The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 305 Witch of Misfortune: Annoying woman

“Oh, was that so? Getting old makes you forgetful, and it’s quite annoying. —Soon, I might forget your face too.”

As Carmena uttered those words, the men around her began to move towards me. At the same time, I manipulated water and launched my counterattack.

“Are you trying to be sarcastic about getting older?”

The magic and daggers unleashed by the men were simply swept away by the water I controlled.

From above and the buildings around, it seemed like the men had hidden themselves, and they also launched various attacks. However, they couldn’t penetrate the water barrier and were stopped.

I deflected multiple water spheres towards the direction of the incoming attacks, launching a counteroffensive.

As I did that, men who likely possessed close-quarters combat professions approached, so I created a thick wall of water in front of me and released it as if to crush them.

However, the water was shattered by a punch from the man who leaped to the forefront, breaking the ground as he stepped forward. Of course, even though he directly intercepted the attack from me, a rank-ten, he wasn’t unscathed. His shoulder seemed dislocated, as he held it with his opposite hand.

However, that was it. Apart from the dislocated shoulder, the man showed no sign of serious injury, and the others continued their assault toward me.

—If the front is not working, then from below!

This time, I spewed water from the ground like a geyser.

This water wasn’t like a regular geyser. Unlike mere water spouting up, it was compressed with considerable density, having a hardness akin to shapeless iron.

Apparently, the attack from directly below was unavoidable, as some of the charging individuals were caught up and sent flying into the sky. While it wouldn’t likely cause fatal injuries, it at least reduced their numbers for the time being.

However, those who dodged the attack showed no concern for the airborne comrades and continued their charge toward me without hesitation.

In that case, for the next attack, just as I thought, a man wielding a spear reached me.

I instinctively created a water wall as a shield, but the man’s spear pierced through the water barrier, stopping right in front of my face.

It was fortunate that I had diminished the power with water. Had I not blocked it in time, I would have been pierced and killed.

—No time to hold back!

Considering the remaining uses of my skills, the remaining magical power, and fatigue, I wanted to avoid using skills as much as possible. However, there was no luxury for such considerations.

Having made that judgment, I manipulated the water wall I had created, causing it to rotate rapidly in a swirling motion around me.

Water, surprisingly, is a dangerous substance. With a large amount of water, it can function like a blunt weapon, and if directed with force, it can cut through things like a sharp blade.

The vortex I just created was similar. Upon contact, it would sever and cut through due to the force of the water.

The spear that had been thrust at me earlier turned into debris after being absorbed by the water, and the man who had caught up afterward attempted an attack, but his sword turned into scrap upon touching the water.

It seemed that these men couldn’t break through my vortex.

The moment I understood that, I smirked, revealing a twisted smile, and leisurely stepped forward, as if flaunting it to Carmena.

Despite losing their weapons, the men desperately tried to stop me, but it was impossible to break through with their limited means.

As the men attacked, inflicting wounds on themselves in the process, my water gradually turned red.

This wasn’t because Carmena and her group were doing something; it was something I did myself.

“Cursed Water.” —it wasn’t just about manipulating water.

I could control not only water but all liquids. Of course, I could only create water, but if I could bring it under my control, I could manipulate mud, acid, and even blood. Additionally, by adding my skill ‘Enchantment’ that wasn’t widely known, I could create ‘Cursed Water’ that swallowed everything, controlling those who drank the water. Extracting blood from corpses and controlling it allowed me to expand the battlefield, causing more significant damage. Moreover, if there were survivors, especially males, I could turn them into my pawns.

Eventually, I could lead a force of several hundred people and dye the battlefield red.

Certainly, in this war, I didn’t encounter enemy soldiers, so there was no need for the use of my Cursed Water.

However, the situation is different now. Right in front of me, very close by, there are enemies, and there are plenty of potential prey for my Cursed Water.

Unfortunately, the charm effect won’t work well since Carmena is superior, but it should be sufficient against that number of opponents.

But…

“Whoa…!?”

My steps came to a sudden halt.

“You, as always, don’t watch your step. That’s why you fall so clumsily.”

I didn’t stop because I wanted to. Just as Carmena said, I tripped. I put my foot down, shifted my weight, and just as I was about to take the next step, the ground beneath my feet disappeared.

Focusing too much on maintaining my magic and Carmena’s movements, I couldn’t react in time and ended up falling.

That woman shouldn’t have a profession involving earth manipulation, so it must have been the men around who did this. As expected, it seems I need to deal with the surrounding men before trying to kill that woman.

“…Really, you’re still such an unpleasant woman. You used to look down on me and get in my way…”

Having been obstructed just like in the past, I slowly stood up, glaring resentfully at Carmena. She looked down at me and laughed disdainfully before responding.

