CH 46

Chapter 2 — Expand, my world! • Episode 2-3 • Thread Witch ⑤

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「I have a bad feeling about this.」

During the flight, Rabbitfoot-san asked me what had happened. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her, but I told her everything honestly.

When Rabbitfoot-san first became a Witch, she was not yet in a position to oversee Witches, but even then she was willing to frame others to achieve her goals. At the time, the Devil’s power was not so strong, and Rabbitfoot-san’s magic was effective only against people, so she was able to escape the crisis.

「And even then, she doesn’t leave any evidence. She only show her true nature when and to whom she need to. That’s why everyone gets fooled.」

「I hardly heard any bad rumors about it.」

The information I gathered by relying on Knuckle-san, who has a broad face, did not reach the true nature of the Devil, so we can understand how cunning she is in her dealings.

「I need power to fight against her. That’s why I’m trying to change the current factional structure.」

「Is that why the Life Faction is in a state of internal strife?」

「That’s right. Ostensibly, it’s because I’m into Power Games.」

The Devil said it was as if the Witches were exchanging information about their factions because they are not on good terms with each other. I don’t think all the Witches who join the faction know the true nature of the Devil and cooperate with her, but even if you tell them the truth, they won’t necessarily believe you. So Rabbitfoot-san decided to develop her own ability to compete.

But it would certainly be difficult to explain and get people to believe her, but she could put it forward as a reason to fight for power. There are many people in the world who like to be contrary, and no matter how well the Devil tricks people, she should never be without antagonists. There may be some Magical Girls who don’t usually say it out loud, but secretly don’t like it. We have to create an opening for such Magical Girls. Then there would be people who would start making a fuss even without any proof.

「The more obvious the reason and the candy, the more fools she catch. She can always catch her potential enemies. But not now. If I antagonize her before I have much power, she’ll give me great problems and I’ll be crushed. So first, I need a reason to feel comfortable and candy to build up my strength. I want to be at the top of my faction and have a good time, and she can have a good time too if she follows me. It’s easy to understand, isn’t it?」

「Well thought out for such a small…」

「You’re smaller than me! I’ll kick your ass if you lick my lips!」

When I let out my true feelings without thinking, Rabbitfoot-san began to squeak and make a fuss as if her previous intelligent behavior was a lie. I don’t think she’s acting or anything, but this is just Rabbitfoot-san’s true self.

「Geez! You have no respect for your superiors! I just saved your ass!」

「I appreciate it. But why did you help me? I hate to say it, but Rabbitfoot-san doesn’t seem like the type to help people out of the goodness of her heart.」

「I was trying to get you over to us by blowing this and that before the Thread Witch got you in her clutches. I never expected you to be threatened until I stepped into that place. I don’t know if you noticed, but you look terrible.」

If I didn’t care about my own facial expressions, there’s no way I would have known, but I certainly would have looked blue in that situation. I also had the sensation of bloodlust.

I mean, even if the Devil didn’t set it off, Rabbitfoot-san was planning to take me in from the beginning. So it was inevitable that I would get into trouble when I became a Witch?

I thought I could just maintain a distance from the other Witches, but with threats like that, I can’t just ignore them.

「I know you’re not interested in joining a faction.」

「I intended to do so. But now… I don’t know what to do.」

「Don’t do it. If you tell her you’re joining a faction now, she’ll definitely suspect you’re working for me. We can’t be sure, but we went out of our way to make it sound like we knew each other in order to raise suspicion.」

We had only met once and had not introduced ourselves, but that was her intention when she spoke to me in such a friendly manner, saying it had been a while. I am amazed that she was able to think that far in such a short time. I wonder if Witches have to be cunning like that to make it.

「But if I don’t do this…」

「Her threats are a bluff.」

「How can you tell?」

「All the Witches know that the Natural extremists are acting strangely, except you. And if she pulling strings on top of that, she’s not going to tell you about it. It’s not like she’s leaving evidence. Maybe she’s just telling the truth with a slight adaptation. There is a non-zero chance that your territory will be attacked, but she’s not directly involved in that. So even if you join the faction, it doesn’t mean you can stop them.」

You mean to say that she set a trap for me in plain sight there, not knowing if it would happen or not…!

「There’s no downside for that person if nothing happens. She’s got a point.」

「B–but if she threatens me and do nothing, it won’t work next time, right?」

「If you ignore her next threat, she might try her hand, you know? Her threats are not so light that she can’t use them after just one bluff. Anyway, you joining the faction won’t solve anything. If you stick with me, I’ll protect your territory while you’re away on training.」

After all, that’s what it’s all about.

It’s far better than the Devil’s cunning traps she sets for me, but of course Rabbitfoot-san has her own agenda, and she saved me and we’re talking so far.

I can either give in to the Devil’s threats and join the Natural Faction, side with Rabbitfoot-san, or ignore both.

I have to choose.

「Um, what exactly would Rabbitfoot-san have me do to be on your side?」

「I’m not trying to make you do anything difficult. You don’t seem to be interested in factions or anything like that, so just stay in my camp as my asset.」

「Does that mean I will eventually fight other witches?」

「It could happen, but it’s not all about the actual fighting. You and I could use our military might as a backdrop to make threats. Anyway, I’m saying that it should function properly as a violent device. Well, we’re not in open conflict at the moment, so we’ll see what happens down the road. She can’t easily show her true colors, so she usually acts like nothing’s going on. You should do the same.」

「…Could you give me a few minutes to think, please?」

There is only one thing that matters to me, and that is to protect Elephant-san.

