Chapter 24

**Chapter Twenty-Four** of the fifth volume of the *Witch Hat Atelier* manga series.

## Summary

The chapter starts with Qifrey monologuing about how no matter the circumstances, none of it would bother a witch. He mentions that since the Day of the Pact, witches have been forbidden to ever engage in a war or fight, because it would hardly be called a fight as it would be too easy. He takes out his Palm Quire and closes off his Water Pen spell and attacks The Ancients of Romonon.

Tetia watches Qifrey with amazement, but notices that he's badly hurt and that they need to help him. When Tetia faces Coco, she finds her shaking on the ground. Coco tells her that the Romanans reminds her of her mom and it obviously brings up a lot of negative emotions. Tetia embraces Coco sympathizing with her when she suddenly comes up with an idea because of Coco. She thanks her and states that witches have a duty that they always must honor.

The chapter cuts back to Qifrey fighting The Ancients of Romonon. He has drawn a Water Bolt spell on the ground and it shoots out and hits the Romonons. Qifrey asks if they're willing to drop their grudge against witches as he doesn't want to harm them. One of The Ancients of Romonon responds that putting aside their grief and anger after years is unthinkable.

Mid-fight, the ground beneath them turns into a field of flowers. Tetia walks up to them and apologizes to Qifrey for joining without permission but explains that she couldn't stand there and do nothing. The Romonons notice Tetia and Qifrey yells out to her, saying that she should've kept the cloak on to look like a brushbuddy and not be seen. She responds that if she had kept the cloak she wouldn't have the chance to talk to the Romonons. One of the Romonons approaches Tetia and questions if she has anything to say to them. Tetia confirms and tells the Romonon about how they're still human and that the very first thing witches learn about is about the cruel ways of the old witches.

She tells them that magic is supposed to bring happiness and comfort, that's the path that witches choose for and asks the Romonons to please let them pass. One of the Romonons questions her and asks how she could prove that magic is meant for happiness, as magic only brought them despair. The Romonons ask Tetia to answer their questions to prover herself.

The Romonons ask her a riddle. "That which fills the outside world, soight by all creatures far and wide, yet which here is possessed by none and can never be granted to us?"

Tetia proceeds to ask if it's something they have, the Romanan answers yes. She asks if it's something only for humans, the Romanan answers no. Tetia finally asks if it can be granted with magic and the Romonon says that magic took that very thing away from them. She wonders what would happen if she got it wrong, the Romanan informs her that if she gets it wrong Qifrey and her would get their deserved fate.

The Romonons drag Alaira out causing Coco to take of her cloak and run towards her. One of the Romonons stop her from getting any closer, not until an answer is given. Tetia runs over to Coco asking if she's okay. Both of them worry about Alaira. Tetia says that there's still no trace of Agott, Richeh and Euini and that they'll have to figure this out by themselves.

After a while, Tetia says that she cant think of anything. Coco says that it's not that they can't think of an answer, it's that there's too many options. Qifrey interrupts Coco and says that she has at what the purpose of magic is, what people seek for when they need a witch.

Coco faces the Romonons and presents them a Snugstone. One of the Romonons inspect the snugstone, saying that it is warm but that it lacks in size. Coco apologizes but they turn their back to her, heading for the Arcane Lense and inserting the Snugstone. It proceeds to melt them. Coco begs for them to come back but she hears their voices thanking her.

The chapter cuts to Qifrey crouching by Alaira's side, asking her if she could hear him. When she wakes up, Qifrey ask what happened to he others. She explains that a Brimmed Cap witch attacked them but that she got lucky. Coco asks her why and Alaira explains that she could've gotten a seal drawn onto her body, and once it's there it cannot be removed.

## Characters by Appearance

* Qifrey
* Coco
* Tetia
* The Ancients of Romonon
* Alaira