Morgause's Episode

Ugh, this is exhausting... Why are there so many monsters?

I need to go back and soak in some hot water. This is the worst kind of hardship.

Uh... What should I do...? Oh, no!

Huh? A girl?

Wait a second! That... that's... Eek!

Oh no, that is dangerous!

Oh! It's you... Morgause!

Y-You... Huh? Mr. Pig?

...It's Ethan, you troublesome hat.

Still being controlled by that hat, huh, Morgause? What are you doing all the way out here, not in the Witches' Forest?

Well, that is...

Being in the forest all the time, the hat said it needs to see the sea... Huh? Why am I saying this? But that person isn't an enemy...

Sounds like there's some backstory here, but if it's the sea you're looking for, you're totally off track.

Yes?

This is a huge forest. You need to travel east for quite a while to find the sea.

Ugh... I see... I must have gotten lost...

...Eh? That's not going to help! Burning the forest won't get you to the sea!

That hat sure is trouble. It's a relief you're not getting caught by monsters like before.

W-Well, actually...

I was once captured by orcs and hung over a cauldron...

Not long ago, I was eaten by a slime, and when I came to, I had burned everything down and escaped...

Sounds like you're living on the edge... Even without going on adventures, your life is full of crises. It's a bit sad, really.

Morgause, since you're heading a long way anyway, why not rest in the village for a bit? You don't look so good.

Ah... Is that okay...?

I don't want to leave a girl like you alone in this deep forest. Plus, you look pretty exhausted...

W-Well... then, I'll be counting on you...

Then be careful on your way to the sea. I'm heading to the village now...

...?

Th-This...! It was a m-mistake!

No, there was definitely a huge sound coming from that tiny belly...

Swordbringer. Fill this foolish witch's belly. Otherwise, you'll turn to ashes.

...Huh?

S-Sorry... I suddenly lost consciousness... What did I say?

...Let's go to the village together. I'll get you something to eat.

But I have one request. Tell that hat not to cause any trouble in the village.

Yes, sure...

Thank you for the meal.

You looked so haggard that I wondered... How were you planning to travel without any money?

M-My hat didn't tell me...

Sigh... That hat... something has to be done about it.

No matter how powerful a witch you are, you can't survive in this harsh world acting like this.

It'd be embarrassing if the legendary witch died from starvation, wouldn't it?

W-Well, that's true...

Can't you do something about the hat? Can't you take it off?

If I do that, I'll be severely punished... And because of the curse...

This is a headache. Why did you even start wearing that hat?

Well...

At first, I thought it was a cool hat, but it cursed me, and now my body can't die or grow.

Huh? Instead, it gave me huge magic power and turned me into a terrifying witch?

Eek! No punishment, please! I-I didn't mean to reveal the secret... No, that's not it!

I have no idea what you're saying, but it sounds like you're getting scolded.

If you can't take it off, just burn it or tear it up.

Um, um...

Huh?

If you say that again... it will throw you into the eternal fire, Swordbringer...

Oh dear... You've really been through a lot.

Can't die or grow because of that nasty hat, and you've become something people fear.

Right...

So what happened in the past? You said you're the Scarlet Witch?

Even though you were cursed unwillingly, you're not the type to harm others.

Well... I can live with the hat now... but it wasn't always this way...

The hat couldn't control its power... it often took over my consciousness... and eventually, everything burned... Ugh...!

Are you okay, Morgause?

I-I need... lemon tea... and snacks... quickly, the hat's asking for them... Ugh...!

...Ah, I see.

You must have had a tough time. And now, you have to hide your true identity even in places where people live.

W-Well, I have no choice...

Hmm... This isn't looking good. If we can't take full control, we might have to get rid of that hat somehow.

Do you think that's possible...?

I don't know, but it's worth trying. We need to try different things, whether it's for you or for the people.

It's pitiful, but there's nothing I can do. I want to help, but I don't know how.

Well, it's your own fault. You shouldn't mess with suspicious things in the first place.

