Volume 9 Chapter 46 Day Three (Witch of the Turning Heavens Livia)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was only a few hours after Nagasaka Shion had been taken by Yoshizaki Rira.
In the main camp of the 1st Division, the Black Flame General Grano kept raising farewell cups with his officers. All of them were seasoned veterans.
”To think that Berhardt could fall in battle… I had heard there was a strong girl, but not that strong.”
”Indeed. She is called the White Wall, Chinatsu Asakura. Perhaps it means her strength leaves her untouched by blood?”
”I do not know. I once asked Livia, and she said Skills choose their own names.”
”Skills, you say?”
”Yes. The one making the Rankings is her.”
The officers stirred at the secret. The Rankings, one of the seven mysteries of the world—if they were made by a single person, and that person was Livia, the Witch of the Turning Heavens who had once fought at the First Emperor’s side, then shock was natural.
”I only learned it when I was killed. After His Majesty and Raphastia were assassinated, I searched desperately for the culprit. When I found her, she killed me.”
Bitter memories rose in him. When he was reborn and met the First Emperor, he was told, We live to kill Livia. That is our only goal. He had not denied it. Livia’s corruption was etched into his soul.
”We too have heard that Livia is our eternal enemy. And yet… it is still hard to believe.”
”That only proves how well she hides herself. Even in this age, she serves as a court witch of the Quvarian Empire.”
Livia’s true nature was still unknown. No one could say what her purpose was. But Grano knew well that her very existence was poison.
The First Emperor, who once hated killing, now enjoyed cruel executions. Cartera, who once thought of nothing but love, now proposed massacres. Grano could say with certainty: that was Livia’s influence. He himself had felt it.
”It is like painting over white paper, or over paper already black.”
”What do you mean?”
”Nothing. Forget it… More important, Keirald is begging for aid. We will move at night and split our troops. If the 3rd Division is destroyed, it will hinder the conquest of McGaref. I will lead their support myself and take the best with me.”
”Then… we pause the attack on the East Gate?”
”Yes. And one more thing—do not press too hard at the East Gate.”
The officers tilted their heads. It was not strange to conserve strength, but his words carried hidden weight.
”In truth… I told Cartera in secret. The Empress herself has returned in flesh and is in McGaref.”
”The Empress!?”
All gasped at once. They knew the First Emperor had adored his empress, fathering children only with her. Though he had courtesans like Cartera and Rusty, and even Almaria had served him, he had never remarried after the Empress’s death.
”Indeed… It was odd that we were reborn, but the Empress was not.”
”How could she be in McGaref…?”
”I do not know. Perhaps she came first and left the Labyrinth. But my eyes are not wrong. More than that, my soul tells me—it is her, that little lady…”
He recalled the mercenary days of the First Emperor’s band. They had been of little use, yet he had not abandoned them. That was parental care. He remembered fondly how they had risen until he was emperor.
”In any case, wait and watch. Her combat power is low… do not kill her by mistake.”
The officers nodded with tense faces.
”What about the red-haired girl we took prisoner? Shall we hand her to the 2nd Division?”
”Hm? …Yes, Berhardt is dead now. There is no reason to keep her. Send her over in the morning.”
Thus Grano moved his army in secret. Circling wide to avoid notice cost time… and at dawn, when they reached the battlefield, they would see a scene of horror.
* * *
We were rocked by the carriage as we moved from early morning, racing to McGaref. I felt sorry for the soldiers, who had only two hours of rest, but we had Shiori-chan’s special stamina potion, arranged by Ranka-san, to keep us going.
”Takumi-sama, if all goes well, we can reach McGaref in two days.”
”Two days… it feels so slow, but it cannot be helped.”
”Yes. The enemy has broken bridges and made many troubles. With Eris-sama’s help we guard the repairs and manage somehow.”
Reports to us said the second day was quiet, with no great losses. Kanare-san’s death was heavy, but I felt relief hearing no classmates had died.
”But Chinatsu-chan and the others worry me.”
”Shall I ask my mother to send a few ahead?”
”Perhaps… though I do not want to divide our force further…”
Meruru and Aria guarded me, with Nyx at my side. I once joked my combat power was only five, but now my weakness felt bitter. To be protected at the cost of my precious childhood friend’s life, and know I might have to abandon her in battle, was hateful.
Yet I was no longer just myself. I was the ruler of this land. When our class was thrown into this world, I never thought it would come to this. Some had even hoped for a slow life… but the next day, reality crushed us.
”If I could go back to that time… what would I do?”
”Takkun, you mean when we first came to this world?”
”Yes. We lost classmates so fast. As class president, powerless as I was, I could not lead them. I still feel that helplessness.”
”They were unlucky, but also careless. You are kind to worry, and I love that, but do not blame yourself too much. Not now.”
”You are right… sorry for bringing up sad memories.”
Then came a stir ahead. At once, Meruru strengthened her barrier magic. Aria readied herself, every nerve taut. Soon a messenger rushed to our carriage.
