Chapter 11

After leaving the last town, we continued on, taking occasional breaks. I was worried that Charlotte and the others might be following us, but there was no sign of them. Could they really have just come to see me once in Vill?

In the evening, we arrived at a small village. I had visited this area a few times before. It felt like home.

"Miss Sonia!? Why are you here...?"

"It's been a while, Mayor. Due to some circumstances, the wedding has been canceled."

"What!?"

The small village hadn't yet received news of the engagement's cancellation. After briefly explaining the situation, the mayor and the other adults in the village were shocked.

"That is... I don't know what to say..."

"I don't mind. I'm actually happy to be back in my hometown. By the way, I have a favor to ask. Could you lend me a tent for the night? I want to spend the night on a hill in the forest."

"No, please stay at my house. It's a small village, but we'll do our best to welcome you—"

"Thank you, but another time. I have some important business. And I'm sorry, but I need you to promise not to go near the forest tonight."

Despite my sudden request, the mayor nodded without asking any questions and set up a tent on the hill, even bringing us dinner. He even agreed to take care of Unica in the village.

Under the starry sky, Vill and I sat across from each other by the campfire. After finishing our warm meal, I heard a murmur.

"You seem to have gained quite a bit of trust..."

"It seems they are grateful because I helped eliminate a monster that had settled in this area recently. They are very principled people, and I appreciate that."

It's good to do good deeds. Thanks to this, we won't have to worry about monsters tonight.

"So, what's the important business?"

Without realizing it, or perhaps as a threat, Vill pulled the witch hunter closer. I smiled back at him.

"We can return to Kukuruj tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of Unica and fighting monsters on the way. As a reward, I'll give you anything you want. Money, a feast, or anything else."

I need to pay a fair price for his efforts. Well, I intend to spoil Vill more than necessary.

Vill stared at me, trying to see through my plans. Eventually, he said in a low voice,

"All I want is the truth. Tell me everything you've been hiding."

"Hehe. I do have some embarrassing secrets. I can tell you, but it won't be a reward. You might even cry."

"Are you mocking me?"

"No, I'm not. But... if you behave well tonight, I might tell you."

Vill's face turned stern, like a wounded tiger.

When he gets so defensive, I can only give a wry smile. What does he think I'm going to do?

No good. All my indirect words are being misinterpreted.

I sighed.

"...I think the messenger from King Mistria will arrive soon. If you want to be present, you need to be obedient tonight. I want you to show that you are my servant, not Sir Rain. Don't say anything unnecessary and follow my lead. Can you promise that?"

"...The king's messenger? How do you know?"

"Because I would do the same. As far away from the capital as possible, right before entering Kukuruj. We need to have a conversation that no one else can hear. Ideally, I wouldn't want you to hear it either, but I'll allow you to be present. You won't be able to do anything even if you know."

Vill looked both annoyed and uneasy at my provocative words. He probably never imagined there was a connection between me and the king that he and the prince didn't know about.

"If you can't pretend to be obedient, you'll have to sleep in the tent. What will you do?"

"...Of course, I'll be present. It would be meaningless to run away here. I understand. I promise not to say anything unnecessary."

Satisfied with his answer, I moved next to Vill and leaned on his arm.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Practice. You're going to be obedient tonight, right?"

I rubbed my head against his like a spoiled cat, but Vill remained stiff. His mind might be blank.

"Hey, Vill. You might hate everything and want to die tonight."

"...A threat?"

"No. I want you to be prepared. And remember, I'll protect you. Even if you break and become useless, I won't abandon you. So don't worry."

Through the warmth, I could feel Vill's confusion.

I know.

You've lived without anyone to protect you.

Vill is a knight, so he wields his sword to protect others. He sacrifices himself for someone else's happiness.

That's his purpose in both the original story and reality. I think it's admirable.

But that's not interesting. Is there any meaning in enduring without being rewarded?

Life should be enjoyable. I want to see Vill fall apart.

That's why I plan to kill a Mistrian knight tonight.

"...Here they come."

The unique sound of flapping wings tore through the sky. A black shadow passed overhead. It was a dragon, the fastest of all riding beasts.

Deep in the forest, where the dragon landed, five men were waiting. It was dark, and they all wore hoods, making their faces indistinguishable.

A dense aura of magic surrounded them. They were likely sorcerers and warriors with cores. The gray dragon was also a trained combat beast. A small, elite group... they seemed prepared for trouble.

"...Surprising. You brought Vill Obsidian."

The man in the middle stepped forward, clearly puzzled by Vill's presence.

"Sorry. This cute servant doesn't want to leave my side. Don't worry, he won't reveal anything. He won't tell Sir Rain either. He's already under my control."

Lying like this makes me feel a bit sad.

Vill looked at me as if I were a stranger. In the dim light, I don't think he noticed my slight change in expression, but I should distract him.

I clung to his arm. Vill's face turned slightly red, either from anger or embarrassment, but he didn't push me away. Good.

