episode_0074

“…”

Considerable time had passed, yet I couldn’t find an answer to Cecilia’s question.

It would be more accurate to say that I couldn’t respond. I simply couldn’t come up with any suitable answer.

‘…Damn.’

I cursed inwardly in frustration and bewilderment.

Asking if there was affection for a sword, of all things—what a question to throw at me.

It’s a question that traps you whether you answer positively or negatively.

The moment you affirm affection, an inescapable situation arises.

Yet, denying it would turn me into a wicked witch exploiting an innocent lad brimming with desire.

…But wasn’t I already treated as such? What’s the issue?

Unfortunately, it becomes a significant problem.

The Pasifal family to which the sword belonged abhors those who toy with “love.”

In other words,

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

Swish –

Incorrect answers could lead to immediate death.

However, despite her stern urging, I couldn’t easily articulate a response.

…The threat was too severe.

“Hik…”

Suddenly, a large, beautiful lance was aimed at my throat again.

As I gasped, feeling like it could pierce my throat at any moment, the sword, now alert, extended a lifeline to me.

“Sister, let’s leave it at that.”

“Sword? I can’t yield on this matter, not even this much. You know well that beings who exploit others’ love are subject to punishment.”

“Perhaps there’s a misunderstanding here; this is merely a ‘repayment,’ Sister. It’s also a ‘reward’ owed to Beatrice.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Beatrice just said she helped me in Southern Dalurim. Considering that Beatrice’s peaceful life was disrupted because of me, I should compensate her.”

Speaking quite logically, the sword closed the distance between us in an instant.

Then, as if asking for agreement, he winked from an angle invisible to Cecilia.

“Y-yes. Y-you can ask the others! H-how much trouble did the sword cause me?! W-will it ever be enough, even if I repay for a lifetime?”

“I-is that so?”

“Of course! I’ll torment you for the rest of your life! You will pay the price for disturbing someone else’s peaceful life!”

“G-got it. Sword? Maybe we should stop as you suggested.”

“Really? Since you don’t have to worry about it much? Isn’t our witch truly adorable?”

“I thought she was terribly bad, but she’s surprisingly different inside and out. The Lord will surely like her.”

As the tense atmosphere brought by the Northern Wind’s Tale dissipated in an instant, I felt extremely flustered.

…Wait, isn’t she giving up her suspicions too easily? It seemed like she was about to grab someone for sure, right?

Glancing at Cecilia with a puzzled expression, she chuckled and began tousling my hair.

“She’s really cute, our witch. I never thought a witch could be this cute.”

“…Where are you even looking?”

“Hehe, it’s best to keep that a secret. By the way… Sword, will you continue to suffer like this in the future?”

“Only a woman in her thirties would. Get married soon rather than later, you youngest one…!”

“If you crawl up once more, I’ll fold your spine for real, okay?”

Easily overpowering the struggling sword with a lively face, Cecilia then guided the group through the warp gate.

“…Are you okay?”

“Not at all, could you lend me some support?”

“Sure…”

Supporting the pained sword, I followed the group towards the warp gate.

On the way to the warp gate,

I expressed my gratitude to the sword in a soft voice.

“…Thank you.”

“For what?”

“It was difficult, but thanks to you, I could get out of it. I really thought I was going to die.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

Shrugging his shoulders, the guy smiled coolly.

“Miss, despite being rough, people are kind. Perhaps today, I came off as mean because I was worried about you.”

“If that were true, it would be nice.”

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Oh, but the spinster hysteria might also be a reason. There’s a peculiar barrier that’s preventing me from getting married.”

“A peculiar barrier? How peculiar is it?”

“Miss, you’re a sadistic pervert. The desired male image is a masochistic pervert. But finding someone who can withstand your whipping…”

“Stop it, I feel like I’m losing my mind already.”

What kind of place is the Pasible family, anyway?

How should children be raised for all of them to grow up as abnormal sexual beings?

Rubbing his throbbing head and complaining of dizziness, the sharp guy seemed to have recovered as he moved away from the support.

“Thanks for supporting me. Hmm, by the way, the warp gate is starting to come into view.”

“We might have to fight as soon as we arrive. Are you okay with that?”

