Chapter 152: The Wicked Witch – 1

Vivian expressed her firm beliefs, but Bishop Baristan did not easily let her go.

His obsession seemed to be based on the belief that the more deeply a powerful person is involved with a witch, the more victims there would be.

“Are you really planning to defend Kailo Alan until the end?”

He was fully convinced that Kailo had deep connections with witches.

He couldn’t really be blamed for that.

To the outside world, it may have appeared that way.

They were the ones at risk of execution.

The reason they didn’t execute her immediately but took their time seemed to be because of this belief.

As time passed, the fear in Vivian’s heart grew stronger.

No matter how much she prepared for death, no matter how much she accepted it… each day felt like her blood was slowly draining away.

What if she hadn’t known Kailo?

If she had never known that kind of happiness, would she have been more composed?

After seeing the light that was Kailo, this deep darkness terrified her even more.

The thought that she wouldn’t see him again after her death tortured her.

She was sure that she was in hell.

Just thinking about it made her heart feel heavy and sticky.

“Really… are you going to die for a man who no longer has any relation to you?”

The words pierced Vivian’s heart deeply.

When she thought about Kailo, who was living a new life, finding happiness day by day, the words didn’t seem unfounded.

The smile she had managed to form after losing herself lingered in her mind.

“Didn’t Archbishop promise? With just one word, he would change your execution from burning at the stake to beheading.”

It wasn’t a bad offer at all.

After all, she was going to die anyway, so what did it matter what would happen after that?

Kailo had abandoned her, so what was she stubbornly holding on for?

If she were 13 years old, she might not have even imagined this.

But, as she grew older and faced difficult years, things had definitely changed.

Vivian didn’t even know why.

Why was she still protecting Kailo, who had left her?

Why couldn’t she let go of her memories of him?

None of this was based on rational judgment.

Once again, she was making foolish choices.

Baristan, as if trying to scare her, gently pushed a torch through the bars.

As the heat of the flame approached, Vivian’s heart also began to pound heavily.

Although she tried not to think about it, the more they did this, the more the fear of the upcoming execution grew.

It was an unbearable fear for any human being.

Even now, she wanted to give up everything.

She wanted to nod her head slightly.

After all, she was going to die, so why not go a little more peacefully?

The Las Order could never cross to the north anyway.

Kailo’s family would likely not hand him over.

So, for the sake of avoiding unnecessary torture, she only needed to nod.

But in the end, Vivian gently turned her head.

It was a signal of refusal.

Even when she decided to do it, she just couldn’t bring herself to nod.

Kailo’s smile, which he had given her after leaving, kept flashing in her mind.

…The fact that it was directed toward another woman made Vivian want to go mad… but wasn’t this all just her own karma?

What if…

What if Gisela Lute had been the witch?

If she were the witch, Vivian would have disgustingly nodded as soon as Gisela took away Kailo’s love.

But the Las Order was asking about Kailo, not Gisela.

In the end, Vivian couldn’t help but be stubborn.

Kailo was already a lost connection, but in the lingering regret, Vivian couldn’t betray him.

They had only had each other.

Well, Kailo might have had someone else, but… to Vivian, there had only ever been Kailo.

How could she betray the one and only existence?

…Kailo had to understand that.

…How could she cast a curse to manipulate the heart of the one and only existence?

She had never done such a thing.

And she didn’t want to.

The fact that Kailo would continue to doubt and deny their memories together was incredibly painful for Vivian.

Her courage was slowly running out.

She needed courage strong enough to withstand the face of death.

‘…Kailo, just a little help.’

Vivian, as usual, continued her thoughts but soon realized how shameless it was and changed her prayer.

‘…Mother, please share just a little courage with me.’

She wished that, someday after her death, far in the future, he would realize that she had never loved anyone like she loved him.

She hadn’t said it when she could.

She should have whispered those words endlessly. If she had, perhaps this sorrow wouldn’t have been so overwhelming.

The words she couldn’t say, now lingering in her mind, felt like a tight knot in her chest.

Perhaps Gisela would say them a lot.

Maybe Kailo would even return them to her.

In her daydreams of them loving each other and being happy, Vivian’s heart twisted with pain.

“…I don’t believe in the tears of a witch.”

Baristan stood up in disgust, but he did not let go of his obsession with Kailo.

“Would you like to hear something, witch?”

“The Kailo Alan you’re so desperate to protect is actually engaged to Gisella Lute,” he said.

• Thud.

The emotions she thought were dead suddenly surged and thrashed within her.

Baristan didn’t say another word.

After a mocking laugh, he left the underground prison.

