Chapter 155

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 155: Loyalty

The Witch Iris.

By her side, there was always Merhen.

“Um…”

—What.

“The bathroom…”

—Go ahead. Don’t move your mana. I know everything without looking.

“Yes.”

Iris hurriedly nodded and ran towards the bathroom.

Even when eating.

Even when sleeping.

Merhen was circling around her like a satellite.

But, was it unpleasant?

‘…Rather, it’s good?’

To be honest, it was rather good.

The reason was simple.

Swoosh.

Merhen reached out her hand and the water cup gently approached.

Gulp.

Merhen drinking water.

In each of those trivial actions, there was a profound magical principle.

The same was true when she pulled the water cup just now. She just moved it using mana, but the water inside didn’t ripple at all.

What if she tried the same thing?

The water in the cup would probably have shaken like it was hit by a typhoon.

Of course, since she was also a witch, she wouldn’t have spilled it.

The self-proclaimed great witch, Ananke, was defeated by a mage.

‘I’m not sure if it’s true…’

At least, it seemed like it wasn’t completely a bluff.

Calling all mages in the world, except herself, ‘fools’.

An arrogant absolute being who looks down on even witches like herself as insignificant insects.

There was only one case where her attitude would soften.

—Minwoo! Did you come to see me?

Merhen’s face brightened like sunshine.

When she was with Kim Minwoo.

At those times, she wasn’t the blunt and arrogant undead, but reacted like a person overflowing with emotions.

‘Why does she like him so much?’

Necromancer and undead.

Naturally, she knew it’s a master-servant relationship.

But…

‘Is a being like her so smitten?’

No, to be blunt, she even treats a proper witch like a toy?

If a summoned creature’s power is at that level, honestly, even if it twisted its master’s neck, there wouldn’t be any room for argument.

Loyalty?

That was meaningless for a summoned creature like her. If she wanted to, she could instantly break free from such restrictions.

But still, she’s loyal.

No, it wasn’t just loyalty, it was like she was completely head over heels.

To the extent that it was impossible to understand what Kim Minwoo had given her to make her like that.

Soon after, Kim Minwoo stroked Merhen’s head and said.

“You’ve been working hard.”

—No. I’m not tired at all. It’s just watching over a fool.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

—Anytime!

Merhen and Kim Minwoo disappeared.

A moment later.

Merhen reappeared with her arms crossed and a sullen face, staring intently at Iris.

—Hey, you big fool.

“Yes, yes?”

Iris quickly straightened her back and answered, surprised by the sudden change in address.

Merhen frowned as if annoyed and said.

―Is Ananke really that strong?

“Pardon?”

—Just answer quickly, it’s annoying.

“Of course she’s strong… I guess?”

—Stronger than me?

“That’s…”

Iris hurriedly racked her brain. When was the last time she saw Ananke?

The ‘entrance ceremony’ where apprentice witches gathered in the first city.

It was customary for all seven great witches to gather on the platform and give their blessings.

The last memory she had of seeing her was there. That was already hundreds of years ago.

“…I don’t know for sure.”

—You don’t know?

“Yes… I’m sorry. But I really don’t know. Ananke-nim has never revealed her power… But there’s something I can guess.”

—What is it?

“The other five great witches have changed at least once, but Ananke-nim and one other are different. They’ve lived a long time and have kept their positions…”

—She’s gotten stronger than I remember?

“Isn’t that likely?”

—Ha… This is really annoying.

“Why, why are you…”

—Minwoo doesn’t trust me!

“What?”

—He asked me what if those great witches came. Could I kill them right away? He’s doubting my current skills!

Iris rolled her eyes.

The conversation had somehow turned urgent, with her life hanging in the balance.

—But what’s even more annoying is that I couldn’t answer. Because my powers haven’t fully returned. Against those fools, this Merhen… Ugh…

“Uh… Merhen-nim, it’s not your fault. As you said, your powers haven’t fully returned yet…”

—That’s why. You, I need to plant some magical bombs in your heart and brain.

“…Pardon?”

—With a single gesture from me, your entire body will shatter into pieces, killing you instantly before you even feel the pain. If Ananke has grown stronger, that’s how it has to be. Minwoo is right. The Grand Witch might come looking for us. We have to consider even a 0.01% chance of that happening. Am I right? Right?

“Uh, yeah…”

—It doesn’t matter if you object. Even if a fool like you resists, it won’t stop me from planting it. It’ll just be a little more troublesome. Tell me quickly. Will you accept it, or not?

“If I don’t accept it…”

—I’ll make you want to accept it. Very slowly, starting now. You did the same thing, didn’t you? You killed countless beings here. Like a machine, without any guilt. Right?

“…”

—I feel the same way. So, you’d better answer correctly.

Merhen said with a chilling gaze.

This was no joke.

It was pure sincerity.

The answer was already decided.

“I’ll accept it.”

—Good. You made the right choice.

Merhen replied with a smile.

If Minwoo is worried.

If it would make him feel better.

That’s all she wanted.

However.

Her resolve to kill all the Grand Witches in the future had only grown stronger.

Because of those fools, she had been doubted.

Especially that Ananke.

—Don’t worry too much. As long as the Grand Witch doesn’t come, it’ll be fine. We can just turn the tables and devour her.

“R-Right?”

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

—Yeah. Don’t worry. Senior or experienced, it doesn’t matter to me. They’re all fools. Now, let’s plant it. Quickly.

“But, there won’t be any problems removing it later, right?”

—Yeah. It’s easier than eating. Don’t worry.

Merhen said nonchalantly.

Honestly, it wasn’t easier than eating, but that didn’t matter at all.

Iris?

She was destined to die anyway.

The reason was simple.

