Three days had passed, and both the witches in the dungeon who had been waiting for rescue, and the outside contacts who had been waiting for news of the witches, were getting anxious.
Esili finally couldn't bear it any longer and inquired about the outside situation from the seemingly harmless blond youth, Pike.
Pike had only been providing food these days and never spoke, which seemed to have worked.
The witches were no longer as wary of him, and his habit of staring at Esili for a while each time had successfully caused misunderstandings among them.
Esili was indeed very beautiful, with long dark green hair and charming eyes.
Although not as stunning as Dorothy, she was still considered outstanding among the many beautiful witches. If according to Li En's scoring system, she could at least get points, especially with her pair of absolutely perfect legs and exquisite, round, and full jade feet.
Esili didn't like wearing shoes and always went barefoot. She wasn't afraid of the cold and liked to truly feel the earth with her skin, which made her feel at ease.
"Hey, young man."
Esili looked at Pike outside the iron gate and asked,
"Why hasn't anyone come to interrogate us? Where did Li En Moria go?"
Pike's cheeks turned slightly red, and he almost dropped the bread in nervousness. He shook his head and quickly lowered his head.
This action of his was just like a pure boy seeing someone he liked.
The real reason for Pike's blushing was actually thinking about the rhetoric his elder brother taught him, which made him extremely nervous and unsure of how to speak.
The simple-minded witches exchanged glances, believing that Pike must like Esili, and encouraged their captain, Esili, to continue to get information from Pike.
Esili couldn't help but feel nervous. Although she was the oldest of the expedition witches, she was only 16 years old and had no experience in this area.
She took a deep breath and decided to sacrifice her beauty if necessary, after all, it was for her companions.
They couldn't be kept locked up like this and had to find a way out.
At least they had to find a way to contact the outside support.
"I know you're not a mute, you must know me."
Esili reached out and grabbed Pike's hand.
Pike was so nervous that he dropped the bread basket on the ground. He quickly withdrew his hand and ran away in a hurry.
This scene stunned all the witches.
Especially Esili, who had taken the initiative, stood there in a daze, at a loss.
Pike excitedly brought this news to Li En.
"Brother, the witches, as expected, have started asking about the outside situation!"
"Oh, and then?"
"Then I came out to tell you the good news."
Li En narrowed his eyes, looking at Pike's flushed cheeks.
"You wouldn't have been so nervous that you didn't say anything and ran away, would you?"
Pike scratched his head a little embarrassedly, not expecting that Li En had seen through him.
"I really don't know how to say those words."
Nina Owen glared at him, as if saying he was useless.
"Sigh."
Li En sighed and decided to demonstrate for his younger brother.
But he certainly couldn't show his own face to the witches, as it would make them wary and cause the plan to fail.
He put on the shapeshifting cloak and transformed into Pike's appearance.
Pike was stunned in place, looking at his brother who had turned into himself, his heart filled with admiration.
"How, how did you do that?"
"It's a kind of transformation tool, let's go, follow along and learn."
Li En decided to cultivate his younger brother's acting talent, so that one day in the future he wouldn't be helpless when facing the same environment of having three wives and four concubines as himself.
After all, as a man of the Moria family, if he couldn't lie, his future would be worrying.
At this time, in the dungeon.
Esili looked at her companions in frustration.
"It seems we were all wrong, he doesn't like me."
"Sister Esili, could it be because he's too nervous?"
"If he's not interested in you, let me try."
The gourmet witch, Milia, said seriously. She actually had a good impression of Pike, because Pike always brought her more bread.
To some extent, this should also be considered "favoritism"?
When "Pike" came in again, the witches all looked at him in unison.
Milia mustered up her courage and asked,
"What's your name? Young man."
But "Pike" didn't look at the foodie Milia, but stared intently at Esili.
He took out a pocket watch from his pocket and handed it to Esili without saying a word.
The real Pike was quietly hiding in the crack of the door, watching Li En's sly moves.
Li En handed the pocket watch to Esili.
Esili opened the pocket watch in confusion, and inside was actually a sketch portrait of Esili.
The drawing was exquisite and could almost be called a photograph.
"Do you really know me?"
Esili knew her question was stupid. She was a witch sent on an expedition, and most people should know her.
But this young man had actually drawn such a detailed portrait of himself and carried it with him, this kind of knowledge must be different from other people's knowledge.
"Of course I know you, I not only know you, but also know everything about you, but you, cruelly, have forgotten me."
