episode_0016

“Answer me, Ohra-brother. Why do I smell like a witch to you?”

“My scent? That’s just absurd -”

“Did you get enchanted? Or perhaps drugged? What exactly happened while I wasn’t around?”

The grip on my arms was stronger than before.

It was definitely Lena, who was catching her breath just a moment ago.

“Nothing! I just got lost in the woods and she rescued me -”

“I understand meeting her. But why. Why do you smell like her?”

Lena’s angry expression, one I had never seen before.

After taking a deep breath, her trembling eyes shifted towards Miss Hilde standing next to me.

“What did you do to Ohra-brother?”

“I only shared my strength with him. Nothing more, nothing less -”

“No, not that. Did you… sleep with him? In the same bed?”

“What nonsense -”

With just a blink of an eye, her hand immediately grabbed the black collar.

“Were you trying to seduce him in this gloomy attire? What did you do to my Ohra-brother?”

“I didn’t do anything like that, let go of this…!”

“Lies. Lies. Lies. With such a strong scent, where are you trying to escape to?”

Like dispersing ripples, delicate fingers crumpled the black hair.

Despite all the grooming… huh?

“Ohra-brother is so full of you here.”

“Lena, wait. It was me!”

Before her eyes, which were getting too close to pierce Miss Hilde.

I grabbed her shoulder before her tightly clenched fist could strike, pulling her away forcibly.

“And then?”

I crumpled my nose into my chest, folding my hands as the tension eased.

Like tying herbs with a string, I squeezed Lena tightly with both arms, a force trying to slip away.

“As a token of gratitude for saving me, I cleaned the house and even tidied up the messy hair. Just like what I used to do for you. Maybe that’s why.”

As I gently stroked her head, there was a slight softening, but… her face still turned towards Miss Hilde.

The cheeks against the armor felt unusually gaunt, roughened noticeably since last time, so I gently caressed the rugged cheek.

“…I don’t like that.”

“Huh?”

“Ohra-brother getting close to another… no, to a witch. Ohra-brother is a hero, isn’t he?”

Although she was just called a witch, she had only helped me so far.

No matter how much Lena was Lena, it didn’t seem right to treat a benefactor who had helped me so kindly.

“Ohra-brother?”

“Miss Hilde has helped me gain the power to repel evil spirits, Lena. She’s my second… mentor.”

“You didn’t wash Sir Anton’s hair.”

That’s true.

If Lena had seen the situation when she first saw Miss Hilde’s place, she might have understood.

“Hey, Lian -”

“Why are you interrupting? Can’t you see we’re talking?”

Lena, trying to break free from my embrace to attack, was held back by Miss Hilde’s gentle hands.

“Lena, she’s my benefactor! Can’t you show some respect?”

“Oh, Ohra-brother -”

“She risked her life. I can’t allow any more disrespect.”

Despite Lena showering me with affection, there was a line that couldn’t be crossed.

She had made fellow students, nuns, even teachers and chaperones uncomfortable enough, so this time, it was necessary to rein her in.

“…Ugh!”

“I know you’re eager because you can’t see, but you’ll have plenty of time when you return to your room. Understand?”

Even if she’s grown older, what should I do if Lena remains attached like this?

She may possess great power, but to me, she’s still just a fragile girl from the orphanage.

“I’m sorry, my little sister is quite unruly.”

“…Yeah. I didn’t really care. It’s familiar to me.”

Grabbing Hilde’s shoulder as she took a step back, I stopped her once again.

“Where are you going? The forest is dangerous.”

“What are you talking about? My home is in the forest.”

“You mentioned the Imperial Army, right? Are you planning to stay in a place haunted by such spirits?”

Souls that sought to take lives.

Flesh that could only be seen by consuming herbs.

Every night, windows rattled, tormenting the mind with whispers.

No one should stay in such a place. No one at all.

“Older brother, just go. There’s no need to bring someone who doesn’t want to -”

“Rescuing those in danger is my duty, Lena. No, our duty. Have you already forgotten the teachings from the cathedral? The purpose imbued in my sword?”

“You’re just a squire! You’re not even a knight yet!”

Despite being called a squire behind the knight’s back.

It was understandable to feel anxious, but agreeing was just as difficult.

“I can’t leave those in distress behind. Besides, there are still six missing people we haven’t found!”

“I… I’ll be fine. Probably. And with your sister’s power, finding the missing shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“No, it’s not okay. Those eyes, that house, the spirits – Hilde also needs help.”

