Chapter 372: Envy and Greed
The 'Greed Witch' Echidna had waist-length silver hair and appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her alluring figure was concealed beneath a black robe resembling mourning attire, yet the form-fitting garment still outlined the witch's captivating curves—especially those sublime peaks that drew gazes like a seductive abyss.
Her extravagant dress had a slit at the hem, revealing a glimpse of slender calves. Echidna wore pitch-black high heels without stockings, her snow-white feet faintly tracing with blue veins.
She was a woman who, at first glance, evoked both darkness and light in the hearts of those who beheld her.
In this world, Roy had encountered many people, but Echidna was the only one whose beauty could rival that of the Jealous Witch Satella by his side.
Yet now, the bewitching witch's dark eyes brimmed with greed. Biting her lip as she stared at Roy, her body trembled with excitement.
However, compared to Echidna's extreme beauty, he was more interested in what she had mentioned—the Book of Wisdom.
Glancing at Flugel and confirming he was out of mortal danger, Roy addressed Echidna, "...Greed Witch Echidna?"
The witch's name was no taboo—it was widely known.
Echidna nodded eagerly, too overwhelmed to speak.
"What is the Book of Wisdom?"
Roy pressed the question.
Taking a deep breath, Echidna reached out, and a tome as thick as a dictionary materialized in her delicate hand. She lifted it slightly, her voice sweet as she said, "...This is the Book of Wisdom. It records everything in this world."
"I see. So this book is this world's 'Akashic Records.'"
Roy nodded in understanding before continuing, "...Does it mention my arrival?"
"Ah, yes! A mysterious man from another world—where is that other world? What unknown wonders does it hold? I can hardly wait!"
Echidna smiled with delight, her expression brimming with greedy anticipation.
"What else does it say about me?"
Roy showed no surprise at his arrival being foretold. Back in the Moonlit World, Xu Fu had predicted his coming through Taoist arts. The moment Roy decided to descend upon this world, he had already formed a 'bond' with it.
"Unknown! It's all unknown!"
Echidna's fingers rapidly flipped through the pages before stopping at one. She raised the book, displaying its contents to Roy.
Despite being over ten meters apart, Roy's vision easily deciphered the text. On one page, the left side recorded his arrival—but the right side was blank. From the moment he set foot in this world, the book could no longer foresee anything about him.
'Is it because of my uniqueness, or the Ark's?'
The question lingered, but for now, there was no answer.
"I expected you to dodge my questions. I didn't think you'd answer so readily, Echidna."
"Answering all questions is my principle. No matter who asks, I will provide an answer."
Echidna closed the Book of Wisdom and spoke gracefully, "...Also, please just call me Dona. It makes us seem closer, oh person full of unknowns. You've already caught the attention of the Witch of Greed."
From the moment Roy and the others arrived, Echidna's dark eyes had been fixed solely on Roy, disregarding everyone else. Even when Flugel had his arm severed by Typhon and was revived by Minerva, she hadn't spared a glance. Only Roy's figure reflected in her gaze.
Echidna's indescribable longing for Roy inexplicably stirred something within Satella. A surge of jealousy erupted from the depths of her heart. The usually gentle and soft-spoken half-elf girl suddenly took a bold step forward, positioning herself in front of Roy to block Echidna's line of sight. Her amethyst eyes burned with anger as she glared at Echidna, while the shadows at her feet writhed restlessly.
Echidna's finely penciled eyebrows arched slightly as Satella entered her vision. The Witch of Greed showed a flicker of surprise before her expression twisted into displeasure. "...Witch of Envy, so you've come after all. Move aside. Don't obstruct my view."
"Witch of Envy? Are you talking about me?" Satella asked in shock.
"Who else could it be? Hah, it seems you don't even know your own identity. But then again, you and the 'Witch Factor of Envy' are incompatible—that's why your authority runs wild."
Echidna's words dripped with sarcasm. For some reason, the moment she laid eyes on Satella, she felt an inexplicable irritation—not because of her identity as a Witch, but because of Satella herself.
"I don't care about any 'Witch of Envy.' All I know is that the way you're looking at Roy-sama is dangerous."
Satella didn't understand what had come over her, daring to speak such words and confront this terrifying woman head-on. The jealousy in her heart was spreading like wildfire, making her emotions volatile and extreme.
She couldn't allow this woman to look at Roy-sama like that. She couldn't allow her to get close to him. She couldn't allow her to treat Roy-sama as her own possession.
Roy-sama is mine. Mine. No one else can approach him—because I... because I...
A fierce and terrifying possessiveness gnawed at Satella's heart. At the same time, an immense, world-devouring surge of aberrant mana filled her body and the shadows beneath her feet.
Only when a hand gently rested on her shoulder did Satella snap back to reality. The tide of jealousy receded, and the ominous mana vanished in an instant.
"R-Roy-sama...?"
Her voice trembled, softening once more.
"Control your power, Satella," Roy said gently, though his brow remained furrowed.
Satella was the Witch of Envy. One day, that power would erupt completely—no amount of restraint could prevent it. Yet, as Echidna had pointed out, this was because Satella and the 'Witch Factor of Envy' were fundamentally incompatible. The gentle silver-haired half-elf was not a jealous person by nature, yet she was fated to be the Witch of Envy. Unless she fully embraced that role, she would never gain full control over that power.
But if that day came... would Satella still be Satella?
A shadow of gloom settled over Roy's heart.
Echidna didn't pay much attention to Satella. Compared to her dislike for her, she was more interested in Roy himself.
The Witch of Greed slightly bent forward, making an inviting gesture as she said, "...Welcome to the Witches' Tea Party, Lord Roy. As an honored guest, I hereby invite you to share a seat with me."
Echidna hadn't originally known Roy's name, but Satella's earlier words had inadvertently revealed it.
Faced with Echidna's invitation, Roy, confident in his abilities, sat down without hesitation in the chair before the square table.