Chapter 33
The Grand Witch had a presence as massive as an ancient tree — like one that might have stood since the beginning of the world.
She was the spiritual pillar of all witches.
Forty years ago, during the Krepata War, she had led the witches into battle. She was a hero.
“If it weren’t for her, many people would have died. The witches’ medicine and healing magic are that remarkable.”
“Muniel and I were both saved by her,” Ardores added.
They shared how much the Grand Witch had helped them during the war.
Everyone looked at her with reverence.
Except Nivellia.
“Hello!” she said cheerfully, just like she’d learned in kindergarten.
The Grand Witch greeted her with a fond smile and slowly reached into the pouch at her waist.
From it, she pulled out a handful of sawdust.
“Oh dear, I didn’t even offer you all a place to sit. Getting old makes you slow at noticing these things.”
She sprinkled the sawdust onto the ground.
As it scattered, roots from the earth twined together and rose up, forming a large table and several chairs.
“Wow!”
Soles let out a bright exclamation.
Caleo was speechless, and Celletina covered her mouth with both hands in amazement.
“Are you okay, Aref?”
“….”
“Aref? Areeef!”
Aref had fainted on his feet. It wasn’t until Nivellia waved her hand in front of his face that he finally came back to his senses.
“Isn’t that a bit much for a first impression?”
Muniel asked teasingly, flashing a mischievous smile.
The Grand Witch laughed heartily as Azel helped her sit down again.
“Well, we can’t treat guests poorly, can we?”
Despite her warm, gentle smile, her golden eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance.
“This is finally a chance for us witches to stand in the sunlight again.”
“You should’ve taken the opportunity I gave you forty years ago,” Ardores remarked dryly.
“I wasn’t the Grand Witch back then. That old hag who was? She’s probably still clinging to life in the afterworld, cursing your name.”
“When I die, I’ll go visit and find out.”
Muniel responded with a straight face, as if she were truly looking forward to it.
Before they could begin official discussions—
“I’m too old to focus on difficult talks for long. So, this young woman will be speaking on behalf of myself and the witches.”
The Grand Witch introduced her representative.
She was a witch with a license to practice law.
Although she wore a cloak in the traditional dark hues of witches, underneath it, she had on a professional business suit — the kind lawyers typically wore.
“Huh…?”
The secretary’s eyes widened when she saw her.
The witch gave a warm smile and greeted her.
“Hello, Secretary Viseretos. We met once before, during a legal case, remember?”
Startled, the secretary pointed at her without thinking.
“Y-You were a witch?!”
Realizing her rudeness, she quickly lowered her hand.
“But why would a witch become a lawyer…?”
“Not all witches live in forests picking herbs,” the woman said calmly. “Some, like me, live among people while keeping our identity hidden.”
In fact, even her own parents still didn’t know she was a witch.
“Being a witch is just like being a wizard. It’s not passed down by blood, but by talent. Once we awaken to who we are, we know there’s no going back.”
That’s why she had become a lawyer.
So that if the time came, she’d have the power and credentials to stand up for witches in hiding.
And that moment had finally come.
The witch looked at Nivellia and the children with a soft smile.
“My name is Radia. It’s an honor to meet you, and thank you so much for giving us this opportunity.”
“Mm-hmm!” Nivellia nodded proudly, as if that was only natural.
While the adults talked business, the children came out of the tent and wandered around the nearby forest.
Nivellia, as Deter placed her hat back on her head, looked around and said,
“This place is kind of like the Tower… but different.”
“How is it different?” Deter asked.
“There are a lot of trees at the Tower too, but here there are even more. And it’s cleaner. The ground feels strong.”
Soles and Aref agreed.
“I think the air feels fresher here too.”
“The grass and trees look healthier, too.”
“Even more than last time we were here, right?”
“Yes.”
Really?
Deter, who had been silently listening to the children’s conversation, looked around the forest once more.
Maybe it’s just their imagination…
But the crisp air, the soft, rich earth, and the towering trees—together, they gave the forest a quiet, overwhelming sense of presence.
“It’s because the witches are here.”
A voice spoke from behind.
A witch had approached without them noticing.
“Land where witches live becomes healthier than most other places. And here, so many have gathered. That’s why the forest feels stronger than before.”
“That’s amazing… and kind of scary,” Deter said honestly.
“Scared of being cursed?”
“No. I’m scared of how little I knew about such incredible power.”
Now he understood why people had once feared and persecuted witches.
It wasn’t because they were evil—it was because their power was simply beyond comprehension.
“If I had been just a little more ignorant, I probably would have feared and mistreated you, too.”
