I Reincarnated as an NPC Witch

The Problem Within

Abigail looks at him, he seems so terrified. She tried to approach him but only to find him inching away from her. Lavena holds her shoulder to stop her, “I suggest you keep a safe distance away from him.” She whispers to her as Abigail nods. She looks back at Garett, “Hello?” She greets him in a calm and sweet tone. Garett still gives her a look that gives her an uncomfortable feeling. She feels like he’s going to attack her anytime with his fierce and terrifying look. He didn’t answer her. “Don’t be afraid of me. I am your friends’ friend, well, a new one. Not fairly new, but judging by your looks, I look new to you.”

“They sent you, don’t they?” Abigail was caught off guard, Gallant wasn’t lying to her. Garett might have known something. “Them?” He scoffed, “Don’t play innocent. I know you’re here to erase my memories or brainwash me to believe that we aren’t prisoners in this world!” Before he can even charge at her, Catrina was able to grasp him and pull him down to the bed. She looks at the others, “I have no choice.” She mouths at them as she ties his hand together, decreasing his mobility. Garett looks at her with a much more menacing face, “A witch, aren’t you?” He laughs at himself, “This makes this more obvious. You can’t get me! You can’t. Even if you repress everything, I will remember it every. single. day.”

Abigail looks at Lavena as the latter sighs, “I think weeks of our absence have done him nothing good, it just made him worse.” Garett looks at Lavena, “Did you let her do this? Are you bringing her to me? I don’t need help, Lavena. WE need help, we need help to get out of here. We are trapped, we are trapped!” Lavena sighs and pulls Abigail out of the room. She looks at her, “I am sorry if he’s like that. Why are you finding him anyway? I mean, what use are you going to have in this man? If anything, I think he could use you, he could use some help.” Abigail looks at the room and back to her, “Well, he really could use some help. But, I have matters to discuss with him.” Lavena looks at her with confusion on her face, “What matters? You can’t even discuss with him when he’s like that to you. You’re only going to receive a hard time and nothing for your benefit.”

Abigail gulps as she tries to think of another reason to say rather than about the real problem they are having. “Well…” She looks at her, she was already nervous. “Gallant has said to me before that he knows…” She looks around, squeezing some ideas out of her tired brain. “That he knows about artifacts. Yes, the artifacts.” She looks at Lavena whose confusion just increased. “What do you mean?” Abigail panicked inside, it didn’t work. She doesn’t know what to do now. “Well, he said he knows about some of the artifacts I am finding. It could help aid my quest, on you know… Finding my way back home?” Lavena nods in doubt, “He does? Well, that’s very surprising.” She shrugs, “I guess you’ll never know a person truly. Besides, I thought he knows about artifacts like he was somewhat of a scholar in a magic school. I doubt he can because, I am not degrading him, he doesn’t have the capacity for that. Even if he doesn’t, he’s still a decent and well-mannered person. Which is why we are really surprised and worried that he’s like that now.” She shakes her head in disappointment, “If I didn’t know any better, I will accuse him of being cursed.”

“Well, he’s not cursed but maybe we can help him with his struggles. Paranoia is not a great companion, especially if it’s present in every single moment. His situation right now remains not good. Not the worst, but not the best as well.” She looks at the room, “Don’t worry, I will help you help him. It’s the best I can do for information such as saving myself and going back to where I truly belong.” Abigail looks back at her, “Do you need to go home?” Lavena asked her, she can sense a hint of sadness in her voice. “I mean, you are doing well in here and you are already loving the adventures we are having.” She sighs, “But, yeah, I know you still need to go back to your loved ones.” She shakes her head, “I am sorry about that. Never mind what I said. It’s nonsense since the start of it.” Abigail holds her shoulder, “I will not leave yet, Lavena. But, I can’t promise you that I will stay with you guys forever. It’s fun here and yeah, I like this place. I can do the things I never thought I could do before. But, even this place seems so open and there’s a lot of things to do.” She sighs, “It feels like I am still restricted, imprisoned.”

Abigail takes a deep breath, “I am someone else, I am someone that’s not me. I don’t want that.” Lavena looks at her, “I know that it’s hard to be someone else you aren’t. But, you are doing good at it. Even if we aren’t calling you by the name you have in this other world of yours, you still manage to do what we expect you to do. Which is a feat on its own, I know. Besides, we aren’t giving you expectations. We like the kind of Crocus that you presented to us and we will always do. The Crocus that has endured every painful fight we have, the one that accompanied us to adventures, and the one who saves lives and continues to.” Lavena smiles, “I just want to let you know that we appreciate you. So much so that we even forgot you’re from the other world. Because you are not some stranger to us now. You are now a friend.”

