Chapter 160

The Witch of Taboos .

The Dark Elf called herself so .

Finally… We met her .

We finally met her in person .

However—-

This is where it starts .

Putting aside Liz, I could also see relief from Seras and Eve’s expression .

However, just coming here isn’t my goal .

Nevertheless…… it’s not unreasonable for their tension to loosen up .

We’ve finally reached the inner depths of the Golden Demon Zone .

It was one of those things that were said to be synonymous with unachievable .

But, we managed to do it .

Our journey until now was certainly not an easy one .

You could even say that it was a tough road that wore down our nerves .

Everyone’s already exhausted, both in body and mind .

Therefore, no one could blame them if they felt relieved after arriving at our goal .

However, the reality is that we’re still only at the halfway point .

There’s still the question of whether the Witch will accept us or not .

That needs to be clarified .

And, I’m sure that the outcome will be dependent on our negotiation with her from now on—-

[So?]

The Witch relaxedly placed her hands on her twisted hips

Her long black hair swayed along as she twisted her hips .

[Were you the ones responsible for all that ruckus those monsters were making?]

“Fwwuuaaahhh……”

The Witch yawned .

[That abruptly woke me up, you know?]

“Yeah”, I nodded .

[It’s unmistakably the deed of my Mercenary Group . ]

I placed emphasis on the word “my” .

It’s to show that I’m the representative of this group .

[Your group huh . ]

Her eyes narrowed, the Witch fixated her gaze on me .

[With all that clamour going above ground…… It looks like you carelessly killed the “Kuchiyose” huh . Or am I mistaken?]

(T/N: Summoner)

That monster with the big mouth that looks like a ghost .

The Witch seems to call it a “Kuchiyose” .

……That name sounds like some kind of ninjutsu from somewhere .

[Unfortunately, we’re not as familiar with the Demon Zone as you are . Once we entered the Demon Zone, we’re fumbling about with just about everything . Of course, we also didn’t know the nature of that Kuchiyose either . ]

One of the Witch’s eyebrows raised .

[You don’t sound like you’re trying to make any excuses, do you? Based on the lack of sadness in your group, I guess you didn’t lose a single one of your companions along the way . ]

[Yeah, I managed to not lose a single one of them . ]

[That’s quite a considerable feat—- Don’t move any further . ]

I stopped my feet from stepping forward .

[……It’s because I couldn’t take a good look at your beautiful face . ]

[Don’t make me laugh—– Don’t say something that you don’t have mean . ]

[I think of that as the truth though . ]

[Like I said, don’t make me laugh . ]

[……………… . ]

Although it’s unclear to what extent that she had managed to understand…

It seems like the Witch knows of my range to a certain extent .

This won’t go just like my battle with Civit huh .

Well, it’s not like I planned to use my skill anyway .

For now, that is .

I aimed to get closer until I’m within range, which was supposed to be an insurance .

However, I may have been a bit rash with that decision .

And also……

I haphazardly complimented her appearance, but she didn’t even act bashful towards my words .

She doesn’t seem to be the type who is immune to men .

I can’t break through her guard from that side huh .

Then, I could only remove that approach from my options .

[By the way, do you mind if I ask something?]

[Yeah, you can ask me anything . ]

[I still haven’t checked what’s going on outside the barrier yet…… but it sounds really peaceful . I mean, you should have drawn waves of monsters towards you…… There should have been a significant amount of monsters there, including some Human-Faced among the ones surging towards your group, but how did you get past them?]

[I’ve just been recklessly killing them and before I knew it, the amount of monsters has decreased . I mean…… it has become quieter because the monsters have decreased . Well, some of them ran away with their tails tucked between their legs .

The Witch’s brows furrowed .

[What did you say? You…… killed them? Even the Human-Faced?]

[Yeah, Even the Human-Faced . ]

[Are you saying that you used that strange magic that bound this Erika’s handmade golem’s movements to defeat them?]