Right...

But... since that arrogant hat threatened me, I can't back down now.

Yes?

I'll handle that hat, somehow.

Are you ready, Morgause?

Y-Yes...!

Stop messing around, it's useless... Ah, the hat says... I could hit you now? This too...!

You don't need to explain everything. The more I hear, the angrier I get.

Here I go!

Ah, it's not coming off!

It won't come off because you're holding it! Let go! It can come off!

But if I let go, it gives me a headache... Ugh... It says it'll breathe fire... Ahh, AHHH!

I let go! I let go, so stop! Stooop!

S-So I can take off my underwear but not the hat? That's too harsh...

Yeah... it really is too much. Perverted hat.

It can't be helped. If it's like this, I'll shed it out of spite.

Stay still. I'll only cut the hat off.

Ugh, ughhh...

Hyah!

...! Doesn't work?

I-It's useless... The hat can't be damaged, no matter what...

What if I burn it? It's just cloth, even if there's magic on it.

I-It's futile... The hat survived the flames of a dragon. Besides... It's my... my hair...!

Come off already! Ugh!

If you keep pulling like that... Ahhh...! My head... it hurts! It says it'll breathe fire... Ah, no!

Huff... Huff... This is a headache.

I could take it off for a moment, but if I do, the magic on my body could go out of control and cause a disaster.

What? If the immortality curse is lifted, I'll turn into a skeleton in an instant? Ah, that can't happen...!

I see... there's that problem too...

I don't need to talk to that arrogant pig?

That damn hat...

Eh...? Stand up...? Forward...?

Morgause?

Uh, uhh...? I-I wasn't prepared for this...

Ahhh!

Wait a second... this position is a bit... Could you move?

I-I didn't mean to... Ahhh! Ugh, don't move. Something... that... Huff?

A perverted pig? I should show the mean pig a lesson...? So the Swordbringer...

Ahh... S-Sorryyyy! I can't control myself!

Hey! Get off! No! Ahhh!

Alright, I'll change my approach.

C-Change?

Morgause, I'll attach hideous decorations to that hat. I'll even paint a big X on it!

Once it's covered in shameful decorations, the hat will probably give up just to preserve its pride. Instead of forcing it off, we'll make it give up voluntarily.

U-Um...

Don't worry, Morgause. Since we've come this far, let's finish this.

That kind of approach isn't something the hat will fall for... It says it will just make me look embarrassing...

Hmm...?

Ah... I see... Since you are the one wearing it, people will think you are strange...

What should we do now...

I think it's better to stop...

If you keep plotting like this, next time she'll come off completely... Eeek! N-No, stop! We need to stop!

Haaa...

I guess there's no choice. If you're insisting, I can't push any further.

T-Thank you...

Is this really okay? You said the hat makes things difficult.

None of your business...I mean not that!

I've been living with it for so long now that I've adapted...

Hmm...

Sometimes it punishes me, and... makes me say strange things...

...You really don't seem okay at all.

Ehh...

Anyway, you can still control it, right?

We've come to the village after a long time, but if you cause another big problem... you might become a target across the entire continent as the Scarlet Witch.

I can do it. As long as I keep my mind clear, I won't be completely controlled...

I can't sleep, but I'm used to it now...

You shouldn't go without sleep. At least for today, rest easy. I'll keep an eye on you.

R-Really...?

Yep.

Why are you so concerned about me...?

I don't know, but for some reason, I just can't leave you be. You seem like a little sister who doesn't know the world.

I can't just leave that damn hat either.

You weird person... Humans are deceitful, don't let them trick you...? But, Swordbringer... Ah, pig...!

It's Swordbringer! Ethan!

V-Valuable...?

We've been through things in the Witches' Forest and other stuff too. If we fought together, that makes us companions, right?

I... just received help...

Ha ha, like with the goblins. Anyway, I just don't want you to suffer.

I'm grateful just for your words... What? You're saying he'll betray me after using sweet words to trick me...?

I won't!