How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 49

Search-and-Destroy Operation 2

“What’s the meaning of this?”

They had swept the whole maor but didn’t find any person in red robes.

In fact they hadn’t found a single person at all.

“Hmm, there are traces of teleportation magic. Just a half hour ago from now.”

“What? They teleported the same time we did?”

It looked like they had left the same time Emilio’s party had teleported the horses with the teleportation magic. They were thinking they might have missed each other when Eleonora suddenly frowned and spoke up. 

“We’re surrounded.”

One of the guards looked outside from the window.

“There are about 30 to 40 people. They’re probably mercenaries. They’re surrounding all the entrances to the house as if to close them up. What should we do?”

“30 to 40… it also depends on how many of them can use magic… but it might be a close call.”

Emilio calmly calculated the odds in his head as he considered the enemy outside, and his own guards.

“Come now, Emilio. It’s fine. There’s no need to worry.”

Emilio snapped his head up at Beatrice’s voice to find the three witches grinning at him.

“Have you forgotten that we’re here?”

“Unfortunately, you guys won’t have a turn this time.”

Saying so, the three smiled widely and pulled out their silver wands.

“They’re coming!”

The sound of an explosion came from outside. The doors and windows of the manor shattered, and they all entered at once. 

“Flame barrier*! Ooh there’s quite a few magic users here! Nice!”

(TN: *literal translation; it’s probably a spell for making a shield to protect from the explosion)

“Why are you so pleased!”

“Ah, but it’s more fun like that that’s why. It’s too boring if they all get defeated easily.”

“Ah whatever! These people!”

Dino, who didn’t normally interact with the witches, was taken aback as the three women conjured a barrier against the explosion with their eyes sparkling in excitement.

“I don’t have anything against you guys, but drop dead!!”

The sound of swords clashing could be heard everywhere. The mercenaries were different from the red-robed people of the other day; they all had exceptional strength.

“Who hired you guys!?”

Leonardo exclaimed as he blocked an attack with his sword. His opponent grinned back at him.

“You idiot! As if I’ll answer that!” 

The man screamed and lunged at Leonardo with his sword raised. Leonardo stepped out of the way, leaping towards his back with his body folded down to avoid the blow. He swept out a leg making the man lose his balance, and landed a strong blow to his stomach which made the man fall down in unconsciousness. 

“Well, I can just have Lady Valeria peek at his memories later.”

“Hey is your sword just for decoration?!”

Emilio couldn’t help but retort to Leonardo who had used his hands to fell his opponent despite having his sword in his hand.

Leonardo was exceptionally skilled with a sword since both his father and grandfather had served as Knight Commanders. He had started learning how to use a sword from a young age.

If he wasn’t the Prince’s aide he would have entered the knight forces.

Leonardo also acted as guard for the prince, on top of being his aide, so he was also skilled in martial arts. His fighting style was a mix of both sword fighting and martial arts with no holds barred. 

“It’s hard to control my strength when I use the sword. I just need to make him lose consciousness after all.” 

Emilio laughed at his aide saying these things so nonchalantly.

“Uwaaa! That’s enough! P-please stop!”

“Ahh! Stop, stop, stop!”

The screams of the mercenaries started resounding everywhere. They turned to the sounds to see a bunch of mercenaries writhing in pain from something.

However, there was nothing in front of them.

Beatrice was standing besides them looking at them with a smile. It was a bizarre scene.

“Lady Beatrice! What’s going on?”

“It’s magic. They’re being constantly attacked by the things they find most terrifying. Over and over and over again. Hehehe!”

Valeria was flying around at the speed of thunder with electricity wrapped around her body, knocking down enemies here and there.  Eleonora waved her hands above her and a number of icicles rained down striking the enemies.

Looking at that, Beatrice fell into thought as if worried about something.

“Could it be, my magic doesn’t look very impressive from its appearance. It lacks a certain flair. Should I make some light come out like this?”

Looking at Beatrice worrying about such an unexpected thing, Leonardo and Emilio glanced at each other deciding never to make an enemy of these people.

Letting go of the matter for now, Beatrice made a restricting magic circle to bind the enemies, capturing them alive. This was done for interrogating them.

“Choose which one you’de prefer. Tell us honestly who hired you or have us forcefully look through your memories.”

At Emilio’s words, the leader started sputtering in laughter.

“Is there something funny?”

Just then, the other mercenaries also started cackling loudly.

“What a foolish Prince you are! We were just stalling for time here! I wonder what’s become of your preciou, precious little fiance!”

“What did you say!?”

Everyone’s faces became pale at the man’s words.

“What is this! Don’t tell me they knew from the start!?”

“We should go back for now!”

The three witches conjured up a teleportation magic circle and went back to the palace with everyone, including the mercenaries they had captured.