The witch couldn’t catch up, and Cinderella breathed a sigh of relief as she continued climbing the mountain.

As she neared the peak, she saw a beautiful young woman picking tea leaves — it must be the fairy.

The fairy saw her and was first surprised, then said coldly, “How did you get up Thorn Mountain? You trespass in my forbidden land — leave now, or don’t blame me for being harsh!”

“Fairy, I came to ask for your help.”

The fairy sneered, “Everyone who comes up Thorn Mountain wants something — either to find treasure or to gain immortality. What do you want?”

“I want to know how to defeat the witch in the forest tower — the one who can summon and control the wind.”

“The wind-summoning witch? She’s my senior apprentice sister — of course I know! But why should I tell you?”

Little Fay whispered, “Oh no, Cinderella — turns out they’re related! Let’s go. Maybe she’s also evil!”

Just as Cinderella was about to leave, the fairy called out, “Wait!”

“So you’re Cinderella — please, sit down.”

Her face softened into a warm smile, as if she were a completely different person.

Little Fay muttered, “You sure have two faces… No wonder Flower Fairy said you’re temperamental.”

The fairy replied, “Didn’t she also tell you I treat good people and bad people differently? I’ve heard how Cinderella has helped many, even built an orphanage. I should’ve guessed — only a selfless person could make it up Thorn Mountain.”

As she spoke, the fairy brewed a cup of fragrant tea and handed it to Cinderella.

While sipping the tea, Cinderella told her about the witch capturing many children and turning them into birds.

“I want to save them, but the witch’s magic is too strong. Little Fay was even killed by her Black Dragon Wand — thankfully Flower Fairy helped bring him back. Please, Fairy, tell me how to defeat her and rescue the children!”

The fairy nodded, “She was my senior — gifted, but she strayed onto the path of dark magic. Our master told me to stop her if needed. But because she was my sister in training, I turned a blind eye. I never expected she would go so far — now even harming children? I can’t let this go on. But defeating her won’t be easy. Even I can’t defeat her now. However, there’s a magic book that can help you — it’s in the westernmost house of the western side of the city.”

Little Fay asked, “Fairy, the witch’s wind can blow over giants, but it couldn’t move the thorns of this mountain. You must have a way to block her cursed wind — teach Cinderella, please! The witch might be lying in wait at the base of the mountain.”

The fairy smiled, “Cinderella just drank the tea of Thorn Mountain. I guarantee — for the next few months, no wind of the witch can knock her down.”