Chapter 4: 5-Minute Countdown to Kingdom Implosion

What in the world...? What's happening...?

Completely ruined.

Just thinking about this bakery district used to make me feel all warm and fuzzy... but now it's turned into a pile of smoldering ashes...!

Where am I supposed to buy baked goods now?! WAAAAAHH!

Is this the time for jokes?!

Over there... the palace seems to be untouched.

My house... my collections... are gone...?

My seed capital... Are you all I have left now...?

Me?

They burned down their own homes... Why would I know anything?

Well, that's because you've got a history of cooking things up...

Yes, those were my plans originally. But, I lost to you guys and have been dragged around ever since, haven't I?

So you're going to pin this on me as well...?

N-No, but...

This is too much. I might be guilty of a few things, but not everything...

...S-Sorry...

.........

However...

I have a hunch that this is the doing of my accomplice who has repeatedly double-crossed me.

Yeah... Fricle...

Nothing has been confirmed yet, so let's continue on a little further.

Who knows what'll pop out at us, so let's have Elena walk ahead of us.

What?

It's the least you can do since you tried to destroy my kingdom!

You're kidding, right?

R-Really?

Absolutely not! Have you lost your mind? Elena tried to destroy us!

Would it be wise to release her right now? Although it does look weird having her tied up, a criminal is still a criminal...

R-Release me! I promise that I won't do anything...!

If that's how you feel, Master, then... very well. I will trust you.

Ner!

You must have faith, Your Majesty! The prophesied Master has spoken!

Tch...

You're really... releasing me? Th-Thanks!

Of course it's not! Do humans just release other humans that ruined their kingdom?!

Anyway, since the Master has also agreed to keep her bound, we will not be untying her...

Hmph...!

You're the typical human, eh? What did I expect? The cruelty of providing hope and then taking it away...

I've already endured many of your psychological torture sessions, so I've grown accustomed to them now!

Do you know how many times the camp menu said "cutlet"—only for them to serve beans in soy sauce instead?!

I really tried to repent, but I can't take this any longer!

Huh? L-Look at that!

That's right! I had my Automatic Restraint Cutting Knife S-2000 in my pocket!

You never had any intention of repenting, did you?!

Hehe... Ahahahaha!

You really thought that I would repent so easily... How foolish!

I knew this would happen!

Because I have common sense.

Look around you! Where is the kingdom I should show remorse to? It's already been destroyed!

There's no point in continuing with this display of remorse!

A-Are you betraying us?!

By now, my secretary, Amelia, should have repaired the M.E.O.W. that you guys destroyed.

Once I press the M.E.O.W. beacon in my pocket, you guys are toast!

Everybody grab something—anything—and attack her!

Eeek! G-Get away from me! I'm gonna press it! I'll have this land go up in flames!

Gah!

Geez... What took you so long to return, Your Majesty?

Ashur!!!

YOU TRAITORRR!!!!

Kyaah! Why did you suddenly hit me in the head—What are you doing right now?!

*Sniff* You ungrateful bread sack! How dare you sneak away and sell us out when we were trying to escape together...?!

What are you saying? When did I sell you out?

I went the wrong way while escaping and was caught by the insurgents!

No! I heard all of it! I saw you beg them pitifully to let you go, claiming that you were on their side!

Isn't that the obvious thing to do? Everybody was chasing me and threatening me with sticks, so I needed to get out of that!

In fact, I thought that you would come back to rescue me, Your Majesty! But you just abandoned me like that!

Stop fighting, everyone!

Good to see that you are safe, Marie!

Ashur is on our side! I can prove it!

What? R-R-Really?

When I was distributing the food that Chief Diana brought, everybody started fighting and causing a ruckus, but Ashur gave me a place to hide.

Chief Diana returned to the Werebeast Village before things got out of hand, so she should be safe.

You really... didn't betray me?

Would I be standing here before you if I had betrayed you, Your Majesty?

Ashur... I'm sorry...

I'm sorry! Waaaaahh!

Well, we're all here now, safe. That's all that matters.

By the way, what is that thing you are holding?

A baguette. It's a baked blunt weapon that I can use for self-defense in an emergency.

By the way, who is this elf? Why was everybody struggling with her?

