Chapter 83: Library Tea Party_1

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Library Tea Party_1

"I understand your request, but what do you get out of this, Warden? What’s in it for you to do such a thing?" Witch Daili sat in her chair, holding a cup of red tea in her hand.

"I also don’t quite get your motivation," said Necromancer Asenna emotionlessly as she poured tea into her cup, "after all, killing that gang lieutenant doesn’t really do anything for you besides pure risk. Slyne’s revenge target is Camila, not him. Unless she accepts the truth, even if you avenge her, she won’t be able to find relief."

They were in the prison library reading room, where Aiden was having a tea party with Daili and Asenna.

In exchange for their help in managing the prison, Aiden allowed them two hours each day to continue their forbidden arts research in this library.

This time, he needed to discuss something with the two of them, so he simply took it upon himself to come to the library during this time slot.

"I’ll find another way to deal with Slyne’s issue," Aiden said as he took the tea Asenna had poured, "Is my motive that important? Since when do I have to report to you about what I do?"

Daili and Asenna exchanged a glance, then spoke to Aiden at the same time:

"I’m just worried about you!" Daili said with a look of concern.

"I’m afraid you might capsize in the gutter and be no more," Asenna said, still expressionless.

Aiden stopped the cup, he was bringing to his lips, midair and silently looked at the two.

"Although I do trust in your strength, Warden, it’s not impossible that you could be distracted and get killed by a stray bullet," Daili spread her hands, "if you died, it would be quite troublesome for us. No one can guarantee that the next warden would be willing to make such a deal with us."

"If you died out there, I would find it quite regrettable. You’ve now inherited Avansa’s body transformation ability, and I am very interested in your body. Even if you were to die, I would prefer it if I could study your corpse..." Asenna adjusted her glasses expressionlessly.

Aiden couldn’t hold back any longer and set down his tea cup, "Stop it! Why do I feel like you two are just taking the opportunity to curse me? I’m asking for your help precisely to ensure my own safety. Alright, to be honest, it does look like there’s no real benefit for me to do this thing. But..."

"But?" Daili repeated.

"Killing that gang lieutenant would make me feel good, that’s all," Aiden lifted his teacup and took a sip.

After thinking it over, Daili nodded thoughtfully, "Okay, that does sound like a good enough reason... But why don’t you just take me along? I could directly take out the target for you."

"Do you think I’m an idiot?" Aiden rolled his eyes, "Wouldn’t that just land me in prison?"

"That would be quite nice, Warden. You could come keep us company. We might even end up sharing a cell..."

"Who wants to keep you company? Besides, I am a man, even if I went to prison, I would be going to a men’s prison."

"No need to worry about that. Actually, I know a number of witches from the ’Witch’s Assembly’ who are versed in long-term gender-switching magic, and I’ve even tried it out myself..." Daili said earnestly.

"Tried it out? So were you originally a man or a woman?" Asenna looked at Daili, a hint of wariness creeping into her usually impassive face.

"About that..."

"You two, stop digressing!" Aiden suddenly realized what was happening and banged on the table with his fist, "I’m asking if you two can give me remote assistance!"

"Of course, no problem," Daili and Asenna answered in unison.

"If you’d been so straightforward earlier, it would have been better," Aiden said with folded arms, "So, what’s the maximum casting range you can achieve?"

His plan was to have both of them support him without showing themselves. To execute the plan, he needed to understand their maximum spellcasting range.

He had knowledge of dark magic, so he knew that the power and precision of offensive spells often inversely correlated with their casting range.

"You don’t need to worry about that. I can stay right in the prison to support you, no matter where you go," Asenna answered with an air of nonchalance, "I have absolutely no desire to leave this place."

"I, on the other hand, would actually quite like to walk out of the prison. However, considering the risk of being discovered, I might as well stay here to support you," Daili echoed.

"How would that work?" Aiden asked.

The old district was at a considerable distance from here, far beyond the limit most dark magic could reach.

Only spells like the scouting magic that Daili’s familiar employed, or preset demonic contracts, could achieve such a far-reaching effect.

"We’d use summoning spells. I can summon a shadow demon to attach to your shadow, then transfer full control to you. The effect should last around three hours. If you force the demon beyond that time, it will backlash," Daili proposed a plan.

"I can create a protective spirit to accompany you. It will allow you to command it to use necromancy for a short period. There’s no time restriction, but once the spirit’s magic power is exhausted, it will vanish on its own," Asenna explained calmly.

"So, you’re saying that if I’m possessed by these summoned entities, I can use your abilities myself?" Aiden grasped the idea.

"You are already quite a formidable figure on your own. With our abilities to bolster you, not only ensuring your safety, but even if you were to flatten a gang’s stronghold, it shouldn’t be a problem," Daili encouraged with a happy face, "You can try it out first when you go back, and if you’re not satisfied, we guarantee an exchange!"

"That does sound quite promising," Aiden nodded.

He wasn’t planning to use Daili and Asenna’s strength to go on the offensive against a gang directly, but for a risky plan, no matter how bold he was, he had to prepare for a full retreat. After all, trying to show off without any trump card could easily lead to a disaster.

"Then, do you have any desired compensation?" he broached the subject of remuneration.

"I’d like you to check out the new pastries on Seventh Street, anything baked is fine," Daili smiled.

"As for me, I’d like you to help me acquire some books that are hard to find in the prison..."

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"What kind of hard-to-find books?" Aiden lifted his teacup to drink.

"Romance novels between handsome young men, any new releases from this year will do," Asenna said slowly.

Aiden’s hand shook, and tea splashed onto his face.

After a while, he looked at Asenna, "You, like that sort of thing?"

Asenna nodded silently.