Crazy Witch Joins the Quest

“My name is Rei. Hold on a little longer… I promise I’ll bring you the Eternal Flower.”
After that, I left the room and saw the crazy woman reaching out her hand.

“I heard everything from outside. I am Silva de Laurence. Please allow me to join you in searching for the Eternal Flower.”

Suddenly, her hostile aura was gone. It seemed she really cared about her grandmother. Still, I could not forget what this crazy woman had done.

“Wow, not only crazy but also an eavesdropper. I don’t even know what to say to you anymore.”

“N-no, it’s not like that!”

“Rin, Wufy, let’s go.”

“Wait!”

As I started to walk away, Sally called me.

“Sir Ronin. Do you know what the flower looks like or where it might be found?”

I froze. She was right, I had no idea. I walked back. Silva looked pleased, but I approached Sally, not her.

“Do you know?”

“I know! I know!”

I glanced at the crazy woman, then turned back to Sally. She pulled something out of her pocket: a piece of brown paper with a drawing of a white flower shaped like a rose, but its leaves were patterned with little stars.

“This flower is believed to only grow in cold highlands. The closest place with such conditions is Mount Kathu.”

I took the drawing and kept it safe.

“Thank you, Sally. We will return with it.”

“What about me?”

The crazy woman looked desperate, eager to come along.

“I cannot allow a crazy woman to be near Rin. Who knows what you might do to her.”

“But you know why I attacked you!”

“You think saying that gives you the right to attack us? I wouldn’t have minded if you had only come after me, but you didn’t hesitate to target Rin, who cannot fight. You are no different from the scum I’ve met before.”

Something I never expected happened. Instead of lashing out again, tears began to fall from her eyes.

“Huaaa! I’m sorry!”

“Lady Silva, it is not proper to force a guest like this.”

“But… but… I also want to help save Grandma! Huaaa!”

What was this? A moment ago she acted like a mad thug, and now she looked like a whining child.

“Haah… can’t you just go searching on your own?”

“Forgive me, Sir Ronin. Since childhood, Lady Silva has been terrible at remembering paths. She often gets lost even within this village, let alone outside of it.”

How troublesome. No wonder I wondered how this village managed to prosper.

Rin tugged my clothes and whispered.
“Rei… maybe we should let her come.”

“I can’t, Rin. What if she hurts you again?”

“She already apologized. Besides, Rei will protect me, right?”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Also, Wufy and I will train hard. We’ll grow stronger and fight by your side.”

I patted her small head.
“Alright then…”

I walked up to the crazy woman.
“Stop acting like a child and pack your things.”

“Eh…? Really?”

“Thank Rin for forgiving you. If you dare hurt her again, don’t blame me if your head gets separated from your body.”

The crazy woman suddenly ran and hugged Rin.
“Huaaa! Thank you, Rin! You are so kind to this big sister!”

“Haha… big sister, you’re hugging me too tightly.”

“Woof!”

“Hey, let go of Rin!”

Suddenly I heard footsteps coming from the stairs. A young woman appeared, not very tall, with straight crimson hair down to her waist. She wore a light blue dress, simple yet elegant. When she saw me, she bowed slightly and spread her dress like a noble lady.

“Greetings, Sir Ronin. I am Lucy de Laurence, the acting head of Mikaor Village. Please forgive my elder sister’s rudeness.”

I couldn’t believe it. This woman was the crazy one’s younger sister? Well, I could see a faint resemblance, but their personalities were complete opposites. Was such a thing possible? At least my curiosity was answered. No wonder this village thrived despite its isolation.

“What do you mean by that, Lucy?”

“Lady Lucy, Sir Ronin intends to go to Mount Kathu in search of the Eternal Flower.”

“Oh, is that so? If you don’t mind, please follow me. I will prepare a carriage to take you there comfortably.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

All of us, including the crazy woman, followed Lucy down the stairs toward the front gate. Lucy instructed some guards to prepare a carriage. Soon after, an older bald man with a sturdy build arrived, guiding a wooden carriage pulled by two strong horses.

“Greetings, Lady Lucy.”

“Greetings, Mr. Brian. Sorry to trouble you again. Could you please escort Sir Ronin to Mount Kathu?”

“Hahaha, it’s no trouble at all, Lady Lucy. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they arrive safely.”

“Thank you.”

We all climbed into the simple carriage. I saw Sally through the window.

“Are you not coming with us?”

“Forgive me, Sir Ronin. I wish I could, but I must take care of Baba Laurence here.”

“What a shame… it would be better if you came along instead of this woman.”

“W-what did you say?”

“What?”

I glared at the crazy woman. She should have been furious, yet she turned her face away.
“N-no, sorry.”

I saw Rin trying to comfort her. I couldn’t tell who was the child and who was the adult anymore. Still, setting that aside, her combat ability would be useful. Hopefully, there would be no problems later.

And so, we departed for Mount Kathu to find the Eternal Flower that could suppress the curse afflicting Baba Laurence.