Chapter 149 Verdant Witch
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When Satsuki the Court Mage, Tania¹ the elf adventurer, and Laika the dog-beastman adventurer returned to Pikeaxe Fort² upon hearing the bells signaling an enemy attack, the Canaria Kingdom³ army had already nearly finished their preparations, and the Coalmine Kingdom⁴ army was pressing close to the fortress.
”Well then, Tania-san, you’ll be with me providing defense magic. Laika-san, could you accompany the mages as a guard?” Satsuki asked.
This was the deployment Satsuki had been ordered by the Queen in advance. She feared Kento’s retribution should she carelessly send Tania or Laika to a place of certain death. That was the reasoning behind her judgment, but…
”Hmm, why?” Tania asked.
”W-Why, you ask…” Satsuki stammered.
Questioned by Tania, Satsuki found herself at a loss for words. Even Tania knew how much Kento worried about them and what conditions he had set for the Queen. However, Tania had intended to stand on the battlefield from the moment the fighting began.
”I’m sorry, but I cannot sit idly by. It is a promise to an old friend…” Tania said.
”A p-promise…?” Satsuki asked.
Was it a promise as the ancestor of the mages of the Canaria Kingdom, a legend Satsuki had heard in rumors? She had kept that promise and saved this country from crisis many times.
”‘If my descendants are in trouble, lend them a hand.’ ‘If my descendants go astray, correct them.’ Both are the words of the First King. If this place is breached, there is no meaning even if you protect me now. That would be a poor move,” Tania said.
”Mm, if Big Sis is going, I have to go too. Sorry, Satsuki, if anything happens, give my regards to Kento!” Laika said.
”Tania-san, Laika-san…” Satsuki muttered.
Satsuki could not stop the two who had made up their minds. Thus, when the exchange of names between General Van Valedda and Roost Duke Badcage ended and the Coalmine Kingdom’s cavalry charged alongside magic attacks, they were there on the battlefield.
”Oh, wow! The beastman unit endured the first strike. Makes me proud as a fellow kin,” Laika said.
”Indeed, but this is not the end. Infantry follows the cavalry. The rumored ‘Pink Clan’⁵ will surely appear, and the archers will draw close enough to rain arrows down upon us,” Tania said.
Positioned at the rear of the Canaria Kingdom army, the two exchanged words while watching the battle ahead. If one only listened to their voices, it sounded like a relaxed conversation unsuited for a battlefield, but their eyes were fixed sharply on the front lines. Two men approached them.
”Oh, if it ain’t the ‘Divine Bow’! It’s an honor to stand on the same battlefield as a legend!”
”Hehe! Looking forward to working with you, same as the patrol mission,” another said.
They were the ones Kento called Thug A and Thug B—’Iron Fist Abram’ and ‘Deadly Poison Balliston.’ This was the first time meeting Abram here, whose large body clearly wasn’t suited for patrol missions.
”Ah, ‘Iron Fist,’ I believe,” Tania said.
”Yeah! Just as you see!” Abram said.
Abram spoke while clanking his iron-spiked gloves together. Tania had seen people like him before—those who fought with their fists instead of weapons.
”There are always those like you in every age… Can I expect the same level of work from you as those who once bore that name?” Tania asked.
”Who knows? But carving a path through the battlefield is my specialty!” Abram replied.
”Very well. As you can see, the front line is struggling. Open a path for us,” Tania said.
”You got it!” Abram said.
With a powerful reply, Abram bulked up his shoulders. Then, pushing through the friendly soldiers trying to help the front lines, he began thumping and bumping a path forward. Following his back, Tania whispered.
”Yes, it really does make things easier having one person like that around,” Tania said.
”Big Sis, that’s fine and all, but is it okay for a sorcery user to be on the front lines?” Laika asked.
”Just watch. As long as that new magic weapon is kept in check, this kind of battlefield is where I excel. More importantly, ‘Deadly Poison,’ are you coming too?” Tania asked.
”Hehe! Probably for the same reason as you. With so many allies around, it’s too damn hard to move! If I’m right in the middle of the enemy, I can do whatever the hell I want, right?” Balliston replied.
”That makes sense. In that case, I shall lend you my strength when the time comes,” Tania said.
”That’s reassuring!” Balliston said.
