Chapter 43: Queen Anne of the Witches

Looking back now, the expansion of the Dragon Lair’s territory felt like a kind of safeguard.

It was as if parents had set up a baby guard to prevent their child from wandering off and getting hurt.

“Does this mean I’m not just a helpless baby anymore?”

After returning from the Dimensional Tavern, I found that the area I could move in within the Dragon Lair had been greatly expanded.

[I will take the lead!]

[You damn pig! Always trying to show off!]

The orcs and goblins charged toward the wolves in the wide clearing.

Whoosh!

The wolves were sliced in half by the orc’s massive axe, and those poisoned by the goblins’ quick-spread toxin collapsed.

The place where those two were clearing out was the entrance to the Detention Block, where the Witch Queen was imprisoned.

Normally, you would have to descend about 30 floors in the Labyrinth to reach here.

Why was this even possible? The answer lay in the message I saw when leaving the Dimensional Tavern.

‘Mature Hatchling.’

[You have become a Mature Hatchling.]
[You greatly influence the Dragon Lair. You can obtain more rewards.]

It seemed that this influence had expanded the area where I could operate.

‘The reason the Lycan died must be the same.’

As my influence grew stronger, Redoc must have noticed my presence and become aware of what was happening in his domain.

Sloppiness in management and the slaves’ liberation—plus my existence that had seized his territory.

From Redoc’s perspective, it was a shocking betrayal, so purging the Lycanthropes was only natural.

From this, I learned something.

If a Guardian dies in this world, it’s over. It made the careful selection of Guardians even more important.

[I caught another one.]

[What are you talking about? I caught that one. Can’t you see how flushed his face is from the poison?]

[I saw you get speared by the axe and then poison him.]

The goblin and orc bickered, but their relationship seemed good.

If anyone was most likely to die, it would be those two, but if I pumped the wealth accumulated in the Dragon Lair into them, that risk would disappear.

The more time passed,

the more skills and better equipment I would acquire.

I just had to get through the imminent crisis with Redoc.

“Did you leave one alive?”

[Yes. Right here!]

I approached the wolf the Guardians had spared. Lowering my stance, I sprinkled Confession Grass Powder on its nose.

“The location of the Detention Block?”

[It’s in the vines where the blue flowers bloom.]

“Who’s inside?”

[The Fifth Battle Commander and the Fifth Battle Battalion are guarding the Witch Queen.]

“Tell me the internal layout in detail.”

[That, I don’t know.]

A guard at the entrance, apparently.

After asking about the Fifth Battle Battalion as well, I made sure the information was clear.

Crunch!

I got up and moved with the orc and goblin, using detection magic to prepare for any sudden attacks.

The deeper we went, the more a garden appeared.

A dome surrounded by stone walls with an open ceiling, inside which colorful flowers emitted a dense fragrance.

Strong mana radiated from within.

‘It’s a trap.’

Outside the garden, many monsters were hiding.

Judging by their number and presence, it looked like the Fifth Battle Battalion the wolf mentioned.

I decided to act as if unaware and entered.

[You are immune to poison due to Dragon God’s Body.]
[You resist status abnormalities: sleep due to Dragon God’s Body.]

The goblin and orc suffered status effects and collapsed.

I could have purified it with magic, but I left them there briefly to lure out all the enemies.

Soon after, the Fifth Battle Battalion revealed themselves.

About fifty wolves surrounded us, exuding ferocity. The leader at the front stood out—he was different from the others.

He stood upright on two legs like a human.

The form of a Lycanthrope as I knew it.

His massive fist wore a spiked gauntlet, and a long scar ran across his left eye, giving off a fierce aura.

Using the Golden Dragon Eye, I gathered information.

[Brachi (S)]
— A descendant of the Black Moon Clan, loyal to Redoc. The fifth strongest within the Black Moon Clan.
Harbors suspicion.

• Overall Stats: S
• Potential: S
• Items Held: Spiked Gauntlets (A), Necklace of the Black Moon Clan (A).
• Skills: Half-Human, Half-Wolf (A), Physical Resistance (A), Magic Resistance (A), Agile Movement (S), Flexibility (S), Sharp Talon (A).

