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

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While we were working to solve the village’s problems, we inevitably kept running into Black Lotus.

“Sir Rapid, we’re collaborating on this village’s request, right?”

“Yes, of course. With the help of the Witch and others, we should be able to resolve this easily.”

Black Lotus said nothing and left everything to Sir Rapid.

“I am the knight attendant of Lady Black Lotus. If you wish to say something to her, please do so through me.”

Since I took on the role of communication with Black Lotus, I had to devise detailed plans for this operation with Sir Rapid.

I sensed it, and he sensed it too.

We were the operational team.

We discussed specifics on how to set the extermination plan and prepare for danger, things that the face people or talented individuals could not handle.

“We must prepare for all scenarios when dealing with the remnants of the Demon King’s army. Sir Rapid, let’s contact Odrone every three hours for updates. We don’t know when the enemy might attack.”

“Understood. If danger arises, I will inform the city to provide support for any evacuations. As for the Witch…”

“I’ll set traps around this village. Since most of the enemies are bugs, I can utilize something to drive them away.”

“Indeed. It’s so reassuring to prepare with the Witch.”

“Same here.”

Should we really be doing this while stuck here at this moment?

But since there’s no one else who can handle it, I might as well take charge.

I could feel Sir Rapid and I were thinking the same thing.

Of course, he was the operational leader while I was the higher-up, but without us, establishing a system to protect this village was practically impossible.

“Then let’s proceed with the preparations. Is there anything you’re curious about…?”

“Lady Black Lotus.”

“…Yes. What is it?”

Sir Rapid reacted quite sensitively when it came to her.

“Is Lady Black Lotus related to Count Odrone’s Territory?”

“Haha, indeed. I guess I am related. My birthplace is the Count’s territory.”

Half-truths, cleverly delivered.

It’s all too obvious.

“When you say birthplace, do you mean you were just born in the Count’s castle?”

“…….”

See? Just a slight jab at a sensitive spot, and her expression hardens instantly.

“You don’t have to shoot me a look asking how I figured it out. This is all your fault.”

“Yes?”

“It wouldn’t make sense for an exceptional knight like Sir Rapid to call himself a knight attendant if he were an ordinary knight. It’s only right to think he holds something beyond just talent, don’t you agree?”

“…Really, I can’t compete with the Witch.”

With a sigh, Sir Rapid shook his head.

“Please pretend you don’t know. It’s not good for anyone if it gets out.”

“I get it. And another thing to mention, if you plan to completely hide your identity, you should consider changing your saddle as well.”

“……Ah.”

“Heh. Then please make an effort with your connection to Odrone, Sir Knight.”

Sir Rapid stood there, mouth agape, shocked, as I pointed outside and stepped out to do my part.

“Master.”

“Lucius? Were you waiting for me?”

“Yes. Um….”

Lucius, outside the cabin, was awkwardly scratching his head.

“…I was curious about what happened, but I didn’t want to interrupt you while you were working hard.”

“You? Why would you? So, what’s the reason you’re waiting?”

“…Not like I have a particular reason to be waiting, is it?”

“What are you talking about?”

I gave Lucius’s leg a light kick.

“In this world, the only things without reason are likings and dislikes for a person. As it happens, it’s fortunate. I’ll be setting traps from now on, so keep your eyes peeled.”

“Traps?”

“Yeah. I’ll create traps with magic. Statically installed magic circles to combat a large army.”

“Are you talking about that magic circle you used to grill sandworms in Normandy?”

“Exactly. But this time, it’s a bit different.”

I lightly tapped the ground with my foot.

“Last time the sandworms sprang up from beneath the surface, right? At that moment, I had two options. One was to cast magic circles in a general area hoping to catch something randomly. The other was to set them in a location where the enemy would easily emerge, knowing they recognized the structures of Normandy, like the main roads or plaza.”

“Ultimately, the second option proved to be the right one.”

“Yeah. They moved as expected and, thanks to that, I was able to absorb a significant amount of mana. Well… even if it was the first option, we’d have contingency plans in place.”

Considering every possible outcome.

However, as they say, thinking too long can lead to poor decisions.

“This time, the most dangerous enemies are bugs. Poison bugs. We can’t even summon the villagers to create facilities. So, we’ll lay down magic circles to counter the bugs.”

“What kind of magic circles?”

“There are various kinds. There’s a method to spread nets of flames, and there’s also a way to erect a barrier to prevent access altogether. And just because I’m good with fire doesn’t mean I can’t handle other elements.”

Whish.

A cool breeze brushed Lucius’s forehead.

