Chapter 47
The attendant reported to Severian.
“Yes, a massive amount of jewels has been discovered. Apparently, they were all transformed from the shed skin of a great dragon.”
“And these jewels are now being made into accessories that are trending in the social circles?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I managed to get one myself. What do you think? Isn’t it even more beautiful than sapphires?”
“Give me one too.”
“…I had a hard time getting this. Well, I’ll take my leave now.”
The attendant quickly retreated as if fleeing.
Severian gritted his teeth. Damn Cheshion Edel, he had everything Severian wanted. Honor, money, the power to protect someone, worthy achievements, and on top of that…
‘That black-haired beauty, Mori.’
She was quite cute.
Severian was jealous. He was insanely jealous. No matter how hard he tried, he remained stuck in place, but Cheshion, without any effort, seemed to get everything he wanted. It was as if he had been blessed by the gods.
And to top it off, Cheshion had easily captured the great dragon, and even killed a few beasts like they were wild animals? Did Cheshion really have that kind of combat ability? Severian knew Cheshion’s special abilities, but he hadn’t expected them to be this powerful.
‘I want to kill him. I want to take everything from him.’
Severian, unable to leave the palace due to the curfew, threw himself onto the bed, cursing Cheshion.
He wanted to kill Cheshion Edel right now. At the same time, he wanted to be him. He wanted to take everything from him and see him kneeling before him, crying. Had he ever had such a desperate wish in his life?
At that very moment, as Severian buried his head in the pillow, sobbing…
A bright flash filled the center of the room, and the rug beneath Severian’s bed caught fire. A sinister magic circle formed where the rug had been.
And then…
“…You called me, and this is who you are?”
A woman, wrapped in bandages with long, black hair, appeared and looked down at Severian. Severian, facing her crimson eyes, clutched his blanket tightly.
“W-What… are you…?”
“You’re the one who summoned me, but you don’t even know?”
The woman slowly approached Severian, leaving a trail of dark liquid behind her. She exuded an overwhelming bloodlust. Severian, trembling, tried to crawl away toward the edge of the bed.
“W-What are you? A demon? A monster? Or a witch?”
“A witch.”
The woman, standing beside the bed, grinned and bared her fangs.
“I am Witch Ophensia. Finally summoned to the human realm. It’s a shame that the summoner is in such a sorry state, but I’ll fulfill my deep grudge regardless of who summoned me…”
“What are you saying? Don’t lie! There are no witches in this world!”
“…?”
Severian, in a panic, summoned a sword with magic and swung it at the woman. Ophensia took a step back, easily avoiding his awkward attacks.
“Wait, weren’t humans supposed to know about witches? Didn’t witch hunts used to be common?”
“That was all just to collect bounties and torment innocent women! What the hell are you? Tell me! Hey, don’t come near the bed! My blankets are expensive! Don’t get blood on them!”
“No, I’m really a witch! And this isn’t blood! It’s paint I used to look scary.”
“You’re kidding! Anyway, you broke into the palace’s magical defenses and came straight in, so you’re a black sorcerer, right? You sure look the part!”
“Hah, sure.”
Ophensia, feeling a headache coming on, touched her forehead and sat heavily on the sofa. The dark liquid that spilled onto the sofa made Severian gasp.
“Hey! That’s my favorite sofa!”
“Listen, kid. Let me tell you. There are real witches in this world. Witches come to the human realm to grant humans’ desperate wishes. You must have heard this story, right?”
“I’ve only heard it in fairy tales, you filthy woman!”
“Filthy… Hah. Anyway, you summoned me. Since you desperately want to kill Cheshion Edel, I’m here to grant your wish.”
“…! How did you know my wish?”
“I’m a witch, I can tell. Ugh.”
Severian, finally relaxing and slowly stepping out of bed, understood the witch’s power. Ophensia continued to answer his curiosity, letting him accept her as a witch.
Despite acknowledging her existence, Severian still refused to make a contract. He was too scared.
Ophensia, frustrated to the point of wanting to scream, made a decision.
“Alright, then let’s talk again in this form.”
“What form?”
“Wait a moment.”
Suddenly, Ophensia’s body glowed crimson. The bandages unraveled, and a pure, beautiful woman in a white dress appeared.
“Now, are you ready to talk?”
“…”
Severian’s expression softened.
“Humans are truly… embarrassing. You change your demeanor just by altering your appearance.”
“So, how are you going to help me stand above Cheshion Edel?”
“A war will soon break out on the southern border with the barbarian tribes. You need to get there before Cheshion Edel and make a name for yourself. I’ll lend you my power.”
“I-I’m scared… I’m terrified of rats, I’m such a coward!”
“Good, at least you’re self-aware. I’ll cast a courage spell on you so you can stay calm even when facing monsters as big as a house. Then, declare to your father that you’ll join the battle. Damn, how did such a guy end up as the Crown Prince?”
“I’m smart, you know! The special ability I inherited from the royal family is intelligence! Although I haven’t fully awakened it yet, I’m smart enough not to make a contract with you! …Wait a minute.”
As Severian stared at the beautiful Ophensia, a memory flashed in his mind. The black-haired beauty he had seen at the royal banquet with Cheshion.
The absurd woman who had broken the imperial sword with a single hand.
Could it be that Cheshion had a witch by his side?
It made sense now. The great dragon he captured instantly, and how quickly he dealt with the beastmen.
“Hahaha! Cheshion Edel, pretending to be pure and innocent, but in the end, that’s the kind of guy he is!”
“What’s going on with you suddenly?”
The Duke, who had been receiving hero treatment for stopping the witch hunts, was now living with a witch? This was unbelievable! If this got out in the social circles, Cheshion would suffer a massive blow.
But there was one problem. His reputation in the social circles was terrible. Who would believe him if he spread rumors?
First, he had to improve his reputation.
“Hey, Ophensia. You told me to go to the battlefield, right? You’ll lend me your courage and strength.”
“Yeah.”
“And what’s the price for it?”
“Well, maybe an arm? Or an eye? Or part of your emotions?”
“Emotions?”
“Give me part of your negative emotions. It’ll be good for you, as only the positive parts will remain.”
“…Let me think for a moment.”
Severian pondered. No matter how he looked at it, this was a deal he couldn’t lose. Moreover, by giving away his negative emotions, he could solve his complexes and flaws.
After thinking it through, he extended his hand to Ophensia.
“I’ll make the contract.”
“You don’t need to shake hands.”
Ophensia ignored Severian’s hand, and her eyes glowed red.
“Contract complete.”
Strange Rumors
A strange rumor started spreading. The once cowardly and insignificant Crown Prince was now being sent to the southern front as a commander.
Normally, Cheshion would have been called to the battlefield first. But this time, the Crown Prince stepped in to take care of the troublesome task. Thanks to that, Cheshion was able to enjoy a peaceful dinner at the Duke’s mansion.
Isollen, eating beef stew, started a discussion.
“Why would the Emperor send him to the battlefield? He probably forced him to go, right?”
“Severian said he volunteered. His father allowed it.”
Cheshion, peacefully cutting his steak, continued.
“The Emperor probably didn’t want to watch him waste a year in seclusion. He figured it would be better for him to gain experience on the battlefield.”
“He’ll probably stay in the rear, right? Taking the honor from the front lines without actually fighting.”
“Of course.”
But a month later, the news that came was unexpected.
