Chapter 279 — The Alluring Witch (Part 7)
Fiona frowned slightly.
"Don't rush to refuse," she said. "You haven't even stated your conditions yet."
Mary's expression remained cold and indifferent.
"There's no need. I refuse."
The cigarette between Fiona's fingers crumpled under pressure.
Still, she forced a smile.
"Then at least give me a reason."
Mary slowly rose to her feet.
"Whenever a powerful young witch appears," she said calmly,
"the current Supreme begins to age rapidly…"
She stepped forward, looking down at Fiona.
"There's only one way to stop that—
to remain young forever."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Did you really think you could hide something like that from me?"
Fiona's expression darkened.
But Mary continued without pause:
"The girls you've gathered all have remarkable talent.
But once the combined ritual begins—no matter how strong they are…"
"They'll all become sacrifices."
A cold smile spread across her lips.
"And you?"
"You gain immortality.
Eliminate every potential threat.
And deal a heavy blow to the Church."
Mary let out a quiet scoff.
"Your plan is meticulous. I'll give you that."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But tell me—
why would I let the Voodoo Coven gain another powerful enemy?"
Fiona narrowed her eyes.
After a moment, she took a slow breath.
"We're both witches. Our shared enemy right now is the Church."
"And I'm not the only one who stands to benefit from this."
She paused, then added:
"How about this—once the ritual is complete, the Academy faction will withdraw from New Orleans."
"We'll never step into Voodoo territory again."
Mary shook her head.
"You're wrong about one thing."
"The true common enemy of all factions… is evil itself."
"As for territory…"
She gave a faint, mocking laugh.
"You think trading a worthless patch of land is enough to bargain for immortality?"
She didn't finish the sentence.
But Fiona understood the look in her eyes.
It was the kind of expression one reserved for fools.
"So there's nothing left to discuss?" Fiona asked, crushing out her cigarette.
Her voice had gone cold.
Mary sat back down.
"I won't expose your little ritual."
"The Voodoo Coven doesn't want the Church to dominate either."
She glanced at Fiona one last time.
"So while I'm still in a good mood—
leave."
Fiona's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
But in the end, she said nothing.
She stood up.
Her face dark and stormy—
And walked out.
"Beep."
Just as she reached her car, her phone lit up with a message.
Fiona unlocked it.
"Dear Ms. Fiona,
We've recently developed a new anti-aging formula!
We've prepared a trial version just for you.
When would you be available to come take a look?"
Fiona's grip tightened.
The edges of the phone bent slightly under the pressure of her fingers.
"…This thing had better work."
She let out a cold snort, got into the car, and dialed a number.
Meanwhile…
Seeing Fiona leave, Gideon prepared to head back as well.
This trip had been more than worthwhile.
Not only had he uncovered the Supreme Witch's scheme, but he had also obtained a crucial clue about the saint's remains.
Just as he stood up—
A dense surge of evil energy suddenly washed over him.
Gideon's expression sharpened instantly.
He gripped the cross in his hand and activated the surrounding formation.
His eyes scanned carefully—
And quickly locked onto the source.
Inside the house…
"Why did you refuse her?"
Marie, who had been resting with her eyes closed, immediately stood up when she heard the voice.
The wall beside her suddenly decayed, its surface rotting away—
And a hand with long, razor-sharp nails reached out from within.
Moments later—
A "man" stepped into the room.
He leaned on a wooden cane, dreadlocks hanging loosely, a top hat adorned with small skulls perched on his head.
His face was deathly pale.
His eyes—
Blood-red.
"...That level of energy…" Gideon narrowed his eyes from outside.
"A demon."
"Papa Legba… you've arrived," Marie said softly, lowering her head in submission.
"You haven't answered my question."
Legba took her seat casually.
"I… don't want a truly eternal Supreme Witch to appear among us…" she repeated what she had told Fiona earlier.
"Heh… heh…"
His laughter was chilling.
"I thought you were just worried that your collaboration with demons might be exposed."
"After all… that would count as betraying humanity."
Marie's eyes narrowed slightly.
"To serve you and the Loa spirits is the honor of the Voodoo Coven."
She bowed slightly.
"But to avoid unnecessary complications… discretion is necessary."
Legba reached out, gently lifting her chin with his decayed fingers.
"Ah… this is exactly why your soul is so intoxicating."
Marie closed her eyes slightly, leaning into his touch.
"I've already prepared fresh, pure souls for you," she said softly.
"You may enjoy them at any time."
"How could I savor such delicacies… without you?"
Legba smiled faintly, grabbing her collar and leading her deeper inside.
Outside…
Gideon's lips twitched.
Even for someone like him, who had seen countless horrors—
Tonight was… something else.
A Supreme Witch willing to sacrifice others for her own gain.
A faction that spoke righteously about opposing evil—
Yet secretly cooperated with demons the next moment.
And humans whose relationship with demons had clearly crossed every boundary.
"This American horror world… really does whatever it wants," Gideon muttered inwardly.
But at the same time—
His understanding of the power dynamics in North America became much clearer.
These so-called forces of justice—
Were nothing more than opportunists hiding behind noble slogans.
"I need to grow stronger. Fast."
Only power could guarantee survival in such a world.
With that thought, Gideon faded into the night.
Witch Academy — Night
Moonlight hung faintly in the sky.
The academy lay silent beneath the darkness.
At the side entrance—
Several figures stood waiting.
"Young Master Gary, we've confirmed it," one of them reported with a bow.
"The Supreme Witch is currently at a cosmetic clinic. None of the Rosicrucian leaders are present."
