Chapter 35

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In the end, Bishop Oswin’s mansion was completely burned down.

People searched through the charred ruins for any trace of Bishop Oswin.

But they found nothing.

Not even a single charred body.

Even the traces of the guards who had protected the mansion and the girls Oswin had adopted were nowhere to be found.

People whispered in confusion.

“Where did everyone go?”

“Did they run away?”

“Don’t be stupid, why would the bishop run away?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he was afraid something shady he did would be exposed…”

Just then.

“Huh? There’s a basement here.”

People discovered the mansion’s basement.

“…Gasp!”

And they were horrified.

The basement had been untouched by the fire and was still intact, but it was a gruesome sight.

Terrifying torture tools hung along the walls, and in the center stood a wooden post stained with dried blood.

In the corner was a small cell made of iron bars, with bloodstained straw scattered inside.

“Wh-what is all this…?”

“Who on earth was this used on?”

“Look over here!”

Soon, something else was found in a closet.

Clothes that seemed to belong to young girls, undergarments, and dolls—all stained with dried blood.

“Good heavens…”

People were too shocked to speak.

It was common knowledge that Bishop Oswin had been adopting girls from poor families under the guise of charity.

This place seemed to be where he had tortured those girls.

“Th-the bishop did such horrible things…”

Not only the townspeople but even the clergy from the cathedral frowned in disgust.

“…We must report this to the Holy See.”

The search continued.

But Bishop Oswin’s body was never found.

The next day, Lucy decided to visit the castle as promised to Ellie.

She told her grandfather that she might stay for a day, or maybe even a few days.

“Hmm…”

Her grandfather seemed a little worried but didn’t stop Lucy from going.

“Alright, be careful.”

He knew that Lucy had been getting along well with the heir of the Leyton family.

Her grandfather smiled slyly and said,

“Lucy, get along well with that young master. Who knows? Maybe someday your old grandpa will be related to a noble family…”

“I’ll be back.”

Lucy pretended not to hear and left the house.

As she stepped outside, she saw Kairos walking towards her, holding a bunch of mushrooms in his hands.

“…Kai.”

Lucy tried her best not to look at the mushrooms as she spoke to him.

“I’m going to the castle, so please take care of Grandpa. It might take a few days.”

“Understood. Take care.”

“Thanks.”

Lucy moved to a forest a short distance from the house and was about to summon her Death Mount.

But then,

“Lucy~”

A voice called out.

Turning her gaze, she saw Peter and Sam waving as they approached.

Peter was holding a large bamboo stick, and Sam was carrying a strange container.

Peter asked,

“We’re going to collect honey from a beehive. Want to come?”

Lucy shook her head.

If it were fishing, she might have considered it, but she wasn’t interested in collecting honey.

Besides, she had to go to the castle now.

“I need to go to the castle.”

“To the castle?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it because of that young master?”

“Yes.”

To be precise, it wasn’t because of the young master but because of his younger sister, Ellie. However, Lucy simply agreed because explaining was too much trouble.

“Lucy…”

Peter’s expression hardened as he tightly gripped the bamboo stick in his hand.

“Is he forcing you to go? If that’s the case, I… I…”

Peter bit his lip, unable to finish his sentence.

Lucy quietly watched him.

What is he trying to say?

Then, Sam spoke up.

“Th-that’s not it… That young master seemed like a really nice person when we saw him… right, Lucy? You’re not being forced to go, are you…?”

Lucy nodded.

“I’m going because I want to.”

She meant it.

After all, at the castle, she could eat delicious food instead of mushroom dishes.

Sam smiled in relief.

“See, Peter? Lucy’s not being forced to go.”

“…”

But Peter’s expression only grew darker.

He looked hurt.

“What kind of relationship do you have with that young master that you’re going to the castle…?”

Peter’s eyes began to redden.

“You don’t even play with us anymore…”

He hung his head low.

“…”

Sam looked at a loss for what to do.

Lucy quietly spoke up.

“Let’s play together next time.”

Sam nodded with an awkward smile.

But Peter remained with his head down.

The hand holding the bamboo stick trembled slightly.

Lucy stepped closer to Peter and bent down slightly.

She looked up at his face and asked,

“Peter, will you play with me next time?”

“!”

Peter flinched, his face turning red.

Lucy asked again.

“Peter, will you play with me next time?”

“…”

After a moment of staring at Lucy, Peter finally averted his gaze and answered.

“…Alright.”

Now Peter’s face was as red as a tomato.

“I-I’ll play with you…”

“Thanks.”

Lucy smiled faintly.

She had tried the same thing Ellie had done to her yesterday, and it worked better than expected.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

Lucy started walking.

