Witches won't release me! Chapter 8 (Patreon)

I stared at Nightingale for a good minute before I turned towards the depths of the mountains of the far north. And I said quietly. "I will sell you the materials and food at cost... But you and your Witches Association head not towards salvation but death. Especially with winter's arrival." 

Nightingale snorted and said flatly. "What would you know? You aren't a witch after all!"

My face pinched and I looked to her and asked helplessly. "Your 'Witches Holy Mountain' Has anyone found it before? Has anyone returned from finding it?" 

I shook my head and said quietly. "No, I am the Prince of the Wimbledon Kingdom and I can tell you for a fact... That the only thing past the northern mountains is a land of fertile fields that are marred by eternal heavy rains that allow demons to remain active out of the sun's gaze." 

Nightingale was silent for a moment as she stared at me before her face pinched and before she could retort some more nonsense about how I was just a dirty muggle.

I lifted up my hand and her gaze twisted in surprise as serpents of flame twisted around my hand as I used my bond magic connection with Anna to summon green flame serpents that made the air twist with their heat.

While I remained perfectly safe from the heat.

Then, past the haze of green flame light that lit up my dark room, I said with finality. "I many not be a witch, thank you very much. But... I am a wizard." 

There was a heavy pause as she just stared at me in complete confusion. There was a moment as I saw her hand on her large dagger tense... Though I wasn't 'worried' about her as even if she went invisible. She couldn't attack me unless she left her invisibility.

And if she did attack me?

When I exploded all of the mana I had through Anna's flames and used my revolver to shoot her several times which she had no idea of. Nana would obviously find me quickly.

So, so long as she didn't wound me lethally to die within a couple of minutes. I would be perfectly fine! 

I had all the confidence in this situation.

Still this relevation took Nightingale clearly by suprise before she took a deep breath and said helplessly. "Regardless of whether you are telling the truth or not. I need to reach my sisters in the Witches Association, Prince Roland." She finished with a tilt of head in respect.

I slowly nodded and then said with a shrug. "Very well then. My offer from before is still open. Take what you need if you wish by paying at cost. And go as quickly as you can... But demons can sense magical energy. So do not rely on your invisibility trick to avoid them or scout for their locations. They will easily sense your magical energy in use."

Nightingale put upon a slightly wounded expression as she said slightly sarcastically. "Oh? You want me to leave so quickly? What if I want to watch Anna and Nana? Maybe try to bring them with me?"

To which I gave Nightingale an even look before I said slowly. "I wasn't lying about the lands past the mountains being demon territory Nightningale. The reason I suggested you leave is not to make you leave... But to save your own people."

I shrugged and said with finality. "They will run into the endless tides of monsters and demons, and with your assassination skills. You might be the difference between the non-combat witches surviving or not." 

Nightingale gave me a hard stare before she bit her lower lip and said thoughtfully. "The church's fortress city, Hermes. It's for resisting the demons to the north, isn't it?" 

I nodded with Nightingale giving me an odd look before she sighed and said. "Fine... Thank you, Prince Roland." She reached into her very ample bossom and she tossed me a felt bag that rang with the sounds of clinking coins.

Though with a wry inward smile, I was more interested in the warmth of the bag that had absorbed her body heat. Still, I set aside the bag before I nodded and said. "I am happy to help a fellow magic user. Especially if it's mutual help."

She gave a thin smile at that and then, reaching into her bossom she pulled out a rolled up letter and then pushed it across my desk as she said.

"Speaking of mutual aid. A little rat in your castle tried to send this letter to your sister... Something about a failed assassination."

My face pinched before I said softly. "Yes. My 'dear' sister Garcia the pirate Queen. She is taking the swiftest path of hegemony in attempting to slaughter her siblings... It's a pity all her attempts failed."

I then gave Nightingale a raised eyebrow before asking. "And what aid are you offering?"

Nightingale gave a thin smile before she said bluntly. "That maid Tyre who tried to assassinate you. You don't want to spook any other agents, right? I can just clean her up and make it look like a suicide or accident. She broke her ankle and just froze to death in the snow outside." 

After a moment of thought. I could only nod as Nightingale's offer was truly the best chance I had in getting rid of Tyre without spooking any other agents near me into doing something crazy like burning my supplies for the winter.

And in that case... I said firmly. "Do it then... And also, follow me for a bit. If you are heading off into demon territory, I have a few things that can help keep you and your fellow witches alive."

As I really didn't want what happened in canon to happen again. If Nightingale could go and even if she couldn't convince that one crazy combat witch to let the rest of the non-combat witches to come back here, where it was safe, and I could guide their magic growth.

She could at least hand over a couple of my guns to help some of them escape and possibly survive the inevitable demon attacks that would have almost wiped them all out.

Because in canon... Out of a team of close to forty witches, only ten of them made it back to Border Town after the demon attacks.

I would be left crying at night at the thought of thirty more witches, I could copy the abilities of dying stupidly!