The Witch’s Name and Iordera’s Arrogance

Nina was about to speak when a rumbling sound, interspersed with the clang of clashing blades, suddenly reached her ears from outside.

She immediately shoved Yuna. “Oh no, oh no, something’s happened! Quick, get up!”

Yuna, startled as if roused from her deathbed, instantly shot to her feet.

“What is it? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, but it’s incredibly loud.”

Iordera pulled open the door and stepped outside, only to discover a fierce battle raging on the street right in front of their home. Strangely dressed masked figures were clashing fiercely with armored patrol guards, their blades meeting in a relentless struggle.

This was no mere skirmish of clashing swords; torrents of sword energy periodically erupted from the heart of the battlefield, scarring walls and pavement alike with deep cracks. The vibrant flashes of light and flying debris captivated Iordera, leaving her wide-eyed and mesmerized.

Suddenly, a shard of rock flew through the air, hurtling straight towards the forehead of the gawking young girl.

“Young Miss, watch out!”

****

A sturdy hand reached out from the side, smashing the stone aside with a single punch.

A large, brown-bearded man, bald on top, stood nearby. “Little lass, even when watching the excitement, mind your safety.”

Iordera broke out in a cold sweat, quickly nodding. “I understand, thank you, Uncle.”

She had been so entranced by the fantastical skill effects of this other world that she hadn’t noticed the danger.

“Un… Uncle…”

Nina quietly approached Iordera, whispering, “This is our next-door neighbor, Andrew. Like us, he’s also renting here.”

“I see, thank you, Uncle Andrew.”

“…”

Iordera didn’t perceive any issue with her form of address; her mind wasn’t on such trivialities, her full attention captivated by the battle unfolding before her.

Just look at those sword gleams, flashing and shimmering, even trailing flames.

“Nina, tomorrow, could you run an errand for me at the bookstore?” she whispered, pulling her maid closer. “Buy a few books on combat fundamentals.”

She wanted to try learning from books, to see if she could pick up some flashy, effect-laden moves.

The tide of battle gradually turned. Although the masked figures fought fiercely, the steady arrival of guard reinforcements quickly overpowered and subdued them all.

Afterward, the landlady was called over by the guards for questioning.

“Have you seen any suspicious individuals nearby?”

“No, this area has always been very quiet.”

“Do you know those people over there?” The guard pointed towards Iordera.

“Yes, I know them. They live in my house; they’re all good people,” the landlady replied without hesitation.

She was then asked a series of trivial questions, all handled with a remarkably professional air.

The bald, bearded Andrew clapped Iordera on the shoulder. “Little lass, quite a spectacle, wasn’t it? The city’s been this chaotic lately, suspicious characters causing trouble everywhere. But do you know why?”

Iordera blinked, then shook her head.

If she hadn’t overheard people talking, she would have assumed this was just the normal state of affairs in this other world.

“Let me tell you, I’ve got an inside scoop, I know the real reason,” Andrew whispered conspiratorially. “Within the city of Juneburg (TL Note:朱恩堡, Zhū’ēnbǎo, a fictional city name.), that Witch is secretly imprisoned, and all these troublemakers are here for her.”

Nina and Yuna instinctively recoiled a step.

“Is that true? You mean *the* Witch?”

“This is terrible news.”

“Of course it’s true. My source for this information is absolutely reliable.”

Uncle Andrew and the two maids were making such a fuss that Iordera was utterly bewildered.

“Wait, wait, what Witch? Could you tell me about her?”

Andrew told her, “Just *that* Witch!”

Nina cleared her throat. “Um, Uncle Andrew, the Young Miss hasn’t heard of her. Could you please introduce her?”

‘Introducing her is fine, but why are you calling him Uncle too?’

“Once, there was an apprentice under the Guardian, whose talent was astonishing. In mere decades, she became humanity’s second powerhouse above Level 90, mastering six schools of magic and alchemy. Everyone believed she would inherit the Guardian’s mantle and become the continent’s new patron deity.”

