Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 545 - 73: Mire and Shion (Part 3)

Stepping onto the path leading to the shrine, ascending continuously along the circular road.

Arriving at the familiar yet desolate hall, Hakushi finds it strange that today, in the shrine palace, there is not a single guard or maid.

Normally, even when there are few people here, there are still a few guards and maids left behind, but now they’ve all disappeared.

Moreover, this palace doesn’t look any different from usual, but for some reason, Hakushi always feels there’s something off about the atmosphere, a creepy aura spreading through the air.

Gazing directly at the Witch Mire behind the curtain, the other party sits there as always, dignified.

"Lord Mire, I need a large number of witches."

Hakushi put aside his thoughts, and upon arrival, succinctly made his request to Witch Mire.

"A large number of witches? I wonder what Mr. Hakushi intends to do with them?"

Mire did not agree nor disagree, only asked Hakushi for the reason he wanted so many witches.

Hakushi deliberated for a moment and said to Mire, "Lord Mire, previously I learned through the history of the Land of Demons that many witches once traveled the world, offering aid. Is there such a thing?"

Regarding this matter, Witch Mire didn’t conceal anything and naturally responded to Hakushi:

"Indeed there was, but that was during the Warring States Era and earlier. After ninjas became the mainstream, witches withdrew from the stage of history. I know little about these matters; it should have been a long time ago."

"Now I plan to make use of these witches once again, not spreading them too widely, letting them operate only in a few nearby countries. I need them to help me with some propaganda work, and I will ensure their salary and safety."

Not only that, Hakushi also plans to put some female military members in witches’ attire and start cultural infiltration into the surrounding countries.

"If you can ensure salary and safety, I can lend Mr. Hakushi some."

After all, the witches of the Land of Demons also need to live; most of them live quite poorly. If Hakushi can give them more earnings, Mire is glad to see this happening.

"Much appreciated."

"Speaking of which, I happen to have an important matter to discuss with Mr. Hakushi."

The voice of Witch Mire came through the curtain, sounding no different than before.

"Important matter?"

This is the first time Witch Mire is so serious about something; although it’s not discernable from her tone, Hakushi vaguely feels that what Mire is going to say next must be of great significance.

No matter how he guesses, Hakushi cannot fathom what the important matter Mire refers to is.

Thus, Hakushi’s face took on a serious expression and he earnestly said, "Please, Lord Mire."

"I am pregnant."

"?"

Perhaps the meaning of this sentence is highly abrupt; after hearing it, Hakushi sat on the mat dumbfounded.

Pregnant?

Upon processing it, Hakushi’s expression became filled with bewilderment, restraining the urge to voice sarcastic remarks.

"Um, Lord Mire, may I ask who your husband is..."

To his knowledge, Witch Mire is pure, never having had any intimate relations with any man.

Then this child... where did it come from?

If this is a joke, it would be excessively wrong.

But Hakushi knows Mire is not joking.

She is really pregnant.

Exactly because of this, the situation seemed bizarre to Hakushi.

"I have no husband, nor any intimate male friend."

Hakushi remained silent, cold chills rising up his spine.

"This girl’s name is Shion, and she will be born in nineteen months."

Witch Mire uttered another sentence that shocked Hakushi.

"..."

Hakushi immediately widened his eyes, full of incredulity.

Nineteen months? Born?

Human women have a gestation period roughly around ten months, nineteen months...

And why must the time be so precise?

Even the gender is confirmed?

Is the child born by Witch Mire truly human?

Even Hakushi must contemplate the answer to this question.

He had vaguely sensed for a long time that Witch Mire might not be human.

But that was just a feeling, with no solid evidence to prove Mire is not human.

Now with Mire saying this, if her mind isn’t toying around, it signifies she perhaps isn’t human, at least not a typical human.

"Mr. Hakushi’s surprise is very normal. That’s the expected reaction of a normal person."

"Um... Lord Mire, can you speak a bit more plainly?"

"I am not human... Including my mother and all previous generations of witches, none are human. In terms Mr. Hakushi can understand, it’s single-gender reproduction."

Also including that unborn daughter, she’s not human either.

Witch Mire gravely informed Hakushi of these secrets.

Hakushi fell into contemplation.

Non-human entities being the protectors of a country, honestly, when first hearing this it indeed sounds astonishing.

But thinking about the toads of Mount Myoboku wanting to select a Child of Prophecy among humans, to save the world and establish so-called peace, the non-human identity of the witches of the Land of Demons doesn’t seem as hard to accept.

"Lord Mire shared this with me wanting me to do something?"

Hakushi inhaled deeply, knowing that Witch Mire must be asking for something by telling him this.

"I hope Mr. Hakushi can recognize Shion as a goddaughter. To mankind, she carries extraordinary significance."