Otaku Witch

It’s a pity that reality and fantasy don’t align.

Well, if it were my first life, I probably would have been like that.

Dorothy recalled her first-life self, who fancied herself the protagonist of a great destiny. She awkwardly scratched at the goosebumps that rose on her arms.

Banishing embarrassing pasts, banishing embarrassing pasts.

I’ve been reincarnated three times now, way past that teenage phase. If someone else wants to be the destined protagonist, they can have it. I don’t want it anymore.

"Your Majesty, I think you’re deceiving everyone here. The eldest lady in everyone’s heart doesn’t have such a good image."

The princess in the mirror, radiant like the sun, made a few goofy expressions and then said this to Guinevere, who stood beside her.

"Nonsense, if I say you’re good, you’re good. You’re the little sun in my heart."

Guinevere answered resolutely.

Dorothy shrugged her shoulders.

Alright then, you’re the Queen. What you say goes; who would dare to oppose that?

The homebody witch decided to go along with it.

And after finishing Dorothy’s makeup, Guinevere casually snapped her fingers, transforming from a head maid back into the poised and beautiful Queen, mother of the nation.

"You’re really that casual?"

Dorothy blinked and asked.

"I’m not young anymore, why make things more complicated? Besides, tonight’s banquet is for you, you’re the star. Come on, my little sun, it’s time the world gets to know you."

Guinevere said with a smile.

"They really don’t need to know me."

The socially-anxious homebody witch mumbled, knowing full well her resistance was futile. She let the Queen pull her out of the makeup room.

On the way to the banquet hall, she reunited with her sisters.

Yeah, they had all been dressed up, though their styles remained similar to what they wore in the morning. Unlike her, they hadn’t been transformed into sun-like figures.

Her sisters marveled at her new look, especially Alice. The little witch rubbed her eyes with an expression that seemed to say, "Who are you? My sister isn’t this sunny."

"Hmm, it really suits you, my lady."

Sophia looked over her new appearance and, with a rare smile from the usually aloof individual, said this.

"Your taste is questionable."

Dorothy rolled her eyes, assuming this housekeeper was just being sarcastic. After all, this person usually had nothing but disdain for her.

"This time I’m genuinely complimenting you."

The Pure White Witch said with a smile.

Indeed, it was the truth, for to her, the sun that illuminated her life was right in front of her.

Dorothy: "....."

Being praised like this by the housekeeper made the homebody witch a little embarrassed.

Sophia, could you be normal, please? I prefer your usual look of contempt.

She blushed, turned her head away, and ignored this sometimes tsundere, sometimes overly blunt person.

Hmph, you made my birthday so troublesome and put me on the spot; I haven’t even settled accounts with you yet, just you wait, you’re going to get what’s coming to you.

The homebody witch thought to herself.

They reached the entrance of the banquet hall, where the imposing and knight-dressed Nidhogg seemed to have been waiting for quite some time.

"Welcome back, my little sun."

She said with a smile.

Dorothy: "...."

Enough with you all.

She wanted to retort.

But remembering that the person before her was the Dragon King, the true Witch King, she chickened out. She just nodded shyly.

"I’m back, Dragon King."

She followed Nidhogg’s lead and responded.

To this, the perfect Witch King was stunned. A strange light flickered in her eyes, and she seemed a bit disappointed, but she soon broke into a bright smile.

"You could just call me Nidhogg."

She said this.

Dorothy: "...."

Oh, like she’d dare do that. Addressing the Witch King by name was a serious breach of etiquette.

She thought to herself.

However, when she looked up at the mighty Witch King beside her, she saw something familiar in her expectant eyes.

Those golden dragon eyes were too clear, just like the gluttonous dragon that used to chase after her.

Though they were completely different beings now, they were still reincarnated selves.

The homebody witch thought with mixed feelings.

"Then, I’m back, Nidhogg."

She thought for a moment and finally said.

Well, since they weren’t in the banquet hall yet and there were no outsiders around, it was okay to be a little bolder.

Hearing the homebody witch finally change her address, the Princess Knight Witch was stunned, then beamed even more brightly.

Though she actually wanted to hear another name, for now, this would do. Once everything was ready, everyone could return to the past.

"Alright then, let’s go in. Today you will be the most dazzling person in the world."

Nidhogg extended her hand to the homebody witch in a gentlemanly manner.

Dorothy: "....."

The homebody witch wasn’t really keen on holding hands, it felt strange to her.

Especially since the Dragon King was dressed as a knight and she was dolled up like a princess. Couldn’t they switch roles or something?

She thought to herself.

She felt she could play the role of the experimental king’s knight better.

However, she only dared think these thoughts and, in the end, she reached out and placed her hand in the Dragon King’s hand.

Then, the doors to the banquet hall slowly opened, and everyone stepped into the festive scene.

And as they entered, Dorothy instinctively tightened her grip on Nidhogg’s hand.

She couldn’t help it; she was a bit nervous, feeling countless gazes falling upon her. At that moment, she understood why Audrey would have social anxiety.

Facing such scrutiny and remaining honest takes a strong mindset indeed.

Fortunately, she wasn’t truly timid. Her fear of attention stemmed from laziness, not actual fear, so after a moment of adjustment, she got accustomed to it.

Yeah, just pretend they’re all potatoes.

Also, just keep smiling in moments like this.

Dorothy put on a smile and went into business mode.

Thankfully, there were no embarrassing speeches or thanks at this banquet. All she had to do was be a smiling machine.

However, she did stealthily survey the banquet hall guests, and then....

Whoa, why are there so many big shots among these potatoes?

She didn’t notice at first, but looking now, her social anxiety kicked in for real. After all, who could stay calm when spotting a dozen Sages in one glance?

The Council of Sages only had thirteen members, yet her birthday banquet had more Sages present than even the Council did, which was truly an overwhelming honor.

Dorothy gazed at these Sages with some reverence, noticing they were all dressed like the Dragon King in knight attire, only with different battle robes.

And among them, the homebody witch recognized a familiar face: Lord Arthur, donned in blue and white knight armor, looking at her with a gentle expression.

"Uh, I guess these must be the legendary Knights of the Round Table."

She guessed internally.

As they made their entrance, the guests, led by the Knights of the Round Table, prepared to rise and offer their blessings, just when...

Dong dong dong...

Suddenly, there were bell chimes from outside.

It was the welcoming bell of the Dragon King Palace, usually rung to honor prestigious guests.

Only guests of Peak status were qualified to ring it, typically six times, and Sages nine times.

But right now.....

Dong dong dong.....

The bell kept tolling endlessly.

Oh no, either the bell’s broken, or a really incredible VIP has arrived.

Everyone thought to themselves.

Then, opposite the inner gate where Dorothy and the others entered, the outer gate burst open, and the special guest walked in.

....The guest enters....