Metamorphosis: Section 3

time, continue to move forward by two hours.

……………………

"The water supply wells are running dry. The geological structure of the subsurface in this area is changing rapidly...... Can the aftermath alone cause such terrible consequences? It's horrible. ”

In the center of the market area, the witch Martha is checking the changes in the water veins around her.

Such a change was only recently revealed. If you are talking about the exact time, it is about fifteen minutes after the first earthquake. Centered on the aristocratic district, the surrounding wells are more or less showing signs of being cut off. Dozens of minutes after this phenomenon occurred, even the water storage canals in the market area began to dry up.

Quite a few people noticed the change, but they didn't pay much attention to it. And those who care about this matter cannot understand exactly what is behind it.

"Do you want to try to investigate this? Water cuts can cause panic. Lydia on the side was a little eager to try.

She doesn't understand the cause and effect, and she always likes to be nosy. And often subconsciously give themselves the position of the weaker side of their choice - this is not a bad hobby. Rather, because of people like her, even during the war, Skyrim Province wouldn't be too messy.

But now is not the time.

"We'll talk about that later. We can't keep it busy. Martha said casually. Away from the gaze.

What Lydia couldn't perceive, she could see clearly. Now it's basically no different from meddling in the underground affairs and killing yourself-

- It's tempting to go for a thrill.

"So what are we going to do? Is it still running around like a headless fly like the other day, and then that ...... Well, gather magic? ”

Lydia was referring to a magic device that Martha had made the other day. Unlike ordinary enchanted objects, this reckless witch took a rare moment seriously, and spent a lot of time collecting a bunch of soul stones, gold, mythril, orichalcum, and a whole bunch of miscellaneous minerals or monster materials in and around Mosar. Then they put together a diamond-shaped block that looks dangerous, but may actually be really dangerous.

- Martha says that this thing can give her extra mana like a mana potion, but only if it is recharged, of course. And some time ago, they have been busy with this thing.

"That's no problem! It's been smooth sailing for several days, and it's already full. At the mention of this, Martha was immediately intrigued.

"The Mana Furnace is already seventy percent filled, which is enough for me to cast a high-ranking spell! I'm going to have to clean up the tall elf this time, I've had enough of her! ”

"Uh...... That," Lydia hesitated.

"Huh?" Martha turned her head, looking at her suspiciously.

"I don't think she really has any ill will towards you—you can't beat her, can you?"

"Goo-" Martha puffed out her cheeks angrily, "that's just in the past!" ”

"It's different now, with preparation, I can definitely settle the goods with that pointed ear!"

The shoulders of the shield-wielding girl collapsed weakly.

"Alright......," she sighed, "since you've already decided, I'll have to go with you." Let's hope you'll be careful, or at least don't get too stiff – there's no such thing as an unending animosity between you, is there? ”

Her words were actually as tactful as possible, because in fact it was Martha who stubbornly chased Drapha, and then was taught to be a witch in various ways. If it weren't for the fact that the other party didn't have malicious intent, the duo here would have died at least five times.

"Peace of mind, peace of mind~ I know the severity." Martha waved her hand nonchalantly. Apparently, she didn't hear a word.

Lydia sighed heavily.

She tilted her head and muttered softly, "It's always messing around...... I don't know if it's right or wrong for me to follow you......"

Martha's ears twitched slightly.

She turned her head as if inadvertently, her eyes wandering, and she smiled brightly.

"Speaking of which, I saw a man in the aristocratic quarter this morning, and I almost thought it was Miss Alice."

"Huh!?" Lydia turned her head in surprise. The tone suddenly became a little stammering.

"You...... Did you meet Miss Alice? She talks to you...... Did you say something? ”

"Poof-" Martha flattened her mouth. "You're really nervous, I said you just look alike - in fact, only the back is very similar, and it looks completely different."

"Ah...... Belch? Is that what it is? The girl breathed a sigh of relief, and glanced at Martha with some uneasiness.

Luckily, Martha's attention wasn't on her at this time.

"Of course it's different." Martha thought back, "I remember that young lady was dressed in a white gown, with long blond hair tied up above her knees, and eyes as beautiful as rubies. She also had a rare Akavir katana, and she looked imposing—I remember she seemed to see me, smiled nicely, and said something to me......"