...Really? That's what the elves were up to?

And you guys stopped them? And this is the Mayor of Monatium with you...?

What happened to the kingdom while we were gone?

I'm also hazy on the details... but I'll tell you what I know the best I can.

Ever since Her Majesty fled the kingdom, the insurgents and guards fought each other every day.

By insisting that I was just a bakery owner who didn't know anything... I was able to stay out of harm's way by making baked goods for both sides.

Of course it wasn't regular baked goods! I mixed grass with flour and baked it in a pan. It was flat.

Grass? Blech! Is it even edible?

I mean, it was sort of okay.

That's how most of the bakery owners residing in the bakery district were able to avoid conflict. However...

One day, strange sprites started to appear.

They suddenly started supplying bakeries with a mysterious yellow powder, claiming that it was a sugar alternative...

Do you think that someone with my baking expertise wouldn't know what brown sugar is?!

It was definitely a sweet powder, but it wasn't sugar!

We started making baked goods using that. It was better than nothing.

Once everyone started eating the baked goods, things started to improve.

The insurgent army gradually started to shrink, and even the guards returned to carrying out their duties properly.

We thought that things would be back to normal once Her Majesty returned. That's when things went sideways.

We call it... Browngate.

Those weird sprites turned out to be witches... and the main makeup of the yellow powder was revealed too!

It was made of plant lice that feed off the roots of Yggdrasil.

BLEEECHH!!!!!!!!!!

When I first noticed things that looked like insect legs in the powder, I just chalked it up to poor storage conditions...

E-Enough...

But when someone found half a bug in something they took a bite out of, everybody freaked out and the 2nd insurgency began.

Everybody just lost their minds! The guards, myself, everyone!

The goal of the insurgency was to locate and apprehend the witches responsible for supplying the powder...

Well, that's kind of what happened. We kept holding 'witch trials.'

It was a vicious cycle of everyone suspecting each other and reporting their neighbors... Eventually, with sprites calling other sprites witches, the kingdom fell to ruin.

Once things got so out of hand that there was nothing left to burn, everybody finally calmed down. It was too late by then, though.

What about the palace then? Why is my palace still standing?

It was used as the court for the witch trials. Also, it was the only place without an owner, so there was no reason to burn it down.

They're living in a shantytown that they set up near the palace.

The more fortunate sprites are sharing food, so they'll be hoping for meal distributions.

It's alright! Once we bring Elena to them and let them throw a few stones at her, they'll all feel better!

Your Majesty, you must act with caution. The denizens are even more on edge than they were during the 1st insurgency, which was sparked by their anger towards you.

Well, since they aren't mad at me this time, maybe they'll be willing to listen.

That is true. Furthermore, since we have been able to stop the elves and their plot, and resume the sugar deliveries, this will be your chance to calm the denizens.

Also... I have an ace up my sleeve, hehe...

Why does that make me feel so anxious... What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?

Ah... It's nothing! Hehe...

Here we are. The shantytown next to the palace is just up ahead.

*Whisper Whisper* Isn't that the Queen...? *Whisper Whisper*

*Whisper Whisper* The Queen returned? *Whisper Whisper*

Of course.

Don't you worry!

Ahem!

Citizens of Sprite Kingdom! I, Queen Erpin, have returned!

I present to you, the culprit who has plunged this kingdom into chaos!

Urgh... My head...

Where am I, urgh...

An elf?

What does this have to do with an elf?

The Mayor of Monatium, Elena, monopolized the sugar and then cut off its supply!

She is the reason behind our inability to have proper baked goods all this time!

Something is not right. Something feels off...

However, I, Erpin, have decided to forgive her!

The elves backstabbed us because they needed help...

And I've promised to provide them with the assistance they need on the condition they resume deliveries of ingredients.

Therefore, my subjects, let us persevere just a bit longer and rebuild this kingdom together!

That should do the trick, right? Hehe.

Justice...

Where is the justice?!

Wh-What? Wh-Who said that?!

Don't be fooled by the queen! Don't you all remember the chaos that followed after she ran away during the first insurgency?

Now is our chance to bring about the justice we sought during the first insurgency!

Eeek!

Wait... who... is that? I have never seen that denizen before...

