THE DIMENSIONAL MERCHANT-Chapter 94 - 93: The Legend of the Witch

After a brief rest and refreshments, Leonard Matgorat and his retinue ascended to the mayor’s office on the upper floor of the modest administrative building.

Inside, Mayor Lysandra Halweir stood from behind her desk the moment Leonard entered, bowing in a gesture of respect appropriate to his status.

"Lord Leonard. I trust your accommodations were acceptable."

Leonard gave a minimal nod. "They were. Let’s proceed."

Lysandra gestured toward the seat across from her desk. "I’ve prepared the latest reports on Ginip’s condition."

"We’ll discuss that later," Leonard replied flatly, taking the seat. "First, I have a more urgent question."

He opened the folder his father had prepared, scanning a set of parchment notes. Then his eyes lifted to hers.

"What do you know about the witch said to live in the Blackroot Forest?"

There was a moment of silence.

Lysandra did not show surprise—but her fingers paused briefly over the stack of papers before her.

"I see," she said quietly. "I had wondered if there was another reason for your presence here, my lord. It’s not common for a son of the Marquis to personally inspect a border town like Ginip."

Leonard’s expression did not change. "Answer the question, Mayor."

Lysandra inclined her head slightly. "Very well. From what I have heard from people since I came here, she has lived for centuries—long before our kingdom unified these lands. According to older local records, there was a time when the Blackroot Forest teemed with monstrous beasts, horrors that no one could defeat. But one day, they simply vanished—sealed away, it is said, by a single witch who made the forest her domain."

Leonard gave a small nod. "And people still believe this?"

"In Ginip? Few speak of it aloud, but the stories persist, especially among the older families." Her voice grew quieter. "Some say she’s not merely a witch, but a practitioner of ancient, pre-Empire magic. Not the refined spellcraft of the academies, but wild, absolute sorcery. Elemental bindings, curses that still hold, nature spirits... even soul alchemy. If half the stories are true, she is not to be approached lightly."

The mayor studied Leonard’s face carefully, but his expression remained unchanged. She hesitated, then added, "Forgive my boldness, my lord—but why would the Marquis’s house send a noble heir to search for a legend for which there is no solid evidence?"

Leonard’s eyes flicked up to meet hers, firm but not unkind. "That matter is confidential. I suggest we not dwell on it."

Lysandra bowed her head slightly. "As you say, my lord."

"Any recent sightings?" Leonard asked.

"Well, about that witch—none confirmed," Lysandra replied. "There have been a few missing persons over the years, but nothing substantial. Most assume they were taken by beasts or brigands." She paused, her expression thoughtful, then added, "Still, I’ve received reports from settlements near the forest’s edge. People have spoken of strange lights. Unnatural fog drifting through the trees. They also claimed to hear occasional terrifying explosions. That’s all."

Leonard flipped a page, as if cross-referencing. Then he looked up again. freēnovelkiss.com

"Do you know if she truly exists?"

Lysandra met his gaze. "I believe the stories began somewhere. Whether she still lives, or has become myth over generations... that, I can’t say."

Leonard didn’t say anything. But he looked like he was thinking.

"We will be heading into the forest tomorrow. Also, arrange for us guides, or locals with knowledge of the deeper woods."

★★★

Earth — Zhoa City

The lighting was dim. Expensive wine bottles cluttered the polished table, half-empty, their contents sloshing in crystal glasses. Cigarette smoke curled upward, lazily tracing the ceiling in slow spirals.

Five men sat in that room.

One of them leaned forward, grinning like a wolf. "Brother Damian, your plan worked like a charm. That bastard lawyer—Saito—he’s under real heat now."

Another, broader man with slicked hair and a cigar tucked between his thick fingers, raised his glass with a grin. "You deserve the credit. You lined everything up perfectly. The court, the media, even the damn police—everyone thinks Saito doctored the will."

They burst into laughter again, toasting over their glasses.

Damian smirked, calm and sharp in his tailored gray suit. He sipped his drink, then spoke with quiet satisfaction. "They believe he changed the will. And when I ’found out’—he tried to silence me."

The man beside him was unmistakably a gangster: thick neck like a bull, gold chain around it, a dozen golden rings on both hands, and teeth like polished brass.

He laughed deep from his chest. "Brother, you’ve got a devil’s brain. When you get those assets, don’t forget who backed you."

Damian turned toward him with a slight nod, his tone smooth.

"You’ve done good work. Without your help, none of this would’ve flown."

Then, Damian turned to the man seated on the opposite end—slim, older, clean-cut in a government-issued gray suit. The type of man who spoke softly, but could move entire departments with a phone call.

"And you, Director Wen. You’re certain no investigators will come poking around here?"

Wen chuckled, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Damian, you’re safe here. This is Zhao City. It’s not just gangster turf—it’s his turf." He nodded toward the man with the gold rings. "Even the provincial police avoid this district."

The gangster grinned. "My boys are watching every alley. No one gets close without me knowing."

Wen added with a touch of pride, "And if by some miracle a curious officer comes sniffing around... I’ll bury the report before it ever sees a desk. No one touches you while I’m involved."

Damian nodded, visibly relaxed. "Good. Because once those forged documents turn up in Saito’s office, it’s over. I made sure they look legitimate. Dates. Signatures. Everything. Enough to send him to prison twice over."

The gangster laughed. "You sure you weren’t born in the underworld? That’s a dirty move."

Damian raised his glass, eyes gleaming. "I’m not letting what’s mine slip away. Not to a man like him. I can do everything for it!"

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