Chapter 9 – The Ancient Ruins of the Wolf Duke’s Territory
“I hate to say it, but you really are a sheltered princess! Everything you say is so dreamy and full of fantasies! This isn’t a game, so please don’t try to look for the Emperor’s lost item in the ancient ruins!!”
Sigmund argued with a serious expression, and I held my head in my hands.
Ah, trying to act like a delicate, frail young lady has backfired completely.
I really should just be myself. It seems I can’t stand staying quiet and docile for long anyway.
“What you say is perfectly reasonable, Sigmund. But these ruins are an important place to His Majesty Eckardt, so unless an opportunity like this comes along, I’ll likely never be allowed inside again. So, I have no intention of letting this rare chance slip away. You seem to have forgotten, but I am the strongest mage, the one who bears the title ‘Witch of Ruin’.”
Even though I confessed honestly, Sigmund twisted his face in irritation. He was probably frustrated because he was trying so hard to protect me, and I wasn’t listening to a word he said.
“Playing house like a human won’t work here in the Zaldein Empire!”
Sigmund spat the words out angrily, but I just gave him a cheerful smile.
“Well then, it should be fine if I just look for His Majesty’s lost item while we search for the exit, right? Since I’m doing it on my own, if anything happens, it won’t be your fault. Look, it’s your chance to let an annoying human learn a painful lesson.”
Sigmund turned his face away abruptly.
“…I no longer think of you as annoying. And even if I did, I don’t actively hurt women.”
Hmm, for someone with a personality like this, Sigmund really made a bold choice trying to act the part of a crude brute. Isn’t it a bit too much of a stretch?
When I gave him an exasperated, flat stare, Sigmund started walking, his cheeks flushing red.
So, I followed behind him. For a while, the corridor continued straight, with many doors visible on the left and right, but Sigmund ignored all of them.
“I hope we can find His Majesty Eckardt’s lost item in these ruins.”
I was careful not to say anything clumsy, but I dropped a hint that I hadn’t given up on searching.
My words seemed to touch a nerve in Sigmund, and his expression twisted.
“I hope so too. We’ve pretty much exhausted everything in the ruins beneath the Imperial Palace, so His Majesty’s health hasn’t looked good lately.”
I had sensed that too.
Emperor Eckardt thinks of me as an enemy, so he never tries to show weakness, but from his occasionally labored breathing and unnatural sweating, I had suspected he was unwell.
If Sigmund brought up the Emperor’s health in this context, it must mean that the ‘lost item’ in the ancient ruins is something that can improve his condition.
“In other words, since these ruins were just discovered and are untouched, there’s a high possibility that an item to improve His Majesty’s condition is sleeping here?”
“…That’s true, but it’s not like the Emperor is in immediate danger. For today, my duty is to get you safely back to the surface, Princess.”
Goodness, Sigmund really is overflowing with chivalry.
But I also know that he adores Emperor Eckardt.
I placed a hand on my cheek and put on a submissive expression.
“I believe true husband and wife support each other in sickness and in health. Even if His Majesty isn’t in immediate danger, I don’t want him to suffer even a little.”
“……”
Seeing Sigmund hesitate, I piled on more words to push him.
“To tell you the truth, His Majesty Eckardt sometimes looks like he’s in a lot of pain. He probably puts on a brave face in front of you, so he wouldn’t show you that side of himself.”
In reality, Emperor Eckardt doesn’t show me his weak side either, but I figured Sigmund wouldn’t make a decision unless I exaggerated a little.
Sure enough, Sigmund looked like he was about to cry.
“I would do anything for His Majesty! You saw my clan, Princess, so you can probably understand, but when it came time to change the head of the family, there was a movement to install my cousin from a branch family as Duke because I’m a changeling. But His Majesty Eckardt declared, ‘The next head is Sigmund,’ and persuaded the Wolf clan.”
I read in a book that while they accept the Emperor as their sole king, the beastmen value the autonomy of each clan.
So I figured Emperor Eckardt’s actions must have been a deviation from the norm, and it seems I wasn’t wrong as Sigmund continued his explanation.
“Normally, the Emperor doesn’t interfere in the succession disputes of other clans. It creates unnecessary friction. But His Majesty knew the risk and still named me. I will never forget that debt.”
