#531 The Fight at the Dragon Emperor’s Castle: The Six Witches’ POV Part 1

It’s me, Zoth Syra, the Witch of the Abyss.

I’m unwillingly taking part in a dungeon-exploration competition(?) organized by the land-dwellers. 

At first, I thought I’d give whoever sent this proposal to my office a good beating, but in the end, I got coerced into participating.

I’m afraid that’s how far a prime minister’s power can take me.

“Is there really any point in participating? Shouldn’t we just leave the land-dwellers be?”

“What are you talking about? We’re headed to a global future! We mermaids must keep up with important events, or we will be left behind!”

You sound like we’re desperately trying to keep up with the trends...!

Was this significant enough to summon a busy person like me?

“Oh, please. I’m still being fairly considerate, you know? In fact, I wanted to get your opinion on how to make that something...”

“That something...?”

When I turned around, there was a creature with a massive eye.

There’s no way a being with such a ridiculous shape could be born through natural means.

In other words, it’s...

“A homunculus?”

“That’s right. That homunculus can send the things it sees as telekinetic waves and visualizes them at a distance. I named it Camera Eye! Whatever it sees is projected in real-time on a screen outside so the audience can watch!”

“Wow... That’s quite the set-up...”

Wait, are you the one who made this?

Homunculi can only exist through artificial methods, and since I don’t remember creating it, the only other person who could have accomplished such a feat is the princess in front of me.

“I wanted to ask you, the expert, for your opinion, but you were too busy with prime minister work, so I refrained from doing so. Aren’t I thoughtful?”

Er, before that, it somewhat hurts my pride that the homunculus magic I have devoted my life to mastering was easily imitated.

...Ah, I tend to forget this because of her eccentrics, but she’s considered the greatest genius in all of merfolk. 

And not just a genius in one field like me, but all fields.

It irks me a little, I must say.

“Also, the footage is being broadcasted to the Mermaid Kingdom. Our people are watching us, so we can’t embarrass them.”

“Why would you do that?!”

“The humans and demons are cheering for their representatives on the stands outside, so leaving out the mermaids is unfair! This event is for all three races to enjoy!”

You’re free to enjoy yourself, but think about my workload for once...!

Oh, wait.

It’s not very outlaw-ish of me to worry about work before anything else.

“Besides, there’s something I’d like to test out in this competition. Truth is, the Camera Eye homunculi are still incomplete and can’t transmit sound.”

“So they can only transmit visual information?”

“That’s why Dear’s out there, giving his all to entertain the stands by doing a live commentary. And for one reason, it’s convenient for me.”

“?”

She’s a creepy one, laughing sinisterly like a witch.

I wonder what she’s up to?

As I ponder, we arrive at a different area. 

“What is with this glaringly bright place?”

The whole floor is covered with black stuff.

What is this?

Crystal?

“Are these black crystals?”

“Ohohohoho! Good of you to come to my domain!”

Someone is on an elevated platform laughing like an idiot.

It’s a woman adorned in an over-the-top black dress.

“This area was designed by Bloody Mary, the Dragon Empress, in the new Dragon Emperor’s Castle. See if you can fight against the black crystal guardians endlessly spawning, fueled by my dragon magic!”

As soon as the black-dressed woman said that, countless black crystals sprung up and took a humanoid form.

“Looks like they’re magical life forms created by Mary’s dragon magic. Something between a mineral and a living creature, I guess?”

“You mean, similar to my homunculi?”

“I think they resemble automatons more. But they seem to be of a much higher dimension.”

Drats.

There go dragons and Lifeless Kings again, breaking all conventions like it’s nothing!

Are you saying that all the truths of this world belong to them?

Maybe I should also become a Lifeless Queen in the future!

“Anyway, they’re like guards to keep intruders out, so if we don’t do anything, they’ll catch us and toss us outside.”

“Ugh! Then, I’ll send out my homunculi, and...”

