Published at 26th of December 2025 7:41 am

Chapter 496: It Was Free to Think That Way, but Putting It Into Words Was a Different Matter.

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With the time constraint gone, we spent about 10 days investigating the Black Rose Witch. The lord was very cooperative, given the achievement of saving his daughter, but in the end, we learned nothing.

Well, it cant be helped. Even if we know nothing will come of it, the world needs the achievement of We investigated thoroughly, but found no information.

By the way, the answers about the Black Rose Witchs identity and motives were in the witchs house. And not knowing these wouldnt change our decisions or cause any disadvantage. When I told them this, Tia said, Then Ill wait to hear about it until I can confirm it with my own eyes, and Luka didnt seem to care in the first place, so I havent told anyone yet.

So, we traveled by carriage and reached near the forest, then fought our way through demonicl beasts, and there was there was?

What is this?

Lorenz voiced his confusion at the strange sight. Originally, there was supposed to be a mansion here, like a small nobles residence. The thorns crawling up the walls had given it a suitably suspicious atmosphere that made us tense, but

Um whats this? A ball of thorns?

Its radiating a feeling of youre not welcome as strongly as possible.

Whats in front of my eyes now was something huge, tightly wrapped in thorns without any gaps. Since I know whats inside, I understand that its the mansion wrapped in multiple layers of thorns, but to someone who doesnt know, it would just look like a mass of thorns.

Ah I think its probably this. She noticed that we broke the young ladys curse and prepared a counter-attack something like that?

I see. Indeed, if a deadly curse is broken, its natural to strengthen ones defenses.

So, were going to enter this? It looks really prickly.

Its way beyond just prickly Tia, can you do something about those thorns?

I understand. Ill try.

At my question, Tia pointed her hand towards the mansion or rather, the mass of thorns, and muttered something under her breath. But she soon stopped and shook her head slightly.

This wont work. If it were wild thorns, maybe, but these were created by the witch here, so spirit magic wont do anything.

I see. Then

Ah, then Ill go.

As I was about to think of another strategy, Luka said this in a light tone and approached the mansion without any protection. Perhaps because he had the achievement of breaking the curse, Lorenz didnt stop him and watched as Luka slowly reached out to touch the black roses blooming here and there among the thorns.

Hmm, is this the focal point? Then here we go!

As Luka carelessly crushed a black rose, suddenly the surrounding thorns began to writhe and wrap around Lukas body. But Luka didnt mind this at all, and after a few seconds, the thorns in an area large enough for one person to pass through, including those wrapped around Lukas body, crumbled into ash.

Luka!? Are you alright!?

Yuusha-sama. Yes, Im fine. It seems these black roses are the focal points of the curse, and also traps. I think senpai will be fine, but you and Tia-san should be careful. If you get pricked by these black thorns scattered around, it will trigger a powerful curse.

I-Is that so I understand, well be careful.

Lorenz, who had called out in concern, showed an indescribable expression at Lukas casual words. Well, being unharmed after that is pretty ridiculous. Maybe I should have advised him to at least pretend to be using defensive magic?

Hey, Im not fine either! If I took that head-on, even I would be in trouble!

I dont think this level of power could penetrate [Invincible] and [Magiasorb], but since Im acting with Lorenz, I want to avoid using my banishment skills carelessly. And with my normal defense, if I were squeezed by those thorns, Id be covered in blood all over, and Id probably be cursed too.

That witchs curse ugh, just imagining it gives me the chills.

Ah, is that so? Then its troublesome, so Ill take the lead and deal with the nearby thorns. Tia-san, please take care of the ones out of reach. The thorns probably have a range of about 10 meters, so senpai and yuusha-sama can protect Tia-san there.

Understood, lets do that then.

Dont worry, I wont let a single finger or thorn? touch Tia.

Fufu, Im counting on both of you.

Having decided on our roles like this, we opened the door behind the vanished thorns and entered the mansion. Even the interior was filled with thorns, but Luka could deal with them just by plucking the roses blooming here and there, so we didnt have any particular trouble.

This would have been really difficult without Luka, wouldnt it?

Yeah. But if Luka hadnt broken the young ladys curse, we probably wouldnt have received such a grand welcome.

I answered Tias mutter as she calmly dealt with distant roses with magic, while I cut down the extending thorns one after another. In fact, during the first loop, while thorns were crawling on the handrails and walls, the floor was normal.

Well, weve already seen the terrible state outside, so its not surprising anymore.

If it were just me what would I have done? Honestly, I cant think of any way to deal with this other than burning down the whole mansion.

Yuusha-sama, thats a bit I understand the feeling, but

I responded with a wry smile to Lorenzs dangerous words as he swung his sword next to me. Indeed, faced with thorns filling the entire room and with the added close-range counter of entanglement and curses, I can understand that feeling.

But this is in the middle of a forest, and more importantly, plants that arent even withered dont burn so easily. If we produced enough firepower to burn down this mansion completely, it would probably cause a massive fire in the surrounding area too.

Not just you two, but I must thank Luka even more. I am far too lacking in power as a hero.

Yuusha-sama thats not true. Right, Tia?

Thats right. Youre protecting us even now, and I think you are amazing.

You two thank you.

While encouraging Lorenz, who seemed a bit down, we continued to deal with the thorns inside the mansion little by little. Then, as we reached a large staircase, suddenly a woman dressed in a black dress appeared from behind the thorns.

Kiiiiiii! Why!? Why are my black roses being eliminated so easily!?

Hm? Are you the Black Rose Witch?

Thats right! I am

Excuse me, can I ask one thing?

What is it?

The Black Rose Witch, who had appeared screaming, seemed to have lost her momentum at Lukas casual question that completely ignored the atmosphere, and she responded with a sullen expression.

Given the state of this house, wouldnt Thorn Witch be more fitting than Black Rose Witch?

Ki

Ki?

Kyoeeeeeee!!!

Whoa!?

The Black Rose Witch let out a strange cry and began to rampage, swinging her messy long black hair around. Small cracks appeared on her unusually white face, and white greasepaint spilled onto her black dress.

I am the most beautiful and noble Black Rose Witch! Why does no one acknowledge that!? Unforgivable, unforgivable, UNFORGIVABLE!

Ehhh? Um, senpai? Why is this person so angry?

Well, lets see. Maybe because roses turning into thorns ruins the noble image or something?

Over something like that!? Arent black roses and thorns pretty similar? Its not like we called her a wrinkly old hag or anything.

W-wrinkly!? Old hag!?!?!? Kyoeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Lukas casual remark caused an ear-piercing scream to echo through the mansion. There was no longer any reson in the face of the wrinkly old ha I mean, the Black Rose Witch, and her eyes, filled with madness, glared at Luka as if to shoot him dead.

Kill kill KILL!

Isnt she glaring at me really intensely!? Eh, did I do something wrong again!?

I think this time its your fault

Yeah. Well, what we need to do is the same. So, yuusha-sama?

Hmm, thats right. Then, we shall now subjugate the Wrin Black Rose Witch!

Ill slaughter all of you!

And so, the fierce battle with the maddened witch began.

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