The Hero’s Mentor is a Demon (King) Witch

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Phew!

The sword was embedded in the ground.

The only remaining adventurer in the training ground could not swallow even a spit while facing the Knight in Black Mask, who was aiming his sword precisely at his throat.

He simply raised his hands in surrender.

With a swoosh, the Knight in Black Mask retrieved his sword and turned his back.

Was it a slender knight or a woman? The identity of the armored figure was ambiguous as they departed the training ground in silence.

“Cough…! What the heck is going on here!!”

The defeated adventurer yelled with frustration.

“You said this was a Knight Order entrance exam! If I win, I move on to the next test! How am I supposed to win against that monster?!”

“Monster? Mind your words.”

The examiner, Knight Etsi, warned the adventurer with a frown.

“Are you not embarrassed to lose to a swordsman who didn’t even use Aura?”

“There’s a limit to what you call an opponent!”

“This level is necessary to join our newly formed Knight Order. Did you think just because you had an Aura certification from Count Odrone’s Residence, you could become a knight? How unfortunate.”

“No…! Please let me meet the Count! I came here after turning down all my commissions!!”

“Sorry, but work on improving your skills. There’s no place for you in this Knight Order.”

“Ugh, aaah!!”

The adventurer screamed in anger.

But this was the training ground of Count Odrone’s Territory.

Sufficient consideration had already been given for those who couldn’t become knights, and they could no longer allow a dropout to make a ruckus.

“Just you wait!”

The adventurer stormed out, retrieving the sword that had flown outside the ring.

“……Sigh.”

Knight Etsi sighed and turned away.

He headed to the private room where the Knight in Black Mask was resting.

Knock, knock.

After knocking, Etsi entered and locked the door behind him.

“Ah.”

The being who removed her mask and lifted her helmet was a woman with brown hair.

Soaked in sweat, she fanned her face with her hand to cool down, and Etsi approached the brown-haired woman, undoing the straps of her chestplate.

Clang.

As the large chestplate that looked somewhat uncomfortable was removed, a chest appeared that could hardly be contained even by the armor, if it were not specially crafted.

It was so large that without a specially made chestplate, one could not even wear regular clothes.

“Miss Droniel, you’ve worked hard.”

“Hard? They were all weaklings.”

Droniel Odrone.

The hidden child of Count Odrone, somewhat looked down upon within the family compared to the legitimate offspring.

But in reality, she was a figure even her legal mother’s children feared.

A genius in swordsmanship.

If Etsi were to evaluate, the woman before him possessed talent akin to someone you would find once in 500 years.

Although she had not yet awakened the level of infusing Mana into her sword—Auras Blade—aside from that, she had demonstrated growth sufficient to be called a ‘master’ anywhere.

As a mercenary, she would be rated S-class, and as a knight, she could instantly be made deputy commander of the first knight order of the royal road.

Her skill was vividly revealed through Droniel’s ‘practical experience training,’ disguised as an entrance exam for the Knight Order.

So far, dozens had fought directly against Droniel.

However, no one within Count Odrone’s Territory could defeat her, and Droniel continued to grow rapidly.

It was not long since she first picked up a sword just under six months ago—how was this physically possible?

Etsi recalled a saying circulated among swordsmen.

– One should not expect physical common sense from a genius in swordsmanship. What you have accumulated over thirty years, someone may achieve in three years.

Though it seemed absurd, looking at Droniel made it feel like it was not impossible.

The woman’s strength and genius were truly….

“Etsi. Have all the entrance exam participants been rounded up?”

“Oh, yes. That guy just now was the last one. We plan to select members for the Knight Order from those who will take the additional exam in a week.”

“Good. When they learn later that the person they faced was the Commander of the Knight Order, they’ll understand well enough.”

Droniel toyed with the mask, twisting the corner of her mouth.

“…I prefer gold.”

“Excuse me?”

“This—I can’t have it gilded in gold, can I?”

“…Miss?”

“I’m joking.”

Droniel bit into an apple from the basket.

“…I need to get stronger quickly and find that person.”

“……Miss, that man….”

“If you don’t know the details, just stay quiet. My father and I have already finished talking about it.”

“…Understood, Miss.”

Etsi bit his tongue.

Not because she had distanced herself coldly from him.

“Ugh, Lucius… Just wait a bit longer, I’ll lead the Knight Order for you… Ugh….”

“…….”

Thinking it would be far better for his mental health to live without knowing, Etsi decided to abandon his thoughts.

“Let’s do a light external patrol during the Knight Order recruitment period. You know the village where strange things happen, right? Let’s check it out tomorrow.”

“Understood. Will Miss Droniel be going?”

“No.”

Droniel pressed the black mask onto her face.

“As a Dragon Swordsman.”

The black mask resembled a dragon’s design.