“If I could bestow blessings like a Saint, I would’ve given you fifty by now,” the witch replied, smiling brightly.
“You’ve made my day.”
Then a voice called out:
“The Grand Witch is asking for the children.”
The kids came back from the forest — each holding a handful of bright red berries.
“They’re the same color as Aref’s eyes! Pretty, right?”
Nivellia proudly offered one of the bright red berries to the Grand Witch, as if it were a generous gift.
The child’s wide smile made her lips look even redder than usual.
The Grand Witch took the berry in her rough, wrinkled hand and rolled it between her fingers like a bead.
“If you eat this as it is, it’ll give you a stomachache.”
“….”
Nivellia’s eyes wavered nervously.
The Grand Witch chuckled and reached for a small basket beside her.
Inside were several round, brownish candies.
“Candy!”
“We call these ‘honey clusters.’ We boil wild honey until it’s thick, then pour it over the berries to make them safe to eat.”
She handed one honey cluster to each child. Deter and Azel also received one.
Nivellia rolled the honey cluster around in her mouth, her cheeks bulging out in different directions like a little squirrel.
The Grand Witch watched her fondly, then motioned for her to come closer.
Nivellia swallowed the honey juice in her mouth and trotted over obediently.
The Grand Witch whispered,
“Nini.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s good to see you again.”
At that, Nivellia gently rested her head against the Grand Witch’s arm.
“Gleva.”
She spoke the name sweetly, like a secret between friends.
And in the very moment Nivellia said the name of the one who communes with the earth, every tree and plant in the area stirred their leaves and branches in unison.
The earth acknowledged Nivellia’s presence.
She grinned brightly.
“Nini likes Gleva!”
“This Gleva likes our little cat very much too.”
“Heehee!”
“It may not compare to the Grand Witch’s honey clusters, but please try this. It’s very good for you,” one of the witches said, handing gifts to Nivellia, Aref, and Soles.
They were tokens of thanks—for saving Azel, and for giving them the chance to step into the world again.
Most of the gifts were medicinal herbs, flower pots, and handmade snacks.
Though they looked simple, each item had been personally grown or crafted by the witches.
Compared to expensive commercial herbal remedies, the quality was beyond compare.
Even just estimating in terms of market value…
Deter’s heart sank.
…Our young lady and the boys have done something truly incredible.
This wasn’t just about the herb market.
It would ripple across medicine, agriculture, and many other fields.
“I like chocolate cookies. Next time, make me chocolate cookies!” Nivellia said boldly, oblivious to the weight of it all, happily placing an order for her next gift.
The witches chuckled warmly at the four-year-old’s confidence. None of them promised cookies, but none of them said no, either.
“Kids,”
Celletina stepped out of the large tent.
“Come inside.”
“All done?” Nivellia asked, rubbing her cheek against Celletina’s hand.
“Nini’s starting to get bored.”
“Earning money is boring by nature, sweetheart.”
When they stepped inside, they saw the adults looking exhausted.
Caleo, the secretary, and Radia the witch-lawyer were among them.
Nivellia stared at her father’s pale, worn-out face.
“Daddy looks ugly now…”
“I’m not ugly…”
Caleo groaned, barely mustering the strength to reply.
“Ugh… you’re gonna get divorced now. ‘Cause you’re ugly.”
“Where did you learn that?”
“The witches said so earlier.”
“……”
Caleo somehow pulled himself together and updated the children on the key decisions.
“Construction will start tomorrow. And the pharmaceutical company should be open before winter.”
“That soon?” Soles asked.
“But the building’s going to be huge, right? A whole research facility, too. Can that really be done in just a few months…?”
Tap tap.
The Grand Witch tapped the table.
Her wrinkled mouth twitched slightly.
“Ah…”
Soles blushed.
Right… the witches are helping with the construction.
Even if they couldn’t all manipulate nature like the Grand Witch, witches who worked with the land could likely complete construction in no time.
“You’re clever and thoughtful,” she said, praising Soles.
“Speed isn’t always the most important thing. With something this big, taking your time and being careful is actually wiser. I’m glad you understand that.”
Nivellia nodded confidently.
“My big brother’s smart!”
“Soles is always studying, and when I don’t understand something, he explains it to me,” Aref added quickly, eager to show his support.
“I-I’m not that great…”
Soles tried to deflect, embarrassed, but under the table, his feet were wagging like a puppy’s tail.
The adults continued sharing updates—
Construction schedules, the witches’ roles, how the profits would be split, how products would be distributed, the mission and goals of the project,
Plans for hiring and employee welfare, and more.
“……”
Nivellia, listening with a serious face, thought to herself:
What are they even talking about? I just want a cookie.
