The Witch Hunter System

Holy Knight Empire, Holy Capital

Under Astoria's rule and the notes Vaan left behind, the Holy Knight Empire shed its former shell and was reborn anew. Although problems never ceased to exist, they were trivial compared to the future framework that had been established.

Under the new laws, discrimination against witches was met with strict punishment, just as witches committing crimes wouldn't be tolerated lightly. Regardless of sex, men and women were given equal rights and opportunities for education, resources, and jobs.

However, the countless years of oppression and discrimination against witches had left behind scars that weren't so easily removed.

In order to hasten the order of equal rights and balance in the country, most resources were allocated to witch sanctuaries, where witches were given extra care, trauma treatments, and assistance in searching their paths.

However, these witch sanctuaries were not much different from orphanages, as most witches were young girls with pure, untainted minds and spirited wills.

The older witches had long been brainwashed and broken by the empire's old system. As such, they didn't know how to think for themselves and could only continue to serve their masters as servants and slaves.

Nevertheless, the excessive investment in witch sanctuaries had given rise to many concerns from old nobles. They believed the hatred born from the difference in status and treatment couldn't be resolved with such simple care. Instead, it only gave the witches chances to grow and stab back at men for the past.

Astoria had also noted such concerns and acknowledged their possibilities. As such, as part of the education within the witch sanctuaries, the young witches were taught about the legendary feats of their savior – Vahn Cadieux, a man.

The witches were oppressed by men but were also saved by a man.

Astoria believed that by giving all the credit to Vaan, which was also the complete truth, the witches would learn to forget their grudges against men. Alas, other problems arose from such a choice.

Or rather, Astoria's biggest mistake was allowing Eniwse to be a part-time teacher at the witch sanctuaries. Eniwse was the leader of the Shadow Witch Order, and most of their new members were precisely recruited from these very witch sanctuaries.

However, Astoria's biggest headache wasn't Eniwse's blatant poaching of talents but the content of her lessons – she had practically turned all her students into cult members with strange obsessions and blind worship for the one who granted them salvation.

Vahnmaniacs…

It was the name of the fan group—or rather, the cult founded the young witches at the witch sanctuaries. Conflicts would always arise on the streets of the holy city every time their members heard words of disagreement or blasphemy against their savior.

However, that wasn't even the worst of it.

Ever since the Holy Knight Empire opened its borders and started trading with the Black Rose Kingdom, another fanatical group of witches would clash with the Vahnmaniacs every time they visited.

As Astoria sat in her chair, rubbing her temples, an official arrived with a knock outside her study room.

"Your Majesty, there's a civil dispute in the main square," the official messenger reported.

Astoria helplessly sighed before asking with a look of fatigue, "Are the Vaanatics and Vahnmaniacs engaging in their verbal war again?"

"…Yes," the official messenger answered honestly.

"I understand," Astoria acknowledged before gesturing the messenger to leave, "You're dismissed."

"Understood, Your Majesty," the official messenger complied.

Shortly after the official messenger left, silence returned to Astoria's study room. But a few moments later, the sound of eating grapes was heard.

Eniwse chewed on a piece of grape she plucked from the table as she lazed on a couch, casually reading a long list of names with high witch potential.

Astoria glanced at Eniwse and said, "You heard the messenger. Can't you do something to stop the Vaanatics and Vahnmaniacs from clashing?"

"And why should I stop them? It's not like they are killing anyone or destroying stuff. They are only arguing… I don't see the issue," Eniwse casually replied.

Astoria forced a smile while reining in her annoyance and said, "You don't see the issue? They are a public nuisance! They crowd the market, disturb store owners, and obstruct businesses!"

"The letters of complaints I receive each time they clash numbers more than several hundred each day!" Astoria said with frustration.

"That's not my problem, Headmaster Astoria," Eniwse laughed, shirking her hands of the matter before saying, "Complaints are just complaints. Besides, verbal clashes between the Vaanatics and Vahnmaniacs aren't entirely bad."

"They are basically spreading Vaan's tales and feats to the anti- Vaan and anti-witch factions in hiding. They are forced to listen even if they don't want to. Perhaps some of them will start getting swayed by the heated opinions and change their views."

"Something like that could be compared to passive brainwashing, don't you think? What seems like a problem now could be the key to avoiding bigger problems in the future," Eniwse casually asked.

"Ugh…" Astoria groaned before saying, "I understand your point and see the logic, but can't you think of my position a little? Why do you have to create problems for me? Like, seriously… Vahnmaniacs? You were meant to keep Lady Aeliana in check, not join her!"

"I didn't come up with that name," Eniwse chuckled with amusement before shortly shaking her head.

"I admit I'm at fault for the founding of the Vahnmaniacs. However, the Vahnmaniacs are exactly the kind of witches I need in my current line of work. Only this group of devoted witches will remain loyal to Vaan and the Shadow Witch Order and complete their tasks at all costs or die trying. They will never sell our information to the enemy."

"I know you are really busy right now, but so am I. We are all busy people, doing what we can for the man we love. At the very least, I believe you are having it easier than me, Headmaster Astoria."

"After I get the people I need, I have to go back to focusing on the southern expansion,"Eniwse said with a sigh.

Hearing about the southern expansion, Astoria became serious as she inquired, "How's the situation in Divine Sword City?"