episode_0065

I had a dream.

The timid witch finally acknowledged my feelings and we shared warm affection until late into the night.

I dreamed a fantastic dream that I had hoped would be real, filled with desires intertwined.

“…Is that really just a dream?”

Honestly, I’m not sure if it was a dream.

The warmth I felt when I held her.

The intense pleasure that struck my mind when we became one.

It still felt vivid as if we had truly engaged in a relationship.

“I don’t know where reality ends and the dream begins.”

As I sighed and slowly got up, I felt an uncomfortable sensation from my undergarments.

With a sticky and damp familiar feeling, I closed my eyes tightly and let out a sigh.

“A wet dream, good heavens.”

I remember releasing built-up lust, so why is it called a wet dream?

Although I was puzzled and taken aback, upon reflecting on the dream, it soon made sense.

“If it’s that kind of dream, having a wet dream is natural.”

As a witch panting addictively for pleasure…

I find myself wanting to see her even in reality.

After discarding my underwear soaked in semen, I quickly washed up and headed straight to the dining hall.

I felt much hungrier than usual, as if I had exerted myself during the night.

“…Must be because of the mood?”

Yes, it must be the mood.

If I had really exerted myself at night, Beatrice would have been in my arms when I woke up.

I didn’t think she would have caused trouble and run away. The Beatrice I know isn’t that diligent.

“Thinking like this, it definitely was a dream.”

Arriving at the dining hall with a wistful smile, Stroheim, who was already eating, greeted me.

“Well – you’re finally up? Skipping morning training, are you planning for the sun to rise from the west tomorrow?”

“…There was a reason for that, Stroheim. But what about Beatrice? Hasn’t she come down yet?”

“The witch? She seemed quite busy since morning. She’s probably talking with the Duke right now.”

“With the Duke? Any idea why?”

“Well… what does a dwarf who only knows how to make weapons know? But I did hear something.”

Seeing Stroheim’s excited face, my curiosity vanished, but I quietly listened.

“She’s leaving the North soon. Seems like there’s something she needs to do in the Empire.”

“Really? Surprising, I thought she’d settle down here.”

“She probably has another plan. How can simple folks like us understand her complex mind?”

“True.”

I nodded at Stroheim’s words.

Indeed, Beatrice always seemed to know something.

While there were no thoughts in the Southern Great Forest, experiencing events in the West and North changed my perspective.

How did she know that ‘Paradise’ was in danger?

And how did she predict winter coming to the Spring Fortress?

“Can she see the future?”

It’s possible.

Witches are transcendent beings who even interfere with space and time.

Belonging to an area beyond comprehension by ordinary people, they could surely perform such miracles.

“Sigh.”

Thinking unexpectedly complicated thoughts, my head throbbed.

Was it necessary to ponder so deeply?

I shook my head slightly.

No, there’s no need for that.

Just follow Beatrice as usual to solve the crisis. Flirting with the witch is a bonus.

What I need to worry about is simply patience.

Fortunately, last night’s dream slightly eased the tension.

“Still, every moment feels like a test.”

It was honestly challenging to resist Beatrice’s unconscious seduction.

“I can’t fully grasp this, sigh…”

As I sighed, touching my forehead, Stroheim, who was staring at me as if unable to hold back, asked me a question.

“Hmm, so are you going to follow along this time as well? I welcome it.”

“What about the opinions of others?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“No, I think I do. Except for Sir Saje, everyone probably agreed. Am I right?”

“That’s correct, they accepted very willingly.”

Although I didn’t see it myself, I could roughly guess from the colleagues who had crossed the line with me.

They probably accepted without much thought. They must have cheered, thinking they could have an exciting and new experience.

Was Sir Saje the only one who didn’t refuse? Of course, eventually succumbing to the atmosphere and accepting.

“So, it’s confirmed that we’re heading to the central region. Did they mention when we’ll depart?”

“They haven’t disclosed the schedule yet. But it seems like we won’t have to wait long.”

“Since we’ve only taken minimal breaks… it will probably be the same this time too.”

