Chapter 834 – Anna and Annie

Chapter 834 – Anna and Annie

“To be honest, senior,” Anna’s tone carried heartfelt gratitude, “if not for your Card Magic, which lets us purchase essential supplies anytime through the Card Shop even while living deep in the Black Forest—and more importantly, those {Blank Cards} that can perfectly store and convert finished fabrics and garments into corresponding {Fabric Cards} and {Clothing Cards}—our Hope Village probably couldn’t have sustained its development to the scale it is today.”

Annie nodded vigorously in agreement. “That’s right! Now the fabrics the girls weave and the clothes they make can be directly sealed with {Blank Cards} and listed for sale in the Card Shop, steadily exchanging them for food, tools, and other necessities. They can finally live with dignity through the work of their own hands! Watching them thrive more and more each day brings more happiness than any revenge ever could.”

Mo Lan gazed upon this land of hope that had stubbornly grown from a place of despair. She watched those girls whose faces bore the fatigue of labor, yet whose eyes were filled with peace and brightness, and felt deep admiration for everything Anna and Annie had accomplished.

Witches were generally willing to lend a hand to the weak—but only on the premise that it didn’t interfere with their own cultivation and daily lives.

But to treat helping others as a long-term, selfless calling, devoting themselves entirely to it and even finding joy in it the way Anna and Annie did—that was exceedingly rare.

It required not just kindness, but enormous courage, perseverance, and a spirit of sacrifice.

Even though the rescued girls could now support themselves through their own labor, Anna and Annie still had to continuously pour immeasurable time and energy into the village’s security, operations, and future.

The adult women who had experienced the cruelty of the outside world and understood how hard-won stability truly was—they might be content with the status quo, cherishing this sanctuary beyond measure.

But what about the children who grew up here?

As they gradually matured and grew curious about the outside world, as the blood of youth surged with the desire to explore and seek adventure—would they really be willing to stay forever in this perpetually dim, monotonous, and nearly isolated little village?

If those who left carried word of the village with them, this hidden paradise could very well be disturbed by the outside world’s curiosity or malice.

Mo Lan raised this concern directly, along with her questions about the children’s futures.

“We’ve thought about this too, and we’ve been preparing all along,” Anna replied steadily. They already had a well-developed plan for this.

“Annie and I are currently studying mage Magic systematically, building up our knowledge and magical abilities. When the children reach the age for aptitude testing, we’ll conduct unified assessments of their magic talent and initial psychic power.”

Annie picked up the thread. “For children with magical aptitude, we’ll do our best to provide them with magical enlightenment and a solid foundation. We’ll also find ways to recommend them and help them sign contracts to become members of the Dawn Society, so they can obtain magical resources on their own.”

“And what about the children without magical aptitude?” Mo Lan pressed.

“Then we’ll teach them practical skills based on their interests and strengths. Sewing, weaving, herbal identification, business accounting, even combat techniques… We want them to master the skills to stand on their own in this world, regardless of whether they have magical talent.” Anna’s tone was thoroughly pragmatic.

“We respect everyone’s choices. We even encourage them to leave Hope Village after they come of age and go see the outside world. However, before leaving, they must sign a magically binding confidentiality contract, pledging not to reveal Hope Village’s exact location or internal affairs. After that, we’ll have them blindfolded and safely escort them out of the Black Forest.”

“And for those who don’t wish to leave and choose to stay,” Anna’s gaze swept across the busy figures around them, “they’ll need to work hard in Hope Village, take on their share of responsibilities, support themselves through their labor, and help maintain the functioning of this home together.”

“Hope Village is a safe haven for these girls, but we never intended—and absolutely will not—raise them into parasitic vines dependent on others. What we offer is the opportunity to grow and become strong. The real path they must walk with their own two feet.”

Hearing this, the last of Mo Lan’s doubts dissipated. Anna and Annie weren’t merely acting on a surge of passion. For these girls’ futures, they had remarkably clear thinking and strict principles.

“You two would be perfect as headmistresses at the Witch Academy!” Mo Lan exclaimed in admiration.

The care they showed for Hope Village’s girls was practically identical to what the Witch Academy showed its young witches.

This spirit of independence and strength that they passed on—that was the most precious gift the girls could ever receive.

Annie hastily waved her hands at the remark, though her face wore a smile full of longing. “We looked into it ages ago—to become a headmistress, you need to be at least a Beyond Peak level Witch! With our current abilities, we’re still far from that!”

Anna nodded as well and said solemnly, “When our strength truly reaches that level, we’ll definitely give it a try!”

After taking a general tour above Hope Village and getting a sense of its overall layout, Mo Lan accepted Anna and Annie’s invitation and headed to their home in the village’s central area for lunch.

Their Witch’s home was built from locally sourced materials, constructed entirely from black deadwood—though the Death Force within it had already been purified.

The interior was decorated with extraordinary warmth. Magical lamps provided illumination, and handwoven blankets, curtains, and decorations could be seen everywhere. The air was filled with the fragrance of herbal tea and baking bread.

For two sisters like Anna and Annie to jointly build and share a single Witch’s home was truly uncommon among witches.

Most witches, after reaching adulthood, preferred to have their own independent homes to accommodate their different research interests and living habits.

Anna and Annie’s home, while not particularly spacious, was filled in every corner with traces of their shared life.

Anna’s collection of Dark-element Magic materials coexisted harmoniously with Annie’s sewing tools and colorful threads.

The bookshelves held both Culinary Magic texts and comprehensive volumes on Curse Magic.

Even their bedroom was shared, separated only by a curtain partition.

They weren’t just sisters—they were each other’s most steadfast comrades-in-arms and the partner who understood the other best.

After the meal, the three of them sipped herbal tea that Anna had blended herself. Mo Lan took the opportunity to bring up another purpose of her visit.

“Anna, Annie—would it be possible for me to purchase a small plot of land in Hope Village and build a little cottage of my own?”

She didn’t possess the same spirit of dedication as Anna and Annie, but that didn’t stop her from visiting Hope Village now and then to offer the girls here some additional help.