We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Northern Witch
“Hey, it’s all poisonous mushrooms again!”
“W-wait, Nazaria. This mushroom is…”
“This one alone could kill a hundred people.”
“Th-that’s strange… Well then, how about these berries and wild vegetables!?”
“Poison, poison, poison!”
“Hahaha. Father, you’re pathetic.”
“Azeilan, your catch smells too bad to eat!”
“Eeeeeeeeeegh!”
“It was the right choice to bring the meat of the Blue Boar without butchering it. Just the scent alone can knock people out.”
“Th-then, what about this giant snake…?”
“Poison!”
“And the deer…?”
“It’s not a deer, it’s a magic beast! Of course, it’s not edible!”
“Fufufu. You men are so pathetic.”
“Ayura!”
“Y-yes!?”
“This fish is all scales and bones. This one smells muddy. And that one is poisonous!”
“Sob sob sob”
We appear using spatial transfer! Before we could even fully appreciate it.
In the ruined village we were returned to in an instant, we found Seijim, Azeilan, and Ayura being scolded by Nazaria.
…It’s regrettable.
The wicked trio who tailed me and stole my prey.
However, Ares-chan was more skilled.
I didn’t notice it, but it seems Ares-chan had noticed the tail. So, when they were about to snatch it, she deliberately guided me to bad ingredients. Unaware of this, the wicked trio took them.
The morning’s frustration is now gone, thanks to seeing their pathetic state. Ares-chan looks satisfied too.
The three being scolded and Nazaria are occupied. They haven’t noticed our return yet.
Still.
Micheila-chan, who engulfed me and Ares-chan and activated spatial transfer, without needing to deploy a grand magic circle like old Sleigsta.
Perhaps the scariest one is Micheila-chan…
We are moved and astonished by Micheila-chan’s spatial transfer.
By the way, we returned alone, but was it alright for the witch?
Upon checking, the witch was nowhere to be seen.
Will Micheila-chan make another round trip?
Just as I tried to confirm.
Sparkling particles of light, like the radiance of stars, began to dance wildly nearby.
The light particles quickly increased, creating a starlit space in the ruined village on the eve of dusk.
Nazaria, who was furious about the disturbance in the village, and the three who were cowering from being scolded, all noticed.
As everyone’s attention turned to what it was.
The moment the starlight seemed to gather.
The witch appeared there, holding a black-haired woman who was unconscious.
The light particles lingered around the witch and the woman like an afterglow.
The witch can also use spatial transfer. How impressive.
“M-Mage…”
Azeilan’s face contorted.
Ayura and Seijim shifted their gaze from the witch to us, wondering what was happening.
“Big Brother invited her.”
“Yes! I invited her!”
I proudly admit my actions.
“To appease the witch… I see, so this is the child named Elnea. I finally understand.”
Nazaria looked at me with a hint of exasperation but also a “well, well” smile, and I returned her smile with a “haha.”
“My apologies. I’m indebted to you.”
“Yes, please do. Lay down the weakened child over there. Also, since there’s no one reliable, I need your help.”
“Understood.”
Nazaria and the witch exchanged a few words and then moved.
The witch carried the black-haired woman to the indicated building ruins.
Nazaria mercilessly threw the poisonous ingredients far away and came towards me.
“Here. Give me what you gathered.”
“Nazaria-san, you were following me too, weren’t you?”
She knew I, who came empty-handed, had obtained so much because she had been watching.
I asked Ares-chan to present today’s harvest.
“It’s quite a haul. But, isn’t it a little too much?”
Two goats I had trapped at the cliff. A deer and a boar hunted in the forest. Birds that were running across the grasslands. Plenty of fish, plenty of forest and mountain produce. And, branches that could serve as firewood.
I couldn’t carry it all alone, but Ares-chan’s mysterious space has a large capacity.
“I gathered a bit more than usual, thinking about the future. So, could you do me a small favor…?”
“What is it? It’s not an apology for this morning, but I’ll grant you a reasonable request.”
“That’s great. Actually, I might need food for a long time from now on. But I don’t know how to make preserved food.”
