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"It's the Hexenzirkel… I didn't expect that… Looks like the force interfering with divination really was something that old hag left behind."
"So, you are 'B''s disciple. I've heard a lot about you. I am 'J''s successor, Scarlett."
Mona seemed to understand what Scarlett was talking about, but everyone else was still confused. Sucrose asked, "What is the Hexenzirkel?"
"That would require starting from ancient history—but is that really a story that should be told by me? The answer lies within the lantern you all worked so hard to find. If you want to know, then leave it to me."
Scarlett calmly stepped into the crowd and recited the activation incantation toward the 'lantern of utmost joy': "Please allow me to disturb your tranquility."
The 'lantern of utmost joy' shifted from a steady glow to flickering, and along with it came a voice—
"Huh? Why did this thing light up?"
It was Alice's voice.
"Mom…?"
"Klee…?"
"Mom!"
"Klee!"
"Ahem, excuse the interruption. Madam on the other side of the lantern, you should be able to hear me, correct? I am J's successor, Scarlett."
"J's successor? No wonder… This lantern hasn't lit up in many years. When I saw it react, I thought it was a message from a good friend from my girlhood days. Looks like that wasn't the case."
"I'm very sorry that we're not those friends of yours, but establishing this contact also took us quite a bit of effort."
"I recall that we entrusted this lantern to the Anemo Archon Barbatos for safekeeping… To be able to find a token hidden by the Anemo Archon does take some skill. Let me ask one more thing—don't tell me you're standing next to my beloved tea table?"
Klee eagerly answered, "It's a really—long—table!"
"Then that's it! Oh my, oh my, it seems the Anemo Archon tacitly allowed you to come up here. Is all of this thanks to Miss Scarlett?"
Scarlett denied it. "There are many friends here as well. Thanks to them, I was able to speak with you. You should be able to guess why I came here… We all have some questions about the Hexenzirkel. Could we trouble you to explain it to us?"
"Hehe. Since you all went through so much trouble to come here, you deserve some reward. In that case, I'll give you an ancient story…"
The other end of the 'lantern of utmost joy' fell silent for a short while, as if preparing something. Then Alice's voice rang out again.
"The Hexenzirkel—it sounds like a secret society, doesn't it?
The witches of the Hexenzirkel were once bold enough to challenge the Anemo Archon. But the Anemo Archon said, 'No duels. Let us sing and play music, and end our disputes with poetry.'
And so, from that point on, the witches would only hold gatherings in the following places—within forests, on the edges of cliffs, and in the sky.
There is no strife among witches. They bring stories and secrets, and all conflicts are resolved at tea parties. Tea leaves and delicious cakes bear witness to this vow."
At this point, Alice deliberately altered her voice, playing multiple roles at once, mimicking different tones and mannerisms to show everyone how the witches spoke during their tea parties.
Although she didn't specify the codenames or names of the witches she was imitating, Victor Wang more or less already knew…
Hexenzirkel Codename J, "I. Ivanovna N": "Yesterday, I killed the man I loved. He had grown old and terribly ill. He loved me deeply, so I bore his fate and ended his suffering."
This witch J was the one who left the prophecy to Scarlett.
Hexenzirkel Codename R, "Rhinedottir": "I raised a son. Many children, but in the end only he remained. I suppose that still counts as being a mother, doesn't it?"
This witch R was Albedo's creator—the 'Sage' of Khaenri'ah, the alchemist known as 'Gold.'
Hexenzirkel Codename M, "Andersdotter": "My lifespan won't be as long as yours. In the future, what will accompany you will be my storybooks—and perhaps your children as well."
This witch M was the author of The Boar Princess.
Hexenzirkel Codename B, "Barbeloth": "This sounds rather interesting. Let me divine it."
This witch B was Mona's master.
Hexenzirkel Codename A, "Alice": "Divination… don't let prophecies affect our relationships, dear sisters."
This witch A was Klee's mother—the very person speaking now…
Alice returned to her normal voice and concluded, "Even the most terrifying witches were once just little girls. And girls eventually grow up, don't they? That's why they whisper their troubles to the wind. Whether nations wage war or the heavens collapse, no matter what the world becomes, the witches' tea party will always be held here."
After hearing this story, everyone gained a bit more understanding of the Hexenzirkel, but there were still questions.
Paimon asked first, "So this place is actually where the witches of the Hexenzirkel hold their meetings?"
Alice replied, "That's right. In the past, we often chatted and drank tea here."
Collei asked next, "Then… what about the idea that those who find the 'lantern of utmost joy' will gain happiness?"
