While Cynthia was in Pegel and the Elf Territory, the God Race was not only searching for the Sethite wizards but also clearing out the Vampires in Ochester.

Although Ochester was larger than the Slade Sea Region, its harsh environment meant there weren’t many places suitable for human habitation.

Ever since the God Race occupied these two regions, a considerable number of humans had flocked to them daily.

Although settling these humans required a great deal of time and energy, Darcy didn’t see it as a burden. In fact, as more and more humans sought refuge with them, the ranks of their Light Believers and Light Knights grew ever stronger.

Even Susan’s knight army had expanded to over ten thousand people.

The cities, once desolate and like cages to humans, were now filled with the vibrant atmosphere of life. Though the people still lived with unease, their current lives were immeasurably better than when they were fugitives.

After returning from the Elf Territory, Cynthia didn’t stop in Manden City but went straight to Ochester.

The Vampires in Ochester had long since been cleared out, and both Darcy and Susan had dispatched knights to garrison the area. Although the Beast God’s temple wasn’t as thoroughly destroyed as the God of the Ocean’s, darkness had begun to fester in Ochester, just as it had in the Slade Sea Region.

As a subordinate of the God of Darkness, the Beast God was naturally close to the Power of Darkness. Therefore, the darkness silently breeding in the shadows of Ochester was far more aggressive than that in the Slade Sea Region.

These changes were not yet obvious, but they were subtly influencing the already unstable Sitatul Continent.

The empty cities in the Slade Sea Region and Ochester were gradually being filled by humans, slowly taking on the warmth of life. Everything seemed to be changing for the better, but in reality, darkness was silently eroding the land beneath their feet.

It was like a tug-of-war, and for now, they were at a disadvantage.

After Ochester was conquered, Susan and her knight legion took on the task of rebuilding the cities. Humans couldn’t help much when it came to fighting Vampires, but their sheer numbers made them highly efficient in other areas.

Cynthia stood atop the tallest lighthouse in the center of the city, looking down at the busy knights below. Many of Ochester’s cities had been given to humans to inhabit. To accommodate more people, Susan had ordered the knights to dismantle all the castles within the city walls and build rows of simple wooden cabins instead.

“These houses are the simplest and quickest to build. In just three days, this city can be filled with people.” The wind was strong atop the lighthouse. Susan rubbed her reddened ears, tightened the cloak around her, and stood beside Cynthia, saying enthusiastically, “I also had some people clear a few plots of land outside the city. It’s not much, but we can plant some fruit trees.”

“There are just too many people. Our stored food is almost gone.”

She stole a glance at Cynthia as she spoke. Noticing her gaze, Cynthia’s red lips curved into a slight smile, and she said softly, “Tell me when they’re planted. I’ll go find an Elf to cast a spell.”

Ochester had very little arable land, and its climate was strange; many plants wouldn’t survive if planted there. They could only grow certain fruit trees that weren’t too demanding of their environment.

But the long growth cycle of fruit trees was a major source of frustration for Susan. After all, with the human population growing, they needed enough food to fill their stomachs.

However, this problem would be easily solved with the help of the Elves, who were, after all, the darlings of nature.

Seeing that Cynthia had understood her meaning so quickly, the smile on Susan’s face became much more sincere. “I’ll arrange it as soon as possible, then.”

Cynthia nodded. She rested one hand on the railing and gazed into the distance. The dim sky made the horizon look like a vast abyss.

Susan followed Cynthia’s gaze. The gloomy sky made one’s mood inexplicably heavy.

“Susan, have you ever considered establishing a nation?” Cynthia pulled her gaze back, turning to lean against the railing as if it were a casual question. The wind blew her long silver hair back.

Susan froze for a moment, looking up to study Cynthia, unable to tell if she was joking or serious. “A nation? Me?”

During the age of the gods, humans were still the most numerous race. Because of their vast numbers, they were not as united as other races. They had split into four nations, each occupying different territories.

But after the gods departed, humanity suffered a great catastrophe. Their homes were destroyed, their nations had long since fallen apart, and in their life as fugitives, humans had no mind to ponder which country they had once belonged to.

Susan herself had never entertained the thought of establishing a nation. But Cynthia’s sudden suggestion inexplicably stirred her heart.

“I think you have the ability,” Cynthia said with a smile, seeing that Susan was clearly tempted. She continued, “Only when more humans flock to us will your army gradually grow stronger.”

And only then can the God Race’s ranks of Light Believers and Light Knights slowly expand.

Although the God Race’s power had grown considerably since before she left for Pegel, Cynthia was still not satisfied.

The Vampires were rushing to destroy the temples, leaving them little time to resist.

