The Witch and Her Companion: I'm Just a Normal High School Student, but I Became the Familiar of the Highest-Ranked Witch. Also, It Seems I'm the Only Guy in the Witch Organization I Joined

Chapter 97: Investigation and Annihilation

[Ryuna Todoroki]

Eight days ago, I barely escaped the Purple Lightning Witch, leaving a battered Hare behind.

Did Hare manage to get away from that place? His injuries were severe… I can only pray he’s safe. That’s all I can do right now.

“—Yo, been eight days, huh? You got called in, too? Guess Todoroki’s still recovering, since you’re alone.”

“…You think Ryuna would come to a place like this by choice? Where’s your psycho girlfriend, huh?”

I turned to see Fluffy Hair standing there. No way he’s here by chance at the Fourth Cathedral—probably summoned by that old monster geezer, just like me. Still, that gloomy face of his is as depressing as ever. Not that I’m one to talk right now.

“That’s a hell of a way to talk about my girl… Not that I’ll deny it.”

“…As someone fresh off recovery, I don’t care as long as that mess isn’t here.”

It’s weird that she’s not with Fluffy Hair, but honestly, I don’t have the energy to care. I just need to get this over with and check on Hare’s safety.

Our footsteps echo in the sterile corridor, the only sound breaking the silence. After a long walk, we finally reach the elevator. It’ll take us deep underground to the main building where the old monster geezer waits.

The Cathedral’s stupidly huge and labyrinthine. Lose your navigation device, and I’m positive you’d never find your way back home. That’s how maze-like this place is.

“Don’t you dare mouth off to Stake’s old man, got it?”

As we step into the elevator, Fluffy Hair mutters under his breath.

“I don’t need you telling me that. I work in customer service, you know—talking politely’s my thing. You’re preaching to the choir.”

“That’s ‘preaching to the Buddha,’ not choir. Makes it sound like humans are waging war on a god.”

“…Shut up.”

Even this pointless banter with a guy like him makes Hare’s face flash in my mind. I miss you, Hare… What do I do?

***

[Masaki Hirata]

Finally reaching the room where Stake’s old man is, I’m honestly a bit underwhelmed.

Hang Neck’s scum always had heavily armed bodyguards and women fawning over him, but Stake’s private chamber only has one young woman. Probably a witch, though, given the context.

“Glad you both made it. Responding so quickly to a sudden summons—truly commendable.”

“Hah, I’m honored. What’s the purpose of today’s meeting?”

I glance at Ryuna Todoroki, who gives a half-hearted nod, her attitude blatantly rude. That’s a bad move toward the organization’s No. 2.

“I’ve prepared separate tasks for each of you. Let’s start with you, Hirata-kun.”

Stake’s words pique my interest, but the woman behind him keeps distracting me. She’s been tossing snacks into the air and catching them with her mouth this whole time. Between that and her flashy pink hair, she’s impossible to ignore.

“Hey, you! That’s bad manners! Eat normally!”

“…You idiot!”

What the hell is she thinking?! That’s obviously Stake’s favorite witch, and she’s picking a fight with her? Preaching to the choir? This ain’t a joke!

“Hahaha, she’s got a point, Hime. How about eating a bit more politely?”

Surprisingly, Barnes Stake is lenient. Maybe I’m too on edge from years under Hang Neck.

“—Hime eating politely? No way, Jose! That’s like chanting sutras to Hime’s ears!”

The woman behind Barnes cackles, tossing another snack into the air.

“Sorry about that, Todoroki-kun. She’s stubborn, as you can see. Let it slide, will you?”

“…Fine.”

“Stop talking so casually!”

I smack Ryuna’s head, my nerves fraying. Her disrespect’s gonna get us killed.

“It’s no issue. I’m lenient with talent, and you two, invited to my private chamber, are among the best in this organization.”

“Those words are too kind for me.”

Let’s just wrap this up and get out. This place is terrible for my heart.

“Back to business. Hirata-kun, I want you to investigate and annihilate Vivian Hearts and her organization.”

“Vivian Hearts… the witch who attacked that island?”

Thanks to Aneko’s research, we knew her name, but beyond that, all we know is she’s some monstrous witch.

“To be precise, investigate Vivian’s goals and annihilate every witch except her. She’s immortal, after all.”

“…What does that mean?”

That little girl used terrifyingly powerful healing magic, sure, but immortal? Is that even possible?

“That woman is one of the Four Great Witches, the Unkillable Lady Vivian Hearts. A founder of the Ravens and the first leader of the Seraph Witch Association… Even Hime probably couldn’t kill that monster.”

The witch called Hime casually dropped a bombshell. I gotta say, surviving against that kind of monster is pretty impressive on my part.

“So, since we can’t kill Vivian, I want you to take out her subordinates. Given they were sniffing around Yumedai, that organization will likely get in my way soon.”

Get in my way… That’s an oddly loaded phrase. The Cardinal plotting something isn’t exactly news, but is he planning to make a move soon?

And annihilation? He says it so easily, but those witches aren’t your average pushovers—they’re leagues above. Did this old man even read the reports?

“No need to worry—Hime’ll lend you a hand. Can’t kill Vivian, but the rest of those small fries? No problem.”

I pride myself on my poker face, but this Hime witch said that like she read my mind.

“Your Eminence, who is she?”

“A dear friend… one who shares my blood, you could say.”

Shares his blood? So, this is the witch who turned Stake into her familiar? No way.

If that’s true, there’s no reason he’d let her meet me or Todoroki, let alone send her on a dangerous mission. If this witch dies, her familiar—Stake—dies, too.

“You doubting Hime, buddy? Hime’s really Barnes’s master, y’know?”

She saw right through me again. Her goofy way of talking hides something unfathomable.

“Well, that’s not your concern. Just focus on the mission. If you need anything, submit a request later.”

“Understood, sir. I humbly accept.”

Since when has Stake been cooking up this plan? Kokoro being called to the lab today probably ties into this, too… I’ve got a bad feeling.

“—Next, Todoroki-kun. I have a task for you regarding her.”

Stake tapped a key on his laptop, and a video appeared on the wall-mounted monitor.

On the screen was a girl—no, Experiment No. 11, Eleven—lying on a medical bed—