This time, Alice wasn't quite as smooth in answering. "Ah, that… hahaha… I didn't expect anyone besides J to see that prophecy. I'm a bit embarrassed. Actually, it was a letter we sisters wrote to J on the eve of her wedding."
Alice went on to explain.
"The flower that does not exist, the guide who never loses their way, the person who never lies, and the legend that never ends—these four phrases correspond to four witches.
J chose to leave the group to spend her life with the one she loved. The other witches then wrote this prophecy and sent it to her as a call.
The flower that does not exist—this is the signature of Codename R, 'Gold' Rhinedottir. If there is anyone in the world who could create a species that doesn't exist, it would be her.
The guide who never loses their way—this is a message from Codename N, Nicole. You may not know her. She's a mysterious woman who cares deeply about direction. When the world occasionally shifts, she hints at the truth like a prophet. Her preferred method is speaking directly into someone's mind. If one day you encounter grave danger, she might guide you with her voice.
The person who never lies—this was my code. Of course, it's not that I never lie. It's just that Codename A, Alice, has always liked sincere people.
The legend that never ends—this describes Lady M. You might not know her, but you've probably read her works. Have you read The Boar Princess? It's one of my favorite fairy tales. Lady M was a truly great human. She taught me sorrow through her writing."
"Something about this is getting stranger and stranger, isn't it?" Paimon scratched her head hard. "Why would a writer become a witch? And it sounds like she was just an ordinary human?"
"It's unbelievable, but I can testify that it's all true."
Scarlett sighed and spoke first. "J was also human. That's why she aged, passed away, and left her title to her disciples… Lady Alice, you've never acknowledged any generation of J's successors. It's been several hundred years now. I've always wanted to meet you."
Alice's question came from the 'lantern of utmost joy': "Do you want to become a witch?"
"More accurately, I want to know what the Hexenzirkel truly means. I used to think you were a group of women who could control the fate of the world, but today, I realized that besides J, there are other ordinary humans among you."
"Are you disappointed in us?"
"No. I find that fascinating. That makes me want to become a witch even more."
"Scarlett… I've never acknowledged any generation of J's successors, but you seem different. You're far more interesting than the others. Not now, but when I have the time, I'll come see you. I'd like you to tell me the story of what happened in J's homeland after she got married."
"So, the witch who received the prophecy letter you wrote was J? She left the Hexenzirkel after getting married?" Paimon asked.
"That's right. That prophecy only had one meaning. She understood it the moment she saw it. The four lines of the prophecy were all of us speaking to her—'Come see us. Before you rush toward happiness, come and share your joy with your best friends, your most important sisters.'"
"Then the meaning of gaining happiness is…" Collei asked again.
"All processes are merely processes. In the end, what makes us happy is the person we meet at the end of the journey. We willingly travel great distances, cross mountains and seas, just to meet our most important friends… No matter the journey, seeing a beloved friend fills us with joy. In the eyes of us witches, that is the meaning of 'ultimate bliss.'"
"..."
Collei fell silent.
"Alright. I'll introduce the remaining members another time if there's a chance. I still have some other matters to attend to, so I'll end it here."
"Bye-bye, Mom! Dodoco says bye-bye too!"
"Goodbye, my dear! And goodbye to all you children as well. I hope the story of the Hexenzirkel is a reward worthy of your efforts. Farewell, everyone."
The 'lantern of utmost joy' fell silent.
"She's gone…" Paimon scratched her head. "What Alice said just now actually lines up. The divination result we got from the breeze at Windrise only said that 'the prophecy is meaningful.' It never said the prophecy was real."
Lumine also sincerely said to Collei and Sucrose, "I'm sorry… it really does seem that way…"
"Then that responsibility lies with me. I was the one who assumed that 'supreme blessing' meant granting wishes. Lumine and Paimon didn't misunderstand anything."
"You don't have to…" Collei shook her head vigorously. "Coming all the way from Sumeru to Mondstadt just to spend Windblume Festival with everyone—seen from that angle, I really did receive the witches' ultimate bliss. And acting together with all of you made me truly happy!"
"Make sure to come again for the next Windblume Festival!" Amber said with a smile.
"I definitely will!"
Watching the group's interaction from the side, Tighnari couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Ah, friendship."
Cyno said solemnly, "'Past bonds will carve open a new future, and the proof of friendship connects us—'"
"That sounds familiar."
"It's a line from a work I really like, Summoning King. There's actually another line after it—together, they're the most impactful: 'At this moment, I won't lose to anyone!'"
"Cyno, you…"
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