Until a Witch Dies – Meg Raspberry’s One Year Left to Live

“Meg.”

“Ah, h-hyes?”

“You failed the spell, didn’t you?”

“Nggh—!”

Evening.

In my master’s study, the two of us sat facing each other. The moment I got home, I was summoned here.

“I heard you botched the gate’s barrier construction.”

“Yes… I’m sorry. But please, I have one request. If you’re going to kill me, at least turn my corpse into human stew and feed it to the familiars.”

The two familiars flinched in horror, but my master remained completely calm and simply said, “Relax.”

“I’m not here to scold you. You did it to protect Sophie, didn’t you?”

As she looked straight at me, I realized she already knew everything.

There’s no deceiving the ‘Eternal Witch’ who possesses clairvoyance. Of course, it’s not absolute, but I’ve never once succeeded in hiding anything from those eyes.

“That being said, if this continues, it’ll be a disgrace to witches. If you’re fine with being underestimated forever, then so be it.”

“If someone thinks they can underestimate the fair and delicate skin of a young maiden such as myself, they’re a billion years too early, madam.”

“You barely have ten months left to live, and you’re saying that? Anyway, that’s why I have a job for you.”

“A job?”

“Join the parade.”

“The parade?”

“The Otherworld Festival parade. When we arranged for Sophie to come to this town, the mayor made a prior request—he specifically asked that she take part in the parade. So, I’m assigning you to assist Sophie once again.”

It made sense. When you have a world-class parade expert in town, it’d be a waste not to have her lead the festival’s parade. Of course, the mayor would go out of his way to ask my master for help.

But I still had my reservations.

“I’d love to redeem myself, but… are you sure about this? Hiring a witch who just messed up a major spell—wouldn’t that make the mayor uneasy?”

“I’ll say I asked for you myself.”

At some point, Sophie had appeared by the door.

“If Zuberry isn’t with me, I won’t do it.”

“Sophie…”

“That settles it. Besides, practically speaking, Sophie’s stay in this town still has some time left, but as one of the Seven Sages, she has other obligations. I’m busy myself, so we could use all the hands we can get. Thanks to your medicinal cloth, my back is completely healed now. If anything happens, I’ll personally take responsibility and cover for you.”

“Master, you’re really pulling some strings for me here.”

“If your reputation is tarnished, mine takes a hit too.”

“Grown-ups always say stuff like that.”

Then, something suddenly came to mind.

“Oh, but wait… Doesn’t the Otherworld Festival have a fireworks display every year? If we put on a magic parade, won’t it overshadow the fireworks?”

“That won’t be an issue. There won’t be fireworks this year.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“The town’s top fireworks artisan passed away. Illness, apparently.”

“Oh…”

He’s… gone?

I’d never met him in person, but I always looked forward to the Otherworld Festival’s fireworks display every year.

Hearing about his passing left me with an unexpected pang of sadness.

“That’s why this year, you and Sophie will be the ones to bring excitement to the town.”

“Sophie, are you okay with that?”

“This happened because of me. I’ll settle my debts immediately. I won’t let it slide. I will kill them.”

“That last part sounded off, don’t you think?”

“Anyway, that’s the plan. Do your best.”

Master flashed her usual mischievous, knowing grin at me.

Seeing that expression, I responded with a confident, “Yes, ma’am!”