Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 90: Master, I Have a Request

"Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable."

"Not only has every noble of note in the Imperial Capital received an invitation… even several ruling factions from the Holy Theocracy and the Noble Alliance have been invited."

"And what's more, even the Holy Court itself has officially stated that they will send an envoy to attend the ceremony."

"Right now, over half of the Western Continent—even the Lost Domain—is buzzing about the engagement between the Borgia Family’s young lady and the leader of the Swordbearers."

Inside the Military Department’s lounge, members of the Swordbearers sat around a small, round table.

A towering stack of newspapers lay beside them.

They had just finished wrapping up the Sins &Thorns Club incident, not only rescuing over a hundred captives but also gathering a substantial amount of evidence—both physical and testimonial—to pressure the Noble Parliament.

Of course, the implicated nobles would adamantly deny any involvement and do everything in their power to sever ties with the club.

But even in this tug-of-war, the Military Department and the Swordbearers stood to gain significant leverage.

For the Swordbearers’ first operation, it had been a spectacular success—one worthy of being recorded in history, even celebrated with a grand banquet.

However—

All of that paled in comparison to the sensational engagement news that was shaking the entire empire.

"The Borgia Family isn’t holding back. Even we, the few surviving Round Table families, received invitations."

Dark Crow spoke in a measured tone.

"A mere engagement banquet… yet they managed to rally nearly half of the Western Continent’s Order factions."

"Just as the royal family had begun to restore its reputation in the empire, the Borgia Family pulled off a move like this. They’re making a statement to all the factions still hesitating in the shadows…"

"And right after Her Highness rebuilt the Swordbearers, they immediately send an engagement proposal?"

"It’s blatant. They’re snatching him away right under Her Highness’ nose."

As members of the Swordbearers, they all understood exactly what this was—a calculated power move by the Borgia Family.

Yes, the Swordbearers had won a decisive battle, and the exposure of Sins &Thorns would indeed bring trouble for the Borgia Family.

However—

If Xia Ya actually accepted the engagement with Hystalia Borgia, then the Borgia Family’s disadvantage would be completely overturned.

It would instantly render all the efforts of the Military Department, the Swordbearers, and Second Imperial Princess Isadella meaningless.

The royal family had just propped up the Swordbearers—only for their leader to turn around and become the son-in-law of their greatest adversary.

Who would still believe in the royal family’s authority after that?

Its hard-earned reputation would crumble overnight.

"But… I have to admit, it’s an incredibly tempting offer."

Diris’ gaze flicked across the newspaper, where the image of an exceptionally beautiful young woman was printed.

She spoke softly.

"This is Hystalia Borgia we’re talking about. The only daughter of a Legendary-tier powerhouse who may have even touched the threshold of a Demi-God."

"Not to mention, she’s divinely blessed by the Dawn Gods—perhaps even one of the future Thirteen Saints, a figure with the potential to reach the highest echelons of the Holy Theocracy."

"Marrying Hystalia Borgia doesn’t just bring the influence of the Crimson Rose family—it means securing the Holy Court itself as an unwavering backer."

This was the Borgia Family’s open gambit.

They had laid all their cards on the table, presenting an offer that was almost impossible to refuse.

They were taking Xia Ya in broad daylight, reducing the royal family to a laughingstock.

"So… should we start packing our bags and preparing to go our separate ways?"

Nightingale’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Xia Ya’s speech at Sins &Thorns had moved her. It had made her believe in the future of the Swordbearers.

But…

If she were in Xia Ya Egut’s position, she wouldn’t be able to reject this engagement either.

To accept it meant embracing power, wealth, beauty, influence, and strength—everything a man could possibly desire.

Diris shook her head.

"Who knows?"

"He kicked me out before I could even pry anything out of him."

Of all the Swordbearers, Diris knew Xia Ya the best.

She had interacted with him several times over the past few years—she had even entered a dreamworld formed by his subconscious.

Yet even she couldn’t see through him.

Outside the Imperial Capital, in a secluded countryside estate.

Dressed in a Black Eagle military uniform, Isadella quietly flipped through the documents in her hands.

Outside, a black-feathered gryphon dozed in the wilderness, its overwhelming presence radiating through the air.

As the Second Imperial Princess, her residence should have been the royal palace in the heart of the Upper District.

Yet, she rarely stayed there—preferring the solitude of her estate in the countryside.

"Your Highness, the Borgia Family’s invitation has arrived as well. For the banquet."

A husky female voice murmured in her ear.

