The adjutant reported to Severian.
"Yes, it is said that a huge amount of gems have been found. They said that it was all caused by the change in the shell of the ancient dragon."
"And the jewelry made of that gemstone is trending in social circles?"
"Yes. I also saved one. How about it? Isn't it prettier than a sapphire?"
"What, give me too."
"...I also had a really hard time getting it. That's it."
Severian's lieutenant quickly withdrew as if he were running away.
Severian gritted his teeth. Damn Chession Ethel, he had everything he wanted to have. Fame, money, the power to protect someone, achievements worthy of respect, and besides...
"That black, short-haired beauty, Mori."
That girl was pretty cute.
He was envious. He was crazy envious. No matter how hard he tried, he struggled in place, but Chession didn't have to make any effort, and everything went his way. As if he had received a blessing from God.
Moreover, he easily caught the dragon and killed the beastmen as if they were chasing a few wild animals. Does Chession have such a strong fighting ability? He knew that his supernatural ability was combat ability, but he didn't expect it to be this much.
'I want to kill him. I want all of his things.'
Severian, who could not take a step out of the palace because of the spirit, cursed Chession by pinning him to his head.
He wanted to kill Chession Ethel right now. At the same time, he wanted to be that guy. He wanted to take everything from him and kneel in front of him and cry.
Have you ever had such a desperate wish in your life?
It was just at that time that he was crying with his head on the pillow.
With a flash, the center of the bedroom glowed dark blue. The carpet on the spot was charred, and an ominous magic circle appeared in its place.
"...Is it just you who called me?"
A woman with long, black hair, her whole body wrapped in bandages, appeared and looked down at Severian. Facing the woman's dark red eyes, Severian grabbed the quilt like a rope.
"What, what you...!"
"If you don't know what you call me, I'll use it."
The woman slowly approached Severian. A long stream of dark red liquid stretched along the path she had moved.
With her bizarre appearance, she exuded an overwhelming sense of life. Severian, who was shrunken, squirmed to the edge of the bed.
"You, what the hell are you? Devil? Monster? Or a witch?"
"Witch."
The woman standing by the bed smiled and bared her fangs.
"I, the witch Oppensia, have finally been summoned to the human world. It's a bit unfortunate that the small patient is like this, but it doesn't matter who the small patient is to resolve my deep resentment..."
"What are you talking about! Don't lie! Where are the witches in the world!"
"...?"
Severian summoned his sword with his magic and swung it at the woman. By taking a step back, Oppensia easily dodged the clumsy attacks.
"Wait, didn't you humans know about the existence of witches? I know that witch hunts were once popular."
"It was all about bullying innocent women to get compensation! What is your real identity? Say something! Uh? Don't come close to the bed! My duvet is expensive! Don't spill blood!"
"No, I'm a real witch! And this is not blood! It's painted to look scary."
"That's funny! Anyway, seeing that you broke through the magic guards of the imperial palace and attacked at once, are you a black magician? That's exactly what it looks like!"
"Ha, really"
With a headache, Oppensia sat down on the sofa with her fingertips on her forehead. When the dark red liquid got on the sofa, Severian flagged it.
"Huh! That's the sofa I cherish!"
"Hey, baby. Listen. There are real witches in the world. Witches come down to the human world to grant the earnest wishes of humans. You've heard this before, right?"
"I've heard of it in fairy tales, you dirty woman!"
"Dirty... Anyway, you summoned me. You desperately want to kill Chession Ethel or something, so I came to grant your wish."
"...! How did you know my wish?"
"Because I know, because I'm a witch. Ugh."
Severian slowly let his guard down and slowly got out of bed. It took a long time for him or Oppensia to relieve Severian's curiosity before she was recognized as a witch.
Although he acknowledged the existence of witches, Severian refused to sign the contract. It was because he was scared, no matter how much he thought about it.
Oppensia was so frustrated that she was out of breath.
