3 bar menu

Chapter 31

Nikolaus was still inspecting the purple seedling, tilting it this way and that as it struck a series of inexplicably bashful poses—ones I had no idea where it had learned.

While this odd display unfolded, someone suddenly came running to the front door.

It was the one-eyed knight wearing an eyepatch—Leonhart.

「Witch-dono, are you safe—!? …Court Mage-dono, what brings you here…?」

「I’m here to investigate a fraud. Isn’t that obvious?」

Oh… right.

He’d come to determine whether or not I was a fake witch. Remembering that, the fear came rushing back again—but Nikolaus finally set the purple seedling down on the table and stood up.

With all five seedlings assembled, the table was quite crowded. They huddled together to avoid falling off the edge. …They kind of looked like they were scared of Nikolaus too.

「For now, I can’t say definitively that she’s a fake. …I also can’t say for sure that she’s real. I haven’t accepted it yet. If I find out you’re a fraud—I won’t forgive you. I’ll come back as many times as it takes to uncover your true identity.」

(Eeeeek…! I’m sorry I’m just a Mandragora…! Please don’t ever find out…!)

His amethyst eyes glared at me, and I shriveled under the weight of it. Compared to villagers or knights, Nikolaus was on another level. I absolutely, positively could not let this man find out what I really was.

If he ever discovered the truth, I’d definitely be turned into some kind of botanical test subject. I couldn’t let that happen. …I probably was one of his original experiments, after all. Thank goodness I managed to escape.

It looked like Nikolaus was finally preparing to leave. He turned toward the front door.

I didn’t know what he might do, so I kept my eye on him until he was completely gone.

「I must ask, Mage-dono… was it truly alright for you to leave the castle like this? The report was only just submitted. Would the king have granted permission so soon?」

「I got the king’s permission. I cast a protective barrier around the entire castle and took a short leave.」

Leonhart and Nikolaus had stopped a little ways from the house, conversing amid the garden’s flowerbeds.

I wished he would just go, but I couldn’t very well tell him that—so I just watched the two of them from the entrance.

Apparently, Nikolaus needs the king’s authorization to leave the castle. …Which must mean he can’t come here that often.

Thank goodness. Please, let it stay that way.

「…Mage-dono, wouldn’t that be an excessive drain on your mana? You used teleportation too, didn’t you?」

「Do you know who I am? I’m the only… surviving demon. Of course I can handle that.」

As he said this, Nikolaus turned back around. That 「only「 still carried suspicion in it—he clearly hadn’t let his doubts go.

Naturally, I let out an internal 「EEEP」 in response. Thankfully, nobody else could hear that. At most, the nearby seedlings would pick up on my feelings and tremble in sympathy.

「I’m going to draw a teleportation circle nearby. That way it’ll be easier for you all to travel too. …There’s a demon forest right here—you never know when that might come in handy.」

「Fair enough… but Mage-dono, out of respect for Witch-dono’s privacy, perhaps choose a spot that’s not too close to her home? Especially not by the river, please.」

「What, seriously? I was already planning to put it between the village and her house.」

So Nikolaus could use teleportation magic—basically, a dream 「anywhere door」 out of a certain blue cat’s pocket. I couldn’t help being a bit jealous.

(But I really don’t want that thing right next to my house… I’d better figure out exactly where he’s placing it…)

If I grow some plants around the circle that can sense his presence, I might be able to detect his arrival early next time. Today it felt like he appeared out of nowhere—though maybe I can sense him when he’s within range.

(Even now, I can still tell where Nikolaus-san is without even looking… I wonder how far away he’d have to get before I couldn’t feel it anymore.)

The two men began walking in the direction of the village. I left the house and followed them.

I instructed the seedlings to carry Noel to his bed and stand watch at home.

At the midpoint between the village and my house, Nikolaus crouched by the roadside, placed both hands on the ground, and began drawing.

Light radiated outward from that point, forming the teleportation circle and etching a glowing design into the earth.

「…Alright then, I’m heading back. You guys—keep a close watch on her and report everything.」

「…Mage-dono, please take care. Leave the rest to us Holy Knights.」

As Nikolaus stood and turned back, his complexion looked noticeably pale.

Leonhart must have noticed too—he called out with concern.

From their earlier exchange, I’d gathered that Nikolaus had used a lot of magic. Being a monster, I’m different from humans, but when I use a lot of magic, it makes me feel a kind of hunger. Maybe it was the same for him.

(Could this be… my chance to make a harmless impression…!?)

Among the many potions I can create, there’s one that restores magical energy. It doesn’t do much for me—nectar from purification flowers works better—but based on the status description, it should work for demons.

I quickly made one, just to be safe, and then made a second—sealing the magic-restoring liquid into fruits that don’t look like ghostfire grass.

Nikolaus looked down at me.

「You don’t need anything from me. What do you—wait, what is this?」

(I’m a very good person, so I’m giving you this gift…! And if you could stop doubting me, that’d be fantastic…!)

Since the medicine glowed blue, it shouldn’t be mistaken for anything ominous. I offered the fruit to him. Nikolaus gave me a suspicious look but took it—and stared at it intensely.

「A mana restoration potion…? …You’re an idiot, aren’t you?」

(Eh…? W-was it the wrong thing to give him…!?)

「I’ll be back. Just as you clearly wanted.」

I absolutely did not want that.

Yet with those parting words, Nikolaus drank the potion from one of the fruits, stepped into the teleportation circle, and—

A brilliant light burst forth, blinding me momentarily. By the time it faded, he was gone.

…Well, at least he left without uncovering my identity. But something tells me I might’ve made things worse.

Inside, I howled with despair.

「Witch-dono. …It must be wonderful to have been reunited with a fellow kin.」

(No, absolutely not. Not wonderful at all…)

「Oh, that reminds me… Should I inform Mage-dono of your affliction?」

Not following, I turned to look at Leonhart. He pointed to his neck.

Ah—he still thinks my voice has a 「curse that causes people to hate me.」 So he was asking whether to share that with Nikolaus.

(No, definitely don’t tell him… It’s just a Mandragora species trait. If he finds out, he’ll want to investigate even more…)

「…Then we shall keep it our secret for now. Allow me to escort you home, Witch-dono.」

When I shook my head, Leonhart smiled brightly. I, on the other hand, felt completely drained.

At this point, I just wanted to curl up in the soil and sleep forever.

…Maybe if I built an oversized flowerpot and filled it with purification blossoms, I could get away with sleeping in that…?