Ch.83Chapter 83

Wendigo, who was waiting for dinner in the banquet hall, read the message sent by Anton and sighed…

‘I’m so used to it now that I don’t even sigh anymore. Always new and disgusting.’

Wendigo thought he’d rather sigh deeply and wish for fewer incidents like this.

What kind of world never passes a year quietly?

“I think my judgment was poor. If I had responded firmly from the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Skadi apologized to Wendigo with a gloomy expression. She thought she had put Wendigo in a difficult position by foolishly believing in people’s rationality.

Wendigo firmly shook his head, rejecting Skadi’s apology.

“This isn’t your fault. The trash who exploited the rumors are to blame.”

Though good intentions aren’t always right, Skadi’s response had been sensible and appropriate.

In fact, merchants who had established trade with the forest soon realized that Skadi wasn’t a witch.

She didn’t harass or exploit people, and above all, her heart was as beautiful as her face—enough to cure the merchants’ paranoia.

While Wendigo was busy comforting Skadi, a servant waiting outside knocked on the banquet hall door.

“Djin, the banquet is ready. May we enter now?”

“We can’t skip meals over something like this. Skadi, how about we discuss this over dinner?”

Wendigo brightened at the timely arrival of this savior from the gloomy atmosphere and asked Skadi.

Skadi nodded readily. Wendigo’s comfort had been quite helpful.

In a world where even gods couldn’t solve their own problems without causing chaos, how could a mere human control everything?

“Come in. And call for Geron.”

“Excuse me.”

With Wendigo’s permission, the door opened and sturdy servants entered, each carrying trays of food.

Steaks marinated in alcohol and sauce filled the front, along with vegetables roasted with meat drippings.

Around them were whole-roasted and seasoned birds like turkey and quail, ready to eat.

In the center, a large pot of soup emitted a savory aroma that stimulated the appetite.

“Come, we need to eat, so come down for a moment.”

“What? But I…”

“Oh, did you think I wouldn’t notice? You seem to have become quite skilled at controlling the mystical energy recently.”

Flinch.

Skadi tried to appear nonchalant, but her conscience wouldn’t allow it.

She glanced around nervously, then blushed as she climbed down from Wendigo’s shoulder.

Where her feet touched, the surface froze from the cold energy flowing from her body, but unlike before, it didn’t spread outward.

Though this was her first time having mystical energy dwelling within her, Skadi’s talent for sorcery had always shone.

After all, Summoners are those who handle mystical energy. Moving from external to internal control didn’t mean losing that sense.

Skadi fidgeted with her utensils while offering an unprompted excuse.

“Well, you see, I wasn’t trying to be a burden on your shoulder, but rather preparing for any possible accidents…”

“Why make excuses? I’m happy to lend my shoulder to Skadi whenever she wants.”

Wendigo said while opening his mouth wide to chew a whole roasted quail. There wasn’t a hint of jest in his words.

After all, his relationship with Skadi wasn’t just any ordinary connection—they had helped each other tremendously.

Despite gaining power and status that could easily allow her to oppress and torment others, she remained upright in her actions. To Wendigo, there was no one who could replace Skadi.

Sensing Wendigo’s sincerity, Skadi’s already flushed face turned even redder as she cooled herself with a cold drink.

‘Hmm, she seems a bit embarrassed, but her mood appears much better now.’

Seeing that Skadi’s mood had improved, Wendigo began to contemplate the problem in earnest.

Through Anton’s message, he had realized there were people exploiting rumors about Skadi, but the information he could gather from that was limited.

He didn’t know if the “Witch of the Forest” was a fictional entity created by self-proclaimed followers, or if there was an actual witch claiming the title.

He didn’t even know how far the rumors had spread or how many people had heard them.

‘We can erase the rumor that Skadi is a witch. We just need to pay the merchants a reasonable fee and ask them to spread good rumors.’

Any merchant wanting to maintain good relations with the forest would do this even without compensation.

Of course, if compensation were offered, they would step forward as if it were their own business.

The problem was the audacious ones trying to get scraps from Skadi…

Knock knock.

