Chapter 36 The Witch Of The Valley (Part One)
When I returned to the campsite, I only told everyone,
"The bridge has become passable. Fukui sacrificed himself for everyone."
Everyone looked puzzled. Kondo Shuichi asked,
"Who is Fukui?"
I realized that I had made an inappropriate remark. They no longer had any memory related to Fukui.
"It's nothing. Forget about it."
Although everyone looked doubtful, they didn't pursue it further. I also didn't want to tarnish the honor of the deceased. Regardless of the reason, it's a fact that he made it possible for us to cross the bridge at the risk of his own life.
We departed from the campsite and headed to The Witch of the Valley. In front of the valley, the suspension bridge from earlier was hanging, and beyond that, there was an island-like pillar standing. Rather than an island, the earth had been deeply eroded by water, leaving only the pillar-like part.
I started crossing the suspension bridge. Everyone knew about the "Bridge Monster," so they hesitated, but when they saw me continue without hesitation, they reluctantly started crossing the bridge.
The island is densely covered with trees. After walking through the trees for a while, we came to a slightly open area. There was a small spring, a small vegetable garden next to it, and a lovely little house. It was a cute, colorful house that you would find in a fairy tale.
"This is the home of The Witch of the Valley."
I said.
When I said that, Shuichi Kondo asked.
"Does the witch live here alone?"
"Yes."
"What about food? Can she sustain herself with just this small vegetable garden?"
"I don't know."
"It's strange that the spring is flowing on this abandoned rock. It's geologically impossible."
"Maybe it's because she's a witch?"
Morimura chimed in, listening to our conversation.
"So what? Who cares about that? Let's get into the witch's house quickly. I really want to meet this witch."
Morimura's eyes were sparkling. At that moment, the hoarse voice of an old woman echoed.
"You insolent fool! How dare you try to enter someone else's house without the owner's permission and say 'let's get in quickly'! Such insolence! I cannot allow such rude people like you into this house!"
Morimura was startled by the voice.
"Wh-what was that voice just now? Could it be the voice of 'The Witch of the Valley'?"
Everyone else was hesitating. I, ignoring it, stepped forward to the entrance and extended my hand to the door knocker, fashioned like the face of a demon. The demon's face opened its mouth and tried to bite my finger. However, anticipating this, I quickly withdrew my finger and instead gave the demon's nose a flick.
"Ouch!"
Taking advantage of the demon's frown, I grabbed the metal ring on its nose and knocked twice, "knock, knock." The door opened automatically without a sound. Before entering the house, I bowed.
"We are travelers. Seeking guidance from the Witch of the Valley, we have come this far. Excuse our intrusion."
With these words, I enter the house. However, the others hesitate to follow. It's not just caution; they seem downright terrified. When I beckon, Tsubasa hesitantly enters first, appearing fearful.
Following her lead, Alice, Mizuno Kaede, Aoki Runa, Nemoto Reiko, Kondo Shuichi, and finally Morimura enter the house. As Morimura enters, the demonic door knocker mutters, "You, will be cursed." Instantly, Morimura's expression turns uneasy. I return to the door and give the demonic door knocker a flick on the nose.
"You did it twice... you little...! I'll kill you for this."
It said, baring its fangs. But I went to the demon of the door knocker.
"Enough, close the door. All you can do is open and close the door for visitors. Don't act tough."
Saying that, I pretended to give a third knock, and the demon of the door knocker let out a small "eep" and hastily closed the door. Morimura who saw it, looking at me with astonished eyes,
"Don't worry. That's the only pleasure it has, scaring the people who come to this house like that."
I explained. When I returned to the front, I opened the door connecting the entrance to the living room. The inside of the house was much larger than expected from the outside.
The first thing that caught my eye was an apple tree with red fruit. Instead of potted plants, it was growing directly from the floor. In front of that was an L-shaped large sofa that looked comfortable. In front of the sofa was a table that seemed to have been cut from a large tree, with the annual rings clearly visible.
Furthermore, next to the sofa, there was a wood stove. A pot was placed on the stove, emitting a pleasant smell.
In front of the stove, there stood a girl who looked about ten years old. She was wearing a hood that completely concealed her upper body. Everyone looked around. They seemed to be searching for the figure who had just shouted "You rude person!" But the figure of an old woman was nowhere to be found. Eventually, Tsubasa spoke to the young girl in front of the wood-burning stove.
"Hello, young lady. I have a question for you."
The girl responded with a cute voice, "What is it?"
"We came to see 'The Witch of the Valley,' do you know where she is? We heard that this is her house."
Then, the voice of the same old woman from in front of the house echoed once again.
"You rude people! You have committed unspeakable rudeness not just once, but twice! You disrespectful bunch should be eaten by the bridge monster right away!"
The voice, as if echoing from above my head, made everyone except me look up at the ceiling. As I watched their reactions, I struggled to hold back my laughter.
"Get out, get out right now! Or else I'll force you out with my power!"
It was only then that everyone seemed to realize who the voice belonged to. Kondo Shuichi widened his eyes and pointed at the apple tree in the room.
"Could it be... Is this apple tree talking?"
Then, the apple tree shook its leaves and branches and shouted even louder.
"Pointing at others is a curse! They are enemies! Pixie, quickly drive these insolent people out of the house! Before they bring disaster upon us!"
Everyone stared at the apple tree in astonishment.
"Hahahaha!"
The girl burst into laughter. Then, a rocking chair came gliding from somewhere, and she sat down on it with a thud. She pushed back the hood on her head, revealing her aqua-colored hair. The girl had a mischievous and playful smile on her face.
"You know what, Lexa? Just leave it be. It's been fifty years since we've had a guest."
Hello, we have a NEW project about mc whose heroines want to become his mother instead of his lover. You can read it on here => Link
Hello, we have other project about someone who has returned from an isekai. The main character is a hero who has defeated the Demon Lord. However, for some reason, the human-demon war has resumed and will take place in the MC's original world. The MC, unaware of this, meets a Saint from that world and asks them to join the war. But what does the MC say? They refuse. Is it because their love was rejected by the princess when they adventured together in the past or are they simply fed up? And are the MC will join later? You can find out by clicking on the following => [Link]
We have a new work with genre second life. The story is about a former s*x worker who didn't want to be a loner again, and fulfilling his second life. It has a life conflict and the protagonist will solve it one by one. You can find out in => [Link]
We also have a similar genre returned from isekai but has different MC's characteristic. The story is punishing someone who troll in SNS, someone who cheat and many more. You can find out in => [Link]
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)