Sigmund is an honest type, so he absolutely won’t forget a favor he’s received. And certainly, Emperor Eckardt acted in a noble way that earned Sigmund’s adoration.
“As you know, the Emperor cannot maintain his health unless he regularly ingests things related to the Witch.”
The words Sigmund spoke so casually were shocking enough to make me stop in my tracks, eyes wide.
Seeing my expression, Sigmund looked puzzled.
“Why are you making that face?”
“Eh, n-no! I just thought it’s a surprising story no matter how many times I hear it.”
When I hurriedly made an excuse, Sigmund nodded in understanding, and I was surprised.
Eh, he fell for that? Hmm, isn’t Sigmund a little too gullible?
Sigmund started walking again, so I followed.
“Naturally, the more of the Witch’s magic something contains, the more effective it is for His Majesty’s health. For example, there’s the Witch’s field in the palace garden, right? The plants growing there contain a faint trace of the Witch’s magic, so those plants are used in His Majesty’s meals every time.”
“That’s interesting. What kind of crops grow there?”
“No, crops don’t grow, so he’s basically eating the leaves of the plants.”
I was aghast and let out a cry of surprise.
“What? The special feast for the Emperor of a great empire is leaves?”
My voice must have been loud, because Sigmund hurriedly put a finger to his lips in a panic.
“Shh, please be quiet! Besides, it can’t be helped. The plants in the field never wither, but ever since the Witch disappeared, crops stopped growing.”
Leaves, huh… leaves… Still unable to recover from the shock, I muttered inside my mouth.
“I see. So, you’re saying there are relics in these ancient ruins that contain more of the Witch’s magic than leaves?”
Sigmund nodded in agreement.
“Actually, the Witch’s magic can be trapped in special crystals. We call them ‘Witch Stones,’ and these stones made by past Witches are stored in the ancient ruins. At least, they were in the ruins beneath the palace. So, His Majesty regularly collects those stones and bathes in the Witch’s magic.”
I see. That’s why the Emperor entered the ancient ruins at the palace the other day—he was looking for those ‘Witch Stones’.
Since they were for himself, he went personally instead of asking the dukes.
“What is the Witch’s magic actually like?”
If I know what it feels like, I might be able to search for where it is in the ruins.
“Eh, the Witch’s magic? It’s comfortable, gentle, and elevates us to the highest degree!!”
Hmm, I don’t understand that abstract description at all. …Wait, there are several masses of magic heading this way. Could these be the Witch’s servants?
“Sigmund, something is coming this way. It’s probably the Witch’s servants. Let’s hide.”
I said this, approached one of the doors lining the corridor, and grabbed the doorknob.
“Eh, W-Witch’s servants? How do you know? Ah, actually, that door won’t open! Those are all fake, the only doors that open in the ancient ruins are… eh!?”
Sigmund was mumbling something, but I opened the door anyway and pulled him into the room by his hand.
Wondering if there was any danger, I looked around carefully. It was a spacious room filled with luxurious furnishings.
“Is this the room of someone important?”
It was kept so clean it looked like someone lived there. As I was thinking this, Sigmund sank weakly to his knees on the floor.
“Sigmund!?”
“C-Could this be… the Witch’s room?”
“Eh, is it?”
“Of course, I’ve never been inside one so I don’t know. But I can’t imagine anywhere else being this comfortable. Ah, my strength is draining away…”
Goodness, Sigmund has turned into jelly, I thought. Just then, the door opened, and three palm-sized squirrels entered.
“Witch’s servants!”
Sigmund instantly stood up and stepped in front to shield me.
“Eh, aren’t those just squirrels?”
“No!”
Faster than Sigmund could brace himself, a squirrel jumped and swung its arm down. A blade of wind flew out and wounded Sigmund. Then, a blade that Sigmund couldn’t block pierced my right arm.
“Princess!”
“Eh?”
I was surprised. These squirrel-like creatures release incredibly dense magic. They’re accomplished mages.
It would be a feat not to harm such skilled magic squirrels. No wonder Emperor Eckardt gets injured. Thinking this, I tried to step in front of Sigmund, but he extended his arm to stop me. He was clearly deeply wounded, yet he still intended to protect me.
