Ch. 25 The Two Witches (5)
by Afuhfuihgs
Witch – Chapter 25 – The Two Witches (5)
The week passed by faster than I had anticipated.
“Leo, are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Leo, who had somehow developed a more masculine aura from all the training, adjusted the sword at his waist as he answered.
Leo had reached a level where he could hold his own against most soldiers or mercenaries.
His stamina and combat instincts were above average, but his lack of expertise in swordsmanship and his inability to consciously use divine power meant he’d struggle against stronger, named opponents. Still, he wouldn’t be completely overwhelmed or caught off guard. This was the result of nearly three weeks of relentless training.
The biggest achievement was that he had somewhat learned to better utilize his strength, thanks to the potions and his own efforts.
Leo’s strength lay in his physical resilience and the support of his Holy Eye, which allowed for rapid recovery. Even in prolonged battles against orc-level monsters, he wouldn’t die. Well, he’d better not lose, or it’d be embarrassing for me as his teacher.
The sword he treasured at his waist was a reward for his loyalty and dedication.
It wasn’t a legendary ranked sword or anything, but it had high resistance to mana and excellent durability. Even against an aura user, it wouldn’t break. Since there was no telling when he might face such an opponent, and Leo couldn’t afford to have his sword break before he did, this sword was a perfect fit.
“Josie, how about you?”
“I’m ready too!”
Josie answered with an excited expression, clutching the staff I had gifted her.
Over the past week, while helping with Leo’s training, Josie had filled a notebook with things she wanted to do in Venetia.
At first, she struggled to come up with ideas, but after I gave her a few examples, her eyes sparkled, and she enthusiastically filled the notebook. Most of the things she wrote down seemed unrealistic, but… as long as Josie was happy, that was all that mattered.
Between overseeing Leo’s training, preparing potions, and crafting Josie’s staff, the week had been incredibly tight.
If I had a branch from the World Tree, I could’ve made something more grand, similar to the Triceratops, but with the materials I had on hand, I had to make do.
Since Josie primarily used illusions and bindings to hinder her opponents, I incorporated debuff-enhancing features into the staff. I also added extra functions for emergencies, resulting in a rather impressive staff.
The staff was shaped like two blue butterflies spiraling down to meet at the tip, where a blue orb resembling Josie’s eyes and a glowing star-shaped ornament rested.
It was a fitting weapon for Josie, one that complemented her appearance.
I’ve always been particular about visuals, to the point where I wouldn’t bother leveling up a character in Aria Chronicle if they didn’t have a fitting looking equipment. So, I was quite satisfied with how this turned out.
“We still have some time before we leave.”
I pulled out a map from my portable inventory and spread it on the table.
It was a map of the Verdandi Kingdom, with Venetia and our current location marked.
“How should we get to Venetia? The means of transportation and the route we take can vary depending on our choices.”
I traced a rough path with my finger, observing their expressions.
Josie, seeing the map for the first time, looked bewildered, while Leo, who had fled the kingdom and ended up here, studied the map with a serious expression.
“We have about an hour before we leave, so discuss it between yourselves and let me know.”
No matter what they decided, the answer was already set, but I didn’t plan to tell them that.
It was important for them to collaborate and make decisions together.
Nodding, I left them to study the map and went upstairs.
Standing in front of the witch’s mirror, which could reflect my entire body, I channeled mana into it. The surface rippled like water, and soon the image of a woman appeared.
Her wavy black hair framed mysterious purple eyes with slit pupils reminiscent of a snake’s. A captivating mole near her lips and an all-black dress added to her enchanting aura.
“Oh my, I thought the next time I’d hear from you would be in a hundred years. Fancy seeing you again, Estelle.”
Dorothy, the Witch of the West. My mentor and, though I’ve never said it out loud, someone like a mother to me.
Though her tone was sarcastic, the corners of her lips betrayed her delight.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. You’re happy to see me, aren’t you?”
“Happy? What’s there to be happy about, you ungrateful girl? Did you get into another fight with your kid?”
