Chapter 149

Chapter 147 – Witch Nix

The moment those words hit my brain, my body lost all its strength, and I almost dropped Aurora. Thanks to my reflexive grip with my arm, I avoided a catastrophe, but the shock still lingered.

The woman let out a giggle.

“Are you finally in the mood to talk to me?”

“Put that woman down, and let’s have a talk, just the two of us. I promise I won’t do anything. Really.”

“No one died here. They all just got scared and ran away. I wasn’t doing much, just walking around, so can’t we do as I say? Hehe, I’ve been nice.”

“You’ll come with me, right? Yes? That’s right?”

After a while of mixing casual and formal speech in her conversation attempts, the woman suddenly snapped.

“Hehe, Nix, you’ve gotten pretty cheeky, huh? Can’t you see I’m trying to talk to you?”

“You’re doing the same thing! I said I want to talk, so why do you keep trying to run away?!”

“Exactly! I’m trying to talk, so why are you running away? I was the one who gave you the opportunity and suggested we meet first, and I made you react like this. What have you done? Just eaten what I offered?”

Suddenly, they both started fighting. Although their voices didn’t get much louder, their tone and expressions shifted as if they were arguing with themselves.

‘Is this a split personality?’

Seeing this rare sight of someone arguing with themselves brought some sanity back to my scattered mind. I felt my stiff head start to rotate a bit.

Even if that woman is indeed the witch who cursed the protagonist, turning him into “The Forsaken,” I had my doubts whether the choices or conversations I had picked in the game would work correctly.

Her personality had changed so drastically.

The witch who cursed the protagonist was incredibly arrogant. To engage in any conversation with her, I had to pick submissive choices that flattered her without fail.

Having shown off her top-tier magical abilities and having watched ordinary people flee in terror just by getting too close, it was no wonder her personality had soured.

Many users couldn’t handle her unbearable arrogance, thinking they were the center of the world, claiming their decisions were always right, and ended up throwing the first punch in conversations.

But now, things were different.

Not only had her personality completely flipped, but an absurd split personality had also been added, and she wasn’t treating the protagonist like a bug on the street.

It was clear that she was far from the bizarre personality that would easily spike anyone’s blood pressure like in the game.

‘Maybe if I persuade her with words, she’ll comply?’

Of course, I didn’t want to trust her right away. Just because she showed this side of her didn’t mean I could take it at face value. I had to set up surveillance and stay vigilant while engaging in conversation.

I made an effort to regain my rationality. I had a mountain of questions, but I couldn’t engage in conversation in this state. Taking care of Aurora was my priority.

I clenched my teeth, trying to suppress my curiosity. Then, just as I was about to ask a question, I finally managed to speak up.

“Wait. Let me say something. You said your name is Nix, right?”

“Kihi, yes. That’s right. It’s Nix. Finally in the mood to talk to me?”

Amid all this, her struggle for dominance continued, as even within a single sentence, she switched between casual and formal speech incessantly. I was getting dizzy just listening.

“If it’s that hard, I’ll set the rules. Whoever speaks casually comes out first.”

At that, Nix made a face as if her world was collapsing, but then she flashed a sinister, eerie smile and started to giggle. It seemed the personality swap was complete.

“Hehe. You prefer me like this, don’t you? What about it? Should I keep coming out like this? Huh? How about that?”

“It’s not that I prefer one over the other. I’m just saying the one who speaks casually needs to introduce themselves first. There’s no more meaning to it than that.”

I drew a line. If she really had a split personality or something similar, I didn’t need to invite any resentment from either side.

I needed to clarify that it wasn’t favoritism but simply acted upon a specific criterion.

Ignoring Nix, who seemed to be enjoying herself with her eerie smile, I knelt down and carefully lifted Aurora.

The moment she was in my arms, Aurora wrapped her arms around my neck. Her face gently rested on my left shoulder. Her hair smelled faintly like flowers.

My thigh had nothing on it, feeling soft and pliable. Considering her attire, the cracks in the outfit probably pressed against my back, but thankfully, the thick uniform seemed to keep my face from turning red.

Disregarding the stiff sensation of the bra rubbing against my shoulder blade, I spoke up.

“The people running away earlier, that was out of fear, right?”

“Yup. Hehe.”

I was further convinced of Nix’s identity. She had just confirmed that she was indeed the witch who had cursed the protagonist, and the assurance that it was out of fear left no room for doubt.

“Alright. Then wait somewhere else. I’ll handle what I need to do first and then come to you.”

“Can’t I follow you?”

“No.”

“Why? Is there any reason I shouldn’t? I’ll behave. I promise.”

“Because the people here are anxious. If you don’t like it, give the advantage to the polite side.”

“……”

Seemingly not wanting to give up that advantage, Nix nodded with an even creepier smile. Just that simple movement made my chest feel thud thud as it shook.

“You really know how to handle me. Where should I go?”

“Just follow this path straight, and you’ll see a big castle. That’s the only one in the city, so you won’t get confused. Just go inside.”

Considering Nix’s characteristics, it was best to blend her in among the knights.

Fear was a status ailment that only worked against NPCs with no combat abilities. If she was among knights with combat abilities, albeit non-attacking, fear probably wouldn’t trigger.

“Hehe. I just came back from there. Going again?”

“……What? When?”

“I went there to look for the castle first. But they said no one was home. They were out, so I came here.”

‘How did she even find that out?’

Did she find a way to uncover where I lived?

“If you’ve seen their face once, it should be easy. You didn’t cause any trouble there, did you?”

