Chapter 8 – The Witch and Her Apprentice (9)

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The prisoners, who had been the emergency rations of the orcs, were brought back to our home.

A room, prepared in case of guests, was given to them so they could lie down and rest.

Who would have thought that a room that had never been used would become a makeshift infirmary?

Before starting the treatment, Estelle called Josie and made her promise a few things.

“You’re the one who will be treating them. All I can give you are these four potions here. The rest, you’ll have to make yourself.”

She handed over four potions filled with an orange liquid.

Despite their appearance, these were the so-called “Super Potions,” renowned for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, even among the first few series of Aria Chronicles. They were known for their ability to restore stamina.

Having undergone clinical trials, their effectiveness was guaranteed.

In fact, after feeding the potions to half-dead orcs as an experiment, the orcs were found perfectly healthy the next day.

Josie carefully accepted the potions, making sure she didn’t drop them, and bowed her head in thanks.

Even before Estelle had finished speaking, Josie seemed anxious, eager to administer the potions. This made Estelle feel uneasy.

If she rushes like that, she might make mistakes she wouldn’t otherwise.

“Wait. This is the most important part.”

Estelle adjusted herself to Josie’s eye level, which wasn’t much lower than her own now.

She gently brushed Josie’s bangs aside, and Josie’s sky-blue eyes shyly greeted her.

“You’ve already done your best by saving them from the orcs. Can you promise not to be hurt, no matter what happens to them?”

Estelle patiently waited as Josie avoided her gaze.

It wasn’t an easy question to answer.

It wasn’t that wanting to save everyone was a bad thought.

In fact, in one of the series, the Saint’s prayer had created a miracle that revived people who had died in war.

A miracle.

Even if Josie denied it, she had already taken a step into the world of witches. She could hope for a miracle, but she couldn’t perform one.

A witch is someone who defies the natural order and resists the laws of the world. On the other hand, a saint is someone who protects the natural order and abides by the laws of the world.

It was easier for a witch to curse and kill four people than to save four lives.

Estelle could only pray to the gods that this child wouldn’t be hurt any more than she already was.

“I’m not sure,” Josie cautiously began. “I don’t understand why you’re so worried about me, or why you’re leaving them like this. Even if I promise, I’m not sure if I can keep it…”

Josie’s voice trailed off as she lowered her head, and Estelle felt a pang of pity.

If only she had decided to become a witch, she wouldn’t have to worry like this.

“But I’ll try my best! Thank you for indulging my stubbornness!”

Josie, who seemed to have steeled herself, bowed with determination. Estelle waved her off.

Yes, don’t forget to take care of yourself too.

After Josie left, Estelle swallowed her words.

Spoiling her too much wouldn’t be good for her emotional well-being. It seemed that as she aged, she had become more sentimental.

It was the first week of treatment.

Although the Super Potions had helped them overcome the critical phase, their condition was still far from good.

Josie had stacked books on pharmacology and alchemy like a tower, brewing potions while Estelle watched from behind.

The smell of medicinal herbs had spread throughout the house. It was particularly pungent, likely due to the use of monster byproducts.

Even after living for over a hundred years and creating countless potions, Estelle felt dizzy from the smell. Yet, Josie remained expressionless, silently working away, which worried Estelle.

Another concern was the rare ingredients stored in the medicinal warehouse.

Estelle had allowed Josie to use whatever ingredients or monster byproducts she needed, so she could only watch quietly as the precious supplies dwindled.

‘The unicorn horn…’

The unicorn horn, which had taken Estelle thirty years to find, was thrown whole into the cauldron.

The unicorn horn was used to create the Elixir of Purity, which protected a woman’s chastity.

Conversely, if a woman who had lost her purity used it, it would cause severe side effects, including infertility.

Whether it was the unicorn’s obsession with purity or not, only a virgin could use it without consequences.

It would be better to ask for their consent before using it after they regained consciousness, but watching as more ingredients go into the cauldron, Estelle found herself more interested in guessing what Josie was trying to make

Starting with the Elixir of Purity, there were potions for rapid regeneration, growth, and others—mostly for warriors or knights engaged in brutal battles on the front lines.

In short, the effects were too strong.

Even if the Elixir of Purity was set aside, if an ordinary person drank those potions, their body would be overwhelmed.