Her rough words, tinged with embarrassment, reassured me.
“Fight? No, we made up and are getting along like mother and daughter now.”
If I hadn’t talked to Dorothy back then, Josie and I might still be awkward around each other.
I had always thought of myself as her mother, but I had no idea how to act like one. Dorothy was the only person I could think of in such situations.
“Really? So, who’s the father?”
“I conceived her with my heart.”
“Ah, I see. If it’s you, Estelle, I guess that makes sense~”
There she goes again.
Even when I explain, she doesn’t really listen.
She started rambling about how mandrake potions were good for stamina, giving off the vibe of a nosy mother-in-law. Still, seeing Dorothy, who usually maintained a stoic expression, smile like this was worth it. I let her ramble on, waiting for her to finish.
“Are you raising her to be a witch?”
“No. Josie said she doesn’t want to be a witch. She has her reasons.”
At first, I had hoped Josie would grow up to be a witch.
Her talent for handling mana and her learning speed surpassed mine. I thought she might become an even greater witch than me someday… but that was just my selfish wish. I began to understand why Dorothy had discouraged me from becoming a witch back then.
A mother’s heart is the same everywhere.
“Josie is like a butterfly. It’s nice to see her fluttering through life, but… I want to be by her side until the very end.”
“That’s just you being greedy. You need to know when to let go.”
Here we go again.
Always with the nagging.
Normally, I’d be annoyed and tune her out, but I couldn’t ignore Dorothy’s genuine concern.
While I had been waiting for the original story to begin, living each day in boredom, Josie had come to occupy a much larger part of my life.
I know.
Someday, Josie will leave my side.
Whatever the reason, I need to prepare myself for that, but at least not now.
“Oh, come on. I’ll handle it just fine. By the way, aren’t you lonely all by yourself? Should I make a homunculus that looks like me and send it over?”
“Lonely? Don’t be ridiculous. Do you know how many years I’ve spent alone? Having someone around now would just be a bother.”
She says that, but she’d be happy if someone were there.
I should make a homunculus to keep her company soon.
“So, what’s the real reason you contacted me? It couldn’t be because you missed me… Did you cause trouble somewhere and need my help? If so, handle it yourself.”
“Actually, yes.”
“Huh…? You ungrateful girl finally caused trouble, huh? Well, let’s hear it. Did you get into a fight with other witches? You’ve been focusing on offensive magic, so you’ve decided to become a demon lord instead of a witch, huh? If you’re a witch, act like one and stay quiet…”
Her nagging was giving me a headache.
How did I end up with this troublemaker image?
Come to think of it, from the age of 19 until I became a witch, I was always causing trouble.
“That’s not it…”
“Then what is it?”
When it came time to speak, the words wouldn’t come out.
My face burned with embarrassment.
I never imagined I’d say something like this.
“Don’t tell me… you’re really pregnant this time?”
“Oh, come on!!!”
Her mind was stuck in the gutter, and I was exhausted.
Yelling seemed to ease the tension, and I felt lighter.
“I… called because I missed you…”
I hadn’t realized how hard it was to say “I missed you.”
Too embarrassed to look at Dorothy, I hung my head.
She’d probably mock me, saying I must be on drugs or lying, but that was fine. Expressing these things was important.
After living with Josie and going through recent events, I had thought of Dorothy often and wanted to talk to her.
“Hello? Could you say something, please…”
I was so embarrassed I could die. Any response would have been welcome.
When I slowly looked up, tears were welling in Dorothy’s eyes—tears I hadn’t seen in hundreds of years.
“Ah, anyway! We’re going on a trip to Venetia soon, so I won’t be able to contact you for a while! I’ll call again next time, Mom!”
I hurriedly ended the call after blurting out my message.
Was saying “I missed you” that painful? I had mustered the courage to say it.
Or was she moved by the unexpected words?
Whatever the reason, Dorothy’s tears were an unexpected outcome.
I had expected her to blush or yell at me, telling me to go die.
But it wasn’t a bad feeling.
Lucent
0 Comments