The Witch's Mad Obsession
Knock, knock, knock.
After washing Rachel, who had clung to me the entire time, she told me she would head down first. With nothing else to do, I was lying on the bed, resting my exhausted body and staring blankly at the ceiling when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
With my permission, the door opened without hesitation, and a familiar woman walked in, her brown hair swaying gently.
"Are you planning to laze around like this since morning? Don't you have anything to do?"
With a lively, sharp tone and a prickly attitude, Sierra glared down at me with her emerald eyes as if I were pathetic. She let out a sigh and walked toward me, her heels clicking against the floor.
"It's not that I don't have anything to do, but I'm just tired."
"Ah, so you do have things to do? Fine. There's bread left in the dining hall, so eat it yourself. Once I leave, there won't be anyone in the house anyway."
I got up from the creaking bed and pressed myself right against Sierra, who stood there with her arms crossed. As I massaged her soft forearm and gently pulled her in, she pouted her lips but still hugged me back tightly.
"Where are you going today?"
"Didn't you ask me to help Rachel? We're going to look at some buildings together."
Even while acting aloof, Sierra explained everything, which was so adorable that I pressed my dry lips against her soft neck, kissing her gently.
Though she shivered at the rough sensation of my lips, a slender smile played on her face. She gently pushed my cheek away and spoke.
"That tickles—Anyway, I told you. Make sure to feed yourself."
"Did you come up here because you were worried about me?"
Pushing her trembling hand away with my face, I clung to her again and kissed her soft cheek. With a huff of indignation, Sierra threw a light punch into my side. I pretended to be in pain and stepped back.
"I was worried you'd just roll around all day without eating! Anyway, I'm leaving, so wherever you go, have a safe trip."
"You're quite feisty today."
"Hmph, whatever—"
With a light retort, Sierra turned and walked away, her firm hips swaying. Licking my lips in amusement, I decided to just head out since I wasn't particularly hungry. Of course, Sierra would probably nag me when she came home and saw the bread untouched, but—
I threw on the clothes I had tossed aside, grabbed the communication magic necklace from the desk, and finished preparing to head out. Leaving the inn, I walked across the plaza, watching the birds chirp sweetly, and headed toward the jungle path I always took.
"Yaaawn..."
Letting out a deep yawn from the bottom of my stomach, I rubbed my eyes. My body felt stiff and uncomfortable, so I stopped for a moment and twisted my limbs to stretch.
"Groooan...!"
"You must be very tired~"
Just as I was groaning at the satisfying pops echoing through my joints, a lazy voice drifted down from above. Tilting my head back, I saw Minerva lounging on a branch like a panther, licking her lips as she looked down at me.
"You startle me."
"Fufu~ You weren't startled at all~"
Like a female panther pouncing on its prey, Minerva leapt from the branch, spreading her arms as she fell toward me in slow motion. It was an obvious demand to be caught. I scratched my cheek, but ultimately opened my arms and caught her.
The instant I caught her, the scent of rich roses filled my nose along with the sensation of her smooth, bare skin. Glancing down at her incredibly revealing leather outfit, I scanned her voluptuous body. Looking down at Minerva, who was draped in my arms in a princess carry, I spoke.
"Can I drop you?"
"Can't you just carry me like this~? I'm tired too~"
"Did you sleep late last night?"
Minerva flinched slightly in my arms. Placing a long finger against her red lips, she made a shushing sound.
"Mmm~ A secret...?"
I didn't feel like pressing her, so I shrugged, lowered her feet to the ground, and stood her upright.
"What a shame~ You could have carried me all the way there~"
Ignoring Minerva as she whined like a child who had her candy stolen, tugging at my arm, I got straight to the point.
"I don't plan on traveling anywhere for a while, so I came to find you. I figured this was a good opportunity to repay you, like I promised before."
"Hrrm~"
Minerva crossed her arms, squishing her massive F-cup breasts, and leaned forward. She swayed her hips, which were wrapped in saber-toothed tiger leather, lost in thought. Her outfit was so revealing that it felt like she was actively seducing me. I committed the view to memory before turning my head away.
"Shall we head to my cabin first then~? I was actually about to ask you for a favor, so this worked out perfectly~"
Licking her lips with her pink tongue, Minerva offered her hand with a seductive smile. Grasping her small, bronze hand, I let her guide me. Soon, both of us began to float slowly into the air.
"Ah, I'll tell you in advance, but you can't say no~"
"Unless my life is on the line, I won't refuse."
"Fufu~ How manly. Let's go quickly~"
With an enthusiastic response, Minerva gradually increased our flying speed. As we cut through the wind, the leather covering her rear fluttered, exposing her luscious, bronze buttocks.
"Oh...!"
Catching a glimpse of her tight butt crack and the thin string nestled between her pudding-soft cheeks, I got an erection before I could even try to calm myself down. Worried Minerva might notice, I subtly pushed my hips back and enjoyed the view of her bronze rear while pretending to look at the sky.
Back when I lived on Earth, I had a massive fantasy about tanned skin. I decided to fully satisfy that fantasy today.
"Fufufut~"
While keeping an eye on Minerva, who was letting out mysterious giggles, a sudden question occurred to me.
