The carriage rolled toward the Empire of Enpearl, silence thick among the three inside.

Only minutes had passed, yet Tia already regretted her decision.

Sitting before the Calamity Witch felt like a rabbit before a lion—any slip, and she’d be pounced on, devoured whole.

The pressure mounted…

This sudden move by the Calamity Witch had to be a scheme… She shouldn’t have accepted that so-called “surrender” and brought her to the Empire of Enpearl…

Wait! The Empire of Enpearl?

Was the Calamity Witch planning to sneak in this way and destroy the entire nation?

Tia’s pupils widened; her breath grew ragged.

In her mind, the scene unfolded:

The prosperous Empire of Enpearl shattered by magic, turned into a hellscape. Merchants and nobles hung from lampposts. Commoners lost homes. Beautiful maidens and wives, lured by the Calamity Witch, kneeling at her hem…

And Tia had to admit—the power she’d sensed from the witch earlier was more than enough to make it happen.

“Even I might not…” Tia clutched her chest, her gaze at Xia Xin now edged with panic. A flush of anger spread across her cheeks.

So this was her goal! The Calamity Witch meant to defile her body, reduce her to a base creature craving only lust…

Impossible! She was the Holy Knight Commander. She’d never let things spiral that far. Even if they did… she’d never submit to the Calamity Witch!

She was a proud, pure Holy Knight! She’d never yield!

Even if the Calamity Witch was undeniably beautiful…

Breathe… Stay calm. If she lost her head, all was lost.

Tia took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax.

She was Commander Tia of the Holy Knights. This was nothing!

After looking away for a while, she finally calmed down.

Such strange thoughts… It had to be the Calamity Witch’s doing! Her evil magic was seeping in unnoticed!

(・‘ヘ´・;)ゞ

Damn that Calamity Witch!

As for the other spy sent by the Demonfolk?

The Calamity Witch was the real threat now. That one didn’t matter.

Just toss her in a cell later.

…………

Xia Xin felt tense and awkward.

Why did the Holy Knight Commander keep staring?

Sure, the title “Calamity Witch” meant extreme danger.

But her hands and feet were bound—she couldn’t do a thing. Did she really need this much guarding?

Or…

“Gulp…” Xia Xin glanced away slightly.

Right. Only one possibility.

This sadistic Holy Knight Commander was plotting how to “discipline” her! Tie her up, lock her in a dark basement, subject her to slow torture!

Still… no death sentence meant she’d survive.

No life threat? Nothing to fear.

Just lie back and enjoy it!

More pressing—she was bored out of her mind.

Bound limbs made even sitting uncomfortable.

Her body… felt oddly restless.

Could it be—

“How much longer till we arrive?” Xia Xin blurted out.

“Huh!” Tia snapped to attention.

Was the Calamity Witch moving already?

Tch… But what was her play?

“About five or six hours,” Tia replied, eyes locked on her.

“I see…” Under that stare, Xia Xin stammered, “I have a small request… uh… due to bodily needs, I urgently need to… ahem, relieve myself.”

“Hah?” Tia frowned, utterly lost.

“She just needs to answer nature’s call~” Xila chimed in with a sly grin. “But Miss Witch, you’re a high-risk prisoner. Forget it. Stay put.”

She seemed delighted by Xia Xin’s plight.

“I see…” Tia nodded thoughtfully, then shouted to the Holy Knight driving ahead, “Stop first!”

“Yes, Commander Tia!”

The carriage halted. Tia unchained Xia Xin and opened the door. “Even as the Calamity Witch, basic needs are met. But… hurry up!”

She couldn’t let her do it in the carriage.

Xia Xin teared up.

She’d thought Tia was just a sadistic weirdo—turns out she was the most normal human she’d ever met!

Tia then pulled her out, scanned the area, and headed for a nearby thicket.

Huh? That spot looked… off.

Xia Xin shot Tia a puzzled look.

Why are you following me?!

“…” Tia sighed. “Calamity Witch, I won’t let you roam free. No chance for schemes. Move faster!”

“So you’ll watch me like this?”

“Hmph! So what!” Tia huffed. “We’re both women. It’s… it’s fine!”

Her words were brave, but her cheeks burned crimson… Staring while someone did something so private—and at such a cute girl…

No! Cute? She was the Calamity Witch!

Why was she thinking this? Damn her evil magic—it was seeping deeper.

It’s fine… Her will could hold. It had to…

Once in the Empire of Enpearl, the Holy Maiden would purify her, washing away the witch’s influence.

With the Holy Maiden’s sacred magic, the Calamity Witch would be contained!

So once they reached the Empire of Enpearl, no scheme would succeed!

That place… Just get there!

“Ah!” Suddenly, Tia saw the unexpected.

The Calamity Witch had actually lifted her skirt, revealing pale skin.

She… she was openly tempting her with her body!

Tia instinctively covered her eyes. This was too much for her.

Peeking through her fingers, she made sure the witch wasn’t scheming.

All the while, she silently recited the Holy Knight’s code in her head.

So… so lewd…