Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: The Witch Nyx
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The moment those words seared into my mind, my body went limp, nearly causing me to drop Aurora. I reflexively tightened my arm, averting disaster, but the shock lingered.
The woman giggled.
“Now you feel like talking to me?”
“Put that girl down, and let’s have a little chat, just you and me. I promise I won’t do anything. Really.”
“No one’s died here. They all just ran off in fear. I didn’t do much—just walked around. So, can’t you just do what I say? Hehe, I’ve been good, haven’t I?”
“You’ll come with me, right? Yeah? You will, won’t you?”
After a frantic barrage of casual and polite speech, the woman suddenly flew into a rage.
“Hee, heehee. Nyx, you’ve gotten awfully cheeky, huh? What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see I’m talking to you?”
“You’re one to talk, Nyx. I said I’d chat, so why do you keep charging out?”
“Fine. If I’m willing to talk, why do you keep barging in? I gave you the first chance, I suggested coming here, I even drew out that reaction. What have you done? Nothing but eat what I spoon-fed you.”
Then, they suddenly started fighting each other. Her voice didn’t change much, but her tone and expression flipped back and forth like different people, arguing with herself.
‘Split personality?’
Witnessing the bizarre sight of her quarreling with herself snapped my dazed mind back into focus. My frozen thoughts began to turn again.
Even if this woman really was the witch I knew—the one who cursed the protagonist, turning him into the ‘Abandoned One’—I doubted the game’s choices or dialogue options would work properly.
Her personality had changed too drastically.
The witch who cursed the protagonist was incredibly arrogant. To even attempt a conversation, you had to pick options that unconditionally flattered and pandered to her.
Her magic was top-tier, and she’d seen countless ordinary people flee in terror just from approaching her, so her twisted personality was inevitable.
She believed she was the center of the world, and her decisions were always right—an arrogance so unbearable that plenty of players punched first mid-conversation.
But now, it was different.
Not only had her personality completely reversed, but she’d gained this bizarre split-personality setup, and she wasn’t treating the protagonist like some roadside bug.
For one thing, she was definitely far from the game’s obnoxious personality that made players’ blood boil just by existing.
‘Maybe I can persuade her with words.’
Of course, I didn’t trust her enough to believe her right now. No way I’d take her word at face value after that display. At minimum, I’d need surveillance and stay on high alert while talking.
I fought to regain my composure. I had mountains of questions, but I couldn’t talk like this. Taking care of Aurora came first.
I gritted my teeth, suppressing my curiosity. Only when I could finally force out something other than questions did I speak.
“Wait. Let me say something. Your name’s Nyx, right?”
“Keehee, yes. That’s right. Nyx. Finally in the mood to talk to me?”
Even amid this, was she still battling for control? Casual and polite speech swapped nonstop, even within single sentences. It was disorienting just listening.
“If you can’t decide, I will. The one who uses casual speech comes out first.”
At that, Nyx’s face crumpled like her world had collapsed, then twisted into a sly, sinister grin as she cackled. The personality switch was complete.
“Heh, hehehe. See? I’m better, right? Yeah? Should I stay out from now on? Huh? Want that?”
“It’s not about who’s better. The casual speaker introduced herself first, so she goes first. That’s all.”
I drew a line. If she truly had a split personality or something like it, no need to incur one side’s grudge.
I made it clear: I wasn’t favoring one, just following a specific criterion.
Ignoring my words entirely, Nyx kept leaking that creepy chuckle like she was thrilled. I left her be, knelt on one knee, leaned forward, and carefully hoisted Aurora onto my back.
Aurora wrapped her arms around my neck the moment I did. Her face rested lightly on my left shoulder. Her hair carried a faint floral scent.
Her thighs were bare and soft against me. Given her outfit, her privates were probably pressing right against my back, but my thick uniform should prevent any blushing mishaps.
Ignoring the hard press of her bra near my shoulder blades, I spoke.
“The people running away—it’s because of fear, right?”
“Yeah. Heehee.”
That confirmed Nyx’s identity once more. She’d admitted to cursing the protagonist herself, and now confirmed the fear effect. No doubt about it.
“Good. Then wait somewhere else. I have to handle something first.”
“Can’t I follow?”
“No.”
“Why? Got a reason I shouldn’t? I’ll be good. Promise.”
“Like you said, the people here are scared. If you don’t like it, hand control to the polite one.”
“…….”
Unwilling to yield control, Nyx nodded with an even creepier smile. Even that simple motion made her chest jiggle wildly.
“You really know how to handle me. Where should I go?”
“Keep walking down this road, and you’ll see a big castle. Only one in the city, so no mistaking it. Wait inside.”
Considering Nyx’s traits, sticking her with the knights was best.
Fear only worked as a status effect on defenseless civilians. Among non-casters with combat ability like knights, it wouldn’t trigger.
