Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

”Isn’t it—you must have misunderstood something?”

Loren preferred tearing a hole rather than just taking it off outright. It wasn’t that he simply enjoyed ripping.

Judging by Naclis’s expression, she was extremely reluctant, so much so that she didn’t dare look at Loren.

She probably really thought it was a small quirk, like popping bubble wrap.

”Forget it, let’s eat first.”

Loren put Naclis’s leg back down. After Loren’s whole maneuver, Naclis felt even more embarrassed.

Knowing Loren was leaving, this meal had been prepared especially lavishly, like a last supper.

But Loren didn’t eat much; most of the food was devoured by Anna.

After the meal, Mirrorheart began packing Loren’s things. This time Scarlett—Loren’s mobile supply depot—wasn’t tagging along, so they had to be more selective about what to bring.

In the end Mirrorheart decided to pack a change of clothes for Loren and convert the rest into cash.They weren’t going into the wilderness; the Church would serve them, so that amount of money would be enough.

If they really ended up stranded outdoors, the supplies wouldn’t suffice anyway. Better to bring a lighter than rations.

”Let’s go.”

Once packed, Loren’s outfit didn’t change much: a black robe over plain clothes; beneath the robe were potions and ammunition; at his waist hung the Requiem’s sheath and two guns; a loop of explosives was strapped around him. He still suffered from low-firepower anxiety—armed to the teeth as ever.

Laila on the other side also put on a black robe. Apart from adding a backpack and removing the suicide-explosive loop, her gear matched Loren’s.

If there was any other difference, it was that under Laila’s pants she wore an extra pair of stockings.

”Safe travels, Master Mentor.”

Seraphina stood at the doorway, waving to Loren. Others were also saying their goodbyes. Loren stepping out to run an errand had them acting as if it were a permanent separation.

Although Loren felt it was a bit much, he couldn’t help but feel warm. Having so many people who cared about him was something he would never have imagined before transmigrating.

Lilith said nothing; she simply stared blankly at Loren’s departing figure.

”Master Mentor, I’ve prepared a carriage for you.”

By the time Loren stepped out, Church staff had been waiting for some time. The Bishop personally drove Loren’s carriage.

He still wasn’t as obsequious as he could be—Casper himself had once pulled Loren’s carriage.

”Alright.”

Just before Loren boarded the carriage, Anna suddenly rushed over and grabbed his arm.

”Master Mentor…”

”What’s the matter?”

Loren didn’t find Anna annoying; he patted her little head and asked.

Anna had never been separated from Loren for long. Though she didn’t show it outwardly, Loren’s departure would be the hardest for her to adapt to.

”When you come back, could you bring me some merfolk meat?”

At once, everyone around Loren pricked up their ears and silently filed Anna’s request into memory. Loren felt a little panicked.

He recognized how effective this group’s execution would be. If they knew what Loren wanted, they’d obtain it by any means necessary.

Especially the Bishop—at this critical time he would work even harder to curry favor with Loren.

Even if they didn’t encounter merfolk this trip, once Anna mentioned it, the Bishop would spend everything he had to buy merfolk meat.

So Loren hurried to correct Anna and lightly tapped her on the head.

”How many times have I told you? We don’t eat sentient beings or wild animals that are harmless to humans!”

”Hehe…”

Anna let out a small laugh. She remembered Loren’s words clearly. Saying it aloud now was simply a way to get Loren to scold or hit her—she didn’t know how many days they’d be apart, and she missed being punished in the old way.

Ever since some of her little quirks came to light, Loren’s punishments had shifted from spanking to light taps on the head. Still better than nothing.

”Come back soon…”

Anna stood on tiptoe, kissed Loren on the cheek, and waved goodbye.

”Mm.”

After answering, Loren climbed into the carriage.

At the same time, his Intuition sent a warning: something had entered his shadow, though he felt no hostility.

Loren guessed it was Naclis’s Reflection slipping into his shadow. He pretended nothing had happened and quietly boarded the carriage.

A raven also descended from the sky, landing on Loren’s shoulder.

On the surface there were only two people on this trip, but in reality there were four—just that the other two wouldn’t be in danger.

Movila’s clones weren’t to be underestimated. After following Loren for so long, Movila’s copies had reached an unprecedented number, to the point that she felt burdened—something she’d never felt before.

She had to rein in her clone count and focus on quality instead.

Now even an ordinary Movila copy had combat power comparable to a magical beast.

Naclis’s Reflection, while hiding inside a shadow, couldn’t be harmed. As long as the shadow remained, this was a life-saving ability even stronger than Loren’s Void-walking.

As Loren departed, Orianna also followed from the sky and boarded the train with him.

The train rerouted on short notice; nobody complained. They understood Loren had important business that affected everyone’s safety.

Under Cecelia’s recent influence, the people’s worship of Loren had grown fanatical, turning adoration into faith.

Loren’s compartment on the train was a luxury suite—something rare in this era.

The privileged always enjoyed comforts, Loren couldn’t help but think of those lowly empathic princesses and their life of drudgery.

”Good evening, Master Mentor.”

Loren had just been sitting on the edge of the bed when a familiar face emerged from his shadow: Reflection Naclis had crawled into the space between Loren’s legs and flopped down.

”…”

Seeing Naclis’s face in that position made Loren feel odd. He couldn’t stand it and pushed Reflection Naclis away.

”Did Naclis know you followed me?”

”She knows. She actually volunteered to let me protect you. Isn’t this like throwing meat at a dog?”

”So you think you’re a dog…”

Loren found that metaphor strange and made a snide comment. Unexpectedly, Reflection Naclis immediately lay down, did a little dog act, and even rolled over.

”Woof woof, I’m your most obedient little dog, Master.”

”Who turned you into this? Mirrorheart?”

Loren held his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Seeing Reflection wearing Naclis’s face and behaving like this was too weird.

”It’s not that. I just wanted to. I thought Naclis might like it too.”