Li En's eyes were filled with unwillingness, anger, sadness, and melancholy. To perfectly blend these emotions, one must read the complete book of an actor's self-cultivation, or have a cheat-like skill.
Li En happened to be the latter. He was someone who could even deceive evil gods, let alone a small witch.
Esili was frightened by this sudden scene. How could she have cruelly forgotten him?
The other witches also pricked up their ears, they felt that Esili and the young man in front of them seemed to have a story.
Esili also knew about her amnesia. People who were resurrected didn't remember their past memories, only what Randall told them.
And Randall's narration was very vague. Even if Esili tried hard to recall, she couldn't remember who Pike was.
Li En was using this point to fabricate the following lies.
"Who exactly are you?"
Esili asked.
"I am your fiancé."
Li En said without blushing or skipping a beat.
Pike, hiding at the door, felt his heart was about to jump out of his throat.
This was also the reason why he didn't dare to speak. Deceiving a witch and saying he was the witch's fiancé, ordinary people absolutely couldn't do this kind of operation.
Esili was stunned, and her expression instantly turned cold.
"Witches can't have fiancés."
"Yes. How can witches have fiancés? You liar."
Milia also scolded, mainly because she felt a little jealous in her heart.
The other witches became vigilant again.
"What is he saying?"
"He said he's Esili's fiancé, how is that possible!"
"Yes, how can Esili have a fiancé?"
"Wait, have you forgotten the newspaper on the ship? The newspaper said that witches can get married."
The witches whispered to each other. The imperial fleet was equipped with newspapers and magazines, which were used for the crew to pass the time.
The witches also learned about the amendment to the Witch Covenant from the newspapers. After their amnesia, they supplemented a lot of their knowledge through other companions of the Guardian Bureau and these publications.
"The Witch Covenant has been amended, witches can get married. We met on the second day after the Witch Covenant was amended. Have you forgotten the scene when we met?"
Li En began to tell the story, recounting a romantic scene of a witch encountering a noble young master, which made the witches both surprised and yearning.
"I fell in love with you at first sight, and then launched a crazy pursuit—
"Our second meeting was at the Pallus Tavern."
"The third time, I brought you back to my manor, I drew a portrait of you, you have the most perfect body I have ever seen."
The following words made Esili blush a little.
Because Li En said all the characteristics of her body, even including the mole on her chest.
"Although we haven't known each other for long, I know all your hobbies. Your favorite color is green, your favorite food is apple pie, your favorite flower is the iris, and you usually like to go barefoot——-"
Although she had no memory, Esili, whose personality and hobbies had not changed, was convinced that the man in front of her knew her very well.
The other witches also completely believed Li En's words.
"Wait, Sister Esili, you went to bed after only meeting three times!"
The witches were greatly shocked, they had no love experience at all.
Esili shook her head, her cheeks flushed, "I——-"
She had no impression, but she couldn't see any traces of Li En lying.
What would happen if she fell in love?
The life of a witch was short, and if she fell in love, she would definitely burn herself like a moth to a flame, as he said.
She would be willing to do whatever the other party asked her to do, right?
"I haven't forgotten, I just don't want to involve you."
Esili had completely forgotten what Li En said, even if he said it so sincerely.
To Esili, the man in front of her was a stranger.
But she undoubtedly believed Li En, just wanting to use him to escape danger.
"I know, you must not want to involve me, that's why you're pretending not to know me, Esili, as long as you don't push me away, I'm willing to do anything for you."
Li En confidently took Esili's hand.
Esili felt a little guilty, but she had to use the man in front of her, she had no other choice.
"I'm sorry, we-we offended some big shot, so we were locked up, I don't want you to get involved, can you tell us that we are imprisoned here, to—"
Esili's voice became smaller and smaller, almost whispering in Li En's ear.
Unexpectedly, Esili said it was Archbishop Damir.
As his and Dorothy's teacher, although Li En hadn't been in contact with Archbishop Damir for a long time, he knew Damir well enough.
He knew that Esili's internal contact couldn't be Archbishop Damir.
So saying this was just Esili's test.
She was simple, but not stupid.
"Why do you have to find someone else, I can also help you, I can enter the underground prison, I am a member of the Moria family, I can go and help you steal the key."
Li En looked sincere.
Blond hair and blue eyes had already betrayed his identity, so he didn't need to hide Pike's identity as a descendant of Moria, but honesty could win the witch's trust more.
