Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 122: Ring of Clear Skies

The Ring of Clear Skies was a fairly important faction in *Poem of Destiny*. Its members all held a special Extraordinary Profession: Witch.

As their name might suggest, the power of a Witch shares the same source as that of a Demon. They haven’t actually signed contracts to sell their souls to Demons, nor do they need to sacrifice a quota of souls on a regular basis. On the contrary, the Witch profession is classified as a pure Scholar-type. Their power stems from research and exploration.

The Ring of Clear Skies’ goal is also quite virtuous: to find ways to purify and dispel Chaos. They are, one might say, staunchly on the side of Order.

But none of that matters. In the Realm of Order, presided over by the Celestial Gods, it’s a great sin to have any sort of entanglement with Demons, no matter your objective!

The Mortal World has so many Extraordinary traditions. Why did you Witches have to pick Demons to study?

Are you trying to unearth something from the Celestial God’s Shadow? Do you harbor sacrilegious intentions toward the supremely benevolent Celestial Gods!

The Mortal World’s deep-seated taboo against Demons stems from the unique nature of the Celestial God’s Shadow.

No one knows which Demon is the corruption of which Celestial God. No one dares to guess, and no one dares to ask.

In any case, Demons in the Mortal World are unnamable, indescribable, undefined beings.

Even when they know of secret Societies that worship Demons, they won’t launch a large-scale hunt for Demon Believers. That’s not something you can just investigate. What would they do if they actually found something?

If it concerned another nation’s Celestial God, that would be one thing. But what if it turned out to be a dark, unknown secret of one’s own Divine Ancestor?

This is a topic you absolutely cannot touch.

Therefore, the Realm of Order usually just expels these secret Societies. Out of sight, out of mind. This has led to the Borderland, the frontier between civilization and Chaos, becoming a chaotic free-for-all where all sorts of illegal organizations run rampant.

The Ring of Clear Skies is one of the most prominent groups in the Borderland, sitting at the top of the food chain among all the secret Societies.

Of course, even though the Ring of Clear Skies has grown strong in the Borderland, it is still seen as an insignificant player by the Realm of Order.

But in the coming Age of Calamity, the situation would change. The Realm of Order would become hopelessly mired in internal strife and disaster, while the Ring of Clear Skies, specializing in anti-Chaos technology, would rise from the Borderland to become a future regional hegemon.

If nothing else, the Ring of Clear Skies’ technology for defending against Chaos Erosion was genuinely impressive.

Westheid intended to establish a good working relationship with the Ring of Clear Skies, so he was quite tolerant of Roy’s contact with the Witch.

"It was not long after the fall of the Qinghui Territory..."

Seeing that Westheid’s expression didn’t look angry, Roy breathed a sigh of relief and began to recount what had happened.

"Originally, the fleeing Qinghui People all flocked to the nearby Imperial Pioneer Territory. But because they couldn’t accept the exploitative conditions, most were unable to stay. It just so happened that the Chaos Erosion had stopped by then, so the column of refugees returned to the area around the Ying River..."

"I was this town’s tax officer before all this. After the local officials abandoned their posts and fled, I took command and did my best to gather the Qinghui refugees. But a single small town’s reserves were nowhere near enough to support such a large number of people. It was at that moment... that a Witch from the Ring of Clear Skies offered me her aid."

"Not only did she provide a large quantity of supplies, but she also set up a Defense Barrier and dealt with the bandits. Before that, this area was... quite chaotic. The turmoil only subsided after the Ring of Clear Skies stepped in. It’s been mostly stable since then."

Westheid raised an eyebrow. "That sounds good, but a Witch wouldn’t perform charity for no reason. What were her conditions?"

Roy took a deep breath and looked toward the Master of Qinghui.

"The Witch requires us to remain by the Ying River and observe the status of the Chaos Erosion in the Purity Forest on the opposite bank. When necessary, we must also send people deep into the fallen lands to investigate and record all the data."

