Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!-Chapter 95: Aubree’s Resolve

"Then… what about you?" Claude asked, his sharp gaze locked onto Aubree.

He could sense something wrong with her body, a lingering weakness beyond her visible wounds—but he couldn't pinpoint where.

Aubree instinctively hid her left hand beneath the blanket. But before she could pull away, Claude caught it, pulling it into view. His eyes widened in shock.

Her hand was blackened, veins darkened as if corruption had spread through her very flesh.

"This… your body is rotting from the inside!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with anger. "How could you do this to yourself?!"

It enraged him. Not just because her beauty was being ruined—though that, too, was a shame—but because it reminded him of his own mother.

The Church had forced her into a life of fear, suffering in silence, hiding from those who sought to burn her for simply existing.

That same cruelty had now fallen upon Aubree.

"That damned Church!" Claude growled, his voice dripping with venom. "Why the hell do they keep doing this?!"

A dark aura flared around him, surging like a violent storm. The oppressive energy sent shivers through everyone outside, forcing them to halt their work. Even Aubree tensed, beads of sweat forming on her brow.

"Claude! Please, calm down!" she urged.

His breath hitched, and after a moment, he exhaled sharply, reigning in his rage.

"Stop using that ancient spell," he ordered, his voice cold and firm. "That's not a request. It's one of the conditions if you want me to find your daughter."

Aubree's eyes widened in disbelief. "No! You can't do this to me!"

She shoved his hand away, her voice trembling with raw emotion.

"What about my sisters?! The ones suffering, the ones who have no choice but to hide for the rest of their lives?! They live in constant fear of being burned alive!"

"I can't just abandon them!"

Claude shook his head. "You won't have to." His crimson eyes bore into hers, unwavering.

"I will ensure my kingdom becomes a sanctuary for witches. They will have a place to run—to Elysium."

Aubree stilled.

"Elysium?" she echoed, hesitation lacing her voice.

She had heard of that name before—from her mother. A supposed haven where daemons and witches could live free from the Church's persecution.

But her mother had always warned her that it was nothing more than a fantasy.

'Witches are a damned existence in this world,' she had said. 'No one stands by our side. There is no safe place for us. That is why we must be strong and save as many of our own as possible.'

'Don't trust anyone, Aubree.'

But when she met Claude's gaze again, all she saw was unshakable determination—and hatred.

"I… I don't know," she whispered, gripping the blanket tighter.

"Believe in me," Claude said, his voice steady. "We have a common enemy. Shouldn't we work together?"

He took her hand in his, his grip firm but not forceful.

"In Elysium, my mother and Sophia are waiting. They need your guidance to grow stronger. And with you by my side, I know many witches will follow, seeking refuge in my kingdom."

Aubree let out a slow breath, conflict raging in her heart. Finally, she nodded.

"But find my daughter first," she said, her voice resolute. "Dead or alive."

Claude narrowed his eyes. "Is her condition that bad?"

"I don't know for certain," Aubree admitted, forcing herself to remain calm.

"She fell into the river while we were making our way to Ascot Town. If the current carried her away… she shouldn't be far."

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Claude nodded. "I see… We'll move in three days." His eyes burned with determination. "But I'll send my intel ahead to search the entire area."

He met her gaze, unwavering.

"I will find her. Dead or alive—I swear it."

***

Rhys opened his eyes, only to find his body unable to move as thick tree tendrils bound his limbs. His body ached, feeling like it was on the verge of bursting apart from within.

As he glanced down, he noticed his wounds had been treated—wrapped in makeshift bandages, likely torn from his own robe.

His entire body was still damp, the chilling reminder of his near-drowning lingering on his skin.

A small fire crackled in the dimly lit hut, casting flickering shadows across the walls. In the corner, a figure lay curled up, her breathing steady and soft.

A little witch.

She had saved him.

Rhys frowned, puzzled. Why would she do something so foolish?

She could have left him to die, let the wilderness claim him. He was in no condition to fight off even a lowly beast or a wandering cacodemon.

But as he studied her peaceful sleeping form, he understood.

'She's just a child,' he thought with a sigh.

A rustle broke the silence as Aurelia stirred. Slowly, her blue eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light. When she saw Rhys awake, she bolted upright, alarm flashing across her face.

"Don't you dare run or fight me!" she snapped. "Or I'll hurt you!"

Rhys exhaled, unbothered. "Calm down. I wouldn't even if I wanted to."

He tilted his head toward his injured leg. "You made sure of that."

Aurelia blinked, her tense posture loosening. "I see..."

An awkward silence settled between them.

After a moment, Rhys broke it. "What's your name?"

"You don't need to know," she shot back curtly.

Rhys chuckled. "Fair enough. What do you plan to do with me?"

The question made Aurelia tense. She had no idea.

She couldn't just leave him. But the thought of killing him outright... it terrified her.

No matter how much she hated to admit it, he had saved her. She still remembered the sensation of being dragged through the water, his grip keeping her from sinking.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress.

"I… I'll kill you later," she lied.

Rhys smirked. He had a little sister—he knew a lie when he heard one.

"I see," he said, humoring her.

"Well, my name is Rhys. If you won't give me yours, I'll just call you 'Little Witch.'"

Aurelia's eyes widened before she sharply turned her head away. "...Call me Aurelia. I'm not a little witch."

Rhys chuckled. "Aurelia, then. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me until… well, until you decide what to do."

She frowned, unsure what to make of him. "You're weird. You should be scared of me."

"Oh, I am terrified," Rhys said jokingly. "You just can't see it."

Aurelia narrowed her eyes, feeling increasingly convinced she had made a mistake saving him.

But for now… until she healed and found her mother, she'd have to figure out what to do with Rhys.