Chapter 68

「We’ll be holding another market soon. So today I came to give my greetings and hand over the earnings. Query here had deliveries to make in the village, but she insisted on seeing you as well, Witch-san.」

「After all, Witch-sama is beautiful no matter how many times I see her, it’s truly inspiring!」

(I-I see… This makes me so nervous, Can’t they just take a picture or something and go back…? There should be magic tools like cameras, right?)

It seemed Query hadn’t come for any particular business, just simply to see me, or rather, to observe me.

Next time at the market, I’ll try checking out a magic tool shop. I’d really prefer if she stopped examining me from head to toe and settled for a photograph instead. …Well, that would be questionable too, but still, it feels better than being stared at directly.

「Next time we come, I think we’ll be bringing a few adventurers along. I’ve been asked to show them around.」

(Ah, so they’re finally coming… Ugh, I hope none of them are scary people…)

「Doesn’t seem like Witch-san has anything to worry about. Makes it easy for me to act as a guide.」

(I’m nothing but worried, though…!?)

While I was internally letting out small screams at the thought of frightening adventurers arriving, it apparently looked like a composed smile on the outside.

I don’t have that kind of composure. If rough-looking adventurers were to pick a fight with someone as timid as me, I’d probably just end up crying and screaming. What if I panic and accidentally entangle them with vines or cover their mouths?

I’m a harmless mandragora. I absolutely must not attack humans. …By the way, how far can「Self-defense」 actually go?

As I was thinking that, I sensed a large presence approaching and hurriedly turned my head in that direction. I hadn’t done anything wrong, I had only been thinking about the limits of self-defense, but for some reason, I felt like I’d been caught doing something bad and almost reflexively wanted to say 「I’m sorry!!」

…In other words, I sensed Nikolaus approaching.

「Hey, I heard Query-san was here…」

A little later, Ritter appeared, with the purple sprout sitting on his shoulder, followed by Nikolaus. Lately, that spot seemed to be the purple sprout’s favorite place. Still, it looked like they weren’t here for me, but for Query, which was a relief.

「Oh, Ritter-sama. I was just about to come see you…」

「Ah, I couldn’t wait! Purple-chan’s new outfit…!」

(Ah, right, they did mention ordering something before… so it was clothes for the purple sprout…)

Query’s designs are stylish enough that even a mandragora like me can appreciate them. I’d seen Ritter discussing various things with her, but I didn’t expect it to be a custom order for the purple sprout.

As Ritter started talking with Query, Nikolaus, who had been standing behind him, somehow drifted over to me.

「Hello, Mage-sama!」

「Oh my, Court Magician-sama. It’s been a while.」

「…Yeah. …I just came along thinking this might fall under experimentation. By the way, a quick report, the purple one leveled up a bit.」

Watching him exchange greetings with Ilai reminded me, Nikolaus was the one who sent the mirror through Ilai. Of course they know each other.

And it seemed Nikolaus had come to report on the progress of his research into the purple sprout’s evolution. Since the purple sprout can’t fight, Ritter must be capturing monsters alive and letting it absorb them. That sounds pretty dangerous and difficult… maybe this is what they call the power of love.

(So instead of jewels, he’s offering monsters… but honestly, I’d probably prefer that too.)

I’m not human, so while accessories help me appear more human, they aren’t something I actually desire. I can’t eat jewels, so they’re useless, if anything, I’d rather be given compost.

Thinking about it that way, Ritter is definitely raising the purple sprout’s affection properly. As the purple sprout was taken into the carriage to try on its finished clothes, I checked its status before it disappeared from view.

【Race】Mandragora (Familiar)
【Level】5
【Vitality】D
【Magic】B
【Skills】None
【Evolution Points】2
【Description】
A mandragora raised on the nutrients of purified flowers. As a familiar, it faithfully follows its master’s commands.

It has undergone a special evolution allowing it to move freely, but by command, its instant-death voice attack is sealed, and it cannot harm humans. Its current danger level is low, and it serves as a high-quality medicinal material.

Due to its affection for humans, it may evolve into something closer to them and shows no hostility. However, should its master issue a command, it cannot resist, and could become a deadly weapon that spreads instant death at any time. Caution is advised.

The purple sprout’s level had originally been 「3.」 Monsters don’t gain evolution points at level 1, but upon reaching level 2 they gain 2 points, and after that, they gain 1 point per level.

This one was different from the others, I had altered its body shape. Limbs for free movement, a seal to block its voice, and a curvy body, those used up 3 points. It has clearly grown a bit, so Ritter must be working hard.

(But wait… the description changed a bit… why does it make me sound like the root of all evil? I mean, I’m living while helping humans this much, there’s no other monster like that, right…?)

It was written as if I were some evil demon king forcing a kind, human-loving monster to fight. What exactly have I done? I feel like this is an unfair description for such a harmless monster.

「I appraised it, and that purple one is indeed, 」

「How is it? A masterpiece, if I do say so myself! It suits her perfectly, doesn’t it?」

Just as Nikolaus was about to say something, the purple sprout returned with Query, drawing everyone’s attention. I could hear Ilai coughing loudly, probably trying to hide his laughter.

A dress that clung tightly to the body, emphasizing its silhouette, with embroidery reminiscent of ethnic wear. It had large slits running from both thighs down to the ankles.In short, it was a cheongsam.…In a world without China, coming up with that design really makes Query seem like a genius. And I can’t help but wonder what kind of request Ritter made to get that.

「What the… that’s way too sexy…」

In front of the satisfied Query and the purple sprout striking a pose, Ritter dropped to his knees in bliss. Ilai was still coughing, definitely holding back laughter.

「Um, Witch-sama… is there any medicine you could use on Ritter-san…?」

「If you fix that, it’ll be a problem for me. Don’t bring him back to his senses.」

(I don’t think he’s coming back from that anyway… I don’t understand this world at all…)

Noel spoke with genuine concern, but Nikolaus immediately cut him off. I also don’t think that’s something that can be cured.

That day, I learned once again just how vast the world of preferences(fetishes) truly is.