She Is Not a Witch

In the Tisilan Mountain Range, Molten Fire City.

This city near a dormant volcano thrived on the fertile volcanic ash, with dense soybean plants growing on neat terraces. Beans were the main source of plant protein for animals.

Green terraces encircled the mountain like steps, covering the dormant volcano. Halfway up, a massive cave opened to an extremely wide road, where moss rock rhinoceroses frequently pulled ore carts in and out.

Heavy steel ore carts carved deep grooves in the gravel mountain road. A rabbit-eared tribesman in linen clothes held a long pole with a red fruit dangling from it. These custard apples were beloved by the moss rock rhinoceroses, who obediently followed the fruit’s direction.

The rabbits had become skilled at cooperating with the mountain’s magical beasts, establishing good trust and understanding their likes and habits. Moss rock rhinoceroses preferred cool, damp places and wouldn’t normally enter the volcano’s interior. But as the ore was too heavy for people to pull, the rabbits had to find alternatives.

After some trial and error, they discovered the rhinoceroses’ fondness for custard apples, making them willing to enter the volcano while pulling carts. The rabbits changed their payment to these fruits and placed water barrels on the carts to keep the rhinoceroses cool and moist.

The red custard apples were said to have come from the Eastern Continent many years ago, known there as “Fona,” meaning longevity fruit. Although this was a supernatural world, there was no concept of predetermined lifespans. These fruits were simply very sweet, though special supernatural varieties could cure internal ailments, justifying claims of extending life.

As the ore carts entered the mountain, waves of heat greeted them. Red firelight reflected off the surrounding rock walls. The noise grew louder—bellows pumping, iron being forged, steel cooling with a hiss, water boiling and evaporating, giant hammers striking. Rabbit-eared craftsmen in work robes were busy smelting and forging metal products.

Inside the volcano was an irregular red lake of boiling magma, surrounded by a wide circular walkway. Along the walkway were workstations where rabbit-eared craftsmen worked enthusiastically, the crisp sound of metal collisions echoing everywhere.

A tall rabbit-eared figure stood in the volcano’s interior workshop. He was large with a round belly, wearing dark red steel armor adorned with shiny protruding spikes, giving him a fierce appearance.

A black-eared rabbit man entered, wearing a silver cape over well-fitted silver armor, followed by several guards in matching armor carrying spears.

“Kanda, what brings you here?” The tall rabbit-eared man looked surprised to see the silver-caped figure but grinned, revealing a familiar smile. They clearly knew each other well.

“Furnace Mountain, I’m here to check on the new armor trials. Lady Loranhil has sent the plans, and the legion will be forming soon.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been overseeing and supervising daily. Everyone’s testing step by step, and we’ve mostly finalized the process. Now it’s just optimization and maximizing cost-effectiveness.”

The red-armored rabbit spoke more gently than his fierce armor suggested. He handed his large axe to a nearby rabbit and strode over to give Kanda a big hug.

“It’s been a while since we sparred. How about a fight tonight, then some drinks?”

“Sparring is fine, but drinking will have to wait. Business first,” Kanda smiled as they walked and talked.

Considering wartime needs, Loranhil had decided to form an elite legion focused on cavalry. Other legions would have spears, swords, and crossbows, with the elite prioritizing cavalry units.

The current world of Ivar still primarily used cold weapons. The existence of supernatural powers made individual strength and constitution far superior to what Loranhil remembered from ancient times. With various magical materials for armor and some supernatural professions’ inherent defensive skills, projectile weapons were far less lethal than in her memories of antiquity.

Projectile weapons had upper limits on attack power, such as bow draw strength and early gunpowder load. Even if you were incredibly strong, your arrow’s power was limited by the weapon’s performance. Excess strength would only break the bow.

Thus, most battles in this world were settled at close range. Bows and crossbows had significant advantages at lower levels, but as supernatural sequences advanced, their effectiveness greatly diminished after Sequence 4, unless one could imbue arrows with magic or other skills—a specialty of elves that other races struggled with.

Cavalry often played a decisive role on the battlefield, changing the course of battle. Without cavalry, even after defeating the enemy, pursuit would be limited, unable to expand on victory. Cavalry was crucial for attacking weak points, breaking lines, flanking, and encirclement. This was why Loranhil, like other pioneers, prioritized cavalry.

“Kanda, though I’ve said it many times.”

“Old Furnace truly admires Her Ladyship.”

“What is it now?”

“Come see for yourself.”

Furnace Mountain led Kanda to a workbench with two sets of armor, both made of steel.

“Look, the one on the left I had someone buy in Western Wind. Supposedly from a fallen noble selling his ancestral armor for money. I had an expert examine it—it’s genuine. That fool will regret it later. This armor suggests his ancestor was likely a viscount.”

He flipped open the upper part of the armor, revealing a brass shield-shaped badge.

“This badge shows a burning hill, indicating its owner was a veteran of the ‘Quenching Fire Battle’ and performed great deeds. The Western Wind King was quite generous to his subordinates back then, likely granting at least a viscounty.”

“The one on the right is the new armor we forged based on Her Ladyship’s blueprints. The steel quantity and weight are almost identical to the Western Wind armor.”

Kanda looked at Furnace Mountain, puzzled. Furnace Mountain continued:

“We tested the strength of both. Guess the result?”

“Her Ladyship’s must be stronger.”

“Correct, but by how much?”

“Three times?” Kanda slightly overestimated.

“No, ten times!”

Furnace Mountain laughed heartily, then picked up a nearby giant hammer and struck twice. The left armor dented and was pierced by the hammer’s protrusions. The right silver armor merely bounced slightly, emitting a metallic ring, completely undamaged.

[White Steel Armor] (Rare Silver Grade): Plate armor improved with advanced craftsmanship, excellent toughness and strength, disperses impact force, greatly reduces damage, can be mass-produced, highly cost-effective.

This was Loranhil’s improved version based on Mercury Dynasty technology. Perhaps not the strongest, but its cheap materials and mass production potential meant every legion member could wear it, providing good protection. After all, every life was precious, and ensuring everyone’s survival was her preferred approach.