As expected of the commander, his specs were better than the ones I’d met earlier.

‘The others are all A-rank.’

Aside from the commander, they were not particularly difficult opponents.

[Are you that slippery bastard?]

“Such an honor to be greeted by you personally.”

[Why is a human here? More importantly, how are you even alive here?]

“What use is knowing that when I’m about to die?”

[Hahaha, this one’s interesting.]

Brachi clenched his fist, spat, and laughed.

“I’ll show you hell so you never joke like that again.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Brachi sprang forward. With Agile Movement, his speed was fast.

In an instant, Brachi appeared in front of me and threw a punch.

Kah-kang!

My Absolute Barrier shattered.

“I’ve fought similar types before.”

I activated a prepared spell.

Blue frost spread rapidly from the ground in all directions. Chains shot out from it, aiming for Brachi.

With animal-like senses, he dodged the ice chains.

Using Flexibility, he twisted his grotesque form to evade the chains, then channeled mana into his claws and shattered them.

[Did you really think you could catch me with something like this?]

Though he was the same grade as a Small Blood Demon, the skill gap was obvious.

It was the difference experience accumulated over many years could make.

But even such experience was useless against absolute power.

“Gravity Hand.”

A massive palm pressed down, crushing the area around us.

There was no space to evade.

The A-rank wolves burst apart under the force of gravity, disappearing, while Brachi resisted with great strength.

But the moment he stopped, the fight was over.

The ice chains flew swiftly and restrained Brachi. Slowly approaching the frozen Brachi, I spoke.

“Kneel.”

His eyes trembled but he clearly resisted my power.

‘He can resist, huh?’

Not all monsters could be turned into Guardians, apparently.

[Is this it? The power controlling my comrades?]

“Hmm…”

The reason I intended to make him a Guardian was to quickly reach the Witch Queen with the information I had.

I paused to consider.

Were there different conditions when I made the orc, goblin, or Fryra Guardians?

‘Fear me, or be favorable.’

The goblin and orc feared me, Fryra was favorable.

Brachi was unlikely to be favorable.

‘Fear then.’

That reminded me of a skill I gained upon becoming a Mature Hatchling.

Dragon Fear.

I took a light breath and summoned Dragon Fear. Even without trying, I could feel the skill naturally imprinted on my body.

I stared into his eyes.

Inside his wavering pupils, a raging storm swirled. The shadow of rising fear slowly appeared.

Feeling it, I sneered.

“Kneel.”

My voice echoed and Brachi submitted.

[Do you wish to appoint Brachi as a Guardian?]

Yes.

[Appointing Brachi as Guardian.]

I released the ice chains and helped Brachi, who collapsed onto one knee, to stand.

“Lead me to the Queen.”

[Understood.]

Using purification magic, I revived the orc and goblin.

“Return to the Lair.”

Using a portal, I sent the two back to the Dragon Lair and followed Brachi into the garden.

The place the wolf mentioned earlier.

Blue vines covered one wall, with blue flowers blooming atop.

Brachi stepped forward and reached out.

The blue vines vanished, revealing a path inside.

[I will guide you.]

Brachi led the way.

I followed inside.

A bright light flowed from a orb embedded in the ceiling, illuminating the cave interior.

The path exuded a dreamy atmosphere.

Various patterns and murals were painted across the cave walls.

Admiring the murals, I soon arrived at the destination.

A vast clearing with an open ceiling.

In the place bathed in bright light stood a dilapidated house with a chilling aura, and next to it, enormous cauldrons.

‘The Witch’s House.’

I recalled what the witches in the Dragon Lair had said.

The cauldron was crafted by the Witch Queen herself.

If ingredients were boiled in this cauldron, large quantities of potions could be produced from small amounts, and many different kinds could be made.

That was why I had come all this way.

“Is the witch inside?”

[Yes. But be careful. The witch’s magic is set so that entering will mean death.]

“The witch’s magic? You didn’t imprison her?”

[No.]

Brachi explained what he knew.

[When Redoc came here, the Witch Queen sealed herself together with this house.]

“Then what were you doing here?”

[We were guarding against outside intruders and monitoring for the seal’s breaking.]

Hmm.

I quietly stared at the Witch’s House.

