Miss Witch, please don't leave your fragrance everywhere

Chapter 9 The Immortal Witch
　　"Okay, there's really nothing I can do about you, so your request is that I go find the descendants of the other six heroes?"
　　After receiving a positive response from Merlin, Angelica tilted her head.

　　"I can't guarantee that I can find it. It has been passed down for thousands of years, and perhaps the bloodlines of some heroes have been cut off long ago."
　　Over the past thousand years, Angelica has witnessed the fall of countless empires and the extinction of countless hegemonic families. People like the "Healing" hero Ecricia, whose family tree can be traced back thousands of years, are rare in the entire continent.
　　"How do you know if you don't look for it?"

　　"I will do my best. Don't count on me when you are at your wits' end. The power of the Healing Hero has always been preserved in the Bilsen Kingdom. I remember that the dynasty has changed hands several times, but they have always been great nobles. The descendants of the other six heroes were not so lucky."
　　The "Yu" Brave was not the only one of the first seven heroes who became nobles after achieving success. However, as time goes by, it seems that only the "Yu" Brave's lineage is now noble. Some of the descendants of the other few became kings, but were eventually overthrown.
　　"...You chose the Kingdom of Bilsen and became the chief magician of the court. Did you foresee this day coming?"

　　"I don't deny it. But I was very young at the time, and I was more attracted by the inherent magic of the "Healing" Hero, who could extend people's lifespan. Unfortunately, I later realized that even with the extended life, I could not achieve my original goal. During my stay in the Kingdom of Pilsen, I fell in love with this country."
　　Merlin recalled every detail of his life in the Kingdom of Bilsen. Under the sunset, the royal city was as peaceful and ordinary as ever. However, for Merlin, who had not much time left, he would rather watch the scenery of the royal city than rest in the castle.
　　The Kingdom of Bilsen has become Merlin's second home, and the people here have a very high degree of identification with him.

　　No one can guarantee whether the resurrection of Hades will cause disaster to the continent. If possible, Merlin will not entrust his fate to a young girl. He watched Ecricia be born and watched her grow up. He knew very well that Ecricia was a flower in a greenhouse, but his time was really running out. It was highly likely that he would not be able to hold on until the resurrection of Hades.
　　There have been many famous magicians in history who have not been able to overcome the test of time.
　　"Can I ask the teacher a question?"

　　"Go ahead."
　　"How much time do I have left?"
　　"Five years."

　　"Five years?"
　　Merlin was extremely surprised. He was not a mediocre person and had a clear understanding of his physical condition. It was absolutely impossible for it to last five years.
　　"Impossible, I..."
　　"Five years."

　　Angelica repeated it firmly; she didn't want to say it a third time.
　　Merlin touched his chin angrily, calmed down, and thought carefully. He probably understood what the teacher meant.
　　"I see. Can you please come to Pilsen Kingdom again when the time comes?"

　　"... Let's see what the situation is. What if it's really far away?"
　　Angelica raised the wand in her hand.
　　"I have to go now."

　　“Will you feel lonely when you travel alone?”
　　"The graves of my old friends are scattered all over the continent, so I won't feel lonely wherever I go. Take care of yourself, stupid disciple."
　　"You are... Please take care of yourself in the future."

　　Merlin looked at the "black" witch sincerely. The old Merlin's eyes were a little cloudy. He tried hard to open his eyes wide, as if he wanted to remember forever the time when the witch stagnated here.
　　At some point, Merlin grew from having to look up at the witch to a time when the witch was only as tall as his shoulders. Decades passed, and the witch hadn't changed at all. The only one who was hurriedly passed away by time was the Flower Magician.
　　The witch chanted a space warp and jumped away, leaving a refreshing fragrance in the air as proof of the witch's existence.

　　If nothing unexpected happens, this will probably be the last time we meet.
　　"Sir Merlin."
　　Merlin had just fallen into his memories when King Andrew came up to him in person.

　　"Oh, your majesty, the princess' curse should be broken."
　　"The maid has just confirmed that there is no trace of the curse on my daughter. I would like to thank the Black Witch for her help. Sir Merlin, do you know where she went?"
　　"It's rare... the teacher didn't ask for payment."

　　"Did the Black Witch leave?"
　　Merlin nodded in acknowledgement, then smiled and teased.
　　"Don't think she's a helpful person. I guess she forgot. If she remembered, she wouldn't feel the slightest bit of guilt for emptying the vault."

　　King Andrew sighed. He would remember Angelica's kindness. However, based on Merlin's understanding of Angelica, out of face concerns, Angelica probably would not come back to ask for compensation. Anyway, she had plenty of ways to make money.
　　After readjusting his mood, King Andrew invited Merlin.
　　"I am planning to hold a banquet tonight to celebrate my beloved daughter's removal of the curse. What do you think, Lord Merlin?"

　　"As for me...well, just forget it."
　　Merlin waved his hand, still staring at where Angelica had left.
　　Although the fact that Ecclesia was cursed was not ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) made public, the nobles never needed a special excuse to hold a banquet, and enjoyment was always an indispensable part of the nobles' lives.

　　"Well, how about I ask the servants to bring the cakes and tea here?"
　　"Oh?"
　　"If you have something on your mind, Lord Merlin, I don't mind being the one to confide in."

　　The people of the Kingdom of Bilsen have always been curious about why Merlin, the flower magician, never married. This was also a question King Andrew once wondered - now, he knows the answer.
　　If a person has something in his heart, it is normal to wait for an impeccable ending. Just as Andrew is unwilling to give up his wife, he has a family composed of impeccable love, so he can understand Merlin.
　　Once upon a time, Merlin could always be the protagonist at the banquet, and the suave flower magician could always make the ladies at the banquet smile comfortably. There is no doubt that Merlin is not an ascetic, and there is only one reason for his choice: the position he expects will only be a specific person, and even if there is no response in the end, he will not let anyone replace him.

　　In Merlin's opinion, a marriage that is just for the sake of getting by is disrespectful to the other party. Besides, there is no one who can replace them, and there never has been.
　　The magician, understanding the king's good intentions, laughed heartily, as if he had returned to his ignorant days in the past.
　　"If His Majesty the King does not mind boring past events, then there is no harm in talking about them."

　　The old magician watched over the kingdom he was loyal to. He was in high spirits and told the king the unknown past in his old voice.
　　"When I first met the teacher, I was only as high as her chest—"