Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 13: Who Says the "Nice Guy" Card Can’t Backstab?

Elder Norton sat at the head seat, his gaze sweeping over the people below him.

His eyes carried an immense pressure, forcing everyone under his gaze to lower their heads in deference.

"You are all orphans I have taken in over the years—whether due to war or the calamities of beast tides, you lost your parents."

"Now, you have grown up. At the very least, you have all formed your first Soul Pact and officially stepped into the ranks of Beastmasters, which means you have truly entered the Transcendent world."

"This is all thanks to Elder and the family's nurturing!"

"Even if we achieve great things in the future, we will wholeheartedly serve the family!"

The moment Elder Norton finished speaking, many immediately echoed his words—or rather, flattered him.

It was only natural. In the Branstat Family, they had no one to rely on. Elder Norton, who took them in, was their greatest patron.

"Is that so—"

Elder Norton seemed indifferent to their flattery. He paused briefly before speaking again.

"Then let me ask you—"

"If one day, I stand in opposition to the Branstat Family, which side will you choose?"

—

A deathly silence fell over the room. No one dared to answer.

Those chosen by Elder Norton were orphans with outstanding Beastmaster talent—or rather, exceptional Soul Aptitude.

And after living in a Grand Duke's family for more than a decade with no real backing, they had developed a keen sense of political awareness.

This question from Elder Norton was the ultimate trap—akin to the infamous dilemma: "If both I and your mother fell into the water, who would you save first?"

If they answered that they would support Elder Norton, he could easily turn around and say it was a test of their loyalty to the family—and label them as traitors.

If they said they would support the family, then they would directly be putting themselves on Norton's opposing side, with no telling when they might suddenly find themselves in trouble.

Time passed in suffocating silence. Just when a flicker of impatience appeared in Norton's eyes, the silence was finally broken.

"Elder, I have only one answer."

"And that is—I will always be loyal to you!"

The crowd turned in shock, only to see Xia Ya standing up, his eyes red.

"Xia Ya, you—"

Leonard tried to stop him, but Xia Ya shook him off.

"I lost my parents at a young age, and my hometown was swallowed by the Beast Tide... If not for Elder taking me in, I might have already perished, devoured by those monstrous beasts while wandering the lands."

"The family has indeed shown me kindness, but if it's for Elder Norton's sake, I would not hesitate to stand against the family!"

Xia Ya, recalling his tragic romantic history from his previous life, deliberately put on an emotional performance, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

Unlike the others, who were blind to the truth, Xia Ya was a player with foresight, fully aware of the Cangting Principality's ultimate fate.

He had already marked Elder Norton as a traitorous wolf in his mind.

His involvement with the Twilight Evil God was undeniable—he was undoubtedly a double agent.

He might even be the leader of the cult, directly responsible for the fall of Cangting Principality.

For this reason, Xia Ya knew that this was not a simple loyalty test.

Norton was selecting his trusted subordinates—those willing to follow him to the bitter end.

What could be more reliable than orphans raised under his care, with no support within the family?

Loyal, unwavering, and willing to die for him.

For Xia Ya, this was a critical moment. If he wanted to gain Norton's trust, if he wanted more control over the Branstat Family, and if he wanted to complete the system's mission—

Then he had to backstab properly.

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And not just any backstab—he had to go all-in, play the role to the extreme.

And, just as expected, things proceeded exactly as he had predicted.

"Ridiculous!"

Elder Norton slammed the table, his gaze locking onto Xia Ya.

"The Branstat Family's head is my elder brother! It is not for me to decide alone!"

"Your way of thinking is utterly misguided!"

Though his words were a reprimand, Xia Ya could hear it clearly—there was no real anger in Norton's tone.

Norton looked around at the others who remained silent.

"Remember this well—the Branstat Family's honor comes before all else!"

"In the face of the family's greater good, even I can be sacrificed."

"You are all adults now. You have the qualifications to leave the Capital and serve in other territories within the Principality to share the family's burdens."

"Take the next few days to prepare your things. Once you complete your Coming-of-Age Ceremony, you will depart."

"Yes, Elder!"

The crowd obediently accepted the order, some casting sympathetic glances at Xia Ya.

They were relieved that they had chosen to remain cautious and not rush to express their stance like Xia Ya.

Now, Xia Ya had walked straight into the trap, making himself the perfect scapegoat.

Leonard hesitated for a moment, glancing at Xia Ya, but seeing that Xia Ya completely ignored him, he sighed and left as well.

—

Elder Norton remained silent at the head seat, and Xia Ya also stood quietly, head bowed, watching as the others departed one by one.