"Ah, by the way, Undine gave me a necklace yesterday."
"Ah~ Fufu, that's my gift. I'll enchant it with another simple magic later~"
"Thank you. But... it doesn't move on its own, does it?"
"Eh~?"
"Does the necklace move or fly around on its own?"
Minerva's hand, which was holding mine, flinched. Feeling puzzled, I explained what had happened this morning.
"I'm sure I left it in my clothes, but when I woke up this morning, it was sitting on the desk."
Minerva's lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she quickly turned her head toward me, shaking it with a peaceful smile.
"How could a simple communication magic necklace have such a function~? You probably just put it there and forgot about it~"
"I don't think so..."
"...Are you doubting me~?"
Her usually droopy eyes suddenly sharpened like axes. It was the first time I had ever seen Minerva make such an expression. Startled, I waved my free right hand in denial.
"No, it's not like that. I was just curious."
"Hmph~ You talk big about repaying me, yet here you are doubting me~ It reminds me of the old witch hunts, it makes me so sad~"
"Isn't that from a really long time ago?"
"Shut up."
Pursing my lips, I held her hand tightly and flew in silence until we reached her cabin. At least the wind was cool. The cold sweat running down my back would be dry by the time we arrived.
Our feet touched down in the empty clearing.
Having flown in a fixed posture for so long, I stretched my stiff body while subtly checking Minerva's expression.
"......"
Ever since I mentioned her age, Minerva had maintained a completely blank face. Suppressing a strange chill, I was about to speak to her when a loud shout echoed from a distance.
"Haap!!! Haat!!! Hiyat!!!"
Glancing over, I saw the source of the shouting. It was Undine. She wasn't floating in the air; instead, she had both feet firmly planted on the ground, throwing punches with loud shouts.
"Hiyaaahat! Ah! What! Casano, why are you here?!"
What kind of training is this? Suppressing my rising curiosity, I watched her. Undine, who had been throwing punches wrapped in surging blue energy, spotted me and ran over, shouting loudly.
"Undine seems a bit prickly lately."
Yesterday was the same, and today too. Do spirits go through puberty? When I asked Minerva, she giggled, clearly amused by Undine's behavior, and gave a brief explanation.
"I don't know about lately—but today, she's been like that ever since she saw that new lady, Sierra, in Hinera Village~"
"Sierra?"
Just as Minerva said, I pictured Sierra, who always stood with her arms crossed, acting prickly. But Sierra's charm lay in how she walked the fine line between anger and affection, acting feisty. Undine, on the other hand, was just pure spice.
"Yesterday at dinner, she vowed, 'I'm going to copy everyone Casano likes~'~"
I thought she had just been laughing and chatting with the new women, but she was actually thinking that? Unsure whether to be happy or concerned, I looked at Undine, who was pouting with her arms crossed. Then, a sudden realization hit me. How did Minerva know about Sierra?
"Have you been to the village? How do you know Sierra?"
"Fufu~ That's a witch's secret~?"
Minerva placed a finger over her lips. Witches sure had a lot of secrets. A creeping sense of suspicion and unease began to gnaw at me, but I didn't let it show. I had received so much from her, and even if she had some way of finding out, it didn't seem like she meant any harm.
"I'm the one talking to you right now~!"
As I was sorting through my thoughts, Undine pressed her squishy head against me, clinging to my side. Her behavior was incredibly adorable, so I hugged her and rubbed my cheek against hers.
"Sorry, sorry. But I like the usual Undine best."
"Liar~ You haven't been taking me with you lately~!"
Wait, you were the one who said you wanted to train with Minerva first. I looked at Minerva with an aggrieved expression, but she only offered a gentle smile and shrugged. In the end, I looked down at Undine, who was pouting and wrinkling her face, and hugged her tightly to apologize.
"I'm sorry. You must have been lonely lately. I should have paid more attention to you."
"Hing~ No, it's not that..."
"Next time I go somewhere, I'll definitely bring you along. Okay? Don't cry."
"Hiiing~ Casano~"
Holding Undine, who felt as soft and bouncy as jelly, I felt a cool sensation as I rubbed my face against her cheek. Cold water droplets rubbed off on me, but I didn't care, focusing on soothing the crying spirit in my arms.
"Sniff~ I'm sorry... I know you didn't do it on purpose~"
Sniffling and speaking in broken sentences, Undine finally apologized. It was adorable to see her clinging to me and apologizing now that her grudge was resolved, so I hugged her and patted her back.
"Now that I can unsummon you and everything, we can just travel together, right?"
"Yeah, yeah...!"
Clap!
"What a heartwarming sight~"
Watching our touching reconciliation, Minerva clapped loudly and looked at us.
"But Dine, I have something to discuss with Lord Casano. Do you mind if I borrow him for a bit~?"
Gently stroking the head of Undine, who was still nestled in my arms, Minerva poked her cheek and tilted her head with an apologetic expression.
"Yes! Go ahead, Master!"
Looking up at Minerva with a bright smile, Undine shouted energetically. She slipped out of my arms and slowly traced a circle in the air with her hand.
Bubble, bubble.
