86
My Villains Chapter 86
22. The Witch (6)
The one who appeared in the eastern sky was none other than Ellen.
Looking closely, the feather ornament in her left ear was emitting a soft blue light.
Like a legendary grand mage, she was looking down at the ground with her hair flowing in the wind.
Her smile and downward gaze seemed to fit her perfectly, like a long-lost tailored suit—whoosh.
"Ack!"
Just as I was thinking that, a sudden magical wind swept through, causing her small frame to wobble violently!
Ellen's face instantly turned pale as she frantically waved her arms trying to maintain balance.
"...Ugh!"
Yeah, that's more like you!
Just as I was about to run to catch her in surprise, a gust of wind emerged from somewhere and wrapped around Ellen.
The gentle breeze deflected the fierce magical wind that was assailing Ellen. Moreover, it embraced her flailing form and helped her regain balance like a supportive aide.
Could that be the 'Spirit of Dance'? Using it like that?
After regaining her balance with the help of the Dance Spirit, Ellen resumed her arrogant expression as if she had never been flustered...
Ugh, why is she acting like that? This is getting embarrassing even for me...
But that thought was brief. Ellen raised her wand and began waving it like a conductor. As her lips moved slightly, a tiny spark the size of a fingernail emerged within the circle traced by her wand.
Whoosh.
The spark grew larger as it spiraled like a whirlwind. The spark, now more of a fireball about the size of a ping-pong ball, broke free from the wand's pull and flew toward the ground.
Recognizing the nature of this magic, I quickly shouted, "It's a Fireball! Get down!"
The soldiers who weren't bewitched, or who had broken free from the fascination, threw themselves to the ground in terror at the mention of a fireball.
Whoosh.
The fireball traced a gentle arc as it flew over the soldiers. And when it struck Camilla, the witch who had collapsed near the Salt Castle wall—
BOOM!
A loud explosion sent sparks flying everywhere as a pillar of fire shot upward. Fireball, commonly known as 'Fireball', is a rank 2 fire magic skill. While it consumes a lot of magic, has a long casting time, and the projectile moves surprisingly slowly, it was quite useful thanks to its high power, long range, and decent area of effect.
In the game, it was a popular stress-reliever due to its impact feel and effects. To think I'd see it in reality...
"Kyaaaaaah!"
The witch who took a direct hit from the fireball let out a terrible scream. As her tentacles, injured and severed in various places, writhed randomly, Camilla began crawling toward the Salt Castle's main gate to escape.
I quickly got up and swung my shield to disperse the sparks flying in front of my face. Then I immediately kicked off the ground to chase after the squirming witch.
"Guh, hot, it's hot, kyeeeeek!"
The monster engulfed in flames desperately crawled while thrashing its tentacles in all directions. The soldiers surrounding the Salt Castle stepped back in fear at the horrific sight.
In that chaos, I was able to easily catch up to the witch.
"Huu, huu..."
Is she tired?
The witch, who had been screaming, stopped her desperate struggle and lay still. A human arm, scorched all over, reached desperately toward the Salt Castle. Her chest heaved as if trying to say something, but then—thunk.
The broad blade cut into her thin neck from behind. As Hrunting became soaked in the witch's blood, an intense vibration transmitted through the handle.
"Gurgle,"
The witch, Camilla, opened and closed her mouth, but what came out wasn't words but bloody foam.
I twisted the blade while stepping on the witch's back. Her neck was completely severed, and the tentacles that had been giving off a pungent smell went limp. The trembling hand reaching toward the Salt Castle also fell to the ground with a thud.
"Phew."
Finally finished it.
It was much harder than expected because she unexpectedly used 'Fascination'. Still, fortunately Ellen appeared at the right timing...
"Th-that bastard...!"
"Kill that bastard!"
Hearing shouts from somewhere, I looked up to see that the portcullis of the Salt Castle, which had been tightly closed, was now raised.
The one who appeared at the second-floor entrance was none other than the lord of South Harbor.
"Kill that mercenary!"
The lord, looking much more haggard than when I'd last seen him, pointed at me and screamed as if spitting blood.
"What are you waiting for! That mercenary, that lowborn killed my wife! Hurry, hurry! Bring me the head of that cursed murderer!"
