Chapter 61: Heartfelt Bracelet ⓪ – The Witch

A week had passed since then.

After defeating Alweld, I had collapsed within the crumbling arena.

I lost consciousness for three days and nights.

On the fourth day, I woke up and dedicated myself to restoring my body while surrounded by them.

By the way, Alweld was out for two days and nights—he lost.

I ended up hitting him with [Vanish Knuckle], but that actually turned out for the best.

By the time he endured [Phantasmagoria Roar], his body was already inhuman.

I really wonder what’s going on with that person.

On the fifth day, I was informed that Alweld and the others would be leaving Hydrangea.

I thought that was rather soon.

Even after the Great of the Rounds ended, its embers still smoldered, the heat not cooling.

Some first-class explorers had already left, but most were still in Hydrangea.

Before leaving, I greeted and talked with him.

Alweld spoke in his usual mysterious form, clad in armor.

The cloak draped over his right shoulder was white this time, not red.

“This evens our score at one win each.”
“Yes.”
“The true victor will be decided next time.”
“That’s right. I won’t lose.”
“Nor will I, Wolf.”

We shook hands firmly, pledging to a rematch someday.

After waking, I heard the aftermath.

The arena had not completely collapsed, but the damage was severe. The coliseum would be unusable for a while.

Repairs and other expenses would be covered by the Grand Guild, thankfully.

Apparently, the great Grandmaster, who had approved everything, grimaced at the cost.

The final-night battle was not the first of its kind—it was called an “Underground Exhibition Match.”

It didn’t happen every time, but roughly one out of every two events had it. Quite frequent.

“Underground” is such an exciting word. It feels illicit, yet I can’t help but admire it.

So, unlike daytime battles, these Underground Exhibition Matches allowed first-class explorers to fight seriously.

They were usually held to settle long-standing rivalries—or for revenge.

What surprised me was that there were spectators.

Even though it was underground, it wasn’t a killing match, so there was a reason to stop it.

The difference from normal matches was that spectators were limited and had signed a non-disclosure contract.

The contract’s power was enforced by legendary, legacy, or relic-level authority.

In some cases, failing to comply could even mean death.

I didn’t know exactly how strict this non-disclosure was.

Surely, breaking it would incur a terrible punishment.

So I could fight with peace of mind.

Or so I thought.

“That thing, that thing… it doesn’t actually have any effect, you know.”

“R-Really?”

The witch said casually as she placed a cup of herbal tea on the usual table.

This was the witch’s house—her usual messy living room, the black and red sofa as always.

It finally felt like everyday life had returned.

Just in case, I peeked inside the black cup.

Colorless. Just a mirror, reflecting my face clearly.

Then the face in the cup twisted into a creepy smile—not a “nitaa” grin, more of a “nichaa” kind of unsettling smirk.

For reference, I wasn’t smiling.

Yes… this is everyday life. I definitely wouldn’t drink it.

“Yeah, yeah. Instead, it instantly shows who spilled the secret.”

“That’s all?”

The witch sat on the red sofa opposite me.

Legs crossed, relaxed, with her three tails used like cushions.

I looked at her again.

Long silver hair down to her waist. Emerald-colored eyes, full of languid allure.

Three tails, her body both enchanting and elegant—beauty enough to topple kingdoms.

She had once been invited by the king to become queen and caught the eye of the first prince.

She favored black robes with matching black dresses.

Each of her three tails had a different texture and color.

• The first tail: silvery from root to tip, fluffy.
• The second: flax-colored at the base, white at the tip, soft.
• The third: silvery at the base, flax-colored at the tip, soft and dense.

Come to think of it, most of her black dresses have purple lining.

And when she sat, her chest moved—I didn’t miss it, as I was directly in front.

“Yeah, yeah. That alone is enough. For second- or first-class advanced explorers, the basic skill is keeping secrets.”

“Keeping secrets…”

“Yes, for advanced ones, most requests are designated ones. They often involve special circumstances or secrets. Almost always. Of course, legally speaking.”

I let out a small laugh.

Everything was legal… and then I realized.

“Oh—if you reveal it, you get caught. Meaning trust is lost.”
“Correct, correct. Such people are certainly stripped of their position or dealt with.”
“Dealt with?”

The witch smiled faintly.

Of course. If your mouth is loose, your secrets could be revealed anytime. Dealing with them first is the obvious solution.

“Also, Alweld would never allow that, you know.”
“I see…”

Indeed, he wouldn’t.

