Vol. 15 Ch. 14: Two Grumps

I am Monica Everett, one of the Seven Sages of the Kingdom of Ridill, 〈The Silent Witch〉. Please lend me your strength.

The air in the room froze.

Everyone was bewildered and confused, unable to understand what those words meant.

Monica gripped her staff and remained bowed, desperately holding back the tremors threatening to seize her.

She was afraid to raise her head.

She was afraid to find out how everyone was looking at her.

"...Monica, um... You're joking, right?"

Lana was the one who spoke, her voice hoarse.

Ah, I have to say it. Properly, with my own mouth: I'm sorry for deceiving you all this time.

Last night, she had imagined this moment again and again, thinking about what she should say, but her mouth was parched and her tongue would not move...