Medieval Gacha Lord-Chapter 83: Witch’s Association

Chapter 83: Witch’s Association

Lothar didn’t stay long at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before departing. Archbishop William already owed him a favor, and now he needed Lothar’s help again.

Therefore, after only a few brief questions for Uldin, he agreed to induct him into Jerusalem’s clerical system with the rank of parish priest, more than sufficient to preside over the diocese of a barony.

Lothar wasn’t overly concerned about the theft of the werewolf corpse; he merely instructed his men to search the city for traces of that group of Turks they had seen earlier. His intuition told him this matter was definitely related to them. The talent he shared with Hans was not Werewolf Transformation, but Beast Intuition.

On the battlefield, unless absolutely necessary, he would never transform into a werewolf in full view of everyone. So, Beast Intuition was far more useful to him than the former.

"When searching for the Turks, heighten your vigilance. Remember my instructions to you—prioritize your own safety. Father Uldin, you will return with me to the royal palace for an audience with His Majesty."

Winged Hussar Ulm inquired, "Milord, will you not personally lead the search for that ’holy relic’?"

Lothar chuckled. "Heh, it’s not us who should be anxious. I’ve already done more than my fair share by wiping their arses."

The one who should be anxious was Archbishop William. It was said that a few days ago, he had already dispatched a messenger to the Pope with a request to declare the werewolf corpse a "holy relic." This was originally a heartening good deed. But in the blink of an eye, the "holy relic" was stolen.

This very likely meant that Archbishop William’s plan to succeed as Patriarch, which had been a sure thing, was now ruined.

Since Jerusalem was currently under lockdown and heavily guarded, that group of Turks with distinctly foreign features couldn’t possibly leave Jerusalem in a short time. So, Lothar planned to string Archbishop William along a bit, perhaps to obtain from him a charter exempting his fief from all exorbitant taxes and levies.

In Jerusalem, this was a privilege enjoyed by only a few religious orders and knightly orders. Although Jorgklusburg’s current income was small, once the war ended and the several industries Lothar planned to launch were on track, the amount of tax that could be exempted would be substantial.

***

On the way back to the royal palace, a woman wrapped in a black robe stood in the very center of the street. Faced with the rapidly approaching warhorses, she showed no intention of dodging whatsoever. With just one glance, Lothar felt an extremely strong sense of pressure emanating from this woman.

"Alert!" Lothar reined in his warhorse.

Uldin silently wrapped the golden chains of his Bible around his fists. Although Uldin was not a combat retainer, he was skilled in horsemanship, and his attributes surpassed those of ordinary men in every aspect; even Lothar, without using the stats gained from leveling or the borrowed talents, might not be his match. If a real fight broke out, he would be a very powerful ally.

The black-robed woman was completely covered from head to toe, her face concealed by a black veil, revealing only a pair of turquoise eyes. She seemed unafraid of falling ill from the stuffiness in this scorching weather.

"Heh, a rare male sorcerer, and the other also possesses some special power. No wonder you could defeat a werewolf, Baron Lothar," the woman spoke. Her voice was very hoarse, and her speech carried a noble Greek accent.

"A witch?" Lothar drew his arming sword, his expression cold. "You had best think carefully. This is Jerusalem. Many of my subordinates are equipped with Magic-Resistant Gold weapons."

The woman chuckled lightly. "Baron Lothar, you need not be on guard. I bear you no ill will."

Lothar shouted, "If you mean no ill will, then stop being so secretive!"

"Very well." As the witch spoke, she pulled off her black robe, revealing a stunning figure clad in a green tube top, her slender white waist exposed. She spread her hands, revealing a badge emblazoned with a soaring double-headed eagle.

"I am Anna of the Doukas family, and also a noble Porphyrogenita of the Empire. I have another identity: royal advisor to Her Imperial Majesty the Regent, the Basílissa, the most devout Augousta Ragaia."

(Note: "Porphyrogenita" or "Porphyrogennetos" (for males) is a Byzantine Greek term meaning "born in the purple". It specifically refers to the members of royal families born during the reign of their parent. This notion was later loosely expanded to include all children born of prominent or high-ranking parents.)

At this time on the Continent, only the Eastern Empire used the double-headed eagle as its emblem.

"So, it is an honored member of the Eastern Empire’s imperial family." Lothar nodded slightly, by way of a salute.

His Beast Intuition gave no warning, proving the other party indeed had no ill intent. But the vigilance in his heart did not lessen in the slightest. A powerful witch was fully capable of misleading a werewolf’s beast intuition.

As for the Doukas family, it could be said they were the former imperial family of the Eastern Empire, the one preceding the Komnenos family’s rise. Due to intermarriage with the Komnenos family, they had never faded from the Eastern Empire’s political stage. Empress Regent also hailed from this family, which was why it was often said the Doukas family would use this connection to reclaim the imperial throne.

Lothar said, neither servile nor overbearing, "May I ask what matter brings Your Ladyship, condescending to personally visit a minor baron such as myself?"

The witch Anna smiled. "The Empress has tasked me with forming a Witches’ Association, inviting all spellcasters to join. The association is currently in its nascent stages. I heard that a baron who could kill a werewolf had appeared in Jerusalem, so the thought occurred to me to come and see, to try and recruit you." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

"Heh, you jest, Your Ladyship. As you said yourself, I am a male sorcerer. Wouldn’t joining a so-called ’Witches’ Association’ be a joke?"

"The Witches’ Association is merely what we call ourselves; the association naturally does not exclude male sorcerers. The reason for this name is purely because the number of men with spellcasting talent is simply too small. If there were truly enough male sorcerers, not so many witches would pledge themselves to secular monarchs for the sake of love. Compared to the short lives of mortals, witches also prefer their partners to be able to attain long life."

Lothar asked, puzzled, "Why is that? Does spellcasting talent also depend on gender?"

Anna puffed out her chest slightly and hummed. "How would I know? Perhaps it’s the Creator’s compensation for us bleeding every month. Anyways, the patrolling soldiers will be here soon. If Baron Lothar doesn’t mind, we can change to another place to talk."

Lothar shook his head. "No, I mind very much."

Anna frowned. "Am I that terrifying? Look at me, man! With my looks, in all of Jerusalem, apart from that unpresentable king of yours, no one would refuse a chance for intimacy with me!"

Lothar’s face darkened. He warned, "Please do not insult my liege lord. The consequences will be severe."

"Heh, truly a loyal and devoted servant." Anna, not taking offense, quickened her speech. "Then I will be brief. Henry Caesar is building witch towers, extensively recruiting spellcasters, and enrolling talented apprentices. His ambition is clear to all—he intends to unify the spellcasting world!"

Henry Caesar was the Eastern Empire’s term for the Emperor of Great Germany.

"Therefore, your Basílissa also intends to do the same?"

Anna smiled. "Correct. But this is merely a response to Henry Caesar’s actions. We will not forcibly require spellcasters to join. Comparatively, our organization is looser, and its binding power is weaker."

"What are the benefits of joining you?"

"Of course, there are benefits. The collection in the Imperial Library far surpasses what you individual spellcasters can discover through solitary exploration. Even if you are unwilling to renounce your title and come to the association headquarters for advanced study, you can spend contribution points to obtain the resources and intelligence you desire from the association." Anna smiled. "Well? Isn’t it very tempting?"

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by (f)reew𝒆b(n)ov𝒆l.com