At that passionate cry, the royal guards standing behind the lord gritted their teeth.
Though they were only about fifteen in number, with loyalty befitting the royal guard, they jumped out of the entrance. Just as they were about to charge at me—
Whoosh.
A breeze from somewhere brushed past my neck.
"Phoenix, catch me!"
"Huh, what?"
When I turned my head, Ellen was flying toward me. The breeze that had been surrounding her was dissipating, causing her small frame to wobble violently.
Seeing Ellen practically falling now, I quickly launched myself forward. Then I managed to catch her with my shield hand.
Grab.
"Heek,"
"Ugh, are you okay?"
Ellen nodded while wrapping her arms around my neck.
"Yeah, *huff, huff* I'm fine."
Slightly relieved, I frowned and scolded her quietly.
"I told you to wait in the room! Why did you come here?"
"You said *heek* you'd come back before sunrise but you didn't!"
"What? Even so, with so many knights around, how could you use magic? Weren't you supposed to keep your identity secret?"
"Is that important right now? We've got bigger problems!"
"What bigger problems- Wait, are you really okay? Your face is so pale."
Looking down at her face where blue veins were visible, she whispered quietly while catching her breath.
"Huff- Just... Ran out of magic, that's all."
"What? What did you do to run out of magic already?"
With Ellen's current stats, even excluding items, her magic should be over 70. Considering my strength is only 15, that's more than enough, so it shouldn't run out so quickly...
...Ah. The fireball spell consumes over 30 magic. Add to summoning of the Dance Spirit and activating the feather ornament for flight...
"Wow, you really scraped the bottom of the barrel, huh?"
"...Would you shut up? You're really tactless."
"Tactless? What do you mean?"
She let out a small sigh and turned toward the royal guards gathered at the Salt Castle's main gate. Then, putting on that haughty expression from before, she spoke in a clear voice.
"Fair warning - only those who want to become charcoal should come at us."
"...Ugh"
It was quite a comical sight - a small girl sitting on a fully armored warrior's arm trying to act proud. But the royal guards, having witnessed the fireball falling from the sky, couldn't move easily.
"The Count is over there!"
"Catch him!"
Additionally, when soldiers who had somehow made it to the tower side arrested the lord, the royal guards finally surrendered.
The plaza that had just seen dawn was now bustling like a marketplace. This was due to the cavalry who had participated in the night raid just returning.
In the middle of that chaotic encampment, the prince and the old knight were walking side by side.
"...The captain of the royal guard and his subordinates have all been bound. About thirty soldiers outside the direct force were killed or injured, but thanks to Lord Langbolt and Lord Liam stepping in to maintain order, the unrest wasn't too severe."
"Is that so. The situation grew bigger than expected, but it was handled well."
"The Bloody Swordsman played a big role."
Ulkar was covered in blood and dust from head to toe in his armor. He handed the reins to a personal guard and asked the old knight, Ariad Barin, "Did he discover the identity of the Countess, no, the witch?"
"Yes. He exchanged a few words with Ubar and got a confession."
"A confession, you say."
"Just my feeling, but... He seemed to know the identity of the infiltrator from the start."
"Meaning?"
When the prince, walking with three or four personal guards, twitched his eyebrows, the old knight shook his head.
"I don't mean to suggest suspicion. If he were a spy, he wouldn't have taken down both a back-alley gang leader and a Countess."
"True enough."
"However, he certainly has some kind of tricks up his sleeve."
"...Any possibility of connection to the two houses of Razil?"
"At this point, it's difficult to judge."
"I see..."
"But we still need to be cautious. The girl he keeps with him seems to be a high-level battle mage..."
"I heard she flies and handles fireballs."
"Yes. However,"
Ariad, who had been following the prince, paused briefly until all the personal guards had entered the tent. Only after the guards had taken their positions at the four corners of the tent did the old knight answer in a low voice.
"It's a spell commonly used among various schools and houses, so it's difficult to pinpoint her affiliation."
"I suppose so."
"Whatever her affiliation, a mage is a mage. Given her reluctance to reveal her hand, she clearly has something to hide. If you give the order, I can arrest her-"
"No, no. Don't act rashly."
"Yes, my lord."
