"Alright, I'll help you, kid."

Winnie released her grip on Imoxiu's neck.

She turned and walked to the canyon's edge, gazing at the Holy Moon Kingdom rebels halfway through their march.

A silver-helmeted holy knight led them all, marching under the banner of holy war.

Beyond the regular kingdom soldiers,

farmers in tattered clothes followed, hoes slung over their shoulders.

How could such a ragtag army dare rebel against the Pride Witch?

Winnie truly couldn't grasp what gave them this courage.

She also didn't understand why that damn traitor ordered her to crush them—not slaughter them all.

Even if she wanted to disobey, her body would faithfully carry out the command.

Honestly... she couldn't figure out how things had come to this.

Was it really just because of that hazmat-suited alchemist's experiment?

What had she even tested? The effects still lingered... utterly terrible!

As Winnie pondered, she called to Imoxiu behind her: "Hey, kid, come here. Let me show you a witch's true power."

"I'm not 'hey' or 'kid'! I'm Imoxiu, Imoxiu Von!" Imoxiu strode over and firmly grasped Winnie's hand.

"Oh ho, pleased to meet you, Miss Imoxiu Von."

Winnie clasped her hand back and chuckled lightly.

"That's the spirit. Toughen up. Remember who you are—you're the Witch Heir of Pride. Stop shrinking like a turtle. You should stand proud, head high, adored by crowds—not one of those groveling sycophants."

Winnie stepped forward.

Her foot tread on empty air, as if on an invisible stair.

Then a second step. A third.

Imoxiu watched this miracle. After a hesitant moment, she lifted her foot and tested a step.

Her sole landed on solid ground, just as expected.

Winnie's smile widened. She stopped pacing slowly and pulled Imoxiu upward.

Step by step, they climbed dozens of meters above the earth.

Overlooking the canyon, Winnie slowly raised her hand.

"Planetary Devastation..."

A small black orb formed in her palm, then floated upward lazily.

As it rose, weeds lifted from the canyon floor. The earth trembled, cracked, shattered...

Warhorses whinnied in terror. Rebels shuddered at the sudden omen.

Gradually, the sky darkened.

They looked up—clumps of earth flipped skyward, defying nature, not a speck falling.

Beneath it, two girls gazed down.

*Clang!* The first rebel dropped his weapon, screaming about escape.

A hidden enforcer executed him instantly—a warning.

But it did nothing. After brief silence, panic surged louder.

The gathering boulder hung like a blade over their necks, promising to crush them all to dust.

Small at first, ignored. Now huge, it blotted out the canyon sky.

Impossible to overlook.

The enforcer's actions only deepened the chaos, not calmed it.

Winnie watched the orderly ranks dissolve into infighting and shouts. Her expression said, "Predictable."

She rolled her eyes. "Truly boring ants."

Church knights and soldiers held some order, but others scrambled blindly to flee.

They hadn't realized—trapped in this deep canyon, escape was impossible.

What rabble!

Daring to challenge the Pride Witch... a fool's dream!

Imoxiu stared at the giant rock. "What forbidden art is this?"

"Forbidden art? This is mere magic," Winnie corrected.

"Huh? Magic can cause such spectacle?"

"Exactly this much spectacle. If it were forbidden art, would they be laughing down there?"

The real Planetary Devastation would've sucked them up already—crushed by gravity. No time to ponder escape.

The final blast would leave zero survivors.

"Can Mom use this? I mean the forbidden art, not this magic."

"Obviously. Any forbidden art I know, she knows. Except a few—uniquely mine."

"Why haven't I learned it?" Imoxiu pressed.

"The master opens the door; cultivation is yours. Seek it yourself. Waiting passively teaches nothing. When Mother was my heir, she bombarded me with forbidden art questions daily."

"Do you think she relies on talent alone? She works harder than you imagine. Drop that fake cowardice. Ask her directly why this art exists. She'll gladly enlighten you."

"A threat to her is precisely what she needs."

"I understand."

...

Inside Veronan Castle,

Cecile watched the magical projection of Imoxiu and Winnie. Her lips curled upward uncontrollably.

This eavesdropping felt delicious.

She was intrigued by her teacher's "uniquely mine" forbidden arts.

That old witch had hidden secrets from the original Cecile.

True treasures were never shared—not even with apprentices.

Cecile decided to wring them out and learn them later.

Her gaze shifted to head maid Aileen below.

"You grasped my earlier words, right?"

"With respect, Master, this plan is too risky. Even to establish the Luminous Cathedral swiftly, targeting rebels is unnecessary. Their hatred for you is irreconcilable."

Cecile swirled her wine glass, chuckling. "Hatred isn't growth's only path—but it's the fastest. Turning dark strengthens you threefold; turning pure weakens you sevenfold."

"Besides, I trust True Dawn can control those vengeance-starved holy knights."

If needed, she had Angel's Fallen Feather—that terror beyond human comprehension.

"If you insist, Master..."

"I can afford to gamble, can't I?"