episode_0021

“Apprentice knight Lian. Mirmi’s forest witch, Hilde. We will now begin the inquiry into the ‘damage caused by malevolent spirits’ reported by Priest Sheryo.”

Despite the priest’s stern and solemn proclamation, Judge Harken sat quietly with just a single sheet of paper in front of him.

Knights stationed at the door through which one could exit.

“Lian, please state your case first.”

Brief or lengthy, words followed accordingly.

How he met Miss Hilde. What transpired. His thoughts on it.

Miss Hilde filled in the gaps politely whenever needed, despite shrinking slightly at the unexpected size difference.

“I merely assisted those in need as per my teachings, Judge.”

“…Hm.”

With a breath, the words were written down.

The existence of deities. Powers not recorded in scriptures. And events that unfolded because of them.

“Can that sword be shown here? Hilde, I ask the same of you.”

As the crimson glow of the sword flickered into view, a hand caressed the chin, eyes briefly meeting mine before turning to Hilde.

As if sensing something.

“A tangible power. A presence hidden behind a veil… of spirits unable to cross over.”

“If you mean weapons wrapped by ghostly hands somewhere, yes. That’s how it appears. And… spirits unable to cross the barrier of gold.”

I offered a smile to the surprised Hilde.

I thought the judge would trust me.

Though I didn’t expect those eyes to see through everything without herbs.

“If the efficacy of this herb is true, many will benefit. Even the knights performing duties in distant lands.”

“Then, was my decision not wrong, Judge?”

“It was.”

– Thud.

My heart seemed to skip a beat.

Almost enough to make me shudder.

“Your story and power are both things not covered in scripture. Of course, what does scripture say about accepting death, Lian?”

“As the sun sets and the moon rises, and as the moon sets and the sun returns, everything has a beginning and an end… ”

“Yes. Accept inevitable death as a matter of course, that’s all it says.”

Hilde’s eyes shook nervously.

The judge raised his pen and continued writing calmly.

“Lian, I understand your desire to help others faithfully according to scripture. However, acting based on your judgment despite knowing the scripture’s stance on death is heresy.”

“What?”

The footsteps of the knights echoed from behind.

Turning around, I saw Hilde standing up against them, hands not yet reaching for the scythe.

“Brothers Moore, Son, step back. Hilde, calm yourself. The verdict is not final yet.”

With clasped fingers and a slight bow, Hilde’s shining gaze met Judge Harken.

A delicate body shielding me… and her hand gently covering mine.

“Lian stepped forward to save me. He tried to understand me, even made efforts to directly help people. If you still call that heresy -”

“It’s a common misconception. Not all heresies are inherently evil.”

“What?”

Written on the extended paper were these words:

‘A minor form of heresy.’

That’s what it said.

“When I say ‘a minor form of heresy,’ does this mean…”

“It means exactly that. You interpreted scripture according to your beliefs. As a result, people got hurt.”

“But-”

“Please take your seat, Hilde.”

A chill ran through the air.

The sound of a hand touching the scabbard.

Slowly freezing the atmosphere.

“Enough.”

A glimmer sparkled in the void.

The swords, like stars of the night, once again appeared in their intricate dance.

Everyone in the room turned their attention.

“The judgment is not yet over.”

“…Lian.”

“Hilde, please calm down.”

The knights were the first to sheathe their weapons.

…Though their hands still held onto their weapons.

“Lian is innocent.”

“No one will be harmed here today, Hilde. You can voice your objections after hearing my explanation until the end.”

After those words, numerous swords were laid out.

It could be described as a polite threat.

The violet eyes that had been scrutinizing Lian and the judge for a while finally dropped to the ground.

“Thank you. Let’s continue then.”

The hand that briefly adjusted the collar began pointing at the words written on the paper.

The scriptures, my statements, and Hilde’s testimony were detailed.

“Heresy means deviating from teachings, Lian. There should be no disagreement about the parts you interpreted on your own.”

“…Regarding matters of death, yes. That’s correct.”

“However, under the will to help those in need, you cooperated with the witch of the Mirmi Forest, deviating from your original purpose of searching for the missing individuals… but you managed to save four people harmed by malevolent spirits. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Therefore, it is a minor form of heresy, Lian.”

The tension that had enveloped him seemed to ease.

As the judge blinked once and slowly nodded his head.

“You have not strayed far from teachings. Although it is true that you drew power from entities other than the Lord, it was not to serve others or evil through them but to faithfully follow the words of the Lord in aiding people.”

