I Picked Up a Witch from a Novel

**Episode 0-a. The One Who Moves Forward.**

To put it simply,

I no longer think of the people in this world as mere characters or puppets acting according to their roles.

Certainly, the story progresses in accordance with the novel’s flow, where the Hero and the Holy Girl move forward.

And while there is indeed an undeniable progression that unfolds around them, turning the world into something scribbled down in text,

if I assess it from afar, distanced from the eye of the storm, I see things differently.

They are living their lives.

In the Empire, in the Principality, and right here in the snowy country of Krephen where I currently reside.

It would not do justice to say they are merely living according to the flow of the novel; they are living with dreams in their hearts, to the point that it feels overwhelming.

Some express a desire to earn a lot of money.

Others wish to marry a beautiful wife, while some are determined to buy titles of nobility.

Some want to become renowned adventurers, and some wish to help the less fortunate.

As they step forward, they talk about their diverse and numerous aspirations.

People live their lives, each of them embodying their own unique individuality.

Having seen those who move ahead of me, I have come to no longer view them as mere characters or roles.

And that applies to the comrades I have welcomed as well.

“We hope there will be no war! It’s good for people not to hate each other!”

While it may be close to impossible, it certainly allows them to move forward.

“I will save those who are dying without receiving divine healing. The annihilation of the disease that threatens those people is my goal.”

While it may seem like a grand dream from those who have something lacking, it is clearly a stepping stone walked with conviction.

“…What’s the point of knowing that? If you’re busy talking nonsense, don’t interrupt and just leave, kid.”

It may be an inner thought that cannot yet be revealed to someone, but at least their gaze shone brightly with the dreams they held.

“Standing before the common people is the duty of the nobility…! I, Lucia Vicente Todorika Seymour, will practice Noblesse Oblige!”

I could not ignore those who spoke so.

Though they may be deemed lacking in one regard or another, I wished for their dreams to become a reality.

In the world I wish to change, on this journey to oppose the will of the gods.

I firmly believed that what they embraced held value.

Thus, I too, carry one dream as I move forward.

It may be somewhat, in fact truly burdensome for someone like me; it is little more than a glimmer of hope.

Yet for that reason, I take a step forward again.

Time flows on in the northern snowy country, Krephen, just like that.

Avery continues his experiments locked away in his room, and the twin siblings play and eat as per the duties of a child.

Old Horn still does not come to the lodging, remaining holed up in the smithy, creating sparks with anvil and hammer.

And I am here,

Clang—

“Your swings are slow.”

“Huff, ugh…! Shut your mouth!”

As always, I swing my sword a bit harder to become stronger.

“Ain. Don’t raise your voice like that. It makes you look weak.”

“Huff, I’m not looking weak; I really am weak, so just shut up…!”

“Indeed, you’re still weak. Remember this: no matter how strong your determination is, you cannot defeat a strong opponent with mere sentiment.”

Oh, this damn guy, really.

As soon as his words ended, the clang sound echoed as my sword flew and fell to the floor.

“…”

“Full of openings. All of it.”

Though having an expert’s guidance is quite helpful, I am still significantly overwhelmed by the mere clash of swords.

“Sir Joseph… Can you please just keep your mouth shut?”

“Ain, if it annoys you, then get stronger. You’ve been here for half a year and have been taught by me, so show at least that much progress.”

I find myself swayed by the man’s words, which are always indifferent yet teasing.

Each word he offers tramples my efforts to maintain my composure, and it has indeed led me to today.

“Phew… Regardless, thank you for today.”

“Yeah, was today the last training session? You’ve worked hard, Ain.”

He was a knight and the captain of the guards in the little town where I stayed in the northern snowy country, Krephen.

It was a chance encounter when I went to a training ground that was available for free after arriving in Krephen.

“Hmph, you really swing your sword like crap. Did you self-teach?”

“…”

Now that I think about it, he was indeed the person I met first.

“It seems you are being swung around by the sword rather than swinging it. Oh, maybe I should have asked the sword its name instead? Tell me, sword, what’s your name?”

“…”

He was a knight unable to resist seeing a novice struggling to wield a sword properly, much like those muscle heads unable to ignore beginners in a gym.

“Hmph, even a stray dog passing by would laugh at you. If that’s the case, then you might as well not hold a sword and juggle with a club. At least you could earn some money.”

“Hey, wait! If you’re going to say that, then at least teach me something.”

“I was just waiting for you to say that. Come this way.”

“No, wait… insane…”

He was just a knight of minor nobility with a knack for being condescending in speech.

