"Apologies, Commander Tia!"

In the Holy Knights' temporary camp, a Holy Knight knelt on one knee, head bowed as he reported, "The target has vanished. That one... the Calamity Witch has mastered the legendary forbidden Spatial Magic."

"What? Spatial Magic!"

"Isn't that a Forbidden Spell only high-ranking Demonfolk can access?"

"Could it be the Calamity Witch..."

Other Holy Knights began murmuring. Just then, a woman ahead frowned and shouted, "Silence, all of you!"

Her voice cut like a royal decree; every Holy Knight fell quiet.

"Yes, Commander Tia!"

This was the acclaimed Holy Knight Commander, Tia. Yet she looked barely twenty—fiery red hair, rare crimson eyes, a mature aura. Her expression stayed stern and composed, gaze icy as frost. Her armor was lighter than others', fully covering her body but seeming low on defense.

"The Calamity Witch has appeared; we must capture her. What’s this flustered state?" Commander Tia snapped. "Facing her demands full readiness—even self-sacrifice!"

"I know this mission targets the legendary Calamity Witch. Contact with her brings lifelong ruin... But our sacrifices pave the way to victory. To shield innocents from her plague, to keep pain and death at bay! As long as we march forward, the path extends!"

"But... Commander Tia..." a rookie Holy Knight said timidly, "Can we truly handle the legendary Calamity Witch..."

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle this personally," Tia declared, fist clenched. "To capture the fugitive Calamity Witch, I’ll pay any price for a bright future for this World!"

"Commander Tia..."

The Holy Knights gazed at her righteous figure, emotions tangled yet moved. Several female knights teared up. Tears welled in their eyes!

"Commander..."

"For the glory of the Holy Light! We’ll defeat the Calamity Witch!"

"Ready to die for the cause!"

Watching their fervor, Tia felt differently.

Ugh... so annoying. Is this the elite Holy Knights? Why must I pep-talk them like kids before every mission? Such hassle... And weak. Can’t even solo-kill the northern dragon or crush Abyss monsters. Pathetic.

"Ahem. I’ll handle this operation alone."

"Huh?"

"B-but that’s the Calamity Witch! Even you, Commander Tia—"

Tia flashed a reassuring smile. "Trust my strength. A mere Calamity Witch? I’ll capture her solo."

Better alone than dragged down by emotional rookies. How to catch her with these insects around?

"G-gulp... Commander Tia, safe travels!"

"Commander Tia, we await your return!"

"Commander Tia, when you triumph, let’s marry back home!... Ow! Stop hitting me!"

As chaos erupted again, a shout came from outside.

"Commander, the horse is ready!"

"Good." Tia strode out immediately.

A sneaky white figure caught her eye. It was chatting with a Holy Knight. Tia approached. "What’s happening here?"

"Commander Tia," the knight stammered, "This... uh, person asked about national laws, especially... the death penalty."

"The death penalty..." Tia explained. "Since the new king’s reign, it’s abolished. Even the vilest criminal gets a fair trial."

"Eh~ sounds decent."

"So... who are you? Why here?" Tia fixed a stern gaze on the white figure.

"Well... ahem, I came to surrender—no, to join the Holy Light!" Xia Xin raised both hands, snapping a crisp French military salute. "My identity? I’m the Calamity Witch."

"Huh?"

"C-calamity Witch?"

"That face... it’s really her!"

"Run! No—wait! We’re Holy Knights! Charge! Eliminate her!"

"Stop!" Tia’s roar silenced them. A spear materialized in her hand as she faced Xia Xin. "Calamity Witch. Why are you here?"

"I said—I’m surrendering!" Xia Xin kept hands up, rushing on. "I bring vital intel on the Demonfolk... and the Demon King."

"Any sane person knows you’re treacherous," Tia tightened her grip on the spear, eyes locked on Xia Xin’s. "Why trust you?"

"Look!" Xia Xin pulled out a magic scroll. "In Nobles Town’s bakery, a silver-haired little loli is a Demonfolk informant—possibly the next Demon King! Utterly heinous. Capture her!"

"Who’s more heinous than you..." Tia muttered, then ordered nearby knights, "You few, investigate that bakery."

"But... Commander Tia, trusting the Calamity Witch? What if it’s a trap—"

"Better to risk error than miss a threat. Demonfolk and the Calamity Witch are enemies... In these dangerous times, a spy could doom us." Tia’s tone turned grave. "I’ll handle her. No one else can contain her."

"Understood, Commander Tia!" The knight nodded.

Eh~ easier than expected. Hehe, time to drag Xila down with me.

"Don’t worry, I’m loyal! I won’t do anything," Xia Xin pleaded. "No need for her—anyone else is fine... ah!"

A chain snapped around Xia Xin’s wrists. Tia’s hand pinned her down. "Calamity Witch, you’re under arrest. Await justice’s judgment."