I Reincarnated as an NPC Witch

A Stay in the Manor

The Dark Wizard raises his staff and thrusts it on the cloud that he is standing on. He disappeared with lime lightning that dissolves him. The clouds slowly fade out of existence or float away from the city. The dead bodies of his minions before slowly fade into a dark fog and got sucked into oblivion. The damages in the properties are still there, but most of the evidence that the Dark Wizard is there was gone. They can see again the stars and the moon in the sky, sparkling beautifully as if they are congratulating them with their victory.

Abigail smiles as they all climbed down the roof. “I told you you will do the best things sooner or later, and you did earlier!” Keeana enthusiastically jumped while clapping in happiness. The people that evacuated themselves peak at their door once they heard all of the frightening noise fade away. They looked around as there’s some mess in the streets and in their property, but the general threat was gone. They can see the light that was from the moon and the sparkling stars in the sky. The ominous figure that they saw earlier was gone and even the enemies that they witnessed fighting their heroes were gone. Their carcasses were gone in the street as if nothing happened. They all started going out of their safe houses, one by one, looking at the aftermath of the fight. They can see the heroes that saved them in the middle of this town in the walled city. Their clothes were frayed and has some visible injuries from the fight. But, the fact that they are standing in the plaza of this town made them very happy.

The people crowd around them with jovial noises coming out from their mouths. “All hail the heroes!” They chanted together. The heroes looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly, the crowd of people parts to give way in an upcoming carriage. “Halt!” The coachman said as the horses that provide the mobility of the vehicle stopped. The footman steps down on his position and opened the door of the carriage. There, the leader of the walled city steps down from his vehicle. The footman closes the carriage door before him. The count walks up to them, fixing the royal garments he is under on. He is quite tall and has a big figure. Abigail figured out he is an elf with the long ears he has, but she was wrong in her first judgment.

As the count shows his hands, it was a dragon’s claw and it’s a red one. The scaly part of his extends up to his elbows where it slowly fades from a red scale into a beige human skin. As he grins, she can see the sharp teeth he has. It’s not a friendly look for her with the fangs and the frightening dragon claws. But, for someone that’s a half-dragon, that’s the friendliest they can be. “Good evening to you, heroes, heroines, and everything in between. I am Count Alzrus of Endale, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” All of them bowed at him, “There’s something so rewarding seeing you in action against the Dark Wizard who dared to attack my city when the heroes are here staying. I am very proud of your work. I see there’s damage here and there, but what can I expect in a battle? There’s no clean battle at all, especially if it's about dark magic.”

“We’ve handled it, Count Alzrus. Especially with our witch friend in our side, that Dark Wizard won’t be able to do his thing here.” Lavena pushes Abigail forward, presenting her to the count. “Is that lady I see the fabled Floral Witch?” Abigail nods as she bows at him, “Yes, I am Count Alzrus.” The count gasps, “Oh, my daughter will be so glad to meet you! This is a great segue for my offer to you all.” The assistant of him approaches him and bowed before she gave a rolled parchment paper. He opens it and reads the contents of it, “I wish the heroes of this continent to stay in this city for a while. Not just to guard it for further attack from the Dark Wizard, but to give us time to give them the reward they deserve. It’s also the Festival of Light in the next four days. It will be the perfect time to hold an award ceremony. I know the heroes have already gifted so many rewards, but saving the city from the doom of death that is the Dark Wizard is something to celebrate on. I request the heroes to live up in my manor until the end of Festival of Light, where they can go onto their journey if they wish so.” He rolls it up again and looks at them, “I wish I don’t interfere in any of your plans. A heroic awarding ceremony would be a lovely addition to an important annual event.”

Lavena looks at her companions. “Well, I am up for some rest after miles of traveling.” Gallant crosses his arms as the twin brothers agree, “I want to witness another festival. Besides, I can do this!” Edsel shoots fire up at the sky as the citizens were shocked and amazed. The count giggles. Lavena looks at the remaining ones. “I am up for some fun!” Keeana enthusiastically claps in joy. “Sure, nothing wrong with delaying things,” Catrina said as she fixes herself. Lastly, Lavena looks at Abigail. The witch was hesitating to say yes. For the others, time isn’t a problem. But, for her, it’s something to be bothered about. A lot of things are dependent on time. Although, with the majority of them agreeing, she didn’t have a choice but to say yes. She will be defeated with the five votes of yes to her no. Even Lavena decided to side with her, yes will still win. The count was waiting for her and she feels more pressure. She sighs, “Sure, nothing’s wrong with some days of break.” 