And as I pondered this, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

Each of his words was indeed irritating.

Nevertheless,

I received teachings from him for nearly half a year.

“Well, you’ve grown a lot, Ain. It’s about time to leave; go somewhere else and learn from others.”

“Yes, thank you very much, Sir Joseph.”

Today marked the conclusion of my training, so I bowed my head deeply in salute.

“No need to call me ‘sir’ anymore. We’ve shared a bond over these past months.”

“Yes, Sir Joseph.”

“…It seems like you’ve learned more about being annoying than swordsmanship before leaving. You really suit being a clown.”

“I’ll definitely do that in the future, Sir Joseph.”

“…”

Well, at least I learned how to talk back irritatingly.

In truth,

If I were to put it bluntly, during the past half year I had also accidentally learned swordsmanship and met my new comrade, Old Horn.

However, the original purpose of my coming here was twofold.

The first was to obtain the materials needed for research into ash-gray inhibitors and healing agents.

Rare materials that can only be found in snowy countries, things you cannot procure in the market like the red sun herbs buried in snow.

There were quite a few of these, and during these last six months, I hoped that by bringing them to Avery, his research would progress smoothly.

The second was to earn a bit more money.

The final comrade waiting in the Principality, the noblewoman Lucia Vicente Todorika Seymour…

With the funds given to me by Lucia, a girl who has a passion for money, I aimed to buy low-priced timber from the north.

“That is, I, Lucia Vicente Todorika Seymour, will execute the strategy of buying timber at low points! If I fail, I’ll just lose my noble-like appearance…! I am always practicing Noblesse Oblige. So, please, let it succeed…”

Recalling that moment when she trembled and handed me the money, her face vivid in my mind.

And just as the northern timber gradually filled a massive warehouse,

I felt that the time to leave Krephen was drawing near.

Thus,

I first returned to the lodging to inform the twins of the news.

“The preparations are complete. We’ll be returning to the Principality a week from now, so finish up what you’re doing and make sure to pack your things early.”

“Wow, we’re finally leaving this cold country, Tori!”

“Ah, finally we can return to the warm Principality, Yaki!”

The two children, who had been shivering and complaining about the cold, seemed thrilled by the news, bouncing around in front of me.

“Since this is a foreign land, make sure to clean up, so there are no traces left behind like hair, nails, or blood in the lodging.”

“Yes~”

With waves of excitement, they picked up brooms and dashed off.

Next, I sought out Avery and shared similar words.

“Ah… it’s finally time to leave. Thankfully, you brought back plenty of sun herbs the other day, so the research is progressing quite well.”

“That’s great to hear. Before heading to the Principality, don’t forget to magically seal the remaining sun herbs and other materials at the adventurer’s shop.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After watching him nod for a moment, I turned my steps toward the smithy.

The heat of the smithy is always intense, and the flickering flames seem as if they would never extinguish.

However,

“Old Horn.”

“What?”

“Start preparing to leave. In one week, you’ll be heading to the Principality with us.”

“Hmph… I suppose it’s time for this flame of the smithy to dwindle.”

In this world, nothing lasts forever, and even such intense heat will eventually meet this moment of extinguishment.

So I spoke to him, gazing at the smithy with a bittersweet look.

“Horn, I promise again. Whatever your dream is, I will find a way to fulfill it.”

“I know. Though, with only a bunch of utterly useless folks gathered, I wonder if that’s actually possible.”

“It is possible. I will make it happen.”

I vow to him.

Though I may not yet know what that dream is, I will make your flames burn even brighter and more vividly.

Although I am not the protagonist of this world, I will pave the way so that we can both advance and realize our dreams.

Gazing deeply into those eyes stained by time and gloom, I declare that to him.

“…You’ve gotten all pretentious. Alright, then get lost; I’m busy if I’m to finish.”

“Yes, I’ll see you in front of the lodging in a week.”

And so,

I bowed my head low to offer my farewell and headed back to the lodging.

There were still many things I needed to prepare in advance.

Thus,

I returned to my room in the lodging and wrote a letter.

– Asha.

I have completed everything in Krephen.

For now, I will be returning to the Principality, so if you’re sending a letter, please send it to the address I previously provided in the Principality.

I’ll include a little gift.

I quickly wrapped up the writing and placed the letter inside a box along with a souvenir I bought from a shop in Krephen.

I had been sending her souvenirs from each region I traveled through.

This time, it was a snow globe depicting the scenery of Krephen with its snow falling and mountains and the village inside.

Inside the round glass jar,

White snowflakes are swirling.

And I,

As I look at it, smile brightly.

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