episode_0011

“Brother, behind you!”

“Tsk.”

The path we entered was clearly short.

How many steps had we taken?

“….”

“Lady Godwyn, pull yourself together! Quickly!”

The figure that seemed faintly human.

It wasn’t until I realized it wasn’t a person that my blood boiled almost to the point of bursting.

“In the name of burning faith!”

As bright as when facing the monster, no, the demon Chrysalis that the head nun had turned into, the holy sword blazed brightly.

Swinging it, flames spread to the surrounding grass and branches, but –

Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.

The whispers echoing in my ears showed no signs of disappearing.

Shrinking back into the shadows, just for a moment.

“A fork in the road!”

…That couldn’t be possible.

There shouldn’t have been a fork in the road here.

We had only passed through the entrance to the forest.

“Brother, which way do we go?”

The path we faced.

Within it, faint whispers and… a smell of gunpowder?

Although the holy flame had clearly faded, the suffocating smell of gunpowder lingered with each breath.

Surely not.

“Tch -”

Swiftly tossing the vial of holy water from my pocket to the ground, shattering it like glass.

And sure enough, it began to boil.

Just like what happened to the knight.

“Give me another one!”

“You won’t last long. Can you keep moving?”

A nod, but how much longer could we stumble around in a place where the way forward was nowhere to be seen?

No matter how trained one’s body was, it couldn’t endure carrying such a heavy burden for long.

Where are we even trying to ── go?

With each whisper, the vial boiled again.

Splashing it on my body, channeling power into the sword to unleash a flash –

Within the disappearing shadows, only human forms remained.

Appearing to be completely consumed by the writhing darkness, these beings seemed to trigger the reaction of the holy water whenever they approached us.

“Suck!”

Pierced, the figures immediately recoiled and dissipated.

But rather than dead… it felt more like they vanished from their spots.

Then, from beyond the boundary created by light, they reappeared once more, the same specters.

Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle… chuckle, chuckle, chuckle…

“…Do you know how to banish them?”

“I’ve never dealt with so many specters before.”

Indeed. I had only read stories about dispelling possessions or exorcising wandering spirits from graves.

Encountering entities attacking people in this manner was a first.

– Clang.

Breaking another vial, receiving another from Lena.

There were probably about three left.

At this rate, it was clear that only the inexperienced Lady Godwyn would end up being targeted.

…But why did Lena seem unharmed?

“Let’s go!”

A shout followed by strides veering to the right.

Even as I continued to wield the holy fire, the darkness showed no signs of dissipating.

Instead, it only fueled another vial of holy water.

“If we continue like this, we’ll be caught. Lena -”

Before I could finish speaking, my wrist was grabbed.

A slow shake of the head.

“It’s my duty to protect your side.”

“And I promised to protect you.”

“As long as I can create holy water, there should be some in the bag to drink…!”

Restraining Lena who was insisting, I struck down with the sword, causing the boiling liquid to spread like oil, drawing a circle, and confronted the advancing shadows head-on.

Sizzle, sputter, sputter, sputter.

They were laughing. Looking directly at me with numerous faces showing white teeth in the darkness.

“You shouldn’t look!”

“It’s already too late. It seems like they’re targeting me. First it was the knight’s holy water, then it was mine.”

And if I fall, Lena will likely be next.

It couldn’t continue like this.

“No, Brother, we can find the way. If we just go a little further, the village should appear -”

I embraced her tightly.

And then, I kissed her forehead.

“…Huh?”

It felt like I would freeze if I stayed there.

It seemed like no one could stop me from running out.

“If you escape, contact the cathedral.”

“Oh, brother, brother!”

This was the only way to protect.

***

How far had I run?

The continuously boiling holy water was a good sign.

Even the laughter that echoed when thrown.

Now, there was no water left to protect you, little one.

Placing two fingers on the sword, I prayed once more.

To intensify the flames.

If necessary, I had to endure even by setting fire to the forest.

“My thoughts are a bit different.”

Every time I drove away the darkness, forms that revealed themselves without hiding.

What if we extend the unreachable boundary when the Holy Sword touches them and they flee?

When there is nowhere to retreat, isn’t that the judgment?

Run, run before we catch you.

Devouring all your warmth ────

In response to the chilling whisper that had changed drastically, I immediately swung my sword towards the tree diagonally.

The flames flew in arcs.

Engulfing an entire tree, illuminating the surroundings brightly.

However, someone was there.

A woman with long black hair and unusually dark eyes.

“…I tried to stop you.”

Rather than a whisper, it was clear and forceful.

Although too distinct to be called a demon, her body enveloped in violet aura was not ordinary.

A bit… how should I put it? It was similar to the vague figures I had seen.

“Why, are you afraid of fire?”

“No.”

As she reached out towards the ground, a deep purple scythe emerged from the ground.

Also from within the shadows.

“What are you -”

Raising the sword to block the body rushing towards me.

Feeling no impact, I immediately turned around to see something writhing on the blade.

