Erick's POV:
- Have the stones stopped yet?
I take a deep breath as I scan my surroundings. I run through the scorched vegetation while scanning my surroundings for any stones flying toward us. It's been about an hour since we lost the horse we'd taken from the village. I had completely underestimated the effects of my power on the animals. My mount had been galloping until it suddenly collapsed with a screech of pain, its hooves horribly burned. Although we weren't far behind when our horse fell, the witch managed to increase our distance in that time. My weary lungs are hit by the pungent stench of burning from the charred animals, visible at the roots of some of the charcoal shards that had once been trees. Something resembling hell unfolds before me. I want to look away from that apocalyptic landscape, but I shake my head and stare at them. It was my power that turned this forest into hell, so I don't have the right to look away.
*Affirmative, master. The lava has burned the roots of the plants within a 600-meter radius, ensuring that I don't touch the water capital. The plant witch should no longer be able to reach us.*
- …..
When Ifrit confirms this, I can't help but feel guilt. Despite knowing the consequences my actions would bring, I couldn't find another way to get rid of the plant witch.
- I really am a pathetic hero.
*Master, I fully understand your apathy, but we need to move forward. The storm witch is ahead of us, and we've lost our mount. This isn't the time to blame yourself.*
- …. I know. Even if I'm an evil and incompetent hero, I can't afford to be late. ###y is waiting for me.
*….?*
- Is something wrong, Ifrit?
*… Negative, sir. Right now, my doubts aren't important. We must hurry and reach the Water Capital. We're very close now.*
Before I could respond, a column of white smoke spreads out in front of me. The column of smoke expands at a dizzying speed. My confusion and surprise are enough to stop me in my tracks.
- Ifrit, what the hell is-?
*SIR! The young lady's voice just came out of the white smoke. She's in danger!*
I stare in shock at the smoke as it begins to rapidly shrink. Before I understand what I'm doing, I rush to the place where the smoke condenses. There, I see an incredible sight. A girl with half her face burned is unnaturally trapped by the white smoke. Her tear-soaked face seems to be screaming something I can't hear. With a cold expression, a man who looks like a petty criminal, the Hero of Water, rushes at her, pointing his blue sword at her heart. Ifrit seems to be saying something in my head, but I find it impossible to pay attention.
- GET OUT OF THE WAY!
A huge pillar of lava erupts between them. The Water Hero watches as his sword is engulfed by the pillar as it grows in size, threatening to engulf the Hero. He quickly moves away from the pillar before being struck by me. His face shows deep surprise as I strike him. I make sure to use the blunt end of my sword, burying it in his stomach until I send him flying into one of the burned trees. I stare at the spot where the Water Hero disappeared until something small hits my lower back. When I look back, I see the little girl hugging me from behind, her face full of tears.
"...Ifrit, could you...?"
*Of course, Master*
- Erick... Erick, I was so scared!
Between sobs, she hugs my waist tightly. She rubs her tear-stained face against mine as if to confirm that I'm not an illusion.
- .... I'm so sorry I'm late. From what I see, you managed to contact the water hero. Although it doesn't seem like it ended well, I congratulate you for holding out until I arrived.
Without saying anything, she just buries her face in mine as if to hide her tears.
- Damn bastard, that hurt!
A shrill voice (according to Ifrit) echoes from where the water hero just flew out. Clutching his stomach, he climbs out of the scorched tree. To my surprise, he doesn't seem to have any burns. Looking more closely at his feet, white smoke protrudes from them like a cushion.
- You disappoint me, water hero. That you of all heroes would try to attack a child.
The hero stares at me in disbelief for a moment before sighing and looking back.
- It's true that my moral code forbids me from attacking defenseless women, but that child clearly doesn't fall into that category.
Hidden behind me, ###she looks at the water hero with disdain as I slowly stroke her head to reassure her. I sigh heavily as I try to focus on the main topic.
- Listen, Water Hero, this isn't the time to fight amongst ourselves. We have to stop the Storm Witch. She's probably looking for you in the city right now.
His incredulous expression quickly turned to resignation. Before he could say anything, one of the soldiers charged at us at full speed.
- Sir! I have bad news. A witch appeared in the sky above the capital while we were fighting the Flame Witch. She's demanding that you show yourself or she'll destroy the entire capital.
The Water Hero looks at me and ###y with a heavy look, only to sigh.
- If I'd known it would end like this, I would have listened to the lady from the start... At least I would have been spared that blow.
Rubbing his stomach, he gives some instructions to the soldier, who quickly runs back toward the capital. He then turns to look at us.