Nodding at the words of inspiration from Ddangttalbo, the waiter soon placed the beef stew ordered in front of me.

Arriving just in time as my hunger intensified.

Feeling oddly uplifted, I tossed a silver coin as a tip and was about to start my meal when –

Clang!

At that moment, a clear bell sound rang out as a tired-looking Beatrice entered the inn.

Approaching the waiter to order her meal, she noticed me staring blankly at her and…

“…!”

Startled to the core, she fled outside the inn without another word.

…Did I do something wrong yesterday?

Why did she… do that?

I immediately began to chase after her.

—–

“If you leave, will you come back?”

“Of course, I’ll come back. How can I endure giving up the generous living expenses provided annually at the grand mansion?”

“…You’re excessively materialistic for a witch. It feels like the fantasy about witches is crumbling down.”

“What kind of fantasy did you have in the first place?”

“No comment.”

After discussing the rewards for the battle, I started walking towards my lodging.

“When I return, I should grab a meal and rest properly…”

Could it be due to moving hastily since morning without proper sleep, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy.

Moreover, the strange sensations from the vivid dream still lingering further exacerbated my fatigue.

“…I shouldn’t have used that magic yesterday after all.”

It felt like sensing something that shouldn’t be known.

It wasn’t as if I had lost half of my life, but rather, due to these odd sensations, I vaguely felt that a major accident might occur soon.

“Damn it…”

Something felt off.

What kind of emotions did I harbor towards that guy to act in such a way?

Honestly… it was ambiguous. There were too many unclear aspects to definitively label it as ‘love.’

While they say love has no reasons, well… at least one should be able to point out the appealing aspects of the person they love, shouldn’t they?

When asked, he answered without hesitation, as if he could list dozens of reasons why he liked ‘me,’ making it seem effortless.

On the other hand, what about me?

“…”

I questioned myself about the reasons for liking him, but no answer came.

Though there were appealing aspects… of course, they weren’t absent, but connecting them to the emotion of ‘love’ seemed somewhat lacking.

“It’s complicated.”

Acknowledging myself as ‘Beatrice’ was fine, but the ensuing problems were giving me a headache.

I don’t know, I’ll figure it out soon.

Is this really ‘love,’ or is it a sense of obligation stemming from the affection he shows? Maybe it’s a fixation on the key tool to solve calamities…

“No, this is getting too far.”

Shaking my head, I resumed my walk back to the lodging and after a while, finally arrived.

…I wonder what Karl is up to right now? Probably finished eating and went out for his own business, right?

I didn’t want to face him right now. When I see him, it feels like those forgotten memories from dreams will come flooding back.

Scattered, rushed, pierced, and then shivering.

Those embarrassing memories.

“I’m lucky I used real magic; what would have happened if I actually did it?”

The spellbook purchased at Western Boundary really came in handy.

I almost had to ponder reasons to like it.

Exhaling a sigh of relief, I cautiously opened the inn door.

“Should I eat beef stew, or should I go for a sandwich.”

Unaware of what awaits me, happily contemplating.

And then.

“…Beatrice?”

I ended up meeting someone I definitely shouldn’t have.

“…”

“…”

In the awkward silence, the hunger that tormented my disguise hides its form as I face the sharp fellow.

What should I say? After a moment’s thought, the witch’s clever mind quickly provided an excellent solution.

[Let’s run away.]

No matter how many times I thought about it, there was no better way.

Right, do I really need to have a conversation? If I make an excuse and escape, I can just let it go for now!

I’ll handle future matters when the time comes! Isn’t that right?

I turned around and started running away from the inn.

Hunger and fatigue were not the issue right now. If caught by that guy, all sorts of trouble would ensue.

With legs toughened by months of marching, I ran swiftly.

But facing off against one of the strongest warriors in the world, the fearsome aura of that guy soon caught up with me.

“It seems like we need to have a little chat.”

I cursed my past self for making a foolish choice.

You crazy bastard.

The situation just got worse.