“Go inside.”

[Understood.]

Brachi strode straight into the house. When he grabbed the doorknob, powerful mana surged, drawing a magic circle.

Crackle! Crackle!

A fierce wind blew as the magic circle radiated death energy, wrapping around Brachi’s entire body.

[… Ugh!]

As if kissed by the death reaper, Brachi’s lips and face began to wither.

At that moment, a strange sensation spread throughout my body.

I saw mana’s movement.

Something imprinted itself in my mind.

The principle and structure of the magic were conceptualized and soaked into my consciousness.

[With Blessing of Magic (EX), you understand the principle and structure of Death Barrier magic.]
[Your understanding of magic is very high.]
[Your understanding of attributes is competent.]
[Adjusting grade.]
[You have acquired Death Barrier (A).]

I had found a way to break the seal.

‘I have to offer a sacrifice.’

Just then, there was a suitable sacrifice right before me. Watching Brachi slowly wither and die, I revoked the Guardian commission.

[Ku, ku-ugh! You… you bastard.]

Brachi watched his own death with a blank expression.

At the moment the death reaper from the Death Barrier took Brachi’s life,

gray light poured from the magic circle.

The magic circle expanded, revealing various incantations. I extended my hand and channeled mana toward it.

I twisted the magic circle, altered the laws.

‘Death into life.’

It wasn’t until all the mana in my Dragon Heart was depleted that I was finally able to break the seal.

“Phew…”

I exhaled deeply and gazed at the magic circle.

The white glowing magic circle flowed into the Witch’s House. As the seal broke, a small breeze stirred.

Whoooosh!

With a creaking sound, the Witch’s House weakly opened, as if signaling me to enter.

After briefly meditating to recharge my mana, I stepped inside.

The interior was neat, unlike the outside.

Upon entering, the Golden Dragon Eye activated, sending golden lines shimmering through the air.

“Hidden Piece?”

Following the lines, I descended into an underground-like area.

A door resembling a storage room.

Detection magic confirmed strong mana emanating from within.

Hoo.

I exhaled lightly and opened the door with force.

Through the gradually opening crack, I caught sight of the interior.

A woman holding a fragmented tablet with closed eyes.

Her long green hair filled the floor, and black chains bound her body.

The Golden Dragon Eye pointed not to the woman but the tablet she held.

What could that be?

I prepared to use the Golden Dragon Eye to examine it when the woman’s closed eyes slowly opened.

Despite her disheveled appearance, she was beautiful.

Her transparent, clear gaze met mine.

“I have waited a long time.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Golden heir, will you accept me into your fold?”

No sooner had she finished speaking than a message appeared.

[Do you wish to accept Anne, Queen of the Witches, as a Guardian?]

There was no reason for me to refuse.

[Accepting Anne, Queen of the Witches, as a Guardian.]

[Anne, Queen of the Witches (SS)]
— Former Lord of the Forest and Queen of the Witches. Has been sealed for a long time and requires a recovery period.

• Submissive.
• Overall Stats: B
• Potential: SS
• Items Held: Fragmented Tablet of Time 7(?), Chains of Sealing (SS)
• Skills: Curse Magic (SS), Potion Making (SS), Blessing of Magic (S), Necromancy (S), Alchemy (SS), Prophecy of the Stars (A).

Her possessions were impressive.

Could she also make elixirs? Then, the mana hole in Ropenheim might also be restored by alchemy.

Then something caught my eye.

“Lord of the Forest?”

“Yes. I was originally the ruler of this forest, but I lost that position due to Redoc’s rebellion.”

“Then you know Redoc well, right?”

“Yes.”

Redoc, Lord of the Forest.

The leader of the Black Moon Clan and ruler of the Seventh Forest. He led all his forces.

Their destination was the Human Domain to the south.

“Is that it?”

Redoc’s gaze fell upon the vast land.

There, his enslaved fairies wandered, a goblin village thrived, and the Dryad Tribe’s fields lay.

I didn’t know when they had taken hold here.

From today onward, this place would be erased from the world.

“Kill them all. Burn everything.”

At Redoc’s order, the Black Moon Clan soldiers charged forward.

“This is war! Wipe them all out!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”