Chapter 276

276 - Intermission Chapter. At the Witch’s Home

[Is she dead?]

I, Eve Speed, asked.

Looking up towards the ceiling, Erika Anarveil answered.

[Somehow, it seems like they made it just in time.]

Currently, I was in the basement of the Witch’s house with Erika.

This is a place I couldn’t enter without Erika’s presence.

Lizbeth———- Liz was also here.

But right now, Liz had gone to the storage room.

And the room above here...... was the room that was once used by my benefactors.

That’s where Hijiri Takao is now sleeping.

While she was unconscious, her sister, Itsuki Takao, had been attending to her.

However, once her sister’s condition stabilized, she fell asleep, perhaps relieved.

Seeing that she was asleep, me and the others moved here to the basement.

In this place, we don’t need to worry about being overheard.

Yes, we’re just trying to make sure that no one would know about “him”.

[It will take some time for her to recover, but I think we’ve avoided the scenario where she loses her life.]

[What about the matter regarding her eyesight that Itsuki mentioned earlier?]

[It’s hard to say at this point. Her eyesight may return, or perhaps, it may not.]

[Even so———- Poison huh.]

Thinking about this matter, I groaned.

Seemingly just as disgruntled as I am, Erika recrossed her legs.

[For a long time, poisons have been strictly controlled in many countries. At the same time, years passed and the knowledge of detoxification disappeared...... It was even set so as learning about this in itself is taboo. But well...... I’m sure that’s just another “established fact” set by that ill-natured goddess in order to monopolize and take advantage of the knowledge and research of poisons.]

Hearing Erika’s words, I recalled a story I heard from Seras.

A group of sorcerers we fought in the past, Ashinto.

This Ashinto apparently had a special unit of “Curse Users”.

They apparently inherited the will of the Assassin’s Guild, a guild that once existed in the past.

The true nature of the “curse” they used is said to be a poison passed down in the Assassin’s Guild.

[According to that man named Muaji from Ashinto, the Assassin’s Guild was eradicated by a Hero from Another World. It is said that the Hero of that time and their group went around crushing their guilds all over the continent, and afterwards, anyone related to the guild was thoroughly erased. In this way, the existence of the Assassin’s Guild was forgotten...... The way Muaji said it at that time, it was as if he’s saying that the Hero and his group had lost their “enemy” and went on a rampage———–]

[So Eve sees this happened by Vysis’ will?]

[Umu...... If she wants a monopoly on the knowledge of poisons, the Assassin’s Guild, which should have powerful poisons and knowledge of them, would be a hindrance.]

[......In that case, I guess those children in “the dark place” may have originated from the survivors of that Assassin’s Guild.]

A secretive group that deals with information behind the scenes.

Commonly known as “the dark place”.

Seras knew the manners needed to acquire information from them.

When they arrived in Monroy, it seems like she got some information from them.

(Fumu...... Perhaps, contrary to most people’s expectations, that was the reason why they try to hide their existence so much......)

I felt like a lot of things fit together.

[At any rate...... I’ve seen Vysis use some pretty nasty poisons.]

Saying this, Erika rests her chin on her hand.

[Even back then, the ingredients to make antidotes were scarce, so I doubt there’s as many detoxification methods to counteract poisons nowadays. It’s not like they can just depend on the serums within their bodies......]

[However, antidotes exist here.]

[Well, yeah. Erika is very careful when it comes to researching poisons. I’ll have you know, Erika was actually someone of importance back then, and I was in danger of being poisoned by someone who may find me troublesome....... I had enough knowledge about this matter that there was a time when I was secretly consulted about poisoning someone by those who seek strife within the royal court.]

“Good grief”, Erika shrugged.

Assassination by poison.

In a way, it may be a more frightening method than using weapons or physical violence.

[That’s why I have materials needed to make antidotes for various poisons stored here. Fortunately, it wasn’t a new kind of poison. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to prepare for it right away.]

When Hijiri was brought in, Erika moved very quickly.

Immediately giving instructions to her golems, she checked the type of poison Hijiri Takao is afflicted with.

Thinking about what she had done again, I wonder if poisons really were something that could just be checked normally.

Nonetheless, Erika easily recognized the type of poison and quickly prepared an antidote.

[And yet, you can’t do anything against that guy’s poison?]

[Yeah, I gave up on that.]

Erika raised her hands lightly as if in surrender.

[In the first place, Touka’s “poison” is really just a poison in name. I’m sure that his Paralyze and Sleep are also derivatives of the Abnormal State System of Magic Techniques’ Chanting Spells...... but for his ability to be within that system, the success rate of his endowment is completely unprecedented in the past­———– That’s why it’s so abnormal, that abnormal state skill of his. Guess it’s just as he says, it’s just something that fails to exist within the frame.]

