episode_0014

“…A massacre unfolded in the Mirumi Forest. I don’t know the details. All I know is that the Empire killed everyone to cover something up.”

The door swung open as they reached the cabin.

And then, hands began to wipe away cold sweat.

Raising the cloth to wipe their face, a slight flinch – quickly accepted by Hilde.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. So, did some of the Empire’s soldiers die too?”

“I didn’t just sit still, so I’m probably wandering around as a spirit.”

“Is there no way to drive them away?”

As always, expectations tended to be shattered.

Hopeful thoughts were betrayed.

“If they were just spirits, we could manage somehow, but you saw what that man who seemed like a commander did.”

The ornament on the head that was barely visible even after staring at the ground for a while.

The figure wrapped in heavy armor akin to a rooster’s comb, sturdier than the paladins’ armor.

“It’s like he used an axe for beheadings. Not even an executioner.”

Too large to be called an axe, too massive to be called a sword – was its name really a “guillotine”?

The gruesome sight of slicing through the spirits’ bodies still felt vivid.

“…Now that it’s come to this, I shouldn’t be the one leading. I should wait for you to head in the opposite direction.”

It was clear it would take too much time.

…If I am being drawn towards it. If it’s my power that’s attracting it.

“In that case, what if I set fire to the other side?”

“Burn it and come back, then run towards the entrance?”

“Yes.”

The implication of the plan was simple.

“But -”

“Can you find that entrance without me?”

Come to think of it, Lena might have been wandering near the forest entrance, but I was inside the cabin surrounded by trees.

Even taking a few steps out would attract the lurking shadows ready to engulf me in darkness.

“I understand the urgency. But at least we need to escape this place alive. I don’t want to die leading you into danger.”

That made sense.

It was absurd to sacrifice Hilde just for me to escape.

But letting the paladins come in and cause more harm… had to be prevented.

“There is a way.”

“Please tell me.”

She seemed surprised by the immediate response.

…I wonder if Lena’s reaction to seeing me will be similar to this.

“You might not like it very much.”

“It’s better than people trying to save me and getting hurt more.”

“You’ll likely be called a witch like me.”

Once again, the sickle emerged from the ground.

Accompanied by a chilling coldness enveloping the surroundings –

“Behind you, Hilde!”

“I told you? You’d get scared.”

Someone unseen fluttered black cloth, leaning as if directly facing me.

A skeletal hand rested on the blade.

A feeling entirely different from facing the spirits.

Is fear freezing bones rather than flesh?

“If you truly want to leave this forest immediately, you’ll need to borrow strength.”

“Behind… me -”

“Don’t meet its gaze.”

Lowering her head immediately, Hilde slowly extended the sickle towards me.

Her hand behind followed suit.

“It’s not a spirit. It’s the one who collects spirits. Avoiding eye contact isn’t about avoiding danger; it’s about showing respect to a true deity.”

“The God of Death… a reaper.”

“Should I say you work with the one you believe in. Of course, their nature is a bit… different.”

Words not taught in the cathedral.

A deity different from the ‘Lord’ one must trust, a god who marks an end to everything. Without mercy, precise.

Cold eyes poured down on me from above.

Even without a face, I could tell.

Because it was cold enough to make my teeth chatter.

“Spirits that should ascend to the sky but remain on earth, nurturing only malice within accumulated grudges turn into evil spirits. Like arrows flying aimlessly without a target.”

“You are the one who prevents that.”

“Establishing boundaries, setting rules, those who break them are swiftly dealt with. That’s how people living in the mountains can live comfortably under the protection of the gods.”

“But why are there evil spirits—ugh?!”

A cold breath touched my neck.

It rose sharply, and the roughened skin was immediately felt.

“The world is vast, and there are many mortal beings dying. Some flee to avoid death. Especially… the more one hates and despises death, the less they accept it.”

“So…”

“Isn’t the idea of an end frightening? Having happiness right in front of you, only to be unable to see it anymore.”

I remembered the boy who brought tales of heroes.

The one who lost his head in that book and ultimately drew his last breath.

“Unlike the one you believe in, this one just puts periods. Doesn’t narrate the story, doesn’t reveal what happens after the story ends. That’s why people tend to hate, fear, and run away from death rather than accepting it.”

Lena and I, seeking salvation.

Death was something we wanted to avoid, hoping for a warmer tomorrow from the gods.

We didn’t want it to end. Not in that cold, filthy orphanage.

That’s why we’ve clung on and survived until now.

The malevolent spirits weren’t just evil beings harming people.

“Do you understand why the ghosts occasionally wander the world?”

“…Yes.”

As soon as the explanation ended, my shoulders lightened.

Tilting my head slightly, I could see the shadow that had been cast over me fading.

I never knew the warmth of the sun could be so welcoming.

“Have you roughly grasped a way to escape?”

“We need powers like Hilde’s, right?”

