This is the Little Witch’s POV.
My name was Rufe.
I was the witch raising the Alraune, a plant monster.
Recently, I’d been worried about something. Alraune, whom I loved like a younger sister, was incredibly strong. Perhaps because of that, I was always the one being protected.
Just the other day, Alraune had to save me when a terrifying demon beastman nearly attacked me in the forest. Even though I was the older sister, I couldn't help but wonder why I was so unreliable.
But that was all about to change. This time, it would finally be my turn to protect her.
With that vow in my heart, I had dedicated myself to my witch training every single day. Even entering enemy territory like the Ice Castle, I was determined not to be a burden anymore. I, the new and improved Rufe, would defeat the culprit responsible for the heavy snow that was making Alraune’s life so difficult!
While making that oath to myself, I was soaring through the blizzard using levitation magic. We were currently en route from the forest toward the Ice Castle. Small Alraune was with me, nestled in a bucket, along with the fairy Kiri. The Treant was far too large to carry, so he stayed behind to watch over the forest.
As we pushed through the storm, shielded by the protection of Kiri’s spirit magic, the view suddenly cleared as if the clouds had been torn open. Below us, a gleaming white Ice Castle stood tall against the silver-white landscape.
"That's the new Ice Castle built in the Fortress City," Kiri said, pointing the way.
It was a beautiful structure, looking as elegant as a swan. However, its beauty wasn't the only thing that shocked me.
"I’ve never seen a building that big in my life."
It was even larger than the Goddess’s Tower in Tower City. I was stunned that something so massive could even exist.
"Both humans and the Demon Race seem to have a penchant for massive architecture," Kiri remarked. "Apparently, the real Goddess’s Tower in the Kingdom of Holy Light is even bigger than this castle."
"How could they even build something that huge?"
"Golems, supposedly. They've even become part of human mythology."
According to Kiri, Golems were ancient dolls said to have been created by the Goddess. She said a single Golem could be so enormous you’d have to strain your neck toward the heavens just to see its head. It sounded unbelievable—but then again, the Ice Castle before my eyes was just as hard to fathom.
The blizzard seemed to originate from the castle, flowing out toward Alraune’s Forest. Just as we thought, this place was the source of the heavy snow.
We approached the Ice Castle cautiously, keeping an eye out for trouble. Strangely, there wasn't a single sign of life. There were no guards patrolling the walls, nor could I spot a single monster. I wondered what it could mean.
Without encountering any resistance, we managed to land and began our investigation of the interior. True to its name, every fixture within the castle was carved from ice. Consequently, it was freezing. If Alraune hadn't been using her plant powers for heat generation, I probably would have been frozen solid by now.
I was clinging to Alraune like a living hot water bottle to ward off the chill when it happened. With a violent shudder, the entire castle began to shake. It felt as if the building itself were moving. For a moment, I feared the whole thing was about to collapse.
Despite the crisis, Kiri remained perfectly composed, almost nostalgic.
"An earthquake," she noted. "Those have been rare lately."
"An e-e-e-earthquake?! What is that?!"
"It's a phenomenon where the earth shakes. It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while, it does."
I’d never heard of such a thing. But more importantly, we had to get out of there!
As I panicked, the tremors slowly subsided. It had been startling, but the shaking hadn't been that severe. However, before I could catch my breath, a sound echoed from deeper within the castle.
Kiri, flying in the lead, whispered while looking ahead. "Someone’s in the room further back."
I squeezed the bucket in my arms tightly. Even if we ran into an enemy, I was going to protect this little Alraune no matter what!
I peeked into the room. There, I saw a girl in a maid outfit sweeping with a broom. She had demonic horns growing from her head, along with wings and a tail. She was clearly a Demon Maid. Even if she was just a maid, she was still a member of the Demon King’s Army—an enemy. I knew I couldn't let my guard down.
When the Demon Maid noticed us, she let out a cry of surprise.
"You're Alraune... Why are you here?"
Wait, Alraune? Did they know each other?
"It's been since the Demon King's Castle," the maid continued. "I heard you’ve moved up quite a bit in the world since your time as a maid."
"Nice to... meet you... No. It has... been... a long time," Alraune replied.
It appeared she and the Demon Maid were indeed old acquaintances.
"Don't tell me you forgot about me? Well, I was just one of many maids to you, so I suppose it’s only natural," the Demon Maid said, leaning her broom bluntly against the floor. "I never imagined that I, a maid of the Demon King's Castle, would be exiled to a remote place like this. I must look truly pathetic to you."
"Why... are you... here... instead of... the Royal Castle?"
"I was reassigned because of that incident where Vergissmeinnicht-sama of the Four Heavenly Kings brainwashed everyone. The Prime Minister ordered me to serve the master of this castle."