Talking as they went, the four reached the front line. There, the enemy cavalry and the following infantry were just about to come flooding in. However, Abram did not slow his momentum; he simply whacked the horses of the charging cavalry aside.
”Oooooorrraaaaaahhhhh!!!!” Abram roared.
”Neeeeeigh!?” the horses cried.
”W-What the…?!” an enemy soldier shouted.
This is what a single ‘individual’ who can change the course of a war looks like. The Coalmine soldiers, who had been charging to trample the weakened enemy, could not stop and were instead trampled one after another by Abram.
”Indeed, that is work worthy of the name ‘Iron Fist.’ Alright, you’re next, ‘Deadly Poison.’ Scatter whatever poison you like. I shall spread it through the enemy ranks,” Tania said.
”Much obliged, much obliged. Then I’ll treat ’em to some of my special paralyzing poison!” Balliston said.
Saying so, Balliston took out a small pouch with its opening tightly tied, loosened the string slightly, and threw it toward the enemy lines. While it was still in the air, Tania released a shockwave.
Pop!
The pouch burst. The scales of a poisonous moth packed inside rained down on the enemy. Thanks to Tania’s support, the wind magic ensured it didn’t flow back toward friendly lines—perfect aftercare.
”Guh…!?”
”Agh!?”
”Oh, this is handy!” Balliston said.
”Sa-ssu as expected of Big Sis!” Laika said.
Enemy soldiers fell due to Balliston’s paralyzing poison, while others were blown away by Abram’s iron fists. The advantage in this area was brilliantly reversed. A beastman soldier saved by them muttered in daze.
”Y-You guys are…”
”Indeed, we are adventurer volunteers. You did well to hold against the first strike. We shall take over from here,” Tania said.
”N-No! We can still fight…!” the soldier replied.
”Heh, I see. That’s the spirit! Then let’s go!” Tania said.
Yeah!!! they roared.
Beastman soldiers and assisting human soldiers stood up. Looking around, similar scenes were playing out everywhere. Other adventurers had rushed to support the front lines just like Tania’s group.
”Outta the way! The ‘Flowing Spear’ is coming through!”
”Those who ravage our hunting grounds shall not be forgiven! Scatter before my ‘Steel Whip’!”
”Mmm, follow the adventurers!”
”That’s right! Show them the pride of the Canaria Kingdom army!!!”
Yeah!!!
Matching the calls of Duke Roost and General Olomanso, those within the army who could act as ‘individuals’ stood up and struck back at the Coalmine army. These actions became a great wave, pushing the front line forward.
”Gunuuu, Magic Unit, fire!!!” General Van ordered.
”Great Shield Unit, ready!!!” Duke Roost commanded.
Unable to endure it, General Van of Coalmine ordered supporting fire. Hearing this, Duke Roost ordered defense. Among the adventurers who had leapt out, some scrambled to hide behind the Great Shield Unit, while others dove straight into the enemy ranks to evade.
”This is bad, they’ll be picked off one by one!!!” Tania shouted.
Just as Tania feared, those from the Coalmine side capable of being ‘individuals’ fell upon the separated adventurers. It was the same as battles fought since ancient times. Once an ‘individual’ is suppressed by another ‘individual,’ numbers become the deciding factor.
”I’m going!” Laika shouted.
”Laika!!!” Tania cried.
Laika shot out like an arrow. She lunged straight at a Coalmine greatsword user who was trying to suppress Abram.
”Oh! You’re a lifesaver, ‘Wild Dog’!” Abram said.
”I’ll take this one, so handle the ones around us, Old Man!” Laika shouted.
”O-Old man…?” Abram muttered.
As she spoke, Laika overwhelmed an enemy two or three times her size. Letting out a low growl, she dented his armor and helmet with nothing but daggers and kicks.
This was the true essence of the ‘Wild Dog.’ She couldn’t slaughter crowds in a single blow like Abram, but she possessed peerless strength as a ‘giant killer’ who hunted those larger than herself. Her relentless, life-risking barrages, like those of a hungry stray dog, forced the greatsword user to his knees.
”That’s one!” Laika said.
”That was fast!? As expected, the name Dragon Slayer ain’t just for show!” Abram said.
”You’re not bad yourself, Old Man!” Laika replied.
”Stop with the ‘Old Man’! Call me ‘Big Bro’!” Abram shouted.