“If you want to, the God Race can help you.”

Susan lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then frowned. “Establish a nation… but what territory would it occupy?”

“The Slade Sea Region and Ochester can be yours,” Cynthia said, touching her chin thoughtfully. “If that’s not enough, I’ll discuss further expansion with Darcy.”

Susan blinked. “Yours? Then what about you?”

The territory the God Race had fought so hard to conquer would be given to her? Where would the God Race go?

Susan was full of questions, but Cynthia merely smiled without answering.

The sound of footsteps clattered up from below. Susan turned to see one of her knights and asked, “What is it?”

The knight bowed his head respectfully. “Someone from the God Race has brought a letter for Excellency Cynthia.” As he spoke, he handed an envelope to Cynthia.

Cynthia took it, opened it, and pulled out the parchment inside, unfolding it for a look.

Susan dismissed the knight and asked curiously, “What does it say?”

Cynthia folded the parchment and replied casually, “The witches from the Morgan Family have arrived.”

It was Chelsea. Darcy had sent someone to inform her and ask if she wanted to return.

She had come straight to Ochester after returning from the Elf Territory to inspect the dark aura here. It was getting late, and it was time to head back to Manden City. She still had matters to discuss with Darcy and the others.

Hearing the word “witches” from Cynthia’s lips, Susan’s expression turned a little strange. She narrowed her eyes and adjusted the collar of her cloak.

Cynthia keenly noticed Susan’s odd reaction. Her hands paused in folding the parchment, and she asked impassively, “The witches… has something happened?”

The subtle expression on Susan’s face suddenly reminded Cynthia of Darcy’s unfinished words back in the Elf Territory. Had something happened with the witches again?

Hearing Cynthia’s question, Susan thought for a moment and decided not to hide anything. “I heard from Darcy that after the witches left here, they all started practicing dark magic.”

The Anderson Family’s disregard for human life made Susan’s expression darken whenever they were mentioned. “Their witchcraft isn’t weak. Why must they practice dark magic?”

She had no fondness whatsoever for the Anderson Family’s depraved dark magic.

“Did the witches of the Morgan Family start practicing it too?”

Susan nodded. “I heard all three witch families have begun to delve into the Power of Darkness.”

It seemed the witches had chosen to abandon witchcraft after all. She just didn’t know if the Garcia and Morgan families’ methods of practicing dark magic were the same as the Anderson Family’s.

Probably not, Cynthia mused, rubbing the parchment in her hand as she lowered her golden eyes. If they were practicing dark magic like Eunice, it wasn’t entirely unfeasible.

Every city in Ochester now had a teleportation array. Cynthia and Susan descended from the lighthouse and stepped directly into one, returning to Manden City.

The Morgan Family and the God Race had always been on good terms. Although the God Race was perplexed to learn that they too had begun practicing dark magic, they still treated them with great courtesy. However, this courtesy was tinged with distance.

The other Morgan witches went to rest in the rooms the God Race had arranged for them, while Chelsea went up to the city wall alone, staring out at the familiar yet strange city in a daze.

The sound of footsteps suddenly reached her. Chelsea turned and saw Cynthia walking up from below. A trace of nervousness flickered across her previously expressionless face.

Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched and unclenched unconsciously a few times before she gave Cynthia a silent nod.

Cynthia looked Chelsea up and down, raised an eyebrow, and teased, “It’s been a few months. Have you become this cold?”

Chelsea cleared her throat and shook her head. “No.” She paused, looking down at her clothes. Though her tone was flat, a hint of disappointment could be heard. “I-I couldn’t persuade my clan. They’ve started practicing dark magic.”

The Power of Darkness and the Power of Light were opposing forces. No matter how amicable their relationship with the God Race had been before, Chelsea could still see the vigilance and wariness in their eyes now.

She didn’t want to see that in Cynthia’s eyes, too.

Upon seeing Chelsea, Cynthia had noticed the faint aura of darkness around her. It wasn’t strong, but it was definitely there. “Did Eunice teach you the dark magic spells?”

Chelsea paused, her brow furrowing. “We got some from her.” Strictly speaking, they had gotten them from Betty.

Although Eunice’s status within the clan had risen, Chelsea still disliked her. “The elders in the clan are already researching new spells. We don’t need Eunice.”

“You could try as well,” Cynthia said with a light laugh. Her voice was gentle. “If you need any help, you can tell me.”

Chelsea looked at Cynthia for a while, and the knot of anxiety in her heart slowly loosened. She hesitated, then said slowly, “I still want to research witchcraft.”

She still didn’t want to give up on witchcraft, but besides Cynthia, she didn’t know who else she could say this to.