But I don’t know if I am strong enough to overpower other Witches. I am not strong enough to shake off my ties. Above all, I am only one person.

I need someone to protect me in my place when I am unable to protect Elephant-san by any means.

Rabbitfoot-san’s suggestion should be a good one, and I know that if I nod here, I will have a good grounding to fight the Devil.

But what is the difference between taking Rabbitfoot-san’s hand and the Devil’s hand, other than my disgust?

I am sure that I have a good feeling about Rabbitfoot-san who is recruiting me after rescuing me and telling me what happened, as opposed to the Devil who tried to incorporate me into her faction in a vicious way. Even taking into account the enchantment magic, the Devil is worse in the heart.

But is it really possible to protect Elephant-san by joining hands with Rabbitfoot-san for that reason alone?

If either move would involve the hassle of factional strife, it is possible that taking the Devil’s hand would be the wiser choice.

Besides, if what Rabbitfoot-san says is true, there is a possibility that she will not touch me even if I don’t join hands with either of them.

What should I do? What is the right thing to do?

I don’t know. I have to think more and more carefully…

「Hmph, I’m not asking you to answer right here at the beginning. Just a word of advice, what I’m saying now is not a handout. She knows what we’re trying to do, she just doesn’t show it.」

「I’m not thinking about that.」

「If you can’t even think about that, I think you’d better follow me.」

「Tch, you’re too noisy! If I didn’t have to think about it, I would too! You’re the one who’s poking me when I didn’t ask for it!」

I’m not a Witch because I want to be one!

Why do I have to get involved in all this trouble!

I just wish I could have a good time with Elephant-san, that’s all I want!

「Ahh, enough! Don’t throw a tantrum, you little brat! We’re almost there. We’re going to grab a bite to eat. That’ll calm you down a little bit.」

「…I apologise. I was distraught.」

I thought I was calm, but maybe I was more trapped than I thought. Rabbitfoot-san’s casual words made me surprisingly hot-headed myself, and I could not contain my feelings.

I should talk to Elephant-san and the others once and then think about it properly. If I agonize alone, only bad things will come to my mind.

Even though I have my own agenda, it’s not good to blame Rabbitfoot-san for coming to my rescue.

「Speaking of which, how did you know I was there? Did the Witches know I was there?」

「All I got in advance was a notice that the room wasn’t available for the Tea Party today. It was from the Department of Magic, and that’s the only reason I didn’t know you were there. Your comrades told me you were being called out today. So I’ve been going to every possible place I can think of——」

「From my comrades!? Why are you meeting with them!? You don’t mean to tell me that a high-ranking Diest got out and they’re dispatched!? Is anyone injured!? Is Elephant-san safe!?」

I cut Rabbitfoot-san off and asked her a series of questions. Rabbitfoot-san said it like it was nothing, but it was information I couldn’t miss. I have never heard of any interaction with Rabbitfoot-san from Elephant-san and her friends. If that’s the case, the most likely scenario is that they had a sudden opportunity to meet, and the most likely scenario is a Diest.

「Wai–!? You idiot! Calm down! Elephant-san, Blade-san and Press-san are safe! I just happened to be on a trip to Sakira and happened to run into them when I saw the Diest!」

「I–I see. Sorry, I got a little carried away.」

I’m really glad. I just wish nothing had happened to Elephant-san while I was gone…

「…You, you need to mend your ways or your weaknesses will be on full display. You should not be so distraught in front of others, even if you are usually friendly with them.」

「Uuh… That’s, you’re right.」

「What would you do if I said I would kill Elephant-san and others if you didn’t cooperate?」

「I’ll kill you.」

「I didn’t think you could seriously look at me with murderous intent in a metaphor. Calm down. I’m not saying I’m going to do it, I’m saying if you don’t want to be threatened like that, you need to behave better. At least it was clear from our earlier exchange that you care about Elephant-san, not all of your friends.」

There are things I can say and things I can’t say, even by analogy.

「Tch, this idiot! I said calm down! I know you love Elephant-san, so come back to your senses!」

「N–No way, I’m not in love, that’s… it’s not like that.」

I have a lot of respect for Elephant-san, I don’t mean that kind of love or that kind of mundane thing, I said I want to protect Elephant-san, with a more pure heart, I am embarrassed to be told that I love her so much, but of course I don’t hate her——

「What the hell is wrong with your emotional state… Ahh, and also, her senior, Dryad or something, came to visit. If I told her what happened, she’d fight with you, I guess?」

「Really? That’s reassuring.」

I’m not acquainted with her, but I’ve heard that Dryad-san is a Phase 2 Magical Girl and not in the faction, and most importantly, she is Blade-san’s mentor, so she’s comfortable with them.

Of course, Dryad-san has a real life, so I can’t force her to do so, but I would be very grateful if she would cooperate with us.

I knew it was the right decision not to come to a conclusion right here and now.

Let’s talk about it as soon as we get back.