Chapter 29. Raising a Hero.
After an early morning breakfast, while overseeing Celly's training, Kang Ji-hyuk received word from the witch. It was a letter requesting a visit. He dropped everything and quickly prepared to head out, leaving the mansion behind. Whatever the outcome—good or bad—it seemed the matter had reached its conclusion.
...Even if it failed, don't get disappointed. That could happen.
Ji-hyuk steeled himself several times before arriving at the witch's house. He didn't get off near the house but farther away, opting to walk the rest of the way. After all, it wouldn't look good for a hero to be seen coming and going from a widow's home. Especially since she was a witch. Even if Ji-hyuk harbored no such prejudices, others certainly did.
The hero moved discreetly toward the back door of the witch's house. When he gave a light knock, the door creaked open without even asking who it was. The witch gave him a slight bow.
"Your Excellency, please come in."
Ji-hyuk strode inside. The door thudded shut behind him, plunging the space into silence. He walked to the living room, then turned to face the witch, who stood with her hands clasped politely in front of her. She couldn't quite meet his eyes, her gaze slightly lowered.
"Have you been well?"
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
Her voice lacked strength.
Ah. Ji-hyuk had a bad feeling. Did it fail, after all? But he didn't jump to conclusions until he heard her answer.
"...What of the elixir?"
The witch glanced at the hero, then suddenly prostrated herself flat on the floor.
"...Please kill this lowly one."
What the— The hero stared at the back of the witch's head for a moment before looking away and letting out a long sigh. A lengthy silence followed. Ji-hyuk rolled the bitter taste in his mouth around on his tongue for a good while.
"...Enough. Get up."
"Your Excellency. Please kill this lowly one."
"No.... These things happen. You did your best, didn't you? I understand. These things happen."
Ji-hyuk crouched down and lightly patted the back of the witch, who was banging her forehead against the floor.
"Get up already. I said it's fine. ...I hope this experience helps you grow even more."
There was no need to forgive or not forgive. What could he do if she'd tried her hardest and failed? Ji-hyuk had been prepared for this possibility.
The witch slowly raised her upper body. She glanced at the hero's magnanimous face. He smiled warmly, reassuring her it was okay.
"In my world, they say failure is the mother of success. ...If we get our hands on another Mystic Stone next time, you'll succeed then, right?"
"...Your Excellency."
It was already a failure. Getting angry or prying wouldn't change that. Even if they'd lost the Mystic Stone, he couldn't afford to lose a valuable ally. That was the wisdom of Ji-hyuk, who had lived through long years.
The witch stared intently at the hero's face for a long moment, then slowly prostrated herself again.
"Get up now. Any more, and you're just being a nuisance."
"No, this is different, Your Excellency. ...I confess my sin."
"...Sin?"
The witch's voice was different from before.
"I won't ask for forgiveness for testing Your Excellency. I sincerely apologize."
"What do you mean by that?"
"As Your Excellency knows, I am a witch. ...I am a foolish woman whose distrust of humans rises instinctively."
Ah. Only then did Ji-hyuk realize what was going on.
"You... tested me?"
"I am sorry. I sincerely apologize."
"Just because you didn't trust me?"
"...Please think of it as a mother's heart."
"You were worried about Ludvine?"
"My daughter and I have lived lives full of discrimination and persecution. ...It was far too harsh a life to trust anyone easily."
Fuuu. The hero let out a long sigh. He felt a twinge of annoyance, but he understood her circumstances. Witch. It wasn't hard to imagine the discrimination and pain bound up in that word. Of course, he didn't think the discriminators were entirely in the wrong. After all, witches had given rise to those prejudices.
"I worried that you might be using Ludvine or me for ill intentions. ...I am sorry. Truly sorry. If you want my life, I offer it."
"...No. I'm a bit upset, but I understand your situation."
A brief silence fell. The witch, still prostrated, spoke again.
"I have completed the elixir."
...Truth be told, Ji-hyuk had been waiting for those words. The joy of obtaining it after fully giving up hit even deeper.
"Well done. Is there any reward you desire?"
"How could I ask for payment from Your Excellency? You've already rewarded me more than enough with your mercy."
The witch now submitted to the hero from the depths of her heart. She lifted her head just enough to look up at him, then crawled forward on her knees and pressed kisses to his feet.
"Thank you for your mercy."
"Enough. Now get up."
The two rose from their spots. The witch bowed deeply once more, then headed to the basement to fetch the elixir.
While she was briefly away, he surveyed the living room. ...It had a cozy feel, like a fairy's cabin. He lightly touched the stone walls and chair. No dust anywhere—clearly, she cleaned meticulously.
Then the witch emerged from the basement, holding something in both hands. ...It was a very small vial.
"Here it is, Your Excellency."
