A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 116: The Shadow Witch (2)

“So, you’re the Shadow Witch?”

“...Can’t you tell just by looking?”

“Well, you don’t look like it.”

Following her cue, I sat down, but didn’t lower my guard, glaring at her as I spoke.

“Why don’t you show your true self?”

“Hehe. That’s rude. Sometimes, you have to be able to see people as they are, you know?”

But the Shadow Witch, already seated before me, only responded with a sly, lecherous smile.

“By the way, you’re really not cut out for speaking informally, are you?”

“......”

“I get that you’ve been wary from the start, but couldn’t you at least talk normally?”

On top of everything, she even pointed out my way of speaking. She didn’t seem to feel the slightest tension in this situation.

“That’s my choice.”

“...Hmm.”

“Despite how I look, I’m fairly good at distinguishing between people who deserve formal speech and those who don’t.”

Still, I wasn’t willing to be the first to back down in a conversation like this, so I replied as coldly as possible.

“Hopefully that distinction isn’t based on age. That would be a bit rude.”

“......”

“Some people have a complex about childlike bodies, you know? Even if I look like this, I’m much older than you.”

She stared at me for a moment, then smiled brightly and opened her mouth.

“Oh, but don’t ask my age. That would be rude too.”

“...Even if I don’t ask, I can make a guess just by the amount of magic you possess.”

“Hey, guessing a lady’s age is rude too, you know.”

Outwardly, she maintained the attitude of an arrogant child forcing herself to act polite toward an adult. But in truth, it was a bit different.

“Anyway, I hope you’ll ease up on your hostility toward me.”

Between her words, there was a subtle, indescribable dark energy.

It was the kind of energy you only saw in overwhelming powerhouses like Lady Meredia or the Emperor—people who had long forgotten why they needed to observe manners.

“I’m just starting to feel a little scared, you know? So maybe try softening that expression a bit.”

What I didn’t yet understand was why someone like her, so powerful, was forcing herself to be polite to me with such absurd lies.

“I’d prefer if we cut the nonsense and got to the main point.”

“...It’s not nonsense, I am scared. Your face and tone.”

But the Shadow Witch didn’t seem intent on explaining her behavior, so I quietly started thinking back to when I first met her.

‘Now that I think about it, this one was preparing to rebel against the Great Shadow too.’

And the reason behind her unexpected friendliness became clear rather quickly.

According to what she said at Lumen Ordo, the current executives of the Shadow Union all harbor dissent or dissatisfaction with the ‘Great Shadow.’

In that context, the Shadow Witch was trying to recruit me to seize control of the black mage society—a fact she had once hinted at with metaphor.

‘The question is, can I trust that at face value?’

Of course, taking the words of a black mage seriously and following them would be the height of idiocy.

Still, judging by the current situation, it was true that she needed my cooperation.

So maybe I didn’t need to worry about a violent conflict or bloodshed for now. That alone was... a small relief.

“But what’s with that embarrassingly dressed demon sitting beside you?” ƒrēenovelkiss.com

“...Huh?”

“Isn’t it a bit improper to bring something like that to a meeting like this?”

Just as I was having that thought, the Shadow Witch placed her teacup on the table and glanced sideways at Azrael before speaking again.

“Are you talking about me, black mage?”

“Surely you didn’t bring her thinking you could intimidate me, right? If that’s the case, maybe bring a stronger demon next time.”

“...Tch!”

Provoked beyond restraint, Azrael struck at her before I had time to stop her.

“Wha...?”

But the moment her fist flew forward, Azrael froze in place, her face clearly showing shock.

“......”

The Shadow Witch, who’d remained casually sprawled in her chair the whole time, merely raised a finger—just a tiny upward flick—and Azrael could no longer move.

“Th-This can’t be...”

“Why not? This is why demons are such a problem. Arrogance is built into your species.”

Azrael struggled with all her might to break free from the invisible restraint, but the Shadow Witch only picked up her teacup with her other hand and sipped it with total calm.

“Let me go! I’ll kill you!”

“And how exactly would you do that? You’re a mere seventh-tier demon. I ride around on demons ranked second-tier.”

“...What?”

Azrael, who’d been raging in indignation, froze again in disbelief at the words that left the Shadow Witch’s mouth.

‘...Well, we’re screwed.’

Honestly, I’d sat there confidently with Azrael beside me, relying on what she’d told me about demon–black mage compatibilities.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to provoke you.”

“......”

“Truth is, I had to steel myself to come here. Originally, I was going to summon demons ranked one through six.”

And then, the Shadow Witch—watching my stiffened expression—began speaking more politely.

“But then I realized that would’ve been stupid. Sir Whitney.”

Her response left a bitter aftertaste, but at this point, I didn’t really have a choice except to listen to her.

