The Former Commoner A Talks with the Witch of the Forest

“The Witch?!”

The word dragged up a slew of unpleasant memories, and I reflexively triggered Appraisal.

Name: ??? Age: ??? Divine Protection: ??? Skill: ??? Residence: ??? Money: ??? Level: ??? Health: ??? Mana: ??? Achievements: ???

“What?”

I can't see a thing! No way—how is that even possible?!

I hurriedly stepped in front of Ana to shield her, leveling Nikov at the woman. Amy’s primary weapon had been brainwashing through Kotodama, but what kind of power was I dealing with this time?

“...The fact that I can deflect your Appraisal should tell you everything you need to know about the gap in our strength. I don’t know what that tool is, but if you attempt to attack, you will lose your life.”

“Guh...”

How should I handle this? I never expected to run into someone this powerful out here! Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

“Allen. I don’t sense any ill intent from her,” Ana said.

She sounded calm, but was it really okay to take her word for it? If anything happened to hurt Ana, I’d never forgive myself!

“Allen.”

Ana placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, and the touch finally allowed me to steady my breathing. I slowly lowered the muzzle of my gun, though I couldn't quite shake the sense of vigilance.

Dammit. I still have a long way to go. When the unexpected happened, I still had a habit of losing my cool.

Ana stepped out from behind me, moving past my protective stance.

“We are—”

“I do not care who you are,” the Witch of the Forest interrupted, her voice cutting through Ana’s. “That Moon Magic Grass is necessary. I cannot hand it over to you.”

“We didn't come here to harvest the Moon Magic Grass,” Ana replied.

She was speaking to the woman quite normally, but I worried. Was it safe to even listen to her? Then again, Ana was the only person capable of resisting that Kotodama brainwashing.

“Then for what purpose have you come?”

“We received Divine Revelations from the God of Wind and the Goddess of Ice. We are searching for a site to build a temple to enshrine both deities.”

“...A Divine Revelation? Those two gods should have no connection to this forest. Why come here?”

“We have no specific leads,” Ana explained. “However, Melissa, the Sky Dragon with us, mentioned there was a mysterious place in these woods. We came to investigate in the hopes of finding a clue.”

“...”

The Witch of the Forest went quiet, looking as though she were weighing our words.

“We truly have no need for your Moon Magic Grass,” Ana continued. “I apologize for my companion rudely directing his Appraisal at you. However, knowing it is an imposition, I must ask—could we perhaps borrow your wisdom?”

“...Very well. Is that Sky Dragon indeed named Melissa? If you touch the Moon Magic Grass, I will show no mercy.”

The Witch turned a sharp, piercing gaze toward Melissa.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m not interested in the stuff anyway,” Melissa replied dismissively. “I just have to not eat that tasty-looking grass over there, right?”

“Precisely. I am glad you understand. Follow me.”

The Witch of the Forest turned and began walking, guiding us deeper into the thicket.

“I see. So that is what has been happening in the world outside.”

“I’m the one who should apologize again,” I said. “I shouldn't have used Appraisal without asking.”

“No. Given what you’ve been through, it is only natural that you would try to protect your family. Besides, there are few people capable of even recognizing they are being appraised, let alone blocking it.”

“I’m sorry regardless.”

We had been led to a small hut—the Witch’s home—where we laid out the entire situation. Naturally, the topic of Amy came up, which helped clear the air and resolve our mutual misunderstandings.

“Given the circumstances, I would like to assist you,” the Witch said, her expression clouding over. “However, I cannot leave this forest.”

A heavy silence followed her statement. Eventually, Ana spoke up.

“This may be forward of me, but... does this perhaps have something to do with your child?”

“!”

The Witch’s eyes snapped wide, and she caught her breath. “...How could you possibly know that?”

The question was barely a whisper. Ana replied with a slightly apologetic tone.

“I noticed the small mug on your cupboard. If a child were living here, I imagine the house would be a bit noisier... but since it’s so quiet, I wondered if perhaps they were bedridden.”

The Witch fell silent once more.

“If that is the case,” Ana said, “I might be able to help with the Divine Protection I have been granted.”

“Divine Protection? What kind of power do you possess?”

“I am the 【Ice Saint】.”

“!!!”

The Witch froze, her eyes wide with shock. “Are you truly... truly a Saint?” Her eyes began to shimmer with tears, and her voice trembled.

“I am.”

“If you are truly a Saint... then please, could you save my daughter’s soul? She is trapped in this forest.”

“A soul trapped in the forest?”

“Yes. She was a child with immense magical power. Because of that, she became tethered to this forest that produces the Moon Magic Grass.”

“To think such a thing could happen...” Ana murmured, her face etched with sorrow.

“It would not have come to this... If only that man hadn't come, I should have been able to free her by now.”

“That man?” I interjected, unable to stay quiet.

“Yes. That pathetic mage. If only that man, Loringas, had never set foot in this forest!”

“Wait, him?”

I blurted it out before I could stop myself. I hadn't expected to hear that name here. Ana looked just as surprised.

“Master Loringas? That can’t be right. He would never do anything to cause trouble for someone else!”

Ana defended the pervert with a completely straight face. Personally, I thought it sounded exactly like something he’d do.

The Witch didn't back down. “That man is... no. That is in the past. More importantly, I am running out of time. Ice Saint Anastasia, please. I beg of you, free my daughter’s soul from this forest.”

The Witch stared directly into Ana’s eyes, her expression desperate.

“If you do this, I will give you all the help you need regarding your Divine Revelation.”

Ana looked toward me. “Allen?”

“Yeah. I think we should help.”

We didn't have any other leads anyway, and I couldn't imagine the pain of having a daughter’s soul trapped in a place like this. Besides, I could always squeeze the truth out of that pervert the next time we visited his village.

“We understand,” Ana said. “We’ll do it.”

“Thank you...”

At those words, a small, fragile smile finally touched the Witch’s lips.