What are you talking about...? I am merely a passing denizen who wants justice...

Th-This dank-sweet smell...! This throat-choking aroma of sweet potatoes!

A witch! She's a witch!

Tch... They've caught on...

This was the perfect opportunity to take over the kingdom... These sprites aren't to be taken lightly... To think they'd see through me by scent alone.

Get her!

Heehee... Do you really think a bunch of starved sprites will be a match for me?

Who are you?! Reveal yourself!

Teeheehee...

I am Velvet, the Witch of Power!

I will become your new Queen and rule over all sprites!

Huh? Who the heck is Velvet?

I thought Fricle would be the one to show up.

What? Fricle? Fricle is here?

Hmm, good. It's too troublesome to think about competing with anyone else for the kingdom I called dibs on.

Hey! I'm the Queen here, so don't act like I don't exist!

Heehee... Queen? You abandoned your kingdom and ran away!

That's not my fault! It's because the elves plotted against us...!

Where's your evidence?

Elena! Say something!

Hmm...

I've been thinking...

Erpin, if I stand with you, I'm a criminal... But if I join that Velvet character, I wouldn't be...

What?

Therefore... I request asylum in "New Sprite Kingdom"!

You... You dirtbag!!!!

Velvet, was it? If you rescue me from these guys, I'll supply sugar to your new kingdom, hehehe...!

Nah.

What...?

Huh?

Just who do you think you're peddling your sugar to? We aren't like these picky sugar-addicted sprites!

Why are YOU so surprised?!

Good health and strength come from a well-balanced diet! I will reshape the diets of these uncivilized, sugar-addicted sprites and turn this into a powerful kingdom!

N-No!

Therefore, I don't need the help of the elves!

Gargh...

I-I'm to blame! Queen Erpin speaks the truth! The Queen speaks the truuuuuth!!!!

M-My subjects! You heard her, right? I'm the real Queen!

*Whisper Whisper* Her tone suddenly became weird... *Whisper Whisper*

Wh-What the heck are all of you guys muttering? It's so insulting!

*Whisper Whisper* Why is she suddenly being so rude? *Whisper Whisper*

Oops! The drugs are wearing off now...?! I need some more chow...

You had some chow, Your Majesty?!

Yeah, we do have some quality stuff. You are aware that there are side effects, though, right?

I noticed that I pass out after having a whole can of chow, so I eat only a bit at a time.

You do temporarily get smarter when you have them, but once the effects wear off...

Your brain cells are unable to handle the heightened IQ and are destroyed. In the end, you become stupider.

WHAT?!?!?! You didn't think that you should have mentioned this when you apologized to the werebeasts?! You should have told them to stop eating it!

But... their base IQ is already at rock bottom, so there basically are no side effects for them.

Geez...

...You just really know how to pick your words, don't you?

If you include what I ate merely because I was hungry... about 120 cans...

This is the worst! Not only is Her Majesty a doping addict, but she has been actively making her IQ drop to zero!!

I didn't know about the side effects! It doesn't count since I didn't know!

Shut up!!!!!!!

Ugh!

Why is her voice so loud...

Are you really chatting away in front of your enemy? I'm getting awfully annoyed, so just come at me already!

We should establish who's in charge in front of everyone, you know...! Haha!

We should be able to handle a lone witch!

So, you finally found the stomach to fight?

Now... let's see how powerful the mighty Sprite Queen is!

Darn it! I'm so busy blocking attacks that I can't find an opening to counter!

Gyaaah! Cowards! Attacking me all at once!

Are sprites devoid of honor?!

This doesn't count, it doesn't count! Fight me one-on-one, and make this fair and square!

If that's what you want, then I'll take you on!

Are you serious, Your Majesty?

Don't worry! I learned that the dumber you are, the stronger you become!

I never taught you to think like that, Your Majesty!

Do you really think that I, the Queen, won't be able to beat a single witch?!

Have you not been watching what I can do? This is a piece of cake!

Are you looking down on me again? Stop grumbling and watch!

Velvet! I accept your duel! Hehe, I'll let you make the first move, so come at me with all you have!

Is that wise?

Hmph, someone's cocky! Here I come!! Heeyaaaaaa!