“Ah, leave that to me. We’ll smoke the meat, dry the fish, and pickle the vegetables. I’ll lend a hand.”
“Thank you! I’ll be sharing with Nazaria-san and the others who are short on food, so please.”
“That would be a great help. Then, please gather a bit more from tomorrow onwards as well.”
“Leave it to me.”
The negotiation was successful.
I’ll have Nazaria-san make preserved food for me. Nazaria-san will be able to increase her food reserves.
It was a good negotiation, beneficial to both sides.
Nazaria-san immediately began sorting the ingredients Ares-chan had released. She designated what was needed for tonight and gave us clear instructions for what would be processed from tomorrow. Seijim and the others summoned spirits, as they did yesterday, and had them help Nazaria-san.
“Elnea, don’t you have a short sword?”
Ayura laughed as she saw me boldly start butchering the deer meat with my white sword.
When I told her I didn’t have one, she took a dagger from her pocket and handed it to me.
“I’ll lend it to you. Its sharpness is superb.”
“Thank you.”
I drew the dagger from its sheath and exclaimed in surprise.
The dagger was not made of metal. It was a beautiful gemstone sword with fine stripes. Swirls of yellow, red, and blue, like strata, floated on the surface of the black blade.
I inserted the dagger into the inner side of the deer’s hind leg. The feeling of the blade sliding into the gap in the meat was exquisite.
Seijim and I were engrossed in butchering the meat. Azeilan sorted the wild vegetables. Ayura pickled the separated vegetables and fruits in jars and dried them.
The jars had been quickly made by the Earth Spirit.
I see, spirits are convenient in times like these.
The witch, after laying the black-haired woman down, started preparing dinner with Nazaria.
With tonight’s abundant ingredients, the dinner is something to look forward to.
Ares-chan sat by the bonfire with Micheila-chan, waiting for the potatoes to bake.
They were purple potatoes. Would they be delicious?
I warned them not to eat too much before dinner, as they might get full. The young girl and the girl cheerfully responded with “Okay!”
We worked efficiently, but the amount was large.
Before I knew it, the sky had begun to darken.
“That’s all for today. Let’s eat.”
Nazaria and the witch arranged the large amount of food around the bonfire.
There were no tables, so we spread out mats on the ground and placed the food on them. Everyone freely served themselves what they wanted.
I worried if the meat that was partially butchered or unprocessed was okay. It seemed Nazaria and the witch would deal with it after dinner. They’re quite capable housewives. The witch also seems surprisingly domestic. She still has her hood deep, so I can’t see her face, but she doesn’t give off the scary impression I’d heard. However, she seems not very sociable, and she didn’t seem inclined to interact with anyone other than Nazaria and Micheila-chan.
“By the way,”
Micheila-chan approached the witch casually.
“It’s rude to keep your face hidden all the time. We’re not strangers, so show your face during meals.”
With that, Micheila-chan sprang up and flicked back the hood of the witch’s cloak.
The witch’s face was exposed to the evening light of the ruined village.
Seijim, Azeilan, and I were dumbfounded.
Skin of pure white, same as her cloak. Long, beautiful silver hair. A beauty that surpassed everything.
In the capital, large cities, and towns, prints of celebrities, fictional heroes, and beautiful women are sold. In royal palaces, museums, and the mansions of nobles and wealthy people, beautiful sculptures and paintings are displayed.
But, no matter how beautiful those artworks, embellished by human hands, could compare.
The three men were instantly captivated by her unveiled peerless beauty.
“Ahem.”
A cough reached my ears, and I hastily averted my gaze from the witch.
It’s rude to stare at a woman’s face so brazenly.
Seijim and Azeilan also looked away with a feigned nonchalance, but Nazaria and Ayura were glaring at them. Come to think of it, Seijim and Azeilan actually knew the witch. Even so, she was so beautiful that they were captivated. Perhaps the reason the witch always wears her hood deep is related to this.
“Now. Let’s eat!”
“Food, food!”
