After repelling the monster invasion, sealing the rift that devoured everything, and halting the terrifying black tide that had surged forth, the people officially recorded that history, dubbing it the “Witch’s Campaign,” in memory of the light that followed the darkness.
And even now, twenty years later, the nameless witch still led the residents of this small town to fight back the storms together.
Walpurgis Night was the grandest festival of the entire year in Huyili.
Every corner of Huyili stayed awake all night long.
During the day, the streets were filled with temporary stalls and stages. Merchants flocked from all directions, hawking rare trinkets not seen on ordinary days.
Delicate handmade accessories, tempting grilled meat, exquisite metal crafts, and even silk and spices transported from distant lands.
Children wove through the crowds, playing and laughing, clutching cotton candy or candy apples, their faces painted in colorful designs.
Some dressed as little witches, some as little knights, and some as the legendary abyssal beast that had been defeated—though the thing was now painted into something of a mess, the children still had a blast.
And when night fell, the true highlight of the festival began.
In Huyili’s central plaza, a massive bonfire was lit.
The flames reflected on every face, warm and bright.
Musicians played cheerful tunes as people held hands and danced in circles, skirts flying, laughter ringing out.
People of different races, ages, and statuses, at this moment, were simply people enjoying the festival.
Merchants also set up night stalls around the plaza, selling food, accessories, and trinkets—everything under the sun.
There were tents set up for games.
Ring toss, archery, riddles. Winners might earn a fuzzy plush toy or a string of glittering beads.
Everywhere you looked, groups of young people with excited blushes chattered about where they wanted to go tonight.
Most shops deliberately extended their business hours on this day, so their hardworking employees could also enjoy the festival.
And this day was also when many couples in ambiguous relationships chose to confess.
It was said that if you confessed successfully by the bonfire on Walpurgis Night, your love would burn like that fire, never dying out for a whole year.
If you succeeded, strangers around you would cheer and applaud, and someone might even buy you a drink.
It was an unwritten tradition in Huyili.
On one side of the plaza, a grand fireworks display was underway, blooming in the night sky, painting the entire city in a riot of colors.
On the other side, human musicians danced the ancient ritual dance, white robes fluttering, pure as if untouched by worldly affairs.
Elves formed a circle, reciting poetry and playing music, singing tales of their journeys.
Because of Huyili’s unique nature, the customs of different races intertwined here, making the festival extraordinarily colorful.
Someone set up a large pot, brewing fragrant mulled wine that passersby could ask for a cup.
The bonfire reddened the night sky, and lanterns dotted the stars.
This was Huyili’s day.
And also—
Feywonder·Witch’s Cottage
The shop was especially lively tonight.
Although the outdoor festivities had just begun, the café was already packed with young customers.
Groups of two or three, couples, friends, and of course, the occasional youth sitting alone in a corner, pretending to read the menu while secretly sneaking glances at a certain maid.
“Table two, two plates of tomato pasta, one black pepper sausage pasta!”
Aivina’s cool, clear voice rang out from the kitchen.
“Got it!”
Leya responded with full energy.
Today she wore a brand-new maid uniform of light black mixed with pink.
The strapless corset design accentuated her slender waist, and the layered ruffled skirt swayed with her movements.
Her brown hair cascaded like a waterfall, tied with a black-and-pink ribbon bow, her cat ears perked playfully at the sides of her head, bobbing lightly.
Her amber eyes were clear and bright, the corners of her mouth lifted in a coy, charming smile.
She wore sheer black stockings and leather shoes, exuding a sweet, soft aura mixed with vigor.
Like a candy freshly unwrapped from its paper, making you want to take a second look.
She took the tray from Aivina.
The tray wasn’t small, bearing two plates of pasta steadily.
One tomato, red and tempting; one black pepper sausage, fragrant.
But she held it with one hand without any effort, her steps light as a fawn.
“Coming through~ Make way, make way~”
She wove past a few customers and arrived at a table by the window.
A very young couple sat there, heads together, whispering and laughing.
Whenever the boy laughed, he would lightly touch the girl’s shoulder, and the girl would be teased into giggles, lowering her head and sneaking smiles.
Leya set down the tray and placed the two plates of pasta before them.
“Dear guests—”
She stepped back, folded her hands in front of her, bent slightly at the waist, then lifted her head, flashing a beaming, energetic smile.
“Please enjoy~”
With that, she straightened up, winked her left eye playfully, and turned away.
This little interlude carried the unique charm of a young girl, fully unleashing the essence of the energetic little maid attribute.
Behind her, the young couple stared at her retreating figure for half a second, then turned to look at each other.
