The Witch of Artiel

With the coming-of-age ceremony only three days away, Serion felt that nothing would change as things stood.

If he were to face the ceremony without changing anything, he would undoubtedly end up on that guillotine once more.

“Lily.”

He called for Lily, cloaked in a robe.

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Head Butler, summon Evan Libello. Tell him I have something to discuss with him.”

Lily bowed her head and left the study.

Soon after, the door reopened, and a neat, middle-aged man appeared.

It was the Head Butler, Evan Libello.

“You called for me, Young Master?”

Evan closed the door and bowed politely.

Then, he looked at Serion, who had pulled his robe low over his face.

“The rumors… were they true?”

Serion didn’t answer, only gestured with his hand.

Evan hesitated, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning of the gesture.

Then, Lily quietly spoke up.

“I will convey the Young Master’s words on his behalf.”

Lily continued calmly.

“Before the coming-of-age ceremony, he wishes to distribute food to all the servants and maids within the castle, as well as to the people of the estate outside the castle walls. He also intends to give away the fabric for the ceremonial attire as a gift.”

Evan’s eyes flickered slightly.

He was momentarily speechless, but soon a warm smile spread across his face.

“Truly… a remarkable decision, Young Master. Your father would have been pleased. I will prepare the food with the help of the servants. I will entrust the fabric to the Head Maid.”

Serion nodded minutely.

Evan watched Serion for a moment before cautiously continuing.

“However, Young Master, there are rumors circulating within the castle that you have contracted an incurable disease, or that you have been caught up in some strange ritual. Whatever the truth may be, people seem to be uneasy.”

At those words, Serion gestured once more.

The answer came from Lily’s lips.

“It is true that he is not feeling well, but it is merely a temporary condition. It is not a disease or a curse of any kind.”

Evan let out a light sigh of relief and nodded.

However, his gaze remained fixed on Serion beneath the robe.

His eyes naturally drifted to the nape of the robe, where strands of golden hair peeked out.

The original Serion had been blonde as well.

But the hair before him now was much softer and lighter in color.

‘…Has it ever grown this long?’

Evan seemed to harbor a moment of doubt, but he soon dismissed the thought.

And he offered a respectful greeting.

“I hope you will rest well until the coming-of-age ceremony. If it is you, Young Master, I am sure it will be a coming-of-age ceremony that will move everyone.”

Serion nodded slightly in response, and Evan left the study with Lily.

As soon as the door closed, Serion slumped back in his seat.

‘That’s one move made.’

In a small, darkened room, a single candle flickered faintly.

Head Butler Evan Libello sat with his legs crossed, gazing at the woman before him as he quietly spoke.

“Something… about Serion seems different.”

Head Maid Bertina stretched out her crossed legs and tilted her head back.

“Different? Are you saying that because he hasn’t suddenly torn a servant to shreds?”

“Serion summoned me today.”

Bertina’s eyes widened.

“He told me to distribute food to the people of the estate before the coming-of-age ceremony. And the fabric for the ceremonial attire as well.”

Bertina curled her lip and muttered mockingly.

“Isn’t that just a calculation to torment them even more cruelly after throwing them some food first? He’s certainly capable of it.”

Evan approached Bertina and fondled her breasts.

“Don’t get excited. And watch your mouth. The operation is only a few days away.”

“Hmph.”

Bertina let out a suggestive moan.

“But… is that complete?”

Evan nodded.

“It’s already complete. Tonight, I’ll hand it over to the Captain of the Guard. Attaching the blade is his responsibility.”

Bertina scoffed.

“You should be the executioner at the coming-of-age ceremony, not the Head Butler. But… Black Sword will be alright, won’t he?”

Evan smiled and nodded.

“There’s no need to worry. He’s as good as on our side already.”

A moment of silence passed.

Bertina spoke as if savoring something.

“Once this is over… the castle will be in our hands, won’t it?”

Evan smiled faintly.

“I’ve already sent a letter proposing the Captain of the Guard be promoted to nobility. Judging by his reputation, he should be able to acquire noble status quickly. Black Sword will serve the new master of the castle.”

