Asked whether I was the Flower Witch, I nodded. The villagers do call me “ma’am Flower Witch” or just “ma’am Witch” — that much is true. Even if I’m actually a Mandrake, the person the humans have come to know is undeniably the Flower Witch.
“My name is Leonhart. And that is Ritter. We’ve been dispatched from the Holy Knights.”
(Holy Knights… come to think of it, didn’t I hear something about Daon having been a Holy Knight?)
Village chief Daon carries himself a little differently from the other villagers. According to Ellie, he worked as a Holy Knight until he became village chief. The information came from a child, so I don’t know exactly what Holy Knights do, but from how she talked about it I could tell it was a profession people admire.
Knights — so probably a job protecting people. Perhaps something like police officers from my old world, but more approachable and closer to the community.
“As you may be aware, a new monster wasteland has formed in the mountain over there. As its effects may extend this far, we plan to stay in Bit Village for a time to investigate and ensure the villagers’ safety. We came today to pay a visit to the witch living nearby as well — and I must sincerely apologize for the, ah…”
(Oh, how formal. Don’t worry about it, I’m not bothered.)
I smiled and shook my head. It seems the parts that shouldn’t be there weren’t seen — no one has noticed anything unusual about my body.
That I feel no embarrassment at being seen undressed is because my body is fundamentally a root. If anything, I’d be far more embarrassed to have someone look closely at the stamens and pistils inside the flower on my head. They’re tucked behind petals closed like a bud, but if anyone saw those, I’m confident I would let out the scream of a lifetime.
“…Thank you for your understanding. By the way, ma’am Witch… previously, that is…”
The young man who introduced himself as Leonhart seems faintly uncertain about something. I thought about it for a moment and remembered his state when I found him — near death. He probably remembers that time and is trying to figure out how to bring it up.
I pointed to the chest area where the wound had been and tilted my head slightly. His eyes widened a little, and then he smiled.
“So it really was you who saved me. …Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve been able to continue my work as a knight.”
(Good. I had been wondering, a little.)
The full-recovery potion had healed the wound, but I hadn’t known what happened after. Seeing him here in good health is a relief — he really was saved. …And at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t let it spill out of my mouth. He was barely conscious and hazy at the time, but it seems he still remembers my face — if it had come from my mouth or nose, what impression would that have left.
“Ma’am Witch! Harvesting is done — who are you?”
Noel came over with a basket full of berries and fairy candies, and at the sight of unfamiliar people, his tail stood straight up and he fixed them with a guardedly suspicious look.
Leonhart greeted Noel with full courtesy, but Noel still regarded the two with suspicion and positioned himself in front of me.
“Do you have some business with ma’am Witch?”
“Yes — I was hoping to hear a little from the witch herself.”
“Ma’am Witch has lost her voice, so she can’t speak. If you have something to say, say it to me.”
“…Her voice?”
(Oh — he heard my voice that time…!!)
I had been practicing speaking to people when I found Leonhart collapsed. For some reason he hadn’t died, but normally this voice kills people. I’ve been covering for it by playing someone who can’t speak, but if he testifies that I can talk, that’s a serious problem.
I’m drenched in cold sweat on the inside, screaming — and the more I scream, the wider my smile gets, so what Leonhart must be seeing right now as he looks at me in surprise is an absolutely radiant grin.
“This ma’am Witch saved the village and saved me. She’s no villain and no fraud. I won’t let her go, not even to the Holy Knights.”
(Wait… they’ve come to take me away? I’ve been doing everything right as a good witch, how did this happen…)
Feeling uneasy, I placed a hand on Noel’s shoulder as he stood in front of me and watched Leonhart carefully. Even with just a child between us, it feels a little reassuring. Please don’t move from that spot.
“There are certainly rumors about the witch, but they are only rumors. We have no basis for detainment at this stage.”
“Ma’am Witch is the real thing…!”
“Yes. …That’s part of what this investigation is for — to clear the doubts. I would ask for your cooperation. My intention is to help prove that this witch is a genuine second survivor.”
Leonhart had gone down on one knee in front of Noel and was speaking to him at eye level, gently. He appeared to be an extraordinarily courteous and upstanding young man. Even Noel seemed somewhat taken aback by him.
(Appearing out of nowhere as a witch, of course rumors of being a fake would start. Not that the real situation isn’t worse — I’m actually a Mandrake… ugh, being suspected is stressful…)
I’ve built good relations with the villagers, but trust from outside hasn’t been established yet. If I can earn the trust of these investigators who’ve come to determine whether the rumored witch is genuine, I might finally be secure.
“While we are here, we will of course fulfill our role as Holy Knights — exterminating monsters that appear near the village, and protecting the village and all those living in it without fail. Protecting people from the threat of monsters is our calling, and it is not our intention to harm anyone. Please, trust us.”
(Hm…? These people’s job is exterminating monsters?)
They’ve come to determine whether I’m a genuine witch. If they judge me to be a fraud, I might be arrested. But that would only happen if they decided I was a human con artist. The question was — what would happen if they found out I was a monster?
(Could it be… if they find out I’m a monster, they’ll exterminate me…!? Oh no oh no oh no…!!)
I absolutely cannot be found out. And at the same time, I can’t be taken for a fraud — I have to keep proving myself as a witch of genuine capability. …Isn’t this difficulty level a little high?