“This attribute is absolutely insane!” the boy exclaimed excitedly.
“Right? Right!” the girl giggled, covering her mouth. “Super cute!”
“I-I’m just excited! You know, excitement!” the boy flushed, flailing his hands defensively. “It’s like… seeing an amazing performance!”
“Ohh~”
The girl deliberately drew out the tone, forked a mouthful of pasta, and mumbled indistinctly, “So that means you like her~”
“I do not!”
“You totally do~”
They bickered, but the laughter in their eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Meanwhile, Leya had already bounced back to the counter, completely unaware of the little “storm” she’d just sparked.
“Table two done~!”
Aivina was still bent over, her hands never stopping.
Brewing tea, pouring milk, adding sugar, stirring—the whole sequence was fluid and smooth.
She looked up at Leya, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
“Good work.”
“Hehe~”
Leya wagged her tail happily.
“Sister Lilian is a genius! Not only did she design new maid uniforms for us, but she also came up with this ‘attribute maid’ concept! Look at me now—I’m the vibrant, energetic Maid Leya-sama!”
She spun around, her skirt flying, nearly brushing a passing customer.
Aivina reached out and steadied her by the shoulder.
“Looking good,” she said flatly, then added, “Stop spinning. You might bump into someone.”
“I won’t~”
Leya said that, but she obediently stood still.
She looked down, tugged at her skirt, then touched the bow in her hair, her face full of barely concealed pride.
Just then—
“Wah~!”
A pink figure suddenly bounced out of the kitchen.
“Leya baby~ Aivina baby~ Did you miss me~?”
Yilena stood behind the counter, wearing a pink-and-white maid uniform.
Her layered ruffled skirt resembled a blooming pink camellia.
A red bow adorned her collar, puffy like a strawberry.
White knee-high stockings wrapped her slender calves, and she wore round-toed black leather shoes.
The sweet outfit, combined with her fairy-like face, was surprisingly harmonious.
Not as childish as a maiden, but exuding a mature, languid charm that was hard to look away from.
“Wow—!”
Leya’s eyes went wide instantly.
“Lady Witch looks amazing!”
Then her expression shifted to shock.
“Wait—Lady Witch is actually serving guests herself? Don’t you never work?!”
“Eh~”
Yilena tilted her head, putting on a hurt expression.
“What do you mean ‘never work’~? I work hard too, you know~”
“The last time I caught you eating cake in the kitchen.”
“That was taste-testing! Ensuring quality, understand!”
“But the time before that, you fell asleep behind the counter, drooling all over the ledger.”
“Th-That was meditating with my eyes closed!”
“And the time before that—”
“Alright, alright~”
Yilena quickly interrupted, but her smile never wavered.
“I just take a little break now and then~ Today’s a festival! I have to work with everyone during a festival~”
She spun around, her skirt swaying lightly, her pink hair tracing an elegant arc in the air.
“And Lilian specially designed this outfit~ Pretty, right?”
“Pretty, pretty!”
Leya nodded frantically, her tail wagging like crazy.
“Lady Witch looks good in anything!”
“Sweet talker~”
Yilena reached out and pinched Leya’s cheek, then looked past her at the quiet figure behind the counter.
“And besides…”
Her voice suddenly lowered, speaking softly so only they could hear.
“Aren’t there lots of pretty ladies coming to the shop during the festival~?”
Her large blue eyes narrowed slightly, a sly grin appearing on her face.
“I really want to… say hello to them~”
Leya’s smile froze for a second.
“Ha, haha…”
She chuckled dryly, scratching the back of her head.
So Lady Witch, that fickle playboy, just wanted an excuse to flirt with the customers.
Yilena completely missed—or simply didn’t care about—her inner monologue.
“By the way~”
She suddenly turned back to Leya.
“Little Leya~”
“Hmm?”
“You’re free now, right?”
Leya thought for a moment and shook her head.
“Good~”
Yilena nodded in satisfaction, her smile suddenly turning meaningful.
“Go check on Little Yiruo~ I’ve been calling her for a while, and she still hasn’t come out~”
“She’s so cute, too~”
Leya grew curious.
What was Little Yiruo dawdling about?
She nodded and turned toward the stairs.
Behind her, Yilena had already straightened her collar and walked with light steps toward a young woman sitting alone in the corner.
“Hi~ Are you all by yourself, pretty miss? Need me to recommend our shop’s signature dessert~?”
The woman looked up, met that fairy-like face, and instantly blushed, unable to speak for a moment.
Meanwhile, Leya had already climbed the stairs, leaving it all behind.
The second floor.
Behind that large door, it was so quiet you could hear the girl’s soft breathing.
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