“Geron, come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Wendigo recognized the familiar presence and called Geron in without even checking.

Geron opened the door and entered the banquet hall with his usual calm demeanor.

Upon entering, Geron looked at Skadi with a puzzled expression.

He had thought she was still having trouble controlling the mystical energy and needed to stay close to Wendigo…

‘Oh, she was faking it.’

Skadi tried to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t escape Geron’s keen eye.

Geron quickly noticed her unease from her wavering eyes. It was a subtle change that only someone who cared for her like a daughter could detect.

To prevent Skadi from feeling uncomfortable, Geron put on a kind smile and played along.

“So you’ve finally succeeded in controlling the mystical energy flowing through your body. That’s truly wonderful news.”

“Ahem, thank you, Mr. Geron.”

“Take a seat. Let’s talk while we eat.”

Once Geron was seated, Wendigo explained the contents of Anton’s message, the cause of the incident, and his thoughts on the matter.

Naturally, Geron’s expression twisted with anger as he listened.

How dare they target Skadi, who was like a treasure of the forest, because they thought no one would stand up for her!

“I’ll start by searching for anyone calling themselves the Witch of the Forest. Someone among the visitors from outside should know something.”

“Good idea. And then there’s the problem of the ruffians who were lured by the rumors…”

There were always people trying to attach themselves to the powerful for an easy life.

The problem was that such people would typically spread filth around them if it served their interests.

Even though the forest was Wendigo’s domain and dozens of eyes and ears were always watching, it would still be troublesome if these rats scurried around everywhere.

They needed a quick and simple way to deal with these vermin…

“Ah, I’ve thought of a good solution.”

“A good solution, you say?”

When Skadi looked at him curiously, Wendigo smiled and said to her:

“Skadi, you’ll need to become the Witch of the Forest for a while.”

“…What?”

* * *

The world was currently experiencing the collapse of established order, with new norms rushing in like waves.

Naturally, this sudden shift threw the world into chaos.

The tavern owner’s son you bullied yesterday might become a strongman who could lift a boulder the size of a house and come for revenge.

A beggar commanding beasts with a flute might reduce a village that wronged him to ruins.

A man mocked as a monster for having six fingers might truly become a monster and lead a band of thieves.

Among these literal monsters and madmen, a witch was practically respectable by comparison…

“I’ve dealt with witches before, so I know they’re not all that impressive.”

“Is that true?”

“Of course it is. Have you heard of the Blood Witch from the western Empire? I’m Robert the Red-haired, who led her followers.”

Robert, a former thief who had been the leader of the Red-haired Brotherhood following the Blood Witch, was a scoundrel who had adapted to the changing world faster than most.

Robert regaled his aspiring followers with tales of his exploits.

“When it comes down to it, a witch is still just a woman. A handsome face, smooth talk, and this big, sturdy thing are all it takes to enchant them in no time.”

Despite his handsome face that matched his red hair, Robert gave a lecherous smile as he grabbed his crotch.

His behavior was incredibly vulgar, but it appealed to those who had gathered hoping for scraps.

After all, these were people trying to attach themselves to a witch for leftovers.

Naturally, these men had no noble beliefs or goals. To these bottom-feeders, Robert’s vulgar manner was comfortingly familiar.

“Hehehe, with your good looks, you could certainly enchant a witch in no time.”

“We’ll follow you, boss!”

Among losers, even a dog can be considered superior.

True to their nature as power-seekers, they bowed to Robert and pledged their loyalty.

Of course, Robert didn’t believe in their loyalty.

Like recognizes like.

Robert knew well that these men would discard him like an old shoe and flee at the first sign of trouble.

‘They’ll betray me anyway if I don’t win the witch’s favor.’

But Robert wasn’t particularly concerned.

The reason he had risen to become the leader of the Red-haired Brotherhood was precisely because he had monopolized the witch’s affection with his handsome face.

Unless the witch didn’t like men, she would surely fall for his smooth talk and bedroom skills!

‘Hehehe, I hope she’s pretty…’

“Boss! There’s a village up ahe— urgh!”

“You bastard, am I blind?!”

Robert, interrupted from his fantasy, struck his subordinate in irritation.

