Those outside the city were not just the two human regiment commanders and Han Dong's team. Roughly 50% of the total forces had left London, each carrying out their respective plans. None of them could return to London City before the war began.
This also included a highly coordinated group directly under the Mother—the "Witch Cult."
These special Dark Dwellers never appeared on London's surface. Their activities were limited to the bottom of the Thames River, hidden underground structures, and the outskirts of Mother N.G.'s palace.
They were not controlled by the Night Church or Father Leisos, and obeyed only the Mother.
They were also known as "fallen witches who worship absolute darkness," "devout dark priests," and the "Black River."
Every November 1st,
Dark Dwellers who had never undergone the blood-testing ritual would travel to the Thames River and drip a drop of Essence Blood from their hearts into the river, testing their Dark Affinity and talent for witchcraft.
Those who resonated strongly with the river would be invited to the outer palace of the Mother to participate in the Witch Cult Assessment.
Before anyone realized it,
A special and immense group had gradually formed beneath the Thames River. Day and night, they immersed themselves in profound Dark Magic, even willingly abandoning their flesh to replace it with darkness.
Although they absolutely obeyed the Mother, they also had a special leader among them.
Known as "the Mother's Outer Branch," his status was equal to Father Leisos's. He was one of London City's foremost Mythical Beings—the Heart of the Witch Cult, Cassius Jones.
In human form, he was a middle-aged white man with a Black Heart exposed outside his body. A short ponytail was tied behind his head, giving him a peculiar masculine charm.
At present,
The Witch Cult led by