Chapter 37

Sofia stood there, taking a deep breath and firmly gripping the letter containing the secret that her mother had given her.

What was it? It was about protecting people.

If the angry Renetta were to cast a high-powered spell, the castle would be blown away. No, it should be blown away. An empty castle with nothing left would be too interesting, wouldn't it?

However, it would not be good if people were hurt along with the castle.

After all, the witches who went out from this gloomy castle today, including Renetta, are not the kind of witches who wish for someone's death. They are noble witches who have struggled to protect the country and their lives as princesses.

Renetta should be allowed to be very angry and to wish for this castle to disappear, but there must be no deaths. There should be no regrets or tears.

That's why Sofia, under Azwelo's guidance, is deploying a defensive spell.

To ensure that no one inside the castle gets hurt.

To ensure that the aftermath does not reach outside the castle.

Sofia alone doesn't know how to construct the spell, and there's no way she can defend against a powerful witch like Renetta. But Sofia has a god on her side.

A god who looks down on humans but is very interested in them, is very principled, and is quite playful.

What kind of god would fall in love with Sernet?

A god who is still searching for Sernet.

Sofia felt a little sad. If Livio were to leave without her, Sofia might be so sad and regretful that she couldn't accept his death. She might even curse someone to see him again.

Sofia opened her eyes, grateful that Livio was a strong person.

Sernet, who left the god behind, must have been very sad and lonely. That's why the god can't give up on Sernet.

It's not just Livio. I must become strong too.

Sofia decided to make Livio happy.

Sofia smiled contentedly at the large, white, glowing magic circle. Her magical power was draining from her body, but she felt good.

Then, Renetta's incantation stopped.

Renetta usually doesn't chant. Chanting is a method to boost and stabilize magical power, but Renetta can cast high-powered spells instantly without it.

The reason Renetta was chanting was one.

To cast a spell with all her might.

"It's coming, Master."

"Yes!"

'Brilliant Scream'

It was a strange sound.

It was like someone was singing, shouting, laughing, sparkling, heavy, roaring, and warm. This strange wind caressed Sofia's hair and cheeks.

Well, the walls and furniture and all sorts of things were being blown away. Ahaha, what a lively scene!

The things that were blown away hit the defensive wall that Sofia and Azwelo had made, and then broke and fell again. But the spell automatically protected people, so the debris that fell hit the ground before it could hit Sofia or Renetta. It was quite a well-done spell.

Renetta continued to pour magical power, and with the storm raging, Sofia's magical power was draining from her body, but thanks to Azwelo, she wasn't at all uncomfortable.

"Azwelo, this is kind of fun, isn't it?"

"Hmm, this witch is quite something."

They even had the leisure to chat casually.

When she glanced over, Vaise and Livio were holding their stomachs and laughing. They looked incredibly amused.

At their feet, the king was turning pale. Hmm? Only he seemed to have his hair standing on end.

"Azwelo, is the king okay?"

"Ah, it seems the witch has set the spell to only destroy inorganic matter. She might have misjudged the king as an inorganic object. But with our defensive wall, he won't die."

"I see?"

Well, then it's fine!

Sofia nodded. The view was getting clearer. Yay, the sky is beautiful.

Sofia and the others had suddenly landed inside the castle, so they didn't know. There were fountains and pavilions in this castle. They were being blown away and destroyed, but it was quite a sight.

The destruction of expensive items was quite refreshing. Sofia didn't know she had such a destructive impulse. Meeting a new side of herself made her feel elated.

When she realized it, the surroundings were a mountain of stones. No metaphor or expression, just a fact. Reality.

The meticulous work of crushing and turning everything into stones. The craftsmanship and dedication, or rather the anger, were very clear.

The wind died down, and Sofia let out a sigh and lowered her hand.

As she stumbled, her body was supported by the fluffy fur. Or rather, she was buried in it.

"You did well, Master."

"Thank you."

Praised by a god! Sofia had hardly ever been told she did well in her life, but to be told by a god. She laughed, leaning against the back of the bear-shaped god sitting on the ground.

"Being angry is tiring, isn't it?"