According to Minwoo, the gate’s clearing condition explicitly stated that she had to be killed. It wasn’t like they were never going to leave the gate.

If they wanted to leave, they had to kill her.

She could offer some emotionless comfort.

If Minwoo was a 100, Iris’s worth to her was close to 0.

No, it was even negative.

“Then, let’s start the surgery. Prepare yourself to accept it. It’ll make it easier to attach.”

“…Yes.”

A short time passed.

Merhen nodded and said,

“When you wake up, it’ll all be over.”

Iris quickly fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

[Skeleton Trainees’ Crafting Experience has greatly increased!]

[Accumulated Crafting Experience creates a new skill!]

[Trainees can now use ‘Rune Crafting (F)’]

[The fourth job change, ‘Trainee Rune Crafter,’ is created!]

[Learning another crafting skill!]

[The power of collective intelligence!]

[Trainee group grasps the principles of tattoos!]

[‘Tattoo Art (F)’]

[The fifth job change, ‘Trainee Tattoo Artist,’ is…]

“Oh, you’re up!” Kim Minwoo, startled awake by the notification sound, shouted as he jumped up.

Exactly two days.

The trainees had new jobs: Tattoo Artist and Rune Crafter.

When they moved to the so-called “education center” in the Witch’s Tower, they saw countless skeletons diligently receiving education.

The initial awkwardness quickly faded.

Before long, the dwarves and barbarians were looking at the skeletons with warm smiles. They were diligently listening to the lessons without a single complaint.

They were so smart that they could learn five things from being taught one.

They were the kind of students who were a joy to teach, so they couldn’t help but look at them with warm eyes.

Kim Minwoo also watched them with a gentle expression.

‘Very good.’

The most important thing was to learn the skills. Once acquired, proficiency could be increased even without a teacher.

Tattoo Art and Rune Crafting.

Having learned these two skills, they could now be utilized like an endless source of sweet water.

‘To think they’d learn it in just two days.’

The collective intelligence was truly amazing.

Perhaps because they shared the category of production skills, they would gain inspiration like lightning whenever they learned something new, and that would lead to breakthroughs.

This kind of connection was working seamlessly.

This fantasy continent was truly a treasure mountain for Kim Minwoo.

Furthermore, it seemed that the awkwardness between the different races had eased somewhat over the past two days, as they could be seen chatting and laughing together.

The same was true for the orcs in charge of chores.

‘It’s no wonder.’

The facilities in the Witch’s Tower were excellent.

For the races who had suffered and struggled, this was a situation where they had warm beds, three delicious meals a day, enough sleep, and even continuous warm weather.

There wasn’t much to complain about, so the community naturally thrived.

At first, they competitively talked about how much they had suffered, crying, laughing, and empathizing. In that way, the relationship between the different races was somewhat…

At that moment.

[Amazing!]

[You have discovered the true clearing condition of the ‘Caesar Continent’!]

[Accordingly, all true clearing conditions are revealed!]

[You can proceed with the existing clearing method, but following the true clearing method may grant you amazing rewards!]

“Huh?”

True clearing condition?

What was this now?

At that moment.

[True Clearing Condition]

[1. Foster harmony among the major races to increase the continent’s overall strength.]

[2. Prevent the intervention of the Dragon Legion and the Eastern Witch’s Coven.]

Kim Minwoo’s eyes lit up as he read the message.

‘Come to think of it…’

The gate had indeed started with the Continental Salvation (S+) quest.

Considering that, the message made sense.

Otherwise, a similar situation to when Mutakta disappeared and reached out again would likely occur.

Harmony was also an understandable condition. It would be closer to the continent’s salvation if the five races joined forces instead of fighting each other to the death.

‘Condition 1 is nothing special.’

The leaders gathered here were already in a mood for reconciliation.

If he created a mixed-race city in the heart of the continent and encouraged interaction, they might achieve harmony more easily than expected. After all, everyone was already moving due to the destruction, so it wouldn’t be that difficult.

There would be detailed issues, but those could be addressed later. The truly difficult condition was number 2.

Prevent the intervention of the two groups.

‘Is this possible?’

Honestly, he couldn’t guarantee it.

If Merhen and Cedric were strong enough to take down even a Grand Witch or an Ancient Dragon, it might be possible.

But realistically, it wasn’t.

They could probably handle up to senior or experienced witches. That’s why he asked Merhen to implant a spell to suppress Iris.

‘Just in case.’

The chances of the Grand Witch not coming were high, but who knew what could happen.

It would be foolish not to prepare when they could.

That’s why he requested Merhen to plant the bomb, even at the cost of her pride.

‘I feel sorry, but…’

It was the truth.

They still can’t defeat the Grand Witch or the Ancient Dragon.

Merhen being cute is one thing, but an attack is an attack.

Just then.

Merhen, who seemed to have used spatial movement magic, quickly approached him and said,

— Minwoo! You’re a genius!

“Huh?”

— The alarm spell I placed outside the dimension went off. I can feel it. A familiar magic power. It’s Ananke. That fool came herself.

Wait a minute.

They were prepared, but he never thought…

She would really come?

Merhen spoke briskly to Kim Minwoo, whose face was stiff.

– Don’t worry. Even if that fool gets stronger, she can’t stop the bomb from detonating. Even the Death Lord wouldn’t be able to stop this, would he?

Oh, really?

Then that’s a relief.

Even though a long time has passed since the sealing, it doesn’t mean she’s gotten stronger than the Death Lord, right?

For now, it was certain they could escape.

“So, when do you think she’ll arrive?”

—Hmm… 3 minutes? Ah, she’s just entered the planet now. She’s flying here.

The Grand Witch was already approaching them.

[Translator – Prøks]

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