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“No way.”

Vivian calmly replied.

But inside her heart, there were hundreds of desperate cries.

“You can’t say no?”

“…”

No way I’m letting Kyle become one of those.

I didn’t even want to imagine him becoming a Witch Hunter.

Maybe for someone else, it would be okay, but for him, absolutely not.

It wasn’t just because he had spent the most time with me recently.

It wasn’t just that he would be the one staying by my side the longest in the future.

There was an intense rejection deep within me, a gut feeling that transcended reason and logic.

I mean, I’m a Witch and he’s a Witch Hunter.

It’s like mixing oil and water. We’re already enemies, and this would just push us even further apart.

The Bishop reacted as if Vivian’s answer was unexpected.

“Why not? My logic should have been flawless.”

“…”

She had no retort.

Still, Vivian forced herself to maintain a straight face while buying some time.

She had to squeeze out some excuses somehow.

“…Kyle is a guest of Rondore. We can’t impose such a role on him.”

“But Rondore has already assigned him various roles, hasn’t it? Checking if the food is poisoned, being an Executioner…”

“…Sure, he’s an Executioner, but how did you know he tried the food?”

“Word travels fast. Apparently, everyone knows.”

“…”

It wasn’t a secret, so she had no intention of questioning the Bishop, but the fact that they collected information like this was unsettling.

It felt like the blade was closer to my throat than I expected.

I could understand why Elena felt anxious.

“Lady Vivian, if you keep this up… you’re asking for suspicion.”

In that moment, the Bishop said coldly.

Vivian hid her agitation and asked back.

“What kind of suspicion are you talking about?”

“…Perhaps, you’re already hiding a Witch somewhere… “

-Bang!

Vivian slammed her hand on the table, pressuring the Bishop.

“How can you say such a thing!”

Even the Bishop took a step back, mumbling an apology.

“I’m sorry. However, assigning someone to root out Witches in the Castle of Rondore seems to cause this much resistance…”

“…”

“So, you’re saying you can’t force that role onto Kyle Allen?”

Vivian nodded faintly.

The Bishop continued.

“Then why not ask him directly?”

“…What?”

“If he wants to do it, then it wouldn’t be forced.”

“…”

The Bishop’s suggestion felt like a spider’s web. It offered no escape routes.

She knew that struggling would only raise more suspicions and entangle her deeper in the web.

“…Fine.”

In the end, she had no choice but to nod her head.

Hoping that Kyle would turn down the offer, she called him into the room.

****

“…A Witch Hunter?”

I looked at Vivian after hearing the Bishop’s suggestion.

A hint of discomfort flashed across her face.

It was a subtle change that only we understood, something no one else would notice.

She was trying her best to hide it.

“Out of nowhere?”

I turned my gaze to the Bishop, urging him to explain.

The bald Bishop spoke leisurely.

“There’s no one in the Castle of Rondore who believes in our Las sect. The awareness of Witches is low. I’m suggesting this out of fear that a major problem might arise.”

“So you want me to find and kill a Witch or something?”

“I’m asking you to find someone acting like a Witch.”

The Bishop’s tone was polite, but an underlying demand for a purpose lingered in his words.

It felt similar to when I spoke to that paladin earlier.

Everyone seemed to have an intense hatred towards Witches.

But I was resonating with Vivian’s feelings right now.

There was no way I’d get a good impression from this Bishop or those paladins outside, so I pushed back for now.

“I don’t want to go through all that trouble.”

As soon as I finished my answer, Vivian spoke up.

“That works, right? Kyle obviously says he won’t do it, so we’ll be on our way.”

“…Hmm.”

The Bishop scratched his head awkwardly.

I couldn’t tell how things were progressing, but it was clear Vivian didn’t want to be here.

Her expression and body language were filled with discomfort, wanting to escape this situation quickly.

The Bishop said.

“Well, there’s not much we can do if you don’t want to cooperate, but… Lady Vivian, this makes it difficult for us to reduce our Witch-hunting efforts.”

“Huh? Just earlier—”

“—That was because we believed we could place a watcher in the Castle of Rondore. If Lady Vivian isn’t willing to give up anything, how can we compromise?”