“Heehee. I already went there. Again?”
“……What? When?”
“I checked the castle first. But you weren’t there. Said you were out. So I came here.”
‘How’d she even know that?’
Did she have a way to find out where I lived?
“Once is enough. You didn’t cause any trouble there, right?”
Short stature, huge chest, sinister vibe—she looked harmless, but this woman was one of BRN4’s selectable bosses.
Vice-knight commanders (mid-bosses) and rank-and-file knights (mook mobs from the palace field) stood no chance against her, dead or alive.
“Didn’t. They’d hate me if I did.”
Good, no incidents like I feared.
“Perfect. I’ve got a stop to make, so head to the castle first. If they won’t let you in, say it’s the Knight Commander’s order.”
“Heh, my word might not carry as much as your direct order.”
“To give that order, I need to get back to the castle. I told you, I have somewhere to stop by first—”
“But you came here.”
Before I could ask who, figures in golden armor approached us. A lot of them—at least twenty.
Uniforms set, but armor designs pending, so they’d pulled out old Golden Twilight Knights gear. I eyed the flashier ones.
‘Three.’
Three vice-commanders. Total: thirty-three.
Over half the available forces—Laxia’s maximum effort, practically commanding in my stead.
“Commander! Are you alright?!”
A booming voice rang out. Laxia. Nyx didn’t even glance back, just flashed me a weird grin and sinister smile.
The knights approaching froze at Aurora on my back, then leveled weapons at Nyx. I signaled them to stand down. No need for needless conflict.
That game personality might still lurk in her plump frame somewhere. Worst case, a boss fight right here.
We could win, sure, but everyone except me would die. My game knowledge was useless for protecting others in combat.
Catching my intent, Laxia asked worriedly.
“……Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. For now. Depends on how things go from here. How’d you get here?”
“Citizens flooded the castle begging for help. Said overwhelming fear hit them mid-street, made them flee. Dozens more arrived after. Seemed serious, so we rushed here. The other twenty-two are calming the refugees at the castle.”
“Well done. Good call.”
“Just doing what needed doing.”
Laxia bowed briefly in response to my praise.
“Laxia, pick a few subordinates and escort her to the castle with them. The rest, patrol the city and reassure people. No deaths, so they’ll calm down soon. Don’t return right away after—patrol a bit longer.”
“Understood. Lock her in the basement?”
“No. Take her to my room for now. Need to talk.”
“……Yes.”
She nodded, but her tone dripped distrust.
Keehee—Nyx’s weird laugh echoed as she turned to face Laxia. Laxia flinched instinctively, gripping her sword hilt.
“You saw me at your castle. I did nothing then. Nothing now. See?”
“Quiet. You expect us to believe that after this?”
“Huh, can’t control it.”
“So you knew what your presence would cause and entered the city anyway?”
“Both of you, quiet.”
I cut in before things worsened. Nyx obediently covered her mouth with her palm; Laxia loosened her grip on the hilt.
I beckoned Laxia close and whispered in her ear.
“I don’t like it either, but we have no choice right now. Bear it. Fighting here means no real win even if we do.”
“……Understood.”
“And she’s a dark sorceress. Never let your guard down. Keep her under watch even in the room. At least five people.”
“I knew something was off. A witch, huh. Will do.”
Laxia got it, rounding up her knights to surround Nyx.
Nyx waved casually as the eleven knights escorted/surveilled her away. The rest scattered through the city.
I headed for Aurora’s mansion. She stayed silent on my back.
With the outing ending like this, she must be heartbroken.
“Are you alright, my lord?”
“…….”
Aurora tightened her arms around my neck instead of answering. Fear fading, strength returning bit by bit.
“Sorry. Things turned out this way.”
“……Why are you apologizing, Delta? It’s not your fault.”
My curt apology prompted her to finally speak, unwilling to let it slide.
“Probably my fault, right? She came for me. My popularity’s too high—definitely me.”
I tossed in light banter. Aurora buried her face in my shoulder and chuckled softly.
“Hearing that, it does sound right. Should I punish you as lord?”
“Please go easy.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Aurora giggled and clung closer. I tried not to recall her bare lower half. The soft sensation in my palms was a bonus.
Arriving at her mansion, something felt off. I stopped.
“……?”
The gates stood wide open.
The massive iron gate separating territory from mansion, to the front entrance—all flung open. Like inviting someone in on purpose.
The knights always stationed out front were gone. Scanning around, even their barracks in the garden corner had its door shut tight.
I tensed fully and stepped into the garden.
“No need for that.”
As I entered, someone burst from the garden bushes. I startled back a step at the unexpected emergence.
“Did you enjoy your outing, Master?”
From the bushes emerged Lana, calmly brushing leaves from her hair and clothes—her poise utterly at odds with her ridiculous entrance.