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Chapter 32
The Great Witch radiated a presence as massive as an ancient tree, one that seemed as though it might have existed since the very moment the world was born.
She was the spiritual foundation of all witches—
And forty years ago, during the Krefatna War, she had led the witches into battle and become a hero.
“If not for her, many people would have died. The medicines and healing skills of the witches were that extraordinary.”
“Muniel and I received great help from her too.”
Muniel and Ardorez explained the grace they had once received from the Great Witch during the war.
Everyone looked at the Great Witch with awe.
Everyone, except Nivellia.
“Hello!”
She greeted loudly and cheerfully, just as she had been taught in preschool.
The Great Witch welcomed her with a warm smile, and slowly rummaged inside the pouch tied at her waist.
When her hand reemerged, it held a handful of sawdust.
“Now that I think of it, I haven’t even offered my precious guests a seat. When you grow old, you fail to notice these things quickly.”
The Great Witch scattered the sawdust onto the ground.
The moment it touched the earth, roots intertwined, clumped together, and soon grew into a large table and chairs.
“Wow!”
Solles let out a fresh cry of amazement at the incredible sight.
Kaleo too was left speechless, while Seletina even clasped her hands over her mouth.
“Huh? Are you okay, Areph?”
“……”
“Areph? Arephhh!”
And then Areph fainted on his feet. Only after Nivellia waved her hand several times in front of his eyes did he barely come back to himself.
“Aren’t you showing too much power from the start?”
Muniel teased with a sly smile.
The Great Witch burst into a hearty laugh, then rose with Azel’s support.
“One must never treat guests lightly.”
Unlike her kindly curved smile, her golden eyes flashed brilliantly.
“This is the chance for us witches to finally stand under the sun again.”
“You should have seized the chance I gave you forty years ago.”
“I wasn’t the Great Witch back then. That old hag—she’s probably still cursing you from hell.”
“When I die, I should go see her then.”
Muniel replied nonchalantly, as though it would be amusing.
Before they began preparing for business in earnest—
“I am too old now, and can’t focus on such difficult matters for long. So this child will act in my place, and on behalf of the witches.”
The Great Witch introduced her representative.
It was a witch qualified as a lawyer.
She wore the dark cloak symbolizing witches, but beneath it was the professional suit favored by attorneys.
“Huh…?”
The secretary’s eyes widened upon seeing her.
The lawyer-witch greeted him with a friendly smile.
“Hello, Secretary Visceretos. We’ve met before over some work, haven’t we?”
The secretary was so shocked that he even forgot his manners and pointed at her.
“Y-You were a witch?!”
Then realizing his rudeness, he quickly lowered his hand.
“But… if you’re a witch, why be a lawyer…?”
“Not all witches live in forests gathering herbs. Some of us, like me, hide our identity and blend into society.”
In fact, her parents still didn’t know she was a witch.
“Witches are no different from wizards. It’s not about bloodline, but about whether talent manifests. But the moment you realize your true identity, you know there’s no going back.”
That was why she had earned her law license—
If the day came when hidden witches needed help, she wanted to be qualified to step forward herself.
And now, that moment had arrived.
The lawyer-witch looked at Nivellia and the children with a bright smile.
“My name is Radia. It’s an honor to meet you, and thank you for giving us such a great opportunity.”
“Mm-hm!”
Nivellia nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
While the adults entered serious discussions, the children wandered outside the tent, exploring the forest surroundings.
As Deter adjusted her hat again, Nivellia remarked:
“This place is kind of like the Tower of Magic, but different.”
“How different?”
“The Tower has lots of trees too, but here there are way more. And it’s cleaner. Even the ground feels strong.”
Solles and Areph agreed.
“I think the air’s fresher here.”
“The grass and trees seem healthier too.”
“Compared to last time, right?”
“Yes.”
…Was that so?
Deter, who had been silently listening to their chatter, glanced around the forest once more.
‘Maybe it’s just because they said it, but…’
The air was fresh, the ground moist, and the trees soared high into the sky.
Together, they formed a forest that exuded a quiet yet overwhelming presence.
“It’s because the witches are gathered here,” explained a witch who had approached unnoticed.
“Where witches dwell, the land becomes unusually healthy. And since many witches are gathered here, the forest will grow even stronger.”
“That’s amazing. And also kind of scary.”
“Afraid we’ll curse you?”
“No. I’m afraid of the ignorance before I knew about such a great power.”
At last, Deter thought he understood why people had feared and persecuted witches.
How could ordinary humans ever comprehend such power?
“If I’d been just a little more foolish, I probably would have feared you too, and persecuted you.”