"You? Go steal the key?"
"Yes, you are locked up by my brother Li En Moria, the key is on him, I can help you steal the key."
Seeing the young man say this, all the witches became excited, and pairs of eyes shone with hope.
"You are Li En Moria's younger brother?"
Esili asked in surprise.
Li En nodded, "Yes, I am his younger brother."
"You-are you really willing to do this for me?"
"Of course, as long as you are willing to marry me."
Li En stared at Esili without blinking, his eyes burning with sincerity and heat.
Esili's cheeks were flushed.
"If you let us go, you may suffer severe punishment, aren't you afraid?"
"I'm not afraid."
Esili's younger sisters, those innocent witches, were moved by the affectionate "Pike" and were moved for Esili.
"I'll go right away."
Li En turned around and prepared to leave.
Esili reached out and grabbed the corner of his clothes, "Wait."
She couldn't get over the hurdle of her conscience after all, and didn't want to involve the innocent Pike.
Although he was Li En Moria's younger brother.
But he was so sincere to himself.
It was already wrong to involve him, if he was made the culprit who let himself go, maybe he would really be sent to the Supreme Tribunal and sentenced to death.
Although Esili didn't remember the bits and pieces between herself and Pike, she instinctively felt that Pike was a good person and shouldn't have such an ending.
She also knew that assassinating Li En Moria was a serious crime.
"Don't go."
Li En's mouth twitched slightly when he heard Esili's words.
It's working, is she hooked?
It seems that Pike's harmless face is not useless.
"Don't get involved, just help me bring a message, someone will come to save us, just pretend you don't know anything."
"Esili, why?"
Li En turned around and looked at Esili.
Esili lowered her head, "I don't want anything to happen to you."
In the end, the essence of a witch is still kindness.
Li En sighed in his heart.
"Okay. I'll go find Archbishop Damir right away."
"Not to find Archbishop Damir."
Esili's voice was even smaller, "It's the High Priest Uller."
It turned out to be the High Priest Uller, the deputy who had been staying with Archbishop Damir.
"Okay, I'll go find him right away."
Li En's words were the truth. Witches couldn't be interrogated through hypnosis and torture, but normal people were different.
Find the key figure, High Priest Uller, wouldn't everyone else be asked?
These days, Pike didn't give them food for nothing after all.
"Be careful."
Esili finally instructed.
Li En nodded and left the cell.
Pushing open the cell door, he knocked the real Pike away.
Pike fell to the ground, covering his aching forehead, "Brother."
"Shh."
Li En closed the cell door and walked away with Pike.
Parker looked at Li En with admiration, but unfortunately, Li En was not in the mood to exchange tips on deceiving witches with him. He took Parker and found High Priest Uller in the base's church.
High Priest Uller was unaware of the impending disaster and was still trying to get Archbishop Damir to ask about the whereabouts of the witches.
Archbishop Damir was only focused on teaching and didn't care about the witches' disappearance, assuming they had been sent out on secret missions.
In fact, most people thought so.
Only High Priest Uller was waiting for the witches to come to him. Randall's order to him was to cooperate with the witches, no matter what they wanted to do.
Uller guessed that what the witches were going to do might be related to Li En, perhaps to assassinate Li En.
Although Randall didn't say it explicitly, he had hinted at it.
Now that Li En was alive and kicking, but the witches were gone, they were likely captured.
He wondered how Li En had managed to do it, considering they were ten terrifying witches.
How could he have captured them all in one fell swoop?
High Priest Uller also hoped that he was wrong and that the witches had really gone to carry out a mission.
"Teacher Damir."
Li En politely greeted Archbishop Damir.
Parker also bowed in greeting.
Archbishop Damir's eyes were full of appreciation. "Li En, you're here. Would you like to pray with me?"
"Sorry, teacher, I'm here to see High Priest Uller today. I have some questions for him," Li En said.
High Priest Uller was slightly stunned. He looked at Li En suspiciously.
Even if the witches were captured, they wouldn't expose themselves.
He believed in the witches' character.
So, what did Li En want from him?
"Oh, you're looking for Uller? Uller, go with Li En," Archbishop Damir said with undisguised disappointment. He had thought Li En wanted extra lessons, but now it seemed clear that wasn't the case.
High Priest Uller nodded slightly and left the church with Li En and Parker.
"I wonder what brings Lord Li En to me?" Uller asked as they walked.
