Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Look Closely!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Caw."
Normally, I'd clamp my beak shut and just watch the situation unfold, but things were different now.
This was the moment to assert my presence louder than ever.
The witch and the executioner.
Both were enemies as far as I was concerned.
The Night Witches had every reason to be hostile toward me.
After all, I'd ruined their plans and even subdued the Red Witch.
So that Plague Witch over there was bound to see me as an adversary.
The executioner was no different.
She thought I was tied to the witches and harbored killing intent, and I'd toyed with her pretty good in the past.
If forced to choose between them, the executioner might be the lesser evil.
But there was such a thing as a common enemy.
This could clear up the misunderstanding that I was the witch's minion.
No matter how thick-headed a human might be, would they really try to kill me after I helped them once?
...Well, some humans might, but I trusted this one wouldn't.
Executioner Jenny LV45
Steal a feather by defeating the target or meeting conditions.
Stealing weakens or removes their traits.
Condition: Gain recognition from the Executioner.
She gave off the vibe of a classic physical powerhouse.
Similar to the Red Witch, but maybe even an upgraded version.
That Executioner trait was nagging at me.
I couldn't tell its effects right now, but the name alone screamed packed with goodies.
Plague Witch LV37
Steal a feather by defeating the target or meeting conditions.
Stealing weakens or removes their traits.
Condition: Contract with the Plague Witch.
A contract with her would let me steal a trait?
Tempting, but I wasn't about to end up as the underling.
Unless I was the one on top, no deal.
Levels-wise, the executioner had the edge for sure.
The Plague Witch was even lower than the Red Witch or Gretel.
But her threat level was no joke.
Like Gretel, she was a real witch slinging all sorts of magic.
The executioner, on the other hand, seemed to favor close-quarters brawling like the Red Witch.
"You damn crow!"
The executioner bellowed.
She was definitely misunderstanding me.
Hard not to, with me popping out of that beast parade.
But I wasn't on the witch's side—I was on yours.
I came here to team up with you and blast that masked witch away.
"What's that weird thing on your head...? You! Should've dealt with you first!"
Now it sounds weird when she puts it like that.
This isn't weird—it's just a mask.
I got the executioner's position.
So to clear the misunderstanding, I'd have to lend her a hand.
"Oh my, oh my. A huge crow, just like the rumors?"
The Plague Witch looked thrilled to see me.
Hey, don't act like that.
"Just as I thought—colluding! When I catch you, I'll pluck every last feather!"
Now the misunderstanding's even worse, thanks to you.
"Dear Crow, come here. I have so much to discuss with you?"
"Caw-caw-caw!"
Don't talk so sweetly!
....
No way…!
A true witch.
She was sowing discord to drive a wedge between me and the executioner.
What other reason would she treat me like that?
"Urgh… A giant crow and the Plague Witch. Fine. Now it's worth burning everything down."
The executioner steadied her breathing.
Something felt off about her.
She glanced between me and the witch, then assumed a power-gathering stance.
No, this was obvious.
She was about to pay a heavy price to take us both out at once.
That's it, right?
"Caaaw! Caaaw!"
No, I'm on your side!
To be precise, my goal was to rampage here and get Cherry and Kiki out, but for now, that put me on the executioner's team.
We shared the objective of catching the witch.
But due to circumstances, she thought the witch and I were allies.
"Crow, any favorite foods? Hurry to my bosom. I'll deal with that muscle-bound wench right now, then we can do cozy research together in my cabin?"
Her face was masked, but one eye was visible.
It gleamed with rapture.
"Hm? Come on, quickly now."
Was this genuine, not an act?
"Ca...?"
Because she likes crows?
Hm, maybe a chat wouldn't hurt.
She suddenly seems kinda nice.
Shweee!
Sung-sung tugged at my mask with his pointy hands.
Truth be told, maybe the Plague Witch was nicer than the hostile executioner?
Not all witches had to be bad.
"Hehe. Rumors said three heads, but that's not it. No worries… I'll make you look like that soon enough."
....
"Caw?"
"Or should I make them bigger?"
The witch's expression didn't change.
If anything, it grew more ecstatic.
Yeah.
No way the Plague Witch was sane.
She wanted me.
For what?
To use as an experimental subject, like those beasts here.
Chaaaain!
Booom!
Their fight raged on even as we "talked."
