In the Soul Network space, Witte nodded seriously, confirming his previous report.
"The five eastern nations of the Knight Empire are all experiencing outbreaks, though within the Empire proper, only some eastern territories are affected.
As for the Ymir Empire, it's worse. Using the Ymir Canal, almost the entire empire has been infected.
The plague has even spread along the river to the Water and Fire Nations.
The Magic Empire, upon discovering the plague, immediately quarantined the Water and Fire Nations completely.
They also dispatched a specialized mage corps to attempt to counter the plague.
However, until now, there has been little progress.
Moreover, I received a report from the Skoll Academy saying this plague isn't ordinary; it appears to be the result of a very high-level magical ritual."
"A magical ritual?"
Hel nodded thoughtfully. Honestly, when she had first noticed the abnormal behavior of the rats, she had suspected that the beastmen might try to spread a plague.
For her own safety, she hadn't mentioned it to anyone and quietly dealt with all the rats in Heim City herself.
She had assumed that with so many capable people in the Empire, someone would have seen through such a simple trick.
It turned out she had overestimated them.
"Alright, I've got the intelligence. If there's time, help me gather some high-level alchemical materials as well."
"Understood, young master. We were planning to expand influence into the neighboring Kingdom of Honesty, so we can use that as an opportunity to collect alchemical materials."
"Good. Go ahead. I trust you to handle it."
After bidding Witte farewell, Hel hadn't even exhaled when her Fate Card at her waist started vibrating incessantly.
Taking it out, she found a pinned post on the Witch Forum.
The post was made by the Magic Witch.
"From my reverse research on the plague spreading across the continent, I've discovered that this outbreak surpasses any normal plague.
It is likely the divine ascension ritual of some witch. If fully unleashed, even fifth-tier experts could be infected.
I urge all newly-born witches to protect themselves and avoid crowded areas."
The post had a pinned reply from someone called the Pain Demon King, who simply wrote:
"The ritual has already begun. No salvation. Just wait for death."
Reading through further comments, Hel understood exactly who this Pain Demon King was.
Pain Demon King: Pestis, the Plague Witch—a complete madwoman.
She had once waged a deadly battle for succession with a fellow poison witch from the plague lineage, hoping to devour the other's authority and ascend in status, aiming to become a Plague Witch who should not even exist in this world.
The plague lineage only has two witches. Logically, by devouring the other, Pestis could complete her own authority and approach the Plague Witch's power.
Moreover, because the Plague Witch has no current-world presence, her ascent would not be hindered by the plague deity.
With perfect timing and circumstances, she had a high probability of successfully ascending.
However, later reports indicated she had failed.
Even so, her personal power increased to some extent. Being a veteran witch who had reached the Saint Tier,
her strength was likely as unfathomable as that of a Magic Witch.
A magical ritual conducted by such a powerful witch could not be underestimated.
At that moment, Hel finally understood why the entire continent had been calling to strike down witches.
So that's the root cause.
Every witch's path to divine ascension is different, and none of it is easy—it could even affect the balance of the entire continent.
Sigh… she wondered how her own path to divinity would unfold.
Shaking her head, Hel dismissed these chaotic thoughts.
Maybe she didn't even need to take the divine ascension path to become a god.
Her cultivation talent was already enough to push her to a demigod level. Why bother with a divine ascension path?
It was only meant to help witches improve their innate potential—a step Hel didn't need.
Of course, this was all speculation. Only when she undertook her own divine ascension task would she truly understand its benefits.
Other witches couldn't clarify it either, unless she directly observed a witch on the path and saw what attributes changed.
But that was not urgent. For now, she could use the newly created body to explore the A-rank goblin ruins.
She intended to inherit Morrigan's identity for this body, and after exploring the ruins, she would let it loose to stir up trouble.
Before this plan could be executed, Witte contacted her again.
He brought new information: the newly appointed ducal bishop Orad planned to inspect the entire Mandrake Duchy.
If Hel's guess was correct, this was Orad seeking revenge for his brother.
He probably also investigated Hel's deeds, hence boldly coming here to prevent any secret assassinations.
Allowing him into the city freely would give him an advantage—whether to frame her or strike directly.
Hel realized she would need to control him once he entered Heim City; otherwise, any unexpected incidents might draw the attention of the Empire's Saint-tier reinforcements.
Meanwhile, at the capital ruins of the Snow Velvet Duchy, a battle between Saint-tier forces was underway.
Calling it a battle would be generous—it was more of a one-sided massacre.
Three seventh-tier and six sixth-tier experts from the Empire, sent as reinforcements, faced a black-armored knight enveloped in purple-black aura and corrupted blood.
They barely landed a few blows before half of them were killed on the spot.
Among them was even a seventh-tier expert from the Empire.
The survivors, terrified, turned to flee.
Yet the black-armored knight did not pursue; he calmly descended to the ground, watching the distance like a knight guarding a princess, silently protecting the area.