Gary let out a cold laugh.
"Typical. No matter how powerful they are, women still care most about their looks."
"So… only the young witches remain."
"Yes, Young Master Gary. They're currently training for the joint ritual. Earlier today, a batch of high-quality—"
"Doesn't matter."
Gary cut him off impatiently.
"Start preparing the ritual."
His breathing grew heavier.
"I can already smell… dessert."
The man bowed again and led the others toward the academy.
As they passed through the side entrance—
The defensive magic only rippled slightly.
No alarm was triggered.
Third Floor — Room 306
Jenny wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Finally… done for today."
"With the holy water Mr. Gideon gave me, using materials has become much easier…"
Just as she stood up, she suddenly froze.
"Oh right!"
"Mr. Gideon said… after every use, I must make sure to cleanse all evil residue…"
She closed her eyes, sensing within herself.
"…It doesn't seem like much…"
She hesitated.
"No!"
She shook her head firmly.
"He said taking chances is just slow suicide!"
She opened a drawer and took out another bottle of holy water.
Room 310
Zoe sat on the sofa, staring blankly at a charcoal sketch of a black-haired boy.
"He's so good with materials… does he actually like dealing with spirits and demons?"
"Maybe I should invite him to a haunted house…"
She rested her chin in her hands, lost in youthful thoughts.
Room 333
Madison paced back and forth, wearing a black slip dress, her pale neck exposed.
Her expression was tense.
"He just… stopped contacting me after that?"
"Isn't he worried I might expose him…?"
She suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened.
"…Or does he have leverage over me?"
"The materials!"
She rushed to a silver container and checked it carefully.
"Everything's normal…"
"That doesn't make sense."
After a moment, she turned to the leftover materials.
"For safety… I shouldn't use anything from him."
Second Floor — Room 208
Dozens of opened silver containers lay scattered on the floor.
Quentin was breathing heavily.
Dark veins crawled across her cheeks.
The evil energy around her was growing thicker.
Another empty container fell.
Her magical power surged again.
"With that new assistant…"
"All these old materials… even the decent ones… are useless now."
For the first time since entering the academy—
She was indulging.
Before, she wouldn't dare.
Materials below 70% purity were too unstable.
But now—
Even 80% purity felt mediocre.
"Yes… as long as I'm careful, I can handle the risks."
Her gaze was resolute.
"I won't miss this chance to become stronger."
She reached for another container—
Then froze.
Her body stiffened.
The evil energy around her suddenly erupted out of control.
"What… what's happening?! I already suppressed it!"
Panic flooded her eyes.
She tried to activate her magic—
But failed.
Black tendrils of energy formed—
Wrapping tightly around her body.
"Ugh…!"
She struggled to breathe.
Then—
Her body began to move.
Not by her will.
Step by step—
Toward the door.
"No… no…!"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Someone… please help me…"
The same thing was happening across the third floor.
Madison staggered out of her room.
Other witches followed—
All controlled.
All silent.
They formed a line.
And began descending.
Room 306
The door creaked open slightly.
Jenny covered her mouth, staring at the scene in shock.
She didn't understand what was happening.
She was about to step out—
When a thought flashed through her mind.
"If Mr. Gideon were here… what would he do?"
After a moment—
She held back.
Then quietly followed them.
First Floor Hall
The young witches gathered.
None of them could speak.
Only their eyes—
Filled with fear.
"Girls… did you miss me?"
A voice echoed.
They turned—
And their hearts sank.
Gary stood there, smiling casually.
Behind him were several masked figures, all radiating magical energy.
"The desperation in your eyes…"
"makes you even more alluring."
He approached Peggy.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Shh… don't be afraid," he whispered, stroking her cheek.
"We've worked together before. I won't hurt you… tonight."
Then—
He leaned in.
Silence fell.
The sound of a kiss echoed through the hall.
The witches averted their eyes.
Two minutes later—
Peggy was gasping for air.
Gary finally let go.
He licked the lipstick from his lips and moved on.
"Zoe… Zoe…"
"I heard every man who's been with you ends up dead."
He lifted her hair, inhaling deeply.
"I wonder what that feels like."
Zoe's eyes were filled with disgust—
But she couldn't move.
Gary chuckled and let her go.
Then stopped before Quentin.
She was in the worst state.
Dark tendrils covered her body.
Her clothes had fallen apart—
Exposing pale skin.
Slap!
Gary struck her hard.
Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"You filthy bitch."
"Always so obsessed with rules?"
"Tonight, I make the rules."
"I'll enjoy you properly."
Quentin glared at him—
And received another slap.
"Don't think you'll be spared," Gary sneered.
"I've never tried someone like you before…"
He spread his arms, looking at all of them.
"Tonight—"
"You are all stepping stones."
"To help me reach that realm."
He turned back.
"Begin."
The masked figures moved.
Chanting.
Runes lit up across the floor.
A massive formation appeared beneath the witches.
Dark energy extended from their bodies—
Connecting into a black sphere in the air.
It pulsed.
Like living flesh.
The witches felt it instantly—
Their magic spiraling out of control.
Their bodies—
On the verge of exploding.
Gary licked his lips.
Removed his clothes.
"My dear Peggy…"
"Let's start with you."
She struggled—
Her eyes begging for help.
But no one could save her.
Moments later—
Silence.
When the witches dared to look again—
Only bones remained.
Her power—
Now flowing into Gary.
He closed his eyes in satisfaction.
"Now…"
"Who's next?"
His finger traced the air.
Then stopped.
"Quentin…"
"Care to go on a date with me?"
Despair filled her eyes.