“If you ran to protect the girl who came with you, the torch is just a symbol.”

The shadow thrashed about.

Enveloped in the sky, like a fish caught on a hook.

“The mandate of the altar calls forth demons into the realm of the gods, eliminating their path and naturally eradicating them.”

Something like blood splattered on the ground.

And then, it was swallowed by the writhing darkness.

“But this place where you stepped is their domain. No matter how much divine fire you pour, the fire will only fade in the ashes.”

She easily eliminated a demon.

As she neatly wiped the scythe, the unsettling whisper that had been piercing vanished cleanly.

“Just now, what did you…”

The surroundings suddenly darkened.

Having burned enough wood, there should have been time until the torch went out, why –

“Hurry, we need to go. Follow me and close your eyes. It’s better that way. Put out the fire on the sword!”

“W-Wait?!”

A hand without hesitation grabbed me.

And then pulled me into the deep darkness where nothing could be seen.

Before I could even discern what was happening.

***

The surroundings grew quiet.

The incessant whispers were no longer heard.

No laughter, no crying, no screams.

Even the smell of gunpowder disappeared completely, a moment of relief.

“Ugh.”

Something bumped into my leg.

As my body began to sway, a firm hand supported me with strength.

“Now open your eyes. Watch your step.”

“Y-Yes.”

Closer than I thought, I immediately stepped back.

“Ugh?!”

My armor was caught.

By the outstretched hand of the woman firmly grasping the railing of the stairs.

“I told you to watch your step.”

Struggling to regain balance with both hands, I tried to express my gratitude – but my body was turned around.

Fumbling with the key bundle, trying to fit it in, the wooden door creaked open and the benefactor disappeared into the cabin.

Is this… somewhere in the forest?

Surrounded by bare trees, the moonlit cabin looked somewhat shabby.

“What are you waiting for? Come in quickly.”

“Oh, yes.”

Upon entering, the first thing that pierced my nose was a strong scent of grass.

It was a familiar fragrance, so I could recognize it.

It was herbs.

– Tap, tap.

A fire poker-like object poked something into the lit fireplace.

Then, it attached a small lump of fire to its end.

“Sss…”

The black, long stick adorned with metal somehow bit into the lips and dyed its tip orange.

A breath taken in once.

It turned into white smoke and spread throughout the room.

“What… is this?”

“…A blend of various herbs made into incense.”

“Are you talking about tobacco?”

A sharp, piercing gaze.

The eyes, looking as if they had been staying up for several nights, did not seem well.

“It’s not tobacco. But still… it might be similarly potent.”

“It can’t be good for your health.”

Alcohol, tobacco, and hallucinogenic herbs.

Not only were they prohibited in the cathedral, but also advised against in scriptures.

Anything that disturbs and harms a person’s mind was considered undesirable.

“If not this, then those things can’t be seen either.”

“By ‘those things,’ do you mean… spirits?”

A nod.

Smoke emanating again.

Now, the surroundings… were quite messy.

Bottles rolling on the floor.

Scattered dry leaves.

Papers torn and crumpled.

“Don’t touch anything. I’ll take care of it myself.”

Still seated on the chair, swaying slightly back and forth, the woman seemed to be enjoying her leisure, despite looking quite tired.

…Though she appeared quite exhausted, her appearance didn’t pale in comparison to Lena.

A sharp nose with a clear gaze.

Lips that would glisten in an instant with just a little color.

And below that – oh.

Was this the kind of attire that revealed one’s body?

“…Huh? Why are you shaking your head? Can they still be seen?”

Dot.

I saw the dot.

In a place where it shouldn’t be.

To the right. No. I remembered.

“T-that, sorry, the clothes…”

Gesturing with her hand, outlining the edge of her clothing, she explained the patched parts on her body.

A faint laughter could be heard.

“You’re the first one to react like this. Everyone usually asks who I am.”

The scent of herbs began to prick the mind, causing a slight cough.

Opening her eyes hesitantly, she was seen starting to button up a simple outer garment.

“Is this enough?”

“I’m sorry…”

Chuckling, she picked up the incense at the end of the stick and threw it into the fire as it was, the tip colored black.

As if numbed.

“Did you injure your fingertips?”

“No. It’s a characteristic of the power I wield.”

Power I wield?

Thinking back to what she said earlier.

About everyone asking who she is, a self-deprecating remark…

“A witch?”

“You finally figured it out.”

Now, all the patterns on the wall seemed to contain hints of magic.

Symbols to invoke power.

Unknown characters to draw out desires.

“Yes, I am Mirumi, the witch of the forest, Hilde.”

Turning to the desk, I saw types of herbs that should never be consumed.

Poisonous plants that father had repeatedly warned about.

Next to a bottle containing a murky liquid, there were items clearly distinguished from herbs that one should never confuse with.

“Welcome, aspiring knight.”

Someone to be wary of.

A wielder of power other than physical strength.

Before me, under the moonlight, was a woman with violet eyes sparkling, her face illuminated.