The ability possessed by Touka Mimori———— The so-called “Failure Frame: Abnormal State Skill”.

That powerful ability of his helped me quite a bit.

At the same time, I realized once again how scary these “skills” are.

I can understand why the Heroes from Another World, including those in the past, were so highly valued.

[And———-]

Folding her arms in front of my chest, I looked towards the floor above us.

[Those sisters have special abilities like Touka did.]

I myself had witnessed Itsuki’s ability.

Incidentally, before I met the sisters yesterday, I had been looking for something.

It was because I heard from Erika that she lost something outside the barrier a long time ago.

She apparently dropped it on her way to escape here.

The item she lost was apparently a magic tool.

Hearing her story, I told her that I’ll go look for it myself.

At first, Erika turned me down, but after ensuring her that I would look after my safety, I insisted that I would look for it.

As for me, I feel like if I get used to living here too much, my intuition for battle would become dull.

I’m going to be the one to protect this place when the time comes.

I finally got a peaceful life with Liz.

However, I have to maintain the power to protect it.

Even if I spend my days in peace, I need to keep my fangs sharpened.

This is one of the things I have learned from my time with Touka.

Anyhow——— That was the reason why I was up above ground, searching for something that might be useful to us while making sure to hide my body from the monsters living in the Demon Zone.

At first, I just felt like something’s out of place.

Then, that feeling turned into a sense of crisis.

The smell of many corpses drifted along the wind.

I could see a large number of Golden-eyed Monsters dead.

Who did these?

That isn’t something I could tell.

For a moment, I wondered if Touka and the others finally returned.

However, there’s also a possibility that it isn’t them.

The people who did this may not be allies, but a threat instead.

If it was a threat——— then I should check it out, before returning back to base and discussing with Erika how to deal with them.

Yes, if they were among those who were after the Witch of Taboos......

To scout out whatever has killed these monsters, I carefully approached “there”.

And there, I encountered the sisters.

[Those sisters......]

Thinking of the sisters again, I spoke.

[I’ve heard that they were trying to reach Erika’s place...... They don’t seem to have a map like I did, but they came pretty close on their own. When I found them, they were in tatters though.]

Upon my words, Erika also looked up to the ceiling——— to the room above us.

[However, they’re at least strong enough to fend off all the Golden-eyed Monsters around here.]

[The older sister is apparently the highest rank among the Heroes. Touka himself wrote that she was a person to be reckoned with. What about you? What do you think about those sisters?]

[If the older sister wants to take control of this house after she fully recovers...... Well, there’s a possibility that she could do that. Perhaps, they may actually be assassins sent by Vysis to slip through Erika’s guard———— Well, I guess that just wouldn’t be possible huh.]

“If that really was her plan, that was just too ill-prepared of her”, Erika added.

Unless, of course, they were given the antidote to the poison Hijiri is afflicted with.

However, the probability of her dying before we discovered them is much higher.

Even just the fact that I found them was pure coincidence.

[She drew her bow at the Goddess and got the tables turned at her huh. What do you think about that, Erika?]

[It doesn’t look like they’re lying.]

Feeling troubled about this, I deeply sighed.

[I wish Seras was here when this happened.]

[You’re right. Her ability to tell if something’s a lie or not is really convenient...... As much as Erika would love to enter a contract with an available Sylphixia if I find one.]

I’m really familiar with anything related to spirits.

However, I think that ability is indeed convenient.

[Well, let’s treat them as allies for the time being. If they hadn’t been acquainted with Eve in the past, Erika’s sure I would have been very reluctant to accept them here though.]

That’s right.

I encountered the Takao sisters in the Golden Demon Zone in the past.

At that time, besides the sisters, there was also that girl named Kobato Kashima, right?

One of the reasons I wasn’t overly cautious of them was that I already knew them, but other than that————

[I had heard Touka’s assessment of those sisters’ characters. The fact that Touka didn’t say anything bad about them may have been the deciding factor.]

[So, in a way...... Those sisters were saved by Touka huh......]

At that moment......

[Ummm, Erika-sama———– I- It’s ready.]

Liz came out of the other room, carrying a tray.

Seeing her arrival, Erika sits up.

[Ara? Thank you, Liz.]

Liz then comes to the front of the table and places her tray on it.

""

There were various things on her tray.

Fine powders in small portions.

There was also a vial containing some kind of liquid.

[Ummm...... Can you please check them?]

