EP10. Witch Hunt (5)
Sean’s party entered the area of the tower.
Beautiful flowers and small ponds and fountains that inspire admiration. The beautiful scenery of the garden seemed out of place for a witch to live.
However, no one was impressed by the view of the garden. Sepia was as expressionless as usual, and Edward was just looking around, not showing much interest.
At least, Tina was the only one who opened her mouth small and let out an exclamation.
“Then can I go straight to the tower?”
“I met the count the other day at the annex. Are you in the tower?”
Sean looked at Sophie and asked, but of course she remained silent.
At her figure, Sepia warned in a calm tone.
“You must not think that silence helps the Count.”
“I am only for my master.”
“Keep in mind that the count’s treatment may change depending on your choice.”
Would it be possible to convince Sophie, who at first glance seemed very loyal?
After Sophie glanced at the tower, she blew the information with surprising ease.
“The Count is staying in the annex.”
“A good choice.”
The progress was easier than expected, but Sean was slightly suspicious.
Why did Sophie betray the Count so easily? Maybe she has other ulterior motives.
That’s why Shawn cautiously made a suggestion.
“Why don’t we split up and investigate?”
“Of course she could be lying, but that doesn’t sound like a very good idea.”
“Me too. Scattering has the potential to act as an opportunity for witches.”
Edward and Tina’s objection was also reasonable, so Sean nodded his head without much rebuttal.
Shaun and the others headed for the annex without being able to resolve a little discomfort.
Without knowing that someone is secretly watching them.
***
The annex was practically a huge mansion. Befitting its status as the owner of a city, the mansion was proud of its majesty.
In the hall on the first floor, they paused. It was to discuss how to conduct the search.
Shaun was the only one in the group who had visited, but of course he didn’t know as well as Sophie, who stayed here. If I had to question it, it would be more correct to say that I did not know the exact structure of the mansion.
The sure and fast thing is to be guided by Sophie. However, she comes with the risky disadvantage of not being able to fully trust her.
On the contrary, you can trace Sean’s hazy memories and investigate them one by one. In this case, at least the risk of falling into a trap is small, but the fact that it takes a long time and you don’t know what will happen during that time is a definite anxiety factor.
“Do you remember the room where the Count stayed?”
“Uh… I think it was the innermost room on the third floor.”
“Hmm. Then, let’s go there first.”
The choice was a compromise. For now, follow Sean’s memory, and if you feel that the time is dragging on too long, then Sophie will guide you.
“Is it possible that the Count went out?”
“…The Count didn’t know anything about you guys. Also, he doesn’t go out of the tower.”
“That means it is somewhere here.”
Tina warned her to be vigilant.
“You must have heard the commotion, so you must have noticed our intrusion. There’s a good chance it’s being prepared somewhere.”
“Yes. It’s a witch’s realm, so you must have noticed it a long time ago.”
Sean and his party climbed the stairs one by one, remaining vigilant. Unexpectedly, there were no traps or monsters prepared. Thanks to that, Mutal was able to enter the 4th floor without any obstruction.
“… Is it not an annex, but a tower?”
“I don’t know yet. Don’t let go of the tension.”
Should be called somewhat heartless, or cold-hearted.
They advanced cautiously, with Sophie at the forefront. Everyone knew that if she had a trap, it was to use her as her shield.
Finally they reached the front of the innermost room. Looking at the tightly closed door, they exchanged glances. Sophie’s hands were bound, so it was Edward who opened the door.
The door opened slowly, giving them a view of the room.
From noble mtl dot com.
The Count was there.
Viola was perched by the window, staring at the door, in their direction.
Her mouth opened and a cold, subdued voice came out.
“····Really. I should be dumbfounded.”
She said, scanning the intruders in the room one by one.
“To break into the Count’s house openly in broad daylight like this.”
“·······.”
“That is also in my realm, the most outstanding mage in Elioden.”
The count’s gaze, which was moving slowly, eventually turned to Sean.
“There are even spheres. That’s also the boyfriend of a disciple I cherish.”
“·······.”
“You’re doing this right now, isn’t Levy too?”
Sean asked this right away. Is that a high-level mockery of yourself?
Then it worked. She did a good job of pissing off Sean.
“I don’t see it as bad. You have to hold it all the way like that to get confused.”
“····I don’t know if it’s dementia, but I’m not sure what nonsense it is. Inspiration?”
“What are you talking about? You say it’s over now.”
As Edward untied her fists, Viola let out a snort of laughter.
She stood up and looked in her direction, Sophie.
“Sophie. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“····Sorry. Count. We couldn’t stop our enemies.”
“No. I’ll get it soon, so just wait a little bit.”
As expected, the Count did not seem to have any intention of surrendering. Naturally, everyone in the room started preparing for battle. As before, Sephia stepped forward and spoke to Viola.