“If I could bestow blessings like the Saintess, I’d have already given you fifty blessings by now.”
The witch laughed cheerfully, saying it was truly a shame she couldn’t.
“The Great Witch is asking for the children.”
The children emerged from the forest holding bright red berries in their hands.
“They’re the same color as Areph’s eyes! Pretty, right?”
Nivellia presented one of the berries to the Great Witch like a gift.
The child’s lips were vividly red as she beamed.
The Great Witch’s rough, wrinkled hand toyed with the berry like a bead.
“This fruit will upset your stomach if eaten raw.”
“……”
Nivellia’s eyes trembled urgently.
The Great Witch chuckled and held out a small basket at her side.
Inside were round, brownish candies.
“Candy!”
“We call these ‘honey lumps.’ We boil wild honey until it’s thick and pour it into these berries. That way, you can eat them without getting sick.”
The Great Witch handed a honey lump to each of the children. Deter and Azel received some as well.
Nivellia diligently rolled the honey lump in her mouth, her cheeks puffing in and out.
Watching her fondly, the Great Witch beckoned her closer.
After swallowing the honey, Nivellia obediently stepped to her side.
The Great Witch whispered:
“Nini.”
“Yes.”
“It’s good to see you again.”
At that, Nivellia rested her head against the Great Witch’s arm.
“Gleva.”
She called the Great Witch’s name in her sweet voice.
At the sound of the name—the name of one who communed with the earth—all the trees swayed their branches and leaves of their own accord.
The earth itself acknowledged Nivellia’s presence.
She grinned brightly.
“Nini likes Gleva!”
“And this Gleva loves our little cat dearly too.”
“Heehee!”
“These can’t compare to the Great Witch’s honey lumps, but please accept these as well. They’re very good for the body.”
The witches offered gifts to Nivellia, Areph, and Solles.
It was their way of thanking them for saving Azel and for giving the witches a chance to step into the world again.
The gifts were mostly medicinal herbs, potted plants, and homemade snacks.
They looked simple, but they had been grown and crafted by the witches themselves.
Their efficacy far surpassed the expensive herbs found in markets.
‘If I tried to calculate the value…’
Deter’s heart pounded.
‘…Our young lady and young masters have done something truly tremendous.’
This wasn’t just about the herbal medicine market—
It would impact medicine, agriculture, and many other fields.
“Nini likes chocolate cookies. Next time, make chocolate cookies for me!”
Oblivious to all that, Nivellia simply told the witches her preferences and placed her order for the next gift.
The witches laughed merrily at the boldness of a four-year-old, though none promised to bake cookies.
“Children.”
At that moment, Seletina emerged from the large tent.
“Come inside.”
“All done with work?”
Nivellia rubbed her face against Seletina’s hand as she asked.
“Nini was just about to get bored.”
“Making money is always boring, dear.”
Inside, they found the adults collapsed with pale faces.
Kaleo, the secretary, and even the lawyer-witch Radia were among them.
Nivellia stared fixedly at her father’s haggard face.
“Daddy, you got ugly…”
“No, I didn’t…” Kaleo muttered weakly.
“Pfft, Daddy, now you’re gonna get… um, divorced. Because you’re ugly.”
“And where did my daughter learn such things?”
“The witches just now.”
“……”
Barely pulling himself together, Kaleo told the children about the important decisions that had just been made.
“Construction will begin tomorrow. And the pharmaceutical company will open no later than winter.”
“That soon?” Solles asked.
“But you’ll build a big building, right? A company building and a separate laboratory? How can that be done in just a few months…”
Thump, thump.
The Great Witch tapped the table.
The corners of her wrinkled lips twitched.
“Ah…”
Solles flushed red.
‘Right… the witches will be helping with the construction.’
Even if they weren’t as skilled as the Great Witch, who could grow furniture from sawdust, witches who could command the earth would certainly be able to raise buildings quickly.
“You are wise and cautious,” the Great Witch praised Solles.
“Speed isn’t always good. For great undertakings, it’s better to proceed slowly and carefully. You understand that well.”
Nivellia nodded firmly.
“My big brother is smart!”
“Solles always studies hard, and when I don’t understand something, he explains it to me.”
Areph too eagerly praised Solles.
“N-no, it’s not that much…”
Solles grew flustered and tried to deny it.
But beneath the table, his legs wagged like a puppy’s tail.
The adults shared more information—
Construction schedules, the witches’ residence, profit distribution, distribution methods, the goals of the business, future objectives, employee recruitment, welfare, and so on.
“……”
With a serious face, Nivellia thought to herself:
‘What’s all this? I just want cookies.’
