The Witch of Gluttony’s Territory

“A large group? How large?”

“Approximately thirty of them,” Hillisa replied after a moment, having already grasped what her master truly wanted to know. “Their leader is a first-rate magical girl, while the rest are merely second and third-rate fodder.”

Those who have just learned a Tier 2 spell are considered magical girl apprentices.

Mastering a Tier 3 spell makes one an official magical girl, though some also call them third-rate.

Acquiring a Tier 4 spell, like the woman who raised the Biter Chicken, classifies one as a second-rate magical girl.

Mastery of a Tier 5 spell elevates one to the status of a first-rate magical girl, typically a leader capable of commanding a team.

Anyone who can wield a Tier 6 spell is a superlative magical girl—the pinnacle of their kind, second only to a Witch in power.

And a Witch, capable of using Tier 7 magic, represents the strongest known power on the face of the earth.

This approaching group of magical girls was hardly a threat. They had likely been dispatched to investigate after witnessing the dramatic atmospheric shifts from the earlier battle. Liyahiss had no desire for her hiding place to be discovered just yet.

Perhaps…

Meanwhile, high above another part of the forest…

“Captain, what’s the big emergency? Why assemble us in such a rush?”

“Yeah, I was right in the middle of dinner when the alert came through.”

“Me too! I was at a party with my friends!”

“I was just getting to the good part, only to be cut short!”

The magical girls chattered, their complaints overlapping. The team had only recently been formed, and with a newly promoted captain, they showed little reverence for her authority. As the new captain, she was naturally eager to make a good impression and project an image of dignified authority for these rookies.

“Silence! Just do your jobs! You’ll find out when we get there, won’t you?”

In truth, she didn’t know either. She had simply received orders from her commander to gather intelligence at the target location, but pride kept her from admitting it.

Before long, they arrived at the scene to find trees toppled and twisted everywhere, as if a tornado had torn through the area. Then, they saw it—a small villa, standing amidst the devastation. Only its windowpanes were shattered; the rest of the structure was completely unscathed.

It was a truly bizarre sight.

“Alright everyone, listen up! Split up and search! Report back immediately if you find anything!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

But before they could disperse, a colossal shadow fell over them.

“ROAR! I am the Witch of Gluttony! Mortals, you dare trespass!”

“A Witch? The ultimate powerhouses who’ve mastered Super-Tier magic?”

“For real? This is my first time seeing a Witch up close!”

“So you can turn into a dragon when you become a Witch? That’s so cool!”

“I will say this one last time. Leave now, and no one will be harmed.”

Unlike the wide-eyed rookies, the captain had heard tales of the Witch of Gluttony. She was known to hide away in some remote corner of the wilderness, indifferent to worldly affairs and caring only for her next meal. Judging by the creature’s sheer size, its appetite had to be immense.

The captain knew she wouldn’t even be a morsel. Survival was paramount.

“Your Ladyship, we are terribly sorry! We were merely ordered to investigate the disturbance here. We meant no offense. We will leave at once.”

“Hmph! Go back and tell everyone that this forest is the territory of the Witch of Gluttony. Let no one else enter, or they shall not return!”

“Yes! Everyone, with me! We’re pulling out!”

The group immediately followed their captain, flying away at top speed, not daring to cast a single glance back. Only after they had cleared the forest did someone ask timidly, “Captain, did we just… run away like that? How are we going to explain this to the commander?”

“You fool! Remember that your life is more important than anything else. Why would you risk it for such a meager salary? Besides, we’ve already completed the mission the commander gave us, and brilliantly at that!”

The team members considered this for a moment.

She’s right! they realized. As expected of our captain! She thinks on a level we can’t even fathom!