“Don’t. Their fighting capacity exceeds ours. You can’t call that a fight.”

“Gaaaaah!”

So what, do you want us to become sitting ducks?!

Not even your magic potions would work against a dragon!

“I told you. There’s something I’d like to try,” she says, laughing fearlessly. “Dragons have created a powerful army with their magic. They’re good enough for an experiment. A test run for my newly acquired skill!”

Where is all that confidence coming from? 

I don’t know what new magic you’ve mastered, but whatever it is, it won’t hold a candle to a dragon.

“Just watch!”

And with that, Platy starts humming...

A song?

Why would you start singing in the middle of a battlefield?!

Wait. Singing?!

Don’t tell me...! 

“Hier sitz ich, forme Menschen nach meinem Bilde...”

Just as I had imagined, the surface of the black crystal guardian cracked and shattered!

Was this due to Platy’s singing?!

But this... It can only mean one thing...!

“Isn’t this solmization magic?! Sis Mahi’s solmization magic?! Why do you know how to use it?!”

“Because I practiced!”

It’s not something you can do just from practicing, dumbass!

“Think about it! I am my mother’s eldest daughter! If I had inherited her talent, there would be no problem at all!”

“Inheriting her talent isn’t the problem here!”

“If Mom can do it, so can I! I asked her to teach me, see! I haven’t thrown a tantrum that bad since I was six! It was a lot of work to convince her, I tell you!”

You mean you had more trouble getting your mother to teach you magic rather than actually learning it?!

Ah, but I can kind of picture it...

Sis Mahi does have a soft spot for her children, after all...!

But should she impart the world’s most forbidden art just like that?

And what’s with your daughter mastering it like child’s play? Huh?!?

“Well, I’m not as proficient as Mom yet, but I’m not lacking when it comes to being a caster! Take this! Victory Song!”

Wow...

The black crystal guardians are cracking open like wine glasses being shouted at by a soprano singer.

Then again, it’s only natural for solmization magic to be able to do that.

If you know how to use it well, you can instantly kill dragons and Lifeless Kings.

...

Is this what it means to be a genius...?!

“Lalala~ Good! I don’t feel like we’re losing! At this rate, I could reign as the world’s strongest! ...? Ooph!”

What’s wrong?!

Platy suddenly crouched with her hand on her mouth!

Is this the side effect of solmization magic?

I mean, there’s a reason this art is called forbidden magic!

“Pull yourself together! Hey, is there a doctor here? We need medical assistanceeeee!!!”

“No, wait... I remember this feeling...! Is this perhaps...?”

Platy says with a grave expression as if she is enduring nausea.

“...Morning sickness?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t tell me there’s a second child in my belly...?!”

Not you too!

First, it was Puffer, then, Lampeye, and now, you?! Not to mention, your second child?!

What is up with this baby rush?!

“Pregnantttttttttttttt?!”

Eep!

The dragon guarding this area reverted to her original form and came flying toward us.

“Isn’t pregnancy a tough time for humankind? I heard about it from the women in the village we rescued!”

“Y-Yeah... I’m probably two or three months pregnant, so it’s a delicate time, haha...”

As expected of someone expecting her second child, Platy regained composure immediately.

“You can’t go exploring a dungeon in that condition! Abort! We’re breaking up the fight on doctor’s orders! It’s my decision as the person guarding this territory, okay?”

“Aww... Oh well. I guess the baby comes first...”

Thus, the dragon carries Platy out of the area.

The way she handled Platy was so careful it was as if she was carrying a fragile item.

“Sorry... I know I’m the one who started this, but I ended up retiring first.”

I mean, if circumstances permit, I’d also like to retire with you.

“The rest is up to you two. Don’t you dare lose to the humans and demons!”

Parting rough words of motivation, Platy left.

...

Two?

Was there someone else besides me?

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official release for v13 has been confirmed! no dates given so far