Home/The Reason I Was Reincarnated as a Witch in a Novel/ch 16

 Chapter 016

The seeds, enchanted with growth magic, shot up rapidly, becoming vines as thick as a human torso. They intertwined with neighboring vines, forming a sturdy fence.

Lindsay surveyed the gap-free barrier and gave Lionel a light pat on the shoulder.

"There are four horned goats in total on the farm. They usually roam separately, but during breeding season they might stick together. Those ones are feisty, so be careful."

"Can I use magic?"

"Highly encouraged."

She hadn't expected him to wrestle the goats barehanded anyway. If there was a convenient means available, there was no need to exhaust oneself physically.

Mages generally lived sedentary lives, holed up in their labs doing nothing but magical research. Lionel was no different—his muscles were likely just the survival kind needed for daily life.

Of course, the embrace that had enveloped her from behind was broad and firm, but that didn't mean he could carry a horned goat. After all, the goats Lindsay raised were massive—it took two or three burly men just to move one.

"Watch out for the horns. I've got other things to do, so I'll be off. If you have questions, contact me through the communication tool."

Having handed off the task, Lindsay turned to head toward the barn. To tend to every animal on the farm before sunset, she had to move quickly from now on.

"Lindsay. Come to think of it, I don't actually know what a horned goat looks like?"

The amused voice from behind stopped Lindsay in her tracks. She craned her neck back to look at Lionel.

"You recognized the milk just fine yesterday, didn't you?"

"I drink it often, so I know the taste—but I've never seen one in person."

That was natural for someone born and raised in the Roman Empire. What came into the Empire from the Angka Kingdom—the horned goat's native habitat—were milk and slaughtered meat, not live goats. In a world without the internet, it wasn't easy to know what creatures from distant lands looked like. And yet...

Why does it feel like he's lying?

Lindsay's eyes narrowed into triangles as she glared at Lionel.

"The only animals roaming the farm right now are horned goats. Use a detection spell to find them."

"Lindsay."

"Even looking at me like that won't work."

"Just find one with me, please. Once?"

At Lionel's earnest plea, Lindsay squeezed her eyes shut.

"..."

"Please. I won't bother you any more after this."

Lindsay snapped her eyes open and whipped her head around.

"Ugh, fine! Just this once. I've got mountains of work, you know."

"Thank you, Lindsay."

How could I say no to those eyes?

Lindsay slumped her shoulders and cast a detection spell. Mana waves spread outward from her, sensing every living thing within the farm.

The closest horned goat detected was not far from the lighthouse.

Having pinpointed its location, Lindsay and Lionel descended the lighthouse and crossed the prairie.

The lush grass tickled their ankles, and the scent of greenery rode the wind into their nostrils, filling their lungs. Breathing the fresh air, Lindsay's urgency faded. Right, it's early summer. Taking it easy won't hurt.

She struck up a conversation with Lionel, who walked quietly beside her.

"Don't you have any questions? I thought you'd be asking all sorts of things..."

A witch's home—like something out of a fairy tale—was more than enough to stimulate a mage's curiosity and thirst for discovery. From the location of the house and its entrance to every step leading to the farm, nothing had been ordinary—yet he hadn't pestered her. All the time she had spent worrying about when to explain her 'home' to him had been wasted.

"Was I allowed to ask?"

His answer was unexpected, and a faint crease formed on Lindsay's brow.

"Why wouldn't you be? You don't strike me as the type to hold back—Ah?"

Don't tell me he was holding back for my sake?

Lindsay unconsciously turned her head—and caught a pair of lavender eyes that might have been watching her for who knows how long.

Their gazes met, and the corners of his eyes, framing those lavender irises, curved softly downward.

As a lotus-like smile bloomed on his face, Lindsay hastily rolled her eyes upward. Taking in his smooth, fair forehead where silver threads of hair lay, her rapidly pounding heart gradually slowed.

"If you're curious about anything, just ask."

Her merciful answer fell, and Lionel lifted his heels slightly to align his gaze with hers. In response to his movement, her jade-green eyes rolled downward.

At the sight of her eyes rolling contrary to his motion, Lionel smiled gently.

"Then I won't hold back. I've had so many questions since I arrived here."

"You should have asked sooner."

"I didn't want to risk asking a sensitive question and earning your dislike."

"Who? Me?"

If I disliked someone just for asking questions, I'd be a thoroughly broken person. But me?

Lindsay blinked blankly, her lips parted. After a moment, she came to her senses and spoke firmly to Lionel.

"I won't dislike you. If you have questions, ask."

"Hmm... This is your real home, isn't it? The one in the capital is just a temporary residence?"

"Right."

When the answer he had suspected came back, Lionel's eyes darkened. He pressed further, asking why she had left her home and settled in the capital.

"Can you tell me... why you came to the capital?"

That way, I can stop her before she leaves once her purpose is fulfilled.

"For world peace?"

At Lindsay's answer, Lionel's steps slowed. Her voice was still light, but he sensed intuitively that it wasn't a mere joke.

If anyone else had said such a thing, he would have regarded them coldly. But this was Lindsay. She was not one to lie easily or joke lightly. Which meant...

"It's a joke. Relax your face. More importantly, I see one—that's a horned goat."

If she says it's a joke, then it must be a joke. Lionel forced the stiffness from his face and followed Lindsay's pointing finger.

Two curved horns jutted from its forehead, muscles bulged beneath its wool, and around its neck hung a golden bell—incongruously delicate for its size. Lionel sighed at the sight of the farm's horned goat.

"What have you been feeding it? It looks twice the size of the ones I know..."

Lindsay raised an eyebrow slyly.

"You said you didn't know what a horned goat looked like."

"...Size doesn't matter, does it? The important thing is that we found one."

Changing the subject, Lionel chanted a levitation spell—and the grazing goat rose into the air.

The goat, now airborne against its will, flailed in the air. The golden bell around its neck jangled incessantly.

"Now lower it slowly—slowly—so it doesn't get startled. Good!"

Lindsay unconsciously snapped her thumb and middle finger together with a sharp click.

"How about a calming spell?"

"Excellent idea."

The goat, which had been staggering inside the fence, settled under Lionel's spell and resumed grazing leisurely.

Lindsay smiled with satisfaction at Lionel's efficient handling of the task. Though he could be sly at times, she couldn't deny his competence.

"I'll bring you lunch later. Keep up the good work."

"I'll contact you soon. Wait for me."

"If you finish quickly, I'll give you more work, so use your judgment."

There was plenty to do, and Lindsay had no intention of letting a worker who came looking for tasks rest idle.

"As long as it's work I can do with Lindsay, anything is fine."

"...Right."

If you're happy, then that's fine...

There were moments when Lindsay's mind went blank from Lionel's casually delivered heart-fluttering words. This was one of them.

How can he act so familiar when we've only known each other for such a short time? At a loss for words, Lindsay turned her back on Lionel and shuffled away. I should just get to work.

Ignoring the gaze she could feel on her back, Lindsay headed for the barn where the farm animals were kept. A breeze swept across the fields, and faint laughter drifted on the wind.

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