Martha's pupils diated imperceptibly for a brief moment.

She reacted suddenly and shook her head vigorously.

"Hmm...... What are you doing with all this nonsense? There's going to be a big move tonight, and we've got to make all the preparations before we get into the night. She looked at Lydia and said earnestly.

"Let's go, let's stop wasting time here."

…………………………………………

It was like a needle piercing the fingertips, and the sudden stinging pain made the girl shiver violently.

[Woo...... I'm ...... What's wrong? 】

Inside Minnie's mansion, the alchemist Patchy slowly opened her eyes.

"Am I asleep? Not...... Something doesn't feel right. The girl raised her hand, and a sapphire ring on her left index finger was emitting a faint light—and she suddenly felt as if her head had been doused with cold water, and she instantly came to her senses.

This ring was a precious enchanted item that the mentor personally removed from her hand before she set out on her own road! Even her mentor, who was ten times more clever than her, didn't have a second life-saving card that could effectively resist most illusions and curses!

However, the ring is now activated. And it didn't work on the spot, but it worked for a long time - she remembered that she should have been in Minnie's hospital room when she passed out.

So......

"I ...... Controlled by illusion? Patchy shook her head vigorously. I felt like the logic in my head was in a mess.

Some vague and fragmentary memories gradually surfaced from my mind.

"Lady Minnie...... Took me under control with illusion? No, how is that possible? Madame, she obviously doesn't know how to ...... magic at all."

She propped herself up on the edge of the bed and struggled to her feet.

"Uh......h Feet are so sore. Why do I sleep in such a bad position? ”

The wall clock in the room was squeaking and swinging, and it was three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the perfect time for afternoon tea—almost half an hour before she passed out.

"Something must have gone wrong. You'll have to ask. Patchy moved her hands and feet, and waited until she felt more comfortable before taking a slow step and pushing open the small door to the room.

Minnie Mouse isn't supposed to be magical. Even if it could, there was no reason to use it on her.

The ring given to her by the Mentor is a powerful item that is completely resistant to the spells cast by high-ranking wizards. And the character who can use the continuous spell that allows the ring to barely cancel out half an hour after casting...... Even the entire Skyrim Province may not be able to find many.

However, such a person will lie in bed and endure the pain as weak as ordinary people? How is this possible!?

[Could it be ...... Is that disease also pretended? But why is that? 】

Patchy took a deep breath, and she decided to go to Minnie Mouse and ask her a good question.

………………………………

There was silence in the mansion.

Not only her, but all the servants in the house had fallen into a deep sleep. It's the kind of sleep that you can't wake up even if you pour a bucket of water on your head.

Minnie Alices, on the other hand, wasn't in the room.

The wards are not there, the bedrooms are not there, the basements are not there. It was as if she had completely disappeared from the world, leaving no trace.

"She's gone, she's not here."

Patchy clenched her fists gently, but her face couldn't help but relax a lot.

It's already clear that Minnie is a witch beyond her imagination...... Or something. She hides her identity and power for some purpose, hiding here as a harmless noble lady. And now, something may have happened to what she was going to do, so she chose to leave after hypnotizing the entire mansion in such a hurry.

Well, this means one thing to Patsy.

"It's a big problem......

To be able to let such a clever witch hide here incognito, then what she has to plan must not be a trivial matter. And now that you have peeked into this secret, it means that you are also involved in this whirlpool.

Well, for an insignificant but useless person who is accidentally involved in a conspiracy. What is the most likely outcome?

Is it to be extinguished, or to be destroyed, or to be destroyed?

Patchy shuddered.

"You have to run away! If you don't run, you'll die! ”

She let out a scream and ran back to her room, scrambling to pick up her bottles and cans and stuff them into the package.

"Mana potion, bring it!"

"Invisibility potion? This must be bringed! ”

"Anti-poisoning potion? Thrown! ”

"What is this? Sniffing the bottle? When did I put a sniffer bottle in my package again? And it's still uncovered!? No matter! Thrown! ”

She quickly picked up her belongings, and then fled without looking back!

PS: The Lair chapter was renamed the Transformation chapter