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Chapter 31.7: Nikolaus, Part Three

The official report had noted that the witch had tamed a single moving mandrake that had escaped from the magic zone. But it never mentioned there were five. There were clear signs that someone had intentionally withheld information. Whether it was this man alone, or the entire unit of holy knights during their investigation, was unclear, but at the very least, it was certain that one of the commanding officers had been compromised.

「I came to investigate a possible fake. Obviously.」

Given that, Nikolaus was the only one truly capable of determining whether or not this woman was really a demon. Which is why he muttered, almost as if trying to convince himself. He couldn’t trust anyone else’s investigation. He had to do it himself.

「At this point, I can’t say for certain that she’s a fake. …But I can’t say she’s real, either. I still don’t believe it. And if I find out you’re an imposter, I won’t forgive you. Until I know for sure, I’ll keep coming back.」

She didn’t even seem slightly annoyed. She just smiled, as if genuinely happy. As if to say: you’re welcome anytime. Was that confidence in her ability to conceal the truth? Or… was she simply pleased that a fellow demon had come?

Either possibility fit. Nikolaus still couldn’t decide whether she was fake or real.

「But, Mage-dono… was it really okay for you to leave the castle? It hasn’t been very long since the report was submitted… Isn’t it too soon for royal approval?」

「I got permission from the king. I threw up a wide-area defensive barrier around the whole castle and took a little time off.」

「…Mage-dono, that’s quite the reckless use of magic. And you used teleportation magic too, didn’t you?」

The words were polite, but clearly meant to rebuke him.

And he was right. Nikolaus had used far too much magic today. He’d rushed here, driven by urgency to uncover the witch’s identity. If she was a fake, he couldn’t tolerate it. But maybe, just maybe, he’d also hoped, just a little, that she was the real thing.

「Who do you think I am? I’m the last surviving demon. Of course I can handle this much.」

The last surviving demon. But maybe… not the last.

When he turned to leave, his eyes met the woman’s. She seemed to be watching him, perhaps to see him off. The gentle, enveloping smile she gave him made him quickly turn away.

「I’ll carve a teleportation circle nearby. You’ll find it convenient too… especially since you live next to the magic zone. You’ll need it someday.」

The magic zone was still changing. Eventually, it might spawn a magical disaster. Either way, the village needed a teleportation circle.

But maintaining one consumed a good deal of magic. Nikolaus alone had his limits, but if that woman was willing to cooperate, her vast magic power would allow for far more use. Of course, that assumed she would be willing.

「…That may be true, but… Witch-sama also values her privacy. Wouldn’t it be better to place it a little farther away? And please, avoid the riverbank.」

This one-eyed knight really was suspicious. He seemed close to the woman, and his words made it sound like he wanted to keep her hidden from surveillance.

(Something’s at the river, huh… Still, I’ll place it where I planned. Has to be a convenient location.)

Nikolaus set the teleportation circle between the house and the village. It would make future visits easier. But anchoring the magic circle consumed even more magic, and he started to feel lightheaded. Yeah, he’d definitely overexerted himself today.

「Well then, I’ll be heading back. Keep an eye on her. And make sure you report everything properly.」

「…Mage-dono, please don’t push yourself too hard. Leave things here to us holy knights.」

He warned the one-eyed knight, though it probably wouldn’t matter. That man usually wore a cheerful smile and was well-liked by all. Unlike Nikolaus, who kept to himself, this knight was someone everyone relied on.

But now he had an entirely different look in his eye, sharp and intimidating. Like he was trying to scare Nikolaus off.

(So he’s been putting on an act this whole time…)

Maybe he figured it didn’t matter if someone like Nikolaus saw his true face. Or maybe he cared about the woman so much, he was willing to risk it. Either way, this knight was working for her. Nikolaus would definitely need to keep coming back.

「I’m fine. Who do you think I, 」

He’d been planning to puff himself up again, despite feeling drained from depleted magic. He wanted to make it clear: I’ll keep coming, no matter how much you try to hide.

But the woman, who had been watching quietly from a distance, now approached with a gentle smile, interrupting him mid-sentence.

「What? You don’t have any reason to bother with me.」

She had every right to want him gone. After all, he was here investigating her as a possible fraud. And yet, she quietly held something out to him.

It looked like the fruit of a will-o’-the-wisp plant, though the color was different. Something was inside. When he picked it up and used 【Appraisal】, he found it was a magic recovery potion.

【Item Name】 Magic Recovery Potion
【Description】
A potion specialized for restoring magic power. A beloved product among demons with vast magic reserves.
Top-tier quality with absolutely no impurities.

This was a potion commonly crafted by demons. The method had been recorded in texts left behind, so Nikolaus himself could make it, though he’d never managed one of this quality. …Apparently, this woman was very experienced in brewing them.

Among demons, creating this potion marked the threshold of adulthood. Until then, it was customary for elders to make the potions and help young demons train in magic. But Nikolaus had always been alone. Of course, no one had ever given him one.

(A magic recovery potion… Is she treating me like a kid? And she gave me two.)

One was more than enough to fully recover. Giving a second one clearly meant: use it next time you come. It was like handing travel snacks to a child visiting home. …Not something you do for a five-hundred-year-old demon. Just how many years had this woman lived, to act like he was a child?

「You… really are an idiot.」

She only smiled softly.

Even though Nikolaus was accusing her of being a fraud, her actions showed she wanted him to come back again.

She had ignored him for so long, and now she was suddenly showing kindness. He didn’t know how to react.

(…Was she feeling guilty for leaving me alone? Idiot.)

Maybe she had secluded herself in the mountains for five hundred years for a reason, and now that she was back among people, she found it hard to face him. But now that he’d come to her on his own, now that they both knew of each other’s existence, maybe she was thinking, 「You can come back anytime now.」

If that was the case, she could’ve just come to see him. It wasn’t too late.

「…I’ll come again, like you want.」

He downed the potion inside the fruit. A refreshing flavor spread through him, and the magic power rushed back into his body. He felt light, almost euphoric.

「…Command: Teleport, First Circle.」

As the glow of teleportation wrapped around him, he looked back one last time. The woman was still watching him, still smiling gently.

Maybe… she really was a witch.

He wanted to believe.

But he still didn’t know for sure. That’s why he’d keep coming back. Next time, he’d bring his own magic recovery potion and show her, so she’d stop treating him like a child.

When he arrived back in the teleportation chamber of the royal castle, the guards standing watch looked utterly stunned.

「M-Mage-dono… Um, why do you look so… cheerful…?」

「Huh? What are you talking about?」

「N-no, it’s just… it’s rare to see you smiling, so… I didn’t mean anything by it.」

Nikolaus touched his mouth. Sure enough, the corners were turned up.

Realizing that, he couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh. Looking up at the ceiling, he sighed deeply.

…In the end, he had been hoping all along. And though there was no proof yet, the fact that he hadn’t been disappointed, that alone gave him relief.

「What a fool I am.」

「Eh…?! M-my deepest apologies…!!」

「I wasn’t talking to you.」

Leaving the guard behind, Nikolaus returned to his lab with a light step.

He still had mandragoras to tend to today.

If he took proper care of them, they’d grow into excellent ingredients for magic recovery potions. By the time he visited her again… he’d be ready.