“It’s dark.”
“This place has so many trees that sunlight barely gets through.”
“Creepy…”
Isn’t it a bit much to get scared at this level, considering everything we’ve been through? Just as that thought crossed my mind, I felt a warm touch on my arm.
…Looking at her expression, it seemed like she was just making excuses.
Well, if Elisa said so, I don’t really need to challenge that. I don’t have any reason to dislike it.
“Be careful of the roots; you might trip.”
“Just don’t destroy all the roots that might trip you up.”
Ah.
Did I do that? When I turned back, I noticed signs of destruction along the path I had walked. I must have been so lost in thought that I pushed through carelessly.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s no problem. Just be careful from now on.”
She doesn’t seem too angry, huh.
Is it because I’m a guest? Or does she really not care that much? Of course, the witch in front of me isn’t an elf, so I doubt she’d value the trees much anyway.
I watched my step and continued to follow Flora.
It was hard to gauge how long we had been walking; the path was so long that it felt like it would never end, but I could definitely sense a strong power drawing closer as we moved forward.
Since it seemed like we still had quite a bit of time before we arrived, maybe I should ask her something I’m curious about.
I hummed a little tune and threw a question at Flora, who was walking ahead.
“Flora, do all witches live in this forest?”
“Most of them do? There are many witches who live outside, pretending to be ordinary magicians or forming families.”
So, not all of them are gathered here.
Well, I suppose it’s not surprising since hardly anyone would notice the presence of witches in everyday life. Unless, of course, they manifested witch blood through some odd lineage like Elisa…
Then why do witches make contracts with demons?
“I’ve heard that witches often make contracts with demons.”
“Well, not necessarily. I can’t say there are none who do, but… most witches prefer to live quietly. I’m growing flowers here and living peacefully…”
I kind of want to ask why she grows them on her body.
It feels too much like those monster flowers that feed on blood, and that gives me the creeps.
“Why do you have flowers growing on your body?”
“Um, because I like them? And I’ve planted them.”
“Is it common to plant something on your body if you like it?”
Elisa, visibly shocked, asked her in a startled voice. Flora tilted her head and answered ambiguously, “Maybe?”
It seems that for her, the insane act of growing flowers on her body is perceived as totally normal.
Is this the fear of lacking common sense?
They can perform such bizarre actions without hesitation because they don’t have a sense of what’s normal. If someone did that outside, they could easily be accused of being a witch and burned at the stake.
No sane person would walk around with flowers growing from their body.
“Is it not normal to have flowers growing on your body outside? They’re so beautiful…”
“Isn’t it common to plant them in the ground?”
“If you plant them on your body, they won’t wilt until I die.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be beautiful because it wilts someday?”
I blurted out an unnecessarily poetic remark and watched for Flora’s reaction. It could have touched a nerve with her. Thankfully, she still smiled and accepted my words.
“Wow, that’s poetic. It’s so romantic unlike your usual self.”
“…”
What? Is that a diss?
I couldn’t tell if she was admiring me with that bright smile or teasing me. Considering what she’s said so far, it’s probably the former, but…
“Oh, we’re about to arrive where Hecate is.”
“…It doesn’t look much different around here.”
“Oh… could you wait a moment?”
Flora asked us to pause, took a few steps forward, and began spinning in circles while singing. With arms spread wide, she tilted to the left three times and to the right twice in a simple motion.
The flowers embedded in her body swayed along with her movements. How are those petals not falling off? Maybe it’s because they’re planted in her body?
“Excuse me.”
After focusing on the dance for a while, Flora whipped her head around to look at us.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
“Is it mandatory to dance together?”
“No, it’s not strictly necessary… but wouldn’t Hecate like it?”
“If I don’t have to, then I’m not doing it.”
[Why? It looks fun!]
What if I dance and end up passing out from some unknown ritual? It’s risky to follow along without knowing what that dance really is.
“What a shame. It’s a simple dance that’s easy to learn… How about you, young witch?”
“I-I don’t…”
“Seems like Elisa doesn’t want to dance either.”
“Then it can’t be helped.”
She let out a sigh filled with disappointment and straightened her disheveled clothing before stepping aside.
“If you go straight ahead, you’ll find the little mansion where Hecate resides. Just walk right up and knock three times, and she’ll welcome you.”
“Got it.”
“Then see you later.”
Flora quietly passed us and headed back to the village. We watched her back until she disappeared, then turned to each other and nodded.
I wonder what Hecate’s true form will be like.
With a mix of anticipation, I took a step forward.
—————————–
“You’ve arrived, young one.”
“…Ordinary.”
“Very ordinary.”
[Ordinary.]
“That’s a strange reaction. Why are you disappointed?”
A woman with red wine-colored hair, appearing more like an ordinary woman than a goddess at first glance, tilted her head. She seemed completely perplexed by our reaction.
I opened my mouth to respond to her reaction.
“The appearance of the witch who guided us was quite shocking. I thought you would have a similar vibe.”
How could I think the goddess she serves would be ordinary when a witch who plants flowers in her own body is leading the way?
To be honest, I thought she might have a more bizarre appearance, but that’s not the case. She’s beautiful, but not extraordinarily so. As for what makes her unique…well, I can’t say.
“What does appearance matter?”
“Well… that’s true.”
The important thing is the information, not a beauty pageant about Hecate’s looks.
“May I sit?”
“Yes, you may.”
When Hecate tapped her fingers on the table, a chair slid out as if inviting me to sit. I marveled at how a goddess of magic can do these things so effortlessly and sat down.
“It’s been hundreds of years since I welcomed a guest.”
“Hundreds of years… feels like ages ago.”
“That’s quite something…”
[Hundreds of years? That’s about the same as me!]
“Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m fine.”
“Me too.”
“You don’t have to decline, young one.”
Maybe unable to easily dismiss the goddess’s invitation, Elisa hesitated and finally named a drink she wanted.
“Um, then I’d like cocoa…”
“What’s cocoa?”
Was cocoa not around hundreds of years ago? I tried to stuff some knowledge into my head, unsure of its usefulness, and opened my mouth.
“Drinking tea is nice, but I’d prefer to talk first. Why did you summon me here? Is it really for security reasons?”
“That’s half right.”
Half right… I raised my guard a bit more at her vague response. I needed to be ready to counter whatever she might be plotting.
Did Hecate sense that atmosphere too? She looked a bit surprised.
“Is there a need to be so cautious? I’m not that strong.”
“Just because the opponent is weak doesn’t mean you let your guard down; that’s something only amateurs do.”
“Interesting words.”
Hecate gazed at me with interest. Her look felt like she was examining me. I really wouldn’t care how she looked at me; I just wanted to get the answer I needed and leave.
If I’m late, Elisa might miss several classes this semester.
“Let’s get to the point.”
“Isn’t it customary to have a cup of tea at times like this?”
“That’s etiquette among nobles.”
“Aren’t you a noble?”
…Well, I am a marquis. But I don’t think I give off that noble vibe.
“Let’s skip that and move to what you want to discuss. Why don’t you just spit it out?”
“Understood. Young one.”
Young one… Hearing that awkward term made me shudder. Being called “young one” at my size and age feels unsettling in a weird, lustful way.
Regardless of my feelings, she threw a question at me.
“Do you happen to know why the gods were cast out?”
