Chick 344
by Cristae344
“T-this is the master of every forest, the Witch of Truth—Groote Critato of the Famine Crop Clan, Father!”
The lord, Romelun, blinked at his son’s earnest proclamation, but soon his gaze softened.
“Kerun, the Witch of Truth is just a character from fairy tales…”
Regardless, Groo, perched in Kerun’s grasp, thrust his fork at the lord and declared,
—I am not ugly! And you, a grown man in such a ridiculous outfit… Are you cosplaying a prince with your love of costume play?
“Outrageous! That’s exactly what I should say! You’re nothing but a ruffian in a strange doll outfit!”
—This is my armor!
Kerun watched, face in palm, as his father and the witch bickered. So much for the ‘wise root-blooded clan.’
Kerun stepped forward, placing Groo behind him, and rolled his sleeves up to his shoulders.
“Father, the Witch might be ugly and wear funny clothes, but she is truly miraculous and incredible. She cured my disease in an instant.”
“What?”
Romelun’s eyes widened as he examined his son’s flawless shoulders.
Just this morning, the doctor had shaken his head at that plague’s progress.
Now, not even the faintest trace remained—as if the disease had never existed.
“This is quite fascinating. The material is special, too… And you say this ointment is that effective?”
“Yes! The effect is immediate! Try it, you’ll see!”
“Very well, let’s give it a try.”
While the lord and his son gathered a few servants to conduct their experiment,
Groo sat in a chair, swinging his legs and looking curiously around.
Everywhere she looked were sturdy, finely built castle walls of stone.
It was the kind of Western-style castle Groo often imagined when playing princess.
Groo’s dungeon was small. There was certainly nowhere for a castle of this size.
It was a strange sight, nothing like anywhere she’d expected to find inside a dungeon.
Even Yurian, who hardly ever lost his calm, was uneasy, sitting on Groo’s lap and scanning the room with eyes wide, ready to bare his fangs at the slightest threat.
Hmm. Groo stroked his chin then whispered softly toward his shoulder.
—Mephisto, Bailach. Isn’t this odd? This doesn’t feel like my dungeon.
“Myut?” (You’re only just figuring that out?)
Groo couldn’t understand what Bailach said, but the tone made him bristle.
From the look on his face, he shrewdly guessed he was being insulted.
“Pii-!”
Mephisto, noticing, launched a flashy flying kick at Bailach in retaliation.
As the two resumed bickering, Groo’s eyes grew drowsy.
While the baby bird and the ugly hamster fought, in the background servants infected by the plague found themselves cured almost instantly, awestruck by what they witnessed.
“Oh! Good heavens!”
“The stones just fell off!”
“How is this possible?!”
Groo watched the commotion and—after a moment—opened her status window.
It was as if this moment had been anticipated; a flood of quest notifications appeared all at once.
[Due to the ‘Mom Loves Groo Too Much’ title, Child Protection System is activated.]
[Caregiver quest moved to highest priority.]
[Caregiver Quest: The Way to the Primary Caregiver]
[The Child Protection System has detected a dangerous environment for children! Children must return home immediately!! Go meet the emperor and find your way home!!!]
All the exclamation marks made Groo feel as if she was being scolded by her mother.
She drooped her shoulders, feeling a little downhearted.
So this really isn’t a normal dungeon after all…
But to meet the emperor and go home? Then… this must be an RP dungeon…
‘So what’s Groo’s role…?’
By then, Romelun and Kerun, having confirmed the ointment’s effects, came to Groo and bowed their heads.
“Witch of Truth! What must we do to obtain more of this medicine?”
“Please, save our domain, Witch. We will never forget this favor.”
Groo’s mouth hung open in surprise.
The witch?
So Groo’s role in this RP dungeon is the witch?
‘Witch, huh…’
She pursed her lips, rolling her eyes thoughtfully.
‘Not bad… Not bad at all!’
Thinking of the little witches she’d seen in cartoons, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
‘Maybe I’ll try making a flying broomstick while I’m at it.’
Teehee. Groo’s face soon burst into a smile as she said,
—As it happens, there’s an ointment factory. I can make as much medicine as you need.
“R-really?”
“Thank you, thank you!”
—But, I want something in return.
“Of course! Anything at all, just name it!”
They were ready to give up half the domain’s wealth if needed.
As Romelun spoke hastily, the barely-made bear twitched its deeply furrowed brows with deliberate annoyance.
—First, apologize for calling me ugly.
“……”
Groote Critato was a witch who held a grudge.
As Romelun stood speechless, Kerun nudged him in the ribs.
“F-forgive me. I spoke rashly and didn’t recognize your worth. I am sincerely sorry.”
Groo nodded with satisfaction. As it should be.
—And one more thing: I want to meet the emperor. Guide me to him.
She had to meet the emperor to get home!
At this, both Romelun and Kerun turned pale.
“W-witch, if you could command anything else instead, we would do it gladly.”
—But why? I have to meet the emperor.
Romelun looked as though he wanted to explain at length but chose his words carefully.
“Uh… Regrettably, we have no way of obtaining an audience with His Imperial Majesty, Witch.”
Groo nodded agreeably.
—You mean your levels are too low to meet the emperor.
Romelun’s shoulders tensed at her bluntness.
“Y-yes… something like that…”
Well, no helping it then. Groo huffed and snorted.
—Then take me to someone above you in rank.
Something she’d picked up from guests who visited Orchestra.
If someone can’t solve the problem? Call someone higher up!
“Well…”
Romelun fell silent in thought.
—What’s the matter?
Don’t tell me you’re refusing even that?
Groo scowled, ready to make a scene, and Kerun seemed to think Romelun’s reaction odd as well.
“The one I serve is personally leading the assault in the contaminated zone right now.”
—So?
“It’s extremely dangerous there, so we couldn’t possibly escort you safely into the contaminated zone, Witch.”
—Hmm…
“We’re truly sorry we can’t be of more help, Witch.”
Was the contaminated zone really that perilous?
Groo cocked her head in thought, but just then Kerun rushed in with an idea.
“F-father, it’s all right! The Witch has a mystical familiar by her side that not even contaminated creatures can withstand!”
As he said this, he pointed straight at Groo’s left shoulder—where the ugly white hamster sat.
“Myut?!”
Suddenly the center of attention, Bailach shuffled back in shock.
Groo glanced over at him.
A mystical familiar that even contaminated beings flee from = Bailach?
Clearly, this was based on his earlier performance during that frenzied charge.
Groo had indeed used Bailach at the head, boldly scaring off all the mutants.
She nodded grandly.
—Very well. Then I’ll lead the way—take me to your superior.
In other words, she was going to use Scare-bailach for another charge.
“Myut!”
Understanding, Bailach protested, but Groo ignored him and changed the topic.
—Who did you say your master was? Sha… Shaiby?
Romelun bowed his head and replied,
“Lord Bailach of Shados.”
Groo glanced at the hamster on her shoulder.
—…Bailach Shados?
“Myu?!”
Starlight sparkled in the hamster’s eyes.