*Clang?*

Hmm?

My... axe...

You're wrong!

Velvet's axe-wielding magic has been dispelled by Her Majesty's innate defense magic!

That's all you've got...? Hehe... hgnh...

Screw you...!

She wasn't able to block the physical shockwave from the axe-wielding magic!

Wh-What? The Queen fainted...? Did I win?

I didn't even land a proper hit... Don't tell me... I was able to defeat her with just my intimidating presence?

I'm stronger than I thought!

Don't get cocky over the Queen knocking herself out!

You can't prove otherwise, can you?

All I have to do is claim that I overwhelmed the Sprite Queen with just my glare! Hahaha!

So infuriating... We can't prove otherwise...

Denizens of Sprite Kingdom! Did you see that? How your Queen lost to me!

Kneel before your new Queen!!!

N-New Queen, what is being served in the next meal distribution?

Arrowroot porridge. Even just a whiff of it will make you feel healthier!

Down with the new Queen!!!! She must go!!!!

Drive out the new Queen!! Reinstate the old Queen!!

Wh-What are you—

ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!!!!!

Power truly does come from the citizenry! This is a perfect example.

We will try to stop her, so please get out of here with the Queen who has fainted!

You fools! Back off!! How can you live off of just sweets?!

Of course, she will have to keep her promise to keep the sugar supplies coming once she reclaims her throne.

This way, everyone!

Let's go to my bakery—magic school, I mean!

Thankfully, yes.

I am worried that Her Majesty, with her completely diminished IQ, might try to engage the witch in another duel.

Although it may seem like it, Velvet is probably not acting alone.

Remember how I said there were other witches here when the yellow powder was distributed?

Yes...

Witches are opportunists who live according to the logic of power.

To my knowledge, witches move up in rank through one-to-one combat.

The mightiest of them essentially becomes the Witch Queen...

She is Queen Erpin's sister.

The Witch Queen, Belita...

Yes. A supreme and wise individual who was born on the same day and same time as Queen Erpin...

Velvet... Fricle... The more I think about it, the stranger it is.

I have never seen the Witches come up to the surface and cause trouble before...

They say that she's gone missing.

I heard about it from Fricle. You haven't forgotten that we were accomplices, right?

She's missing? What do you mean?

I'm saying that the underground world is in an uproar because the Witch Queen has suddenly disappeared.

Apparently, everybody is constantly fighting over who will become the new Queen.

And?

That's all I know.

I'm not interested in your power struggles! There was no reason for me to ask any further!

But why are they causing problems on the surface? It is not as if they will become the Witch Queen by becoming the ruler of Sprite Kingdom...

You are so proactive, Master! It gives the rest of us hope and the strength to move on!

Urgh... My head is spinning...

Where am I...? I'm in Ashur's bakery!

I told you, it's not a bakery, it's a school!!!

My head? Urgh... It aches a bit... My ears are still ringing...

Your Majesty! How were you able to use defense magic so quickly?

Casting magic at such a rapid speed... I see you in a new light, Your Majesty!

Defense magic...?

Sorry?

I dunno... Didn't you guys save me?

Whaat? Thick-skulled? Are you making fun of me?

Wait.

What?

Let's see...

Huh, what's with the baguette? It's super dry and disgusting.

YEEEEOOWW!!!!!!

That hurts! Are you getting back at me for hitting you?!

I wonder why that strike went through this time...

Perhaps we need to hit her with an iron object instead of a baguette? Like an axe?

Put that frying pan down. Put it down!

I have never cast such magic upon Her Majesty.

The title of monarch must be attained by trial by fire. Being overprotective leads to bad habits.

Hmm...

Human, have you not yet realized that there is no concept of death in this world?

Sigh... So you don't understand it properly. Want to hear something interesting?

We elves had actually died.

What I mean is that before we arrived in Elias, we had already died in our home dimension.

This is a world that does not allow death.

When I established Monatium, I had created the death penalty for the most heinous crimes, modeled off our laws from back on the home planet...

Imagine my immense surprise when I realized that death was impossible.

The electric chair would "tickle"... And shooting firearms would only be as effective as shooting rubber bullets at best.