The young girl and the girl, oblivious to our slightly awkward atmosphere, pounced on the arranged dinner. They piled their plates high with meat and vegetables and returned to their spots. Without even praying, they started eating.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold. It’s a feast, after all.”
Nazaria let out a big sigh, then handed dishes to Ayura, the witch, and us, and began serving herself.
“I’ll be eating.”
If I hesitated at times like these, I’d be at a disadvantage. I also piled my plate high and sat next to Ares-chan, starting to eat. We all gathered around the bonfire, filling our stomachs with a delicious dinner. The witch also scooped a small portion onto her plate and sat next to Nazaria, starting to eat. The witch’s cheeks were faintly colored, illuminated by the bonfire’s flames.
“By the way, Witch… what were you doing in the Forbidden Territory?”
Come to think of it, I don’t know the witch’s name. It would be rude to call her by her name, but is it okay to call her “Witch-san”?
“That’s right. What were you doing with her?”
At my question, Micheila-chan nodded.
Micheila-chan doesn’t know what the witch was doing either. So, they aren’t exactly acquaintances or fellow companions, are they? I had mistakenly assumed that beings of such extraordinary power would all share the same ideals and motives. But seeing them like this, I learned that even beings beyond comprehension have various positions.
“I don’t know where this knowledge comes from, but it seems some fool dug up an ancient ruin. I was cleaning up after that.”
Ancient ruin…?
Suddenly, a certain ancient ruin came to mind.
“Speaking of which, I forgot I heard the Moonlit Door had opened. But is that something you can handle alone? I don’t think you needed to bring that child who hasn’t reached enlightenment.”
“I just wanted to see if she could do it.”
“So, were you able to reseal it successfully?”
“As expected, three places in a short period were difficult.”
“Hmm. So that’s why she’s so weakened.”
Everyone else nodded, except for me. Several words were new to me, but it seems the witch and the black-haired woman… three ancient ruins…
Ares-chan, without participating in the conversation, ate the food on her plate with single-minded devotion. Oh well. Who did she take after? Seeing her take another heaping plate of meat and fruit for a second helping, we all laughed at Ares-chan’s cuteness.
Nazaria often complained about food shortages, but she seemed to have plenty of seasonings. Not only I, but Micheila-chan and Nazaria-san also seemed satisfied with the flavorful dinner. The witch, though speaking little, didn’t seem uncomfortable. The witch mostly conversed with Nazaria and Micheila-chan. It seems the men, including myself, were not being addressed. However, it wasn’t outright ignoring. If asked, she would respond, and she even told us a little about this region.
This ruined village, she said, was where a saint lived over two thousand years ago. It’s a sacred place that existed long before the Demon Race ruled, and there are several such lands on the continent.
“I’d like to travel the world and visit such places too.”
When I voiced my thoughts, the witch’s lips curved slightly, and it seemed to me that she smiled.
After finishing our meal and chatting for a bit. The sky had completely darkened.
“I’m getting sleepy today, having worked more than usual.”
“Father hasn’t slept since yesterday either.”
“Seijim-san, you haven’t slept?”
I stared in surprise at Seijim, who let out a big yawn.
“In that case, I’ll take the night watch tonight.”
“Thanks. I’ll switch with you partway through, so please for now.”
Tonight, we decided to take turns on night watch. I would go first, then Azeilan. Seijim, Ayura, and so on. I willingly accepted, as I wanted to recover the dragon power I had used so much during the day through meditation.
Seijim quickly left the area and entered a nearby building ruin. Azeilan and Ayura also entered the same building ruin after some chatting. Are they going to sleep together as a family? There was a wall around the bonfire area, so we couldn’t see their sleeping quarters. Nazaria and the witch, after cleaning up from dinner, finished the tasks we had left. Then, Nazaria went to sleep in the same lodging as her family. The witch returned to the bonfire and sat down.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“I need to watch over her.”
“Her” must be the black-haired woman sleeping in another building ruin. It’s not that she doesn’t trust us, but because she made her overexert herself, she feels responsible, perhaps.
