That's not how you use a witch!

Chapter 66 Kill me, I won't resist...

Vance had originally planned to let Pavard rest for two days before he started work, but unexpectedly, he went straight to the church after receiving the document.

Upon learning that the church had not been cleaned recently, they volunteered to take charge of the cleaning, earnestly believing that this was also a way of practicing the church's doctrine.

With admiration for this hardcore and ruthless individual, Ronan returned to his room in Houston.

The witch named Dorothy had awakened, but her condition was still far from optimistic. Ronan noticed large patches of black crystals on her neck, indicating that her corruption was nearing its breaking point and could be triggered during the next battle.

Houston hesitated for a moment upon seeing this, then handed her a small green bottle; Dorothy shook her head, a hint of self-mockery flashing in her dark green eyes.

Ronan recognized it as a drug called "spiritual water," which had analgesic and sedative effects, but was highly addictive. It was originally a beverage for the nobility and was later used to relieve witches' pain.

"No need to waste it. This might be our last collaboration."

Seeing the complex expression on Houston's face, Dorothy smiled gently, turned her head away, and said, "Having completed the task assigned by His Excellency the Duke, you should be able to gain redemption, right?"

After saying that, she closed her eyes and fell silent, and the room was enveloped in a brief silence.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ronan, I lost my composure."

Houston paused for a moment before turning his gaze to Ronan. "His Excellency the Duke asked me to give these to you."

Ronan's eyes widened slightly when he saw the documents, seals, and other tokens the other party had taken out.

Although he had considered that Henry might be seeking help, he never imagined that the other party would directly hand over something as important as military power to him. Wasn't he afraid that he would suddenly become a hero?

But on second thought, Henry's approach made perfect sense: there was no one else to rely on in the West!

"I am grateful for the Duke's trust, but he really thinks too highly of me—even if he himself were to intervene, he might not be able to persuade those die-hard anti-war faction to send troops. What much trouble can a mere baron like me cause?"

Ronan chuckled as he sorted through the keepsakes.

"this……"

Houston lowered his head, because Ronan's words made sense.

The Duke's move only granted Ronan legal military power, but whether he could actually exercise it was another matter.

Putting aside Ronan's status as merely a baron, Frostland is now besieged by rebels, and the Duke's connection with the Westerlands has been virtually severed. Those lords, each with their own ulterior motives, often feign compliance in ordinary times; would they still listen now?

"But I will try my best."

Ronan then changed the subject.

"I, Ronan, am a man who repays kindness. The Duke has been kind to me, and now that he is in danger, I will not stand idly by. Even if no one is willing to send troops, I will personally lead the army of Thorn Territory to his rescue."

"Thank you, Your Excellency Ronan!"

Houston was greatly impressed. "You are a true nobleman with a chivalrous spirit!"

"No need, no need. But there's one more small problem—Miss Dorothy's pollution seems quite serious?"

Upon hearing this, Dorothy, who had remained silent until now, lowered her eyelids slightly.

In truth, she knew this moment would come sooner or later; no lord would allow a witch who had lost her usefulness but posed only risks to continue existing. It was only when this moment truly arrived that she realized she was not mentally prepared.

How will this powerful baron treat her next?

Order her execution? Or use her as a last resort in a future battle, letting her spiral out of control within the rebel ranks?

Or perhaps we should give her one last bit of dignity and let her end her own life?

It's okay, death isn't scary, as long as you have a clear conscience... Dorothy quietly rehearsed each possible ending in her mind, calming herself down with deep breaths.

"In that case, would Miss Dorothy be willing to come to my Thorn Territory for a period of recuperation?"

"Kill me, I won't resist."

Dorothy paused for a moment after speaking, then belatedly realized what she meant. "You, what did you say? Rest?"

"Yeah, anyway, you've completed your task, and there's nothing else to do. Why don't you take this time to rest?"

"You...aren't you going to send me to continue fighting?"

"With such severe pollution, why should I send you into battle?"

Dorothy was speechless. Ronan's logic was actually sound, but it was completely different from what she had been taught before, because those charlatans wanted to use witches to death.

"Nephew Ronan is quite skilled at training witches; he can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Thorn Territory is also a good place, at least much better than Mountain Territory!"

Vance also tried to persuade her. Because if she stayed, he would have to pay for another person's rations...

Dorothy looked at Houston as if seeking advice, and seeing the latter nod slightly, she had no choice but to slowly rise and bow to Ronan.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord. I'm sorry to have troubled you these past few days."

"It's alright! I won't bother you!"

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At noon, Ronan returned to Thorn Territory before lunchtime, riding in a carriage from the Mountain Territory.

"~"

Meidel had been eagerly waiting for a long time. When she saw Ronan get off the carriage, her eyes lit up slightly. Then she saw him walk to the carriage behind and help a beautiful woman with gray hair and green eyes down.

"."

Meidel's face immediately fell.

"Oh my, your lord's luck with witches is pretty good!"

Scarlett nudged the girl with her elbow, looking like she was enjoying the drama, "How many witches do you think he can recruit..."

Maddie silently stomped on her foot, and Scarlett's instigation came to an abrupt halt, followed by a scream of pain.

"Hey! A gentleman uses words, not fists!"

"Sorry, I stepped on it by accident."

"Where did you accidentally step on it? It turned into steel when you did!"

"I'll be more careful next time."

"You're clearly doing this on purpose!"

Looking at the two witches locked in a literal fight, and then glancing around, Dorothy opened her mouth and asked, "Is this Thornholde?"

Compared to the grand and prosperous Frostland, this small borderland was indeed inconspicuous, but it was far from being as poor and backward as rumored.

The streets are clean and spacious, with roads leading in all directions. More than half of the houses are newly built brick and stone houses. In the distance, well-equipped and spirited soldiers can be seen patrolling in formation, their orderly ranks resembling a moving steel wall.

What surprised her even more was that everyone was dressed, and their expressions ranged from joyful to focused to lost, but none of them were numb, unlike the zombie-like poor people she had seen in Frost.

What's most incredible is that when they saw him, they showed no fear whatsoever; instead, they all displayed expressions of curiosity and even anticipation.

"Yes, welcome."

Ronan smiled slightly.

"This place may not be as prosperous as Frost's territory, but its prosperity belongs to every citizen who built it with their labor—including the witches who contributed to it. I hope you will have a relatively pleasant time ahead."

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