*

Meanwhile, in the hidden chamber of the Normans Adventurer Guild.

“I see. So that happened.”

“Yes, yes. The Bearnes Hero….”

“The guild leader has already said everything, so I don’t have anything special to add.”

Bearnes spoke in a somewhat cold voice, directing his gaze toward the woman before him.

“Saintess Yan Diere.”

“Speak, Sister.”

“Who are you calling sister?”

“I simply address you as Sister as per the wishes of the Church.”

“…Hmph.”

Bearnes made a dissatisfied expression while the Saintess Yan sitting opposite remained quietly smiling.

“We’ve already discussed everything that occurred in Normans. Is there anything more you wish to hear?”

“I want to know about that witch and swordsman. If they are ‘those people’ we know, what are the possibilities?”

“Possibilities?”

“Yes. Perhaps….”

The Saintess Yan took out a photograph with a serious voice.

“One of the owners of the Holy Sword, who has been ownerless for 500 years, might be one of them.”

“……Huh.”

Guild Leader Francis clicked his tongue at the rusty holy sword.

“Really… could they…?”

“They are not. Neither Lucius nor the Witch used the Holy Sword. If they had, as the Holy Sword Hero, I would have known better. Moreover….”

Bearnes pointed his eyes toward the tall woman standing behind Saintess Yan.

“That lady would have noticed better, right?”

“……Hehe.”

“Liriez, what’s your feeling?”

“The possibility is certainly present.”

Bearnes frowned at the Saintess’s escort’s remark.

“Just the possibility….”

“Did you not feel anything from them?”

“The resonance felt among the Holy Sword Heroes? Ha, if I had felt that, I would have caught them long ago.”

“Could they have hidden it with some power? What do you think, Director Di Emery?”

“…I obviously don’t know the Holy Sword better than you Heroes, but if they claimed to be Holy Sword Heroes….”

Francis placed his hand on his chest and nodded heavily.

“I can only express my sincere gratitude to the heroes who saved Normans once again.”

“……Hmmm.”

Saintess Yan stared intently at the branch leader, who seemed not too anxious and calmly nodded his head.

“To think the ones who saved Normans were actually a Hero party… I wish I had treated them better when they were here…!”

“…Well, it’s fine. Whether it’s true or not, we can just find out. We will meet with them again and have a discussion.”

“What? Saintess, are you saying you want to chase after them right now?”

“Yes. That’s why I arranged this separate meeting with you two. According to the gathered information, at least one of you must have mentioned their next destination.”

“…….”

Saintess Yan took a gentle sip of her tea.

“If they suddenly disappeared, they would have used Teleport Magic, and thinking of their ‘Witch’ member, they probably mentioned their destination before leaving. Even if it’s not a city, we can somewhat infer their purpose. Where could it be?”

“Well, we….”

“Saintess.”

Bearnes pointed at Liriez with a serious face.

“I’ll take the Saintess with me to find ‘Scarlet Unite.’ You leave the woman here.”

“Oh dear, Bearnes. Why are you reacting so sensitively…?”

“Shut up, Liriez.”

The two women glared at each other, grinding their teeth, while Saintess Yan quietly glowered at Guild Leader Francis.

“Let me know. Personally, I’m also very interested in that person, ‘Lucius.’ Well, I have to say it’s a bit….”

“What do you mean…?”

“The Moon Goddess ordered me to accompany him.”

At the words of Saintess Yan, Guild Leader Francis closed his eyes tightly.

“One who follows the words of the gods is the Saintess. As the Saintess of the Crescent Moon Goddess Order, I seek that person. You will, of course, cooperate, right? Guild Leader Francis Di Emery?”

“…….”

After a moment.

Saintess Yan and Liriez quietly moved toward the northern lake.

*

And then.

Late at night.

“…What should we do?”

“I’ll sleep on the floor, Master.”

“Um, um….”

“No, you two sleep in the bed.”

“Master! How can you…! It would be better for you to sleep in bed with Rosmas!”

I had to fight Lucius for the most trivial of reasons.

“Are you asking me to sleep with Rosmas?!”

“You should lie down on the bed, Master.”

There was one bed.

One blanket.

Only room for two to lie down.

So naturally.

“Isn’t it most efficient for the two of you to sleep together?”

It was completely normal for Lucius and Rosmas to sleep in one bed, so why was this guy kicking up such a fuss about it?

‘Damn it.’

Even when given, he refuses.

“Hey! Do you dislike Rosmas?!”

“That’s not it!”

“Then just shut up and lie down in bed, stop being so difficult!!!”

I felt like I could burst from Lucius’s exasperating resistance.

“Argh, this is so frustrating!!”

Still.

Lucius only looked at me with an expression of injustice.

I didn’t do anything wrong.