“Princess, I’m sorry you got hurt! But rest assured, I won’t let any more attacks reach you! When I give the signal, run out of the room. I’ll follow right behind you.”
Truly admirable chivalry.
But Sigmund has several deep wounds from his shoulder to his stomach, so he shouldn’t move any more, and he needs treatment as soon as possible.
“Sigmund, I’m fine. Because I am the ‘Witch of Ruin’.”
I declared it firmly, but if I used my specialty, fire magic, these squirrels would be charred. Since ‘Witch’s servants’ seem to be important, the Emperor would probably resent me if I toasted them.
“Can you use ice magic, Sigmund?”
“I can’t use any magic at all!”
“…Is that so.”
I heard Sigmund was very strong, so I assumed he could use magic, but apparently, I was mistaken.
Ah, I was hoping Sigmund could capture the servants with ice magic, but it won’t go that smoothly.
“Ugh, I’m not good at ice magic.”
But if I’m the only one who can do it, it can’t be helped. The problem is whether I can get the time to chant, but I’ll leave that to Sigmund.
Sigmund is overflowing with chivalry, so he should take it on.
“Sigmund, buy me five seconds!”
“Eh, are you too scared to move?”
I gave a wry smile at Sigmund’s confused remark, left the stalling to him, and spoke the spell.
“I am the Definer.”
—I chanted only a single phrase.
But by clarifying who I was, the air in the place began to vibrate in response to my words.
—Mages are special beings.
Therefore, the higher the rank of the mage, the more they transform the space into their own domain. I was no exception, and the air around me began to fill with special, magic-charged atmosphere.
As I felt magic filling my eyes, hair, and fingertips, I chanted the spell in an ecstatic voice.
“Let the water released from my hand become ice, and freeze everything within my sight! ‘Instant Freeze’!!”
As I chanted while extending my arm, the water erupting from my hand instantly turned to ice and entangled the entire bodies of the Witch’s servants. Then, I captured the servants by freezing them to the floor.
The floor all around creaked as it froze, and the lower bodies of the Witch’s servants became encased in ice, fusing with the floor.
“I caught them without hurting them!”
Not bad for ice magic, which I’m not good at.
Satisfied, I looked at the Witch’s servants trapped in the ice, but when they saw me, they broke into wide grins.
“Eek, scary! T-They looked so cute, but they just smiled so evilly!!”
I appealed to Sigmund to share in the horror, but he didn’t reply, just staring at me with a pale face. Not only that, but when he finally opened his mouth, he only said what he wanted to say.
“P… Princess… wh-what was that magic just now? I’ve never seen such amazing magic in my life!!”
No, I’m bad at ice magic, so being praised for it is just embarrassing.
“Um, that magic was nothing special. It’s embarrassing, so please don’t praise it.”
Even though I spoke my honest feelings, Sigmund’s eyes widened as if he’d had a revelation.
“Calling this level of magic nothing special… Ha! I see, so this is human humility!! You must be one of the top five mages on the continent, my god!!”
No, please stop, really. Sigmund has a look on his face like he’s realized something, but he hasn’t realized anything at all.
Of course, my inner voice didn’t reach him, and Sigmund spread his arms in admiration.
“Wonderful! You were an incredible mage all along, Princess! ‘Witch of Ruin’… You are a supreme mage worthy of that title!!”
Since Sigmund was praising me unreservedly, I got embarrassed and looked down.
Ah, that reminds me, I read in a book that beastmen revere the strong.
Maybe since Sigmund can’t use magic at all, he can’t judge the strength of magic properly. So he’s mistaking this tiny bit of magic for something amazing… I thought, just as my body swayed.
“P-Princess!?”
Sigmund rushed over in a panic, but even I didn’t know what had happened.
I was wounded in the arm, but it shouldn’t be life-threatening. I shouldn’t be running out of magic from just that little spell, so why is my body wobbling?
Sigmund sat me down on a nearby chaise lounge, looking worried, and then tried to rush out of the room.
“I’ll go find water!”
“Sigmund, wait. You’re badly injured, you shouldn’t move…”
I stood up unsteadily to stop Sigmund, who had turned on his heel, but he didn’t seem to hear me and dashed out the door.