Since the conversation didn’t continue, I decided to meditate. As I sat cross-legged, Ares-chan, as usual, climbed onto my lap. Ares-chan was holding the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword. As I began to meditate, I immediately sensed the main current of the dragon vein. So, this is directly above the main current of the dragon vein. I absorbed the dragon vein, circulated it within my body, and shared it with Ares-chan and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword. I also accumulated some myself to restore my dragon power.
I don’t know how long I was meditating. I returned to consciousness, feeling fully recovered. Even during meditation, I was mindful of my surroundings, so it was a piece of cake for me now. However, I hadn’t noticed I was attracting attention. The witch and Micheila-chan, who hadn’t gone to her lodging, were watching me.
“Ah, embarrassing.”
“Who is your master?”
At the witch’s question, I was momentarily confused. Should I mention old Sleigsta? Would it be okay to be vague?
“Um, it’s about a Grandpa named Sleigsta…”
“Ah, that rascal.”
“Do you possibly know him?”
“From when he was a child. Is that so? If he’s your master, you must have gone through a lot of hardship.”
“Yes. His pranks…”
“He’s been like that since long ago.”
“Is that so.”
The witch knew old Sleigsta! Micheila-chan also knew him, of course, and from there, for some reason, it turned into slander and old stories about Sleigsta. He’s probably sneezing far away right now.
“Were the young Spirit Tree and its spirit given to you by Sleigsta?”
Oh. Without me saying anything, she guessed the true identity of the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword and Ares-chan’s attribute.
“No, Mistral and I found it. The Spirit Tree Spirit… Ares-chan, you possessed the young tree, right?”
When I looked at Ares-chan on my lap, she nodded.
“Aren’t you going to make them your familiars?”
“Um, I’m not of the Mimicho Race. And Priscilla-chan also said she doesn’t want to make them familiars. But because of that, I had a terrible time this morning…”
Looking at Micheila-chan, she smiled without a hint of remorse. When prompted to explain, I told the witch about this morning’s events.
“They don’t want to make them familiars themselves, and they don’t want others to make them familiars either. I can understand their feelings, but if that’s the case, you need to respond accordingly.”
“Yes. I regret my oversight.”
“You…”
The witch looked at me and Ares-chan across the bonfire.
“The white sword at your waist is likely from an Ancient Dragon Species, perhaps Sleigsta’s fangs. And the wooden sword made from a young Spirit Tree. Your weapons are proper, but your armor is poor. It seems to be commoner’s clothing.”
The witch was right; my clothes were just ordinary clothes. But to me, this is normal. I learned this in school. Shields and heavy armor might be effective against bandits or weak monsters. However, against other strong monsters, magic beasts, or yōma that are beyond human control, they would only be a hindrance. In that case, it would be more advantageous to be lightly equipped and move quickly. Furthermore, I have lived among the Dragon Race people and engaged in fierce battles against demons. Armor was meaningless against beings with such overwhelming attacking power, so I had never paid attention to it.
I explained my knowledge and thoughts, and the witch nodded, stating there was some truth to it.
“However, if you continue to lack consideration for your defense, you will repeat what happened this morning.”
“That’s true, but…”
Then, what should I do? Laira, due to the aftermath of recovering from severe injuries with sorcery, has become weak to mental interference. That’s why she always wears protective gear, but perhaps it’s not physical armor, but some kind of inner defense that’s needed.
“As thanks for inviting me here, if you can gather the items I specify while you’re staying in this land, I’ll give you something that can serve as a countermeasure.”
“Eh! Really?”
My and Ares-chan’s hands clasped in joy at the witch’s unexpected offer.
“Then, what should I gather?”
“First, one Spirit Tree leaf.”
“I can get that right away!”
“Next, a Thread of a Thousand-handed Spider.”
“…What kind of spider is that?”
“And then, the tear of an Evil Dragon.”
“Is there an Evil Dragon flying around somewhere…?”
The easy part was only the first one! I’ve never heard of a Thousand-Handed Spider, and I haven’t heard any stories from the Giant Demon Lord about an Evil Dragon living in the Forbidden Territory! My and Ares-chan’s hands remained raised, frozen by the witch’s difficult repayment request.