Abigail smiles, “Thank you, I appreciate the gesture.” Lavena grins, “I am happy to hear that.” She peaks from the door as Garett was now laying on the bed. He’s not mumbling his rants and gibberish anymore. “What happened?” Gallant flicks his tongue, “Catrina had no choice but to give him some sleeping potion. He was trying to follow you two because he thought Crocus is k********g you. Before he can even step his feet on the floor, we pinned him down the bed as Catrina give him a potion.”

“I am glad he trusts me for that one. He willingly drinks it, as much to my surprise.” Edsel looks at her, “Come on, Cat. He didn’t change that, he just have some sort of problem. But, he will never change. Besides, when did he sort into a more pacifist action, hmm?” Winsel crosses his arms, “He’s right, Catrina. Which we can take in our advantage to calm him down. This man’s rage is much more frightening, especially to Crocus.” He looks at Abigail who just entered the room. Abigail flushed with the eyes that turned to her, “I am sorry for angering your friend. I didn’t know he would react such as that.”

“It’s not your fault, Crocus! It’s just you’re a stranger to him and his great observation that you are a witch made it worse. Magic for him isn’t an unfair source of power and his anger and paranoia just makes it worse for him.” Lavena sighs, “I think we need to separate these two for a while. We must not let him see Crocus, especially when we leave later.”

“Not introducing her to him will make it worse, Vena.” She looks at Gallant, “We’ll get to that. It’s just that it’s not healthy for these two to see each other, especially in the eyes of Garett. We don’t know what will he do to her. I am even thankful that Catrina managed to pull him down earlier. He’s a beast with powerful arms. He can soften Crocus’ bones in a matter of seconds. And, when he does, it’s more likely that we can’t stop him. It will injure Crocus and him, especially if Crocus retaliates and blast him off the air. That’s not the best thing to witness.” 

“We must afford two carriages then. The sight of the Count and his daughter won’t do him very well, I supposed.” Lavena nods, “Yeah, he will not spare them as well. It’s the best not to get them together.” Keeana slips in, “So, it’s settled then! No meeting for these two and the noble family.” They all agreed.

They packed their things as the others who were done found a carriage to rent. Once the carriages arrived, they board them and went to their destination. As planned, Abigail, Count Alzrus, and the others who didn’t fit on the second carriage. The rest are at the other one. It took them hours to get to their destination, but it was relieving journey to Endale city. As their carriage arrive, it called a crowd of people. The Count didn’t hesitate to wave hello and greet his people. The others asked them not to get in the way and the Count will explain everything as he arrived at his manor.

It didn’t get long for the Count and his daughter to arrive at their home. It was a happy arrival with the Count arriving home safe and alive. Their servants welcomed them. “It was a disastrous yet wonderful day. This lady in front of you saved my life. If she didn’t take initiative, my daughter will go home with my dead body rather than this version of myself.” They were shocked yet happy with this news. It made Abigail the star of this night, especially when Count Alzrus announced to his people everything that happened today. He told everyone the story of the day he had and the heroic deed that Abigail, his savior, did. The people celebrated the wonderful news that he brought to them and praised Abigail for what she did. It was a happy night for the people of Endale.

The people in the manor celebrated this news by having a feast in the dining hall. All of the servants were invited to join them. “I am glad to see you all here and not some gods and goddesses. That terrifying experience made me appreciate your presence more, even you are close to me or not. Something about seeing you still and eating with me here makes me feel at ease. I guess that experience scarred me so much that I honestly don’t want to leave this table anymore.” They all laugh and had a great time in the small little feast they have for themselves. The Count even decided to give embraces to the servants and thank them for the services they made for him. He thanked the heroes once more, especially Abigail. They all went to sleep in a better mood and had things to think about at night.

However, even though Abigail deed something well-known and well-received, the fame she’s having right now is bad news for her. Especially the thing about her exploitation. The consequences of her actions are now showing up and it’s doing no good for her. She went sleepless for a night, thinking what would she say to Laurence once he come back. She also thinks of the things that could happen to her because of the thing she did. It was the right thing to do but she did the wrong action for it. She regrets it mostly but the positive things she’s receiving right now, it’s making her confused. “What did you do Abigail? What did you do?” She hisses, “What if they know it? What if The Gemini found that you are—“

“Abigail?”