kscans

Chapter 225 - A Disciple I Think I've Seen Somewhere

With a click, the door opened and a woman with long, golden hair entered. It was the Golden Witch I had seen in so many photographs, Eleanor Ocean. As the witch entered the room, a group of golden-haired girls clad in black suits followed behind her.

"Oh? You were already here?"

The witch asked Sakurai, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Yes, I arrived thirty minutes ago. Eleanor, this is the Director of the WGO I told you about, Executive Director Michael Smith."

Sakurai introduced me.

"Yes, I know. I looked him up... A pleasure to meet you, Director. I am Eleanor Ocean."

The witch introduced herself and extended her hand toward me.

"Yes, I am Smith. It is an honor to meet you."

Honestly, I had no desire to shake this witch's hand, but I endured it. The witch's hand was soft and warm. It was, of course, just like a human's.

"No need to introduce my disciples. Disciple Number One, Number Two, and Number Three. Please just ignore them, for the most part."

Even if she told me to ignore them, it was extremely concerning to see what appeared to be young girls dressed in pitch-black suits.

Of course, I knew one of them. The girl wearing sunglasses was likely Yokokawa Nanaka, an adventurer belonging to this very Ikebukuro Guild. Information that she had seen through the unique skills of the Japan Self-Defense Forces had reached me as well. Also, there were some suspicious points in her background. That said, the fact that she was the witch's disciple was suspicious enough.

"Well, I understand. I have informed the countries participating in this briefing that your disciples will be present, so I do not believe there will be any trouble."

"That's good. Anyone who tries to lay a hand on my disciples will be barred from the auction without question."

Then do not bring them, I wanted to say.

"Now then, it is almost time, so I would like you to take us to the Emeraldas Mountains."

"Indeed. We need to be there before the participants... Satsuki-san, are you ready?"

The witch looked at Sakurai.

"Anytime you are."

"What about your weapon?"

"It's in my item bag. I brought my status card too, while I was at it."

Sakurai said this and patted the waist pouch she wore.

"You won't need that."

"It's for the mood. Reminds me of when I was active, you know."

"Don't get lost in such trivial sentimentality and protect the Director."

Yes. The witch says something quite good. I have revised my opinion of her slightly.

"Yes, yes. Well then, let's head to the gate."

Sakurai said this and quickly left the room.

"A wonderful guard. She immediately left her protectee in a room with a wicked witch."

Truly terrible. I should have chosen the Shibuya branch manager.

"Hah..."

"Oh well. That's just how she is. Let's go as well."

As the witch urged me on, we too left the room and headed for the gate. When we arrived, Sakurai was waiting in front of it, so we walked over as well.

"What is this gate?"

I asked a question I had been wondering about for years as I looked up at the gate.

"Ask the person who made it. I don't know."

"Was it not you who made it?"

When I said that, the witch laughed.

"The Gates appeared thirty years ago. Are you saying I am older than that? Age is a sensitive topic, so you shouldn't ask."

Even if she says that, I do not know this witch's age. She looks young, but being an inscrutable witch, her appearance and age could very well be different. Honestly, I would not be surprised if she said she was one or two hundred years old.

"I see... Very well."

A woman's age must be a sensitive matter in every country and every world.

"By the way, Director, do you have a status card?"

"I have one from when I visited Frontier for an inspection, but I did not bring it today."

"I see... Lydia-chan."

The witch looked at one of her three disciples, a girl with long, golden hair. Apparently, that girl's name was Lydia.

"Speechcraft, Acting, Martial Arts. All are Level 1."

The girl called Lydia correctly stated my skills.

"...How do you know?"

Who is this girl!? A unique skill holder!? No, calm down! Calm down, me!

"Because she's a witch's disciple... In any case, no unique skills... So you're a decent person."

I know that humans who can possess unique skills tend to have peculiar personalities. So it is true after all...

"Does that girl have a unique skill?"

"That doesn't matter, does it? More importantly, you have Martial Arts."

Am I the only one who thinks the Martial Arts skill is the thing that does not matter? This witch is definitely off-kilter somewhere.

"I did boxing when I was younger. It must be because of that."

This is true. I saw a boxing match as a child and aimed to become one. I quit because I had no talent, but when I went to Frontier and saw my status card, I was happy to see Martial Arts among my skills.

"Hmm, three skills...

"Eleanor, that's what I'm talking about."

As the witch fell into thought, Sakurai admonished her.

"Was there something wrong?"

Is it bad to have Martial Arts? It is not a significant skill, and above all, I am almost sixty years old. It is not as though I am a danger to anyone.

"No, there's no problem... Let's go. Once you pass through the gate, you will be in the Emeraldas Mountains."

The witch, who had been staring at me, seemed to lose interest and looked at the gate, then started walking. The three disciples followed Eleanor, so Sakurai and I also headed for the gate.

"I believe there is no danger with Satsuki-san present, but please do not wander off on your own."

"I understand."

I would not do something so reckless.

"Very well."

The witch nodded and passed through the gate.

As the witch and her disciples vanished into the gate, I wondered how many years it had been as I too stepped through.