“I didn’t particularly look down on you or intend to get in your way… Well, I did get in your way, but I never looked down on you. Well, that’s just your perception, and I won’t argue with it.”

Although I managed to stand up from the fallen state, I didn’t know when the ground would be tampered with again to make me fall.

… I didn’t want to do it if I could help it, but I had no choice but to use additional skills.

Making that judgment, I generated water beneath my feet and stood on it. All I needed to do was move this water, allowing me to navigate without taking steps.

However, I wasn’t particularly eager to do this. Apart from the fact that using skills had an impact on their frequency and magical power, I was currently constantly using water swirling around me for defense. Focusing on that and then manipulating additional water, even on a small scale, could lead to mistakes given my current accumulated fatigue.

Moreover, if I concentrated too much on controlling it perfectly, I might lose track of Carmena’s next move.

So, I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. Ah, my head hurts.

“So, setting that aside… What’s the matter? Your true nature is showing again. For the umpteenth time, how about stopping that way of speaking?”

In my usual demeanor, I spoke in a manner that easily appealed to men. With that laid-back and loose atmosphere, it was easier to charm them. Even my attire was crafted to enhance this effect. That’s why I spoke in such a silly way, and lately, it had become a habit.

However, it wasn’t my true nature. Therefore, in emergencies, my true self could inadvertently surface. Now, with Carmena, an old acquaintance and enemy, present, is it making my true nature even more prone to emerge?

“…Repeatedly lecturing the same thing is typical of old people. Who was it that said a woman’s worth lies in her ability to decorate herself?”

“Hmm… Oh, did I say something like that? Well, that’s not wrong, but still, consider your age.”

Carmena glanced into the empty space as if recalling something forgotten, then shrugged nonchalantly.

“Is it okay for you to stay in such a state? Fighting with such shortcuts and thinking you can win?”

Although this woman appeared as an old woman, it was just a disguise. Her true form was the young woman she showed earlier. She possessed the skill I desired, “Anti-Aging,” so there was no way she could age. Yet, she continued using the “Disguise” skill to maintain the appearance of an old woman.

I use “Disguise” to maintain my youthful appearance.

Carmena uses “Disguise” to conceal her youthful appearance.

Ah, I can’t comprehend it. It’s absurd. Ridiculous. …How infuriating.

“If you say that, aren’t you doing the same thing? Whether you’re fine with being in that form… well, do as you please.”

After directing her gaze towards me once, she took a deep breath and spoke again.

“But well, fighting while maintaining ‘Disguise’ like this might be a bit lacking, don’t you think? Well then, since it’s a rare opportunity—”

Carmena stopped her words there, placed her hand on her face, and…

“—I might as well return to those days a bit.”

After removing her hand, the old woman’s appearance was gone, replaced by the figure I hadn’t seen in decades and had no desire to see again.

This time, it wasn’t just a face like before.

Her originally modest height had increased by a size, wrinkles on her hands disappeared, and overall, the characteristics of an old woman were no longer present.

In other words, she had rejuvenated.

—No, she had “returned to her former self.

“Ah, ah… Ah, this voice brings back memories. In the past, there were even those who came specifically to hear this voice. Don’t you find it nostalgic too?”

This way of speaking… Ah, it’s undoubtedly her. The woman I despised, yet aspired to become — that infuriating woman.

Her voice, her manner of speaking, her appearance, and even the atmosphere she exudes, everything remains unchanged from those days.

…No, rather, if I were to judge by the overall atmosphere, it feels like it has worsened since then.

Originally, I never wanted to become a courtesan. However, that doesn’t mean I was fine with not being popular.

I was sold. I had to live here. So, I decided to rise to the top. I’ll have a good life. And someday, I’ll leave this place.

With that determination, I continued to strive.

Thanks to my efforts, I gained top popularity in the most prominent brothel in the city at that time.

I was adored by clients, and I could lead a comfortable life just by talking without selling my body, earning good money.

However, I couldn’t become the absolute best. No matter how much I tried, this woman always remained above me.

Being a courtesans was ultimately a dirty profession. Like a parasite, one could survive by pandering to men, selling their bodies, and being supported by others.

Even among those looked down upon as courtesans, not being able to take the top spot made it seem as if I were a failure.

Yet, amidst this gathering of dirty existences in the sewer, she, who could shine the brightest even there… I couldn’t help but think of her as beautiful, always shining and laughing.

Displeased by that, unable to accept the fact that I recognized myself as a courtesan, I wanted to surpass her and couldn’t come to terms with it…

So, when the opportunity presented itself conveniently, I tried to kill her.

However—

“Wait, wait. Oh, how dreadful. Talking about the past like that makes me sound like an old lady. Hehe.”

Now, before me stands that woman, smiling just like she used to.