As Andrew spoke, his expression grew serious. “But about half a year ago, the Guardian suddenly brought accusations against this apprentice, branding her a Witch. Dozens of charges were publicized against her, including the deaths of tens of thousands, the extinction of two rare races, and the destruction of several cities. The Guardian then led a host of powerful individuals to seal and imprison her.”

Iordera gasped in astonishment. “That’s terrifying.”

“There’s something even more terrifying. Before the Witch’s downfall, she held immense prestige across the continent, founding advanced schools and the Alchemists’ Association, and amassed many followers. All these recent troublemakers in Juneburg are her adherents, aiming to sow chaos in the city and then rescue the Witch amidst the confusion.”

Andrew sighed. “Hecate the Witch, truly terrifying.”

“She is quite terrifying,” Iordera nodded, then a sudden thought struck her. “Wait, what did you say the Witch’s name was?”

‘That name… it sounds a bit too much like her dear prisoner.’

“I said the Witch is truly terrifying.”

“No, I mean, what was her name again?”

“Hecate the Witch,” Andrew lowered his voice. “Don’t speak her name lightly. What if her followers hear it and come looking for trouble?”

Iordera’s legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed onto Nina.

‘This is no longer a matter of her followers causing trouble…’

“Little lass, don’t be so nervous,” Andrew reassured her. “The City Lord has already devised a plan, and order will soon be restored to the city. Don’t be afraid of the Witch’s followers.”

Iordera forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace. “Is that so? That’s truly wonderful.”

‘She wasn’t worried about the Witch’s followers; she was more concerned about the Witch herself.’

“Alright now, the excitement’s over. You should head back to sleep. It’s best not to go out at night in the city.”

“Young Miss, we should go back to sleep too. Young Miss? Your face looks terrible, has something happened?”

Iordera struggled to stand, shaking her head. “I’m fine. Let’s just go to sleep for now.”

‘She needed a moment to compose herself.’

****

The next day, Iordera rose exceptionally early. As soon as the sun began to peek over the horizon, she rushed into Sir Olcott’s quarters.

“Iordera?” Sir Olcott had just woken up and hadn’t even donned his armor. “What are you doing here? You should be delivering meals to the prisoner.”

“It’s still early. Um, sir, could you answer a question for me?” Iordera pointed in the direction of the prison. “Is that person… Hecate the Witch?”

“Did she tell you?” Sir Olcott said nonchalantly. “Well, if you know, you know. Just don’t go spreading it around outside. Though, actually, it doesn’t really matter…”

“It *does* matter!” Iordera exclaimed, leaping from her seat. “The entire city outside is teeming with her followers! You’re not taking any security precautions, and you’re hiring temporary workers as jailers—is that truly acceptable?”

Sir Olcott took a sip of his morning tea, speaking unhurriedly. “You may have learned some things, and I don’t know how you found them out, but trust me, the people in the city are not what you think. Don’t ask too many questions; the more you know, the worse it will be. Just focus on your own duties.”

Iordera’s cheeks puffed out. ‘What’s this? Are we doing the ‘those who know, know; those who don’t, shouldn’t ask; knowing more is no benefit; all related online content has been deleted’ routine?’

‘He acts like he knows everything.’

“Alright, even if we don’t have to worry about the troublemakers in the city, what about the Witch herself?” Iordera asked, settling back into her chair, her voice trembling slightly. “Will she do anything to me?”

“She’s sealed in her cell. I can’t even sever those six runic chains myself. What could she possibly do to you?” Sir Olcott remained unconcerned.

“But, but I exchanged a few words with her yesterday,” Iordera whispered, “and I was quite arrogant.”

“Arrogant? That’s quite normal. Since you’ve learned her identity, you know how proud she once was. A little arrogance is understandable…”

“No, what I mean is,” Iordera said, pointing to herself, “I was the arrogant one.”

Sir Olcott fell silent for a moment, then finally asked, “How arrogant?”

“As arrogant as one could possibly be.”