Bertina laughed in a whisper.

“And that master of the castle will be in our grasp.”

Evan continued with a greedy glint in his eyes.

“How many people wouldn’t be swayed by the promise of becoming a noble?”

Bertina stood up and faced Evan.

Then, she slyly lowered Evan’s pants.

“Now, hiding like this is….”

Bertina continued, skillfully taking Evan’s manhood into her mouth.

“Umm, now. Over. Umm. Isn’t it?”

Evan threw his head back and closed his eyes.

He savored the sensation, gripping Bertina’s head with both hands.

“Yes.”

Shadows flickered, and a figure emerged from within.

“You summoned me, Young Master?”

Black Sword wondered if it was right to call him ‘Young Master’ now, but the familiar words flowed from his lips nonetheless.

“How long has your family been loyal to the Artiel family…?”

“Precisely… 298 years. It will soon be 300 years.”

“300 years…”

Serion murmured, gazing at the sky beyond the window.

“Aren’t you tired of living in the shadows for so long?”

Black Sword neither raised nor lowered his head as he replied.

“I am merely fulfilling my duty.”

Serion turned to face him.

“If I were to grant you freedom…”

Black Sword’s eyes flickered slightly at the word freedom.

“What would you do?”

“…I have never considered it.”

“I see. I expected as much.”

The brief conversation ended there.

Serion sank back into silence, and Black Sword quietly melted back into the shadows.

And,

Time passed indifferently, and the morning of the coming-of-age ceremony dawned.

“Young Master, I have brought the ceremonial attire.”

Head Maid Bertina spoke in a respectful voice before Serion’s bedroom.

In her hands, she held a ceremonial robe embroidered with gold thread.

But from within the bedroom came an unexpected voice.

“I do not need that attire. Return it.”

Bertina was silent for a moment, then retreated without a word.

The crowd gathered in the central plaza of the castle was silent, as if holding its breath.

It was the day the last son of the Artiel Count family would undergo his coming-of-age ceremony.

But no one wore an expression of anticipation.

Head Butler Evan Libello stood before the platform with a solemn face.

Then, a figure cloaked in black robes ascended the platform.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Is that Young Master Serion?”

“I heard he contracted an incurable disease.”

“To be wearing the robe so low….”

Head Butler Evan quietly watched Serion beneath the robe.

And he approached Serion, holding the prepared ceremonial dagger on both hands.

“Serion de Artiel. This dagger is a legacy engraved with the family crest, and it is a symbol that declares you have come of age.”

He slowly extended the dagger and reached out his hand.

However, that hand was not meant to hold the dagger.

In a swift motion, the extended hand grabbed the hem of Serion’s robe and snatched it away.

In an instant, the plaza was plunged into silence.

Everyone who saw the figure standing on the platform beyond the fluttering robe was at a loss for words.

A flowing dress, hair as subtly golden as the dawn light, even the ribbon tied around the waist added to the sculpture-like beauty, making it seem like a work of art.

Above all, that face.

Serion’s face, revealed beneath the light, was so noble and radiant that it was difficult to call it human.

At first glance, it seemed like a Saintess, a witch, a being sprung from the myths of gold.

Below the platform, some were gaping, forgetting even to breathe.

“Beautiful…….”

As those words spread like a spark, the crowd finally seemed to come to its senses and began to stir.

And at that moment, even Evan on the platform was momentarily speechless.

Faced with such alien beauty, he hesitated for a moment.

But Evan bit his lip.

He could not be swayed by emotions.

The plan was the plan.

He had already risked too much for all of this.

Evan, who had been looking at Serion, whispered in a low voice.

“This is more interesting than I expected. But it doesn’t matter.”

Evan shouted in a cold voice.

“As you can see, this person is not Young Master Serion!”

The crowd raised their heads in unison.

There were still some who were staring blankly, and others who were whispering.

Evan saw through their agitation and raised his voice.

“Young Master Serion is already dead! This person is a vile witch who has stolen the Young Master’s body!”

At that moment, a shout erupted from the edge of the plaza.

“No! That’s the Young Master!”