A moment later, a gilded envelope, stamped with the Crimson Rose insignia, was silently placed onto the wooden desk.

Isadella picked it up between her fingers and toyed with it for a moment.

"Guderian Borgia."

"So, you’re forcing my hand, are you…?"

Her voice carried a steely determination, carried by the evening breeze.

Her gaze drifted into the distance—

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And in her mind, the image of a black-haired, dark-eyed youth surfaced.

"Then—"

"If it were you…"

"What choice would you make?"

While countless eyes turned toward the Imperial Capital, awaiting the Borgia Family’s grand banquet in seven days, the supposed "groom-to-be" had sealed himself inside his estate’s training chamber.

For five days straight, neither Xia Ya nor Airolla stepped outside.

Even when Zieg and Diris came knocking, hoping to discuss the matter, they were outright ignored.

Only on the fifth night did the training chamber’s doors finally open.

Perched on Xia Ya’s shoulder, Little Snow Ferret let out a lazy whimper before burying its tiny head into its snowy fur.

In Xia Ya’s arms, Scarlet, in its Star-Spirit form, had curled into a small crimson ball, deep in sleep.

As for Shiny, it had long since exhausted itself and retreated into the Soul Pact Space to rest.

"Finally done."

Though mentally drained, Xia Ya’s mood was ecstatic.

Inside his mind, the azure blue interface glowed—

The number that once read "Sands of Time: 31" had now dwindled to "Sands of Time: 1".

A heavy cost, but the results were well worth it.

His status panel had undergone a complete transformation.

Xia Ya cast a glance toward the still sealed meditation chamber, then turned and entered his study.

He lit the magitech lamps, pulled out paper and pen, and began to write.

After a long while, Xia Ya finally set down his pen.

He carefully reviewed the letter, then reached into the drawer beneath his desk and retrieved three Rhine Gold Coins, placing them atop the paper.

In the next moment, he spoke in an even tone.

"Hathaway."

A slight pause.

"Hathaway."

He repeated the name for a third time.

"Hathaway."

A single breath later—

A ripple spread through the still air of the room.

The sensation of being observed from the Starrealm returned.

Xia Ya held his breath, waiting in silence for the messenger of the Starrealm to descend and take the letter away.

But then—

The folded letter did not vanish along with the three Rhine Gold Coins.

Instead—

Crystalline fractures bloomed in the void.

A wave of dizziness washed over Xia Ya.

His surroundings twisted, the landscape spinning uncontrollably.

It was almost identical to the sensation of entering a historical echo, where both space and time itself distorted.

However, this time—

He had triggered no such thing.

When Xia Ya’s consciousness stabilized, he found himself in an utterly peculiar world.

Before him stretched an endless abyss of black, where faint, illusory stars flickered at the edges of the darkness, casting delicate beams of light.

It was as though he stood amidst an ethereal sea of stars.

In the very next instant—

All of those dim stars flickered in unison.

Starshine shattered.

First—

A pair of crystal-crafted high heels emerged.

Then—

A gothic black gown, its fabric darker than the abyss itself.

Finally—

A crown of rare dark-red metal, resting lightly against a snow-white neckline.

With only one eye open, a Golden Elf hovered within the Starrealm, gazing down at her one and only disciple with an unreadable expression.

"Am I in the Starrealm?"

"Master?"

Xia Ya blinked at the sight of the golden-haired elven girl before him—stunned for a brief moment, then overcome with joy.

"Master, have you returned to the Material Plane?"

"Not exactly. I happened to drift into a subdimensional space where the world barrier is thin and heard your call."

"So, I simply pulled your Star-Spirit body into the Starrealm to check whether you've been studying properly."

Her voice was cold and composed.

Her crimson-gold eyes fell upon Xia Ya.

Even though he was merely present as a Star-Spirit projection, Hathaway, the Golden Elf Archmage, could clearly see through him—reading the Soul Pacts within him, and even glimpsing the progress hidden behind those pacts.

After a long pause, she finally spoke again.

"Not bad."

With a casual wave of her hand—

The stars around them whirled at impossible speeds.

Xia Ya felt his body being pulled closer to her in an instant, until he stood right before her.

Hathaway crossed her arms, studying the black-haired, dark-eyed youth before her.

A subtle glimmer of amusement flickered in her pale gold gaze—barely noticeable.

"So? What do you need this time?"

Xia Ya cleared his throat.

"Master, I want…"

He paused briefly—

Then smiled.

"To ask you to witness a banquet."