“How arrogant!” Narcissa roared as her hands formed a series of hand seals. A purple lightning bolt shot from her palms straight toward Blanche.
Seeing that, Blanche didn’t dodge. She just raised her right hand, and a white barrier shimmered into existence. The lightning struck the shield with a thunderous crack but dissipated harmlessly.
“How is that possible?” Narcissa’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’re seriously wounded. How can you still fight like this?”
Blanche didn’t answer. In a blur of motion, she appeared right in front of Narcissa and struck out with her palm. The attack looked effortless, yet the palm wind contained tremendous spiritual energy.
Narcissa didn’t dare to take it head-on. She retreated hastily while her hands moved rapidly, sending out purple energy blades one after another.
Blanche weaved through the barrage with ease. Each blade missed her by a breath. At the same time, she struck forward with another palm.
This time, Narcissa couldn’t dodge in time. The palm strike grazed her shoulder, and she let out a muffled grunt, stumbling back several steps.
“Mom!” From inside the house, Kael saw his mother losing ground. He screamed and jumped out the window. In his hand was a dagger gleaming with cold light, which he thrust toward Blanche’s unprotected back.
“Watch out, Kael!” Narcissa screamed in terror. Without even turning her head, Blanche flicked her hand backward. A burst of energy shot out and struck him.
He screamed and was flung away like a rag doll, slamming into an ornamental rockery. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground.
“Kael!”
Rage twisted Narcissa’s features. Purple energy flared around her hands as she lunged at Blanche, her movements wild and desperate.
Blanche’s gaze hardened, and she stopped holding back. She formed a series of hand seals, her lips moving in a silent chant. The temperature around them plummeted. In the air, snowflakes began to materialize out of thin air.
“Frostfall!”
Recognition and fear flashed across Narcissa’s face. She tried to retreat, but it was already too late. Blanche thrust her palm forward. A blast of icy force carrying countless crystal shards slammed into Narcissa.
A choked scream tore from her throat as she was hurled backward. She smashed through the courtyard wall and landed in a broken heap among the rubble. Her energy waves snuffed out like a candle, leaving no doubt about how badly she’d been hurt.
Blanche walked over and looked down at her.
“You’ve committed too many atrocities,” she said calmly. “Today is your reckoning.” Narcissa coughed up blood, her eyes burning with hatred.
“You… You just wait… We won’t let you go…
“Let them come, then,” Blanche replied indifferently and raised her hand to deliver the final blow. Just then, sharp whistling sounds tore through the air from the distance. Several figures descended from the night sky and landed in the courtyard.
At the front stood an elderly man in sage-green robes. His hair and beard were white, but his face was ruddy and his eyes sharp. He took in the scene with a single glance, then frowned slightly.
“Hold it,” he said. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. Blanche’s hand froze midair, and she turned to him. “Mr. Greenwood, are you taking their side?”
The elderly man, Octavius Greenwood, sighed.
“Ms. Frost, one should be merciful where mercy is due. While Narcissa has committed a sin, it doesn’t warrant death. Please spare the mother and son for my sake.”
“And if I refuse?” Blanche frowned. “Then, you leave me no choice but to intervene,” Octavius replied, and any trace of warmth vanished from his face.
“Do you truly wish to make an enemy of me?” she asked, her eyes turning icy.
“I’ve been entrusted with this task and must fulfill my duty. Today, I will not stand idly by and do nothing,” Octavius replied evenly
He went on, “I am aware of your capabilities, Ms. Frost. But you are injured and haven’t fully recovered. Dealing with all of us here would not be easy for you. Besides… once we start fighting, none of these mortals will survive. Are you really willing to see them die?”
Blanche fell silent. She glanced down at Snowy in her arms, then at the terrified family members huddled inside the Weston estate. Finally, she lowered her hand.
“Fine,” she said coldly. “I’ll give you this courtesy, Mr. Greenwood. But they must leave immediately and swear never to trouble these people again.”
Octavius nodded, then he turned his gaze toward Narcissa, who lay amid the rubble.
Did you hear that?”
Narcissa gritted her teeth. However, left with no choice, she could only nod weakly. “Got… Got it.”
“Then, leave at once.”
With a wave of his hand, a gentle force lifted Narcissa and the unconscious Kael, carrying them out of the courtyard. Blanche watched them disappear, the cold in her eyes didn’t thaw, only hardened. She knew this matter was far from over.
After all, Narcissa was the type to hold grudges and wait for the perfect moment to strike back. But with Octavius standing in the way, there was nothing more Blanche could do tonight.
“Ms. Frost, until we meet again,” he said with a polite salute, then left swiftly with his people. She murmured quietly, “Looks like I’ll need to call for help.”
She formed a hand seal, then the spiritual energy gathered and condensed into the form of a luminous messenger-hawk. It spread its wings and took flight, quickly disappearing into the night sky.
