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Chapter 53 Part 3 – We are fighting in the forest during the night. Against the cruel Witch of Doom. A cruel …… eh?

I bluffed and said a bunch of nonsense. I thought silently inside my heart, ‘What kind of end-of-the-century legend is this?’ But the Witch of Doom seemed to have taken it seriously.

「Damn it …… I didn’t expect such a monster ……」

The old woman was crestfallen, hung her head, and stopped moving. This old woman is such a fool. Then, the〈Lawless Crew〉tied her up with a rope.

Confirming that the work was finished, I silently nodded and approached and looked down at the Witch of Doom, who had been tied up and rolled around on the ground.

「That settles the matter. We picked up a victory just by bluffing. This is the essence of the Art of War.」

I took out a spare fan and opened it, declaring in a loud voice.
She was an easy opponent, all I had to do was to act as a decoy.
Bradd gave me a frustrated look.

「A bluff? You call it bluffing when you are calmly using your own life as bait? You’re just a shorty, but you’re still as fearless as usual. Don’t you have any feelings of fear or anything like that?」

I didn’t expect this.
What is he saying to such an innocent and sensitive little girl?
I immediately retorted.

「Of course I have feelings like that, don’t treat a human like me as a monster. …… But Bradd, the reason I dared to do that was because you said that you would protect me. You may be an idiot, but you’ve never broken a promise. So there’s no reason for me to be scared, right?」

I am a timid, lovely, ordinary maiden who loves flowers and sweets, who is only calm because I have a shield that protects me from all kinds of attacks.

Hearing my indignant response, for some reason Bradd’s eyes widened, then he scratched his cheek and smiled bitterly.

「…… I’m no match against you, you’re such a natural. I admire that part of you ……」

W-What is it? What’s with that gaze that’s as if you’re looking at something pleasing ……!! Moreover, it’s not only Bradd, but also mother and everyone else, why do they have such a warm and fluffy expression!? Stop looking at me like I’m your granddaughter!! Although I’m a little girl now, I have the experience of being a wicked queen for「108 times」.

「…… Oh my, that’s not it. At times like that, you should say that she is cute instead of ‘I’m no match for you’. You’re a nice guy, but you’re not there yet, boy.」

We almost jumped from surprise at the sound of the man’s deep voice, which sounded so out of place.
It was a nice husky voice, but the choice of words seemed like it was uttered by a woman.

Realizing that it was emanating from the Witch of Doom who was hanging her head in shame, Bradd jumped back while shouting, 「…… Uwohh!?」. The blue diamond hanging on the witch’s chest was shining much stronger than before.
Regardless of our reaction, the deep male voice continued on as if impressed.

「But I’m surprised. You guys are really good. When push comes to shove, both men and women are stronger when they have a strong will. That conceited old lady must have been no match for you.」

Seemingly embarrassed from our stunned gazes, she twisted her body

「Oh no. Don’t stare at me like that …… Ah, there we go.」

With a light shout, the rope binding the Witch of Doom burst open. A vine was inserted between the robe and the rope, and the rope was cut off by brute force. It looked like a balloon bursting under internal pressure. But that was not all. The rope was not only cut, but also discolored and weakened.

「…… Is this …… corrosion …… could it be that this was caused by the secretions from the vine?」

「Oh my, the ruby princess over there, you’re so perceptive. You did great to notice that.」

The Witch of Doom, who now has a male voice, brushed off the dirt from her robe, stood up, and looked at me, flapping the dirt off her robe with a plop. She has the same mistletoe-covered face as before, but her eyes were opened wide. With just that, her style had changed and I could sense the wisdom of a monk.

「…… Depending on the situation, plants can even release their own soil-improving compounds. If you tinker that ability just a little bit, something like this is possible. You seem to be the sharpest person in this group of people.」

Despite the effeminate tone of voice, there was dignity in his behavior.

「Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet. Just like that old lady, I am also one of the Witch of Doom. There are three Witch of Doom in total.」

「A witch? …… Aren’t you …… a queer guy?」

Bradd asked the obvious question.

「Oh no. I’m a woman at heart. At least refer to me as an elder sister. My name is Dwayne, nice to meet you.」

The new Witch of Doom puffed out her chest causing me and Bradd to be taken aback.

「Instead of a witch, shouldn’t it be a male witch ……」

「Q-Queer witch, Doremi ……?」

This person had dignity, but there was a friendly air around her that made it easy to fall into a conversation with her.

It is rare to find this type of person in the high ranks of the Holy Church. I glanced sideways and saw that mother also had a relaxed expression on her face. After experiencing harsh bullying and becoming a shut-in for ten years, mother can detect the malice of others with an animal-like acuteness. The fact that mother had let her guard down meant that this is a person of character. The horses of the imperial guards have also turned their ears forward and swayed their tails in a relaxed manner.

The new Witch of Doom, who was loved by the animals, dropped her shoulders and fell to her knees.

「My name is Dwayne, not Doremi!! What do you mean by a male witch!! You’re making other people misunderstand!! Don’t you think that queer witch is too terrible!? You guys have cute faces, but it turns out that you have such a wicked tongue. You’ve hurt my maiden heart. …… But then it is our destiny to hurt and be hurt.」

The Witch of Doom sighed deeply.
The atmosphere changed.
The blue diamond pendant became even more luminous.
As the witch slowly stood up with the light, the attendants from the〈Lawless Crew〉and the imperial guards were overwhelmed and they stepped back.

「I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to crush you. I don’t hate people like you guys. It’s just that I can’t go against my new master, the scary princess. After all, that young lady is more terrifying than the darkness of the universe and the abyss of the sea. The third child is strangely fond of her, but I don’t really like her. Even though the boy with the pince-nez glasses is also scary, but I can still have a conversation with him ……」

The blue light of the blue diamond was no longer surging, that was the best way to describe it. It is currently rotating slowly like a searchlight.

Mother held up the shortbow and gave a warning to Bradd,

「Bradd, be careful. This person is much stronger than the previous one.」

「I understand. My back is tingling with a dangerous feeling.」

The Witch of Doom turned around to look at the two of them and spoke.

「Now then …… Everyone seems to be skilled, but I guess the two of you are the main force of the team. The red-haired princess has great power, but it looks like she hasn’t mastered the way of using the Ruby of the True Emperor yet …… Before we start the battle, I’m going to release the people and the horses that were manipulated by that grandma. I don’t like that way of doing things.」

The Witch of Doom waved one hand to the side, and the mistletoe that covered the faces of Countess Rosenthal’s assassins and the horses that were supposed to be pulling our carriage fell off in pieces. The vines fell to the ground, but it did not seem to be dead, as their bodies were still moving up and down due to their breathing.

「…… You have a pretty fair personality. But are you sure that’s okay? You’ve reduced the number of pieces you have. Our side has a group of people, while now your side only has you.」

At Bradd’s question, the Witch of Doom shook her body and laughed.

「I don’t need them. When you manipulate something unnecessary, it will only distract you and create an opening. It seemed that must have been the reason why the old lady was defeated. I’m telling you, I’m very strong even if I look like this. And I’m more than happy to be outnumbered.」

Does that mean she specializes in turbulent battles? This person wouldn’t say such a line unless she was very confident in it.

Tension ran through between us.

「After all, it’ll be this many nice guys vs. me alone!! It’s a harem!! I feel nothing but supreme bliss.」

My guess was wrong. We were disappointed as we watched the queer witch twisting her body happily. The seriousness of the story doesn’t seem to last. What kind of reaction is this!? Why is it becoming more and more like comedy!?