It seemed Alraune had some history with this maid back at the Demon King's Castle. Since Vergissmeinnicht’s name had come up, I wondered if they had been enemies who fought each other.
"I was just sitting here bored and alone," the Demon Maid said. "Since you’ve come all this way, why don't you stay for some tea?"
She was inviting Alraune to tea? That’s when it clicked. They weren't enemies at all. Alraune had made a friend!
"Ah, but Alraune can't drink tea, can she? In that case, you—the fairy and the human—you'll have to join me instead."
For some reason, we ended up having a tea party with the Demon Maid. She led us to the balcony and ushered us into chairs.
"The Prime Minister and the Witch Queen were secretly having a tea party right here on this balcony recently. It’s such a beautiful spot; I’ve wanted to share a drink with someone here at least once."
The Demon Maid served us tea while chatting about the castle. She was quite talkative, but her movements were incredibly efficient and graceful. I found myself fascinated by her skill.
"The Prime Minister was the one who sent me here, but my superior who was supposed to be stationed with me vanished and left me all alone. I’ve been cleaning this castle by myself ever since. It’s cold, it’s lonely—it’s simply unbearable!"
As she vented to Alraune, I felt a pang of sympathy. It was so cold here; I could see how lonely it would be. I only managed to endure the frozen forest because Alraune was with me. If I had been alone, I definitely would have cried. I started to feel like the Demon Maid and I weren't so different after all.
Alraune asked her the question that had been on our minds. "Is the... Prime Minister... not in... this castle?"
"No. She stayed here for a long time during the construction, but she went back to the Demon King’s Castle after that. She hasn't been back since she stopped by for that tea party."
That meant the Ice Dragon wasn't here. I had assumed the Ice Dragon was the one causing the blizzard, but maybe I was wrong. If so, how were we supposed to stop the storm? I was completely at a loss.
Just as I lifted my mug to take a sip, it happened again. The floor began to rumble and shake violently.
Another earthquake!
This time, the entire castle seemed to sway and lurch.
"The castle has been shaking a lot lately," the Demon Maid muttered, holding the teacups steady with practiced hands. "My favorite mug from the Royal Castle broke just the other day because of it. Don't worry, it should stop soon, just like always."
But this time, the shaking didn't stop. Instead, a massive, heavy thud vibrated through the structure. Then, the castle tilted sharply to one side. It felt as though a gargantuan beast were waking up.
That was it—the ground wasn't shaking. The castle itself was moving!
Everyone screamed. We began to slide across the slanted ice floor. As I desperately tried to find a handhold, I noticed something land on the balcony railing with a rustle of feathers.
It was the yellow Harpy who had visited the forest a few times. If I recalled correctly, her name was Parca, and she served the Demon King’s Army. She was supposed to have flown off to deliver nectar days ago—what was she doing here?
"I told you," she said, staring at us coldly. "I told you that you would regret coming to this castle."
With that, the Harpy spread her wings and soared away.
Immediately after, the castle began to break apart. Or rather, it was shifting and transforming. Ice rubble began to rain down from above. We had to get out before we were crushed!
With levitation magic, I could easily carry Alraune and Kiri to safety. But what about the Demon Maid? She was technically an enemy; I didn't have any obligation to save her.
As the thought crossed my mind, the floor split in two. I watched as the Demon Maid lost her footing and began to slide into the abyss.
"H-help me! I have wings, but I can't fly!" she shrieked.
Her scream pierced my ears. She was Alraune’s friend. I wanted to help, but I didn't think I could. My small body was already at its limit just carrying Alraune’s bucket and Kiri. By the time I got them to safety and came back, the maid would already be gone.
"I don't want to die yet!"
I don't want to die.
I remembered that feeling. I had felt that same crushing terror during the witch hunts. No one wants to die. That was true for humans, for witches, and even for the Demon Race.
The moment that thought took hold, my body moved on its own.
"Hold on!"
I maintained my levitation magic and triggered my transformation magic. My small human body couldn't save everyone—so I just had to change into something that could!
I felt my entire body contort and stretch. Before I knew it, I was no longer a human, nor was I a tiny bird. I had become something else entirely. No matter how much I had practiced, I had never been able to turn into anything but a white bird.
But in that moment, for the first time, I had succeeded in transforming into something more.
This was the visit to the Ice Castle from the Little Witch’s perspective. The Demon Maid mentioned here is the same one who used to carry Alraune around in her flowerpot at the Demon King's Castle. She also made a brief appearance in "Note: Tea Party of the Queen's Assistant Witch and the Ice Castle."
Next time: Little Witch's First Castle Visit - Latter Part.