When I came to, I found myself in a completely unfamiliar place. Why had this witch brought me here? And why did she ask me for salvation?
What kind of salvation can I give?
"....."
"Put that worried expression away."
"ah..."
"Only you can do it."
Sea looked like she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Your blood can save our witches."
"What is that..."
"If you pour your blood into this glass of water and recite the spell, you can awaken the witches who have not yet been completely destroyed."
The water is transparent and shimmers with a brilliant color. It seems to emanate a more positive energy than holy water.
"If Lady Ilesia, the great witch, were to awaken, your wish might come true."
My... wish?
Was there anything else I could have wished for? I've achieved everything I could. I've protected my family, and I live happily with my brother and the female protagonist. If I said I no longer aspire to anything greater and am content with where I am now... would that be a lie?
My last wish. Actually, it's too hopeless to be called a wish. It's something that could never happen. Even if you're a witch... how can you bring the dead back to life?
It's something even a saint can't do.
"You never know what the future holds. This won't harm you anyway. Rather, it'll be a good thing, since it'll give you a new kin."
"Well, I wonder if it's really worth it for me to save the witches. There's no guarantee that war won't break out again."
It's entirely possible. What if the witches dream of revenge? What if another hell breaks loose?
It is absolutely essential that the witches be awakened again.
"It's only natural for you to think that way. You were once human, and you're Karna, the great enemy of the witches."
"But you are now Karnai and the Arch-Witch. Your power is absolute. The witches cannot act without your permission. If they disobey your orders and attack humans, they will be instantly destroyed."
This is something I never knew. I can't believe that, at only twenty years old, witches who have lived for hundreds of years are powerless before me.
Absolute obedience. Perhaps I, with the blood of a resentful witch flowing through my veins... possess the power to protect my brothers, no, perhaps even everyone.
"I have no intention of forcing you to do anything. Especially not to you."
The witch, well aware of Sea's circumstances, offered to take her back to her original place if she didn't want to. The witch was the one who killed her family, and she had unwanted blood flowing through her veins.
They say witches don't feel sorry, but Sea is special. She carries the blood of a witch's enemy, but also the blood of a witch.
"I'll do it. As long as no harm comes to me... it won't be so bad."
Sea picked up the hilt of the sword placed before her. She cut her palm, and blood flowed out. She dripped the blood into a glass of water and began to recite the spell she needed to recite.
Swaaaah - !
Light poured out from the glass of water. It was so blinding that I couldn't open my eyes, and I waited for the bright light to fade.
"You can open your eyes."
"...!"
Sea was startled by the woman who suddenly appeared before her and took a step back.
"You seem very surprised."
It was jaw-droppingly beautiful. The only person I'd ever considered beautiful was my mother, but now the woman standing before me radiated an aura that seemed to overwhelm me.
"Who...are you?"
"···The Great Witch, no, not anymore. I guess I should call her the previous Great Witch. My name is Ilesia."
"ah..."
Sea's mouth remained wide open. She was simply a former arch-witch... How could she possibly look like this? In the fairy tales I read as a child, witches were always depicted as ugly.
But that's my stereotype. Even though she's a witch, her appearance is that of an angel.
"I didn't sleep that long... but it seems awkward."
"Oh, thank you for saving me. The other witches will slowly wake up too."
"I'm not a witch."
Ilesia made a face as if to ask what that meant.
"Now that you've woken up again, there's no way I'm the Arch-Witch. I'm just..."
"Hmm, I see you don't know. The Archwitch isn't just anyone who gets appointed. Only those who are qualified can ascend to the position."
"Because you have greater power than me, the symbol that only the Great Witch can have was transferred to you and engraved on you."
"Pattern...?"
"Excuse me."
Ilesia reached out and placed her hand on Sera's forehead, and a light shone from it, forming a pattern. The witch next to her conjured a mirror and held it up to Sera.
"This symbol is visible only to witches."
As soon as Ilesia completely handed over the pattern, Sea became a true Great Witch. She became an absolute being, undisputed and unstoppable.
"...I never wanted anything to do with it."
Se-ah was complicated. A life I never wanted. Now, I wonder what I can do about it, but even living as the human Kim Se-ah is burdensome. It's too heavy a burden for me to bear.
Why does the more I untangle this tangled thread, the more tangled it feels? I'm tired.
"I completely understand your position. I know it's unfair, and I'm just sorry. I'm sorry for burdening you with such a heavy burden. Greedy humans have harmed innocent beings..."
The witches who committed merciless murders weren't entirely innocent. But it's disgusting that humans were the ones who led to such a situation in the first place.
Human greed knows no bounds. They will satisfy their desires even by committing ugly and filthy acts. Are humans truly worthy of holding their heads high?
"Perhaps you, Se-ah, could be the key to peace. You stand between humans and witches, so if you don't take sides, things might turn out well."
That's true. If I truly possessed absolute power, I might even be higher than the Emperor. After all, the Emperor doesn't rule over witches, either.
Do I really deserve this?
Can you shake off your fear?
"Don't worry too much. Everything will go as you wish. Your will will become everyone's will."
"I believe."
Trust me... This statement can be both weighty and positive in many ways. It all depends on how I choose to accept it.
"Maybe this is my destiny."
Could these miserable days finally end? Could I ever be unhappy again?
Smile
"I'll give you a gift."
"...?"
Sea was taken aback by the sudden mention of a gift. A gift? Could she be referring to the wish the witch had mentioned earlier?
I had no expectations. I have no wishes. I've achieved everything. I don't want anything more. Greed only leads to terrible results.
"We'll meet many times, so shall we stop here for today? You'll find out what my gift is when you get home."
"ah..."
"It's against the taboo, but I don't think I'll regret it."
Sea just nodded. What kind of gift awaited me?
"This witch will take you there. I'll be waiting for you next time at an official event."
Thank you, Se-ah, for leading us to peace in the future. I'm sorry.
.
.
.
.
"Come on in and go home."
"Ah... yeah. It was nice to meet you."
"See you next time..."
The witch smiled faintly, lowered her head, and then disappeared from sight in an instant.
I woke up the witches...
Sea stared blankly at the wound on her palm that had disappeared without a trace.
Ta-da-dak - !
"Your Majesty!!"
"What's going on that makes you run like that?"
"What's going on, Your Highness, are you having lunch with me..."
Sea's expression contorted. She was furious at the maid who was joking around and spouting nonsense.
"You're playing a prank on me right now..."
"Se-ah, where have you been?"
Stop
A familiar voice. I was afraid to turn around. What is this? Am I dreaming? Why...
Is this a voice that sounds so familiar?
____
A familiar voice!?!?!
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