“Witch!?”

Those words brought back unpleasant memories, and I reflexively used 【Appraisal】.

────

Name:???
Age: ???
Blessings:???
Skills:???
Place of residence:? ? ?
Money: ???
Level: ???
Strength:???
Magic power:? ? ?
Achievements:???

────

“Huh?”

I can’t see anything!　That’s ridiculous!

I hurriedly stood before Anna to protect her and prepare my Nikov.

Amy’s ability was brainwashing people through the power of words, but what exactly is this one’s ability?

“…..The difference in power between you and me is so great that your 【Appraisal】 got deflected. I don’t know what that tool is, but if you attack, you’ll lose your life.”
“Ugh”

What to do?　I never thought I would face such a great opponent in such a place!

“Allen. I don’t sense any ill will from her towards us.”

Anna says so, but is it safe?

If I notice anything that can hurt Anna, I will then!

“Allen”

I finally calmed down thanks to Anna’s gentle touch on my shoulder.

I slowly lowered the muzzle, but I still couldn’t shake the sense of alarm.

Damn. I still have a long way to go.

When something unexpected happens like this, it’s hard to stay calm.

While I was on guard, Anna stepped out from behind me.

“We are–“
“I don’t know who you are, but I need that Lunar Magic Grass. I can’t give it to you.”

Anna opened her mouth to speak, but the forest witch cut her off.

“We are not here to collect this Lunar Magic Grass.”

Anna is talking normally, but is it safe to listen to her words?

Anna was the only one who was able to resist the brainwashing caused by 【Kotodama】 at that time.

“Then, for what purpose?”
“We have received divine guidance from the God of Wind and the Goddess of Ice, and are searching for a place to build a temple to worship them.”
“……Oracle?　But those two gods should have nothing to do with this forest. Why did you come to this forest?”
“We don’t have any clues. But we heard from Melissa, the Sky Dragon here, that there is a mysterious place in this forest, so we came here to investigate, thinking that there might be some clues.”
“…..”

The forest witch seemed to be thinking about something.

“We don’t need that Lunar Magic Grass. I apologise for my husband’s rudeness in casting 【Appraisal】 on you. However, please excuse me, can I ask for a favour? Could you please give us some advice?”
“…Very well. That Sky Dragon, Melissa, was it? If you desire the Lunar Magic Grass, I will show you no mercy.”

The forest witch said as she gave Melissa-chan a sharp look.

“Okay, okay. I’m not particularly interested. I guess I just shouldn’t eat that tasty-looking grass, right?”
“Yes. I’m glad you understand. Now, please come this way.”

We were guided by the forest witch and entered the forest.

◆◇◆

“I see. Something like that happened in the world.”
“I’m sorry for performing 【Appraisal】 on you without your permission.”
“No. If you had such an experience, it would be natural to try to protect your family. Besides, no one would be able to realise that someone is using 【Appraisal】 and block it.”
“I’m sorry.”

She led us to a small hut that turned out to be the forest witch’s house, and I told her the whole story. Naturally, we also talked about Amy, and thus we were able to clear up our mutual misunderstandings.

“If that’s the case, I’d like to help, but I can’t leave this forest.”

The forest witch said this with a somewhat gloomy expression on her face. Then, after a few moments of silence, Anna opened her mouth.

“Sorry to be rude, but does this have anything to do with your child?”
“!”

The forest witch widened her eyes and gasped.

“….How did you, know?”

As she somewhat squeezes the question out of her, Anna answers in a slightly apologetic tone,

“I thought so when I saw a small mug in the cupboard. If you have children, they should be noisier, …… Since that is not the case, I figured that she might be ill and lying on the bed.”

The forest witch is silent once again.

“If so, I may be able to help you in some way with the blessings I have received.”
“Blessings?　What blessing do you have?”
“It is〖Ice Saint〗”
“!!!”

The forest witch’s eyes widened again, and she froze in the same position.

“Are you…… are you a saint?”

Her eyes are moist, and her voice is a little trembling.

“Yes”
“If you are truly a saint, …… will you save my daughter’s soul who is trapped in this forest?”
“A soul trapped in the forest?”
“Yes. She was a child with strong magical powers, and was trapped in this forest that produces the Lunar Magic Grass!”
“Something like that……”

Anna chimed in with a sombre look on her face.

“Yes. Still, if that man had not come along, I would have set her free already.”
“That man?”

Being curious, I couldn’t help but interrupt their conversation.

“Yes. That lousy wizard. If only that man called Loringus had never come to this forest!”
“Huh? That guy?”

I couldn’t help but ask back because the name came as a surprise to me. But it seems that the name was a surprise to Anna as well.

“Loringus-sama? It can’t be. There’s no way that person would do anything to cause trouble to anyone!”

Anna defended the pervert with a serious expression on her face, but I can only think that it’s only natural.

But the conversation went on regardless of me.

“That man… No. It’s all in the past now. More than anything, I don’t have time for that. Anastasia-sama, Ice Saint. Could you please free my daughter’s soul from this forest?”

The forest witch stares straight into Anna’s face with a serious expression.

“Then I will cooperate with the oracle that you two were given.”
“Allen?”
“Yeah. Sounds good, right?”

In any case, she has no clues, and the thought of her daughter’s soul being trapped in the forest is unbearable for her.

Besides, I’ll be able to thoroughly question that pervert next time I visit the elf village.

“Okay, I understand. Let’s do it.”
“Thank you very much”

And with that, the forest witch finally gave a small smile.