He only stopped beating the man after reducing him to a bloody pulp.

He breathed heavily and glared around. His subordinates dared not meet his eyes.

‘That should establish discipline.’

Robert wasn’t stupid enough to forget what he had said. If he were that stupid, he wouldn’t have survived as the lover of a notorious witch.

Having established discipline with one useless subordinate, Robert checked his armor and helmet before riding forward.

“Lowly creatures who live off the forest’s grace! I am Robert, leader of the Red Tree Brotherhood and follower of the Witch of the Forest! If you fear the forest’s wrath, come out quickly and show proper respect!”

Robert shouted in a booming voice.

His followers couldn’t help but admire their leader’s audacity.

The ruthlessness with which he discarded his brotherhood’s name like trash, the tongue that naturally spouted nonsense, and even the face that added credibility to such nonsense!

‘What a bastard.’

‘But how fortunate that he’s our bastard?’

While they were whispering about their boss’s greatness(?), a small commotion arose in the village.

Robert prepared to flee at any moment. If arrows came flying, he planned to turn his horse around and retreat immediately.

Shortly after, a man emerged from the village.

His sturdy build and fierce eyes clearly marked him as a warrior.

The warrior shouted to them in a voice much more powerful than Robert’s:

“The Witch of the Forest has ordered us to let her followers into the forest! Wait there, and we will provide ample food and send a guide to lead you to the witch!”

“Uh… boss? Does this kind of thing happen?”

“……”

One subordinate asked in confusion, but Robert couldn’t answer. This was a first for him too.

Usually, they would be met with curses and arrows, or people cowering in fear…

‘Shit, I didn’t expect this situation.’

But he couldn’t back down now.

If he had been alone with the warrior, it might have been different, but his men had already heard the offer, which was practically a surrender.

In this situation, even if he suggested retreating because it seemed suspicious, these beggars wouldn’t listen.

With the opportunity to eat their fill without any effort right in front of them, would these fools retreat?

“…Very well! But you must prepare enough for our brotherhood to eat until we’re full! If there’s even slightly too little, our brotherhood will slaughter you all like hungry wolves!”

“Don’t worry. Thanks to the forest’s grace, we have no shortage of food.”

The warrior looked at Robert with contemptuous eyes as he spoke. Fortunately, the distance was great enough that Robert didn’t notice the warrior’s gaze.

Shortly after, packaged food was brought from the village on carts and delivered to Robert’s brotherhood.

When bread and fruit appeared before them, the brotherhood pounced on it like they hadn’t eaten for a week.

Robert frowned and kicked the stomach of the man at the front.

The man flew back with a thud, and Robert approached him, continuing to kick his stomach.

“You idiots! What if there’s poison in the food?!”

“S-sorry, boss.”

“Instead of wasting time with useless apologies, bring a dog!”

At Robert’s command, his subordinates hurriedly brought a dog.

The dog, as hungry as the men, drooled and barked at the smell of food.

Robert took a sausage from the cart and threw it to the dog. It was a waste, but the most delicious food was most likely to be poisoned.

The dog devoured the sausage instantly. Having tasted meat after a long time, the dog’s eyes rolled back, and it bared its teeth.

“Seems fine.”

Slash!

Robert cut the throat of the dog that had bared its teeth at its master, then nodded.

With his permission granted, his subordinates began to devour the food without hesitation.

The villagers spat on the ground and returned to the village. There wasn’t a hint of regret in their demeanor.

Robert fingered a bright red apple and thought:

‘How can these country bumpkins, known for being the most primitive and destitute even in the famously poor north, have such an abundance of food?’

Robert had fled north as a last resort after the Blood Witch killed an imperial noble, making him an unexpected fugitive…

Robert began to fantasize that this might be a turning point in his life.

If all this was truly the power of the woman called the Witch of the Forest.

And if the witch was gathering followers to become a new ruler.

How great would the wealth and honor be if he became her lover?

Once his thoughts reached that point, Robert dismissed the doubts that had occupied a corner of his mind until just moments ago.

As always, it was unbridled greed that killed con artists and opportunists.