Chapter 43: Sea King’s True Colors
Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Sea King’s True Colors
When the Witch called him Gurui, Wang Xi instantly guessed that she must have learned about him from the goblin settlement.
Wang Xi’s crude disguise might have been enough to fool those simple goblins, but there was no way it could deceive this Witch.
’Bev?’
’Why does that name sound so familiar?’
"Witch! What are you planning to do?!"
Just then, Pinocchio took a step forward, blocking Wang Xi and demanding answers from the woman in the pink dress who had just ridden up.
The brown horse obediently halted a few meters away from them.
The Sugar Witch’s jade-green eyes glanced at the Mechanical Puppet Boy. She raised a slender, fair forefinger and lightly tapped her dark green lips.
"Little tin man, I let you off the hook once. If you yell at me again, you’ll spend the rest of your life as a donkey."
Her voice was soft yet powerful, with a slight rasp, as rich and smooth as red wine.
"I’m not afraid of you."
Faced with the threat, Pinocchio’s eyes were filled with resolve.
"If you try to hurt my friend, I will stop you, even if it costs me my life!"
"Oh?" The Sugar Witch’s gaze swept over the two black-haired young men as she smiled faintly. "It seems you’ve become friends."
"Such an enviable friendship."
She toyed with a golden ringlet near her forehead and chuckled charmingly.
"I never said I was going to hurt him, little tin man."
"Then you..."
Pinocchio seemed deeply wary of the Witch. Just as he was about to say more, Gai gently pulled him back.
Wang Xi gave the boy a reassuring look.
’From his brief observation, he had already figured out what kind of woman this powerful Witch was.’
’Her clothes are tasteful and expensive, her bearing dignified and elegant, her speech calm and unhurried... At her core, she possesses a pride and confidence born from her power. At the same time, based on the goblins’ fragmented stories and Pinocchio’s own experience, I can also glimpse a merciful and kind side deep within her heart.’
’If I had to face a Five-Star Hero head-on, I might as well surrender immediately. Even if I played all my trump cards, the odds of winning would be slim.’
’But since my opponent is a woman...’
’Well, that gives me a bit more confidence.’
’The little strategist in his mind rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. In an instant, he had sketched out a complete profile of Sugar Witch Bev and devised more than a dozen ways to handle the situation.’
’After some consideration, I’ll follow a few key principles:’
’Respect her elegance; acknowledge her confidence; understand her pride; and express gratitude for her mercy.’
’Based on these four principles, I must maintain my composure, use appropriate humor to close the distance her pride creates, and showcase my own wisdom and sincerity.’
’That last point is especially important.’
’This is a valuable lesson I’ve learned through experience.’
"Miss Witch, I apologize for deceiving your subordinates, but I assure you, I meant no harm."
Wang Xi stepped forward and bowed, placing a hand over his chest.
He wore an apologetic expression, and his tone was sincere.
"My real name is Gai Farrell. I’m a fallen noble from Randall, and I came to the Magic Forest in search of a Petrifying Lizard..."
Wang Xi concisely explained his purpose.
Beside him, Pinocchio added in a deep voice,
"Gai isn’t lying. Not only did he not harm the goblins, he even helped them defeat the invading Darkened Demons."
"I know,"
the Sugar Witch said faintly, a smile playing on her lips.
"Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here completely unscathed, still able to speak with me."
Her gaze fell upon the black-haired young man as she asked softly,
"You don’t seem to be afraid of me?"
"Before I met the goblins, I was terrified,"
Wang Xi said quietly, his eyes lowered.
"Oh?" The Sugar Witch’s eyes narrowed into a smile.
"But after that, not so much anymore."
"And why is that?"
"When the Goblin King spoke of Miss Witch, I saw both awe and gratitude in its eyes. Even though you’re called a ’Witch,’ you always protect demons like them. That mercy and kindness surpasses what you’d find in most human Lords, or even kings."
"You are not a cruel or bloodthirsty leader."
Wang Xi smiled.
He lifted his gaze and looked directly into the Witch’s jade-green eyes.
"If you had wanted to take my life, you’ve likely had countless opportunities before now. But you didn’t. Instead, you revealed yourself... I can only assume you feel the rest of my story is worth hearing."
"Hah," the Sugar Witch chuckled softly. She leaned forward, lowering her head to get closer, her eyes fixed on the black-haired young man before her. "You’re smarter than I gave you credit for, little Gai."
"I’m honored by your praise, Miss Witch."
Wang Xi’s tone was humble, but his posture was relaxed and natural.
But the Sugar Witch changed the subject, stroking the head of the brown horse she was riding. "But I took your horse without asking and tamed it," she said lightly. "Aren’t you angry?"
"For this colt to be by Miss Witch’s side is a blessing from the heavens,"
Wang Xi said with a smile.
"Compared to spurs, the stench of sweat, and a monotonous diet of dry hay and rotten beans, a life of soft skirts, sweet perfume, and endless grass and fruit is surely a happier one."
"And besides, who could ever say no to a beautiful and elegant Queen?"
"Heehee..."
At his words, the golden-haired Witch in the pink dress began to giggle.
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she sat gracefully sidesaddle on her horse. Her jade-green eyes studied the black-haired young man with great interest, her tone curious.
