Volume 1 Chapter 31 The True Value Of The ‘Witch Of Destruction’
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Takumi, and Hikari. Is it okay if I take a moment?” Kanare-san asked politely, his gaze steady.
I wanted to hear a detailed report from Chinatsu-chan and the new 3rd Division members, but since Kanare-san was a busy person who had come all the way from my unit, it must be something important. I left the hearing of the mid-level exploration results to Kurumi-chan and Saki-chan and guided them into the base.
”You’ve kept it nice and tidy,” Kanare-san commented, his voice carrying a faint smile. “I’m happy because I used to stay here when it was a barracks.”
Kanare-san had once been a company commander, but now he had been promoted to battalion commander of the McGaref Autonomous Government army. The Autonomous Government army seemed to be at the brigade level, so he was quite a high-ranking officer. As we entered a small room in the base, Kanare-san immediately brought up the topic.
”The other day,” he began, “I received a report that Haruka has been hunting monsters with powerful magic in the upper levels. However, since the unit exploring the upper levels is inexperienced, the report was vague, saying something like ‘they’re using powerful incantation magic, but we don’t really understand it.’ So today, I thought I would check it out for myself.”
Ah, that’s why Kanare-san personally joined the mid-level exploration team. I had a feeling it was strange for such a high-ranking person to be diving in.
”I knew it from the moment I saw it,” he continued, “but I asked Haruka directly and got the information. To obtain the ‘Agilaus Staff’… that’s incredible luck. I’m technically the battalion commander, so I’ve memorized all the information about the maps of the upper levels, the monsters, and the treasures that can be obtained. Based on that knowledge, the Agilaus Staff is the most valuable treasure in the upper levels, with no use other than selling it.”
Even though we were in a closed room, Kanare-san spoke in a hushed voice. The tension in his tone made us instinctively straighten our backs.
”You understand what it means that it has no use other than selling it, right?” he asked, looking at me seriously.
”Um,” I replied cautiously, “first of all, the rarity of the ritual magic skill holder who can use it… right?”
”Exactly.” Kanare-san nodded. “And apparently, that staff is very difficult to use. Just because someone has the skill doesn’t mean they can handle it, and if the output is even slightly off, it can break. I arrived at the mid-level and immediately directed the unit to head in a different direction. I then stationed people at the entrance and made it so that adventurer parties were prohibited from entering our direction, and accompanied Hikari and the others.”
Is that so? When I looked at Hikari-chan, she nodded in agreement. In other words, they cleared the area of people.
”To put it simply,” Kanare-san continued, “Chinatsu was terrifyingly strong. To take down that Opal Cerberus in a one-on-one battle is an extraordinary feat. I was shaken by her strength and moved. It seems she even defeated ‘Swift Weed.’ I also promised to have Chinatsu train me next time… However, Chinatsu’s strength is ultimately her individual strength.”
It seemed Chinatsu-chan was indeed very strong even in the mid-levels. Well, that made sense; for Chinatsu-chan, who defeated the guardian of the upper-level treasure hall in 2 moves, mid-level monsters would be no match. After praising Chinatsu-chan’s strength for a while, Kanare-san wove in unexpected words.
”Takumi, this is the main point,” he said gravely. “Do not let others see Haruka’s abilities. Especially, do not let her participate in the mid-level explorations where there are many discerning individuals.”
”Huh? What do you mean?” I instinctively leaned forward, puzzled. Kanare-san’s expression was completely serious. Seeing that expression reminded me of the time during the first dungeon exploration when Iizuka-kun almost died due to overconfidence and was scolded.
”Haruka is too strong,” Kanare-san explained firmly. “I have experienced war many times. On the battlefield, the presence of a ‘witch’ greatly influences the situation. And as far as I know, Haruka’s abilities are among the top tier of witches. Keep it hidden, Takumi. Never let Haruka’s power leak out… especially not to the upper echelons of the Quvarian Empire.”
”If Haruka’s power is known,” I asked hesitantly, “does that mean she will be recruited by the military?”
”That’s right,” Kanare-san confirmed. “If a witch like Haruka is discovered, she will undoubtedly be positioned as the highest combat power of the Quvarian Empire.”
”That would be something Haruka-chan would dislike,” I muttered.
”Indeed,” Kanare-san nodded. “You all do not belong on the battlefield. I know that well as the one who guided you. And actually, I have not reported to the higher-ups that Haruka can use ritual magic.”
