Moreover, Reverend Father had always been a benefactor to Dorothy, and now, due to her involvement, they were forced to flee. If Denise couldn't do something for them now, her conscience wouldn't allow her to rest.
However, Miss Shepherdess knew that, as she currently was, it would be very difficult to be of any help to Reverend Father and Dorothy, but just because she couldn't do so now didn't mean she couldn't in the future. Even if she could only help with small tasks like serving tea, she needed to do something immediately; otherwise, the overwhelming sense of guilt would keep her up at night.
Yet, the fact that Dorothy had asked her to read was genuinely beyond Denise's expectations. They were currently fleeing for their lives—was this really the time to relax and read?
At first, that was what Denise wondered, but she didn't ask too many questions. After all, it wouldn't be reasonable to make a fuss with her saviors. For now, she would just do whatever her benefactors asked of her.
However, when Denise began to read those books with a bit of skepticism, her eyes widened. Although she couldn't quite understand everything, she soon realized that these were not ordinary books; they were, in fact, the legendary tomes of Witchcraft.
As a former zealot, even though her faith had collapsed when she was tied to the Burning Stake, she still instinctively wanted to throw away the witchcraft tomes in her hands; after all, these were considered evil by the teachings of God.
But then she looked up at Dorothy, and over at the unconscious Reverend Father, then silently lowered her head again.
Well, the second lesson from this ordeal: if someone accuses you of being a witch, you better be one.
If she indeed was a witch, controlling witchcraft, then at least she wouldn't be powerless in the face of accusations as she had been before, nor would she implicate Reverend Father and Dorothy like she was now.
Having cleared up this point in her mind, Denise lowered her head and began to read the Magic Tomes seriously, even eagerly.
She did not inquire why Dorothy possessed these "unclean" tomes of witchcraft, nor did she ask if her childhood friend, who was like a sister to her, was indeed a witch, as all that seemed pointless.
They were pressed for time and could not afford to waste it on irrelevant explanations and doubts. Just as Dorothy had said earlier, they had to figure out a way to gain enough strength to protect themselves quickly.
All she needed to know was that Reverend Father and Dorothy were her saviors, that they meant her no harm, and that they could be trusted. Understanding this was sufficient.
Thus, Denise rapidly got into a learning state of mind.
Meanwhile, on the other side, The Homebody Witch, who was reading and simultaneously observing her childhood best friend's reactions, also paused in surprise, then once again marveled that a true leader really is a leader from a young age, such quality is indeed terrifying.
Even though she appeared calm on the surface, inside she was somewhat panicked, but Miss Denise across from her was truly composed.
Tsk, my childhood friend really has the makings of a ruler.
Dorothy reflected on this inside, and perhaps influenced by this "leader's composure," her mood also quickly stabilized and she began to read the Magic Tomes rapidly.
And as this magical knowledge poured into her mind, that marvelous inspiration also began to stir more actively within her.
Haha, just because my magical knowledge is sealed doesn't mean I'm powerless. Do you know what the intrinsic value of being a Witch of the Forest is? Give me a bit of basic knowledge, and I will create an entire magical system out of nothing.
...The girl continues reading...