Moreover, if a patient in poor condition consumed those potions, they could go into shock, which made Estelle worry.

She could only hope that the patients had strong spirits.

Estelle felt a surge of irritation.

For the first time since becoming a witch, she found herself relying on someone else’s will and worrying over them.

Early in the morning, Josie woke Estelle from her deep sleep, saying the patient’s condition was strange, and they entered the sickroom together.

The room looked no different from usual, but two women, now pale, caught Estelle’s eye.

Their chests were still, and their skin was deathly white. It seemed they had passed away during the night.

“Josie, they’re already dead.”

Perhaps because of the promise she had made, Josie didn’t ask for help, but her grip on Estelle’s hand tightened.

Even without the promise, Estelle couldn’t bring back the dead.

In the game series, only the Saint’s Miracle could revive the dead.

Even if Josie relied on her, there were things Estelle couldn’t do.

She wasn’t going to give Josie any false hope.

Estelle shook her head and released Josie’s hand.

“Let’s pray their souls find peace in the afterlife.”

The cause of death was likely shock from excessive medication.

Estelle covered the bodies with blankets up to their heads and left the room.

It might seem cold to Josie, but that was as far as it went.

Josie’s sobbing could be heard from beyond the door.

Estelle held back the urge to go back inside and steadied herself.

“Josie. Instead of crying, wouldn’t it be better to think about how to save the remaining two?”

It was the first time Estelle had spoken so harshly to Josie.

As she prepared to go outside, she wondered if there was an empty spot nearby.

It would be good if it was large enough to bury all four of them.

If possible, she wanted to find a place that wouldn’t draw attention.

It was the second week of treatment.

During that time, another woman had passed away.

Now, only the man remained in the spacious makeshift infirmary.

The man lay in bed, sleeping peacefully, looking as if he were simply resting.

It seemed unlikely that potions or medicinal herbs could improve his condition any further.

Half of the medicinal supplies had been depleted, yet Josie’s efforts showed no sign of stopping.

The more she tried, the more Estelle worried.

She made sure Josie ate on time to avoid harming her health, but Josie often left her food untouched.

Her hair was greasy, as if she hadn’t washed it properly, and she spent more time staring blankly into space.

It was clear she was blaming herself, thinking their deaths were her fault.

Had Estelle ever been like that?

For the first thirty years after becoming a witch, she had felt like she could do anything.

As the first and last disciple of the Witch of the West, she had been proud.

She had appeared like a comet in the world of witches, and her abilities were recognized by all, earning her many nicknames.

Her immortality only added to her pride.

‘What nonsense is this?’

Putting aside her memories, Estelle approached Josie.

If things continued like this, Josie would become a patient herself instead of saving the remaining one.

“Josie, why don’t you take a break? It would be good to relax and take a bath.”

“…Why won’t they wake up…? The books clearly said…”

Even as Estelle drew near, Josie continued muttering to herself. Estelle grabbed her shoulders.

“Josie. You’ve done enough. It’s time to stop…”

Thud.

Josie slapped Estelle’s hand away.

Huh?

What was happening?

Estelle’s mind couldn’t keep up with the situation unfolding before her.

“Josie. Josie. Josie…! Stop it!”

“You knew, didn’t you? That taking so much medicine would cause side effects!”

Josie’s emotions, filled with resentment, poured out.

“You could have done something! Why didn’t you?!”

She threw the stacked books and vented her frustration.

“Why… Why didn’t you save them like you saved me? Why…”

Tears streamed down her face as she clenched her fists.

“I’m no different from them. Why did you make me think I could do it? Why did you make me think I was special? You should have just let me die back then…!”

‘Why? Why? Why?’

Estelle’s mind was filled with question marks.

‘Why? Why are you looking at me with such resentment?’

Slap!

Her hand moved on its own.

When Estelle came to her senses, she had slapped Josie’s cheek.

Had she… hit Josie?

What had she done?

“What happened… Josie?”

Josie’s body lost balance and collapsed.

Whether it was from exhaustion or the shock of being hit, Estelle couldn’t tell.

Shaking Josie did no good.

Is this some kind of hidden camera prank? She thought absurdly, but Estelle pushed Josie’s bangs aside to check if she was pretending, squinting and testing her reaction.

Josie’s forehead was burning hot.

“Josie! Josie!”