"Yes, yes, I understand. Once a serious man falls into pleasure, he's in deep. Losing such an excellent knight is a significant loss for Mistria, but perhaps it's best for him to be under your control. If that's the case, I'll allow him to be present. He has a right to know."

The man removed his hood.

"Lord Sednir..."

I ignored Vill's small murmur. The man, Sednir, bowed respectfully. He was a gentlemanly man in his fifties with a polite smile. I didn't need to be told; his presence here meant he was the king's confidant for the past twenty years.

"King Mistria has a few questions for the witch Sonia. I ask that you answer truthfully."

Sednir's gentle smile faded.

"Twenty years ago... do you know the truth? Not the 'beautiful lie' you told at the wedding, but the 'ugly and terrible truth.'"

I heard a sharp intake of breath nearby. I subtly squeezed Vill's hand. Don't say anything now. It will complicate things.

"Yes, I heard it from my mother."

My mother initiated the attack on the capital to prevent a major war and establish a peace treaty between Mistria and the witches. She had the master Jebra attack the capital, resulting in the death of the former king and the master.

It was not for personal gain but to achieve true peace, even if it meant getting her hands dirty.

That was the story I told at the wedding.

A beautifully crafted tale.

But I'm sorry. It's not the truth.

"Hmm. Then can you confirm it for me? There's a possibility that Lady Aronia has misled you."

I nodded in response.

"Twenty years ago, King Stromus Mistria, the grandfather of Prince Rain, was conducting relentless witch hunts. He knew of a treasure developed by a certain witch and feared her wisdom. He might have also wanted to obtain it for himself.

Most witches were innocent, yet they were targeted by the kingdom's witch hunters simply for being witches, putting them in a difficult position."

The stronger the witch, the more they preferred solitude.

They might take on disciples, but horizontal connections were rare. They prioritized the development of their magic and despised having their work stolen.

Witches are secretive.

That's why they are vulnerable when targeted by a state. Even with powerful magic, they can be defeated when outnumbered. They only unite when cornered.

"Jebra, the Green Witch, was worried about the situation. She was the one who developed the 'Rose Orb' that King Stromus feared. It's said that only one was successfully created, but the recipe remained in Jebra's mind. Stromus was extremely afraid of the recipe spreading."

"Rose Orb...?"

I explained it to Vill, who was struggling to follow.

"The Rose Orb is an elixir that allows one to remain young and beautiful forever. It's used by implanting it in the abdomen. During the witch hunts, they would cut open the abdomens of captured witches to search for it."

"Wha...?"

Captured witches were drained of blood and their intestines pulled out. This was not just for show; they were also searching for the orb. Incidentally, the blood was used to make witch hunters. Nothing was wasted.

"Jebra was in love with a young man named Ambert. She was already in her sixties but wanted to rejuvenate and start over with him. That's why she delved into the 'Seven Forbidden Studies' to achieve immortality."

"I understand. Young people might not grasp it, but how wonderful it would be to return to a vibrant body... especially for women."

Sednir showed understanding. However, he also said it was something that should not be wished for. I agree.

"Using the Rose Orb, one can avoid death by aging, though not achieve true immortality. This would disrupt the world's order. If a ruler obtained the orb, they could maintain eternal power without generational change."

If people knew the orb existed, what would they do?

Would they fight over it?

But if they obtained it, they would know they would be targeted. Wouldn't it be better to submit to the ruler with the orb and benefit from it?

Such a solid world could even conquer all the nations on the continent.

King Stromus feared this.

If he couldn't obtain it himself, he had to bury the recipe.

That's why he searched for Jebra with all his might.

"Indeed, it would be problematic if a thorn in the side lived forever. At that time, there were those who disliked both the witch Jebra and King Stromus. My mother, Aronia Carnelian, and the then Crown Prince Schnele."

Schnele Mistria.

The current King Mistria, Prince Rain's father.

Vill's face contorted at the mention of the current king. I'm sorry. Your bad feeling is correct.

"My mother was simple. She wanted to steal the recipe for immortality from her master and stop the king's annoying witch hunts.

Crown Prince Schnele agreed with his father about burying the Rose Orb and Jebra, but he opposed the witch hunts. He was a forward-thinking person. He believed that the development of magic would determine the nation's strength. Magic would be essential in all fields, from daily life to culture and war. He strongly advocated for the end of the witch hunts, but King Stromus wouldn't listen. So, he decided to..."

That was the official story.

According to my mother, Schnele and Stromus had a terrible relationship. Schnele was extremely anxious about possibly not inheriting the throne. Stromus favored a distant relative.

But I don't need to say that. No one would benefit.

"My mother and Schnele came up with the same plan almost simultaneously and met as if by fate. They were like long-lost siblings, my mother said. They then planned to eliminate the thorn in their side..."

Vill's hand, which I held, grew cold and began to tremble.

I gripped it tightly to keep him from collapsing.

"The truth of the attack twenty years ago... is that the current King Mistria and the witch Aronia conspired to kill the former king and Jebra."

My mother's story about planning the attack to avoid a major war was a big lie.

She's not that kind of person. A heartwarming tale? Not at all.

"In short, it was a coup."