This is a problem, I thought, placing my hand on the wall for support, when suddenly the wall vanished.
“Eh, a hidden room?”
A new room appearing just by touching the wall? What crude construction.
Intrigued, I peered inside. It was a small room with only a single vanity table sitting in it. It looked like a normal vanity, so I wondered why it was hidden and approached it unsteadily.
I peered into the mirror wondering if it would show something interesting, but unfortunately, it just reflected me. However…
“Huh? Red eyes?”
I stared intently at my own reflection in the mirror.
Shockingly, my eyes, which should have been blue, had changed to red.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Pink hair and red eyes… Isn’t this the sign of a High-Rank ‘Witch’?”
I don’t know why, but no matter how many times I looked, my eyes appeared red. And they were shining brightly in the dim room.
Seeing red eyes brought to mind the legends about Witches that I’d heard constantly since coming to this country.
“‘The Witch’—she of pink hair and red eyes—is of the ‘First Race,’ a being who bestows blessings upon all.”
Then, the voices of the heads of the ‘Eight Holy Ducal Houses’—the Imperial Emperor’s closest aides, who never miss a chance to mock me—echoed in my mind.
“To us, the Witch is a sacred and inviolable being! Everything we have today, we owe to her!”
“The Witch is the most ancient of races, the First Race. Our debt to her is etched into our very blood and flesh.”
And furthermore, the voice of my own fiancé, Emperor Eckardt.
“I have sworn my heart to the Witch. If she commanded me to die, I would. If she were to appear, I would give her everything.”
“Hold on, wait just a minute! Me? The person hated by everyone in the entire Empire, is the long-awaited Witch? This has to be some kind of sick joke, right? My eyes are supposed to be blue! …Ah, but no matter how I look at them, they’re definitely red. When did they even change? Ugh, what am I going to do? If anyone finds out, are they all going to start kneeling to me?”
No way. Absolutely not.
The thought of those men—the ones who spout nothing but insults every single time they see me—suddenly flipping 180 and starting to suck up to me… It’s unbearable just to imagine. Besides, it would be humiliating for them, too, having to worship me all of a sudden.
…Or would they just be ecstatic that the Witch has finally appeared? Considering their usual obsession with the Witch, they probably would be ecstatic.
“Ugh… I don’t want to see those dukes who always look down on me suddenly start speaking to me in that sweet, syrupy-voiced way.”
I can’t even picture it.
“Worse, would even the Emperor, who clearly hates me, suddenly become obsessed and start whispering sweet nothings to me?”
No, surely that’s not going to happen. He hates me way too much. He wouldn’t be able to do something that embarrassing.
…Or would he swallow his pride and humiliation, and whisper words of love anyway? I accidentally imagined the Emperor kneeling before me, and my face flushed bright red.
“Gyaah! That was not something I should have imagined!”
That’s right—the Emperor is devastatingly handsome. If a man that good-looking were to touch me, pleading with that pained look on his face… my heart wouldn’t be able to take it!
I shook my head hard, trying to banish the image of the handsome emperor from my thoughts. Then, I let out a deep sigh.
“Haaah… How did things ever get this complicated?”
As I sat down weakly on the chair in front of the vanity, Sigmund returned.
“Princess? Where are you!?”
Sigmund’s panicked voice calling for me came from the next room.
“Here, I’m in the next room.”
When I replied, Sigmund stomped into the small room with heavy footsteps.
“Princess, water! Strangely enough, a Witch’s servant I met in the hallway gave me a glass of water… Gyaaaah!!”
Sigmund held out the glass as if it were precious, but the moment his eyes met mine, he screamed and dropped the glass on the floor. Instantly, the glass shattered, and water splashed everywhere. But Sigmund didn’t seem to notice the broken glass, staring at me with round eyes.
“Sigmund?”
Seeing Sigmund standing motionless, I worried if he was breathing and called his name. He sat down on the floor with his knees together like a maiden.
The floor was soaking wet from the water he just spilled, but he didn’t seem to care, looking up at me entranced, his cheeks flushed.
“L-Lady Witch…”
Ah, as I thought, I look like a Witch.