"You said... a Queen?"
Wang Xi nodded and said with sincerity,
"Perhaps Miss Witch hasn’t noticed, but you have an incredibly strong aura. It’s a cool detachment and majesty that’s even more imposing than that of a human noble. As I was speaking just now, I almost ’froze’ in place. My heart is still pounding."
As he said this, he took a pointedly deep breath and gently pressed a hand to his chest.
The Sugar Witch was clearly enjoying his words. Her eyes curved into smiling crescents, and the corners of her lips lifted higher. For some reason, she felt her own heart inexplicably begin to beat a little faster.
’This little one is such a sweet talker...’
’And he understands me better than those stupid demons, or even my two sisters.’
A glint appeared in Bev’s jade-green eyes.
Pinocchio, who had been standing dumbfounded to the side, had witnessed a conversation that was completely beyond his understanding. Hearing Gai’s words, his expression tightened, and he asked with concern,
"Gai, are you okay? Is the Ice Heart Curse acting up again?"
Both Wang Xi and the Sugar Witch froze.
They turned their heads to look at him.
"What’s wrong?"
Now it was Pinocchio’s turn to be stunned.
Wang Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he understood. His own flowery compliments had been completely misinterpreted by the simple-hearted boy.
Without a word, the Sugar Witch silently dismounted.
She glided over and stopped in front of Wang Xi. Then, she reached out and laid a hand on the young man’s chest.
Seeing this, Pinocchio’s fists clenched, and he prepared to intervene. Wang Xi quickly held up a hand to stop him.
"Don’t worry. Miss Witch won’t hurt me."
The main reason he was so certain was that the status marker above the Witch’s head had quietly shifted from a neutral Yellow to a friendly, light green.
Trusting Gai, Pinocchio held back, but he continued to watch the Witch warily.
It was clear he would strike at the slightest hint of malice.
Bev glanced at him before returning her focus to the black-haired young man in front of her. Her voice was gentle.
"You... have eleven months left."
"I know, Miss Witch."
To Bev’s surprise, the young man showed none of the tension or fear she expected. Instead, he seemed completely at ease, even maintaining his elegant smile.
And that elegance was precisely what Bev admired.
She asked, a hint of surprise in her voice,
"You’re not afraid?"
"Of course I’m afraid," Wang Xi acknowledged with a nod. "That’s why I came to the Magic Forest to begin my journey to save myself."
At his words, Bev’s lips curved into a smile. She couldn’t resist raising her hand from his chest to his forehead.
She smoothed his black hair with her fingertips, then gently caressed his cheek with the back of her hand... The delicate motions were like someone cherishing a beloved work of art.
"Mr. Gai, I’m quite interested in hearing the rest of your story,"
Bev said softly.
"Why don’t you come back with me to my Candy House? You can tell me all about it over sweet tea and pastries..."
"Of course." Wang Xi lowered his head slightly and bowed again. "It would be my honor, Miss Witch."
’Gai...’
’Don’t go!’
’You can’t go!’
Beside them, Pinocchio’s face was a mask of anxiety. He desperately tried to catch his friend’s attention with his wide, dark eyes.
’This cunning Witch will turn you into a donkey!’
’You’ll have to toil for her day after day, until you’re completely wrung dry and die of exhaustion!’
...
...
The reddish-brown colt, pulling a magnificent, colorful carriage made entirely of candy, headed deep into the southern part of the Magic Forest.
Whenever the demons of the wood saw the candy carriage, they would stop in their tracks and bow low in reverence.
The carriage left a trail of sweet, dazzling powdered sugar in its wake, and the demons would swarm forward to happily devour it.
Right now.
Wang Xi and Pinocchio were seated inside the kaleidoscopic carriage. They sat on soft cushions made of marshmallow cream and could barely feel the carriage bumping along the road.
CRUNCH.
The curly-haired boy tilted his head back and bit off a star-shaped wind chime ornament, his eyes lighting up.
He then broke off an armrest that looked like a red velvet cake, stuffed a huge piece into his mouth, and mumbled,
"Sho good..."
Of course, Pinocchio didn’t forget his friend. He ripped a piece of chocolate off the heart-shaped door and offered it to the person beside him.
"Ga... Gai, you eash shome."
Wang Xi shot the boy an exasperated look.
"..."
Watching Pinocchio, whose face was smeared with frosting and cream and wore an expression of pure bliss, he thought to himself, ’And what happened to all your earlier reservations and resistance?’
Wang Xi shook his head and accepted the chocolate.
He took a tentative bite. A rich cocoa fragrance, intertwined with a faint bitterness and the mellow flavor of milk, instantly melted on his tongue.
’It actually is delicious...’
Wang Xi thought it was tastier than any fancy chocolate he’d had in his past life.
He looked up.
On the marshmallow cushion across from him, the Sugar Witch sat with perfect posture, studying a sheet of parchment.
It was Wang Xi’s Demon Hunting request.
Noticing the young man’s gaze, the Witch smiled without looking up.
"If you like it, Mr. Gai, please, help yourself."
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Witch, but all things in moderation,"
Wang Xi replied politely.
The golden-haired Witch nodded, as if in agreement.
She then lifted her jade-green eyes and said softly,
"Call me Bev."