“Be careful not to get stung by the bees.”

◈

Ellie had been excited since morning.

She was making a fuss because Lucy was coming to visit today.

Ron clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Ellie.

Was Lucy’s visit really such a big deal?

Even Ed was worse.

Since morning, he had neatly combed his hair and changed his clothes several times, fussing over his appearance.

It seemed like he was putting more effort into looking good than he did for banquets.

He was clearly conscious of Lucy.

Ed and Ellie wanted to go to the gates to greet Lucy, but Ron refused.

He thought going all the way to the gates was a bit excessive.

In the end, only Ed and Ellie went to the gates to welcome Lucy.

Ron sat by the window and read a book. Occasionally, he glanced outside to check the gates.

Truthfully, he couldn’t focus on the book. For some reason, Lucy was on his mind.

Lucy.

A girl with white hair and red eyes.

She was pretty, but her personality seemed cold.

And she was a witch.

“A witch…”

Ron knew how dangerous witches could be.

That’s why he wasn’t thrilled about Ed and Ellie being so close to a witch.

Even though Lucy had saved Ellie this time, and Ron was very grateful for that, he still thought it was dangerous to befriend a witch.

“Kyaa! Lucy!”

Ellie’s voice came from outside.

Ron turned his gaze to the window.

He saw Lucy entering through the gates.

Ellie hugged Lucy tightly, and Ed stood beside her, grinning as he greeted Lucy.

Neither of them seemed the least bit wary of Lucy.

Ron clicked his tongue and shook his head.

‘This is really dangerous…’

And what’s with Ed’s goofy grin?

He looks like a lovesick fool.

Of course, Ron had to admit that Lucy was pretty.

Honestly, she was even prettier than Ellie.

She might be the prettiest in the entire territory, or even the kingdom.

But what did that matter?

She was a witch.

It was unreasonable to see a witch as just a girl.

Lucy entered the castle holding Ellie’s hand.

Soon, the sound of footsteps and Ellie’s chattering voice echoed through the hallway.

Ron fidgeted and stood up.

I should go to the bathroom.

If I run into Lucy on the way, I’ll greet her.

It was only natural to greet her since she had saved Ellie.

But it had to be natural.

He would walk while reading a book, as usual, and if Ed or Ellie spoke to him, he would casually look up and notice Lucy, then give a light greeting.

With that in mind, Ron stepped into the hallway. He pretended to read a book as he walked.

Thud. Thud.

Ahead, Ellie, Ed, and Lucy were clearly walking toward him.

But,

“Lucy, let’s go to my room and get you dressed. I’ve already picked out some clothes. They’re mine, but they’ll definitely suit you.”

Ed and Ellie didn’t speak to Ron.

They just walked past him.

Both seemed too focused on Lucy to notice Ron.

In the end, Ron stopped and greeted Lucy first.

“Uh, Lucy, hi.”

“Oh, I’ll do your hair too! I practiced a lot yesterday! I’ll give you a hairstyle that suits you…”

But Ron’s greeting was drowned out by Ellie’s voice.

Lucy walked past him without noticing.

Left alone, Ron’s face turned red.

What is this feeling of shame?

It’s like I was ignored.

Thankfully, no one saw…

“Good morning, Young Master Ron.”

But unfortunately for him, someone had indeed seen the sorry sight.

It was Theodore, Ed’s escort knight.

Theodore had been following Ed from a distance and had apparently seen Ron being ignored and turning red.

That’s why he was stifling a laugh, his lips twitching.

‘I shouldn’t have greeted her!’

Ron regretted it.

He should’ve just stayed in his room and read a book.

“Let’s go together, Young Master.”

Theodore took Ron’s hand.

“A man should greet others confidently.”

“Ah, no… It’s not that…”

Ron was dragged by Theodore to Ellie’s room.

He could’ve shaken off Theodore’s hand, but since things had come to this, it seemed fine to greet Lucy.

Besides, it felt a bit rude to shake off Theodore’s hand when he was being so considerate…

Ed was waiting outside Ellie’s room.

Ellie and Lucy were inside, changing clothes.

“I can’t wait to see Lucy in Ellie’s clothes!”

Ed said.

He still had that goofy grin.

Ron clicked his tongue inwardly again.

‘Get a grip, brother.

Lucy is a witch.’

And how much different could she look in Ellie’s clothes?

Creak—

Soon, the door to Ellie’s room opened.

“Ta-da~ Lucy has transformed!”

At Ellie’s words, Ron turned to look at Lucy.

Lucy, with her white hair tied in twin tails and wearing a red dress.

“…”

Ron’s book slipped from his hand and fell with a thud.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Bewitched, literally.