“After all, even a rank-one demon would have no choice but to obey you, right?”

“...Haha?”

“No need to hide it from me. I know quite a lot about you.”

I had no idea how she expected me to control a rank-one demon when even Azrael had only been barely subdued as a maid.

Was she talking about the “Power of Domination”? If so, then... lucky guess.

I still didn’t even know how to use this “Power of Domination.” If she summoned those high-rank demons right now, I’d be the first to get ripped apart.

“Alright. I’ve gauged your abilities to some extent.”

“......”

“With that, I’m slightly inclined to cooperate. Now then, shall we get to the main point?”

I didn’t see any reason to tell her the truth, so I put on a composed face and resumed speaking formally.

“...So it was a test.”

Thankfully, the Shadow Witch, staring at me for a moment, just smiled darkly and propped up her chin.

“Th-That’s what it was!?”

At the same time, Azrael—flattened to the floor by some unknown force—murmured in shock with wide eyes, but I ignored her and smiled at the Shadow Witch.

‘...Hopefully she didn’t see through me.’

After all I’ve been through, I’d gotten somewhat used to situations like this. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t tense.

Especially not with someone who subdued Azrael—a high-tier demon—using just one finger.

Even if she seemed friendly now, things could turn in an instant. I couldn’t help the subtle tremor in my eyes.

“Alright, any more delays and you’ll really start making me angry, so let’s move on.”

Forcing more intensity into my gaze, I watched as the Shadow Witch twitched her eyebrow and began digging around in her cloak.

“Here you go.”

She soon pulled out an envelope and offered it to me.

“Oh, pardon. Too far?”

“......”

“...Nngh.”

When I just stared blankly at it, she tilted her head, slightly flustered, then stretched her arm forward with all her might and held it out again.

‘...Now that looks like a child.’

The envelope, edged with her oversized sleeves, still barely reached me. If she really was older than me, I could understand why she’d see her body as a complex.

“Hey, I’m getting annoyed here.”

“......”

“Would you please just take it.”

Snapped out of my daze by the rising irritation in her voice, I hurriedly reached out and took the envelope.

“So, this is...?”

“...An invitation.”

“An invitation?”

Without thinking, I opened it—and saw a card decorated in black and gold.

“To the Shadow Gathering.”

“Ah.”

As I examined it more closely, her follow-up clarified why she’d come here.

‘Now that I think about it, she did say she’d come when the time was right.’

Still, I didn’t think she’d show up this blatantly. She really is something else.

“I originally planned to escort you myself, but I figured dragging you off without warning might make you uncomfortable.”

“......”

“Instead, if you sign at the bottom of that invitation, you’ll be instantly teleported to the location, wherever you are.”

Relieved that I wasn’t being dragged off right now, I still didn’t feel entirely safe about this invitation.

“To where?”

“...Well, who knows?”

“......”

“Sorry, but the location of the Shadow Gathering is top secret. Making a scary face won’t change that.”

I mean, it’s basically a one-way ticket to an unknown destination.

“Of course, you’re not being forced. If you don’t attend, I won’t complain.”

As I grimaced, the Shadow Witch leaned in, lifting the corners of her lips, and whispered in my ear.

“But in that case, I’ll just make sure you pay for betraying my goodwill.”

“...Such as?”

“I may not be able to touch you, but I can very easily reach the people around you.”

In that moment, I must have lost control for a second.

“...Ha, haha.”

Because after a blink, I came to—only to find the Shadow Witch aiming a black orb at me, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

“So that wasn’t even your scary face until now?”

“......?”

“...Thank you so much for going back to normal.”

For a moment, I thought I was going to be killed right there—but fortunately, the Shadow Witch let out a long sigh and quietly recalled all the dark spheres she’d summoned.

“Anyway, you’ll need to use that invitation within this week.”

“......”

“Oh, and... don’t tell your fiancée, of course.”

She walked up to me, rested an arm on my shoulder, and whispered softly.

“...If she comes along, I can’t guarantee what’ll happen.”

And with those final words, the Shadow Witch slowly turned into smoke and disappeared into the air.

“I’m pushing for you to become the Demon King, after all. Hehe...”

Leaving behind that ominous whisper at my ear.

“Haah...”

Only after the Shadow Witch had fully dispersed into smoke and the barrier around the mansion began to lift did my body finally relax, and I let out a deep, exhausted sigh as I slumped into the chair.

“Sir Whitney!!! I’ve finished bathing!!!”

“Y-Your Highness!?”

“Let’s play a fun game together as friends!!!”

“...Oh, come on.”

Far off in the distance, the Crown Princess leaned out the window, wrapped in a towel and shouting joyfully—shattering any brief moment I had to collect myself.