Bubbles and water droplets shooting from her fingertips began to weave into an oval shape, eventually merging into a complete portal. After poking the shimmering, mirror-like surface, Undine turned to me with her usual bright smile.
"I'm going to go play with my friends in the Spirit Realm then, so you talk to Master today! We're traveling together again starting tomorrow!"
"Yeah, let's do that. Have fun."
"Bye!"
With a soft hum, Undine stepped into the portal leading to the Spirit Realm, and the shimmering gateway vanished. Left alone in the empty clearing, we shared a brief silence before Minerva led me by the hand toward her cabin.
Creeeak.
Stepping inside Minerva's cabin, the interior looked exactly like a witch's house from old fairy tales, cluttered with various furniture and tools. There was a bubbling cauldron, mysterious herbs, and dried specimens hanging from the ceiling.
"It's a bit messy~ Please wait a moment~"
Wading through the colorful reagents, messy papers, and bottles rolling on the floor, Minerva gathered the documents covering the table and tossed them aside, clearing the space.
"Here, please sit~"
"Thank you."
I bowed my head slightly to Minerva as she pulled out a chair for me. It was fascinating to see the large cabin packed with all sorts of knick-knacks and tools. The unfamiliar papers and magic circles truly made me realize that Minerva was indeed a witch.
Clack.
"This tea is excellent for virility~"
A steaming brown tea was placed before me. Tapping the slightly chipped teacup against my teeth, I took a sip. A sweet aroma spread through my mouth, followed by a warmth that cozy-wrapped my throat and stomach. This is actually pretty good. I smiled, set the cup down, and praised the tea.
"It's delicious. I'd love to drink this every day."
"Fufu~ Thank you~"
Licking the remaining tea from her lips with her pink tongue, Minerva tapped the table and stared at me. Since it didn't seem like she was going to start the conversation, I spoke up first.
"You've been taking care of Undine, and you've helped me in so many ways. As I said before, I want to repay you. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
The rhythmic tapping of her fingers suddenly stopped. Looking at me with a satisfied smile that suggested the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived, Minerva parted her red lips.
"Actually, the reason I helped you, Lord Casano, is because I have my own goal~"
Pushing her chair back, Minerva stood up. She began to pace around the cabin, tapping on magic circles and papers with her slender fingers.
"Every witch has her own lifelong wish. Usually, it's a wish deeply intertwined with her specialty or primary field of study~"
Picking up the teapot, Minerva refilled my cup with a deep smile, continuing her explanation.
"I, in particular, love the observation of life above all else. I love observing and experimenting on new creatures, analyzing exceptional individuals, and I truly adore the moment a new life is born~"
Dropping her lazy tone, Minerva spoke with a precision and elegance that made me wonder if she was the same laid-back witch from before, maintaining a dignified stride as she walked around the cabin.
"But unfortunately, witches cannot receive the blessing of giving birth to new life. Our existence is predetermined, as if ordained by God to simply be witches~"
Shatter!
Minerva's hand swept across the table, accidentally knocking a teacup to the floor. Shards flew everywhere, but with a simple wave of her hand, the fragments gathered and fused back together perfectly.
"So, I thought to myself. I want witches to enjoy the noble right of bringing forth new life as well~"
Clap!
Minerva clapped her hands, a chilling smile spreading across her face. A cold sweat broke out on my back. Is she talking about human transmutation or something? Am I getting involved in something dangerous? But the words that flowed from her red lips next were shocking in a completely different way.
"I decided to study the seed of strong males to create a medicine that can make infertile witches pregnant!"
"What?"
"Having witnessed the greatness of species trying to spread their seed even on the brink of death, I realized that the stronger the male, the more explosive their life force burns."
Speaking with a voice laced with madness, Minerva gestured wildly like a passionate conductor as she explained.
"I've established a system by researching the semen of various races and even animals. Now, all that's left is an outstanding male."
"Don't tell me..."
"The candidate I have chosen is you, Lord Casano~"
"I am merely a mercenary."
"That is true. But your astonishing stamina, your obsession with women, and the sadistic male side that leaks out during intimacy... everything about you is fascinating."
Minerva's words instantly resolved the lingering doubts I had.
"So you were watching me."
"...I apologize for watching you in secret, but it was a necessary process for selection. In many ways, you fit the criteria I was looking for perfectly."
Minerva scratched her cheek with her fingertip, looking slightly guilty. For someone called the Witch of Observation, she sure spent a lot of time voyeuring other people's lives. Still, it was a relief to know she wasn't plotting anything malicious and had only watched me for her experiment.
"So, there are exactly three things I would like to ask of you."
"Three things?"
She said it so casually, but three things felt like a lot. I narrowed my eyes, and Minerva licked her lips before continuing.
"Continuous sample collection, taking medication to help with the experimental results, and testing the efficacy after consumption. Those three~"
"What exactly do you mean by 'sample'...?"
Everything Minerva had discussed so far pointed toward a single goal: the pregnancy of a witch. I had a strong feeling I knew what she was going to say, but I closed my eyes and asked anyway, wanting to hear it directly from her mouth.
"I want to harvest your semen, Lord Casano~"