Xia Ya understood Norton's intentions all too well—no second-in-command would ever openly admit to treason.

No matter what his true intentions were, he still had to maintain appearances.

After all, anyone could talk the talk.

"Too bad for you—I refuse to play along with your act."

As for Leonard and the others—

Though Norton had essentially discarded them by sending them out of the Capital, stripping them of their strongest backer—

Considering their strength, escaping the political quagmire of the Capital might not actually be a bad thing.

At least when the Principality ultimately fell, they might have a better chance of survival.

Once everyone was gone, Norton finally turned to the silent Xia Ya.

"Do you realize your mistake now?"

"If it is Elder's will, then I am willing to accept the family's punishment."

Xia Ya's voice was firm.

Since he had chosen to backstab, he was going to do it all the way.

"However, my conviction remains unchanged."

"You are my benefactor—greater than the family itself."

"If you commanded me to die for you this very moment, I would not hesitate."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Norton's eyes, though he did not let it show.

"Dying for me, is it?"

"Such bold words."

He took out a small vial of murky liquid and placed it in front of Xia Ya.

"This is a secret potion from the Alchemist City, capable of accelerating Soul cultivation."

"You're not too far from becoming a High-Tier Beastmaster, are you? In that case, drink it."

F, this old bastard is actually pretty cautious.

Xia Ya cursed internally.

Who the hell would believe this was some kind of soul-enhancing elixir?

Maybe the potion really did have some beneficial effects, but Xia Ya was certain that the old bastard was giving it to him for one reason only—absolute control over his trusted subordinates.

It was just like the "Immortal Pills" or hidden energy sources Xia Ya had seen in films from his past life.

If he actually drank it, his life would no longer be his own.

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind, Xia Ya's actions showed no hesitation.

He stepped forward without delay and took the potion.

Backstabbing naturally carried great risks.

After all, undercover agents have always been caught between two sides, belonging to neither. Not only did they have to avoid exposure, but they also had to worry about their own side turning on them.

And the worst part? Xia Ya hadn’t even gained the organization’s trust yet.

"Your Grace, the Grand Duke, your brother is plotting a rebellion!"

"Oh? Where’s your proof?"

"…No proof? Heh."

Even if Xia Ya did report this to the Grand Duke stationed at the border, the man would most likely just dismiss him as a scheming outsider trying to sow discord within the family.

But Xia Ya had the courage to take this gamble for a reason—

He had received a signal from Shiny through their Soul Pact.

At a critical moment, Shiny could forcibly extract him from the "Historical Echo."

However, this emergency escape would greatly increase the rejection of Xia Ya by the laws of space-time.

If that happened, re-entering the Historical Echo would become nearly impossible—meaning that years of preparation would go to waste.

For this reason, Xia Ya wouldn’t consider that option unless it was absolutely necessary.

—

Xia Ya uncorked the potion and let the murky liquid pour down his throat.

With a Fourth-Ring Master-Tier Beastmaster watching him closely, the simple fake-drinking tricks Xia Ya had picked up from drinking parties in his past life wouldn’t fool anyone.

But what Elder Norton never would have expected was this—

A parentless orphan, raised by the family since childhood, actually owned a second Summoned Beast with a spatial attribute.

The very instant the potion entered Xia Ya’s throat, Shiny, who was in the Soul Pact Space, used "Spatial Pocket" to transport the liquid into a sub-dimension.

The synchronization between Xia Ya and Shiny was flawless, precise to the extreme—even though Norton was watching him up close, he failed to notice a single thing.

—

"Good."

Seeing Xia Ya drink the potion without hesitation, Elder Norton's wrinkled face finally showed an ugly smirk.

He waved his hand, signaling the attendants to withdraw, leaving only Xia Ya and himself in the room.

Then, after dismissing everyone, he summoned a powerful lizard-like Summoned Beast, forming a soundproof barrier around them.

Only then did Norton finally speak again.

"Since you have shown such resolve..."

"Then I do have a task for you."

"You’ve heard of the Grand Duke’s only daughter, Sylvia Branstat, haven’t you?"

Xia Ya’s heart stirred slightly, and he nodded.

Well, well, speak of the devil.

Norton, you two-faced bastard—I can work with this.

All that acting was worth it.

"Good."

Norton’s grotesque smile widened even further.

He clasped his hands behind his back, taking two slow steps forward, his face full of smug confidence.

"Sylvia—she is a key."

"A key that will unlock our Lord’s shackled form, granting Him freedom to once again reign over this world."

"And what I need you to do—"

"Is to ensure that this key stays firmly within our grasp."