“…”

“If you want us to reduce our efforts hunting Witches, you won’t let us place a watcher in the Castle either… This way, we can’t catch any Witches.”

The tone of his voice grew firmer, and Vivian’s expression hardened gradually.

I listened quietly and then glanced at Vivian, asking.

“…If I take on that role, will they, at least, say they’ll cut back on their activities in town?”

The Bishop interrupted with an answer.

“Exactly.”

“I wasn’t asking you.”

As I snapped back, the Bishop fell silent.

Vivian shot a sidelong glance at me and nodded her head.

A complex emotion flashed through her eyes.

I was feeling a bit confused.

Shouldn’t it be fine to just do it on purpose?

What on earth was Vivian thinking that she was hesitating this much?

I took a step closer to her, wanting to quietly ask about the things on my mind.

“What do you think about Witches, Kyle?”

Before the Bishop could ask.

There was quite a lot of enthusiasm in his gaze as he looked at me, making it hard to ignore.

I straightened myself instead of approaching Vivian and answered the Bishop.

“…Why are you asking that?”

“Because I’m curious.”

“…The Northerners don’t believe in Witches or curses.”

“Hmm, so you have no thoughts on them?”

I thought about the old lady.

Then I looked at Vivian.

‘You will end up loving something you shouldn’t.’

No matter how many times I see her, I never grow to hate her.

“…I do feel a bit uneasy about it.”

Looking at Vivian, I answered as if speaking to myself.

The slightly plump Bishop smiled broadly.

“Isn’t that reason enough to take on the role? It’s not a fight we’re proposing, it’s about creating a better world. I’m not looking to burden you with work. I just want you to observe your surroundings a bit more closely.”

“…Observe what?”

“Well, if strange happenings occur in the Castle… situations that can’t be explained by words… or if many people die all at once.”

“…”

I looked back at Vivian.

She still maintained her silence.

I wanted a conversation with Vivian, and I didn’t respond to the Bishop’s words.

Only then did the Bishop stop speaking.

In the brief silence that ensued, I moved even closer to Vivian.

Then I whispered a question in her ear.

“What’s the problem?”

She lifted her gaze slightly to me, asking back.

“What?”

I held her gaze and asked again.

“…What’s the problem? You can just do it.”

“…Kyle.”

“You can just pretend if you do it anyway, right? Just act like you’re doing it.”

“…Is that the plan?”

After pondering for a moment, I answered honestly.

“…No, I mean, if I’m taking it on, I’ll put in a bit more effort.”

“…”

Initially, I thought Vivian must have some concerns, so I was saying this, but the Bishop’s suggestion didn’t feel that off-putting.

Rather, it had been frustrating with the curses and witches… I was just a bit tired of it all.

I wondered if I might actually be cursed.

Becoming a Witch Hunter might make finding answers related to that much easier.

“…You actually want to go through this hassle?”

After a long silence, Vivian finally asked.

Was she trying to reject the Bishop’s proposal for fear it might burden me?

It wasn’t like her to act that way, but if that was the reason, I was a bit grateful.

I chuckled lightly and said to her.

“He mentioned that if I help, they’ll leave the Roktana civilians alone. Sounds like a good stepping stone to gain their affection, right?”

“…”

Vivian smiled weakly.

That smile was a mix of worry and resignation.

Then she steeled her expression and gazed at the Bishop.

The Bishop urged once more.

“…My lord.”

As he pressed, Vivian sighed softly.

When she stayed quiet, I called out to her again.

“Vivian.”

Vivian deliberated for some time, looked up at me, and then slowly nodded.

“Alright, then.”

****

Vivian felt as if her insides were burning black.

An indescribable sense of melancholy weighed her down, and the more she tried to escape the emotional turmoil, the deeper she sank.

Had she relied too heavily on Kyle?

She had been acting like she was fine and hiding her true feelings… But how significant was he in her life?

When he decided to become a Witch Hunter or a Watcher.

No, the moment she felt she could no longer prevent that choice.

It sent tremendous ripples through her heart.

After all, Kyle was already her enemy.

Now, she was once again thrown into a fate of enmity with him.

What would happen next?

Kyle, who was always by her side.

Would she have to keep her distance to prevent her Witch identity from being discovered?

Or would she have to act more cautiously, vowing not to let him find out?

What if he were to realize she was a Witch…

“…”

She couldn’t even begin to imagine how he would react.

From earlier conversations, it seemed he was also uncomfortable with Witches.

“…No.”

If he found out she was a Witch, would he style it out as he always did, brushing it off lightly?

Or would he shove her away, saying something like, Witches are filthy, I can’t be around that?

“Vivian!”

“…Huh?”

When she came to her senses, she realized she had arrived at the Castle of Rondore.

She hadn’t even noticed how far she had wandered while lost in thought.

-Swish.

Kyle threw off his red bear helmet and said.

“What have you been thinking about since earlier?”

His voice was laced with undeniable concern.

“You seem off today, are you okay?”

As soon as she saw Kyle’s face after he took off his helmet, her heart began to race once more.

Vivian observed his face closely.

He thinks he’s her enemy now.

…She simply couldn’t imagine it.

Even as a Witch Hunter.

But the fear of that possibility was genuine.

Thinking that the man who had only protected her could possibly take her life turned her blood cold.

“…Kyle.”

Unconsciously, Vivian reached out her hand towards Kyle.

Without saying a word, Kyle took her hand, helping her down from the horse.

-Squeak…

“…Vivian?”

But Vivian didn’t let go of his hand even after stepping down.

Her heart trembled with anxiety, making it hard to release his hand.

The feeling she had when he was away on an expedition came rushing back.

Empty, scared… that weakened sense.

She had thought she had become stronger, but ultimately, it had been an illusion built on relying on his presence.

Vivian snickered at her own weakness.

Finding comfort leaning against an enemy. How embarrassing and shameful!

But that weakness was still there.

In this fear, Vivian wanted to know what Kyle was thinking.

She wanted to hear that he was on her side, that he’d continue to be.

Today, she had only used her magic once.

Once when confirming the paladin’s lie.

It meant she could use it two more times in the future.

“…Kyle.”

“So, what have you been thinking since earlier?”

It was magic she had never used on Kyle before.

She had postponed it out of fear of seeing his true feelings.

But now the anxiety felt too greatness.

She needed to know how he thought of her.

Whether his concern was genuine, wanting to feel at ease.

“Kyle, do you… dislike me?”

Kyle looked visibly dumbfounded.

“What are you talking about? Have you lost it?”

“Just answer me quickly.”

“Why are you acting like this?”

Kyle placed his hand on Vivian’s forehead, as if checking for a fever.

Even that simple touch made Vivian feel warmth.

In that warmth, she slowly gathered courage.

“Just pretend to be crazy and answer me. I will only ask once.”

“…”

Kyle’s expression began to harden gradually.

He seemed hesitant, unable to fully follow her emotions.

“…Last time, you found out I was lying, right? Is this part of that?”

“…”

Vivian didn’t answer.

Kyle seemed uncomfortable in that silence, letting out a sigh as he scratched his head.

He said.

“…Are you being serious? Of course, I dislike you. You plan to throw me into the Punishment Unit and refuse to send me home. How could I not hate you?”

“…But you’ve protected me all this time.”

“I told you clearly that it was a sense of obligation, guilt.”

…A very slight blue light.

A gaze that spoke of the truth.

His feelings were conveyed through his eyes.

“…”

However, contrary to her expectations of shock… Vivian felt more at peace than she thought.

No, that couldn’t be right.

She thought.

More than the magic’s powers, Vivian was trusting her instincts.

The memories made with Kyle ran deep, allowing her to squeeze out one more question.

“…Then Kyle, do you… like me?”

Kyle’s body froze in shock.

The corners of his eyes trembled slightly.

“…”

He kept opening and closing his mouth repeatedly.

Finally, he frowned and said.

“…Didn’t you just hear me? I said I hate you just a moment ago.”

Kyle’s eyes lit up with a strong red hue.

It blazed as brightly as Vivian’s hair.

It was an undeniable, firm lie.

He hates her, but he also likes her.

That was his true feeling.

Vivian had to suppress a laugh that almost escaped her.

“…Ha.”

…How could they share such similar feelings?

It seemed that she and he had a lot in common.

Vivian nodded.

“…I get it.”

And with a somewhat relaxed heart, she released his hand and turned away.

 

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