I-I’ll think about it.”

—

Then, she snatched the remaining dishes from Xia Ya’s hands, lowered her head, and fled toward the kitchen.

Soon, the sound of running water echoed from within.

—

Hmph.

Now she knows who’s in charge here, huh?

—

Xia Ya was just about to follow after her and capitalize on his victory when something Sylvia had said earlier suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

—

"Leaving one of my Summoned Beasts in your home"?

His gaze swept across the estate.

And then… he saw it.

On the sofa, not far away—

A white cat, covered in soft, silky silver fur, lay curled up and dozing.

Its posture was elegant, exuding a noble, untouchable aura.

Then, as if sensing Xia Ya’s gaze, the white cat slowly opened its eyes—

Revealing a pair of argent-blue pupils.

It moved toward him, stretched lazily, and let out a soft, delicate sound.

"Meow—"