episode_0019

“This one… and this one.”

“Please take this one as well.”

Brushing off the dirt from the roots, a smile formed as it was handed over.

The impression of twilight colors seemed to be captured in it, making it easy to find quickly.

“But why are you trying to gather these flowers?”

“The name of these children is Frostbloom. Would you like to take care of them?”

As it touched my nose, a sparkling eye-catching scent that chilled the eyes and nose.

It felt as if it contained winter as much as its name, causing my body to shiver intensely.

“With this, you can awaken those who have fainted.”

“People possessed by evil spirits?”

Nodding, I gently held the hand that was delicately placing one flower at a time into the small bag hanging on the waist.

Before they got crumpled and bent.

“I’ll tie them up with a string.”

“…Ah, okay.”

Like the handkerchief tied around Lena’s neck in the summer, I tied a knot to finish it off slightly.

Neatly folding it allowed for more space, so I could fit a few more flowers inside.

“Are you sure about being okay with the priest? And your younger sister? They don’t seem to be very fond of me…”

“As long as I can prove that I can help people, that should be enough. Including Miss Hilde.”

Just like how she helped me.

Just like how she volunteered as bait to save Lena.

“Don’t worry too much. Debating interpretations of verses is a daily occurrence in the cathedral classes.”

A threatening voice aiming to capture the golden girl.

Cold eyes that lightly grasped it and coerced it.

Even smiling at me in the end.

I stood tall, knowing full well that actions can be judged right or wrong based on words and intentions.

“Still, you’re meant to be a hero. Lena, wasn’t it? It seems like that child has already been recognized as a saint, while you haven’t been recognized for this… ”

“Everything I did was to save people. Including Miss Hilde. It’s just what needed to be done.”

Even if the priest were to give a negative evaluation, all I had to do was explain what had happened.

The Holy Sword still remained by my side, generously lending its flames to cut down evil spirits.

Even now, near the forest, this black figure growls at the lurking shadows, protecting us…

Surely confirming that I did the right thing.

“Not rescuing people in front of you to uphold the verses would disqualify you as a hero.”

“…You really are quite peculiar, Lian.”

“What do you mean? It’s just common sense, isn’t it?”

“That’s exactly what makes it peculiar.”

A gentle tap on the shoulder felt warmer than before.

The smile also seemed lighter, as if relieving some worries.

The corners of the mouth lifted higher, and the eyes seemed to deepen.

“For a good kid… should I give a reward?”

“Jujune, Ju, what was it?”

“Juneria Berry. Shall I give you three specifically?”

Remembering the sweetness that lingered in memory, I immediately grabbed one and put it in my mouth, feeling intense happiness wash over me.

…But then it started to turn bitter.

Very bitter indeed.

“Eugh, eugh?!”

“Cough, cough. That, if you eat more than three, it starts to taste bitter. It’s a fun fruit.”

“Ugh, ugh…”

Between squinted eyes, white teeth were visible.

With a wide-open mouth and tears in her eyes, Hilde, laughing to the point of crying, was shining brighter than ever.

“Is it that funny to you?”

“If I’m the one giving it, and you’re eagerly accepting it, it’s so amusing. Because I’m a witch, right?”

That’s why I felt like I had become a clown.

However… would it have been enjoyable?

Seeing someone laugh so happily warms the heart.

“Let’s go back quickly. The fallen ones must be waiting.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

Quietly, someone was looking this way through the slightly opened church door.

The hand holding the lantern was briefly raised high before entering inside.

“Truly… to be called foolishly kind.”

“Pardon?”

A softly spoken passing remark.

Turning my head towards it, all that returned was a smile of unknowing.

***

“The priest is beyond furious, sir.”

Eyes that had been gazing at the salt by the window rolled once.

With a faint sigh.

“The one who received the Holy Sword not only failed in their duty as a hero but also associated with a witch.”

“Lena, you saw it too.”

Indeed, those who had smelled the scent of flowers could all see.

They couldn’t easily speak, but nodding and gesturing were more than enough.

“Can we really call it kindness to undo one’s actions?”

“The spirits said so.”

“The spirits were influenced by the witch.”

“That’s why we took action in the church. Isn’t that right?”

Another sigh escaped.

The look of incomprehension towards me was the same as with others.

Hence, I felt bitter.

Even so, I thought Lena would understand.