“Um, Sigmund.”
I don’t know why, but my eyes changed color.
I was about to ask if I had become a Witch since people on this continent say those with pink hair and red eyes are Witches, but before I could, Sigmund spoke with conviction.
“M-My god! You were a Witch, Princess! Aaaah, I will atone for my past rudeness with my death!!”
He sounded serious, so I shrieked in shock.
“Eh, stop it! Don’t say such things, even as a joke.”
“It’s not a joke, so let me say it! And let me do it!!”
“That makes it even worse. Please, never say that again.”
“Ugh, a-a Witch’s request! What compelling force!! Yes, understood! If it is the Witch’s command, I will obey everything! I will never say it again!!”
Hearing Sigmund’s overly obedient words, I thought this was going to be troublesome, so I pointed behind him to change the subject.
“Sigmund, there are a lot of Witch’s servants behind you.”
As I said, not only squirrels but also cats and rabbits were peeking through the door, then approached walking on two legs. However, unlike before, all the Witch’s servants seemed to have lost their bloodlust.
Glancing over, even the squirrels with their lower bodies frozen in ice had calmed their killing intent and were looking at me.
Since Sigmund didn’t brace himself at all, he must have noticed it too.
“It seems they no longer intend to attack us.”
Sigmund is badly injured, so I smiled, glad we didn’t have to fight anymore. He nodded vigorously as if it were obvious.
“Of course they wouldn’t attack! Because you were a Witch, Princess! The Witch that the servants have been waiting for all these years has returned!! What else would they do but give you a grand welcome!!”
“I-Is that how it works…”
I flinched at Sigmund’s intensity and put a hand to my cheek as if thinking, when his face convulsed.
“Hii! P-Princess, your arm is bleeding heavily! My god, was the wound from earlier that deep!!”
It seems that by raising my hand, my arm injury caught Sigmund’s eye.
“Compared to your injuries, Sigmund, it’s nothing. If you’re going to call a doctor, I’d like to be seen too, is that okay?”
“N-No! You must receive treatment right now, before anyone else!!”
Sigmund said this, then grabbed the stylish cloth covering the table and wrapped it around my body.
“Eh?”
Wondering what he was planning as I let him do it, Sigmund said “Excuse me,” picked me up, and strode toward the door.
“S-Sigmund, put me down! It’s not a serious wound, I can walk myself. You have worse wounds, if you carry me they’ll open up.”
I said something perfectly reasonable, but tears welled up in Sigmund’s eyes.
“Ugh, worrying about a wretch like me… are you a goddess, Princess! No, you were a Witch. Truly an existence that blesses all, how merciful.”
Sigmund said something exaggerated and started crying openly like a man, so I made a sour face.
This is bad. Every bad scenario I imagined happening if I were revealed as a Witch has become reality.
Sigmund has a foul mouth and has said terrible things to me until now, but he’s completely flipped and started flattering me. Furthermore, he’s overjoyed that a Witch has appeared, speaking in a sweet voice, and worshiping me.
Ah, I’m seeing all the sides of Sigmund I didn’t want to see.
Even if he is gullible, isn’t this too much?
I made a sour face and watched Sigmund, who continued to cry in emotion.
“Listen up, Witch’s servants! The Supreme Witch has injured her arm! This is a major incident comparable to a natural disaster! We must overcome all difficulties and treat her as quickly as possible! As servants of the Witch, guide us to the exit immediately!!”
Hearing Sigmund’s words, the squirrels, cats, and rabbits jumped in shock and started running with their short legs.
Sigmund is tall and has long legs, so when he walks with large strides, he picks up speed as if running.
I thought it might be hard for the Witch’s servants to lead him, but then, for some reason, Sigmund started running.
“Sigmund, please stop running, your wounds might get worse!”
When I said this out of worry, he started crying again.
“Ugh, the Witch’s mercy is so deep, my heart hurts…”
My heart doesn’t hurt, but my head is starting to ache. Sigmund’s every word and action is too exaggerated.
For a while, the same corridor continued, but then a large space appeared, so I shouted, “Please stop!”