“We are from the United Bishops’ Conference.”
“So?”
“I want to subdue the witch who is the cause of the recent curse commotion in Elioden.”
“Witch?”
“Let me ask you. Countess Viola Ripeor. Are you a witch’s child?”
To Sepia’s question, Viola immediately answered without hesitation.
“I can’t be a witch.”
“Ms. Sepia. Why do you bother asking so much? If you just wipe it away, she will be gone.”
“Edward is right this time. You also witnessed the monsters earlier. That maid also admitted it.”
Despite her colleagues’ dissuade, Sepia steadfastly continued her witch interrogation according to the procedure.
“Then could you take off the bandage and show me your eyes?”
“Are you crazy? Why would I do that?”
“If you continue to refuse, I will subdue you by force.”
“I think you are mistaken about something, but you should have been prepared to die since you invaded my house.”
Sephia raised her mace and shield, realizing that she could not continue the interrogation through dialogue.
Just before the battle started, Shawn urgently asked a question.
“Wait! . . . Levy. Where is Levi now!?”
“Why are you looking for that child here? It’s been a while since she’s already gone.”
“····What? No way····. Sophie!”
Shawn hurriedly turned his head to Sophie, who was behind him, and shouted.
“Is it true!?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Is it true that Levy has returned?”
“····No. No one left.”
Two arguments that don’t fit at all, Sean’s head is full of confusion.
Something went terribly wrong. The witch hunt itself. Everything in the tower right now is twisted somewhere.
It has to be corrected. But is it already too late?
“Επίθεση · κεραυνός · φωτιά”
A tingling electric shock grazed Sean’s cheek.
The picture frame hanging on the wall was shattered by the voltage.
“I won’t kill my student’s lover in particular. Aren’t you pitiful for Levi?”
“Shaun. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t let go of my mind right now. The battle has already begun.”
Viola immediately chanted the next spell.
“Αλλαγή βαρύτητα”
Of course, the opponent didn’t sit still either. Sepia jumped right in and swung her mace.
However, Viola used her reserve magic circle to defend against the attack of her mace and threw her behind her.
Edward’s fist flew after him, but the chant was already completed and the magic was cast.
Mighty gravity swept down around Edward. It was inevitable that his posture would be erratic and his movements would be sluggish. Without missing that gap, the viola recited a small attribute incantation.
The pottery behind her lifts into the air and flies rapidly at Edward.
Pottery is broken by flying bolts. Without stopping, another bolt is fired, flying toward her abdomen. Bolt stopped moving due to the power of magic.
The Count was powerful. To the point where it felt like the three skilled witch hunters were on equal footing.
Most of all, considering that closing the distance is the key in a battle with a wizard, fighting in a room with limited space was unbelievable.
Of course, the opponent wasn’t easy either. They haven’t shown their full strength yet.
Sepia recited her prayers.
“God of purification. Please sympathize with my crisis and share a little strength. I hope that you will win the battle against the witch and your name will be raised.”
As she prayed, a green light of purification radiated around her. Seeing that, Viola also memorized her incantation with a small frown, probably feeling uncomfortable.
“Επίθεση · πάγος · ανάπτυξη · συνεχ····.”
“Oops. You can’t take your eyes off it.”
Viola interrupted her chant and rolled over to avoid Edward’s fist flying beside her.
Because he knows that the slightest brush with his knuckles is dangerous.
“····Ζεται”
I recited the interrupted spell, but Sepia was already rushing forward.
Frost began to gather around Viola and she slowly began to freeze. But Sepia, who was blessed with purification, was not hit hard.
Sepia raised her shield and made an ignorant charge. Knowing that allowing this attack would put the war at a disadvantage, Viola used the magic circle she had been saving.
A transparent membrane was placed around her, blocking her access from the outside. Neither humans nor the bolts Tina shot could penetrate the barrier.
“It’s a crisis. If you keep it like that, I will use my magic a hundred times.”
“In times like this, there is a way.”
“Do you think there is a good way?”
“Of course. You can break it by force.”
“·······.”
As if to prove his point, Edward began to strike the barrier with his fist.
The resulting vibrations were so strong that even Sophie, who was far from the battle, could vividly feel them.
“Are you not participating in the battle?”
Sophie is a boy who just sits blankly by her side. He asked Sean.
In spite of her question, Sean stood there for a long time without saying a word. His gaze is forward, but he doesn’t seem to have his eyes on the battle. It felt as if his mind was missing somewhere.
“You look quite relaxed.”
What the boy said after a while was rather difficult.
“Are you talking about that?”
“Yes. It seems that the owner is in battle and is not at all embarrassed even in a crisis.”
“…Because I’m sure the Count will win…”
“I understand now.”
Sophie asked while hiding her anxiety at the boy’s answer that came after cutting off her words.
“What do you mean?”
“That way. He never called the count his master.”
“·······.”