章節 61: Chapter 61

Mona awoke to the smell of food, her stomach growling in discomfort. She opened her eyes in confusion, realizing she was tied up. In front of her, she saw a man, a woman, and an elf-like creature roasting a chicken. The aroma was overwhelming, and the three were eating with obvious enjoyment, their faces shining from the oils. Even if she wasn't tied up, just watching them eat would make her hungry.

"Wow! This chicken is really delicious. Lord Takumi, have the first bite of this drumstick," Yae Miko said, her face glowing as she tore off a drumstick and brought it to Takumi's mouth.

Takumi exaggeratedly praised her, "It's true, it smells so good and tastes even better. Truly worthy of the divine touch."

Istaru sniffed the air, her expression even more exaggerated, "It smells amazing, so delicious!"

A loud growling sound came from behind, and the three of them turned in unison to see Mona, her face flushed red as her stomach growled again. Despite her embarrassment, she didn't forget her situation and shouted in protest, "Hey! Who are you people? Why have you tied me up, and what do you want?!"

Takumi smiled mischievously as he approached her, holding a roasted chicken in one hand and a knife in the other. He knelt before Mona. "Witch, astrologer Mona, don't talk nonsense. I'll ask you some questions. If you answer correctly, you get a bite of the chicken. If you lie..."

A feather appeared in Yae Miko's hand, and she blew on it playfully. "You'll get tickled for a full minute."

Mona immediately understood these people weren't treasure hoarders; they were here specifically for her. Her face turned pale. She knew today was just full of bad omens, and here she was, captured by strangers.

Seeing that her "Eye of God" had been removed, she couldn't even try to escape now.

Takumi cut a piece of chicken and held it to Mona's mouth. Her stomach growled again, and despite her efforts to resist, her head turned away, but it was clear that she was hungry.

"If you don't want to eat, we'll just start with the tickling," Takumi teased.

Mona's eyes went wide. "I'll eat!"

Since she was already caught and there was no escape, the least she could do was not let them do whatever they pleased.

Takumi watched as she reluctantly bit the chicken, chewing quickly. He smirked. "First question, where is the Golden Alchemist, Rhinedottir?"

Yae Miko had wondered why Takumi captured a starving girl, but now she understood. Lord Takumi was looking for one of the elders of the Witches' Association. The Witches' Association was an ancient organization, tracing back to the Archon War. Many witches in this association were as powerful as gods, and they all went by code names.

For instance, 'A' was Alice, known as the Witch of Explosions. 'B' was Barbatos, the astrologer who could glimpse the secrets of the world. 'R' was Rhinedottir, the Golden Alchemist who created new life forms. And 'N' was Nik, who guided the world through dreams.

Some of these witches had indeed reached the level of gods, and some, though not physically powerful, had influence that even gods feared.

Mona had thought the questions would be more personal, but hearing the inquiry about the elder witches, she frowned. "I don't know. I've never seen her, nor heard where she is."

Takumi cut another piece of chicken and offered it. "If you're telling the truth, take a bite."

He wasn't expecting her to know the witches' locations. What he wanted was information about Mona's master in Fontaine. Mona's master, who had ties to these witches, might have left traces that would lead them to the others.

"Where is your master, Barbatos? Don't lie."

Mona replied without hesitation, "Fontaine. Fontaine City, Sixth Street, Rococo Emporium."

If they were asking about her master, she would give them everything they wanted. Her master was sharp with astrology; she must have known this was coming.

Takumi grinned. "Mona, you're so filial, betraying your master like this. I was getting ready to tickle you for a while."

Mona wanted to retort, "I'm just avoiding getting tickled by a weirdo like you."

"Are you done with your questions? Can you let me go now?"

Takumi sighed with disappointment. "I thought it could be like in the anime where the kidnapped girl refuses to give in, and then I end up having to tickle her until she cries and confesses."

Mona shivered. She was thankful she hadn't chosen the hard way; this man was definitely a pervert.

Yae Miko asked hesitantly, "Lord Takumi, are you really letting her go now?"

Mona quickly turned to Yae Miko, "What? What more do you want to do to me?!"

Takumi waved dismissively. "Let her go. She's starving. I feel sorry for her. Let's at least give her a chicken to take with her."

Mona looked at the three as they turned to leave without a care, her "Eye of God" and a whole roasted chicken in her hands. Confused, she muttered, "What is even happening? Who are those three?"

Yae Miko turned to Takumi, confused. "Lord Takumi, didn't you want information on the witches? Why let her go so easily?"

Takumi smiled, half-closing his eyes. "I already got the information I needed. The witches of the Witches' Association can't escape now."

Takumi wasn't simply out to enjoy the scenery; he intended to unite Teyvat's power and prepare for challenges from other worlds. The witches were at a level beyond the ordinary gods and even had allegiances with Phanes.

"Oh!"

Meanwhile, far away in Fontaine City, in a toy store, a woman in her twenties wearing a witch hat, similar to Mona's, sneezed suddenly. She quickly cast a divination for herself.

"Strange, why did I sneeze? With all the strange things happening recently, could it be something with Mona?"

"What? She got caught by treasure hoarders because she fainted from hunger? And they let her go because she was so pitiful? And even gave her a chicken? Hahahaha... My silly apprentice, you're too funny. My stomach hurts from laughing!"