Chapter 4: You’ve lost your country
Ron lifted the teacup and anxiously surveyed his surroundings. This place offered him no sense of security; he felt the city dwellers could capture him at any moment. The person who reported him was likely the woman claiming to be Madam Mercury in front of him. Ron hesitated before drinking the water. Not everyone could drink this kind of mysteriously appearing water.
“Mr. Ron, you don’t need to worry,” Madam Mercury reassured, handing a cup of water to the witch. “This is water from a certain spring.”
Ron suggested, “Give her a cup too,” referring to the witch who had been through a lot without drinking water.
Madam Mercury smiled and gave the witch a cup, saying, “No problem.” The usually reserved witch drank like a cat, seemingly relying on instinct. When the hood was removed, Madam Mercury saw the witch’s appearance with water-blue hair and a beauty mark near her left eye.
While the witch drank, Ron remarked casually, “Madam Mercury? That sounds like a pseudonym.”
“It is indeed a pseudonym,” Madam Mercury said softly. Ron found the name friendly, considering he couldn’t remember long names.
“Why are you helping us?” Ron asked directly, to which Madam Mercury cryptically replied, “Mr. Ron, do you know your identity?”
“I don’t know,” Ron evaded, unsure if she meant his current body’s identity or his status as a traveller.
Madam Mercury hinted, “It’s evident you have forgotten your identity. Mr. Ron, you are the son of a hero of a fallen nation.”
Confused, Ron thought it sounded impressive but was unsure of the details. Madam Mercury encouraged him to explore on his own.
Madam Mercury reminded him, “I can somewhat sense your thoughts.”
Ron, trying to keep things secret, inwardly mocked the mysterious people he encountered. After some contemplation, Ron shifted focus and asked about the witch. Madam Mercury explained that the witch, Moluna, had trouble adapting to her human form after a long time as black mud.
Curious about how Madam Mercury knew Moluna’s name, Ron was reminded of her telepathic ability. Madam Mercury thanked him on Moluna’s behalf.
“Let’s get straight to the point, Mr. Ron,” Madam Mercury said. “As long as you open the door behind me, you can leave this city.”
Ron, noticing the door behind her, stretched his neck for a better look.
“Don’t be in a hurry. Opening that door will reveal a wall without my permission,” Madam Mercury patiently explained.
“Why did you save me?” Ron, sitting across from her, asked expressionlessly.
“Because you are the son of that hero, and everyone has expectations of you,” Madam Mercury hesitated before explaining.
Ron, lacking memories of this body, suggested, “I always feel that free things are the most expensive. Why don’t you name a price?”
Madam Mercury, sidetracking, asked, “You like witches, don’t you?”
“No, not really,” Ron straightforwardly clarified his preference for cute girls, not specifically witches.
“Why did you…” Madam Mercury began, but Moluna grabbed her wrist unexpectedly.
“It seems this child is not completely unresponsive to the outside world,” Madam Mercury smiled meaningfully.
“Mr. Ron, do you want to make a deal with me?” She withdrew her hand, “Consider that I saved you as a deposit.”
She opened the door, revealing a suburban area constantly buffeted by strong winds and snow.
“This place used to be a thriving territory, but one day, it was frozen,” Madam Mercury said helplessly.
“We hope to find the true culprit behind the freezing of this village,” she added.
Holding his cup, Ron glanced at Madam Mercury, asking, “Why do you care so much about this territory?”
“Because, coincidentally or not, this is one of my territories,” Madam Mercury casually revealed.
“Sorry, I forgot to tell you,” she nodded. “I am the Duchess of the Norman Empire.”
“After everything is settled, maybe I can give you a piece of territory,” she offered.
Duchess is a witch 🧙♀️!