“If we hadn’t brought them, there would have been only one victim. Thank you for parting ways in the forest; otherwise, the lives of three people would not have been endangered.”

“If we hadn’t brought them, we wouldn’t have known there are so many ways to deal with spirits! It’s a new learning experience, Lena. It’s about helping people.”

“Even if they didn’t all come out in the scriptures?”

This time, I had no choice but to turn away.

As if pierced in the chest, staggering.

“The Judge is coming. The Holy Knights are coming too.”

“Already got a response?”

“Given our involvement, it’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Angel’s feathers.

Me bringing Hilde.

Good news and bad news together, wasn’t that what was said?

“You have to justify yourself. Have you not strayed from the right path, or are you worshipping heresy?”

“Lena, I -”

“I believe in you, sir. Your kind heart too.”

Taking my left hand, Lena brought it to my cheek and looked into my eyes.

Like the radiance of nobles and Judge Harken.

“But she is not that woman.”

“Lena.”

“Sir.”

A delicate hand touched my face.

And gently pulled it closer.

So our noses almost touched.

“We’ve only known each other for seven years, yet you trust a woman you met in a day more?”

“I’m just stating that Hilde is not bad. Not that I trust her.”

A breath approached my lips.

As if saying not to speak further.

“I trust you, sir. Your choices and the kindness you show to strangers. But… I believe there must be a reason why that woman is called a witch.”

The crow-footed face turned towards the forehead.

Leaving a faint warmth and creating small marks.

An embrace on my forehead that I had asked for when I was young.

It had returned to me.

“Please trust me too. Will you?”

“…I’ll try.”

“The Judge will come as soon as possible. It’s best to prepare your answers in advance. And -”

The sound of a knock came just as I was about to speak.

Turning my head towards it, I softly opened the door to reveal Ms. Hilde standing there.

“Rian, I heard you were here…”

As Ms. Hilde approached us closely, both Lena and I noticed her expression stiffen.

However, Lena showed no intention of letting go of my hand or adjusting her appearance.

“They say even demons come when called.”

“Lena!”

“It’s just a saying, you know?”

…True, but being called a demon by someone who had referred to me as a witch until now wasn’t exactly a flattering choice of words.

“The Inquisitor wishes to see you. The Witch of Mirmi Forest.”

“…Inquisitor, you say?”

“The Deputy of the Cathedral. The God’s Sword and Executor. The death of heretics.”

These titles, chilling to hear, seemed to exude a scent of blood, which, of course, was not far from reality.

Nevertheless, they did not belong to a favorable category.

“He is in charge of investigations at the Cathedral. Lena, there’s no need to use such titles.”

“I just wanted to make sure the message was conveyed vividly. To have a clear sense of it.”

Her visibly frightened demeanor wasn’t reassuring, despite her attempts to appear cheerful.

“Why did you come, Uncle?”

“Well, there are things to discuss.”

“Is there something I shouldn’t be present for?”

A hand grabbing onto my arm.

Closeness.

And even a smile forming.

…Similar to when she threatened the female students, Lena displayed a sense of distance.

“Alright, alright. I’ll come back later -”

“No, I’ll leave now. Since our conversation is over.”

I slightly lowered my head as I looked up.

To think about what stories should be told when the Inquisitor arrives, following along now seemed appropriate.

“Understood. You two must need some time alone. As the one receiving the reprimand.”

How long had we been so close that my body felt this overheated?

Sweat marks formed wherever we touched.

“Uncle.”

Once again, on my forehead.

The departing hand touched my cheek and neck before falling away.

“Take care?”

With that, the door closed, leaving only Ms. Hilde and me in the corridor.

Her anxious face only glanced at me discreetly.

Lips sealed shut.

“Ms. Hilde.”

“Rian.”

Simultaneously, our names were left hanging in the air.

After gesturing for her to go first, her head nodded hesitantly.

“Your younger sister… Lena. Is she your real sister?”

“Why do you ask?”

She wasn’t actually my biological sister, but no one had ever questioned that before.

Everyone simply shared their own thoughts on the matter.

Did Ms. Hilde also have her own thoughts on this?

“Well, I mean…”

Her trembling fingers danced as if wanting to convey something.

Her quivering pupils couldn’t meet mine.

“She’s not my real sister. Would that be a problem?”

At my response, her head bowed deeply.

Her trembling hands crumpled her clothes.

“Oh, no. Not at all.”