Chapter 26: 26. A Naive Resolution
Early the next morning, the Dragon Witch's luxurious carriage had already arrived at the doorstep on time.
As Dorothy came out of her room, luggage in hand, she immediately saw Youfeiliya sitting on the sofa.
The tall Dragon Witch still exuded a powerful aura, full of oppressive presence.
Although she was a guest, she had taken over the host's role, overwhelming the seated host with her imposing demeanor.
Upon seeing Dorothy emerge with her luggage, a hint of joy flickered in Youfeiliya's eyes; she felt her daughter must have made the right choice.
Meanwhile, Adam's eyes flashed with a hint of sorrow.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately sighed and remained silent.
He had said yesterday that he would support whatever choice his daughter made.
Moreover, having spent so many years together, Adam knew his daughter's personality; she was more like a human than a Witch.
Even if she truly embarked on the path of War in the future, she likely wouldn't become as bloodthirsty and insane as other Witches.
Even if his daughter truly became a Witch in the end, Adam accepted it; his views had changed compared to a decade and a half ago.
At that time, he had even regarded his daughter as a future War criminal, constantly thinking about making this child mend her ways, but now, looking back, it seemed quite ridiculous.
This was his daughter, his bloodline's inheritor; she wasn't the crystallization of his sins, but the continuation of his life, a salvation bestowed by heaven, and an independent person.
What right did he have to forcefully impose his will on this child?
His hatred for War was his own affair; whether the child liked it or not should be decided by the child herself.
In this Witch-dominated world, he, a person with ideals but no power to change, was the true patient.
Why should he make his daughter the same kind of patient?
Forcibly making a carnivorous beast eat vegetarian food, under the guise of 'for your own good,' was the real sin.
Even if Adam still firmly believed that he wasn't wrong, but rather this cruel world, and that virtues like kindness, justice, and compassion should be upheld and promoted, and that barbaric aggression and slaughter should never be taken for granted for any reason.
But unlike before, he no longer demanded that Dorothy also adhere to his own beliefs.
As long as his daughter could live happily every day in the future, that was enough; as a father, he no longer wished for anything more.
"Merciful Lord, if there truly is retribution for good and evil in this world, then should Dorothy one day follow her mother's path, I beg you to attribute her sins to me."
For the first time, this man, who had sought truth his entire life, prayed to the elusive divine, wishing his daughter a life of peace and happiness.
However, when Youfeiliya stood up and approached her daughter, intending to take the luggage from her hand and bring her home, she found that her daughter's grip on the suitcase had not loosened.
The Dragon Witch was somewhat puzzled.
She looked intently at the young Witch before her, awaiting her answer.
"Mother, I thought carefully last night and have understood.
I want to be the master of my own life.
If you can approve of me, I hope you will witness my life."
Although the misunderstanding between mother and daughter had been resolved, strictly speaking, it was only their third meeting.
Dorothy ultimately couldn't easily call her 'Mom.'
She had to compromise by using the more formal 'Mother,' and expressed her resolve.
She was almost an adult; only children make binary choices.
As an adult Witch, she chose three: she wanted everything, and yet nothing at all.
"I don't want to simply follow you back and live the life you've planned and arranged for me under your protection.
This isn't because of my father's influence; it's purely a choice made by my own will.
I want to live my own life."
"Next, I'm going to attend the Witch Academy.
After graduation, I might seek out a few like-minded companions to go on adventures and establish my own witch Territory.
Although you might find Father's ideas naive, laughable, or even cowardly, I actually agree with some of his views.
This world shouldn't just be about the oppressor and the oppressed.
In the future, I want to establish a special witch Territory.
I want all my companions and my subjects to live happily and joyfully."
"Mother, there are always some beautiful things in this world that shouldn't be forgotten or even scorned, and not everything popular is necessarily correct.
I want to try to do some things within my power.
I hope you can forgive my willfulness."
Dorothy mustered her courage, stared into the majestic Dragon Witch's eyes, and earnestly expressed her thoughts.
Then she bowed, requesting and anticipating understanding and respect from this relative connected by blood.
On the other side, Youfeiliya also looked intently at her stubborn daughter.
In the young Witch's eyes, flames seemed to burn—the light of a person with ideals, beautiful and pure.
Even she, an Apex Witch, couldn't help but be somewhat moved.
But...
"I refuse."
The Dragon Witch coldly uttered these three words.
Uh...
Dorothy looked up in surprise at her mother.
Mother, why aren't you following the script?
Normally, shouldn't this be a touching, tear-jerking scene of motherly love and filial piety?
You really are just like Father said, you don't understand human hearts at all.
Rejected, she also became a little angry.
She didn't care whether she was supported or not; she had already decided on her path.
Since the planned happy shut-in life had been broken and she couldn't stay at home anymore, she had to find something to do.
It was a rare Transmigration; it was time to do something she truly wanted to do.
Anyway, going back with you to inherit billions of assets is impossible, absolutely impossible.
The Dragon Kingdom is full of War maniacs; the air there is permeated with the smell of muscle and sweat.
I simply don't fit in there.
If I go back, you'll probably drag me to the battlefield for grueling training until I'm half-dead.
I'm really not good at fighting.
With this thought, she quietly stepped back, moving a little further from the tall Dragon Witch in front of her, and then looked at her somewhat warily, afraid that the other party, angered by her, would directly resort to force and tie her up.
Although it was pointless, the entire family combined probably couldn't withstand one of Youfeiliya's hands.
After all, the combat power of Dorothy and Alice, these two Little Witches, was negligible, let's not even mention it.
Although her father was a high-level mage, he was essentially a theoretical king focused on Research.
Humanity's pathetic attribute panel dragged down his strength.
Her stepmother, Anne, was a genuine Great Witch.
Even though she now worked as a Research Witch, she was actually a retired War veteran, having transitioned from combat to Research.
So, despite her short stature and harmless appearance, her true combat power was astonishing.
Even the Sea Moon Witch, the lord of Haiyue City, might not be able to defeat this good friend.
But alas, her biological mother on the other side was an Apex Witch, and moreover, the Dragon Witch, widely recognized as the strongest in her tier.
Her stepmother's abilities might not last three moves in her hands before collapsing.
Fortunately, Youfeiliya still seemed quite calm and showed no intention of acting unreasonably, so Dorothy bravely and cautiously asked:
"Why not?"
"You are too weak, my daughter.
In this world, no one will listen to your reasoning without strength.
You must first learn to subdue others with force.
If you want my support to venture out alone after graduation, then first let me acknowledge your strength."
Youfeiliya still maintained a stern face and spoke very bluntly.
Although these words came from an Apex Witch, and her own mother, Dorothy found them grating and annoying.
She now understood why the Dragon Kingdom had always had such a bad reputation; besides their genuine fighting prowess, their blunt, simple-minded personality was probably a major reason.
They offended people the moment they opened their mouths.
"Then how can you acknowledge my strength?
You're not going to make me become an Apex Witch before you acknowledge me, are you?"
Dorothy frowned slightly and asked.
"That's not necessary.
You just need to defeat her.
She is my disciple and your peer.
As long as you can defeat her before graduating from the Academy, your strength will be roughly up to par, and I will permit you to go out and make your own way.
Otherwise, you'll still come back with me for training; it's fine to go out a few years later when your strength meets the requirements."
The Dragon Witch pointed to her attendant beside her and said.
Dorothy followed her mother's finger and was surprised to see that familiar pure white.
"It's you?"