An old mansion.
No, should I call it a worn-down mansion?
The mud men graciously guide our drone toward this area, where the trees have admittedly sparsed a bit. Then, as if finally accomplishing their mission, they dive back into the body of water.
''Hey, what do we do now?'' Becky calls. ''The mana counter is going insane here. There's definitely something in there.''
''...Just go in.'' I reply.
Becky scratches her freckled cheek, then reluctantly moves the drone to the front door. To my surprise, even without a specific trigger, the entrance automatically opens, allowing us to take a glance at the interior.
Overall, it seems this place has seen some uses as there are laundries, a cooking space, and more living essentials scattered in the hall. However, based on the mess of footprints on the overly dusty floor, it's apparent that the person living here isn't very diligent.
It's puzzling as it is, but I can guess to some extent that this is the witch's house.
Now then, the question is, where is she?
click—!
As I think that, one of the doors near the laundry area creaks open, revealing a figure behind it.
[Mhm... nyhan... oh, you're here already.]
A moan-filled stretch, followed by a yawn.
Wobbly steps approaching the camera.
Two pale hands grabbing the device.
The somber-looking woman is strikingly similar to the Witch of Calamity I saw in the memory of the undead siblings—in vibes, not appearance. If the old witch has an imposing look, then the woman in front of the camera appears bored, bothered, and, more than anything, tired.
I'm sure that her impressive dark circles aren't makeup. Talking about makeup, she isn't wearing one either, unlike the old witch.
[Mhm... I mean, I've been expecting you for a while.]
Ruffling her messy dark green hair, the woman gently shakes the drone, resting her black eyes as if about to fall asleep.
[Why don't you come in...? Talking like this is... inconvenient.]
For a moment, Becky and I share baffled gazes. No matter how we look at it, this woman is obviously the Witch of Calamity. But why is she so friendly all of a sudden?
More importantly, what should I do now?
I don't think this is a trap, but I can't be too complacent.
''...''
In the end, I decide to follow my gut. I turn to Becky; we look at each other in the eyes and give a nod.
''Let's go in.''
''Hell no. You go in alone.''
''...''
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
For what I thought was a burning sense of camaraderie between us... it turns out to be just another give-and-take relationship. I shake my head bitterly and head inside anyway.
Still, I notice Becky is not returning; instead keeps sitting there while playing with some stuff. Is she waiting for me? That's cute.
In any case.
To avoid wasting time, I opt to fly straight into the territory, ironically, without using my wings. I don't think these wings can physically lift me anyway.
Oh, there's the mansion...
''...''
Once I arrive, I can see that the woman has already fallen asleep, leaning against a shelf nearby. Holding back a sigh at how bizarre the people surrounding me are, I try to inspect her.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Name: ???
Race: ??? Title: ???
Level: ??
HP: ???/??? MP: ???/???
STR: ?? INT: ??
AGI: ?? STA: ??
Skill: ???
State: ???
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''Hey, no rude inspections, alright...''
The sudden voice startles me a bit. Even when she presents herself so clumsily like this, my mind is still wary of her. It means that she is, by no means, weak. To appear strong even without showing aggressiveness... it's impressive.
Yawning once again, the woman extends her pale hand.
''Sikare. Witch of Calamity. Your name is?''
''...Silaerob.''
''Silaerob... so that's what you go by.''
Sikare's reaction seems genuine, almost as if she has never heard of my name before. Does she not go outside at all?
''Bah, I don't have the time to visit the outside world, you see.'' Sikare chuckles, confirming my suspicion. ''I don't know a lot of things, but I know what you did in this forest. Just, not your name.''
''Can I ask you some questions?''
''Sure thing. Let's go in, shall we?''
The woman's slightly scrunched back turns to me. Flapping her lab coat, Sikare lazily steps into her room, looking as unstable as ever.
I quietly follow her.
Her 'bedroom' consists of a surprisingly clean bed... surrounded by plainly dangerous-looking alchemy ingredients, books, vials containing colorful liquids, and a big pot in the middle of all that.
Sikare takes out a note from under her pillow and begins to work on something, her movements as casual and natural as they get.
''Ask away...'' She yawns.
Since it's going to be a lengthy talk, I make myself an ice chair and settle down on one of the rare available spots. Then, I open my mouth,
''You seem different from the old Witch of Calamity.''
''Well... I don't know which one you're talking about, but every Witch of Calamity is different. It's just a title. It's not like we have a multi-generational mission or anything.''
''...''
''Some like to poke fights, some like to build and expand the territory... I just want to make potions. That's why I only have this portion of Zircon for myself.''
Turning her gaze to me, her obsidian-like black eyes suddenly become sharp, ''Though, that might have been a blunder, seeing many are trying to take over this forest.''
''...Did you curse the ancient basilisk?''
''Yes, I did. That annoying thing was trying to claim my house for no reason, so.'' Sikare grumbles. ''Mindless thing... are you the same as it?''
''No, but... you know what I'm trying to do. Are you going to retaliate?'' I say.
''Nope. Not interested.'' Sikare resolutely shakes her head. ''Look, I saw what you did with the other parts of Zircon. It's not bad, honestly. I don't see why we need to fight.''
''Meaning?''
The Witch of Calamity stops for a brief moment, then resumes her work, busying herself with the flasks and the stirring stick.
''I'll concede.'' She replies. ''If you can own the rest of Zircon, I'll become a part of your group as long as you respect my little autonomy here as you do to the others. You know what that means, right?''
The rest of Zircon, huh...
It's not often mentioned since people focus on the 'big four' of Zircon, but at the very center of the forest, where it borders all four different environments, a truly mythical being resides.
'The Sleeping Hyrda,' they call it.
Those who have encountered this one describe it as a terrifying dragon with multiple heads, able to infinitely regenerate and dish out a tremendous destruction force.
I'd originally intended that one to be the last boss to face after conquering all sides of Zircon, but now...
''Heheh, don't worry. I'll lend you a hand.''
''...''
Somehow, Sikare's smirk at this point seems so suspicious.