Ch. 82 A Hundred Year Reunion with the Witch (1)
by Afuhfuihgs
Witch – Chapter 82 – A Hundred Year Reunion with the Witch (1)
Four years had already passed since the Venetia Harvest Festival.
The saying I had heard in my past life—that raising a child feels like they graduate elementary school in a blink, then high school, and suddenly they’re an adult—came to mind as I watched Josie grow so much in just four years.
The little girl who used to crawl into my bed, worried about her small chest, was nowhere to be seen… Now, her fully developed chest seemed to assert itself confidently.
Every time I looked at Josie, who had shed her baby fat and matured into a young woman, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, “Did I really raise my daughter this well?”.
Maybe it was because I was her mother that I saw her through rose-tinted glasses, but I still couldn’t shake the thought that Leo didn’t deserve her.
“Did you pack your underwear? What about dried food and water?”
“Mom, don’t worry. I packed everything. This is already my third time.”
Josie grumbled, but she didn’t seem to mind the concern and attention, sitting quietly as I opened the simple inventory engraved on the back of her hand to double-check its contents.
She had packed plenty of spare clothes, underwear, food, and water… There was even a tent that could be set up with mana if they had to camp out. As for money… three boxes of gold coins should be enough.
Just in case, I made sure she had plenty of potions… and even two bottles of elixirs tucked away in a corner. Only after confirming everything with my own eyes did I finally let go of Josie’s hand.
“Seriously… aren’t you worrying too much?”
“Josie, preparing well before a trip ensures you won’t face any danger later.”
Josie’s 19th birthday. She had asked—no, practically begged—to go on a trip alone with Leo as her birthday present. Once I agreed, there was no choice but to prepare thoroughly.
After all, I had left Dorothy’s side when I was 19 too… The way Josie asked, as if she had been waiting for this moment, made my head spin. But I had no reason to hold her back, and I couldn’t keep her under my shadow forever.
When I looked at the mirror in Josie’s room, I saw a pair of red eyes filled with worry staring back at me. They reminded me of Dorothy’s eyes before I became a witch. It had been over 100 years, but those eyes were unforgettable.
I had always known this day would come, but facing it now left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“You know you should avoid using magic in front of people, right?”
“Of course. You’ve always told me. Only use magic when my life is in danger or when no one’s around.”
“Good. If you use magic carelessly, people might misunderstand and cause trouble. If you have to use it, just say you’re a wandering mage.”
Until the demon king’s invasion begins 200 years from now, all mages are confined to the Mage Tower under the Holy Kingdom’s control. Using magic recklessly would only lead to being mistaken for a witch.
There might be a few wandering mages out there, but it’s still best to avoid using magic as much as possible.
Besides, Leo had been training under me for four years, so I doubted Josie would ever be in real danger… but it’s always better to avoid risks altogether.
“And don’t waste money. Spend it wisely, and save whenever you can. Never give money away as charity. There are people who’ll take advantage of you.”
Even after all these warnings, I still felt like there was more to say. The unease wouldn’t go away.
I wanted to share my experiences with her… but back then, I had the power of a witch and knew the flow of the world, so I was bolder, rougher, and more ruthless than anyone else.
Because I had power.
I wielded that power to explore impossible dungeons, acquire legendary weapons like holy swords and demonic blades, and face off against powerful beings like Beryl. I spared no means or methods to obtain rare materials… I traveled freely, without caring about anyone’s opinions or circumstances.
Unlike me, who had no qualms about killing, Josie was still an innocent girl who had never taken a life…
I couldn’t shake the negative thought that this might hold her back.
Not that I wanted Josie to kill without hesitation, but in any world, people are the most dangerous.
“Mom, really. You worry too much.”
“Josie, you don’t know how scary the world can be. There are so many dangers besides the Heresy Inquisitors.”
“Whose daughter do you think I am? Don’t worry.”
As my endless nagging continued, Josie smiled warmly and hugged me, as if to reassure me.
How cheeky. If she thought hugging me would make me stop nagging, she was mistaken!
But maybe she knew me better than I knew myself, because the flood of nagging got stuck in my throat and wouldn’t come out.
Instead of nagging, I stroked her back, feeling the warmth of her body in my arms.
Thinking that I wouldn’t feel Josie’s warmth for months, or even years, made me reluctant to let her go.
Josie seemed to feel the same way, staying in my embrace for a while, sharing our warmth.
It was just a trip, and it wasn’t like I’d never see her again, but my emotions welled up, blurring my vision as if it were foggy.
“I’ll go see the world and come back. So don’t cry.”