She may look small with a big chest and a creepy vibe, but the woman before me was one of the choice bosses from Brightest Darkness 4.

The mini-boss positions held by the deputy commanders and the common members appearing in the imperial palace were impossible to defeat, no matter how hard they tried.

“I didn’t. I wouldn’t want to be hated.”

Fortunately, it seemed the disaster I feared hadn’t occurred.

“That’s good then. I have somewhere I need to stop by first, so you go ahead and enter the castle. If they refuse you, just say it’s an order from the Knight Commander.”

“Hehe, I think it’d be better to just directly order them instead of saying it.”

“To give that order, I need to go back to the castle first. I told you I have somewhere to––”

“But, I’m coming this way.”

Before I could even ask who, golden-armored figures approached us. There were quite a few of them. At least twenty, if not more.

Since they hadn’t decided on the specifics of armor yet, they must have pulled out the armor from their time as the Golden Dusk Knights. Among them, I observed the particularly decorated armors.

‘Three.’

Three were at the deputy commander level. In total, that meant there were thirty-three of them here.

Bringing over more than half of the usable force was the maximum my announcer Laksia could do while leading the Knight Order in my absence.

“Commander! Are you safe?”

A thunderous voice reverberated; it was Laksia. Nix only flashed me a bizarre smile, making it clear she didn’t see the point in looking back.

The knights approaching us immediately aimed their weapons at Nix upon seeing Aurora in my arms. I gestured for them to stop. I needed to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

There was a risk that the annoying personality from the game might still linger within her plump body. If that happened, a boss battle could break out right here.

Even if that were to happen, while winning might be possible, everyone except me would likely perish. What I knew wouldn’t help at all in protecting others while fighting.

Laksia, having noticed my intentions, asked worriedly.

“……Are you alright?”

“I should be fine. For now. How it goes from here could still change that. How did you get here?”

“Citizens gathered at the castle seeking help. While walking, they suddenly felt extreme fear and ran away. After dozens more people rushed to the castle, I thought the situation was unusual, so I hurried here. The remaining twenty-two are calming down those who fled to the castle.”

“Good job. That was a wise judgment.”

“It was just my duty.”

Laksia responded to my praise with a simple bow of her head.

“Laksia, pick a few of your subordinates, and take them with you to escort that woman to the castle. The rest, patrol the city and reassure the people. Since no one has died, they’ll probably calm down soon. After finishing, don’t head back immediately; patrol the city a bit longer before coming back.”

“Understood. Should I confine that woman underground?”

“No. For now, take her to my room. We need to have a talk.”

“……Yes.”

Even though she nodded, she still seemed distrustful, as her voice was filled with skepticism.

Nix, who let out her usual eerie kihi laugh, turned her body to face Laksia, making her flinch and grip the hilt of her sword.

“You’ve seen me at your castle. I didn’t do anything back then. I still haven’t done anything. Look.”

“Shut up. You say you haven’t done anything now, but look at the situation.”

“Hmph, I can’t help it if I can’t control myself.”

“So you mean you entered this city knowing what your actions could lead to?”

“Both of you, quiet.”

I interrupted before the atmosphere could worsen. Nix obediently covered her mouth with her palm, and Laksia relaxed her grip on her sword.

I signaled Laksia to come closer, then whispered softly in her ear.

“I find that point unpleasant too, but for now, we have no choice but to endure it. If we fight here, even if we win, it won’t feel like a victory.”

“……Understood.”

“And that woman is a dark sorceress. Don’t ever let your guard down. Make sure to position surveillance after she’s let into the room. At least five or more are necessary.”

“No wonder. She’s a witch. Understood.”

Laksia comprehended and gathered her fellow subordinates to surround Nix.

Nix, even with eleven knights guarding her, waved at me casually and gradually moved away. The remaining knights started to disperse throughout the city.

I also turned my steps towards Aurora’s mansion. Aurora hadn’t said a word as she clung to my back.

Considering this was how our outing ended, I had to assume she was quite heartbroken.

“Are you alright, my lord?”

“…….”

Aurora tightened her grip on my neck instead of answering. It seemed her strength was slowly returning now that her fear had faded away.

“I’m sorry. It turned out like this.”

“……Delta, why are you sorry? It wasn’t because of you.”

As I gave a brief apology, Aurora seemed unable to let even that slip by, slowly opening her mouth.

“Maybe I’m the cause, right? They came to see me, and my popularity must have caused this.”

I threw in a light joke. Aurora buried her head in my shoulder and smiled slightly.

“Now that you mention it, that does seem right. Should I punish you as a lord?”

“Please keep it as light as possible.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Aurora chuckled and clung to me as I struggled to not think about the fact that she wasn’t wearing anything on her lower half. The soft sensation I felt on my palm was just an added bonus.

As we arrived in front of Aurora’s mansion, I suddenly felt something strange and stopped in my tracks.

“……?”

The doors to the mansion were wide open.

From the massive iron gates that separated the territory from the mansion to the main gate leading inside the mansion itself. It was as if someone was deliberately inviting someone else in.

Furthermore, the guards who usually stood in front of the mansion were nowhere to be seen. I looked around, but even the guards’ lodging in one corner of the garden had its door securely shut.

I tensed up and stepped inside the garden.

“There’s no need to do that.”

As soon as I entered, someone sprang out from the bushes. I was startled by this unexpected appearance and stumbled back a step.

“Did you enjoy your outing, my lord?”

The person who jumped out from the bushes, showing an utterly incongruous relaxed expression while brushing off the leaves stuck to her head and body, was Lana.