Lucius touched his bangs with a somewhat startled face.

“What is this…?”

“Wind magic. If fire magic is fiery and bold, then wind magic is the most delicately controlled element.”

“Delicately….”

“Remember the technique I used on the castle wall? Those are all applications of fire and wind.”

I ignited a small spark and used wind magic to shape the flames.

“Is this… recognizable?”

“Yeah. How about it? Quite delicate, right?”

“…It looks like me.”

Lucius gulped at the face I formed with flames.

“Can you create something else apart from this?”

“Of course. As long as there’s enough time and mana, I can create this indefinitely. No, I can make it even larger.”

“Larger?”

“Yeah. If there’s enough mana, I could create a giant that could stomp around and kick down castle walls. I might get to show you that one day. Maybe.”

I am confident.

Now that all seven Holy Swords have awakened, it would be nice if all we had to contend with was the Demon King’s army, but I can’t help but feel there are other things we must face apart from Asydia.

Countless people are seeking great power, especially the Holy Wind Sword, which symbolizes the defeat of ‘Demon Lord Belphegor.’

“You’ll eventually learn, and you’ll be able to delicately handle everything. The most complex thing in the world is mana. If you can properly control mana, you can control everything in this world easily. I’m sure of it.”

“By easily controlling, do you mean with anything?”

“Exactly.”

“Then… I will give it a try.”

“Oh.”

Lucius showing considerable interest in magic was unexpected.

“After all, every man loves giants.”

Giant beings.

Moving castle walls.

And beyond those, every man would be crazy and obsessed with that which is beyond.

“I think learning will have to wait. While delicate mana control is necessary, we have other tasks at hand right now.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. It brought back memories from a long time ago, which is nice.”

“Memories from long ago?”

“Yeah. It’s not particularly difficult to talk while doing this, so we can lay out the trapping net while chatting.”

The flame nets that trap the enemy’s poison bugs will ruthlessly capture and kill any bugs that come through.

Since installation isn’t difficult, I can set it up while casually chatting.

I should be able to talk without making a mistake, and since I happened to be discussing giants with Lucius, I needed to mention ‘that’ as well.

“I once rode on an enormous giant.”

“Huh?”

“Not this one made of magic, but there was one among the ancient weapons. Using a near-infinite amount of mana, it exhibited tremendous power—an incredibly powerful giant.”

It was truly powerful.

“When I say it was a significant size, it rivaled the physical form of Demon Lord Belphegor’s Black Dragon.”

Man, that was rough.

Facing off against a hero wielding a huge golem as strong as me, while going toe-to-toe with the Black Dragon’s body, I really thought I was going to die.

That’s when I learned.

There’s far more astonishing things in this world than I had ever imagined.

From that point on, I devoted myself more seriously to researching Holy Swords, which led me to understand a bit more about the essence of Holy Swords.

The immense source of mana contained within Holy Swords.

And the ‘secrets’ of the world that make it difficult to simply call them Holy Swords.

“Lucius, you might find yourself completely smitten and unable to think straight one day.”

The final liberation of the Holy Sword.

“I will definitely let you ride it properly, I promise.”

If he gets to see the ‘true form’ of the Holy Sword, he’ll probably be utterly shocked.

“Until then, I’m counting on you?”

“…Yes, I’ll do my best, Master.”

*

“…That wretched thing.”

Inside the inn.

Black Lotus, Droniel Odrone, gritted her teeth as she watched Lucius and the red Witch happily chatting together, helmet off.

“How dare they have my Lucius….”

“Excuse me, miss.”

“What?!”

“How about you take off your helmet and reveal your identity?”

Sir Rapid thumped his chest in frustration.

“Why don’t you just boldly say, ‘I am Droniel! I am your childhood friend of ten years!’?”

“How can I say that!”

Droniel screamed and expressed her frustration.

“If you’re really a childhood friend of ten years, shouldn’t you recognize me just by my voice?!”

“…Well, it might be a bit disappointing not to know that, but….”

“So what?”

“I’m going insane watching this.”

…….

Droniel fiddled with her helmet, biting her lip.

“But….”

“But what?”

“I wish Lucius would recognize me right away….”

…….

Sir Rapid could no longer say anything.

Trying to discuss this further would only frustrate her more.

“Miss….”

Beeeeeep———

An alarm rang throughout the village.

“That, that’s…?!”

Outside the window.

Countless dark shapes covered the sky.

It was.

“Narag Poison Bug?!”

The poison bug that could kill you instantaneously upon being bitten was approaching.

A truly enormous legion was descending upon the village, covering the clear sky with darkness.