Yes, really. That's why I was forced to give the worst criminals mere life sentences, which only drain our taxes.

What are you two babbling on about? I don't understand a single thing.

Please just refer to it as a gun. Not Coco. It gives me the creeps.

It's the same with Erpin. When Velvet swung her axe, that was a death blow.

Just what exactly is a death blow?!

My guess is that it has something to do with Yggdrasil, but I can't be certain. I never got the chance to study it properly.

Hey, hey! Enough chatting between yourselves... How about we brainstorm what to do next?

Yes, Master. We must act quickly if we are to stop the witches!

An important fact that we must not forget is that Velvet is not alone. We do not know how many more Witches are involved.

No matter how arrogant the witch may be... She would have brought an army or something with her in order to conquer the kingdom.

An insurgent army consisting of only commoners will eventually fall!

But, there are... guards, right?

I saw them at the palace during the witch trials. Ever since the trials began to die down... I haven't been back there, so I'm not sure myself.

The sewers!

There's a hole that connects the sewers to the palace. We should be able to enter through there!

.........?

Marie, how do you know about that?

...What?

Ah! Aaah... I-I helped the Queen escape through there once during one of her runaway attempts! Haha!

Ahem... Your Majesty...! The back gate is a secret pathway. You should not be telling others about it!

Ehh? I-I didn't... d-did I? I don't remember...

It seems that her diminished IQ is affecting her memory as well.

Hmm... We could use the cellular reconstruction device at our biotech facility, but we can't go all the way to Monatium right now.

That sounds like a good plan.

Huh? I'm good with anything as long as I get to eat baked goods. Hehe...

Arrrrgh...!!!

Would it kill you to untie me?!

Th-That time I thought I would be able to escape!

There's nowhere to go here! I can't do anything but work with you guys right now!

Please ignore her, Master. The Elves are an untrustworthy race.

Let's see... If we open this door...

We're in!

This is the warehouse. Her Majesty absolutely despises the—

Bean Logs! AHHHH! Why do we still have so many of these horrid things?!

No one's eating them. That's why.

Once the kingdom is stabilized, the first thing that I should do is cut down all of the surrounding chestnut trees!

Why are we wasting the resources and time to grow things like chestnuts?! Can't we use magic to grow things like pastry trees?!!

The guard lounge is not too far away.

After we take a left down the hallway, we should see a big room. Take the left passage from there and it's at the end of that.

.........

How do you know this in such great detail?

I-I just remembered from helping H-Her Majesty run away! Haha!

Have you just been going around spilling all the secrets of this palace, Your Majesty?

Er... H-Have I?

Have I? What do you mean by, "Have I?" Do not even think about running away from now on!

Eeek...

Beats me. There usually are one or two patrolling...

They're probably gathered in the lounge, taking a nap or something.

I mean... all the guards do really is catch baked good thieves... They're nothing but lazy oafs...!

Your Queen has arrived! Get your butts out here!

Wh-What? Where is everyone?

Ner?

There is no use in asking me. I have been at your side the entire time, Your Majesty.

That's strange.

The last trial was held a week ago... Did everybody go on vacation or something?

Maybe they simply all ran away?

They all... abandoned this place...?

They just left...? Because I was too late in returning...?

Y-Your Majesty! Now is not the time to shed tears! You must remain strong!

My incompetence... drove them away?

.........

Okie...

Hehe... It seems that you guys are in a pickle.

If that's the case... then I could be of help to you.

As part of an ALLIANCE, that is.

Do you remember when I tried to make my escape? It seems that you've forgotten that I have the M.E.O.W. beacon in my pocket.

I was so focused on Ashur's baguette swordsmanship that I totally forgot about it, so it's Ashur's fault...

We can discuss your shoddy treatment of prisoners later.

What matters now is that we can use the beacon.

If we send a signal to the robot and the Monatium Suppression Unit, we can contain this situation in one fell swoop!

Are you serious?!

Signal, then betrayal...

Argh! I won't betray you guys! I'm really going to help!!!

You're giving me an aneurysm, seriously!

Nice! Now we're talking!

Help me out of these first.

Wait! Can't we just send the signal ourselves?

It's inside my pocket...

Gyah! That tickles! Don't put your hands inside someone else's pocket!

