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Chapter 16

The next morning, Noel was already full of energy. Eager to make up for the trouble he’d caused, he harvested ripe fruit and went to wash it in the river—only to notice the presence of 「purification blossoms.」

「Witch-sama, this flower… I’ve never seen it before.」

(Since it’s a rare flower… Hmm, how should I explain it… Ah, I know.)

I took Noel’s hand and led him to the back of the house, where the toilet was. Though, it wasn’t like a modern toilet—it was more like a shack with a bucket to collect waste. An even simpler setup than a portable toilet.

I wasn’t sure if it was this world or just this village, but from what I’d seen yesterday, there didn’t seem to be any flush toilets. Apparently, the waste was transported to a manure pit to be used as fertilizer.

Noel looked puzzled, understandably, since I’d suddenly brought him to the toilet.

「Witch-sama, I’m already feeling fine. No more nausea, but… huh?」

I dropped a single purification blossoms into the toilet. In an instant, flowers began blooming from the bucket, absorbing its contents as they spread. Excess petals fluttered down to the floor, scattering like confetti. According to the status readout, these fallen petals made incredibly effective fertilizer—better than compost when spread over soil.

「Whoa… the smell is gone. Does this flower… clean up filth?」

(Yep, that’s exactly what it does.)

「So, if you planted it by the river… then the river’s contaminated? And that’s what’s making people sick?」

As expected of Noel—he caught on quickly. When I nodded and patted his head, his dark brown tail wagged vigorously.

This child really is smart. He may not speak much, but Noel understands nearly everything I try to convey. Sure, there are times when the message doesn’t get through, but for someone who can’t talk, I think we communicate pretty well. I’m glad he’s here with me… Though living together still makes me a little nervous.

「Still, it’s… kind of weird, isn’t it? This doesn’t feel like a toilet at all. It’s almost too beautiful to use…」

The flowers blooming from the waste bucket completely surrounded it in a perfect ring. Not quite 「a crane in a garbage heap,「 but maybe 「a flower in a latrine.」 Well, it doesn’t matter to me—I won’t be using this toilet anyway.

(My body doesn’t excrete, after all…)

What looks like a human body is actually roots. While I do have absorption functions, I lack the processes for digestion and excretion. I’ve also learned that I can absorb nutrients from human food simply by touching it with my bare hands. I once secretly ate a small apple-like fruit and placed it back on Noel’s plate. He tilted his head and said, 「This… doesn’t have much flavor?」 Apparently, food loses its taste after I absorb it.

Naturally, I took it back from his hand and disposed of it in the garden soil.

I can eat human food, but it’s far less efficient than directly consuming animals or monsters. I should probably stick to hunting for my meals.

「Witch-sama, are you here…?!」

「That’s the village chief’s voice. …If the river water’s the cause, maybe someone else has fallen ill. I’ll go explain!」

What an unbelievably dependable child. Noel dashed out of the toilet and ran toward the house where Daon’s voice had come from. I followed more leisurely, weaving a basket from vines and filling it with fruits containing full-recovery medicine.

When I arrived at the house entrance, Daon, looking pale, was receiving an explanation from Noel.

「I see—so the illness will keep recurring as long as the water remains polluted.」

「Yes, but Witch-sama can command flowers that purify water. She already planted them by the river this morning, so I think the water’s safe now.」

「I can’t thank Witch-sama enough… Ah, there you are. I heard from this child. But already, several more villagers have fallen ill, and I was hoping to consult—though it seems I don’t need to.」

Noticing me as I approached, Daon began speaking with a troubled expression. But when I held out the basket I carried, he noticed its contents and bowed deeply, tears welling faintly in his eyes.

「I truly… can’t thank you enough. If there’s anything I can do for you, anything at all—」

(No, no, you don’t have to go that far.)

「Witch-sama doesn’t ask for anything in return, Daon-san.」

I shook my head, and Noel chimed in—maybe a bit dramatically—to fill in the rest. Daon bit his lip lightly, looking a little guilty. Perhaps he felt bad about being treated so kindly.

(I feel a little guilty myself… since part of me is doing this to avoid being disliked.)

It’s true I want to help the villagers—but I can’t say it’s entirely out of goodwill. After all, I’m a mandragora trying to become a witch kind to humans so I can live among them.

「Witch-sama, we’re going with you, right?」

(Yep. I want to grow more purification blossoms in the well as a precaution, and in the manure pit too—it’ll help raise sanitation standards.)

When I nodded, Noel beamed and ran ahead. He seemed proud—like a child with an important task. Watching him, Daon narrowed his eyes, almost dazzled by the sight.

「…He must feel very proud.」

(Hm? Why?)

「In this age, for a beastkin to serve a witch like you—it’s a rare stroke of fortune. I’ll be off, then.」

Daon took the basket of recovery medicine and began walking toward the village, though he staggered slightly. Now that I thought about it, he had looked pale for a while. Maybe he was sick himself. That would explain the tears in his eyes earlier.

I tapped his shoulder to stop him and created a new medicine fruit. Perhaps he hadn’t realized his own condition—some people with sturdy bodies don’t notice when they’re unwell because they’re still able to function. Daon seemed like that type.

「Witch-sama… Is something wrong…?」

(Here, drink this. Don’t worry—you’ll see.)

I nicked the tip of the fruit to let the medicine drip out, and handed it to him with a gentle smile. He looked puzzled at first, then downed the liquid in one gulp. That should restore his condition.

Realizing he’d been sick, he stared down at the now-empty fruit.

「…Thank you, Witch-sama. I promise—I will repay this kindness someday.」

With a serious expression, he bowed and ran off toward the village. I followed after them, walking slowly. I’m not a real witch, and that truth made me feel a tiny bit guilty.

But even if I’m not the real thing, I at least want to be a good neighbor to humans. I want to try my best to become that kind of presence.

(First things first—let’s clean up the village!)