Sigmund stopped as I asked, and when I looked around, it was a relaxing space like a park. Despite being underground, various trees were planted, rainbow-colored birds flew from branch to branch, and colorful flowers were blooming.
“My, what is this place?”
When I asked in wonder, Sigmund replied simply.
“It’s the Witch’s plaza. More importantly, we need to return to Wolff Castle quickly and treat your wound…”
“Oh, there’s a bird’s nest!”
There was a bird’s nest at a low position, so I had Sigmund put me down and peered inside. There were several eggs.
“How cute. There’s a pink egg.”
Seeing a pale pink egg mixed in with the white ones, I let out a cheerful voice, and Sigmund opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“Eh, a p-pink egg!?”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
When I tilted my head and asked, he shook his head violently.
“Quite the opposite! Sacred Birds are the Witch’s pets, so even if you find an egg, you must never take it. However, only pink eggs are gifts from the Witch, eggs that will never hatch, so anyone who finds one can take it home.”
At that moment, I suddenly remembered what Sigmund had said.
‘The more of the Witch’s magic something contains, the more effective it is for His Majesty’s health.’
I looked down at the pink egg, the same color as the Witch’s hair.
Could this egg contain the Witch’s magic? If so, how about taking it home as a souvenir for His Majesty Eckardt?
I spoke to the small birds chirping near the nest.
“May I have this pink egg?”
Hearing the birds chirping chi-chi-chi, I felt like they gave me permission saying “Sure,” so I picked up the egg and put it in my pocket.
As I was saying “Thank you” to the birds, the squirrels at my feet made cute kyu-kyu-kyu sounds as if to compete.
“What’s wrong?”
When I asked, the squirrels ran a little distance away and pointed vigorously at something. Approaching it, there was a pile of sparkling pink gems.
“My, how beautiful. Eh, what? …Are you telling me to take this too?”
When I asked the squirrels, they nodded repeatedly.
Sigmund, who had approached, acted as if it were obvious and opened the hemp sack he had prepared for gathering gems in the mine.
“Everything in these ancient ruins belongs to the Witch, so it belongs to you, Princess, as you are a Witch.”
“No, I don’t think that’s right… Ah, but can I wear these gems at my wedding? Is it okay to take some home for that?”
It’s perfect since I failed to gather gems in the mine.
It’s the same color as my hair, so it should suit me, I thought, smiling, but Sigmund’s face convulsed in shock.
“Haaah!?”
“‘Haaah’?”
Sigmund’s reaction seemed to reject my idea, so I tilted my head and looked at him, wondering what he meant. Then, Sigmund shook his head as if it were nothing.
“N-No, excuse me! I heard something unprecedented, so a weird voice came out. I see, with those gems, every race attending the wedding will praise you, Princess!!”
“They are certainly beautiful gems, but saying every race will praise me is an exaggeration.”
That said, Sigmund has been exaggerating ever since he found out I was a Witch, so this might be his normal mode from now on.
I scooped up the pile of gems with both hands and put them into the bag Sigmund was holding open. The squirrels were jumping and chirping as if saying “More, more,” but I said “That’s enough” and thanked them.
“Thank you so much. With this, the gems to wear at the wedding should be covered.”
“Kyu-kyu-kyu.”
Just as I waved my hand and tried to walk away, I was picked up by Sigmund again.
“I feel better, so I can walk myself.”
“There is no way I would let a wounded Witch walk!”
“My injury is on my arm, so there’s no problem with walking.”
I thought my statement made sense, but Sigmund pretended not to hear at the crucial moment and started walking with large strides.
This is a problem, I thought, when suddenly I became sleepy.
What’s wrong, I feel like I’m going to fall asleep… I closed my eyes, but remembering something important, I opened them slightly and asked Sigmund.
“Don’t tell anyone that I’m a Witch.”
“Hah!? T-That’s cruel! Are you telling me to keep silent about news that would make the entire Empire rejoice? Worst case, I’ll be killed by His Majesty for the crime of silence. No, even without worst case, I’ll be torn apart by the ‘Eight Holy Ducal Houses’…”
Sigmund complained at length in a pathetic voice, but I felt like he would listen to my request, so I closed my eyes in relief. Then, dragged down by my tired body, I fell into the world of sleep in the blink of an eye.
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