Trouble is brewing

The next day, the new witches signed a contract with Roland and he gave them rough instructions on how should they practice their magic aside from Scroll whose power was passively active all the time. He told them that he might change it and make some improvements but they should just start as soon as possible for safety reasons.

Nana also managed to completely heal Leaf's toes which confirmed that she can regrow even humans' body parts. Roland was quite impressed by this fact as regrowing body parts were truly miraculous and he no longer could treat her ability as simply accelerating one's natural regeneration.

"Your Highness, I finally have the reports you asked me to acquire." Barov visited Roland in his office with a stack of papers.

"How does it look?"

"Every year, all 4 kingdoms send a portion of their armies to support church's Hermes city to hold back Demonic Beast Horde. I have looked into the casualties and each year they are numerous on all sides, however, this year...almost none of our troops returned from the Hermes city." Barov said while looking into the reports.

Hearing his words, Roland raised his eyebrow.

"Are you saying that none of our troops returned yet Hermes city hadn't succumbed to the demonic beasts?"

"That's right, Your Highness. I tried to investigate this as much as I could but it seems like the demonic beasts were held off only once they got inside the city. The city almost fell but there are no other details known." Barov nodded his head.

"Hmm, I see. Thank you, you may leave" Roland said with a thoughtful expression and Barov left.

'So...all 4 kingdoms' armies are now buried in Hermes yet the city didn't fall...Are they thinking that no one will truly find it suspicious? It's quite evident that they are trying to weaken all kingdoms but why? To gain upper hand over them and capture all of them for themselves? If so, then why are they doing it? To satisfy their ego or is there something more? Let's say they are aware of that "Bloody Moon" and the invasion of a new race...they would probably like to unite everyone to fight against such a threat. However, they are practically throwing away manpower by letting them die so blatantly.' Roland was deep in thoughts when he heard someone knock on his door.

*knock* *knock*

"Come in"

The one who opened the door and entered his room was none other than the oldest member of the witches, Scroll.

"Your Highness, I have heard that you were looking for me?" Scroll asked with an uncertain expression.

"Yes, there are several books I would like you to take and memorize. I would like you to become a teacher for the younger generation here in Border Town. Karl is already teaching some kids but honestly, he is quite busy with new constructions being planned." Roland explained with a faint smile.

"Your Highness wants me to...become a teacher?" Scroll repeated with a confused expression as if she couldn't believe his words.

"You might think it's not much compared to the other witches but you are the most suited to become one. Heh, you even have that kind of air around you." Roland said, releasing a chuckle since he recalled his teacher in his past life.

"Eh? What air?" Scroll asked.

"A strict and mature air? You look dignified and also gentle when you want to...the kids are going to like you and also respect you. Unlike Wendy who seems too gentle who would spoil the kids, you look like someone who knows how to keep order."

"Um...thank you, Your Highness" Scroll was a bit speechless upon hearing Roland's words but she also strangely appreciated them.

"Then I take it you take the job?" Roland asked with a pleased smile.

"Do I even have a choice?" Scroll said with a faint smile but her tone was indicating that she isn't against the idea.

"You do...You can just say no. I will have to think of a different job for you but I won't force you into anything." Roland shrugged his shoulders before explaining.

"I see, in that case, I will gladly take the job. Thank you, Your Highness." Scroll lightly bowed her head before intending to leave but she stopped right in front of the door.

"Your Highness, may I ask where did you find that book you have given to Anna? She lent it to me for a few hours but it's hard to believe anyone could have such wild imagination. Everything is described in such detail that it makes me believe such a world exists. Reading it left me feeling...inspired?" Scroll turned to Roland and asked with an astonished expression as she was recalling her time reading the book.

"Is it that important? If I told you I created it with magic, would you believe me?" Roland asked with a serious expression, showing that he isn't joking which slightly caught Scroll off-guard.

'Even Wendy has said the same thing...Why? Is this some kind of inner joke?' Scroll thought with a dubious look in her eyes.

When he saw her eyes, he decided that he can show her since Scroll struck him as a mature and honest person. The only reason why he didn't reveal it immediately was because of Leaf and the other's encounter with demons. Roland showed her his most basic ability to blend with the surroundings which was enough to leave her mouth wide-open.

"H-How is this even possible? Is there some kind of way for males to use magic?" Scroll asked, slightly stuttering at the begining.

"There doesn't exist any way I am afraid. We have no idea how this happened, you can ask Anna for details, however, please don't reveal this to the others, you are the only one out of new witches who knows this."

"Why would you want me to keep such information secret from the others? If you were to reveal it, the other sisters would immediately place more trust in Your Highness!" Scroll said and logically she was right, however...

"That's exactly why I don't want them to know. I want them to learn how to trust me without knowing that I am "one of them". Anyway, if that's all, please leave, Soraya must be already on her way here. I am quite busy with so many of you joining us so suddenly. It's been nice talking to you, Scroll." Roland said, urging her to leave as he didn't want her to ask why he decided to tell her but not her sisters.

'I could see that Scroll is probably the one who is the most cautious out of them. Even that Lily girl who seems to distrust me can talk to me earnestly. Scroll on the other hand is trying to be careful whenever she talks to me, making sure she doesn't say anything unnecessary. If she can keep this secret to herself, I know I can trust her.' Roland thought after Scroll left.

'I feel slightly bad for testing her like that but what can I do...' Roland thought as he once again heard someone knocking on the door.

Roland let them in and this time it was indeed Soraya as he expected.

"Your Highness..." Soraya bowed her head as a greeting.

"No need to act like that. Come, sit in front of me." Roland said with a friendly smile and she nodded her head before sitting down.

"The reason why I called you is that I want to make use of your ability. I have noticed that the girls usually don't have anything to do in the evening if they are not studying. This prompted me to think of some sort of entertainment. I am pretty sure Anna keeps talking about that book so I thought you all might become more interested in discussing it with her if we were to also make a card game out of it." Roland explained and Soraya nodded her head in understanding.

"Your Highness wants me to draw the cards?" Soraya asked.

"That's right, in the upper half of the card, you are going to make a frame where the character's picture will be drawn. In the top left corner will be a small circle with numbers and the lower half of the card will contain the card's description and also 3 more small circles on the left side." Roland said and Soraya nodded her head as she began the outline of the card, she made the frame from tied ropes which Roland honestly liked. He discovered despite getting only rough instructions, she chose colors and designs that greatly aligned with his initial idea.

"Now for the character image...imagine a strong man with reddish, almost charred like skin with open mouth as if he was shouting, long sharp fangs and yellow teeth with the occasional presence of blood visible in his mouth. A large white hand, marked over his face with the palm covering the entire forehead. He is wearing crude-looking black armor and holding a drawn short black bow with a black arrow. In the background, you can add scenery of being inside the forest." Roland finished his description and Soraya started drawing.

She was quite done and showed it to Roland who couldn't help but be impressed.

'This guy looks almost the same as from the movie...what a scary ability with such crude description.'

"This is amazing...How do you feel? Can you keep going?" Roland asked.

"Y-Yes, I barely spent any magic" Soraya said with a faint smile after seeing how Roland appreciates her power.

"Alright, let's change it to less scary characters this time. Haha" Roland said with a laugh before giving another description to her.

While the two of them were creating a new game for everyone...nobles at Longsong Stronghold were cursing Roland's name for his recent behavior and actions, preparing to convince the duke to take action against Roland.