Chapter 124: Chapter 124: The Black Witch
"Why are you telling me all of this?" The Baron sucked on his pipe, his heart beat raced. He knew Siderius was saying it for a reason.
"Fate connects you with that phantom, Baron. You are its anchor." Siderius said.
The hair on Jude’s body stood up. His head snapped toward Siderius’ direction.
"So you do know why there was a phantom." Siderius smiled gently.
His smile was not provoking but in Jude’s eyes, it was arrogant. It pissed him off.
Jude squinted his eyes. "Careful what you’re saying, white witch. It is none of your business."
"Perhaps. But if we want to kill it, I need to know."
The Baron stood up. "No more. We speak no more of this. If you do, even if I have to wake up my core, I’ll do it to shut you up."
Jude didn’t wait for an answer and stormed inside the estate. Siderius looked after his silhouette and pondered.
"Should I get to the bottom of this?"
He was calculating whether it was better to deal with the phantom or leave it alone. If he had to deal with it, Baron’s secret would be exposed. He wondered which path provided him with more benefits.
"The victims shall tell me what I need to know."
Siderius walked away, looking for the newly awakened victims. Phantom was a soul that had been wronged when it was alive. Its nature was benign but it got corrupted due to its wrongful death.
It was a perfect candidate to produce Light Aether. The world despised these types of existence as it did not adhere to the rules of the world. Saving the victims and erasing it would be a grace for the world.
The victims were transferred to the infirmary, a structure inside Scalize that was used exclusively for the soldiers and other high officials. Commoners usually went with a healer or a herbalist but Jude had made an exception for them to stay there.
When Siderius appeared in front of the infirmary, guards were at the front gate.
They dropped to their knees when they saw Siderius.
"Greetings, high lord!"
Words spread quickly. What he did in the garrison must have reached every part of Scalize. They all thought of him as a powerful witch, hence the title ’high lord’.
Siderius nodded. "You can stand up. I need to check up on the victims."
"Of course, my lord! Right this way."
The five victims were two women and three men. All of which were servants inside the Baron’s estate.
They all looked over when Siderius appeared. A healer was present to look after them, making sure to report to Jude if the Phantom attacked again.
They didn’t know who Siderius was but his white hair told them his identity. The one who saved the victims of the specter was a witch with white hair.
One of the victims, an old woman, quickly stood up and tried to kneel before Siderius.
"High lord!"
Siderius caught her and helped her get back up. "There is no need for formality. It is important for you to rest. Come. Let’s get you back on the bed. I need to examine you to make sure you are fine."
The woman teared up a little. "Of course, my lord."
Siderius also nodded to the other victims and the healer. They all stared at him with appreciation and curiosity.
"How are you feeling?" Siderius asked.
"I’m fine, my lord. Much better now!"
While they’re talking, Siderius secretly gathered the Light Aether that was given to him. It was quite a lot for only five people, even more than the Light Aether he got from the Rocky Pit.
It seemed like Fate hated the Phantom much more than the gratitude of the miners had given him.
He also had collected a little bit of Light Aether in Santa Roberto and three crystals of Dark Aether. Siderius hadn’t combined them into an Aether Sphere yet as Dark Aether was much more than Light Aether.
However, with this amount, he should be able to create a balanced Aether Sphere to absorb. His Alchemy Rank should see a significant improvement soon.
He examined each victim carefully. Phasmon Energy was nowhere to be seen on their bodies.
"All of you are fine now. But I suggest not coming near the Baron’s estate at the moment. The Phantom will more likely attack its past victims."
"We understand, high lord!"
"Thank you, high lord!"
The old woman grabbed Siderius’ wrist suddenly and asked him with visible worry on her face.
"My lord! Pardon me for disturbing you. Can I ask a question?"
Siderius nodded and sat beside the woman’s bed. "You can tell me, Joyce."
"Anna... And Jerald... Are they going to be alright?" The woman’s face was filled with worry.
"I can’t guarantee anything, Joyce. But I will make sure to do all I can to save them."
Joyce was the head maid inside the Baron’s estate. It was her job to look after the servants there.
"I see. If there’s anything I can do, please do not hesitate to command me, high lord."
Joyce bowed her head with gratitude.
"Hmmm... There is actually something."
Joyce had been a head maid for Jude for quite some time. Maybe she could help Siderius learn about Jude’s secret.
"How long have you been a maid for the Baron?"
"Almost thirty years, my lord. I was the first to serve him when he wasn’t even a lord."
"Oh? Where is he from? How did he become a lord?"
"Well, my lord. It is no secret amongst the commoner. The story of the Baron was rather exciting. It all started on the Eastern Coast."
Then Joyce told the hunter about Jude’s story.
Jude was the only son in this generation of the Fishers, a long line of brave fishermen operating in the Vast Sea. Joyce told Siderius about how Jude and his family conquered the sea, with it their clan became wealthy and powerful.
Fate even smiled upon the Fishers and granted Jude the awakening of the high lords and ladies, making him a witch.
Jude abandoned his family’s profession and used the wealth they had been accumulating to make a living inside the lands.
Jude had it all, courage, intelligence and wealth. Soon he became a respectable figure amongst the commoner and was even granted a citizenship of the Kingdom. Jude the commoner became Jude the citizen.
Then he completed his coming-of-age ritual by the help of his connection and became even more powerful. Jude was no longer an amateur witch with no rank. He became a witchling.
His power rose fast and he even had a wicce as a lover. She was the most beautiful witch across the area around Scalize.
Once more, his life changed. Jude the citizen had skipped two ranks of this unjust society and became a high noble amongst the elites. The only rank that was above him was the monarch.
Then Jude was granted the title of Baron of Scalize and even had a baby with the female witch.
But something had happened. Their only son died of unknown causes. Jude and the witch separated. He got himself a new human wife and never had a new offspring since then.
"This high lady. What is her name?" Siderius asked.
"Her name is Caterina Fataliya. They called her the Black Witch of the Woods." Joyce said.
"And where can I find her?"