“It will only cause trouble if you come along. Wouldn’t it be better to part ways here?”

I held her trembling hand.

The dark-stained fingertips were already on me.

So,

“If you’re afraid of being accused of being a witch, I’ll protect you.”

“What?”

“I believe Hilde’s power will surely help many people without a doubt.”

“Everyone has fled. Did you listen to me until the end?”

I didn’t retreat.

Even though she pushed away help with words, her hand didn’t leave mine.

If a person with such power hesitated, courage was undoubtedly needed.

Just like when the holy sword fell into my hands when I wanted to kill monsters, for Hilde, who wanted to escape from this place –

“I’m not running away.”

If people’s criticism would be severe, it was uncertain.

However, if it was based not on reality but merely on emotions and feelings, persuasion might be possible.

To prevent more people like the six herb gatherers from falling victim to spirits, the existence of the divine messengers had to be revealed.

“Please trust me. If I’m unworthy, then the gods who gave me this sword, no, the two gods.”

“…”

“Please. There are still many people I need to save… Master.”

A moment of hesitation was directed towards Lena.

Tugging her chin down, like a growling little wolf.

But I had no intention of letting go of Hilde’s hand or sending her back into the forest.

To know one is living in misery yet to give up is truly a sin.

“Do I really matter?”

I nodded.

At that, footsteps finally faltered on the ground.

“I’ll… entrust you.”

With a single tear.

***

“Father, are you inside?”

As I knocked on the door, it swung open immediately.

Surprised faces quickly turned into smiles.

“Squire Lian! You’ve returned. Oh, Your Highness is also here… O Lord, thank you for gracing us with your presence!”

The priest shedding tears as she looked at Lena and the nuns following behind.

For some reason, everyone bowed their heads, showing utmost respect as if receiving an esteemed guest.

Like soldiers facing a general or other clergy encountering a high-ranking official.

“Your Highness? Father, what are you talking about?”

“Oh, yes. Since Sir Lian hasn’t seen you… Please, come inside. There’s much to show you.”

I had come to ask for a place to stay with Hilde, but things were unfolding strangely.

Silencing Lena, who pulled her arm without a word, I gazed at her darkening face, sinking like a setting sun.

“Hey, Ryan. Maybe I should go back after all.”

“No, once we solve the issue, I can ask for your help right away.”

“Well, if you’re going to ask for help, please hurry.”

Her gaze, somewhere uneasy, was fixed on the fading sky.

Her fidgeting hand clenched and unclenched as if grasping a scythe.

Golden eyes directed towards this pitiful figure.

“…Tsk.”

“Lena.”

Despite numerous warnings, Lena’s attitude remained uncorrected.

Should I give her a stern talking-to later?

But… what the priest mentioned needed confirmation.

So, I called out to the figure retreating through the crack in the door.

“Excuse me, Father. There is a guest who wishes to enter. Would that be possible?”

“Yes, yes, of course! If someone invited by God extends an invitation, then that person is also my guest… well, never mind.”

As the door swung open wide, everyone froze upon seeing the black-haired woman I introduced.

Except for Lena, who silently advanced with eyes locked forward.

“My brother received help from the witch of Mirmie Forest.”

“…Having the power to resist spirits, we thought it would surely help track those you seek.”

“Oh, no, the witch in the forest has been threatening the herbalists. How could she—”

A half-truth.

The intention was to scare the spirits away, not harm them, as evidenced by my actions and passive demeanor today – none of which were meant to harm anyone.

“I owe my survival not only to Lena but also to her. Without her, I might have fallen prey to the spirits by now.”

“…Is that so, Your Highness?”

Though addressing Lena so formally seemed problematic, the miracle in the forest… anyone would think that way.

Lena’s hesitation was prolonged, but eventually, her lowered head prompted the door to open wider.

“Witch of Mirmie Forest, what is your name?”

“Hilde… it’s Hilde.”

“We will provide you with a room. Sister Sue, please guide her. Squire, please accompany me.”

The footsteps that followed into the shadows were covered in dirt.

Realizing she wasn’t wearing shoes, I hastily summoned a servant to bring water for Hilde’s feet.

“Excuse me, do you have shoes Hilde can wear or water to clean her feet?”

“I’ll prepare them right away.”

Hilde’s eyes, still fixed on the window, were filled with anxiety, as if she needed to ask something.

But Lena’s grip on my hand and the priest waiting for me led me away.

A mouth wanting to speak.

But a distance growing between us.

Is it right to let things be like this?

…My left hand began to itch.

As if a deity had seized it.