[Of course.]

With her upper body raised up her seat, Erika bent forward to inspect this and that on the tray.

It seems that she is checking the transparency and color of the liquid.

Eventually, with her body still slouched over, Erika looked up.

[Liz.]

[Y- Yes.]

[It’s almost perfect.]

Hearing Erika’s comment, Liz’s face lit up.

[———T- Thank you very much! I’m very happy!]

Recently, Liz has been learning how to mix medicines from Erika.

Today too, she volunteered to be the one to mix it.

I could see that she was really enjoying herself.

That’s why, I’ve also been letting her do whatever she wants lately.

Incidentally, it seems that the concoction she’s brewing this time is for Hijiri, who’s sleeping upstairs.

[Even so......]

Picking up the vial, Erika squinted her eyes.

[Liz is just plain talented huh......]

[I- Is that right......?]

[Your fine adjustments are exquisite...... Perhaps, I’m better at that area than Erika, who’s a bit negligent sometimes.]

[Ummm, maybe it’s because it’s similar to measuring the amount of seasonings needed in cooking...... I like cooking after all......]

Hearing her words, Erika’s eyes narrowed.

[Erika doesn’t cook that much...... I wonder if I should take cooking lessons from Liz...... I wonder......]

Feeling proud for some reason, I growled.

[Fufu, even Touka and Seras like Liz’s cooking after all...... I also never get tired of Liz’s cooking.]

The ingredients here are limited.

But thanks to Liz’s ingenuity, we are able to have a rich dining experience.

[Touka-sama, Seras-sama...... Pigimaru-chan and Slei-chan...... I want to see them again......]

After looking rather nostalgic, Liz clenched both of her small fists.

[I want to keep improving my cooking skills for that time.]

[—————Geez, you’re such a good girl that Erika feels like weeping.]

Thereupon, Liz’s expression changed again.

It looked like she wanted to say something.

However, she seemed to be finding it difficult to say it.

Seeing Riz like that, I gently urged her.

[I’ve always been telling you this...... but if there’s anything you want to ask, don’t hesitate to say it, okay? There’s no one in this house who would just dismiss Liz’s curiosity and concerns.]

[She’s right, you know? We’re like a family now, so don’t be shy, okay? We’re both Dark Elves after all.]

[U- Ummm...... In that case...... We’re these Takao sisters that came a few days ago, ummm, Touka-sama’s......]

It seems like Liz was also curious about this.

[Umu. Just like Touka, they’re Heroes from Another World.]

Before we descended here in the basement......

“I don’t feel like Itsuki-san is a bad person.”

Liz said, seemingly unafraid of these new visitors.

[Heroes from Another World———– Other world huh.]

The one who muttered this was Erika.

[A different world with a different civilization and culture from the world we lived in...... I’m sure that place would have lots of plants and minerals that aren’t found here. I asked all sorts of stuff when Touka was here, but I’d also like to hear this and that about their world from those sisters but......]

Erika shrugged.

[I guess doing that might bring about a “calamity” huh.]

In this world, there are near-implicit rules.

“Don’t try to learn about the world where the Heroes from Another World came from.”

“Calamity befalls those who know too much.”

It was an old saying.

In the past, there were people who tried to understand too much about “the otherworlders’ world”.

After all, there is another world out there that is different from this one.

It would be strange if this doesn’t arouse one’s curiosity.

However, all of them met with a tragic end.

It was as if———– such a thing was destined to happen.

As one can imagine, this occurred too much to be brushed off as mere “coincidence”.

With these thoughts in mind, I stared at my reflection in the silver tray......

[Whether it’s a lesson or a warning...... The consequences of those who know too much about “the otherworlders’ world” have been elaborately documented.]

[I know. Erika was convinced that this “calamity” was real when I learned that even Vysis was avoiding knowing about “the otherworlders’ world” as much as possible. I had thought that Vysis may have just been “spreading the word about this calamity” because she wanted to monopolize the knowledge of “the otherworlders’ world” and use it for herself...... but it seems like it’s an act that even that greedy, corrupt goddess would avoid———]

[Looking at her actions in reverse, the existence of this calamity especially makes it more believable huh.]

[Well, there were some people who didn’t believe that...... “Trying to learn about them too much” seemed to be the thing that’s dangerous, as there are some things that originated from the former Heroes from Another World, like the words first name, surnames, and distinguished names, cultures and even some cuisines. How should I say this...... It’s like there are things we can know and things we can’t know.]

[I think it’s safe to say that knowledge of food and drinks are safe for us to know.]

I had actually eaten food from the other world.