- So, Fire Hero, I suppose you came to help, right? Then follow me.
Putting his hands in his pockets, he begins to walk vulgarly toward the city. The little girl, still on guard, follows me from behind while watching the water hero.
........
- Come this way, sir.
Between two soldiers, the water hero enters a large room in the capital's palace. In it, an elderly man sits on a large chair. Despite the majesty of the chair and his robes, the man's posture with one leg crossed over the other jars the entire scene. The two armored soldiers at his side seem a little disturbed by the man's posture, but don't say anything to him to correct his posture.
- Father! I assume you already know the situation, so I'll get to the point. We have to kill that stupid witch.
The man, without saying a word, lowers his leg to sit properly before raising his other leg as if bored. A brief silence persists until the sharp-eyed man sighs and begins to speak.
- And now what trouble have you gotten yourself into, my son? I'm used to dealing with your affairs with your various concubines, but this... This is going too far.
The room tingles with disbelief and murmurs as the politicians around the table begin to show indignation.
- Father! That's a mere baseless accusation.
- Yes, of course it is, like all the others that arose from the girls who are now part of your harem.
- That's it...! It's different this time.
- Listen, my son, I support the fact that you have several wives. In fact, I even filled this palace with girls I thought would be to your liking so you wouldn't cause more trouble outside the palace, but... I'm disappointed.
- Father...!
- Do you know how disappointing it was to find your tastes have changed so much? I thought you at least had good taste! And now you're telling me you did it with a witch? And to top it all off, someone who looks that old? I can't describe how disappointed I feel with you.
A deathly silence fills the room, even the murmurs ceasing. All eyes are focused on the sharp-eyed old man. No one dares to speak. Tired of this embarrassing act, I try to speak until Ifrit tells me someone is laughing. The others seem to notice as they turn their gaze in my direction. Following their gazes, I realize it's not me they're staring at, but the little girl with me. Perhaps noticing the stares, she stops laughing as she hides behind me, her face as red as a tomato.
- Wow, it seems my little act helped lighten the mood.
The sharp-faced man flashes a small smile at ###y as she hides even further behind me.
- I know you hate tense atmospheres, Father, but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't do it at my expense.
- Well, while it was certainly a small act to ease the tension, nothing I said was a lie. Right?
A furtive glance at the water hero causes him to lower his gaze as he tries to avoid the man's gaze.
- Well, with that settled, it's time to get to the main topic. Do we know why the witch wants my son?
Discussion around the table erupts as they propose different ideas about her intentions. Some claim she simply wants to confront the hero to show her power. Others think she fell in love with the hero and wants him as a tribute. Despite knowing her intentions, it's difficult to speak in this environment.
- Father, I think I know who might know the witch's intentions.
With this comment from the hero, the room falls into absolute silence. Their expectant gazes rest on him as they await his words. Meanwhile, he turns to look at me with a stupid expression as if we've been best friends forever. Only now do I realize how stupid it was not to kill him when he was attacking ###y. I can only let out a heavy sigh and clear my throat.
- Just as the hero mentions, I had an encounter with the witch before I arrived at the capital. There we had a confrontation where she mentioned that her goal is revenge. She's hunting the heroes who fought against the legendary Witch of Deception.
A commotion erupted in the room. Although Ifrit didn't tell me all the details, they were generally going crazy over the possibility that the witches had their own organization. Until now, they had always seen the witches as isolated calamities who destroyed the world at will. Perhaps hearing that they could act out of "revenge" was a shock to them.
- ...Are you completely sure of your words?
The man with the sharp gaze, now sitting correctly, gave off an aura of power as he coldly observed my movements. To believe he was the same one who carried out all that act in the beginning seems like a lie.
- Yes, I'm sure.
The man placed his chin on his hands and sighed. He looked out the window before saying.
- Then there are no more doubts about the plan of action. We will kill the witch with all our might.
The surrounding politicians and the two soldiers surrounding the man immediately showed their approval. A war council quickly began regarding what strategy to take. However, the most important thing was still missing: I had to express my concerns.
- Wait a moment, before you start creating a strategy, I need to tell you something.
Both the man with the sharp gaze and his ministers turned to look at me. Once I made sure everyone could see me, I blurted out my greatest concern.
- The storm witch isn't alone. There's another witch I had to face before getting here.
A deathly silence fell over the room. Everyone looked at me as clear signs of concern began to spread. I still wasn't sure if saying what I was about to say was a good idea or how I could do it, but ignoring it definitely wouldn't be a good idea.
- A witch... it's very likely the plant witch will also raid this place.