“It’s always been like that. So, what are you going to do for me this time, witch?”

The guy looked at me with anticipation.

I muttered softly, avoiding his gaze.

“…Just by looking at what you’re doing.”

—–

“How boring.”

If there were such a thing as hellfire, this is probably how it would feel.

In a place where the desperate screams of humans echoed, Ferodori lamented his boredom.

“Petty, noisy, and disgusting. Even the smell of burning things doesn’t appeal to me.”

Frowning and covering his nose, someone crawled towards him and clung to him.

The identity of this petty creature was a young girl, her tear-streaked face covered in tears and snot.

Sobbing sadly, she begged Ferodori desperately, unaware of who she was clinging to.

“Dad… Dad promised to come back… He said he’d definitely come back… Hic… No matter how long I wait, he doesn’t come back…”

Seeing the child wailing like a beast, Kwangryong, with a disdainful look, gently patted the child’s soft cheek.

“That’s really unfortunate, little one.”

But here’s the thing.

Right now, your appearance is so beautiful to me.

Those clear tears streaming down below your chin.

That pure sadness untouched by anything vulgar.

And that earnest plea for someone else.

So beautiful that it blinds me; I am so happy.

Struggling to contain his laughter, Kwangryong began to soothe the girl slowly.

“Little one, Dad said he’d be back a little late. While waiting for Dad, why don’t you play with this uncle?”

When Kwangryong’s bright yellow eyes met hers, the girl realized her mistake and quickly hid somewhere.

“…W-Why are you here… Go away!!!”

“I’m not a scary person at all, little one. Are you suggesting we play hide-and-seek?”

A pitiful creature like a maggot couldn’t escape from Kwangryong’s grasp.

Soon, facing Kwangryong again, the girl let out a despairing scream.

“Kyaa… Kyaaaaaaaah!!!”

“Just because you scream like that doesn’t mean anyone will help you, right? Give up quietly and play with this uncle… Ha, did you hide again?”

Quickly hiding and even holding her breath this time, the girl tried to endure, but Kwangryong simply enjoyed her desperate state.

I must pretend not to notice and disappear elsewhere.

Then I’ll breathe a sigh of relief. That’s when the attack will come.

Ah.

How beautiful it would be when relief turns into despair.

When a pure child loses their mind upon realizing they cannot escape, it’s truly a delicacy!

Gwangryong chuckled as he began to circle around where the girl was hiding.

“Wow, you’re hiding so well that I can’t find you? Oh well, I’ll just count to ten and look for you before leaving.”

“…”

“Hey there? This is your last chance. If you come out now, I won’t turn into a scary man. But if you come out after counting to ten…”

That moment.

“If you come out after counting to ten, I won’t remain a good man anymore, hehehe…”

Laughing loudly, Gwangryong slowly started counting.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two… one… zero.

With each number decreasing, the girl had to suppress her shivers, but she endured it steadfastly nonetheless.

She believed that once she counted to ten, the terrifying man would disappear.

However, her pitiful belief crumbled miserably when she came out after counting to fifteen from within her hiding place.

“Did you really think you escaped?”

“Heh, heh…”

“You’re disappointed, huh? I like obedient kids, you know. Ah, you should have come out before counting to ten. Don’t you think so?”

Rip –

“Aaaahhh!!!”

Gwangryong gleefully tore apart the ragged cloth covering the girl’s mouth.

And then, the girl’s trembling naked body was revealed under the cool moonlight.

Chirp –

Gwangryong couldn’t help but marvel at the sight once again.

How precious of a sight was this?

Behold that fresh and beautiful body shining under the moonlight!

He wanted to swallow her whole and roll her around on his tongue right away.

“…Sigh, I really can’t hold back any longer.”

Finally losing his patience, Gwangryong attempted to devour the girl in her current state.

Fortunately, his attempt turned into nothingness due to someone else’s intervention.

“What’s this?”

“Well, I’m here to catch you, you underworld bastard.”

Accompanied by a deep voice, the witch of darkness and her companions appeared.

In a fleeting moment, the witch appeared, dressed the girl, and promptly declared war on Gwangryong.

“You damn pedophilic bastard.”