Lavena turns to the count, “We are happy to oblige with your offer, Count Alzrus. We’ve collectively decided a break from adventuring will be great. Besides, it will be great to be in a festival, especially in Endale.” The count smiles, “Of course, the festivals here in Endale will be a great treat! This year will be much more special with the appearance of heroes. Am I right, my citizens?” All of the people in the crowd happily agree, “It’ll be the best, Count Alzrus.” One woman said to him as the count was pleased. “If you don’t mind, can I escort you to my manor with this carriage? There’s plenty of room there, so don’t worry about overcrowding yourself.”

“We don’t mind, Count Alzrus. Although, we still have our personal things inside the inn we are staying on.” Lavena smiles as the count nods, “Oh! I understand. I could patiently wait in my carriage for your arrival. I can’t just wait for you to come and visit my humble abode.” They all politely nod as they went their way to get their things. The count ordered his people to return to their homes and snuggle up in the fire to warm themselves. As they returned, they entered the carriage one by one. The count wasn’t joking about it being big. It was like a small portable dining room in a peasant’s house. They were encircled on curve chairs. The count was behind the circle of those chairs, in front of the carriage, all by his own. “This is a weird way to communicate to all of you, so we will proceed with our conversation in my home. I don’t want to face away from you when talking, that’s just rude. And, I don’t want to be rude to the heroes that saved a town in my city. Treat yourself there and converse a little bit. It will be quite a long ride.”

Minutes later, the count have declared their arrival. “We’re here!” He said as the footman opens the door for him and the heroes that he’s in the carriage. They stepped out of it as Abigail sees the manor that she only saw in-game. She never commented on how huge it was. But, in this perspective, she just looks in awe at how big it was for a manor and a home of a count, just a count.

It was a building in a shape of a U, with the middle of it being occupied as the gardens of the house. It’s surrounded by high fences with a fancy gate where they got into. The building itself was rustic. It was painted white with some stroke of dark green on its structure. Every part of this house is intricately detailed, much more than it looked like in the game. The lightning in it might have affected it slightly. “Welcome to the Endale Leader’s Manor. The manor that has witnessed different types of leader and leadership, different types of treatment, different types of family, and different types of destruction. This manor would be a wise mage if it was a person, with the times it has to persevere and the magical appearance that it managed to preserve all of the years. Come on in. Welcome to my home!” Count Alzrus said as he lead them inside the manor that he lives on. Inside, they were welcomed by the maid as one individual that Abigail is very familiar with.

“Good evening, father!” A girl with long magenta hair that flows beautifully greeted them. She looks behind him as she gasps at the sight of the heroes. “You’ve invited them!?” She said as she became a frenzied fangirl. “You didn’t tell me so early! I look so ugly and unprepared. I hate you!” She said as she rushes upstairs. The count shakes his head and looks at them, “I am sorry for my daughter, she’s a bit conscious with her looks. She has been in the bed all day long.” He shakes his head again but in disappointment, “Anyway, have you eaten your dinner yet?”

“Well, it was cut short, Count Alzrus.” The count smiles, “Perfect timing, a dinner was serve right when that Dark Wizard went and attacked the city. You could enjoy dinner here. Follow me” He leads them in the big dining room he got, bigger than the dining room of the inn. Although, there are fewer delicacies. “I am sorry that this is the only thing the cooks have served. I am not quite prepared for your arrival, but the maids will prepare your rooms.” He smiles as they all took a seat. There is a balance of foods at the dining table with some of the meat is served nearer the count. Before they declared to start the dinner, his daughter arrived with a much more decent appearance than before. Some of her magenta hair was tied in a bun with a hair tie that has crystals sticking at the top of it and the rest was loose. She’s wearing a kimono-style dress with long and hanging sleeves.

“I wish I wasn’t late.” She said and approached her typical seat. The count smiles, “You aren’t don’t worry.” The dinner commences and they all enjoyed the dish that was served to them. The daughter of the count that was named Yris enthusiastically entertained them the whole time.

After dinner, Abigail was lead in her own room by a maid. Before she can enter the room, she was immediately interrupted by Yris. “Crocus, the Floral Witch!” Yris exclaimed enthusiastically, “I am a big fan of you and I wish to spend the night with you in a slumber party, but with magic!” Abigail looks at her, “What do you mean by that?” The lady scratches her head, “Well, nerd about our abilities!” She raises her index finger up as a crystal appears on the tip of it. “Like this!”