Abram silenced the surroundings as he spoke. However, it seemed some adventurers had been struck down elsewhere on the battlefield. And in the laws of the battlefield, a prominent ‘individual’ is always targeted.
”Laika, behind you!!! Don’t let your guard down!!!” Tania warned.
”Eh? Whoa!” Laika cried.
Thanks to Tania’s advice, Laika evaded a strike from behind. Her attacker appeared to be just an ordinary soldier. Unlike the greatsword user from before, he didn’t seem to be assigned the role of an ‘individual.’ However…
”H-He’s moving just like me!? You’re not one of my kin, are you?!” Laika shouted.
Laika’s combat style was that of a dog-beastman, but it was also a unique style she had refined through battles with monsters. A style of clinging tenaciously like one biting again and again, delivering sharp, heavy barrages from blind spots.
It only worked because of her combat sense and physical ability. Yet, by scent, she knew the enemy was not a fellow beastman, but a human. To think a human could fight the same way as her…
”Kyah!?” Laika cried.
”Laika! That’s likely the rumored ‘Pink Clan’! Don’t let them play with you!!!” Tania shouted.
Then, a mysterious common soldier delivered a devastating blow reminiscent of Abram. There was no doubt; he had imitated the movements of Laika and Abram.
”Even if you say that… K-Kyaaaaaaaahhh!!?” Laika screamed.
An attack unlike Laika’s or Abram’s—quiet and sharp like a bird of prey targeting its quarry—struck Laika. If Lily of the ‘Pink Clan’ had been here, she would have recognized it as a strike imitating the ‘Snow Owl’⁶.
Kicked in the stomach, Laika was sent flying, but the enemy pursued even that, lunging to deliver a finishing blow. At that moment…
Whooooosh!!!
”!?”
Powerful flame magic unleashed by Tania struck the enemy. Magic attacks were generally high in power but supposed to be slow. Surprised that it had caught him, the enemy pulled back to a cautious distance.
”B-Big Sis…” Laika groaned.
”Stay still, Laika. I’ll finish this now,” Tania said.
As Tania rushed to Laika’s side, a torrent of magical power erupted from her. Even though it hadn’t been released yet, it made even the ordinary soldiers without magic feel a sense of dread.
Being part of the ‘Pink Clan,’ the enemy could measure that power even more accurately. He shouted toward General Van in the distance.
”General, retreat!!!!”
And…”
—
Summary:
Tania and Laika refuse to stay in the rear and join the frontline defense of Pikeaxe Fort. They team up with rough adventurers Abram and Balliston to break the initial cavalry charge of the Coalmine Kingdom. The tide turns in favor of Canaria until the mysterious Pink Clan soldiers intervene by mimicking the adventurers’ fighting styles. Laika is nearly defeated by a specialized strike, prompting Tania to unleash her true magical power. The Pink Clan realizes the danger and calls for an immediate retreat.
—
Character Insight:
Tania shows her deep sense of duty toward the kingdom’s founding lineage, viewing the defense not just as a job but as a sacred promise to the first king. Laika proves her growth as a ‘giant killer,’ yet faces a reality check when her unique style is mirrored by the Pink Clan’s eerie mimicry. The chapter highlights the concept of ‘individuals’ on the battlefield—specialized warriors who can shift the balance of power single-handedly, which the Coalmine Kingdom is now countering with their artificial mimicry unit.
—
Behind the Scene:
The Pink Clan’s ability to mirror the ‘Dragon Slayers’ (Kento’s group) suggests they have been observing them for some time. The title ‘Verdant Witch’ likely refers to Tania’s ancient magical lineage or her specific affinity for powerful, nature-altering sorcery.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Van Valedda – The General and Marquis overseeing the operation. He is the father of the current Queen and grandfather to the First Prince. He has black hair mixed with white, a neatly trimmed beard, and carries an air of calm dignity. He is elderly and suffers from old wounds in his knees.
• Roost – Duke of Badcage and father of Tina Badcage. He has long silver hair mixed with some white, a cool-headed expression, and red eyes. Despite a relatively slender build, he possesses a strong fighting spirit.
• Balliston – An A-Rank adventurer known as ‘Deadly Poison.’ Has a kidnapper-like face and a servile laugh. Specializes in toxins.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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