Renetta, who said this, was panting and wiping sweat.

"But I feel relieved."

"Indeed."

Vaise, laughing, walked up to Renetta and, surprisingly, picked up her small body with ease.

Renetta, whose eyes were wide, looked very cute, and her flailing hands were caught by Vaise.

"Hold on."

Laughing, Vaise placed Renetta's small hand on his shoulder.

Sofia felt a tingling, warm, and almost shouting feeling, and she gripped Azwelo's fur. Fluffy, fluffy.

"Vaise, you really need to stop being so stubborn, you know."

Pulling out a large sword from the ground, Livio's eyes lacked vitality. What does being stubborn mean, Sofia wondered, tilting her head. Azwelo yawned.

"...My... historic... castle..."

As Sofia looked around the vast stone field, wondering what had happened, and saw that the people seemed to be unharmed, the king finally spoke.

His hair was messy, he was covered in bruises, and his clothes were tattered. They seemed even more tattered than before.

"To rebuild the castle will require a large sum of money. Does this castle have the money or treasure for that?"

Vaise, with a sardonic smile, looked up at Renetta, who was in his arms, and Renetta puffed out her chest.

"I think it's all just pebbles."

"That's a problem. We'll have to look for gold in the sand."

The king fell to his knees, looking defeated.

Seeing this, Livio sheathed his sword and tilted his head. "Can't it be fixed with magic?"

"I think it's possible to gather gold, rubies, and other materials, but it would be difficult to restore them to their original form unless you remember the details very accurately."

"Then it's impossible."

Yeah, it's probably impossible.

Sofia, who used to frequent the royal castle, knew there was a list of treasures and people who managed it, but she doubted anyone could remember the details accurately enough to draw them. If there were such a person, the list wouldn't be necessary.

"Well, then, Your Majesty. Would you like to make a deal with me?"

This kind of deal is like a deal with the devil.

There's no hope for a convenient outcome, and if you don't make the deal, you'll just perish. Either way, it's the worst.

Incidentally, Sofia, who is not directly involved, is excited. What will this king, who is called the Usurper and who cherishes Renetta and his country, say?

"Vaise, you look terrible."

Saying this, Livio laughed and stood beside him.

"Livio, you can also pet Azwelo."

"Can I?"

"It's your turn. I'll allow it as a special favor."

"Ah!"

Both of their faces turned red.

"It's not my turn yet."

"Ah."

Livio said, "not yet." Not yet. Not yet. So, does that mean there will be a day when he nods? No, it would be bad and troublesome if he suddenly broke up. Sofia, too, wants to stay together forever, but it's different when it's said out loud.

Sofia leaned further into Azwelo, burying herself in the fluff. Fluffy, fluffy.

"If you accept my conditions, I will rebuild the castle for you and swear not to make the contents of this diary public. No need to thank me. It's for my fiancée."

It's a very generous offer.

Building a castle requires a huge budget, and if the story of the Origin Witch becomes public, the royal family's credibility will be damaged.

However, it could also be an opportunity to clear the witches' names. Sofia wants it to be publicized, but she is just a serving maid, a passerby.

She quietly settled into the audience seats. Fluffy.

"...What are the conditions?"

"First, remove Renetta from the family tree. Never involve Renetta again. Never treat her as you please again. Renetta will become one of my citizens. From now on, you are forbidden to communicate with Renetta in any way without my permission and without her consent."

Renetta nodded.

"Get lost."

Who taught her such words?

"...Alright. I will do the same."

"Say yes or no."

Thud! The king was kicked in the face by Vaise. He doesn't learn, that king.

"Next, you will announce your abdication and have the first princess ascend to the throne."

"What? A woman succeeding to the throne is unprecedented!"

"What? Is there a proper history in this country? Renetta, can you use a spell to amplify your voice?"

"I will announce it to the nation."

It was an unbearable gift.

The king groaned and nodded at Vaise, who was waving the diary.

"Alright."

"Next. Even if you say she will ascend, the princess is still young and hasn't received the education to be a queen. Starting politics from scratch is not easy."

All the documents and records are just stones now.

The officials will have to start by restoring or creating various documents. Oh, what a nightmare.