There's only one button. We just need to press this and we're done, right?

N-No! You can't just press it! You have to send a signal in Morse code!

Morse... what?

Why is this so flimsy?

How did you even break it?! You bonehead!!!

EEEEEEK! Are you done?!

Argh! You guys are so frustrating, seriously!

Just what do you think you guys will be able to do?!

I'm genuinely offering my help, and yet you still refuse it?

.........

I can't argue with that, but...

You guys aren't in a position to be nitpicky right now! My survival depends on your survival!

Please... let me just press it! Just this once!

Okay. We might have a shot at victory if we all fight together.

I'd rather we lose as one than rely on elves!

Sigh... Alright, suit yourselves. I clearly offered to help. You guys refused, okay?

Shut up!

What's going on?

Outside! The sound is coming from outside!

Hahaha! That's right! Chew carefully! Continue to eat it like this and your blood sugar will decrease, making you very healthy!

Grrrrr... The humiliation...

It's too bitter! How can anyone eat this?!

It's too savory! I can't stand it!

The sprites have been captured! Charge in there and rescue them!

Wh-Where did you all come from?!

Hey you... you look kinda strong. Let's see how you fare against the mighty Tig!

Blech... You smell like a wet dog! Do you even bathe?!

Tig! Hold off on fighting for now and evacuate the sprites first!

What? But Chief! I want to fight!

The werebeasts came to our aid...!

Diana!!

Your Majesty! I brought a few werebeasts along just in case, and it's a good thing...!

It took me some time to convince Tig to come along, but I'm glad that we aren't too late.

Hmph, I didn't come here to help, so no need to thank me.

I only came along because I was told that I'd be able to have an amazing fi—

Aaargh! Hitting my head with your staff hurts!!!!

Enough with the nonsense, you rascal!

I told you to evacuate the sprites!!

Just you wait, Chief! The day that I become Chief—

OW! Okay, okay, I'm on it now!

Rufo, Beni! Follow me! Protect the sprites!

Aye, aye, Captain!

Have the sprites allied themselves with these beasts...? This was not in my calculations... Argh...

Victory was almost within my grasp... Darn it!

Master! The werebeasts are fighting the witches and drawing their attention!

You... Y-You...! You cowards! How dare you attack me from both sides...?!

I am the powerful Velvet...! I am the witch who shall rule the surface!

Do you think that I will surrender to the likes of you?!

Why is a witch trying to conquer the surface? Why are you doing such a thing?

Th-That's...

Urgh...

M-Move!

Gyaah! Why is she so strong? I thought I'd be knocked out!

Gyaah... How does she still have so much strength left?!

Witches live by the logic of power... so each witch is incredibly strong!

She's entering the palace! After her!

Why did she go into the palace?

She shouldn't know about the palace's secret pathway... So, it is basically a dead end for her...

It certainly is an odd choice for an escape route.

Anyway, we'll have the upper hand, so that's a good thing.

You there! You're in the way! Move, punk!

Hey, we're all on the same side here!

I've finally found a worthy opponent after all this time... I'm not gonna let you guys get to her first!

Do you know how difficult it was to get Diana off of my back?!

Tig!! Stop right there!!

Captain! Wait for us!

Eeek! When did she catch up?! I'll get going first!

Your Majesty! I'm sorry! Tig ran off by herself again...!

It's alright, Diana. After all, she came here to help everyone.

Me too!! I tried to help too!

.........

Thanks, but no thanks...

Okay!

Tig...!

Captain!

Good timing.

Take this pathetic fool with you.

What have you done to Tig, witch?!

She was rushing... and then ran into a pillar in the corridor, knocking herself out.

.........

D-Don't lie! Captain Tig probably fainted after fighting valiantly!

You guys arrived right after she did... You really think there was enough time for that?

Indeed... it would make more sense that she knocked herself out by running into the pillar given the timeframe...!

Velvet! Get your butt off of my throne!

I'm on it, so it's mine!

Stop being so childish. Did you call dibs or something?!

Yeah, I called dibs!

I made a clear announcement to the others before coming up to the surface!

I told them that the surface was mine and not to follow!

Has the Witch Queen given her approval?

There's no way that the Witch Queen would approve such a thing!

