The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 253:

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256="">Chapter 253: Looks Like You Enjoy Getting on My Nerves</ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Stay away from that thing!!" Aiden shouted a warning.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Although Veronica hadn't fully grasped the situation, her reactions kept pace. She quickly ran over to Aiden's side. She hadn't missed the smoke emerging from the wallet just now, nor the bat that transformed from it. Clearly, the black-clad woman attempting to hand her the wallet was problematic!<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden fired another shot, obliterating the grey bat that had fallen to the ground. The bullet-shredded bat dissolved into a pool of blood and gore.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->At that moment, Aiden felt cold sweat prickle his back. He had only taken a few steps after parting with Veronica when he heard the warning squeaks from the bat split off from Ophelia's hand. Then he saw the bat, which had been circling overhead, dive rapidly towards the black-clad woman standing before Veronica.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden instantly realized: the God of Death's Agent hadn't gone to the Red-light district or the Upper District. Instead, he had targeted Rose Iron Prison <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->again<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden hadn't discounted the possibility of the Agent coming after him, but judging by yesterday's probing action using the Countess, the Agent seemed somewhat cautious. He likely wouldn't make a move easily without gathering a certain amount of intelligence first. Even considering a more impulsive approach, if the Agent wanted to attack the Warden or a guard, logically, he should choose a location <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->away<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----> from the prison. This area was under heightened alert by the Inquisition due to his probing yesterday, and the guards would be more vigilant near the previous incident site. Moreover, if the attack failed, his target could potentially escape into the prison for refuge.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->However, flawlessly ambushing the Warden or other guards elsewhere would require time for tracking and investigation to learn the target's movements. Yet, just the next day, as if unable to wait, the Agent returned to the scene of yesterday's incident, even targeting the same person... This behavior pattern couldn't be described merely as risky; it was bordering on obsessive.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->In that instant, Aiden realized that predicting the actions of such a psychopathic opponent using normal behavioral patterns was futile. The target of today's action was Veronica, and, likely driven by personal desire—Aiden made the judgment instantly.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The Agent probably knew Aiden had participated in the attack against the Bountiful Mother Cult. Furthermore, prying Ophelia out of prison required someone with his level of authority. If the goal was to complete the cult's—or rather, the God of Death's—mission, the Agent's ultimate target would inevitably involve him. He had been present just moments ago, with his back turned to the Agent's controlled corpse, and the Agent didn't yet know he carried Ophelia's left hand. If the Agent had come urgently to complete the mission, he shouldn't have passed up such a prime opportunity for a surprise attack.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Yet, the Agent, despite risking a return to the prison vicinity, ultimately chose Veronica. Attributing this to caution—dealing with Veronica first to find an opportunity to attack him later—seemed contradictory given the risk. The only remaining logical explanation was that this thrill killer's next chosen prey was precisely Veronica.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The corpse controlled by the Agent likely didn't possess the touch-of-death "Reaping" power, but the bat transformed from a part of his own body probably <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->was<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----> instantly lethal upon contact. In other words, if Aiden hadn't happened to bring Ophelia's left hand out, and hadn't happened to encounter Veronica here, Veronica might already be dead.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"This is the second time you've messed with my people near my territory, Mr. Psychotic Killer," Aiden stared coldly at the fallen corpse on the ground. "Looks like you really enjoy getting on people's nerves."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->For Aiden, facing a dangerous enemy like the God of Death's Agent head-on, it was impossible not to feel nervous, but the opponent's actions had genuinely enraged him.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The woman—or rather, the corpse—twitched twice, attempting to rise from the ground, but her limbs moved without any coordination. After struggling on the ground for several seconds like a fish thrown onto the riverbank, the corpse opened its mouth and vomited out a pale finger, then ceased moving entirely.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden immediately aimed at the finger and fired again. The bullets Aiden loaded today were anti-magic rounds specialized against the undead, developed by the Inquisition. They not only sealed magic flow but also contained runes causing additional damage to undead creatures. These measures could dispel necromancy, but were ineffective against the powers of the "Death" authority itself. In other words, the God of Death's Agent could still use the "Channeling" power to continue controlling this summoned corpse—provided he was present.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->According to Kyle's intel, to remotely control the dead from within the underworld through its gate, the Agent used a method of fusing parts of his own body with the corpse's. Aiden's bullets couldn't affect the "Death" authority's powers, but they could block the vampire's transformation ability and blood magic, effectively severing the fusion between the Agent and the corpse—destroying the "receiver" for the Agent's remote control.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Aiden realized that during this brief window before the opponent reacted, they had a chance to retreat into the prison. Safety lay within the prison walls; however reckless the Agent might be, he likely wouldn't dare force his way into Rose Iron Prison, covered by its anti-magic barrier.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->But at this moment, Aiden hesitated. His personality made him extremely reluctant to risk his life fighting the Agent here. However, this killer now had his sights set on Veronica. If he let him escape, Veronica would face the constant threat of assassination from the shadows. Furthermore, he had just identified the Agent using the bat from Ophelia's hand; the Agent now knew their method of finding him in a crowd. If he escaped, finding him again using the same method would likely become much harder.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Although the number of usable powers favored the opponent, in terms of 'rank' or proximity to Authority, Aiden was superior. Yesterday's experiment proved the "Return" utterance could weaken the Agent's powers, so he wasn't entirely without a chance. Abigail had given him one chance at resurrection and enhanced his body's self-healing; this meant he had one margin for error. He could withdraw if things went badly...<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Finally, Aiden made up his mind—attempting to fight the Agent here wasn't entirely out of the question.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Decision made, Aiden ordered Veronica, "Veronica, get back to the prison immediately! Don't come out under any circumstances until I return!"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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