”Takumi-sama, someone wishes to see you… a visitor…”
”Report clearly.”
”Forgive me, Lady Nyx. But it is so strange… the visitor is—”
”It is I, Nyx-sama. It has been a while.”
A firm, clear voice froze the air. Ignoring our army, the suspicious visitor walked calmly to the front of our carriage.
”You…!? You are a court witch of the Quvarian Empire! Why are you here!?”
Nyx’s cry was near a scream. A court witch of the Empire was nothing but an enemy. At once, all around us raised their guard.
”Please, do not look so fierce. If I meant you harm, a Ritual Magic would already have struck this carriage. Of course, with that strong elf lady—Rusty’s kin, perhaps?—I would have failed.”
”…It has been a while, Lady Livia.”
”I am glad you called my name. And this must be Takumi Nasu-sama.”
The woman, every inch a witch, removed her hat. Her golden hair spilled free as she bowed gracefully.
”A pleasure to meet you. I am Livia, the Witch of the Turning Heavens, court witch of the Quvarian Empire. Today I come to speak with you, Lord Takumi, ruler of McGaref, about peace. May I ride with you a while?”
And so, our fate took yet another strange turn.
Notes:
• Nagasaka – Has the ‘Magical Power Transfer’ skill; her skill also increases libido.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Rira – A classmate and one of Takumi-kun’s harem members. She has J-cup breasts and short black hair, which she plans to dye blue. Rira enjoys playful and creative expressions of intimacy, including cosplay and affectionate physical affection. Rira is also known for her ‘Intuition’ skill, which has been evolving into something more advanced. She is a key figure in Takumi-kun’s life, offering both emotional and physical support. First appearance in v1c15.
• Grano – The Black Flame General, a legendary figure from Quvar’s past, now resurrected as part of the First Emperor’s ghostly host. Known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, Grano commands a significant portion of the undead army. He is disdainful of the living, particularly those who oppose the Emperor’s plans, and shows no mercy in battle. His presence, alongside other legendary generals like Belhart, underscores the immense threat posed by the Emperor’s forces. First mentioned in v9c7.
• Berhardt – ‘Black Sword King,’ 1st Division vice-commander, once hailed as the empire’s strongest swordsman. Simple-minded, straightforward, often teased as everyone’s toy, but unmatched in battle. Slaughtered Sheryl’s guards, captured her, later fought Chinatsu. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Muscle-headed swordsman who laughs through bloodshed.
• Chinatsu – White Wall — Black hair, B-cup. Adventurous, masochistic, Takumi’s first slave & lover. Master of Asakura-ryu Iaijutsu, wields cursed sword Chisame (blood-powered). 12th-ranked fighter, close to Hikari. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
• Raphastia – A once-renowned general who now serves the First Emperor in the underworld army. He is referred to as a ‘Holy Corpse,’ indicating his undead state. Raphastia retains his self-awareness and will, which is unusual for the undead, and his loyalty to the Emperor remains unwavering. He is described as having a raspy voice and is one of the key figures in the Emperor’s command post. First appearance in v9c8.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Cartera – Eternal Witch — The First Emperor’s mistress and a resurrected sorceress of immense power. Cruel and seductive, she takes pleasure in destruction and defilement. Her loyalty to the Emperor is absolute, and she shares his desire to end the world. First appears in v9c3.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Keirald – Once a commander in the northern wars, now a spectral soldier bound by a magic stone. Massive build, armored in living muscle. His voice thunders like iron against shield. Relationship – Loyal general to the First Emperor. Reminder: -His existence is sustained by the magic stone embedded in his armor. First appearance in v9c8.
• Almaria – ‘Witch of the Dead Arm,’ ex-Quvar court witch turned 2nd Division vice-commander under Raphastia. Dutiful but hot-tempered, she shoulders his neglect, mocked as everyone’s toy yet deadly with assassins from the underworld. Slew Rex Velacoat, captured Sheryl and Stella. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Earnest witch cursed to babysit a gambling general.
• Rusty – Golden-haired elf courtesan of McGaref’s Night Butterfly, famed for beauty and skill-reading. Becomes Takumi’s lover, quits brothel, joins harem under slave bond. First appears v1c36. Reminder: Sultry elf who chose devotion over luxury.
• Ranka – She’s a guild shop assistant with a friendly demeanor and a practical mindset. Ranka’s recommendations are based on logical, merchant-minded suggestions, catering to the buyer’s needs.
• Eris – Rusty’s daughter and commander of the all-female Order of Knights, loyal elf warrior with a widow-like warmth. Mother of Meruru, thus Rusty’s granddaughter, tying three generations to Takumi. Beautiful with short golden hair and armor, she blends practicality with tenderness. First appears v9c12. Reminder: Knightly daughter balancing steel and maternal grace.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Nyx – The First Princess of Celon Dukedom, who escapes to McGaref; next in line to the throne after the Queen’s expected death.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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