"Hey, if you sign a contract with me, I'll do everything you want? Chession Ethel. I'll let you stand on his head."
"I don't like it! I'm so scared! You put a bandage around your body, and blood drips from your body!"
"Oh, this is not blood! I just wanted to look a little scared, so I painted it!"
"I'm so scared! I think something terrible is going to happen if I sign a contract with you!"
Oppensia was troubled by an overly fatty small patient, but soon made a decision.
"Yes. Then let's talk again like this."
"What does it look like?"
"Wait a minute."
In an instant, Oppencia's body glowed dark red. Then the bandages all over her body were removed, and an innocent beauty in a white dress appeared.
"Now, are you ready to have a conversation?"
"..."
Severian's expression became even milder.
"What is a human being... It's like blushing lust because you changed your appearance."
"Well, how are you going to let me stand on top of Cesion Ethel?"
"Soon, there will be a war with the barbarians on the southern border. Go there before Chession Ethel and establish his major. I'll lend you my strength."
"Nothing. I'm scared... I'm a coward who is scared just by looking at a vole."
"I'm glad you're fully aware of that. Even if you see a monster that is just a house, I will cast a courage spell that will make you feel at ease, so tell your father that yo u will fight. Damn it, how the hell is this guy sitting in the Prince's seat, huh?"
"I'm a bit smart! The ability of the imperial family that I inherited is Intelligence! I'm a bit clumsy because I haven't awakened yet, but anyway, I'm smart and I'm not going to sign a contract with you! ...By the way, wait."
A scene flashed through Severian's mind when he saw Oppensia transformed into a beautiful woman. A black, short-haired beauty who was with Chession at an imperial banquet.
An absurd woman who broke the imperial sword with one hand.
Could it be that Chession also had a witch by his side?
It doesn't make sense otherwise. Catching the ancient dragon in one fell swoop and dealing with the beast people in a short time.
"Hahahal Chession Ethel, you pretended to be pure and clean, but in the end, you were like that!"
"What? Why are you doing that all of a sudden?"
The Grand Duke, who stopped the witch hunt and was treated as a hero, turned out to be living with witches? What an amazing thing! If the word spread in social circles, Chession would definitely suffer a huge blow.
However, there was one problem. Severian's reputation in the social world was the worst. Is there anyone who believes in him just because he is talking?
If so, the first thing to do is to improve his reputation.
"Hey, Oppensia. You told me to go to the battlefield, didn't you? You lend me courage and strength."
"Yes."
"What's the price?"
"Well, one arm? Or an eye? Or is it part of your emotions?"
"Emotions?"
"Give me some of the negative parts of your feelings. Because only the positive parts remain."
"...Let's think about it for a moment."
Severian pondered for a moment. No matter how he thinks about it, it was a deal that had nothing to lose. In addition, if he overcame negative emotions, his complexes and shortcomings would be resolved.
After making a decision, he reached out to Oppensia.
"I'm going to sign a contract."
"You don't have to hold your hand."
Offensia ignored Severian's selfish hand. Her eyes flashed red.
"Contract signed."
***
A strange rumor has been heard. It was said that the Crown Prince, who was so timid and insignificant, would be sent to command the southern front.
Normally, when a war broke out, Chession was the first to be called. But this time, the Crown Prince took over the troublesome task instead. Thanks to this, Chession was able to enjoy a good dinner at the Grand Duke's residence.
Isolene opened the discussion by eating beef stew.
"What the hell did His Majesty the Emperor think about sending the Crown Prince to the battlefield? He probably sent it by force, right?"
"Severian said he would go on his own feet. The Emperor granted permission."
Chession continued as he sliced the steak peacefully.
"You didn't want to see the Crown Prince waste his time for a year. You must have decided that it would be better to gain experience on the battlefield."
"Probably only in the rear, right? While only stealing the honor of the Marquis, who will fight on the front lines."
"Of course it is."
But a month later, the news was unexpected.
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