The prince, leaning back in his chair, handed his helmet and gauntlets to his attendant. After being lost in thought for a moment, he brushed his hair back and spoke.
"Where are they?"
"They are with Sergeant Gilbert. Would you like to meet them?"
"Yes. Bring them here."
As the old knight left the tent, two attendants began cleaning the prince's plate armor with dampened cloths.
Just as the lion-shaped decoration around the chest area regained its golden luster, a group of people entered the tent.
There was Liam Summersong, the reliable commander; Langbolt Ershore, one of the kingdom's most famous swordsmen; and a mercenary with a mage.
"We greet you, Your Highness."
The mercenary bowed awkwardly while carrying the mage in his arms.
The mercenary possessed looks unbefitting his status.
Dark eyebrows and sharp eyes, tightly closed lips and a prominent nose bridge, sun-tanned skin. His face was closer to that of a noble knight than a mercenary.
While he was certainly handsome, if there was a flaw, it was his fierce expression and cold gaze. He was the type of man who reminded observers of a snake or a wild beast.
Moreover, he had an intimidating presence with his height—a span taller than the already tall prince—and broad shoulders.
In this man's arms sat a young woman with a completely different atmosphere.
Transparent skin showing blue veins, luxurious blonde hair, and delicate features. She had the typical face of a noble lady.
The girl lowered her head to the prince, letting her long eyelashes droop. Considering her leg condition, it was neither too much nor too little—just the right amount of greeting.
Looking at Ellen, the beautiful young mage, Ulkar suddenly remembered someone he had parted with long ago.
Silver hair identical to his own and clear navy blue eyes. A cheerful laugh like the tapping of a wine glass and small, soft hands...
That girl would be about as grown as Ellen by now.
'No, she might be even taller.'
The prince, feeling somewhat melancholic, forced his lips into a smile. Even his forced smile was breathtakingly beautiful as he spoke.
"You've achieved great merit. If it weren't for you, we would have fallen for the witch's scheme."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"I hear you obtained a confession from Ubar? Lord Ariad was impressed by your interrogation technique. Could you share your secret?"
Though it was an unexpected request, Phoenix answered calmly as if he had anticipated it.
"Well, I just took a guess because I saw the initials L.C. in the correspondence. There's really no technique to speak of."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
The prince stared intently at the mercenary who blinked his eyes.
The mercenary wore a foolish expression, perhaps to hide his sharp gaze. It was difficult to read his mind.
"This is the second time I'm indebted to you. I don't want to just offer empty thanks, so tell me if there's anything you want."
At the prince's words, the mercenary closed his mouth. After showing signs of contemplation, Phoenix finally spoke.
"...Well, may I make a difficult request?"
"A difficult request?"
"There are some prisoners held behind here, and I know one of them. A barbarian from far west,"
"Ah, you mean the large barbarian with tattoos?"
"Yes. That's the one."
Ulkar rested his chin on the armrest and furrowed his brows.
"That barbarian knocked down twenty soldiers, and several were left disabled. For the sake of military discipline, execution would be proper, so you should request something else."
"The barbarian fought with the soldiers because they were harassing a helpless serving girl."
"...Was there such an incident?"
"Yes, I heard it directly from the serving girl. Well, that doesn't mean he's innocent, but if Your Highness shows mercy, I'll take responsibility for him."
"Take responsibility? What do you mean?"
"That barbarian's strength matches his size. He was a warrior in his tribe, so he knows his way around fighting."
"How do you... Ah, right. Come to think of it, you were the one who brought that barbarian to the city."
"Yes, that's correct. During that process, I saw him clearly turn bandits into fish jerky. So, if you entrust him to me, I'll put him at the front in the next battle. Since he's bound to die anyway, wouldn't it be more helpful to the city if he dies fighting enemies?"
After brief contemplation, Ulkar nodded.
"Very well. I'll release him. And if he achieves great merit in battle, I won't hold him accountable for his crimes."
"Thank you—"
"However, if that barbarian commits another crime, you will also be held responsible."
"Uh, what?"
"Why? Don't like it?"
In front of the prince who was leaning against the backrest, the mercenary and mage began to squabble. It was a scene of the mercenary frantically trying to persuade the disapproving mage.
After a while, Phoenix finally accepted Ulkar's conditions.