Everyone turned their heads.

It was the maid, Lily.

She stepped forward, shouting in a trembling voice.

“That’s not magic or disguise! That body is!”

But she could not finish her sentence.

A man who had approached from behind roughly gagged Lily.

It was Rosak, Evan’s aide in charge of castle information.

“Shut your mouth, you lowly maid!”

Lily struggled with difficulty, but his grip was too strong.

At that moment, Evan stepped forward again.

“I will call a witness.”

Evan slowly raised his hand to focus the crowd’s attention, then nodded to Bertina.

Bertina ascended the platform, bowed with a demure face, then raised her head to look at the people.

And looking at the subdued Lily, she opened her mouth.

“There was already someone bewitched by the witch. That person is a witch.”

At those words, the murmurs spread again.

“From a young age, the Young Master had a strange aura. The animals around him would die, or sometimes the servants would collapse for no reason.”

Evan took up the words.

“I swear in the name of the Artiel family, this being is not Serion. It is merely a witch who has defiled the sacred bloodline!”

He extended his arm from the platform towards the crowd.

“We have been deceived by her! That beauty is not the truth! We cannot hand over this sacred land, Delbrun, to this witch!”

Someone whispered.

“…Is she really a witch?”

“That face… was it magic?”

Evan raised his voice even louder.

“If we leave her as she is, next your children will follow the witch’s blood! The witch will become the master of Delbrun!”

At that incitement, the faces of the people began to harden little by little.

Confusion turned to fear, and fear turned to anger.

And finally, the heavy sound of wheels rolling could be heard from the entrance of the plaza.

The guillotine, making a rattling sound, entered the plaza.

The one leading the guillotine was none other than the Captain of the Guard.

Following behind him, dozens of castle guards lined up and sealed off the plaza.

Evan smiled with satisfaction and uttered the final words.

“Today, we will establish justice.”

Serion on the platform could not say anything.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes were watching him with a mixture of doubt, anger, hatred, and contempt.

‘I guess… it can’t be avoided.’

He wanted to open his mouth, but his throat was choked.

Even the curses he usually had on his lips would not come out.

With his eyes closed, he slowly inhaled.

At that moment, an explosion echoed from the direction of the castle entrance in the distance.

The crowd panicked and murmured.

Thick smoke rose into the sky, and soon after, a second explosion occurred in another direction.

“Aaaagh!”

“What’s going on!!!”

“Are they Monsters!?”

“Run away!”

The crowd was thrown into chaos by the series of explosions, and the guards scattered hastily to the outskirts.

“Check the situation at the gate!”

“Evacuate the personnel around the plaza!”

Without a moment to catch their breath, a third and fourth explosion followed in succession.

Evan and Bertina could not hide their bewilderment.

“What is this….”

“Evan, what’s going on?!”

It was then.

On the platform, a shadow flickered quietly behind Serion, and a person appeared.

Black Sword.

He brushed past Serion and whispered lowly.

“There is a passage on the opposite side, go out that way.”

Serion looked at Black Sword with surprised eyes.

“Why….”

But Black Sword muttered without turning his head.

“I don’t think this is the time to ask why.”

Bertina, who saw the scene, shouted.

“Black Sword! What are you doing! Are you crazy?!”

Evan also gritted his teeth and said.

“You are the shadow of the Artiel family! Have you forgotten your duty?!”

Black Sword tilted his head slightly as if it were nothing.

“I am no longer associated with the Artiel family.”

“…What are you talking about, what does that mean!”

“I have simply chosen freedom.”

Bertina, hearing those words, shouted with a face close to astonishment.

“Freedom? You are destined to live as a shadow. What nonsense!!!”

Evan gasped for breath, then turned his head towards the Captain of the Guard.

“If you don’t catch him now, your noble title may be gone forever.”

The Captain of the Guard slowly approached and drew his sword.

“I can’t let that happen.”

Black Sword took a step towards the Captain of the Guard and muttered.

“Go and die or live… it’s your share.”

Serion, with those words from Black Sword, jumped off the platform without hesitation.

And he ran straight towards the northwest, opposite the entrance.