The topic inevitably returned to Freya. Seeing Ansu’s non-committal expression, Celia let out a cold snort.
"Don't worry! Since she's so important, I certainly won't lay a hand on her. Besides, am I such an unreasonable person?"
Ansu glanced at her silently.
"As long as Freya doesn't cross the line..." Celia's voice turned somber, "and doesn't provoke me to my face, I naturally won't make things difficult for her."
Ansu thought to himself that at least the little Holy Maiden's life was no longer in danger; this hurdle was finally cleared.
However, the standards for 'crossing the line' and 'provocation' would likely still be up to Celia...
If the witch got jealous, Freya might provoke her just by breathing...
Celia gazed at Ansu lying on the bed and let out a soft sigh, her tone smoothing out significantly. "At least until our cause succeeds, I can temporarily tolerate her existence."
In truth, regarding the "cause" the two often spoke of, she had never been as full of ambition and enthusiasm as Ansu. Even if she were to truly lead the Echoes of Truth or establish a power with Ansu in the North, it wasn't what she had initially wanted...
But the experience from three days ago had given her some new ideas.
"Ansu, tell me... what kind of existence is a deity, really?"
Celia felt a strong drive; she desperately wanted to uncover the ultimate truth of this world.
She wanted to know how gods became gods, why magic was subjected to curses and corruption, the reason for Ersos's fall, and the truth behind the demon army's war in the previous era...
She wanted to understand everything about the gods.
"I'm not strong enough yet. I can't even break the so-called 'rules' of that ancient demon..."
Celia stared intently at Ansu, her eyes flickering with resentment. "I refuse to let those high-and-mighty beings manipulate our lives. I don't want to be a puppet of fate."
Ansu looked at the determined witch and felt a wave of emotion.
Personality truly determines destiny. Just like in the original plot, Celia had ultimately returned to the path of seeking the gods. Perhaps in a while, she would even develop the idea that she could just take their place...
Fortunately, this time she was no longer a major villain, but would walk a completely different path.
Well, the world should thank me for my efforts.
"I'm willing to help you," Ansu responded with a smile. "In fact, searching for the truth of the gods is an inevitable part of our cause. The higher we stand and the stronger we become, the more the essence of the world will be revealed to us."
"You're right!" An approving light shone in Celia's eyes. "Honestly, I can't wait to go back to our treasure vault and study all the ancient magic texts..."
The 'treasure vault' she mentioned was clearly the space barrier hiding the demon army's treasure. Since returning, Ansu had been quite curious about how she had handled it.
"Oh... speaking of which, you haven't seen our secret vault yet, have you?"
Seeing that Ansu had finished eating, Celia smiled and helped him up. "Since there's nothing else to do, why don't you come and take a look with me?"
"Sure!" Ansu had been thinking the same thing.
After he agreed, Celia gave a mysterious smile.
Deep blue magic runes flowed from her fingertips, and the surrounding air began to ripple like waves.
As Celia chanted the magic incantation in a low voice, the profound and obscure magic runes constantly restructured themselves, forming a floating magic gate in the air.
"Come!" Celia turned back and smiled, reaching out her hand to Ansu. "Come visit our true secret base!"
Ansu took her hand, and together they slowly stepped into a hidden world where time seemed to stand still.
"This 7th Circle space magic—【Void Corridor】—allows me to open a small domain in the physical realm anchored by the caster's will."
Celia explained softly, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet space.
"Everything here is static and stable."
Ansu looked around curiously.
The space inside the 【Void Corridor】 was massive, resembling a wide and grand palace hall. It was clearly built according to the witch's aesthetic; it wasn't gaudy, but rather had an architectural style similar to the ancient demon empire—deep, elegant, vintage, and heavy.
Ansu marveled with a smile, "It seems the witch is also a genius in the fields of architecture and art."
"I'm a genius in every field~" Celia accepted Ansu's praise without the slightest blush. "With my genius mind, isn't mastering any craft a matter of minutes?"
Except for cooking, Ansu thought to himself.
Afterward, Celia led Ansu around the hall in high spirits.
The treasures they had brought out from the ancient ruins—ancient coins, various riches, magic items, and more—had all been neatly organized by her. They weren't haphazardly piled up like a dragon's hoard.
"It's very well organized..." Ansu was dazzled by the sight.
Even though he knew he had become incredibly wealthy, seeing it with his own eyes still made him feel an involuntary excitement.
However, more than these riches, Celia valued the long-lost ancient magic texts most.
She had kept the ones she consulted frequently on the outside, while the heavyweight black magic that was too taboo to ever see the light of day was displayed quietly on the bookshelves, waiting for the vault's owner to browse them.
After wandering for a long time, Ansu's gaze shifted to the center of the hall. Celia had even replicated the chair she loved so much from her home.
It was a heavy 'throne' of red velvet and dark gold patterns; at this moment, Celia looked like a true demon queen as she surveyed the grand palace and elegantly sat upon the spacious throne.
"Sit down!" She crossed her long legs clad in black stockings and patted the empty spot beside her with a smile. "Standing is so tiring!"
"Alright, my Queen." Ansu sat beside her as he always did, a faint, lingering fragrance drifting into his nose.
"You're a patient, so I won't punish you by making you rub my legs today!" Celia didn't rest her long legs on Ansu's lap with a mischievous grin as she usually did; she simply patted her own thigh and smiled.
"Come."
Ansu obediently lay down, comfortably enjoying the witch's lap pillow.
As he felt the soft and warm touch against the back of his head, he belatedly realized something. "Wait... no, what punishment?"
Ansu looked up at Celia and blinked in confusion. "I haven't done anything wrong, have I? Why would I be punished?"
"Are you sure you haven't done anything wrong? That you shouldn't be punished?" Celia's smile suddenly became a bit strange. She said with a half-smile, "Fine then, today I'll settle some old accounts with you~"
Ansu suddenly looked up.
He noted Celia's odd smile and then glanced at the entrance of the 【Void Corridor】.
The magic gate representing the spatial rift had gradually disappeared...
Oh no!
This really is the dark room!
Rate on N.U.