Even the cooking methods from the other world, which are said to have been left behind by the Heroes from Another World, still exist in this world.

[By the way, Erika.]

[What is it?]

[About those sisters...... Are you going to tell Touka about them?]

[There really isn’t any reason to keep it a secret. Well, though I say that......]

“The problem is that there are no familiars in his vicinity to tell him about them”, Erika added.

I don’t know the details of the situation on his side yet.

Erika lets out a sigh.

[I did send a familiar again...... I had to wait for Touka and his group near the door to the Faraway Country. However, that familiar was preyed upon by a wild animal. So, I sent another familiar I had kept relatively close by as a backup. It really was a good decision that I had a backup.]

However, that spare familiar was apparently shot and killed.

The bridge of Erika’s nose wrinkled in annoyance.

[That crest should be from Alion’s cavalry...... From what I heard just before our connection was disconnected, it seemed that they just shot my familiar for fun. Of course, they didn’t know that it was the familiar of the Witch of Taboos.]

After that though, Erika didn’t have any familiars in the vicinity of that area.

Erika did say that she already sent another familiar over there.

[Considering the distance, it’s going to take quite a few days to get there. If that’s the case, then Touka and the others may have already accomplished their goal over there and are on their way back here.]

I crossed my arm in front of me again.

[So, there’s a possibility that they’re no longer there by the time the familiar arrives in the Faraway Country. Moreover, if your messenger arrives when their door is closed...... We can’t even contact those in the Faraway Country and ask them Touka and his group’s destination would be huh.]

In other words, we are currently in a situation where we can’t grasp the movements of Touka and his group.

Hearing my words, Erika’s expression grew grimmer.

[However, before we can contact Touka and the others———-]

Understanding what she was implying, I nodded.

[Alion’s Cavalry, who we believe were heading for the Faraway Country, right?]

[Yes. If the Goddess finally got her hands on a Divine Beast———— Those troops were probably sent to invade the Faraway Country.]

[If Touka and the others make it into the Faraway Country, then Touka would probably team up with the Faraway Country and fight in an all-out war......]

[Big Sister......]

Sitting next to me, Liz anxiously looked up towards me.

[Touka-sama and the others...... They’re going to be alright, right?]

Upon that question, I responded with a bold smile.

""

[Fufu, even so...... It was quite mysterious, wasn’t it? If they really did invade, this should have been a critical situation for the Faraway Country. But if it’s Touka we’re talking about...... Even if they’re in that critical situation, they will be able to bounce back with the best possible result———– That was what I feel.]

[I——– guess you’re right?]

At my words, even Erika agreed.

[Well, yeah...... I have a feeling that Touka will be able to handle any situation. Rather than dependable, I guess it’s more like he’s trustworthy. But for that reason, I definitely don’t want to make an enemy of that guy...... Just thinking about it depresses me.]

Her earlier response was meant to reassure Liz.

But for me, that isn’t just wishful thinking.

“I’m sure if it’s Touka, he will lead us to an outcome that won’t be bad for us”

Short it may be, my time with my human comrade-in-arms is quite dense.

Moreover, that noble and talented High Elven Princess Knight is also with him.

In addition, there’s the dexterous slime and valorous magical beast with the form of a black horse.

With some nostalgia in my heart, I thought of them again.

That’s right————– We, the Fly King Squadron, are strong.

With conviction in my heart, I declared.

[Even regarding those sisters...... If we are to consult Touka, he’d definitely give us some solid guidance.]

Erika props her upper body on the table.

[That all I can do is enquire Touka’s opinion here, Erika feels useless~~]

[Fufu...... You don’t have to be so self-deprecating. As for the matter regarding the sisters, it would be best to seek Touka’s guidance.]

[Well, when it comes to Heroes from Another World just like him...... I guess it really would be difficult for us to judge what to do with just us. First of all, let’s just hope that the next familiar will be able to meet up with them...... Anyhow——— Mobilizing the familiars really tires this one———– so Erika will concentrate on my familiars now...... I can leave those sisters to you two, right, Eve and Liz?]

[Yes! I’ll do my best.]

[Umu, you can count on me.]

“Alright”, bracing herself, Erika pulled herself up her seat.

[While Touka and his group are far away......]

Standing up, Erika brings her hands to her thin waist.

[Erika and the others would do everything we can here.]

Since Volume 8 was quite a turbulent volume, Volume 9 might be something like a palate-cleanser...... With that subtle precaution out of the way, Volume 9 will begin in the next chapter. I would be grateful if you continue to follow along with Volume 9. (Also, thank you to those who purchased Volume 8)