"So, I will send excellent personnel from our side. All the people in the castle will be under their command, and I will place someone from my country as the prime minister. I will also support the queen. How about that?"

What a kind offer. It's a takeover, isn't it? You shouldn't say that.

"That's a takeover! You barbarian, have some shame!"

"Huh?"

Thud! His face was kicked. As a king, what about his learning ability? It's a country that has lived only by magic, I see.

He probably nodded to the idea of making the princess ascend to the throne, thinking he could keep the real power. But that would be obvious, wouldn't it? Considering the situation, he's been physically cornered to the point of being tattered, the castle has been blown away, and he's being threatened alone. Thinking about it, he's doing his best. Don't worry.

"Say yes or no. Huh? Is it no? Fine, then you can try to rebuild the castle yourself. I'm going to a fun reading club now. I hope you can gather the funds and personnel."

Because the other party is too evil. It's a nice gutsy move against a thug with wealth and fame.

"......If I accept the conditions, will you really rebuild the castle and not make it public?"

"Don't lump us with scum. Transparency is my selling point."

More importantly, Vaise waved the diary happily.

"If you don't nod quickly, won't the courtiers and queen who have noticed you gather? They'll want to talk, won't they?"

What a wicked feeling.

Sofia, who is on Renetta's side, has no objection, but being Vaise's accomplice makes her feel strangely uncomfortable. What is this feeling of being a henchman of evil?

"Alright... I will accept all the conditions."

"Don't talk down to me. Say yes."

"......Yes."

"Good, be obedient."

He was already evil. Like a villain or a thug, he was already evil. A devil. A demon. Is this hell? Why can Renetta nod so calmly? Why are her obsidian-like eyes shining so brightly?

"...It feels like a demon's bride, doesn't it?"

"...Why do I get the feeling that I'm having a bad influence..."

Sofia and Livio shared a dry laugh.

"Next."

There's more?

"There's more?"

"Isn't it bad?"

Why does it feel bad when he says it's bad?

Confirming that no one could respond, Vaise smiled sardonically. It was not a reassuring smile at all.

"You will spend the rest of your life in a detached house."

"...Are you saying you will imprison me! A barbarian from another country!"

"That's a bad way to put it. We won't treat you the way you treated the witches. We'll provide a house worthy of the name of the previous king, with appropriate clothing, food, and shelter. However, you will not be allowed to communicate with the outside world or leave the house. Renetta will set up a barrier around the house. The servants will be the ones who directly challenged me. They seemed to get along well, didn't they? They can live together in the barrier happily."

So, it's a de facto imprisonment.

You won't die, and you won't be put in a shabby prison. With friendly servants, it's like heaven compared to how the witches were treated.

However, the king will never be allowed to involve himself in the politics of this country again.

Revenge is out of the question.

The moment the contents of the diary are made public, the past of the royal family, which has cursed the country, will be revealed.

And the diary is in the hands of the strongest witch, who can blow away the castle alone.

"Are you happy?"

"......Yes."

The king, who is so regretful that blood is flowing from his lips, can only nod.

A life that feels like a living death. Moreover, he might be hated by the servants who are caught up in this. How long will this life last?

Even if he were to make the contents of the diary public and cling to the throne, he would face hell. In the end, he can only nod.

"...I've never felt so grateful to be born into the Worrian family."

"I, too, have never felt so grateful for my life."

It's so good that we're not living as Vaise's enemies! Sofia and Livio nodded at each other.

"Alright. Renetta, did you record it?"

"Yes, it's perfect on the magic stone."

"Secretary, did you write it down?"

"Hahaha, yes, indeed!"

"!"

Who!

When Sofia and Livio got up, there was a small old man behind the king. He was holding a long piece of parchment and a pen. When did he get there!

There were also white-robed magicians who had come down the stairs with them.

"While the boy was distracting the king, I had them bring him. It's good that we made it in time for the last scene."

Come to think of it, when Livio was avoiding lightning and fireballs, Vaise was nowhere to be seen.

That's why Vaise appeared from behind at the end.

When they were talking about the diary, he was definitely not