Alweld von Rutvelt would definitely deal with such people and anyone connected to them.

Yet… it’s strange.

“Exactly, exactly, Wolf boy. You can finally relax, you know.”

“I understand… um, I have one question.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Alweld is the boss of ‘Coon Hunt,’ right? But no matter how I think about it, I can’t imagine him being a proper boss.”

If Alweld were truly the boss, it would probably be like a strictly disciplined army.

And that would make it the strongest clan on the surface.

“Hmmm, that’s very simple. Alweld isn’t the practical boss—he’s more of a hired figurehead. His main role is as the public face.”

“…I see. Still, it’s surprising he accepted that role.”

It seemed slightly strange that Alweld would take that on. The witch smiled faintly, almost sympathetically.

“Well, well… he probably couldn’t refuse a request from a relative. Originally, he has a personal belief in never refusing a request.”

“So that means ‘Coon Hunt’ is essentially a Rutvelt family clan?”

“Well, well, that’s roughly it. In reality, it’s composed of several aristocratic sponsors.”

Ah, so a conglomerate-style clan. That might be more common than I thought.

“Oh, and the great noble house you crushed, Wof boy, was also a major sponsor.”

“I didn’t crush them!”

It was Leold who did that.

Essentially, it’s like a large-scale version of the “Dragon Fang Row.”

So yes, ‘Coon Hunt’ is an enemy. Nothing but an enemy.

“Exactly, that’s why he mostly left things alone. He went into dungeons with his trusted ‘Four Cut’ and their subordinates.”

“‘Four Cut’?”

“Oh? You don’t know? Alweld’s four loyal subordinates. All of them are either third- or second-class explorers.”

“Ah, I see…”

So, they’re like the Four Heavenly Kings. I thought such people might exist, and indeed they do.

That’s kind of cool. I admire that.

Oh, and when I ran into Alweld in the hallway, I saw something similar. Those must have been the ‘Four cut.’

“By the way, Leold is the leader of that ‘Four Cut.’”

“Hmm… that old man?”

He looks like an unimpressive, alcohol-scented squirrel-man, but he’s strong.

Honestly, his skill is probably around first-class level.

And he’s the third prince too. Not surprising that he’s capable, despite the unremarkable appearance.

Alright, enough small talk—time for the main topic.

“Witch. It’s late, but I defeated Alweld.”

I had come today to report my victory. The witch smiled warmly, almost tenderly.

“Yes, yes. You performed well, didn’t you?”

“Thank you for indulging my selfishness.”

I bowed my head. I had caused her so much trouble.

Without the witch, I could never have defeated Alweld.

And not just her. Munieka, Chive, Shiro, and everyone else.

I alone could never have achieved victory.

“Now, now, Wof boy. Lift your head. What a teacher wants to do for their student isn’t anything special. And I was very happy about it.”

“Happy?”

“Yes, yes. Even though you’re my student, Wof boy, you somehow rarely rely on me. Lately, though, you’ve been depending on me, and that makes me very happy.”

“…I see. Um, well, I have something I’d like to give you to express my gratitude.”

“Oh? Something you’d like to give me…?”

“Yes. Um… could you extend your hand for me?”

“Uh… like this?”

The witch timidly extended her dominant hand.

I took the bracelet out of my pouch.

A silver band set with a green gemstone.

I had first noticed it at a street stall because it reminded me of the witch’s hair and eye color.

I carefully placed the bracelet on her slender wrist.

The witch looked at it intently, slightly pulling back her arm in surprise.

“W-What do you think?”

She examined the bracelet closely. Touching it with her fingers, the silver gleamed and the green gemstone sparkled.

I had no [Appraisal] skill, nor much knowledge of jewelry.

Even so, I could tell it was a very fine piece. Yes, really good.

I was glad I bought it at that stall.

“Hey, hey, Wof boy. Are you really sure it’s okay for me to receive this?”

“Yes. Of course. It’s a token of my gratitude. And it suits you.”

“Hehe, thank you, thank you, Wof boy. I really like this bracelet.”

“I’m glad you say that.”

Relief washed over me.

This was the first time I’d given a gift like this to a woman—without the memories of my previous life—so I had been nervous.

The witch looked at the bracelet with gentle eyes.

“Yes, yes. A silver band like my hair and a green gem like my eyes. Wof boy, your feelings are conveyed clearly. I will treasure it dearly.”

The witch smiled at me, radiating happiness.