Westheid said, "That certainly sounds like a Witch’s request. But doesn’t that place all of you under the threat of Chaos? If the Chaos Tide continues to expand, you’ll have a hard time even trying to escape."

"I know, my lord."

Roy gave a bitter smile. "But we had no choice. We had to accept the Witch’s conditions to survive. Besides, the Ring of Clear Skies is using us as research subjects. But so what? At least the Witches are researching how to purify the Chaos Erosion. With their help, we might even have a chance to return to our homeland... For that, even death is a price worth paying."

"I cannot defend this transgression. I can only ask for your judgment. Whatever the outcome, I will submit to it."

’What’s that supposed to mean? You weren’t counting on the legitimate Duke Qinghui to come and save the day, were you?’

’You... You’re actually right. If the Chaos Erosion hadn’t begun so quickly, Westheid truly wouldn’t have made reclaiming his homeland his top priority.’

The Duke Qinghui heard the implication in Roy’s words but couldn’t refute it. After all, he knew he was the one at fault.

He stood up, walked over to Roy, and patted him on the shoulder.

"I see. I understand the situation now. As for you accepting aid from the secret Society, the Ring of Clear Skies, my judgment is... not guilty. Your actions in saving so many of the Qinghui People should be rewarded, not punished."

Roy looked up in surprise, his gaze fixed on Westheid.

"But Witches are criminals explicitly wanted by the Imperial, and making unauthorized contact with a secret Society is also a felony."

Westheid laughed and waved his hand dismissively.

"Imperial law does not extend to the territory of the Branch of Prosperity! On this land, my power as Duke Qinghui is absolute. I can do whatever I please!"

"And I believe that nothing is more important than the lives of my subjects. Therefore, I absolve you. Rise. The quest to retake the Qinghui Territory will require your continued dedication."

Westheid had already discerned Roy’s true nature. He was a person much like Yolanda.

If his sister saw the Qinghui Clan as paramount, then Roy viewed the land of Purity Forest as his entire world.

"My lord, I will give my all. I wish only for Purity Forest to be pristine once more. For that, I would gladly face death a thousand times over!"

Roy nodded emphatically, making his vow.

Just as Westheid and Roy were enjoying a harmonious conversation between lord and subject, Yolanda appeared at the door and shot her brother a subtle look.

"What is it?"

"Another one of your subjects has come seeking your aid, brother. I was hesitating whether I should inform you."

"Report it! You can report everything! What is there that you can’t report?"

"The fact they’re coming to me for help so soon just proves how popular I am!"

Westheid was getting high on playing the part of a wise ruler and was eager to put on a show. Ignoring protocol, he walked straight out the door.

Then he understood why Yolanda had hesitated.

Standing before the door, waiting to be summoned, was a little girl in a simple white dress.

She looked far too young. Her pale, delicate face was tilted upward, the picture of heartbreaking vulnerability.

’A child this young... Would a child like this really come for help all on her own? And so unhesitatingly?’

Roy exclaimed, "Melissa!?"

Westheid’s first reaction was to look at Roy, suspecting this was some kind of test he had arranged.

But seeing the equally surprised expression on the tax officer’s face, Westheid figured he was probably overthinking things.

’Roy had no reason to come and talk to me in person, only to immediately set up this kind of test that would only serve to anger me.’

’Looks like she came on her own.’

’There must be some injustice at play here.’

"Child, is there anything you need help with?"

Westheid crouched down in front of the girl and asked kindly.

"My lord... can you help me get my brother back?"

The little girl looked down in silence for a moment, then raised her head and pleaded with Westheid, her voice thick with tears.

"White Rock City... My brother is a slave in White Rock City. There are other people from our clan there too, lots and lots of them..."

"Everyone said that now that the lord has returned, we don’t have to be afraid of anything... S-so... that’s why I came to find you, my lord. I’m begging you..."