The Witch's Spokesman
I never thought there’d be no one in the world I could trust. I certainly didn’t expect it from old man Nimeli.
Now I’m stuck listening to the sound of Serina showering. This is bullshit.
“Ahem… Allen. It was all for your sake.”
“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you, old man.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t misunderstand…”
“Too late. I already did. Weren’t you the one saying I was just chasing after some woman’s skirt earlier?”
“Did I… did I really say that? Ugh…”
Nimeli suddenly clutched the back of his neck and let out a pained groan.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah… my head hurts so much… I think I might be getting dementia.”
“Already? Well, that’s lucky. At least you’ve got a butler who’ll clean up after you even if you start smearing shit on the walls. Sigh… just go rest.”
“Right. Allen, please forget what I said earlier.”
I was so annoyed I ended up snapping at him on purpose. Nimeli kept clutching his neck and acting like a sick man until the very end. Goddammit. I hate everything.
Nimeli went upstairs to his room, and I wandered around the living room. That’s when my eyes landed on my mother’s room. Come to think of it, I hadn’t been inside once since I was a kid.
I walked over to my mother’s door.
Click.
I opened the door alone.
Creeeak.
The air inside the room was cold. It felt completely lifeless. Until Serina had gone in earlier, it looked like no one had set foot inside for years. Dust coated the table thickly.
I ran a finger across it. A clump of dust stuck to my fingertip. I flicked it off with a snap.
My eyes scanned the room. Nothing had changed. Everything was exactly as I remembered.
After looking around, I idly opened the drawer under the table. There probably wasn’t anything important inside.
First drawer. It was filled with things my mother used to wear—various accessories and beauty tools. How old were these?
Second drawer. Bundles of paper covered in her handwriting. Many were so old the ink had faded and the words were barely legible. I skimmed them quickly and put them back.
Third drawer. Empty. As I closed it, I heard a faint clinking sound. I opened it again.
Two rings were tucked away in the very back.
I pinched one between my fingers and lifted it out.
“Hoo…”
I blew on it, clearing away the dust. Once the grime was gone, strange patterns appeared on its surface.
What is this? It looks oddly mystical.
I turned the ring this way and that before slipping it onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
Still… the design was both ornate and strangely plain at the same time. It didn’t look like an ordinary ring. More like some kind of emblem.
After admiring it for a moment, I tried to take it off again. It wouldn’t budge.
Why isn’t it coming off? Did my hand get fatter? No way.
I gripped it hard and pulled. Nothing. Damn it… come off already.
I grabbed the band again and yanked with all my strength.
“Ugh… fuck…?”
Why the hell won’t it come off? I strained so hard my face twisted up.
“Hnnng… hah!”
I felt the ring pop free, but when I looked at my hand, it was gone.
Huh…?
Did it fall on the floor? But I didn’t hear it hit the ground. Maybe I just missed the sound.
I crouched down and scanned the floor. It was filthy from lack of cleaning. My cheek ended up smeared with black dust. Even so, I couldn’t find the ring with the strange pattern anywhere.
This is ridiculous. I searched for a long time but eventually gave up.
“It’ll turn up somewhere, I guess.”
It looked old and worn enough that it probably wasn’t anything important. Definitely not made with expensive gemstones.
I closed the drawer and left the room.
“Allen.”
“Fuck, you scared me!”
The moment I stepped out and closed the door, Nimeli popped out of nowhere.
“Even so… there’s no need to curse. I already said I was sorry.”
“Oh, it’s you. Sorry. I meant to curse at you.”
“Huh?”
“Just kidding. Weren’t you supposed to be upstairs?”
“I came to check if Lady Serina needed anything.”
“Ugh. That damn Serina again. Hey, old man. Have you ever seen a ring like this in my mother’s room?”
“A ring?”
“Yeah. One with a weird pattern engraved on it.”
“Hmm… first I’ve heard of it.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Nimeli looked completely clueless about the ring. I asked him another question.
“By the way, Nimeli. How much do you actually know about my mother?”
“Your mother? Why the sudden interest?”
“Just curious.”
“You’ve never once brought her up before. This is new.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You never asked. Most children would want to know about a mother they lost so young.”
“Was I like that? I guess I grew up fast.”
“Anyway, I don’t actually know much. She had already passed away before I started working as your family’s butler.”
“When exactly did you become our butler?”
“Hmm… I think you were about five. The previous lord asked me to take the position. I heard your mother passed about two years before I started…”
“I see…”
“There’s only one thing I know for certain.”
