Saturday, July 19, 2025

[WN] Villainous Witch : Chapter 99


Chapter 99

It Rains


Translator : PolterGlast


"Ugh, damn that old man..."

 

In the middle of the desert, the boy let out a huge sigh. Next to him, his partner tilted its head, its long tongue lolling out. "Good job," he said, patting its head. It was a large, snake-like monster called a Sand Cobra. Only the boy could ride it.

 

Good work! I'll give you a hefty reward!

 

The old man's voice kept echoing from the communication device in his ear, making him want to throw it away. A strange old man had been trying to enter a restricted area, so mostly out of kindness and a bit of business sense, he had offered to guide him. He had been told it was alright, but the old man had come back anyway and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

 

The reward would be hefty. That's why he wanted to hire him. It was possible that the land in this area would sink further. When that happened, he wanted to entrust the evacuation of the residents to him.

 

The communication device, a magic tool, was placed in his palm, and while wondering what he was talking about, he nodded as prompted. He had fallen asleep with the magic tool he was told to keep close to him, and then the old man's instructions had come flying in. He wanted to yell at him for being so sudden.

 

His exhausted body felt like mud. Originally, since it was close to the restricted area, people didn't come, but still, just in case. He had also sent messengers to the nearby village. He kept watch to make sure no one approached or entered, and as the old man had said, the land sank. Then, strangely, a new land was born. It should have been barren land full of sand. But look at it now, there was a fragile sprout that looked like it would disappear any second, but it was definitely born and trying to live.

 

He didn't even know what emotion his exhaled breath carried. He just kept staring at the barren land.

 

"What are we gonna do? Business is gonna be booming..."

 

Riding on his partner's back, he glided over the sand. Only the boy could move so quickly. Yet, even though he was verbally blaming the situation, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. Flower petals were even raining down from somewhere. He laughed and shouted into the communication device attached to his ear.

 

"Hey, old man! I'm gonna charge you, a lot! I'll guide you for what I get, so come see, it's amazing!"

 

***

 

They had destroyed the wall of wind, and all that should have been left was to strike Carsei. But the other side was one or two steps ahead. Snow just gritted his teeth. He couldn't win. He had lost.

 

"...Couldn't you have done something more!"

"That was the best I could do. And boy, am I frustrated."

 

He grabbed Shangra's neck, who just grinned. He wanted to punch him for not sounding sincere, but the eyes visible through the gap in his crooked sunglasses were frighteningly sharp.

 

"...So, what do you want to do now?"

"Having come this far, how could I possibly go back in shame? If I return, I'll face battles with the other countries. If I can't advance or retreat, then I'll bet on the possibility of conquering this country."

"A quagmire, huh?"

"Fine by me."

 

He spat out the words.

Everything was for the sake of the country's people. To create a land without hunger. The world was not equal. If so, then all he had to do was take. He had made up his mind. Suddenly, something fell from the sky. Pink flower petals fluttered in the air. In the blink of an eye, they filled Snow's vision like a heavy rain.

 

"What... is this!" He couldn't tell left from right. The soldiers were also confused. Only Shangra looked up at the sky. "Petals from the World Tree..." "What's that?" Snow shouted, ignoring his words, pushing through the petals, and yelling at a communication soldier.

 

Hail Land had developed a different culture from Soleil. The device that enabled long-distance communication across national borders was called science. "Hey! Check right now, are the same flowers falling in Hail Land?!" The reply was like a scream. He immediately took out a large machine and rang a bell. It didn't take long. Indeed, flowers were falling. Everywhere, throughout the entire country of Hail Land.

 

"...Uh, um."

"What is it? Is there anything else?"

"The snow, no, the flowers, well, the snow that should have been falling in Hail Land, it's all... flowers, no, petals, it's changed into petals."

"What?!"

 

Snow snatched the machine from the soldier. But the other side just kept repeating the same thing. The snow in Hail Land continued to fall without ceasing. His hometown should have been a freezing country too harsh for people to live in. But look at it now, it was sprouting as if the World Tree had breathed new life into it. Snow just trembled. "So, what do we do now?" He glared with one eye at Shangra, who shrugged, and closed his eyes. He threw the receiver away, and a soldier behind him caught it.

 

"...Withdraw."

"With our tails between our legs?"

"That's right. If there's no need to invade, we'll tuck our tails in and run back right now. Our cooperation ends here. Do as you like."

"Oh, come on. Having gotten involved, I'll stick with you to the end. I don't really hate you after all."

 

He was nonchalant. Snow clenched his fist. "...What about your goal?" They had only joined hands for the same purpose. Shangra shrugged.

 

"Opportunities will come anytime. I don't particularly need to beat Vejasha right now. As long as I'm the one laughing last, I don't care about the process."

 

Snow just clicked his tongue at the grinning man. But this wasn't the time for that. From now on, Hail Land would face strong headwinds. They had ruthlessly attacked another country with a surprise attack. Leyshan, Cloudy Country—they wouldn't escape the reprimands from the other leaves. They had to strengthen their defenses immediately.

But, he held a small hope in his heart. He sought a country where people wouldn't suffer. That faint hope was budding in the young man's chest.

 

***

 

At that moment, many people looked up at the sky.

 

They reached out their hands to the falling flowers. Children stretched out their short arms, shouting with glee.

 

"What in the world is going on?" A woman looked out the window with a puzzled expression. The sun was peeking out slightly from the gaps in the clouds. Even in the Cloudy Country, the sun would occasionally show its face, but this was quite strange, she thought, tilting her head. Then, "What is this?!" she screamed. The storefront was completely buried in flowers. "Mom!" she called out to her mother inside. "We have to clean this up, it's going to be tough," she said, and her mother replied, "What are you talking about?"

 

No, really, it was going to be tough.

The door of "Harapeko-tei" slowly opened. Holding a broom and a dustpan, she was surprised. The whole town was full of flowers. She suddenly remembered the town that had collapsed three years ago. And now, pink petals had appeared from nowhere, coloring the whole town.

 

"It looks like the petals aren't falling anymore..."

 

Well then, she put her hands on her hips and frowned. What should she do about this? "That kid was really good at cleaning..." Before she knew it, everything was sparkling clean. It was as if there was someone else besides El. Now that she thought about it, she felt like something had been there, she nodded firmly, then shrugged, "Nah, that's impossible." She decided to stop running away from reality.

 

"Alright, time to clean up! Customers won't come in this mess. Harapeko-tei welcomes anyone who's hungry, anytime, anywhere!"

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