The Beauty And The Wolf - Chapter 104

~White Coven Castle~

The council was having a meeting in the meeting hall regarding the two missing women.

“According to my investigation… It’s been reported that Maera, the guardian of the South Wing together with her assistant Hilda were missing after they were last seen talking to the two grannies in the prison facility. This is according to the guard that I have interviewed for this matter,” Aston, the guardian of the East Wing reported.

The current Supreme Witch was noticeably absent from the meeting.

The meeting was presided by Selah, the second in command, the guardian of the West Wing.

The three guardians present are Aston, guardian of the East Wing… Selah, second in command, guardian of the West Wing, and Rumi, the guardian of the North Wing. The one missing in the meeting is Maera, the guardian of the South Wing.

Selah silently read the report that was presented by Aston.

A few minutes later, she spoke. “Interesting… so these two grannies are Betty’s students? Eh? Are you sure? They’re grandma already and Betty is not even that old yet,” she asked, confused.

Aston grinned. “Well based on the previous conversation I had with Betty, she punished her students for having an orgy with a wolf, which she detested so much. She transformed her two students into their old selves. The cursed will only be lifted after twenty years…”

Rumi’s eyes widened in shock. “What-? For just an orgy with a wolf – her students have to suffer living with a cruel curse for 20 years? Damn! Betty is such a heartless woman!” he exclaimed in a horrified tone.

Selah smiled. “As expected of Betty, so kind yet so ruthless if annoyed or provoked. Anyways, my question is… why are they gone? Where the women have gone to?”

“Maera believes that the grannies know where Betty hides the medallion so she brought them back to their home in Laswich Mountain,” Aston explained.

Selah reclined on her chair and asked her colleagues. “So… can we believe their claim that the missing medallion was in Betty’s house?”

The guardians looked at each other.

“There is a possibility… 50…50…” Aston replied.

“And what could have happened to Maera and Hilda? Why haven’t they returned yet? Can we declare that they were harmed by the old soul who’s mediocre power was suppressed by Maera successfully in the first place?” Selah asked in doubt.

“Well, we only have plenty of questions so far but no answers yet. I would like to volunteer to visit the Laswich Mountain and investigate what truly happened to Maera and Hilda,” Aston said.

“Good! I’ll give you permission to investigate this matter. And much better if you can find the missing medallion as well,” Selah added.

“I’ll try my best!” Aston replied.

“When are you going to visit the place?” Rumi asked.

“Tomorrow, I’ll start my investigation in that place,” Aston answered.

“Good luck! If you need assistance don’t hesitate to ask the other guardian’s help or my help,” Selah offered.

“Thank you for the offer!” Aston said in a grateful tone.

“Alright, this meeting is adjourned!” Selah stated and rose to her feet.

The guardians left the meeting room and returned to their respective territory to resume their daily activities and responsibilities.

Aston went back to his library, he will make preparations for his visit to the Laswich Mountain tomorrow.

Meanwhile…

Across the miles, at Laswich Mountain.

Azere and Olga were removing the overgrown bushes and weeds in the garden all day long. They’re planning to cultivate the garden again for their food consumption and raise poultry to supplement their food supply.

Five hours later.

The women were resting under the shade of the tree, tired but satisfied with their hard work. They managed to clear the garden from the wild plants and it’s ready for planting.

“I’ll bring the rest of my poultry here and transplant all my vegetables as well,” Olga said.

Azere smiled. “That’s a good idea!”

