Chapter 48: The Witch Arrives Uninvited

"I need an explanation. Why was the princess buried in the ruins?"

Inside the president's office, Olivia's expression flickered uncertainly as she looked at the obediently sitting Roan across the desk, unleashing a soul-piercing question.

You were the one putting on airs and now you're blaming me? Besides, I didn't even know she was the princess...

"How would I know? It's not like I did it."

The blond youth curled his lip, maintaining an air of detached innocence.

This guy is playing dumb again. He's going to drive me out of my mind!

Bang—

A fair palm slammed fiercely onto the oak desk, leaving a deep indentation that went straight through to the bottom.

Glancing sideways at the guidebook titled *Simple Tips for Disciplining Subordinates* hidden inside the drawer, the dark-haired woman felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Three whole days had passed since the destruction of the Agony Cult's stronghold.

As expected—

She had achieved massive notoriety!

Throughout these past three days, Olivia had been rushed off her feet, forced not only to deal with the royal family's inquiries but also to dodge the petty obstructions thrown her way by the Holy Church behind the scenes.

Being suspected of attempting to assassinate the princess and wantonly setting fire to the mountains—these two charges vividly demonstrated to her what it meant to soar too high on borrowed arrogance.

She had originally intended to leave a tall, mighty, and majestic impression in front of the new recruit, but who could have known that the cultists' location fell within a key protected wildlife zone for magical beasts designated by the Orland Kingdom?

Not only was it populated by a dwindling number of goblins, but it was also steeped in the legends of a dragon's lair.

As a result, a single spark of her fire had almost burned the entire place to crisp ashes.

Not to mention the princess, who had been buried beneath a landslide and suffered multiple bone fractures from the falling debris.

The destruction caused by this incident far, far outweighed anything the cultists could have ever managed.

Yet, in Olivia's mind, the primary responsibility for this disaster rested squarely on Roan's shoulders.

Before she even had the chance to argue it out with him properly, she saw the youth put on an expression of eternal hatred toward evil.

"Ms. Olivia, a person must take responsibility for their own actions. Furthermore, I value the law above all else; how could I possibly set fire to the mountains?"

Leaders only needed to figure out how to shift the blame, while subordinates like them had to take many other factors into consideration.

This fellow, just how long has he even been in the Stardust Association, and already he dares to talk back to me...

For some inexplicable reason, Olivia felt a strong sense of déjà vu watching this scene.

Every time she crossed swords with this despicable wretch, it always seemed to end with her burning with suppressed fury.

At this thought, the dark-haired woman sneered, "Roan Griffith, do you perhaps not want your salary next month?"

Damn it... You violent woman, isn't it just that you refuse to take the blame?

The blond youth's face paled slightly as he hurriedly protested:

"President, you're abusing your authority!"

***

Ha, now you know to call me President?

Unfazed, Olivia crossed her arms, crossed her legs, and chuckled lightly:

"A person must take responsibility for their own actions, right? Roan, you actually made a very good point just now."

"As your president, I won't beat around the bush either. That's right, I am abusing my authority."

"It's better for your salary to remain in my safekeeping. You're still a minor, and at your restless, impressionable age, you're far too easily swindled."

Why would it be better with you? That's my hard-earned money, not New Year's money—no, even if it were New Year's money, it shouldn't be kept by you!

In any world, a minor's holiday money was like it had been cursed, mysteriously vanishing without a trace before they even knew it.

Just as Roan was about to defend his legitimate rights and interests, he heard a sudden knock on the door behind him.

Tap, tap tap...

"Olivia, I'm coming in~♪"

The oak door was pushed open briskly, and Elena walked in wearing a wide-brimmed hat and carrying a basket of fruit.

The lady, who hadn't been seen for days, still retained her mature charm. Her plump yet slender figure was wrapped in a black widow's dress, and the flirtatious allure at the corners of her eyes remained clearly visible even through her veil.

This caused Roan, currently trapped in his restless, impressionable youth, to instinctively shift his gaze toward the edge of the desk.

"Oh! So the little one is here too~"

"Did you miss me~?"

The moment she spotted Roan, Elena's blue eyes lit up brilliantly.

Swathed in a fresh and elegant fragrance, she rushed over to Roan, ruffled the youth's blond hair with a hand devoid of artificial manicures,

and then wrapped her arms around Roan's neck from behind, reaching forward with both hands to gently stroke