Vivian, left behind, crouched and wrapped her arms around herself.

Kailo was engaged.

How long had it been since he left?

How desperately had he wanted to forget her?

How happy must he have been after leaving?

She couldn’t believe it.

She clearly remembered Kailo’s face when he had been angry with her… but she also remembered his smile and laughter.

She had thought those memories were her own exclusive possession.

No one else would have them or covet them.

Kailo’s love for her, risking his life for her, was never something light or playful.

And yet, how easily that deep love seemed to shift toward someone else.

Did he act hastily because he believed his feelings for her were a curse?

“…It’s not true…”

Vivian whispered to herself, as if a child.

“…It’s not true, Kailo…”

The desire to shatter their happiness stirred within her.

Yet, once again, with the last of her small courage, she suppressed that feeling.

***

“Did you promise an engagement?”

On the way to Loctana, while talking about this and that, the topic of the engagement came up.

After a rough ride, the horses were catching their breath.

During their rest, we spoke.

“We’ve been together for months now… there was no need to hesitate.”

I answered silently to Valon.

“Hey, now, Vivian-“

“I told you not to forget.”

I spoke up to cut off Valon’s expectations.

“…I might just watch Vivian’s execution.”

Valon shut his mouth, as if he had something to say, but held back.

I continued, speaking to him.

“I’m just going to see the end.”

Valon clicked his tongue and silently continued riding for a while.

Then, perhaps unable to resist, he spoke sarcastically.

“Vivian’s facing execution, and you’re only thinking about being with a woman. Nice, really nice.”

His words slightly triggered me, so I looked at Valon coldly.

He stretched his neck and began explaining himself.

“Well, that’s just what I said, but I know, I know you’ve had a hard time.”

“Really, it’s surprising that Vivian was a witch, and I get why your feelings were mixed up because of the curse… I’m just saying. The situations of both of you are so opposite.”

“But how do you know if she cursed you or not?”

“I don’t know. It’s just a hunch.”

“Did Vivian herself tell you she cursed you?”

It was nice to see him after a long time, but hearing his dumb words was starting to annoy me again.

I asked, with irritation.

“Would she admit that herself?”

“Then, did she tell you she didn’t curse you?”

“…Of course she did.”

“What if she really didn’t curse you?”

“…She already hid the fact that she’s a witch from me, so I can’t rule out other lies.”

“Kailo, but-“

“Shut up, please. If you’re just going to talk nonsense.”

Was Valon the problem?

It felt like I could express even things I usually wouldn’t say, honestly.

“…Pathetic bastards. I taught you how to wield swords, and yet you still can’t do anything and keep coming to me asking for help? You can’t even do anything on your own.”

“Huh?”

“Are Wallace and Martin doing the same? Why do they always whine to me asking for things?”

Valon muttered quietly after thinking for a while.

“As I said, you’re just as pathetic.”

“…What?”

“Based on what you just said, it means there’s no way to judge whether it was a curse or not.”

“Then, rather than agonizing over a problem that has no answer, why not be honest with your emotions? After all, we don’t know how to resolve it. It’s something you will have to live with for the rest of my life anyway.”

“…Do you want to become a moth to the flame voluntarily? Are you willing to risk your life for something that isn’t even your own will?”

“I don’t want to voluntarily. But if I can’t change the fact that I’m a moth to the flame, I have to live as I’m drawn to it, right? I shouldn’t hide in fear when I see the light.”

“And really, do you think it was just a curse? If it wasn’t a curse, do you think you didn’t feel anything during all those times with Lady Vivian?”

I fell silent, unable to find anything to argue.

This time, Valon didn’t try to provoke me.

Instead, he pulled his hood deeper over his head and checked the state of his speech.

“Kailo. You should cover your face too and let’s keep going.”

I nodded and pulled my hood up.

“There is some time left. Even if we leave now, it’ll be tight.”

I didn’t answer but instead tightened the reins again.

As we headed south, the cold faded away and the familiar warmth began to return.

***

Clank!

The iron bars finally opened after a long time.

Vivian, gaunt and weak, looked at the beings who opened the door.

Countless knights.

Countless bishops.

Reapers who had come to kill her.

It felt familiar.

Everyone wanted to kill her…

…It felt even more familiar now that Kailo was gone.

“Come out, witch.”

Baristan, at the forefront, commanded.

“It’s time to die.”

TL Note: I really wanna stop translating. M only continuing so i can just get this over with. I cant handle this stupidity anymore.

Readers I have no choice but to go through with it but you have so I just recommend you to stop. This story is not worth your time anymore. Just Stop.