Chapter 8

## Chapter Chronology

**The Top-Hatted Inventor** (シルクハットの発 (はつ) 明 (めい) 家 (か) , *Shirukuhatto no hatsu mei ka*?) is the eighth chapter of the Guardian of the Witch manga series.

## Summary

After being rescued by Drake Mardock, Fafuna, an unconscious Manasufa, and Nata find themselves inside Drake's personal residence.

Over tea, Fafuna questions Drake why he saved the three of them from their earlier encounter with the Evils. A confused Drake explains to them that just because he helped them escape from the Evils and provided hospitality doesn't necessarily mean that he had saved them. He goes on to describe how he currently has two options that'll decide their fate: He can either "leave things as they are" and allow the trio to hide at his home or turn them into the Federated City-States of Ouv for the bounty. Drake openly discloses that the second option is more tempting due to its monetary reward; on the contrary, the first option is full of risk for him.

As Drake ponders over what his decision should be, he decides to leave the building and think under the moon and night sky. Fafuna and Nata are both suspicious of Drake, so the Guardian decides to follow him. Outside, Fafuna sees Drake standing on a low cliff and the two confront each other, with Fafuna confidentally declaring he will stop Drake before he decides to turn them in.

Undeterred by Fafuna's words, Drake leaps down from the cliff and smashes Fafuna's face into the ground, incapacitating him. Drake mentions how he used to be the Witch's Guardian for the City-State of Medi, a place known for its powerful Guardians, and asks Fafuna what his plan would be. He continues to criticize Fafuna's flaws while also concluding that it would be better for himself to hand them in. After hearing this, Fafuna gets on his knees and begs Drake to at least save Manasufa and Nata over himself, as he was the one who dragged them into this situation.

Seeing Fafuna's actions, Drake is disappointed at him for begging for mercy. Fafuna goes on to say that he is too weak to protect those who he forced into a mess, even though he knew the consequences beforehand. After listening to him, Drake says that despite how much of a weakling and utterly, hopelessly incompetent that Fafuna is, he has a choice Drake no longer has. Drake reveals that he was once a Guardian who successfully killed his own Witch, even though the two of them were in love. He continues on to tell Fafuna that he has the potential to avoid regret by keeping his Witch alive no matter what and expects him to be sure to protect both Manasufa and Nata.

Drake then gives Fafuna the ultimatum: Fafuna must surpass himself within three days, and, if he is able to achieve that, he will teach Fafuna about magic, fighting pursuers and everything needed to survive.

## Chapter Notes

* Drake Mardock, a former Guardian of the Witch, is introduced.
* The City-States of Ouv are mentioned.
* The City-State of Medi is mentioned.
	+ Drake is the former Witch's Guardian and Ai was the Witch for the City-State.
* Ai, Drake's former Witch, is mentioned.
* Fafuna has three days to surpass Drake.

## Characters in order of Appearance

* Manasufa Rustasia
* Fafuna Leorange
* Drake Mardock
* Nata
* Ai (Flashback)

## Trivia

* **Shirukuhatto no Hatsumeika** ( シルクハットの発 (はつ) 明 (めい) 家 (か) , *****Shirukuhatto no Hatsumeika*****?) means "Silk Hat Inventor."
* **The Federated City-States of Ouv** in japanese is written **The Federation Kingdom of Ouv** (ウヴ連 (れん) 邦 (ぽう) 王 (おう) 国 (こく) , *Uvu Renpō Ōkoku*?).
	+ **Renpō Ōkoku** (連 (れん) 邦 (ぽう) 王 (おう) 国 (こく) , *****Renpō Ōkoku*****?) means "United Kingdom."