Dranded on the Witches' Island
Witches' Island. The sound of crashing waves filled my ears. My last memory was catching sight of the emerging Evil God Jeboim. Its sheer scale overwhelmed me—like the continental plate itself was rising from the earth. Barnacles clung to its shell, their tentacles effortlessly crushing the ships carrying the citizens. Yet Jeboim itself had just awakened from slumber, yawning tiredly and stretching as if nothing had happened. But with that single motion alone... the kingdom vanished, and the adventurers' ships were swallowed by the waves.
Screams and desperate cries everywhere. Larirure Larirarion calling my name. Nex shouting to grab onto something. But seeing Lemon Hyacinth plummeting below the deck, I leaped after him—and then lost consciousness.
Did I die? Dazed by the surging saltwater, a massive wave slammed down, crushing me with its impact. I'd clutched Hyacinth tightly, desperately trying to hold on, but defying a natural disaster as a mere human was impossible. My futile splashing was overwhelmed by the ferocious waves.
So, I died? No... My mouth felt dry and sticky. My whole body ached. Wary of some impending calamity, I sat up.
......But I was lying in a bed under an unfamiliar ceiling. Through the open window, I could see a white sandy beach pounded by waves. Where was this...? It looked like a small village. The buildings weren't impressive, and everyone wandering outside wore priest-like robes. No—better to call them wizard-like. Pointed hats flipped backward, staffs or broomsticks in hand. They reminded me of witches.
"He's awake! He's awake!"
Still dazed and staring blankly, my eyes met a woman's through the window. Suddenly, a crowd surged toward it, peering in at me. Then the door burst open. They yanked my arms, dragging me forcibly from the bed, and hoisted me up by my limbs, carrying me off like I was luggage.
"Uh, excuse me?"
Was I the only one not getting this? No explanation of where we were or what was happening—just kidnapped. What about Hyacinth? The others? As they hauled me along, surrounded by people in black pointed hats and black robes, I scanned around. This was an island, clearly. The sea stretched in every direction, no land in sight. The higher we climbed the hill, the smaller the island felt. And it was a mix of all sorts of races living together chaotically. But they all shared one thing: those hats.
Finally reaching what seemed like a temple, they set me down and asked if I could stand. No one to explain, just people shoving me forward... Brushing past their curious stares—like civilized folk gawking at primitives—I staggered into the temple.
"Bro!"
"Hyacinth."
"Save me! These women are gonna eat me! Witches—they're witches!!!"
"Gonna roast you up?"
"They said they're gonna suck out my life force!"
"Must be nice being so popular..."
Inside the temple, Hyacinth latched onto my ankle, bawling. He'd woken up a day earlier and was screaming about this being the legendary Witches' Island. The witches Larirure had told me about—kidnapping sailors to drain their essence or cursing them... Ancient sea legends spoke of their illusory isle, and somehow, we'd washed up right here.
"What about the other adventurers?"
"Looks like just us two drifted in..."
I'd been out for three whole days, apparently. The witches had nursed me devotedly. No essence drained, at least. I began walking slowly through the temple. Pillars and statues of iridescent metal gleamed. A man with scales and a trident—perhaps the deity of this place? Deep into the ancient temple, marked by the flow of time, lay a massive king clam shell. Inside, someone wearing what looked like a jellyfish headpiece groaned while reclining.
Her shimmering hair evoked jellyfish tentacles, round and flowing. The frail girl had no arms.
"ᚺᛟᚹ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚺᚢᛗᚨᚾᛋ ᚲᛟᛗᛖ?"
"Eek...?!"
The girl uttered words in an unknown tongue, blinking slowly. Even speaking seemed exhausting; dark circles hollowed her eyes, like she might die any moment. I rummaged in my bag, pulling a potion from the first-aid kit to offer her. But a black-haired witch with perky white rabbit ears dashed over, snatched it, and gently helped the girl drink.
She seemed to be the island's mistress... The legendary Sea Witch Circe, I suspected. Though I'd never heard she was missing arms.
"We drifted here after the Evil God Jeboim wrecked everything."
"Huh? Bro? You understood that?"
......Well, yeah—I'm a hero... Never learned the languages or script of this world? She was asking why humans had washed up here. Surprised by my answer, she sat up slowly.
