At dawn the next day, several strong soldiers, armed with torches, forcibly dragged the mutated old woman to the farmland and nailed her to a sturdy cross. In this world, the cross was merely a tool of execution, carrying no other special connotations.
The villagers were awakened one by one, rubbing their eyes to witness the spectacle. Dawn was the coldest time of the day, especially in winter. The villagers huddled together, shivering, watching the proceedings with indifference. To them, it was just a way for the lord to demonstrate his authority.
As the sun peeked over the mountains, a ray of sunlight slanted down, and the old woman let out a shrill scream. Black smoke continuously billowed from her body, causing the surrounding villagers to retreat in fear. The smoke grew denser, churning and not rising like ordinary smoke but instead sinking into the ground.
When the sun fully rose, the black smoke had completely vanished. The old woman hung on the cross, her head drooping, even more emaciated than before, as if all the flesh had melted away from her body. It was a terrifying sight. She did not die from the sun's exposure but rather lost the support of darkness. Her fragile body could not hold on, and the damage caused by the forced expulsion of darkness from within ultimately led to her death.
The villagers whispered in panic, casting glances at the lord on the castle walls. Colt spoke loudly, "Everyone, see clearly. In the future, if you encounter such a situation, inform me in advance. Otherwise, you will be the ones to suffer. Those who have been harmed by this old woman, remember to step forward yourselves, or else..."
A few villagers lowered their heads, their eyes darting around, fearfully observing their surroundings from the corners of their eyes. They had some connection with the old woman, and if it weren't for her terrifying behavior of eating chickens later, they might have intended to keep this matter secret forever. In the end, it was they who had captured the old woman and delivered her to the lord, inevitably getting scratched in the process. The surrounding villagers also looked at these individuals with suspicion.
Seeing this scene, Aflra frowned and then looked at the cold sun in the distance, saying, "Distribute some clothes. It's so cold that someone will freeze to death sooner or later. At least let them survive, with hope, they won't think too much. Also, be on guard against ghouls."
Colt pondered and found the suggestion reasonable, nodding his head, "Respected Miss Aflra, thank you for your reminder. I will take action."
Unlike other mad wizards, Aflra was extraordinary in strength, and thus Colt was willing to deal with her. Aflra didn't mind; it was just a matter of a few words, and she didn't mind speaking a bit more. However, she wasn't sure what would happen here in the end; at least there was a sturdy castle.
After staying at Blackwood Castle for a day to make some adjustments, the group began to head towards Jerem's Blackheart Castle. This time, Aflra had a carriage for her to rest in, and she didn't hesitate to enter the carriage, take out a book, and start reading. Time flew by, and after five days of difficult travel, they finally arrived at Blackheart Castle.
Undoubtedly, Blackheart Castle was much larger and more prosperous than Blackwood Castle. Several villages surrounded Blackheart Castle, which allowed it to support a multitude of knights. There was also a marketplace outside Blackheart Castle, one of the four major pillars supporting the entire territory's tax revenue.
Upon seeing the lord's return, the butler, accompanied by several servants, arrived at the entrance. The soldiers opened the castle gates and stood neatly on both sides to welcome him. Wealthy lords liked to hold banquets, and Jerem was clearly a wealthy lord. After Aflra's reminder, Jerem vaguely felt that a special period was about to come, and stabilizing people's hearts was most important, so he didn't hesitate to spend money.
Several knights and their families would attend the banquet, and the commoners of Blackheart Castle were brimming with joy. Although they had to help the lord hold the banquet and act as assistants, they could also enjoy delicacies that were hard to come by in their daily lives, which was their greatest happiness. Jerem even distributed banquet attire to the attractive women and men skilled in musical instruments among the commoners, inviting them to this rare feast, making it a joyous occasion for all.
Cheerful music played as beautiful women twirled, their skirts fluttering, creating an atmosphere of laughter and joy. Various spices were added to large pots, filling the air with fragrance. The grease from the roasting meat dripped into the fire, causing the flames to surge. A charming cook was playfully slapped on the buttocks by a knight as she passed by; instead of getting angry, she threw a flirtatious glance over her shoulder.
Two burly men, with round eyes, were engaged in an arm wrestling match, neither yielding to the other. Their thick arms, veins bulging, struggled back and forth, making the onlookers tense with excitement. Roars of frustration, shouts of encouragement, and boos were heard from the enthusiastic crowd. Amidst the cheers, the victor raised his arms, displaying his formidable strength. The defeated man, dejected, took a swig of ale and slammed the metal mug onto the wooden table. The clatter of the mug and the table drowned in the revelry. White foam splashed, landing on the elegant hem of a lady's skirt.
Jerem, with a smile on his face, watched all this, his previously suppressed mood brightening. He turned his gaze to the table on his left. For Aflra, he had specifically found the most beautiful girl in his territory, the daughter of the tavern owner, promising to exempt their taxes for a year if she could make Aflra happy. The tavern owner initially refused, but under the temptation of a year's tax exemption and the pleading of his young daughter, he eventually agreed.
Despite being nicknamed "Little Cutie," 16-year-old Avril was anything but cute. She had loved to play with swords and spears since childhood, had an unusually good physique, and often made some boys cry. Thanks to her well-off family, Avril also had access to some books, especially since her family ran a tavern that often attracted bards. Influenced by them, Avril increasingly longed to be like the legendary dragon slayers, hoping for a spontaneous adventure. Also, because of her temperament, she was 16 and still no one dared to marry her.
Upon hearing that the lord wanted her to serve a powerful witch, Avril was ecstatic. Especially when she learned that the witch was Aflra, who helped Earl James slay the formidable monster Alric, her excitement knew no bounds. Lately, she hadn't heard much about James's stories, and in every version, the Sword Witch Aflra played an extremely important role.
She was adept at manipulating flames, making monsters submit; her swordsmanship was superb, a master. When Avril and the girls entered the hall, they saw the witch at first glance. A black robe with a black cloak, a long sword hanging from her waist, black hair draped over her chest, her appearance was almost perfect, without a single flaw from any angle. She sat there quietly, a smile on the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with wisdom, standing out among the crowd in the flickering firelight.