“So, for Lian -”

– A loud thud.

A red seal was stamped.

“Therefore, I declare in the name of justice that there are no special charges against both Lian and Hilde.”

With that word, he could finally release the held breath.

Along with his pounding heart.

“So… what happens to me now?”

“You may return to the forest.”

What made him swallow that statement again was the following word.

Picking up the paper and helmet, as he stood up, the judge’s… word.

“Just a moment, Judge?!”

“Hilde is being pursued by malevolent beings, Lian. Whether you like it or not, people around her will continue to suffer.”

“Isn’t there a way to protect her, like -”

“Can she sprinkle salt everywhere she goes, draw symbols, and prepare herbs?”

His mouth couldn’t utter a word.

Though his tongue tried to push through the roof of his mouth, his throat had already condemned itself.

“The fault clearly lies with the malevolent beings. However, for the sake of preventing further harm to people, Hilde must remain as a witch. The witch of the forest.”

“Hilde also agreed to be saved!”

But this much he could say.

Hilde was part of all who agreed to be saved.

“If left as is, Hilde will continue to be preyed upon by malevolent beings. That is -”

“Can you do it?”

The judge’s body froze in front of the door.

With the helmet on his hip.

“Can you fend off the malevolent beings endlessly chasing after her? During the day, it might be a relatively ‘playful’ level, but at night, they’ll turn everything around her into chaos.”

“I will handle it. With the new sword I received!”

“Even though the same thing will repeat endlessly? The church suffered relatively few injuries because there were fewer people, but what if Hilde sets foot on the streets?”

He turned his head, only seeing Hilde’s face, which remained silent.

Clad in a mask of darkness, her eyes filled with shadows from the floor.

“The best we can do for her is not to waste everything you’ve taught me. And to save more people with it. That’s all.”

Hilde would continue to stay in that house.

Facing the creaking windows and darkness alone.

She couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t tolerate it.

To be abandoned without receiving any reward for serving others….

“…No.”

“Rian….”

Though shaking his head, the hand grabbing his collar felt like Lena’s.

There was a clear desperation for someone to help.

“We will find a way. A way to prevent the forest spirits from harming people. A way to no longer torment Hilde!”

“…It’s a forest full of spirits. If all the testimonies are true, even the Holy Knights won’t be able to withstand it.”

“Hilde has even defeated the Empire’s apparitions. I have fallen as well!”

The eyes of the judge sparkled at that.

The breath of the Holy Knights seemed to stop momentarily.

“The Empire. What nonsense is this? Not just simple spirits?”

“Oh, yes. There were spirits pursuing us with torches on our escape route, Judge. It seems like they’re talking about that story….”

“The leader in giant armor and an executioner were also defeated. There was a banner too – oh wait.”

Urgently, he crumpled the paper with writing he had seen on the table.

The expression of the judge distorted even more upon seeing it.

The Holy Knights seemed to sense something, focusing their gaze on me.

“You…defeated them?”

“Lena, who came to save me, claimed to be a saint and tried to stop them. Perhaps that story—”

“…Rian, this is a flag of an Imperial Army unit. Known for killing many innocent people.”

The helmet was placed back on the table once again.

Two large hands grabbed my shoulders.

“Is there any falsehood in what you said?”

“Lena has experienced it too, Judge.”

“…The Empire’s army that perished under angel feathers. Is this not a coincidence.”

What exactly does ‘not a coincidence’ mean?

Is there something else I don’t know?

“Moore brothers, bring Lena here.”

Words continued to be written on another piece of paper.

Underneath, a paper stamped next to the flag I drew was stacked.

How long did we spend time in silence like that?

“Judge Harken.”

A girl in neat attire appeared, bowing her head.

Never forgetting to exchange a smile with me.

“Lena, can you tell the story of the angel feathers and the ghostly Imperial Army you encountered in the forest?”

“Of course. Where should I start….”

The story that should have been about angel feathers and the Empire’s apparitions was filled with my names.

How diligently I made holy water for myself, and how I protected Lena.

…Of course, I didn’t forget the story of the lightning strike that fell from the sky.

“Is this enough?”

“It is sufficient. Whether it is enough or not.”

Pressing the seal, the judge grimaced at the letter and handed it to the knights.

Leaning back deeply in the chair.

“Is something wrong, Judge?”

“I requested reinforcements.”

“If you say reinforcements…”

Lena’s question.

Hilde’s uneasy gaze.

And a deep sigh.

“To investigate the truth of the forest. And…to eliminate any potential evil.”