The Queen?

Hmph! The Witch Queen isn't interested in these affairs anymore. It's been a long time since she ran away.

Missing?

Ha! That's just something the top witches fabricated... She merely ran away somewhere!

That's a cowardly queen for ya!

Urggggh...

Rumors said that the Sprite Queen on the surface had also abandoned her country in fear. I figured that it would be a good opportunity for me.

Urgggggggh...!

Sisters take after each other after all, eh? Peas in a pod, they are! Hahaha!

DON'T BAD MOUTH MY BIG SIS!!!!!

She's not the type to do that! You're mistaken!

Sigh... How sickening.

Down there, fights just never end because it's always witches fighting other witches of the same level. That's why I came to the surface, but...

Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I couldn't believe that the surface-dwellers were able to go toe-to-toe with us witches... Had we been stuck down there too long...?

It was all part of the Witch Queen's plan to weaken us by keeping us confined, like frogs in a well.

It's not her fault!!!

We grow stronger by clashing against each other... But the Witch Queen just kept us confined to this underground commune.

My eyes have been opened now... As to just how black the Witch Queen's heart is...

Shut up! I don't want to listen to this anymore!!!

Heehee... I see that the palace is completely empty. Has everyone abandoned their queen and fled?

So what if you don't want to listen? What are you going to do about it? What can you possibly achieve by yourself?

She is trying to provoke you! Do not listen to her!

Arrrgh!! I'm gonna wipe that grin off of your face!

Yes, this is what I've been waiting for! Hahaha!

Kyaaa... That hurts...

See? It's so easy when they come at me alone...

Darn it...!

You have insulted Her Majesty...

And attacked her viciously... You shall not be forgiven!

Master! Everybody! Let us defeat this witch and reclaim the kingdom!

Sure, come at me then! I have no intention of surrendering!

Is this the end... Urgh...

This was... the perfect opportunity to have my own throne too... Tch...

Well, well, well...

Look at your pathetic state...

I heard that there was another witch aside from myself who came to the surface, and imagined them to be a powerful figure... But look at you, kneeling before these weaklings!

F-Fricle!

Still... it might not be a bad thing. Ambitious individuals often prove to be valuable.

Fricle! Perfect timing!! Get me out of these! We're accomplices!

.........

That was ages ago... why are you still beating that dead horse?!

Anyway, let's call it a day for now.

It's not like we can kill each other, you know what I mean?

What kind of idiotic question is that? Why do you think that we wouldn't know what it is?

What did you expect from those who live comfortably on the surface...

Why don't you explain it to them then? I'm quite busy, so...

Where do you think you are going? We will be putting both you and Elena on trial for conspiring with each other and plunging the surface into chaos!

Haha! Look, Priestess. I never intended to get your approval.

Take care. Hehehe...

Your Majesty! Are you alright? Your Majesty!!

Urgh... Ner...

You are okay! Thank goodness.

Sorry... I'm so weak... seems I can't even beat a single witch...

You weren't in your right mind when you ran at her anyway. Don't blame yourself too much

Okie...

Captain, are you alright?

Argh! I'm fine, so let go of me!

I merely let my guard down and she knocked me out with her axe!

SH-SHUT UP!

Is everything over now, then?

Looks like things will be peaceful for a while, though. We've just won, so relax and enjoy the moment!

The palace will restore our house, too, right?

Will claim... compensation for damages...

I believe it is because everyone accepts you as one of us, Master.

Master! How could you say such a thing?! It sounds like you suspect me of having an ulterior motive!

Of course, as the Master, you will partially be handling tasks related to rebuilding the kingdom, but we will keep things within reasonable limits!

I... I'll help too!

If I also grab a shovel, we'll be able to finish twice as fast!

What are you so worried about?

It just doesn't feel like everything's over...

Hehe... Well, don't worry too much... Everything turned out okay, did it not?

Anyway... You wanted to talk business... Hehe...

Yes, I will get straight to the point. I need information on the witches.

Please keep an eye on the witches and keep me informed of their movements.

You need an informant? That's gonna cost you...

Do not worry. I will take care of that.

Confident. I like that, Priestess. Okay... Hehe...

You'll have what you wish.