The Witch Hunter System
chapter-678

Meanwhile, after Henrietta left the group call with the Transcendent Witches, her shoulders slumped down like a deflating balloon as her energy left her body.

All of her previous majesty and tyranny seemingly disappeared into thin smoke.

'Kukuku…'

Empyrean Scarletsea suddenly chuckled with amusement inside Henrietta's mind, causing the latter to be curious and confused.

'Why are you laughing, Master?' Henrietta asked.

'Oh, it's nothing much. I just find it quite funny that my dear disciple can be bold and tough in front of the Transcendent Witches but doesn't have the same courage to admit the deed she had done to an old friend's grandson. Kukuku…' Empyrean Scarletsea chuckled.

'T-This… and that are two completely different matters, Master!' Henrietta grimaced helplessly.

'Hahaha…!' Empyrean Scarletsea continued to laugh as she teased her disciple.

Meanwhile, Victoria was left completely shocked by Henrietta's discussion with the other Transcendent Witches. She didn't expect Henrietta to deal with them in such an overbearing and decisive manner.

There was no diplomacy involved, just blatant threats of violence and death.

Henrietta had torn apart every remaining façade of friendship and aggressively demanded the Transcendent Witches' subordination.

There was no turning back from that.

"This… This…" Victoria felt a little fearful of the future as she glanced at Henrietta with disbelief. "Do you think those five Transcendent Witches will really bow down to you, Sister Henrietta?"

"If they don't, they will become like Queen Sybil – a part of history. It's as simple as that," Henrietta calmly stated.

"But…"

"I understand your concerns, but they are unfound," Henrietta shook her head and said, "Those five no longer have what it takes to compete with me. The promotion to eight mana rings isn't as simple as the advancement of a minor stage."

"The higher one's rank, the greater the difference between minor stages. This is especially true for the Transcendent rank. Although I've only advanced to the middle stage from the early stage of the Transcendent rank, I feel like my magical prowess has doubled."

"Perhaps this is also why it was so difficult for Transcendent Witches to advance," Henrietta guessed blankly, looking a little lost in thought.

If she had not dual-practiced with Vaan, it was uncertain how much longer it would have taken her to achieve eight mana rings.

'I wonder what he is doing now…' Henrietta couldn't help thinking for a moment before suddenly shaking the thought out of her mind. 'Pah! Why am I thinking about him? It can't be that I miss him, right?'

"I see…"

Henrietta's assurance helped Victoria understand the difference between her and the other Transcendent Witches. However, it still didn't free her from worries.

"I still fear things aren't that simple, Sister Henrietta. These Transcendent Witches have been enjoying the privileges of their rule for so long. They won't be willing to give it up so easily. There's a chance they may seek a third choice besides death or submission," Victoria raised her concern.

Henrietta's eyes flashed with coldness as she understood what Victoria hinted at.

Victoria was concerned that if she pushed the Transcendent Witches too hard, they would resist her with everything they had, regardless of their means and consequences, even if it meant joining hands with the devils.

"If they are foolish enough to go down that path, it would be even better! Getting the opportunity to remove hidden tumors and weaken Gehenna at the same time is not a disaster but a blessing!" Henrietta coolly stated.

"Recent events have already made things clear to me that they are all selfish and unrepentant in their ways. Everyone desires freedom, but uncontrolled freedom leads to corruption, turning even upright people into vile and immoral beings. This is what happens when humans believe their actions bear no consequences."

"That's why rulers create laws to govern people – we set clear boundaries and deliver appropriate punishments to control people's actions. However, the human world was originally one without law and morals; there were no distinctions between right and wrong or good and evil."

"When rulers lack self-discipline, they fail to heed their own laws and become the problem, a source of corruption by doing as they please. Since the Transcendent Witches can't be trusted to govern themselves, I will be the one to govern them."

"I will be the whip that keeps their leashes in line. If they can behave, then all is well. But if they can't, then we are better off without them!" Henrietta declared.

Since she had the power to be a dictator, she couldn't settle for diplomacy.

People only used diplomacy when they were of equal standing. They weren't. Not anymore.

Victoria had goosebumps as she listened to Henrietta's declaration. It was only now that she truly saw her changes and resolve.

Henrietta never desired the throne, but now, she was finally assuming responsibilities and acting like a true leader of the witches. As the strongest witch since the dawn of magic, who else but her deserved to rule over all witches?

Just as Victoria had that thought, she recalled that her missing grandson's influence was even greater than Henrietta's.

Henrietta was the nominal ruler of the Black Rose Kingdom, but her grandson's influence eclipsed hers. The contradiction of two leaders in one country would give rise to unease and fear for the future.

'Who should I support?' Victoria wondered.

One was her family's benefactor, to whom they were greatly indebted, and the other was her missing grandson, whom she owed twenty years of care and affection and had always felt guilty about.

'No, no, no, I should not think like that! Henrietta will rule over the witches, while my grandson is destined to rule over the whole world! Their positions do not conflict and could even be mutually supporting!'

'All present and future problems would be resolved if I pair the two together!' Victoria's eyes brightened at once before pondering, 'Hmm… How should I approach Henrietta regarding this matter?'

'Given our friendship, she might strongly oppose the idea of marrying my grandson… Ah, but my grandson might not necessarily like her and agree either… No, Henrietta is single, and she is also a natural beauty; my grandson will definitely like her…'

Victoria wracked her brain with worry as she tried to figure out how to bring the two together.

Meanwhile, Henrietta noticed Victoria's constantly changing expressions between frowns and foolish grins. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise and unease.

'She's plotting something…' Henrietta thought.