Chapter 160
The Witch of Taboos .
The Dark Elf called herself so .
Finally… We met her .
We finally met her in person .
However—-
This is where it starts .
Putting aside Liz, I could also see relief from Seras and Eve’s expression .
However, just coming here isn’t my goal .
Nevertheless…… it’s not unreasonable for their tension to loosen up .
We’ve finally reached the inner depths of the Golden Demon Zone .
It was one of those things that were said to be synonymous with unachievable .
But, we managed to do it .
Our journey until now was certainly not an easy one .
You could even say that it was a tough road that wore down our nerves .
Everyone’s already exhausted, both in body and mind .
Therefore, no one could blame them if they felt relieved after arriving at our goal .
However, the reality is that we’re still only at the halfway point .
There’s still the question of whether the Witch will accept us or not .
That needs to be clarified .
And, I’m sure that the outcome will be dependent on our negotiation with her from now on—-
[So?]
The Witch relaxedly placed her hands on her twisted hips
Her long black hair swayed along as she twisted her hips .
[Were you the ones responsible for all that ruckus those monsters were making?]
“Fwwuuaaahhh……”
The Witch yawned .
[That abruptly woke me up, you know?]
“Yeah”, I nodded .
Sponsored Content
[It’s unmistakably the deed of my Mercenary Group . ]
I placed emphasis on the word “my” .
It’s to show that I’m the representative of this group .
[Your group huh . ]
Her eyes narrowed, the Witch fixated her gaze on me .
[With all that clamour going above ground…… It looks like you carelessly killed the “Kuchiyose” huh . Or am I mistaken?]
(T/N: Summoner)
That monster with the big mouth that looks like a ghost .
The Witch seems to call it a “Kuchiyose” .
……That name sounds like some kind of ninjutsu from somewhere .
[Unfortunately, we’re not as familiar with the Demon Zone as you are . Once we entered the Demon Zone, we’re fumbling about with just about everything . Of course, we also didn’t know the nature of that Kuchiyose either . ]
One of the Witch’s eyebrows raised .
[You don’t sound like you’re trying to make any excuses, do you? Based on the lack of sadness in your group, I guess you didn’t lose a single one of your companions along the way . ]
[Yeah, I managed to not lose a single one of them . ]
[That’s quite a considerable feat—- Don’t move any further . ]
I stopped my feet from stepping forward .
[……It’s because I couldn’t take a good look at your beautiful face . ]
[Don’t make me laugh—– Don’t say something that you don’t have mean . ]
[I think of that as the truth though . ]
[Like I said, don’t make me laugh . ]
[……………… . ]
Although it’s unclear to what extent that she had managed to understand…
It seems like the Witch knows of my range to a certain extent .
This won’t go just like my battle with Civit huh .
Well, it’s not like I planned to use my skill anyway .
For now, that is .
I aimed to get closer until I’m within range, which was supposed to be an insurance .
Sponsored Content
However, I may have been a bit rash with that decision .
And also……
I haphazardly complimented her appearance, but she didn’t even act bashful towards my words .
She doesn’t seem to be the type who is immune to men .
I can’t break through her guard from that side huh .
Then, I could only remove that approach from my options .
[By the way, do you mind if I ask something?]
[Yeah, you can ask me anything . ]
[I still haven’t checked what’s going on outside the barrier yet…… but it sounds really peaceful . I mean, you should have drawn waves of monsters towards you…… There should have been a significant amount of monsters there, including some Human-Faced among the ones surging towards your group, but how did you get past them?]
[I’ve just been recklessly killing them and before I knew it, the amount of monsters has decreased . I mean…… it has become quieter because the monsters have decreased . Well, some of them ran away with their tails tucked between their legs .
The Witch’s brows furrowed .
[What did you say? You…… killed them? Even the Human-Faced?]
[Yeah, Even the Human-Faced . ]
[Are you saying that you used that strange magic that bound this Erika’s handmade golem’s movements to defeat them?]