Shrugging and smiling wryly, Kanare-san continued speaking.
”So, if it gets out, I won’t get off scot-free either. In fact, today, I asked her to cast a single magic spell with the staff’s output maximized. That was a game-changer. With a combat power like Haruka’s, the emperor and generals would surely want to use her. ‘If Haruka unleashes ritual magic, wouldn’t it be easy to win against that country?’ ‘I want to witness firsthand the level of destruction it can cause on the battlefield.’”
Well, that’s how it is. Kanare-san’s concerns resonated with us, bringing a sense of reality. And that was likely not off the mark.
”If war breaks out, McGaref will have to send out troops,” he said somberly. “Many of my subordinates will likely die. More than that, if the troops are deployed, the security in McGaref will worsen, and theft and crime will increase. Especially the surrounding rural areas will become unprotected. Many women and children will suffer tragic fates… I come from the countryside. I became a soldier not to expand the territory of this country, but to protect those who work hard and sweat. This loyalty is not to the empire, but to the parliament and the people of McGaref. Therefore, I want to avoid war. Please, Takumi. Fortunately, witches are only listed anonymously in the hierarchy. Please keep Haruka’s abilities a secret.”
Hikari-chan and I exchanged glances and nodded. We also did not want to see Haruka-chan being drafted into war or more people becoming unfortunate victims of bandit attacks.
”Understood,” I replied firmly. “I will reorganize the party and ensure that Haruka-chan does not go into the labyrinth.”
”Thank you,” Kanare-san said gratefully. “I will also make arrangements so that Ginga and the others can quickly reunite at this base.”
Thus, we ended up with an unexpected mission: ‘Do not let Haruka-chan’s true worth leak out.’
* * *
After seeing off Kanare-san, who was hurriedly returning to the garrison, Hikari-chan and I discussed future plans with Mido-kun, Kurumi-chan, and Haruka-chan. We gathered everyone in the cafeteria and, after receiving advice that it would be better to keep Haruka-chan’s abilities hidden, confirmed that we would temporarily halt activities in the new 3rd Division.
”We’re fighting to survive,” Mido-kun declared firmly. “I don’t want to drag Date-san into a pointless war.”
Everyone agreed with Mido-kun’s words. I really felt lucky to be in this class. There was no one with a personality that would leak unnecessary information, so we could share information with peace of mind and act as one.
”I’m sorry, everyone,” Haruka-chan said quietly. “I thought I could finally graduate from ‘Cannon-chan’ and become a force…”
”It’s okay, Haruka-chan,” I reassured her. “The enemies will be taken down by me and Chisame, so don’t worry.”
While nuzzling against Chisame, who was in its sheath, Chinatsu-chan smiled gently. Um, I’ve never seen it let go. It seemed she even brought it into the bath saying, ‘Chisame is a girl too, so it needs to be cleaned,’ and… I bet she brings it during sex too, huh…
”So, is it alright for Date-san to continue fighting mainly with chant magic as before?” Haruka-chan asked.
”Yes,” I answered. “Let’s say to the other adventurer parties that we were just carelessly wasting magic stones without worrying about the profits and losses from the last incident. Since the rule is not to pry too much into each other’s affairs, I think everyone will be fine with it.”
”I’m sorry, it’s because I’m not contributing much at mid-level,” Kurumi-chan admitted. “Recently, my physical ability enhancement skills have been upgraded, so I thought I could be of some help…”
”Don’t worry about it,” Mido-kun said cheerfully. “Today’s results were amazing. In the past, that would have been worth about a month’s earnings, right?”
”Wait, are we really earning that much?” I asked in disbelief. “Honestly, what were all the struggles of the past few years, and what are Ginga-kun and the others going through now…? This is how we disbanded, and Kurumi-chan and Ouji-chan went to Ginga-kun’s base. Just to be safe, I had Mikoshiba-kun and Shikatani-kun, the harmless duo, provide security. I feel bad asking them to come back so soon after moving, but I want to reorganize with Ginga-kun, Nagasaka Shion-san, and Kotaro Kano-kun as soon as possible.”
And as night fell, Haruka-chan, with a flushed face, visited my room.
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Notes:
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Saki-chan – 3rd Division, virgin, grateful to Takumi.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Saki – Endo Saki. C Cup. Virgin. Actually…
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Haruka-chan – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Mido-kun – 4th Army leader. Optimistic, cooperative.
• Kotaro Kano-kun – 2nd Division leader. Pragmatic.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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