When the surrounding already turned dark, the women finally entered the house to rest for the night.

~~~0~~~

The following day.

The women were back in the garden to plant some vegetable seeds at 5:00 in the afternoon.

They were busy with their gardening activity when Aston suddenly materialized a few meters away from the garden that startled the two women.

Azere and Olga were shocked to see the unwanted visitor, they had finished putting an invisible barrier around the place last night before they went to sleep. The purpose of the barrier is to protect and alert them just in case an intruder suddenly enters the property.

“Hello, ladies! Good afternoon!” Aston greeted them in a friendly way.

Azere looked at the stranger. “Who are you? How dare you enter our property without our permission!?” she glared at him.

“State your purpose in five seconds or I’ll turn you into a duck!” Olga threatened him.

Aston grinned in amusement. “Calm down, ladies! Don’t panic and don’t be afraid, I’m here on behalf of the White Coven Castle to inquire about Maera and Hilda’s whereabouts. They have been missing for a few days already and we’re worried about their condition. The guard in the prison facility told me that you were the last person the women have talked to before they failed to return to the castle. So, I’m here… instructed by my superiors to find them. Have you seen them?” he asked.

Azere and Olga looked at each other for a moment.

“You come at the wrong place. Yes, Maera and Hilda indeed come here to accompany us back to our residence but they also left afterward. We have no idea where they are right now. The moment they leave our property they’re no longer our responsibility,” Azere lied straight face without blinking her eyes.

Aston raised a brow and sighed. “Well, I might believe you but my superiors won’t believe your claim. Ladies, you might as well tell me where are the missing women’s location right now? Where did you hide them?”

Olga looked at the stranger fiercely ready to launch an attack. “You are so brave to come here alone! Do you want to die!?”

Azere sighed and looked at Olga. “Calm down! Don’t let him annoy you!” she reminded her.

Aston smiled, not afraid of the woman’s threat. “Ladies, the barrier you put around this place to protect you is very weak. I manage to enter the barrier undetected. That’s only one of my power, but what if the whole witches in the castle will descend here? What do you think will gonna happen? Please think carefully before sprouting another lie into my face…” he said in a serious manner.

Azere shut her eyes for a moment. Dammit! They sent someone too soon! Then she looked at the stranger in the eyes. “What do you want?”

Aston took a deep breath. “First, let me ask you this… did you like the taste of the honey balls I sent to in your prison room when Maera was determined to starve you for one day?” he asked.

The women looked at each other in surprise.

Azere looked at him. “So, you’re the one who send the honey balls?”

“Yup!” Aston replied.

“But why? Why did you help us?” Olga asked him, she was suspicious of his motives.

Aston shrugged. “Well, that should distinguished me from Maera. I’m not as cruel as her,” he answered.

Azere raised a brow. “So, what’s your purpose?”

“I’m here to offer you something valuable, something that you would like very much!” Aston said.

“What is it?” Olga asked eagerly.

“I’m here to offer you a gift. Since I’m very capable, I can undo the curse that Betty has given to you! I can return your original image, guaranteed! That if you agree to my conditions,” Aston said.

The ladies looked at each other, they didn’t believe his claim for a second. They thought he was just bluffing.

Olga decided to play with him. “And what is your condition?” she asked.

“You will bring me to Maera’s location and you will give me the medallion,” Aston said.

The women released a deep sigh. He is just like Maera and Hilda, they thought he was different because he helped them in the prison, but he came here with his ulterior motive just like the others. He can’t be trusted!

Azere looked at the stranger. “I have to say it again, the missing women that you’re looking for is not here. And the medallion is also not here! Please leave our property, now!” she ordered.

Astone smiled. “I see – you want the hard way, eh? Alright, I’ll take my leave now. But I’ll let you have a taste of my gift first before I’ll return to where I come from,” he said and quickly waved his hand at the ladies, freezing them in the process. Then he chanted a spell that lasted for a few minutes.

Done chanting, he unfreezes the girls.

The ladies glared at him. “What have you done!?” they asked in unison.

Aston smiled. “I give you a gift to enjoy for a few days while you think carefully about my offer. I’ll take my leave now. I’ll return here anytime, maybe after three days? And if you still won’t agree to my condition, the image that you’re enjoying right night will expire in one week,” he said and vanished from the place instantly.

After the stranger was gone, the ladies looked at each other. A mixture of disbelief, shock, and happiness mirrored in their eyes.

“OMG! Azere,look at yourself! You no longer look like a grandma!” Olga screamed in joy.

“You too!” Azere squealed in delight.

The women smiled brightly, tears of happiness sprang from their eyes.

A few seconds later, the women went back to the house to fully enjoy the wonderful moment while it lasted.