[It’s not some kind of magic or spell, that’s my power as a Hero from Another World . ]
The Witch looks somewhat surprised .
However, she immediately looks like she’s convinced by what I said .
[……A Hero from Another World . I see, I could understand it if that were the case . If you’re a Hero from Another World, it’s no wonder that you have that mysterious power . ]
I’m going to show her some of my cards .
There’s nothing wrong with revealing to her that I’m a Hero from Another World here .
The Witch seems to be smart after all .
I think she would end up with that answer anyway .
In that case, I’ll just reveal it to her myself to gain her trust .
I exchange looks with Seras .
She also looks back at me .
…Good, it’s alright .
Seras also understood the meaning of my gaze .
Sponsored Content
The Witch’s words—- it’s for her to judge its authenticity .
Whether she’s lying or not .
Or perhaps, to judge whether she’s the type of person who would lie to us at any given time .
Even if the words she judged its authenticity were important or not, it still gives us an idea of the other person’s personality .
[I see, I understood now why you guys were able to get through this area . Then—-]
Thunk
The Witch struck the floor with the bottom of her staff .
[What’s your purpose for coming here to Erika’s abode?]
Her cold purple eyes asking for the truth .
Even though it’s quiet, I could feel the blazing pressure pressing down on me .
In response to her question…
[Can I also ask one thing from you?]
I asked another question back .
The Witch looked down towards me .
After a brief moment of silence…
[Well, it would be unfair if I’m the only one who asked a question . Ask away . ]
……It looks like she’s open for conversation .
[You didn’t show any vigilance when you heard that I’m a Hero from Another World . Why is that? We could probably be the Goddess’ underlings who came to reap your life, you know?]
The witch exaggeratedly brushed away to the side the hair beside her neck .
[Even though you’re a Hero from Another World, it doesn’t look like you’re of those people that were just following the Goddess every word though?]
The Witch pointed the end of her staff towards my direction .
[Sometimes, when multiple people are summoned, there are some outliers mixed in the group . Well…… most of the outliers that didn’t follow the will of the Goddess would probably find themselves rotting inside the Disposal Ruins after being disposed of . And since it looks like you weren’t sent there, I’d say you have quite the luck in you, don’t you think?]
It seems that she’s aware of the existence of the Disposal Ruins .
[No, it’s probably just as you said just now……]
The tip of the Witch’s staff began glowing .
A belt-like shaped Magic Technique appeared on the tip of her staff .
……She’s using magic huh .
[Are all of you pawns of that damned Goddess?]
I guess this is where we say our real intentions huh .
It’s dangerous to probe into the other person’s true motive if you’re not careful with what you say .
Then, you would find that the “distance” between the two of you get closer the more you fumble about with the other person .
[Rather than that, you could say that I’m someone who sees the Goddess as an enemy . ]
I could feel that Eve and Liz who were standing behind me reacting to my words .
Although they didn’t speak, I could infer that they were surprised .
After all, I haven’t told the two of them that I was hostile to the Goddess .
[So—- Which “side” are you on?]
It’s time .
I mustn’t miss the reaction of the Witch here .
If, by any chance that the Witch is on the Goddess’ side, there’s only one option .
We just have to deal with the Witch and leave this place .
I waited for her answer .
I would know the correct answer from Seras, someone who could see through lies……
[Hah?]
The Witch’s nose intensely wrinkled .
Putting her hand on her waist, she shows discomfort on her face .
[Alion’s Goddess—– That evil god who saw this mistress as a threat and carved that “Taboo” word on my name? Where the heck would the reason be for this Erika to have any good will to that f*cking goddess? ………………… . What? You… You just smiled a bit, didn’t you? Hey? Hey, what’s up with that?]
The Witch shows a somewhat stronger emotion .
It seems that she also has condemning thoughts towards the Goddess .
And…… At that moment, I unintentionally forgot to stay calm .
[No, my bad . ]
Heh……
She surprisingly had a foul mouth on her .
But well, I see……
That f*cking goddess huh…