"High Priest Uller, it's actually about High Priestess Fia. I heard that you were both students of High Priest Karl," Li En said casually.
"That's right. Fia's departure is a great pity. Her leaving the Holy See is a loss for the Holy See," Uller said perfunctorily.
"High Priestess Fia is also a friend of mine. She once asked me to give you a letter, but I was too busy and kept forgetting. Today, my maid found it while tidying my clothes. It was my negligence. The letter is three months old, and I only remembered to give it to you now."
"A letter? A letter from High Priestess Fia to me?" Uller was somewhat flattered.
"Yes, come with me. The letter was washed by the maid and is now being dried. I hope you can still read the contents."
Li En looked apologetic.
Parker didn't dare to speak, afraid of scaring Uller away, and just listened to Li En chatting with Uller.
Li En was a social butterfly who could find common ground with anyone, mainly because he could see their entries and know their preferences, making it easy to start a conversation.
For example, Uller had a crush on Fia.
Unfortunately, Fia was completely indifferent to him, making him waste three years pursuing her.
He was not a [Revenant], but he was indeed loyal to Randall, impressed by Randall's personal charm.
There were many people in the Holy See like High Priest Uller, who were loyal to Randall.
This was like every emperor having loyal subordinates.
Even without supernatural constraints, they would fulfill their duties.
Uller was taken to Li En's room, and Parker closed the door.
Uller felt a little strange. There was no letter being dried on the fireplace.
"Where is my letter?"
"Sorry, Fia didn't write you a letter," Li En said with a smile and snapped his fingers.
Dorothy slowly walked out from inside, looking at Li En in confusion.
"Lady Dorothy?" Uller was also confused, wondering why Li En was lying to him.
The emotion of anger had just crept into his heart when Uller felt a dizzy spell.
He was knocked unconscious by Parker.
When he woke up again, he saw his most respected Pope.
Pope Randall was facing away from him, asking, "Is everything arranged?"
"Reporting to Your Holiness, everything is arranged."
"Tell me, who are they?"
"Jonas, Calvin, Hugo, Harrison, Titus, Schneider, Willie, Morton, Blake, Fohr, Jenkins, Hugh Payton—"
Uller said the names of 135 people, 90 of whom were from the Holy See itself, and 45 were planted in the Knights and Navy.
Uller was excited, not expecting Randall to patiently listen to him say all the names.
He had always looked forward to having a heart-to-heart talk with Pope Randall.
But when Randall turned around, he was stunned.
Because he saw not Randall, but Li En.
Uller woke up from the horror and saw Li En again, as well as Dorothy, who had just hypnotized him.
Uller thought his nightmare hadn't ended, but reality was even more cruel than the nightmare.
Then, he was locked up, but separately from the witches.
The base built a prison with four floors, one underground and three above ground.
The witches were held on the underground floor, and Uller was held on the third floor.
Immediately afterward, all the members of the Dawn Knights were dispatched and began to arrest those nails planted by Randall in the Allied Forces according to the list.
The Knights, who had been silent for a long time, finally had vitality. Freddie almost thought Li En had forgotten them.
Led by Freddie, they found Jonas, Calvin, Hugo, Harrison, and others in a hurry.
They accidentally stumbled upon the scene of Priest Morton and Knight Blake engaging in in-depth communication.
The young Freddie was greatly shocked, and Parker was also a little surprised.
But this kind of thing was not uncommon in noble circles, and Parker was more accepting than these commoner knights.
Among them, Fohr and Jenkins, two five-star knights from the Pioneer Knights, were personally captured by Li En.
Subsequently, these 135 people were secretly transformed into blood servants and incorporated into the ranks of the Dawn Knights.
The whole process was fast and swift, without trial or conviction, and without public execution.
Before these 135 people could react, they became Li En's loyal servants.
These people were all cannon fodder in Randall's eyes and not worth him using precious divinity to revive, which made it convenient for Li En.
After becoming blood servants, the two five-star knights had abilities comparable to six-star heavy knights, becoming important combat power for the Dawn Knights.
The Dawn Knights were upgraded from 300 to 435 people, taking another step towards becoming a large knight order.
Unfortunately, neither High Priest Uller nor these knights knew about Randall's plundering of special believers' divinity, nor did they know that Randall had instigated the witches to assassinate Li En.
The only possible insider, Uller, only guessed that the witches would be unfavorable to Li En. Randall did not specifically tell him what the witches would do.
Randall was very cautious, knowing that only the witches would not betray him.