"ᛞᛟ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚴᚾᛟᚹ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛒᛖᚱᚱᚨᚷᛖ ᛚᚨᚾᚷᚢᚨᚷᛖ?"
"I don't know Berrage language... Just a special blessing."
"ᚤᛟᚢ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚨ ᚹᚨᚱᚱᛁᛟᚱ."
You are a warrior—that's what the girl before me said. Could I fool a legendary witch? Unsure what to say, I glanced at Hyacinth. I wasn't hiding being a hero, but who knew what trouble it might cause? I just nodded. She noticed me checking my companion and nodded silently in return. Since they couldn't understand her anyway, she continued.
"ᚹᚨᛉ ᛁᛏ ᚷᚢᛁᛞᛖᛞ ᛒᚤ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᛟᛞᛞᛖᛋᛋ ᚺᛖᚲᚨᛏᛖ."
Did Goddess Hecate guide you here? I made a subtle face and shook my head no. She nodded, murmuring I see.
"Are you the legendary Sea Witch Circe?"
She nodded instead of speaking. She seemed to want to say more but, exhausted, blinked and drifted into sleep-like silence. Staring at the rabbit-eared witch tending her, she scurried over and bowed deeply.
Glancing at Hyacinth uncertainly, she blinked her round eyes up at me, tilting her head.
"Radamu Dice."
Offering my hand, the rabbit witch clasped it politely with both of hers.
"I'm Riko, Circe-sama's maid. Youngest witch around. Age doesn't mean much to witches, though~ Heehee..."
Beaming, she insisted on serving food first. She deftly grilled some mystery fish and set it on the table. When she asked what we knew of witches, Hyacinth and I both shook our heads.
"Witches master immortality magic. Most have exceptional magical talent. With mana, they don't need food or drink."
"Insane..."
Hyacinth gaped at these absurd beings.
"......Not men's essence?"
Remembering the rumors, he blurted it out. Riko looked troubled.
Witches only take enough essence to not kill, and there's a reason—please understand. Curses are only for filthy, vile, evil men, so no misunderstandings, she pleaded.
"Can you get us off this island? Comrades are waiting."
We didn't even know if they were safe. She clapped, saying no problem.
"But right now, it's tough~ The Evil God stirred Hecate-sama's storms to shield the island stronger. And there was that raid recently..."
"Raid?"
Riko clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. Covering her eyes with her ears was cute. Hesitating, she flicked an ear, glanced at Circe, and whispered cautiously.
"Intruders on Witches' Island. Never happened before... They pierced the goddess's protection, and 20 of us never woke up... Circe-sama fought to protect us and lost both arms."
"Lost them?"
"Yes... Some weird kid took Circe-sama's arms, cursed them, used rune magic..."
"Hands Collector... That strong?"
"No, no—at that level, I'd handle it before they touched her... But the 【man】 with him was too strong..."
Riko clutched her ears, recalling the nightmare. A Master realm sorceress on the Overlord threshold, rune master and Hecate's living disciple—Circe was overwhelmingly crushed without a chance, arms torn off in defeat. Horrifying just to imagine, she sobbed. Helpless, family dead—20 gone.
"Just severed Circe-sama's arms, sneered it was boring, and vanished!"
"......Remember their looks?"
"Sorry... No time to see... Voice was male, that's all..."
Details from Circe once she woke. For now, the fish was delicious. Hyacinth loved it especially. Riko teasingly crossed her arms, asking if he could share a bit of essence. Rabbit ear brushing his cheek turned him beet red, tail wagging wildly as he freaked out no way. All talk, but push him and he'd pounce like a beast.
'Worst case.'
To leave, we needed Circe's help. Would she wake tomorrow? And Masters were insanely strong, right? S-rank required Master baseline. A man commanding a serial killer subordinate—boss? Or just one underling? Overpowering witches' leader in their domain... No clue. No intel source...
"Intel? Want the newspaper? Today's."
"......How do newspapers get here?"
"Told the crows to fetch 'em?"
Protection runes let crows out; witches check news daily. Riko winked, handing it over. Hyacinth shuddered at the scary woman.
......Could send letters too? They'd think witches sent the crows. Unfolding the paper, I stood in shock at the contents.
......Ah, so that's why the goddess wanted me at the Academy.