Beasts and humans controlled by the plague.
The executioner killed the beasts and subdued the humans, but their numbers kept growing.
If she'd just killed them all outright, it'd be easier.
But humans were humans, even under control.
Even a crow like me felt some reluctance to kill them carelessly… imagine how she felt.
According to Cherry and Kiki, unless it involved witches, the executioner was a total saint, so her hesitation made sense.
Chaaaain!
Clang!
Humans with red eyes attacking the executioner.
And their faces looked familiar.
weren't they my precious customers who'd bought from me?
…A fine merchant handles the aftermath perfectly.
"Caw!"
I swooped in fast, ambushing the humans around the executioner.
"You fiend! Revealing your true colo…"
The executioner's voice faltered mid-sentence, expecting an attack.
She realized my beak had yanked not their heads, but feathers stuck somewhere on them.
I could see their traits.
More precisely, the traits planted by the Plague Witch.
A simple peck removed them effortlessly.
In other words, I'd snapped those puppets back to their senses.
Thud.
They collapsed, unable to move properly, but their lives seemed fine.
Not adding to our forces, but a satisfying result.
"The plague… lifted?"
The Plague Witch muttered in disbelief.
No matter how hyped the executioner was, she'd know what I'd done upon hearing that.
Chaaaaain!
Booooom!
The iron chains hurtled toward the Plague Witch.
Unlike before, no hesitation—full power and speed.
The witch barely dodged, but from now on, the fight would shift dramatically.
Dust billowed thick.
"Could it be… you cured their plague?"
The executioner called out, having blasted the Plague Witch far away.
Her tone had switched to honorifics.
She knew what I'd done.
"…O Crow, allow me a proposal."
"Caw."
A proposal?
Fine, I'll hear it.
"I'll offer a reward to your satisfaction. Aid me."
I'd already helped plenty.
This much, and I could sneak off with Cherry and Kiki while they fought.
I'd done my part.
"I've heard rumors of you. Running a stall and trading here."
Met another adventurer, huh?
Was that the one who attacked me after hearing it?
This one was rubbing me the wrong way.
"Even mine, if it pleases you… take it."
The executioner bowed her head briefly.
Her gaze dropped to her lower body.
A bit provocative? Bold?
Her bottoms were an impressive design.
At a glance, like mesh stockings, but no—something else.
An executioner wielding chain scythes.
Those were thin chains woven into mesh form.
I admired the craftsmanship for a moment.
Then wondered why she stared so intently.
"This body may be rough, but I heard you collect such things…"
....
......
So, she's offering what she's wearing right now?
Do I look like some pervert crow who'd go for that deal?
Sheesh, I've dealt with this once or twice, but not in bulk like this.
Logically, why would a crow like that stuff?
I just like shiny things.
"What the hell kind of nonsense is this? Executioner, you wanna die?"
A furious voice rang out.
The chain scythe had hit her, but not fatally.
Red eyes flashing with rage.
She must be pissed that her experimental subject was siding with the executioner.
If the Plague Witch won, it'd be bad in all sorts of ways.
The Night Witches' plans succeeding, and whatever she'd do to me if caught.
…No helping it.
I'd planned to grab Cherry and Kiki and bail, but now I had to commit more power.
Absolutely not tempted by any other reward.
Because, well, I'm a crow.
"Caw, caw."
I let out a cry.
Time to change my stance.
Form a united front with the executioner and crush the plague.
Shing! Shweeng!
Sung-sung, catching my signal, flung silver coins wildly with his stubby arms.
I'd wanted to save them for the tin woodsman, but a little wouldn't hurt.
Night Calling LV1
Designate territory by offering tribute.
Set the time of day within the territory for a short duration.
Duration and effects depend on tribute quality and quantity.
Sung-sung's silver coins vanished.
[The silver coins have become your tribute.]
[Designating your territory.]
The quality and quantity were less than last time.
Still plenty sufficient.
[Your territory is now Underground Ruins 1F.]
Look closely.
[Twilight descends.]
And don't tell a soul.
"Caaaaw!"
My feathers drank in the twilight.
If they knew I was Skarnas's giant crow, they'd want a contract.
But with my next evolution coming, I didn't care about hiding anymore.
I'd rampage freely.
Though honestly, my cover might already be blown… but the mask should handle it.