I extended my hand, now turned dark.

And my once bright countenance.

“It won’t be easy. You can see that, can’t you? People don’t understand. Perhaps… your younger sister won’t either.”

“Sir Godwin has already fallen victim to the evil spirits. Six others have vanished in the forest. If there’s a way to prevent such occurrences… the nobles, and others, will understand.”

If relying on the power of the gods instead of complex rituals and preparations was sufficient.

If spreading knowledge of herbs that can see spirits could save more people.

These matters wouldn’t pose significant problems.

“Ever heard the term ‘peculiar’ before?”

“Well, I’ve been busy taking care of my younger sister all this time.”

“Haha, what a good brother.”

Supporting myself with both hands on the scythe, Hilde stood before me.

I instinctively knelt before her.

With the Holy Sword laid on the ground.

“This method is new to me. I first encountered this person in a book left by someone who lived here. But… if we follow the book, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

The trembling tip of the scythe pointed towards my shoulder.

The strange hand that held onto that day also naturally approached me.

“Weak or strong. Dark or bright. Evil or innocent… You who oversee us all. Someone seeking your power stands before you.”

My bones creaked.

The faceless figure gazed at me.

Its eyes… were fixed straight down.

It seemed like something I shouldn’t look at.

“The strength to capture those who stray from the path,”

However, the hand enveloping me touched my left shoulder.

The pale hand felt icy, almost painfully cold.

The clinging flesh stuck stubbornly, showing no signs of letting go.

“And the authority to draw boundaries, I entrust to you.”

The heavens seemed to unravel.

The faceless figure leaned in close to my ear.

Then, it opened its mouth wide.

In return, you…

But the mouth did not close.

Hilde didn’t move.

The fluttering clothes, the swirling leaves, the rippling darkness –

Everything was frozen in place.

As if the world had come to a standstill.

The holy sword lying on the ground cast a reflection of the viewer I couldn’t make out, but the messenger gripping my shoulder.

His gaze wasn’t on me but directed where I was looking.

“You… have already paid that price.”

With those cryptic words, the skeletal hand immediately pointed towards my left hand.

A sensation akin to burning flesh soon followed.

The tips of my fingers darkened like Hilde’s skin.

“I shall take the name of the graveyard keeper who watches over the rest of the deceased.”

As if signaling the end, the scythe was raised, and the figure in black vanished.

Apart from my left hand, nothing else had changed –

“Ugh?!”

A breath exhaled into the air.

Despite the warm weather, the chill lingered, refusing to dissipate.

“Just keep breathing. Things will return to normal.”

Following those words, warmth swiftly returned.

The lingering pain on my shoulders seemed to wash away cleanly.

Only questions remained.

“Um, could it be -”

“Don’t speak of it. The price you’ve paid is between you and them.”

Perhaps the silence that came was not by chance.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have spoken that way.

And knowing the unspoken question meant Hilde had likely experienced the same.

“I hope you have no regrets about your decision.”

“As long as this can save people, I have no regrets.”

I wielded the holy sword for Lena and myself.

And the power gained this time was to help Lena, the paladins, Hilde, the six missing herbalists… everyone.

“Alright. If that’s how you feel… shall I teach you how to wield this power?”

“Does that mean Hilde will be my mentor?”

The reappeared scythe no longer showed the presence of the messenger.

But what was the significance of the silence that came?

“…Is that so?”

“Yes?”

Without hesitation, a response came to the words drawn out after much contemplation.

The awkward smile at the corner of the mouth still curved properly.

Toward the sky.

“They say the mark appears on the hand you use most. Are you left-handed?”

“No, I’m right-handed.”

“Oh?”

Was something amiss?

Hurrying over to inspect the marked part, the eyes widened in astonishment.

“Why is your hand like this?”

“Oh, this? It’s a scar from when I first held the holy sword. It doesn’t hurt. It did when I was young.”

If anyone saw, they might ask if flames had scorched the hand.

However, no matter how many prayers for healing were offered, the unhealed wound was undoubtedly a miracle.

“It’s quite unique… well, since it’s a mark left by the graveyard keeper, it should be fine. How about you clench your left hand?”

“How so?”

“All around. Until you find a very cold spot.”

As I tried to find such a space by wiggling my fingers as instructed, a chill began to be felt at the tip of the left side.

The prickling sensation, like pushing open a winter window, was far from comforting.

“Alright. Now grab that weapon and draw it out. The original owner received a shovel, I got a scythe. What will you receive?”

In the seemingly uncomfortable space, a dark energy began to emanate.

Its writhing reminded me of tentacles I faced as a child, stirring up unpleasant memories.

“Pull it out!”

Something pulled with closed eyes.

The sound slicing through the air was all too familiar.

Like… being struck by a sword.

“Huh?”

A deep purple blade gripped in my hand.

Strangely, its appearance closely resembled the holy sword.