“W-Who’s crying?!”
I thought she couldn’t see me, but a tear rolled down my cheek and landed on Josie’s neck, giving me away.
“This is, um… snot. Yeah, snot. Sniff.”
“Gross… Mom. Let me see your face.”
“No! I’m staying like this a little longer. Stay still.”
I exaggeratedly sniffled, but Josie tried to pull away, wanting to see my face. I held her tighter.
I didn’t want my daughter to see me cry.
I didn’t want to hold Josie back by showing her my tears.
I shouldn’t have cried in the first place… but controlling my emotions wasn’t as easy as I thought.
Come to think of it, I’ve only cried twice since reincarnating into Aria Chronicle. Once when I slapped Josie, and now.
This troublesome daughter…!
Making me cry, not once, but twice! Or was it four times? Anyway!
“You’re not coming back with three people, are you? I don’t want any accidents before marriage.”
“…I’ll try my best.”
She refuses to say no, huh?
Well, trying is better than nothing.
I wanted to ask why she wanted to go on this trip, but I didn’t want to be that nosy, overbearing mother, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
Josie was 19 now, after all.
Trusting her was also part of being a mother.
Knock knock knock.
“Josie, it’s time to go.”
Leo knocked on the door, and Josie tried to pull away from my embrace, but I decided to indulge in one last moment of selfishness.
I held Josie, who radiated a sky-blue glow unlike me, a little tighter and breathed in her faint, floral scent.
When did she grow up so much? It didn’t feel real that 12 years had passed since I first met her.
It felt like just yesterday that I was wondering how I’d spend the next 200 years after living for 100… Time was so cruel.
“Mom.”
“Yeah. I know.”
I smiled brighter than ever as Josie carefully pulled away, trying not to let her see the tear stains.
“Do you have a plan?”
Standing at the barrier protecting the house, I casually asked Josie and Leo as they prepared to leave.
Crossing my arms and looking away,
Trying my best to act uninterested. Pretending I didn’t care where they went.
“Leo and I discussed it. We’ll head west and then south.”
The north was too cold, and the east was the Holy Kingdom. Realistically, only the west and south were options… It was a reasonable decision.
“Leo, you understand?”
“Yes. You don’t need to worry.”
Leo nodded, fiddling with the sword at his waist.
The holy sword—Psyche—hidden in a dungeon and meant to be discovered 200 years later, emitted an ominous aura as it resonated with Leo’s divine energy.
I had gifted him the holy sword, so he wouldn’t lose due to lack of equipment… but I still didn’t trust him as its wielder.
Unlike Josie, who had matured, Leo looked almost the same as when I first met him, as if time hadn’t affected him.
It must be the influence of the Holy Eye.
Leo had fully mastered the power of the Holy Eye, but to me, he still looked like a rookie.
Well… he hadn’t landed a single hit on me in four years. All he did was dodge like a slippery eel… I worried if he could really protect Josie.
“Mom, really. Don’t worry. I’ve gotten stronger too. I won’t let Leo overexert himself.”
“Good. Take care of your future husband.”
“Why does it always come back to that?!”
Josie’s face turned red as she shouted, making me cover my ears. Seriously, why the yelling?
“We’re leaving.”
Pouting, Josie turned to leave, and I cleared the barrier so she wouldn’t bump into it.
“Well then… we’re off.”
Leo bowed his head in farewell and followed Josie.
Was I too harsh…?
I didn’t think she’d leave without looking back…
Well, this was better than crying and snotting all over the place while seeing her off… but I couldn’t shake the lingering sense of regret.
Ugh… she’s really leaving?
Fine. Eat well, stay healthy, see good things, don’t get hurt… or don’t, whatever!
Pushing aside my lingering feelings, I turned to go back inside.
“Mom.”
“Huh?”
Startled by Josie’s voice, I quickly turned around.
Mwah.
The soft touch of Josie’s lips brushed against my cheek, accompanied by her floral scent.
“I love you, Mom. I’ll be back.”
Josie stood with her hands behind her back, leaning slightly as she looked up at me with a shy smile.
“Yeah. Come back safe. Take care, and I love you too.”
There were probably more things I wanted to say, but no grand or beautiful words came to mind to express my feelings better than a simple “I love you.”
Slowly, or perhaps quickly.
I watched Josie’s retreating figure, trying not to let the tears welling up in my eyes fall.
Just in case Josie looked back and decided not to leave.
What a mess I was, over a simple trip…
She’s really gone.
I stood there, silently seeing them off,
Until Josie and Leo were out of sight,
Until even their shadows disappeared.
Lucent
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