The witch politely offered him two vials. The hero accepted them with a bright smile.
"You did wonderfully. I knew you could pull it off."
"I am truly sorry. ...May I offer you some tea? There's something I'd like to discuss...."
"Sure."
Ji-hyuk tucked the vials into his pocket and sat in a chair. Soon, the witch brought a tray and set a teacup before him.
"Any precautions when using it?"
"Nothing special, but use only one vial at a time. Overdosing on one person might cause side effects."
"Got it."
"The elixir isn't so much a medicine as a substance that reconstructs the body. That's why it seems to heal illnesses."
"...I see."
The witch subtly drew closer to the seat beside him. Her herbal scent grew nearer.
"Yes. So the one who takes it might feel considerable pain. I don't know how much exactly, since this is my first time too."
"...Understood."
She swallowed hard, then slowly reached out, gently placing her hand on his thigh. He felt the touch on his leg while sipping his tea, glanced down briefly, then looked at the witch now seated beside him.
Witch Jeanne lowered her gaze with an alluring expression.
"I... I only know this way to repay your mercy...."
"The elixir is more than enough. It's fine."
"But that leaves my heart uneasy.... This lowly body may be unworthy, but please allow me to repay your grace, Your Excellency."
"Do I seem like the type who expects that?"
Jeanne quickly shook her head.
"No, never. ...My hospitality must have been lacking, leaving my heart unsettled."
"It's enough. ...Okay?"
The witch slowly withdrew her hand from his thigh. ...A hint of regret flickered in her eyes.
Ji-hyuk drained his tea and stood.
"Anyway, thank you. You did great."
The witch rose as well. Ji-hyuk headed briskly to the back door, grasped the handle, and glanced back.
"Don't dwell on what happened earlier. I've already forgotten. We're back to how things were. Got it?"
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
"Good.... Thank you. You really came through. It's all thanks to you."
He flashed another pleased smile. The witch bowed her head lightly.
The hero turned the handle and opened the door.
"Take care. If you need anything, just say so. You're welcome at the mansion anytime. ...No need to feel burdened. I don't discriminate. You know what I mean?"
"Of course, Your Excellency."
"Good. Stay well."
"May infinite light shine upon Your Excellency's path."
With that, the hero departed. The witch bowed toward his receding back, with genuine respect.
Soon, he vanished from sight. The witch closed the door with a click and returned inside. A pleased smile played on her lips. She thought her daughter had truly lucked out with such a fine superior. For the first time, the witch felt sincere respect—and even affection—toward a human. Strangely, she didn't regret giving away even a single drop of the elixir.
Returning to the mansion with the elixir, Ji-hyuk immediately sought out Lorelia. Ludvine and Rozalia were in the room with her, deep in buff training.
"Ludvine, Rozalia, wait outside. No one comes in until I call. Got it?"
"Yes, Boss."
The two left the room. Lorelia sat gingerly on the bed, looking frightened. Ji-hyuk smiled and told her to relax. She couldn't understand why the hero had singled her out.
"Now, we're going to cure your illness."
"...Whaaat?!"
Lorelia's hips lifted slightly off the bed before dropping back. Her big eyes widened in shock.
"It might hurt a lot. But you have to endure it. Okay?"
"Yes, I'll endure no matter what."
"Good."
Ji-hyuk sat beside her and gently stroked her hair. Lorelia loved his soft, warm touch. She wanted to stay like this all day.
He pulled out the vial. It was about the length of two finger joints. The amount of elixir inside was barely enough to wet the tongue. But it would be more than sufficient. The hero swallowed nervously too—this was his first time using it personally. A spirit medicine of immense value. Lorelia probably couldn't even imagine its incalculable worth right now. Better that way. Crying and refusing would be worse.
"Tilt your head back. Good, now open wide. Bigger."
Lorelia did as instructed, tilting her head and opening her mouth wide.
Ji-hyuk poured the elixir into her open mouth.
Mmph— Lorelia wrinkled her brow at the intensely bitter taste. But she couldn't dare spit out something given by the hero. Even if it were sewage, it was her duty to swallow.
Gulp. The elixir slid down her throat.
Ji-hyuk called in the maids waiting outside.
"Watch over her. She might get really sick."
"Yes, my lord."
Ludvine and Rozalia entered too. Ji-hyuk told them to take good care of their sister today. And as soon as he finished speaking—
Lorelia suddenly let out a groan. Sweat was already pouring from her body, and fever raged within.
"Urgh, urgh...!"
It seemed extremely painful. The half-witch and her older sister quickly flanked her, gripping her hands tightly.
"Hang in there, Lorelia. You have to overcome it. Got it?"
"Sis, urgh, ah—"
Ji-hyuk sat at the foot of the bed, watching. ...Lorelia writhed in agony all night long.