[It’s not some kind of magic or spell, that’s my power as a Hero from Another World . ]

The Witch looks somewhat surprised .

However, she immediately looks like she’s convinced by what I said .

[……A Hero from Another World . I see, I could understand it if that were the case . If you’re a Hero from Another World, it’s no wonder that you have that mysterious power . ]

I’m going to show her some of my cards .

There’s nothing wrong with revealing to her that I’m a Hero from Another World here .

The Witch seems to be smart after all .

I think she would end up with that answer anyway .

In that case, I’ll just reveal it to her myself to gain her trust .

I exchange looks with Seras .

She also looks back at me .

…Good, it’s alright .

Seras also understood the meaning of my gaze .

The Witch’s words—- it’s for her to judge its authenticity .

Whether she’s lying or not .

Or perhaps, to judge whether she’s the type of person who would lie to us at any given time .

Even if the words she judged its authenticity were important or not, it still gives us an idea of the other person’s personality .

[I see, I understood now why you guys were able to get through this area . Then—-]

Thunk

The Witch struck the floor with the bottom of her staff .

[What’s your purpose for coming here to Erika’s abode?]

Her cold purple eyes asking for the truth .

Even though it’s quiet, I could feel the blazing pressure pressing down on me .

In response to her question…

[Can I also ask one thing from you?]

I asked another question back .

The Witch looked down towards me .

After a brief moment of silence…

[Well, it would be unfair if I’m the only one who asked a question . Ask away . ]

……It looks like she’s open for conversation .

[You didn’t show any vigilance when you heard that I’m a Hero from Another World . Why is that? We could probably be the Goddess’ underlings who came to reap your life, you know?]

The witch exaggeratedly brushed away to the side the hair beside her neck .

[Even though you’re a Hero from Another World, it doesn’t look like you’re of those people that were just following the Goddess every word though?]

The Witch pointed the end of her staff towards my direction .

[Sometimes, when multiple people are summoned, there are some outliers mixed in the group . Well…… most of the outliers that didn’t follow the will of the Goddess would probably find themselves rotting inside the Disposal Ruins after being disposed of . And since it looks like you weren’t sent there, I’d say you have quite the luck in you, don’t you think?]

It seems that she’s aware of the existence of the Disposal Ruins .

[No, it’s probably just as you said just now……]

The tip of the Witch’s staff began glowing .

A belt-like shaped Magic Technique appeared on the tip of her staff .

……She’s using magic huh .

[Are all of you pawns of that damned Goddess?]

I guess this is where we say our real intentions huh .

It’s dangerous to probe into the other person’s true motive if you’re not careful with what you say .

Then, you would find that the “distance” between the two of you get closer the more you fumble about with the other person .

[Rather than that, you could say that I’m someone who sees the Goddess as an enemy . ]

I could feel that Eve and Liz who were standing behind me reacting to my words .

Although they didn’t speak, I could infer that they were surprised .

After all, I haven’t told the two of them that I was hostile to the Goddess .

[So—- Which “side” are you on?]

It’s time .

I mustn’t miss the reaction of the Witch here .

If, by any chance that the Witch is on the Goddess’ side, there’s only one option .

We just have to deal with the Witch and leave this place .

I waited for her answer .

I would know the correct answer from Seras, someone who could see through lies……

[Hah?]

The Witch’s nose intensely wrinkled .

Putting her hand on her waist, she shows discomfort on her face .

[Alion’s Goddess—– That evil god who saw this mistress as a threat and carved that “Taboo” word on my name? Where the heck would the reason be for this Erika to have any good will to that f*cking goddess? ………………… . What? You… You just smiled a bit, didn’t you? Hey? Hey, what’s up with that?]

The Witch shows a somewhat stronger emotion .

It seems that she also has condemning thoughts towards the Goddess .

And…… At that moment, I unintentionally forgot to stay calm .

[No, my bad . ]

Heh……

She surprisingly had a foul mouth on her .

But well, I see……

That f*cking goddess huh…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep