The Witch-Hunt Incident

Kingdom Calendar, Year 1512.

In response to Leverant Kingdom's covert military deployment, the "Witchlands" adopted a stance of purely defensive action.

Charlotte and Aery thoroughly annihilated all enemy forces together.

The thinking was that once the kingdom understood the difference in military strength, they would never consider invasion again.

To state the conclusion first, that thinking missed the mark. Missed it badly.

The kingdom's leadership was not satisfied with just one attempt; they secretly conducted small-scale invasions a second and third time. And each time, Charlotte and Aery drove the enemy forces to total annihilation.

"… It seems we need to take some kind of countermeasure…"

Around the time Almaeira began thinking this.

An incident occurred in Leverant Kingdom, quite unexpectedly.

The catalyst was, in essence, a game of shifting blame.

The repeated failures of invasions into the "Witchlands." Someone proposed a cause for this—"There's a traitor within our country leaking information to the enemy."

From an outsider's perspective it was comedy, but for the citizens it was anything but.

All the more so for Almaeira, who had been executed under similar reasoning.

And so, the ones made scapegoats within the kingdom were women supposedly allied with the "Witchlands"—to be precise, female mages who did not belong to the Royal Mage Association.

The "Witch Hunt" that would remain infamous for years to come.

   

The ruins of the castle where the "Witch Queen" Almaeira dwelt—the Queen's Chamber.

Charlotte opened the door and entered. Almaeira slowly turned to face her.

"Welcome back, Sharo… How many refugees… were there?"

"Eleven in total. Simply accepting them shouldn't be much of a problem. After all, we've got more land than we know what to do with."

Charlotte responded immediately to Almaeira's question.

At this time, she had already been serving as Almaeira's guard for four years.

The two had come to know each other fairly well, and predicting what Almaeira wanted had become extremely easy.

"To be honest, I cannot quite agree with this."

At that moment, a cool voice interjected from the side.

Almaeira's "Ladies' Maid," Aery Heiram. She raised her objection with her usual lack of emotion.

At the time, Aery had been assigned to guard duty by order of the Demon King.

Her sense of obligation to the Demon King was extremely thin, but she didn't particularly take Almaeira's side either.

"… Is there… some problem?"

"Yes. They are people who fled from Leverant Kingdom. It's hard to imagine the kingdom will simply let this go."

"I agree on that point. We've already been dealing with continuous intrusions from the kingdom's army. While having more allies would be nice, it wouldn't be good if that emboldened the enemy."

Charlotte was fairly favorable toward Almaeira. However, she was a general of the Demon King's army, and also a spokesperson for the Demon King's will.

That said, it was also true that ultimately, both of them would prioritize Almaeira's wishes.

For that reason, Almaeira needed to come up with a solution to the problem.

Regarding the acceptance of refugees—that is, the female mages who had defected from Leverant Kingdom.

"… You're right. I can't always rely on the two of you… and I don't want to make you commit needless killing either."

"—"

"Oh?"

Aery and Charlotte both blinked in surprise.

If the two of them acted as defense forces, they could handle the situation for the time being. Yet Almaeira was saying she wouldn't do that.

"Are you sure? We don't mind being used, you know."

"… That wouldn't solve the problem… If we only defend, it might actually fan the flames of aggression…"

"That would naturally happen. The kingdom has its pride to consider, after all."

The female mages that the kingdom had once decided to execute.

Letting them escape only to be placed under an enemy nation's protection; there was no way they could overlook such a situation. The information leak that had been nothing but false accusation could become reality.

Almaeira placed her hand on her slender chin, pensively lost in thought.

That sight drew both of their gazes involuntarily. A melancholic beauty reminiscent of a young widow.

"… First, as a basic premise, I will accept those branded as witches no matter what. As long as they wish it, not accepting them is not an option."

"Well, I figured you'd say that."

"Whether the refugees themselves want it is also a concern, I think. This country is demon territory after all. It's entirely unsuited for human life."

Aery stated her concerns matter-of-factly, and Almaeira gave a small nod.

"… You're right. We need to confirm their intentions… and I wanted to meet with them face to face as well… Sharo, could I ask you to guide me to them?"

"Huh? … You're going yourself, Alma?"

Charlotte was somewhat taken aback. Aery blinked repeatedly as well.

"The fact that Lady Almaeira is the current 'Witch Queen' is currently top secret. It would not be very wise to expose yourself without good reason."

That was the Demon King's intention.

Almaeira, once worshipped as a saint, then burned at the stake as a witch. If she were to be resurrected as a demon and take revenge against the kingdom, how much despair would that bring to humanity?

For that reason, Almaeira had been strictly ordered to keep her identity hidden. To deliver a greater shock at the optimal time.

"If your face weren't known that would be one thing, but you're quite the celebrity in the kingdom, Alma. It hasn't even been five years since your execution. The refugees might notice—no, it would be strange if they didn't."

Charlotte naturally tried to dissuade Almaeira as well.

But.

"… That is precisely why it's fine."

Almaeira smiled faintly.

The gazes of the two became increasingly puzzled.

"… I was originally human. My face hasn't changed from before, so surely some people will recognize me. And that's fine."

"… Care to explain?"

As a faithful subordinate of the Demon King, Charlotte could not ignore those words.

Beside her, Aery watched Almaeira with an emotionless gaze, yet one tinged with faint curiosity.

"… It's been four years since I settled in this land… Even though I was originally human, with the help of you two, I've been able to manage… So I thought if I showed my face, it might encourage everyone… What do you think?"

"… I can't say the logic is wrong, but…"

"You have a startling lack of consideration for the Demon King…"

If the Demon King were present, he'd surely be holding his head.

Why do those who bear the title of "Witch Queen" all cause such trouble without fail?

"I understand that you're determined to accept them no matter what, Alma. But first we need to figure out how to keep the kingdom in check. Revealing your identity without a plan for that—"

"… That point will be fine. I've already thought of a countermeasure."

"—Huh?"

Charlotte let out a dumbfounded voice.

Almaeira briefly summarized her thinking.

Put extremely simply, it was the fortification of the Black Forest.

The "Witchlands" was already notorious as a cursed land. She would fill the entire territory with ultra-high concentration miasma and erect barriers to prevent it from dispersing.

The method was also entirely practical.

Almaeira was an unparalleled user of Divine Arts, skilled in barrier construction, physical regeneration, and healing injuries and ailments.

And healing, in other words, was vitalization. She would use this power to amplify the miasma pervading the Black Forest.

Having heard Almaeira's explanation in full, Charlotte was rendered speechless.

"Alma, are you… serious about that?"

"… If necessary, I intend to actually do it."

If Almaeira's plan were implemented, the kingdom's invasions would certainly stop.

Ordinary humans cannot withstand ultra-high concentration miasma. Magical beasts would breed incomparably more than now, and the trees would begin moving on their own.

The "Witchlands" would transform into a cursed land that would not permit humans to set foot in it.

It was, in a sense, a far more merciless countermeasure than the slaughter carried out by Charlotte and Aery.

As if to say she would not hesitate to commit massacre to stop the war.

Charlotte was momentarily at a loss for words.

"… That is excellent. I believe it to be a brilliant plan that can crush the very will to invade."

Aery openly expressed her approval, a rare occurrence.

"… Isn't there a bit too much wrong with that?"

"True. Problems remain. Whether the witches scattered in various areas can endure it… a deterioration of living conditions is unavoidable."

"That's what you're worried about!?"

"What else would there be?"

Whether it was acceptable to make such large-scale environmental changes without permission. Whether there might not be disadvantages to the Demon King's domain as well.

Charlotte's concerns seemed like water off a duck's back.

"… Since we're at it, I'd like to take this opportunity to track everyone's locations. If I make each person recognized as part of the barrier, harm shouldn't reach them…"

"Meaning only those not recognized would be excluded? —In that case, the refugees should be able to live well enough too. There don't seem to be any problems."

"That's the only problem!?"

Charlotte raised her voice at the unusually enthusiastic Aery.

Aery turned to face her and spoke matter-of-factly.

"Just think about it, Shal."

"… Think about what?"

"If this countermeasure succeeds, we won't have to go out each time."

"Well, that's true."

"And even if by some chance the invasions don't stop, the enemies will just die on their own. Their corpses can be food for the magical beasts. —Isn't having our work become easier something to welcome?"

"I'm a little worried my reason for existing might disappear…"

That said, Aery's words were all perfectly reasonable. If it's easier, all the better.

The reason she severely lacked loyalty to the Demon King was, fundamentally, because the Demon King worked her too hard.

"… So with that said, what do you think? … Could I ask you to guide me to the refugees…?"

At this point, Almaeira asked Charlotte once more.

"… Understood. I'll guide you."

And so, she no longer had any reason to refuse.

   

The eleven female mages who had fled from Leverant Kingdom.

They had been ordered by the uniformed female demon to wait in a single-story house near the ruined castle.

"—What's going to happen to us?"

The murmur that escaped from no one in particular was likely the consensus of everyone present.

Their ages ranged widely, from those in their twenties to those in their seventies. Some had used their knowledge as mages to work as apothecaries in the city, while many others had professions entirely unrelated to magic.

The only thing they had in common was the single fact that they were female mages who did not belong to the Royal Mage Association.

"… Best not to get your hopes up. Word is the kingdom has attacked here many times."

"No way…"

"Then why did we come to a place like this…?"

"Even if we'd fled to another country, we'd just be handed over. Demon territory is still better than that… Isn't it?"

"… I suppose, but…"

An old woman who appeared to be the eldest among them spoke with a cynical smile.

Women who had nearly been captured as witches. The old woman had organized them as their representative and somehow managed to flee all the way to the "Witchlands."

The old woman's judgment had indeed been correct. Warning lines had already been drawn at the borders with other countries.

"They're demons, but they're not cruel… They haven't invaded the kingdom so far, after all. If that lord were a brutal invader, the kingdom would have fallen long ago…"

"… You mean they might help us?"

"Just wait quietly. If we behave, we might receive some mercy."

The old woman spoke in a whisper. In the meantime, the sound of soft weeping echoed through the building.

It was understandable. Many of the women had been torn from their families before they could understand what was happening.

While fleeing they had been in a daze, but now the emotions were flooding back.

—Unbeknownst to them, this house was Charlotte's personal residence.

Though simply constructed, it was spacious enough for nearly ten women to rest.

"… They're quite down."

"Can't be helped. It was just yesterday… Let them cry for now."

A woman next eldest to the old woman spoke to her.

At the very least, they wanted the young ones to survive. That was their wish.

"… That woman, I wonder if she's the one from the rumors."

"Who else could it be…?"

What the two were referring to was that uniformed female demon—Charlotte.

The moment they had laid eyes on her, the women had recalled a certain rumor.

The rumor that only two female demons had repelled the kingdom's repeated invasions.

They couldn't know if Charlotte was one of those two. Far from being killed, they had been guided to the territory without a single injury.

While she had said not to expect anything in front of everyone, the hope the old woman held was not small.

If they intended to kill us, they would have done so already—that was her assessment.

"… Looks like someone's here."

At that moment, the wooden door made a soft knocking sound.

"… Pardon the intrusion," came a faint voice as the entrance opened.

In that instant, the old woman vaguely thought, "Oh my…"

She felt as if she had heard a nostalgic voice she recognized from somewhere.

Three women entered the room.

One was a young woman wearing dark-colored vestments. Her long platinum hair was covered by a jet-black veil, and her downcast expression could not be seen.

On either side were a girl in servant's attire and a woman in uniform. The two were undoubtedly her attendants.

"… It is nice to meet you. Are you… the ones seeking asylum in this land?"

The old woman nodded while feeling a sense of dissonance.

That voice. She had definitely heard it somewhere before.

She shook her head slightly and straightened her stooping back.

"Yes, that's right. If possible, we would like all of us to be accepted into this land… Are you the 'Witch Queen'?"

"… Yes. That is what I am called now."

As far as the old woman could see at first glance, not a shred of the cruelty from the rumors could be perceived from the "Witch Queen."

There was only a strange sense of deja vu she couldn't shake.

"First, I shall state my conclusion… I will have you accept several conditions, but if you do, I will fully permit your settlement… This country is by no means a land of peace, but I shall arrange housing in as safe a location as possible."

"… And what would those conditions be?"

The old woman narrowed her wrinkled eyes.

Witches were known to use sweet words. Therefore, utmost attention had to be paid to the terms of any contract.

The female mages' gazes wavered between the "Witch Queen" and the old woman.

"First… We cannot have a friendly relationship with Leverant Kingdom. Negotiations and such are also essentially impossible… Please understand that you can never return to your homeland."

The old woman nodded silently.

That was something she had already prepared herself for. But behind her, the sounds of weeping continued.

Having the reality thrust upon them again was still hard to bear.

"… Aery. Please, to that person…"

In response to her words, the girl in servant's attire—Aery—approached the weeping young woman.

The girl gently produced a handkerchief from her pocket. The young woman's eyes widened in momentary surprise, then she timidly accepted it.

After glancing at the woman wiping her tears with the handkerchief, the "Witch Queen" gently raised her fingers.

"Second… We will thoroughly repel any invasion from Leverant Kingdom. This is necessary to maintain everyone's safety. Even if someone comes looking for you… we cannot accept them."

The old woman nodded again.

None of the women had husbands in the military. Besides, no matter how much a man loved his wife, none would venture into the "Witchlands" at the risk of his life.

"Third… While we accept you, we do not wish for you to leave this land… If there is political upheaval within the kingdom and your charges are cleared, that would be different, but… if you do wish to leave, please be sure to obtain our permission."

The old woman hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

If she would permit departure depending on changes in the situation, that could even be called merciful.

So far so good, the old woman thought. All of these were extremely reasonable conditions.

However, if even one unreasonable demand were made—

"… That is all… If you accept the three conditions I have stated, I would like to welcome you to this land."

"… … … Huh?"

In that instant, the old woman couldn't help but let out a sound.

She gaped with her mouth hanging open in astonishment.

"… D-Did I do something wrong? Sharo, did I make some kind of blunder…?"

"No, not at all. I don't think there were any problems."

"… Perhaps she is dumbfounded by your excessive mercifulness?"

Aery spoke as if joking, but in truth she was half genuinely impressed.

In reality, the three conditions that had been presented were as good as nothing.

"I-Is that all? Truly… that is all it takes?"

"… Y-Yes. It is by no means an easy place to live, but… I will protect your peace no matter what."

The old woman was suddenly overcome with gratitude. The female mages went weak at the knees as the tension drained from them all at once.

"… However, what to do about housing for a while is troublesome. What shall we do…"

"Why not use this house? I can just stay at the castle."

"… Would that be acceptable?"

The "Witch Queen" gently raised her face and pressed her palms together.

It was a bit cramped for nearly ten women to live in, but if they cleared out the storage room there would be sufficient space. It would be adequate as a place to sleep.

"O-Of course… Is that alright with all of you?"

The old woman said, looking around at the women.

Though some seemed hesitant, not a single one refused.

"… Good. We'll need to ask the Dvergar carpenters…"

The black-robed girl clapped her hands together with a smile. The old woman's gaze was drawn to that smile tinged with melancholy.

In that instant, the old woman clearly saw her face—that lovely visage she had definitely seen before.

"S—Saintess… Lady…?"

That face.

That figure.

No wonder that voice had sounded familiar.

The old woman collapsed onto the spot, her legs giving out. Her eyes went wide.

"… It seems I was a bit late with my introduction."

The "Witch Queen"—the girl once nicknamed the "Saintess"—narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled.

"… This is Charlotte, who serves as my guard. And Aery, who takes care of my daily needs."

"Hey there. Charlotte Euclides—if anything strange happens, let me know. Dealing with trouble is my job."

"I handle the miscellaneous affairs, Aery Heiram. Please treat me well."

After the two bowed together, she quietly smiled and added:

"… I am Almaeira… Almaeira Serenarie. Welcome to the 'Witchlands'—we welcome you."

   

"—The Saintess!?"

The women's reaction to Almaeira revealing her name was unexpected.

At the very least, not a single one disparaged her as a "witch."

"… I am no longer a saintess… No. I was never a saintess to begin with."

"That's not true!"

When Almaeira lowered her eyes and shook her head, one of the women protested.

She appeared to be in her mid-thirties.

"My husband is what they call a disabled veteran. When he came back from the battlefield, he'd lost an arm. If it weren't for you, I don't think he'd have recovered even now."

Indeed, Almaeira had treated disabled veterans.

Complete regeneration of the body was difficult, but connecting prosthetics to nerves was at least possible.

"Things have turned out like this now, but still, I never thought I'd be saved by you again…"

"… After all, the claims that the Saintess was a witch were fabricated. No, because we couldn't stop it back then, now it's our turn to pay the price…"

"… But how is the Saintess still alive?"

One of the women raised a perfectly reasonable question.

Almaeira hesitated briefly, but told them the truth as it was.

That she had been resurrected from the Underworld by the Demon King's hand—that she was threatened to obey him or he would bring calamity upon the people.

"But then, doesn't that mean you really were the Demon King's minion…?"

"The order is backwards. By that logic, we really would be witches too."

"… You're right about that. Besides, if he has to use threats like that to make you obey, he's pretty small-fry."

The women frankly offered their candid assessments. Even Charlotte, who was accompanying them, gave a wry smile at this.

"… You believe… me?"

Almaeira found herself even more puzzled.

That day, atop the pyre, she had been showered with countless insults. The saint's prestige had fallen—transformed into the infamy of a witch.

Almaeira had been completely convinced of this.

"Of course. The people gathered in that plaza were just a tiny handful."

"Either they had no debt of gratitude, or they were ingrates—that's why they could say such things."

"… There are even people hoping for the Saintess's return… It's a selfish thing, really."

Indeed, Almaeira reconsidered.

Many citizens had gathered in that plaza, but compared to the nation as a whole, it was only a tiny handful.

Almaeira had seen only a small portion of the people and despaired of all humanity.

"… Thank you, everyone… You must be tired, so please rest today. As I mentioned, please feel free to use this house."

After saying this, Almaeira received a chorus of thanks from the women, then quietly took her leave from the residence.

Aery followed after her, then Charlotte.

"… Quite the popular one, aren't you?"

"Honestly, I must say that reaction was unexpected."

The two spoke in unison. Almaeira lowered her brows, showing a somewhat troubled smile.

"… I can't really feel happy about it… It means their lives must be quite terrible…"

A saint publicly executed as a witch.

If public opinion was longing for her return, just how dire must the conditions in the country be?

Rotten though it may be, it was still the homeland to which she had once devoted herself. Feeling melancholy was only natural.

At that moment, Aery spoke up as if something had just occurred to her.

"Lady Alma."

"… Yes?"

Almaeira looked puzzled.

Not at being called—but at being called "Lady Alma" in such a familiar manner.

"Lady Alma, was there no gentleman you were fond of back in your homeland?"

"… Wha, ah, eh, wh-why do you ask!?"

Almaeira was flustered by the completely unrelated question.

Aery spoke matter-of-factly as always.

"Many of those women have husbands. And their circumstances are quite similar to yours, Lady Alma. It would not be strange if you had one or two men you were close to."

"… I see. That would explain why you're not keen on the engagement to the Demon King, wouldn't it?"

"… Sh-Sharo, even you…!!"

The person she thought would stop this was instead providing backup.

Almaeira shook her head while quickening her pace.

"… I-I am technically a priestess… Though I have been forsaken by the Lord of Heaven, there is nothing in this world that supersedes the gods…"

"—Does that god refer to the gods we know? Or perhaps someone whom you personally revere?"

"…!!!!!"

Aery pressed into the gaps in her words with blade-like sharpness.

Almaeira was not the type who could lie. Her voice caught, and her face suddenly flushed red.

"If Lady Alma so desires, I would not be averse to abducting a man or two for you."

"… I-I am very grateful for the offer, but… But, you see… that person is… no longer… in this world…"

Almaeira walked quickly, on the verge of tears from a mixture of sadness and embarrassment.

No, she had already broken into a run. She was completely fleeing from Aery's interrogation.

   

A small back receding toward the ruined castle.

Aery watched her go without pursuing—there was no need to press further.

"… To think there really was a man."

"Lady Alma is still a young woman regardless. Having a man she's fond of comes with the territory."

"There you go being blunt again… But still, how did you figure it out? When did you notice?"

To Charlotte's question, Aery casually replied, "Just now."

"When she heard the story about the soldier husband, there was a change in her expression. Combined with what Lady Alma said… perhaps she has experience losing a lover in war."

"… That's quite a mundane story for the background of a saint."

"Quite so. —However, a dead man is a formidable opponent. Lady Alma holds him sacred on par with the gods. Can the Demon King compete with that?"

"A living demon would make a more fitting lover than a dead human. —Though whether that applies to the Demon King is questionable."

Almaeira was quite the straight-laced woman. There was no doubt she was remaining faithful to a dead man.

Charlotte let out a small sigh. The engagement would be extremely difficult to finalize.

"I have decided."

"… Decided what?"

"I shall pledge my absolute loyalty to Lady Alma."

"… What!? Aery, aren't you technically part of the Demon King's army!?"

"It seems more worthwhile to work for Lady Alma. I have made up my mind. As of today, I am Lady Alma's exclusive attendant, so please take note."

Aery declared this with her usual lack of emotion.

What exactly had moved her heart—was it the compassion shown to the refugees? The glimpse of age-appropriate romantic feelings seen through her stoic exterior? That melancholic beauty reminiscent of a widow?

Or perhaps—simply because the work would be easier?

"… Honestly, these people…"

Charlotte pressed her forehead as if suppressing a headache.

She could not commit so decisively as those two.

"Now then, we mustn't leave her alone too long. We need Lady Alma to put up the barrier soon."

"… Ah, right. Understood."

Charlotte had no objection to that point.

Together, they set off toward Almaeira's castle—the ruined castle.

It would be a while longer before they learned the name of Almaeira's beloved—Yoal Yaotl.

   

From this period onward, the entirety of the "Witchlands" transformed into an unparalleled cursed land.

Leverant Kingdom attempted invasion twice within the year, and both attempts ended in dismal failure.

Thereafter, Leverant Kingdom would maintain silence for more than fifteen years.

In Kingdom Calendar Year 1530, Leverant Kingdom would collapse due to a citizen revolution, but that is another story.