CH 30

Various sounds can be heard in the workshop.

Sounds of metal clanging and glasses rolling around.

Occasionally, there are high-pitched sounds like breaking glass, as well as heavy and wild sounds.

You might think it makes sense if you look inside.

But if someone who doesn’t know passes by, they might think like this:

“It looks like a witch’s house.”

“Huh?”

Yuren-kun, who visited the workshop unexpectedly, muttered.

Irina-chan and I stopped working.

“Oh, sorry about that. There’s a rumor going around in the palace, you see.”

“What rumor? About me?”

“About Aria, or rather, about this workshop. See, it’s in a location where many people pass by. And it’s an old building, so the soundproofing is not very good, and the sound often echoes.”

“Ah…”

I found myself convinced by what I heard.

Indeed, even before I became a Transmutation Master, I was once anxious about the sounds coming from the research lab in the mansion.

To someone unfamiliar with it, it might seem like I’m conducting experiments of unknown nature. But being called a witch is a first for me.

“It’s because Onee-sama has achieved so much in such a short time.”

Irina-chan told me.

She still comes to help out.

As Irina-chan poured liquid from a glass jar down the sink, she continued the story.

“Onee-sama was appointed as a Transmutation Master not long ago, and nobody outside of us knows the circumstances. Rumors spread that a newcomer suddenly appeared and solved the kingdom’s problems.”

“At an alarming speed, with an unknown background. So naturally people thought, could she be a witch?”

Yuren-kun continued the story.

I didn’t realize the situation was unfolding like that at all.

Now that I think about it, I am in a rather unusual position within the palace.

But then again, I never did receive an introduction to the other Transmutation Masters.

I’m too busy to even have time to go greet people on my own.

In fact, I don’t even know who’s who.

“Anyway, witches are interesting, aren’t they?”

“That’s not interesting, Onii-sama! Being called a witch is dishonorable for Onee-sama.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Then Irina-chan asked with a surprised expression.

“Don’t Onee-sama know about witches?”

“Well… I have a recognition of the great people who existed a long time ago.”

I’ve heard stories about them appearing in picture books and fairy tales.

I don’t have any more knowledge than that.

When I answered that way, Irina-chan was greatly surprised.

Yuren-kun followed up.

“Aria has been into transmutation since she was a child. She avoided unnecessary knowledge.”

“I see. Onee-sama was a hard worker since she was a child.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Don’t be modest. I can guarantee that Aria is a hard worker. I’ve seen it up close.”

Yuren-kun often praises me like this.

Recently, I have become used to it, and my embarrassment has gradually decreased.

It’s strange that it still makes me happy no matter how many times I hear it.

“So what kind of person is a witch?”

“Oh? Are you curious about it?”

“Yeah. It seems like everyone knows about it.”

Although it seems unrelated to alchemy, I thought I should ask just in case.

If I am being called that, it might not be completely unrelated.

Irina-chan’s mention of it being dishonorable piqued my interest.

“A witch is a female magician who actually existed a long time ago. Do you know about magic?”

“Yeah. It’s like a limited miraculous power that only a few people can use nowadays, right?”

“That’s right. It’s rarely seen nowadays, but everyone was able to use it back in the old days. Among them, one person who had especially strong power was called a witch.”

“Oh, I see. So she’s really an amazing person after all.”

When I showed my lightly understanding reaction, both of them showed a subtle expression.

Irina-chan looks particularly gloomy.

She starts talking about the witch again.

“She was an amazing person, but also a very scary one.”

“A scary person?”

“Yes. The witch had strong hatred towards humans and the world. So she tried to destroy them with her own power.”

“What?!”

I am surprised that someone could think of such incomprehensible things, trying to destroy humanity and the world.

“Well, what happened?”

“It ended up as a failure. But many people were sacrificed, and the name of the witch became infamous.”

“I heard that she used tools and weapons that had never been seen before. Maybe that’s why they call Aria a witch.”

“I see.”

The mystery of not knowing what she is making could be the reason why they call me a witch.

If witches are considered bad people, then it certainly is not a good thing.

“Oh…so that’s why. I’ve been feeling strange looks lately.”

“Looks? Is that so?”

“Uh-huh. But after hearing the story, I guess that’s how it is. It’s not like they did anything to me, so if it’s just a rumor, I guess I don’t blame them.”

If it’s just a rumor, it will soon calm down.

At that time, I thought of it lightly.

“…I see. But if anything happens, be sure to tell me, okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

That’s how I answered.

However, after this… I would break that promise.