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

The time had come to open the gate.

In the central plaza of the provincial city of Lapis, Sophie and I stood at the center of a safety barrier spanning a twenty-meter radius.

Sophie would activate the primary magic formula, while I would handle the auxiliary spell formations. The tasks of opening, stabilizing, and securing the gate would all be performed simultaneously.

When I assisted my master, she always carried out everything on her own. But today, I would take on a part of that responsibility.

People from all over town had gathered outside the barrier, eager to catch a glimpse of Sophie.

It felt like there were far more spectators than in previous years.

So, this is the world that Sophie Hayter sees. That thought crossed my mind.

“Well then, Miss Raspberry, I look forward to working with you again this year.”

“Leave it to me! Just like every year, I’ll make sure it’s such a grand success that the sheer volume of trash and noise complaints will force the city council to hold emergency meetings, leaving the mayor sleep-deprived for days.”

“Could you tone it down a little?”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, I shook hands with Carter, the mayor of Lapis, who chuckled wryly.

This stout, bearded man and I had known each other for quite some time.

After shaking my hand, the mayor’s expression suddenly stiffened as he nervously extended his hand toward Sophie.

Sophie, wearing her usual dispassionate expression, took his hand.

“Y-You’re Sophie… H-Highter, correct? I’ve heard so much about you.”

“No.”

Sophie shook her head, and the mayor let out a baffled, “Huh?”

“Mayor! It’s Sophie Hayter! Hayter! Not Highter! She’s not a detergent!”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Meg!”

“Apologize to the right person! And in public, call me Raspberry!”

“S-Sorry!”

The mayor was completely frazzled.

Standing before someone as prominent as Sophie, it was understandable—even a city official like him would be on edge.

Master was a world-renowned figure, and the mayor was used to speaking with her, but she was more of a scholar and authority than a public spectacle. The level of nervousness must be different… Though if I said that to Master, she’d probably scold me.

Either way, the mayor’s bumbling was getting embarrassing to watch.

“Alright, if you’re done here, head back! This is dangerous!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

I sent the flustered mayor on his way and finally let out a breath.

Sophie and I locked eyes and nodded at each other.

It was time.

“Zberry, are you ready?”

“Of course!”

“Your phrasing sounds like an old man.”

With that remark, Sophie activated the first magic formula.

Instantly, the surrounding light dimmed, making the midday sky appear darker.

A reaction to the magic.

A distortion in time and space formed at the center of the plaza.

Sophie proceeded straight to the third magic formula, rapidly expanding the entry point and establishing the connection to the otherworld.

She was fast—blindingly so.

But not so fast that I couldn’t follow.

After all, Master always activated all seven formulas at once. Back then, I had no room to intervene, but this time was different.

Sophie was using an otherworldly spell formula for the first time, while I had spent years assisting Master and observing these formulas. I had to be at least somewhat useful.

I activated the auxiliary fourth and fifth magic formulas, stabilizing and securing the expanding space.

From here, all that remained was for Sophie to use the sixth formula to forge the gate and the seventh to establish the protective barrier for safety.

As I watched Sophie activate the sixth formula and construct the gate, I suddenly noticed something.

The seventh magic formula Sophie had designed contained a ‘distortion.’

“Sophie, wait!”

“…?”

At that moment, the seventh formula collapsed.

A blinding flash erupted.

The seventh magic formula disintegrated, and the protective barrier vanished completely.

The violent backlash sent Sophie and me sprawling to the ground.

It all happened in an instant.

Now, an unprotected, exposed gateway stood before us.

While Sophie and I stared in shock, the surrounding audience, unable to tell whether the spell had succeeded or not, erupted in cheers.

But Sophie and I were the only ones who understood—

This was very, very bad.