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Chapter 43 – Nikolaus

The birth of a new Demon Realm, and the appearance of the Flower Witch, these two topics had become the most frequent points of discussion in the royal castle’s meetings. Summoned as a reference witness, Nikolaus heaved a sigh, thoroughly exasperated.

When a new Demon Realm appears, there’s a high risk of a monster calamity, a shift in borders between monster territories and human lands. The signs were already there, and it was only natural for the kingdom to plan ahead. What made it tiresome was that the talks went nowhere.

「I’m telling you, that witch is cooperative and capable. She’s more than qualified as support, That alone is enough to make her a strong asset.」

「However… if she’s a veteran powerful enough to have survived the war against the dragons, wouldn’t it be better to have her lead from the front lines?」

「Hah? Are you idiots? Putting that witch on the front line is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.」

A witch who survived the dragon war would indeed be a one-person army. It was natural some wanted her spearheading the fight to minimize damage. But Nikolaus wouldn’t allow it. He wanted her in the rear, supporting, as safe as possible.

「Sending our top-class combatant for a simple monster outbreak is the height of folly. She’s a force to be preserved. If we lose her now, what’ll you do when another dragon-level calamity appears?」

「When that happens, surely the Great Mage himself would…」

「Even though she’s stronger than I am? …If anyone’s going to be sacrificed first, it should be me.」

Nikolaus lived in the castle as a court magician under a contract to stake his life in times of crisis. He had no intention of running from battle, but he was fed up with these old children, barely a tenth of his age and green in magic.

The Flower Witch’s value was immense. Nikolaus could wield many kinds of spells, but that breadth came at the cost of depth, broad and shallow, a versatile jack-of-all-trades. If someone had to die first, better him than the witch. The last thing he wanted was to be the only one left alive.

「Still, in versatility, the Great Mage surpasses her. Magic that controls plants seems limited in scope, doesn’t it?」

「People who’ve never seen a demon that truly mastered their magic should keep their ignorant mouths shut. …Aside from teleportation, there’s nothing I can do that she can’t. And teleportation isn’t as convenient as you think.」

Her plant magic excelled far beyond combat. Even if human lands shrank, her productivity could prevent famine. She could brew medicines, purify poisons, and even contribute to public hygiene.

Nikolaus’s magic was for a society already thriving, adding convenience. The Flower Witch’s magic underpinned civilization itself. In any disaster, who could rebuild faster was obvious.

(It’s hard to grasp her power without seeing it. She tosses off impossibly advanced magic without changing expression, it’s abnormal. Ordinary minds can’t picture it. Honestly, is there anything she can’t do? Even lacking a spell, she produces an alternative.)

As for teleportation, the spatial magic she couldn’t use, its cost was huge. You couldn’t shuttle crowds or heavy cargo quickly. Convenient in theory, constrained in practice. With her potions, though, even teleportation’s performance would jump. And Nikolaus could stack her support onto his attacks and defenses.

Have her support from the rear while he takes the front with the knights, that was the safest, least accident-prone arrangement.

(Some may still die. But with her handing out full-recovery potions like candy, casualties will plummet. They don’t want to lose personnel that they cultivated, sure… but a monster like her won’t appear even after five hundred years of training.)

Raising humans for ten or twenty years would never reach her. Even Nikolaus, who had been at it for five centuries, didn’t feel close.

It would seem they have no idea how precious she is. The old must beware their narrowing vision. You’re supposed to listen to your elders.

「For starters… you realize the witch isn’t in the national army, right? If neither side knows the other’s methods, they can’t coordinate with the knights. Do you plan to have her handle the entire overflow from the Demon Realm alone?」

「Th-that may be so, but surely it’s the citizens’ duty to stand up in crisis.」

「That witch went unnoticed for five centuries. During the dragon calamity, an existential threat, demons from across the world gathered to fight. She could well have belonged to another nation. If you demand her life without proper terms, she might abandon this kingdom.」

…Though that soft-hearted witch wouldn’t. Without being asked, she’d stay for Bit Village. But a monster disaster was a numbers game, waves upon waves. Handling them alone was difficult, and one mistake could kill her. Nikolaus would not let her die before he did.

「With her support, my combat strength more than doubles. I’m volunteering, what’s the problem?」

「…Enough. Since the Great Mage insists, we proceed under that plan. We don’t have time for endless debate.」

「…Understood.」

Crown Prince Cedric’s single word settled it for now. Nikolaus exhaled. As long as the witch stayed in the rear, that was enough. He’d keep quiet about the rest unless asked.

「You were unusually assertive today, Nikolaus.」

After the meeting, as Nikolaus moved to leave, Cedric stopped him. Expecting a scolding, he instead saw a wry smile.

「Don’t look so displeased. Now that you acknowledge her as a witch, she’s your only kin, isn’t she? It’s only natural to want to protect her.」

「…That’s not it. We don’t even know if she is a witch. We call her that for convenience.」

「Even so, you judged she has the strength to survive the dragon war. If that isn’t a witch, what is she?」

Only demons could wield such magic. And even among demons, she stood far above a five-hundred-year-old like Nikolaus. If she wasn’t one of the ancient witches who survived… then what?

「Who knows. A monster, a freak. Maybe an anomalous evolution of a monster.」

「That has no credibility. You don’t believe it either. You’re not honest at all.」

「…So what’s the real business?」

It wasn’t to nitpick his attitude, then. There was something else. Pressed, Cedric nodded.

「You said it yourself, she doesn’t belong to the kingdom. Then we must formally ask for cooperation. Send an envoy and make a proper request.」

「…Sure. But she can’t speak, and she can only read and write ancient script.」

「Exactly why I’d like you to go. Mediate between the witch and the crown. You’ll likely be visiting often, so your research may have to wait.」

「…Fine. There’s no one more suitable.」

He could feel his mood lift. Even if not researching at the castle, the village was full of curiosities. He no longer needed to force himself to create new demons; he had other pursuits. Though he didn’t show it, Cedric noticed the subtle change and smiled, rare for him.

「…What? That’s a rare face for you too.」

「I also wish to repay my teacher, even a little.」

Teacher, that took Nikolaus back. When Cedric was a child, he’d taught him a bit of magic, briefly. The prince hadn’t forgotten and considered it a debt.

「…Repaying me with work, is it? Some gratitude.」

「Haha. I’ll prepare the formal documents, be ready.」

Watching Cedric back for a few seconds as he walked away, Nikolaus turned toward his room, thinking through what to prepare.

What would make a good gift for the Flower Witch? …But somehow he was sue, that whatever he brought, she would welcome him with that gentle smile.