Chapter 12

"The Six Witches of Destruction" are monsters regarded as enemies of the divine in the Holy Light Religion, which is worshipped in more than two-thirds of the continent's regions.

A great earthquake that struck the empire 100 years ago. The "White Death" that spread across the eastern part of the continent 150 years ago. A great war that engulfed the entire continent 200 years ago. It is said that their shadows lurk behind various historical disasters, and the six witches with silver hair and golden eyes have been a source of terror in children's bedtime stories.

"Master, are you alright? Have you been violated?"

Neimilia, who had neutralized the knight, touched the chains that restrained Raidor. The black chains shattered like wet paper and dissolved into the air, disappearing into particles.

"…Ah, no problem. I'm fine."

"Hehe, it's only natural for a servant to do this. Please leave everything from top to bottom to me, Master!"

"…When you say it, it sounds like a dirty joke, but, well, never mind."

Raidor, who had been freed, looked at Neimilia's erratic behavior with a puzzled expression but sincerely thanked her for the help. He moved his joints slightly to confirm that there were no issues and then turned to Meltina again.

"Well… you tried to bind me, a royal, with a curse, and you failed. Do you understand what will happen to you now, Meltina?"

"…I never thought that His Royal Highness would have the Witch of Destruction as an ally. This is my defeat."

Meltina lowered her shoulders in resignation. To her childhood friend, who did not even attempt to make an excuse, Raidor asked a probing question.

"Just to be clear, was it King Granado who ordered you to bind me with a curse and forcibly bring me to the capital?"

"No."

Meltina closed her eyes and shook her head.

"This was my own decision. His Majesty, my father, had nothing to do with it. It is all due to my impatience for success."

"Bad lie. But… I'll let it go."

Raidor drew his sword from his waist and swung it horizontally. The silver blade was aimed at Meltina's neck.

"Hmm…"

The inevitable death that loomed before her. Meltina accepted it without resistance, lowering her eyes.

"Hmph… what a bore."

The sword was about to decapitate Meltina… but it stopped abruptly just before it struck. A thin line of blood trickled down from a cut in Meltina's neck.

Meltina, who did not expect it to stop, blinked in surprise.

"…Your Highness, why did you stop?"

"Don't misunderstand. It's not out of sentiment for an old friend."

Raidor said this with a frown and sheathed his sword.

It would have been easy to kill Meltina here. And it would certainly be satisfying to kill her, who had betrayed him in the past and was now causing trouble again.

(But… I don't like it.)

Meltina's face, which was about to be beheaded, showed no trace of fear. Seeing her expression, which seemed to have anticipated this outcome from the beginning, Raidor's desire to kill her had completely vanished. He walked over to the knight lying on the floor and stomped on his stomach.

"Ugh!"

"Get up already."

"You, you… No, Your Royal Highness!"

Raidor looked down at the knight, who had finally woken up and raised his upper body, and declared coldly.

"Listen. Meltina Marcel, who is here, attempted to curse and forcibly capture me, a royal. For this act of disrespect, I will have her restrained here!"

"Th, that's…"

The knight looked at Meltina, who was standing behind Raidor, with a puzzled expression.

"……"

Meltina nodded silently, communicating through eye contact that their plan had failed.

"Y, yes, I understand. What should I do…?"

"Meltina's custody will be taken over by us. You should return to your superior and report this matter."

"…Understood."

The knight, with a reluctant expression, nodded respectfully.

Raidor snorted and added more words.

"And one more thing. I have indeed agreed to participate in the war against the Alslane Empire. I will head to the capital once preparations are complete, so make sure to report this as well!"

"H…?"

"E…?"

"Feh?"

The knight and Meltina both widened their eyes in surprise. Even Neimilia, who was supposed to be on Raidor's side, opened her mouth in astonishment like a clay figure.

"Hehe…!"

Raidor, receiving the surprised looks from the three of them, smiled mischievously like a naughty child who had just thought of a prank.

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