“What is it?”
“That your mother was a Priestess.”
Nimeli spoke with a very serious expression. The mood suddenly grew heavy.
“A Priestess?”
“Yes. There had never been a case where the lord’s wife was also a Priestess. That’s why I remember it.”
“A Priestess, huh… What exactly does a Priestess do?”
“Hmm… you could call them representatives of spiritual beings. They perform rituals for them, lend their bodies, form contracts… There are so many different kinds of Priestesses that it’s hard to define neatly.”
“Hmm… that’s complicated. Alright. I’m satisfied.”
I didn’t get a clear answer, but this was enough.
“By the way, Nimeli.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think about me marrying Serina?”
“What…? Marrying Lady Serina? You must be joking.”
“I’m serious. I’ve been thinking about it pretty hard lately.”
“No. Absolutely not. Not until dirt is thrown over my eyes.”
Nimeli shuddered and vehemently refused. Seeing his reaction filled me with wicked delight. I felt like I’d won.
“Why not…? Are you Serina’s father or something?”
“T-that’s… I may not be her father, but I am Lady Serina’s spokesman! Without my permission, it will never happen!”
“Her spokesman?! Did you even get Serina’s permission for that?”
“Not yet, but I’m certain Lady Serina will allow it!”
“You really think so?”
“If there’s anyone who cares more about Lady Serina than I do, let them step forward!”
“Ugh… stop it. You’re giving me goosebumps, Nimeli.”
“…What do you mean by that? I admire Lady Serina with a pure heart!”
“You’ve only known her for how long and you’re already ‘admiring’ her?”
“It hasn’t been long since I met her, but she’s the first person who’s ever shaken my heart like this!”
While Nimeli passionately declared his feelings, Serina appeared behind him.
“What did you just say, you old coot?”
Her hair was still damp, water dripping from the strands. She looked incredibly pure and innocent. The white robe she wore only enhanced that impression. It must have been one Nimeli had prepared in the bathroom earlier.
“L-Lady Serina! You need to dry your hair properly or you’ll catch a cold!”
“Don’t worry. Allen will dry it with wind for me.”
“I-I can dry hair too!”
“No thanks. You’re an old man. You might break your arm.”
“I’ll gladly snap my arm off if that’s what you want!”
The old man rolled his shoulders, desperately trying to appeal to her.
“I said no. I don’t need it. More importantly, what was that about shaking your heart?”
“Ah… that’s not important right now. Lady Serina, please grant me permission!”
“For what?”
“To be your spokesman!”
Nimeli dropped to his knees and clasped his hands neatly together. He looked incredibly meek and polite.
“What’s a spokesman?”
“In simple terms, someone who devotes their entire loyalty to you, Lady Serina?”
“Oh… so you want to become my slave?”
“Yes! A slave! I wish to become Lady Serina’s slave!”
Nimeli gazed at her with moist, passionate eyes. He looked ready to lick her feet at any moment.
“Alright, alright. I’ll allow it. You are now my spokesman!”
“I-is that true?!”
“Yes. Wait a second. Lucas is already my slave. How should we rank you two?”
“I am unconditionally number one!”
Nimeli thrust his fist forward, radiating absolute determination not to lose the top spot. I couldn’t believe he wanted it that badly.
“But Lucas is the lord of the castle. Shouldn’t he rank higher?”
“N-no! That little brat… I am older than him!”
“Serina, just make him number one. He’s really going all out here.”
“Fine. Alright! Nimeli, I hereby appoint you as my top slave!”
“T-thank you! I am the greatest Serina’s number one spokesman!”
Serina looked satisfied as she watched Nimeli bow his head deeply. If she put her foot on his head right now, it would be the perfect picture of master and slave. The Nimeli I used to know is dead. All that remains is this guy who acts like a water buffalo in heat.
“I’m tired. Dry my hair quickly so I can sleep. Nimeli, prepare something to dry it with.”
“I will bring you a thick towel immediately!”
“Good. And Allen, come with me. You’ll create the wind like last time.”
“Uh… sure.”
Nimeli clearly didn’t like the idea of me going in with her. He narrowed his eyes and glared. Looking closer, the flesh under his eyes was trembling violently. He was literally shaking with rage.
“Allen. Just remember that I am always watching.”
“Old man, stop talking nonsense and go get the towel already.”
“Ahem…”
Ah… I thought tonight might be the night Serina and I would make history. Looks like that’s not happening.