Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 175: Ancient Runes

Sinister Granny was clearly relieved when Lumielle returned free of harm, but as her gaze shifted to Daisuke, it was evident her sentiments didn't extend to him, as well.

"I see you're still tethered at the hips with this miscreant," she scoffed, briefly looking him over. "Are you sure it wouldn't have been in your best interest to abandon him in the forest?"

Lumielle laughed awkwardly, at a complete loss for words.

"Oh, I'm sure you'd like that a lot, wouldn't you," Daisuke returned, his gaze just as dark and condescending.

Ignoring the unimpressive retort, the woman turned to face the princess again. "If you're back, I assume you were successful in your search?"

"Yes, we were," Lumielle responded.

At the query, she held out the Palismaire Flower with a hopeful smile, and the woman inspected the plant with a keenly trained eye. Without a word, she tilted her chin and swayed her fingers. At the silent command, a small bubble of stirring water—like liquid sloshing around in a transparent balloon—manifested, floated gently through the air, and enclosed the plant in question.

Lumielle sighed in astonishment as the fruit of their labor was whisked away from her fingers. With her remote control of the sphere, Sinister Granny allowed the fresh water to cleanse the plant before removing several of the petals and steeping them within her teapot.

Daisuke and Lumielle watched the magical spectacle in a combination of awe and anticipation, but when the woman daintily sat down around the table in the parlor and started partaking of the tea herself, their expressions creased into that of bewilderment.

"Ahh," Daisuke raised a single eyebrow quizzically and glanced at Lumielle. "What exactly is she doing?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"Um. I'm confused," the princess hesitantly spoke out, projecting her voice loud enough so that the woman could hear. "I thought the point of retrieving the flower was to brew a serum that can alter Haxks's gender? That was the arrangement, was it not?"

"Palismaire works wonders for my arthritis," the woman remarked, regarding her slightly deformed fingers as she lowered the teacup.

"Oh god," Daisuke threw his hands up and rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me she was senile, too?"

"Watch your mouth," the woman warned, glancing up ominously from the rim of her cup. "Or—"

"Or what?" Daisuke challenged, sleep-deprivation and fatigue fueling his irritation. "You'll attempt to turn me into a snail again? Is that it?"

"Well," the woman gestured wearily. "A toad this time would've been my choice, but your tone suggests that may be a bit too lenient for such an impertinent brat such as yourself."

"Sure," Daisuke scoffed. "Whatever floats your boat lady. You're just weaving in and out of dementia, aren't you? What sort of witch doesn't have a cauldron anyway—a delusional ol' hag who isn't a witch, that's who!"

The woman sighed noisily and glanced at Lumielle expectantly.

"Haxks...," the princess raised her hand for silence. "Let's not be rude and hear what she has to say."

Daisuke rolled his eyes in surrender. "Fine, whatever."

The woman took her time pouring herself another serving of tea. Then proceeded to indecisively plop sugar cubes inside the cup, trying to remember the ratio that made the previous serving so delicious. Her amble pace was enough to make even the princess's eyebrow twitch a little in exasperation.

"Palismaire is a very delicate plant," she finally said. "It's fine for my arthritis even in a degenerated state, but utterly useless as an ingredient to synthesize a brew for the gender-altering elixir."