Chapter 189

As ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the Elf said, light appeared once more.

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍person who entered my sight this time was Kim Yuseong, wearing quite dignified attire.

He ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍seemed to have become a warrior of the shrine.

It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was an easy goal for a talent who would later be called the Sword Saint.

I ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍noted Cha Jaehee and the Witch who were beside him.

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Witch, who would normally not be able to leave the shrine building, was facing the two on the shrine grounds.

Was it possible because Kim Yuseong, as a warrior of the shrine, was protecting her?

Well, that wasn't important, and I listened to the voice Cha Jaehee spat out.

"It's soon the coming-of-age ceremony. That means there isn't much time left for us to meet secretly like this. It won't matter for you and Yuseong since you'll stay in the village, but I was notified of the date of my coming-of-age ceremony a few days ago."

"The coming-of-age ceremony?"

"Really?"

The two who were listening showed surprised reactions.

They knew there would be a coming-of-age ceremony, but they seemed surprised because the timing was a bit early.

After all, Cha Jaehee’s birthday was in winter, not autumn.

There were almost no cases where the coming-of-age ceremony was held nearly two months early.

If Cha Jaehee had caused trouble in the village, he would have been kicked out of the village directly rather than having a coming-of-age ceremony.

Of course, they would have kicked him out after sealing his mana with magic as they did in the coming-of-age ceremony.

"So, have you heard anything from the shrine people?"

The Witch immediately denied it.

"Not at all. They almost never say useless things in front of me."

"Sigh... Well, I was just itching to leave the village anyway. It's a waste to be tied to this boring village, a person like me."

Cha Jaehee shrugged his shoulders as if he could not help it.

He immediately continued his words.

"Ah! Of course, it might be a shame for you two that there isn't much time left for me to be with you."

The Witch narrowed her eyes and said.

"As if."

"Ahem, in that sense, I'm thinking of something interesting... How about it, want to hear it?"

Kim Yuseong and the Witch nodded simultaneously.

"It's Chuseok soon, isn't it? I heard they're holding quite a large festival at the Jongno market. Whether from the city or the village, all the people in the outskirts of Seoul will gather to share food, create interesting sights, and even set off fireworks."

The Witch’s eyes shone.

"Really? Fireworks?"

"Yes! Fireworks that burst into the night sky with a loud noise like the world is being overhauled! How about we go to Jongno on Chuseok? The three of us have almost never gone out together. Coincidentally, my coming-of-age ceremony is also the week after Chuseok."

Cha Jaehee’s words were sweet.

However, Kim Yuseong, the warrior of the shrine, spoke as if it were difficult.

"Would that not be difficult? It's hard to leave the shrine while avoiding the eyes of the people, and what if there's a human who recognizes Hye in Jongno?"

"Do not worry. I tell you, more humans than all the humans you've met in your life combined will gather. Who would recognize us while we're hidden among them?"

"That's true, but..."

"Furthermore, you, a warrior of the shrine, are by her side, aren't you? Most hoodlums' provocations will be settled at your level."

"But the important thing is Hye’s will. If by some chance the worst-case scenario occurs, it ends with you and me being kicked out of the village, but Hye’s position is different."

Her position was different.

He was referring to the fact that, unlike the previous Head of the Shrines, she was mixed with human blood.

The Witch spoke.

"I am fine."

"What?"

"If I can build memories with you two, if that is the last opportunity, I am ready to handle anything. And above all..."

"Above all?"

When Kim Yuseong asked, the Witch wore a bright smile.

"I love this city as much as you two do. So I want to experience everything. I want to see what human interests are, what kind of smiles they wear, and I want to watch everything I haven't seen. You two who roam outside freely might not know, but for me, outside the shrine is a world I am immensely curious about, like a world where countless gifts are placed."

The two could say nothing.

They were likely making a resolution to create the best memories for the Witch.

That memory ended there.

When my vision darkened again, the Elf spoke.

—They have come up with a reckless plan.

—Indeed.

—Do you also think it is reckless?

—It is reckless. They are doing something that could get them kicked out of the village. But is it not a precious opportunity as well?

—A precious opportunity?

—Even if irreversible regret remains, there would be nothing better than that deviation to remember each other by.

—Remembering each other... I know what you mean. Most humans I have met would find meaning in the past.

—Are Elves not the same?

She replied without a change in expression.

—For us, time is a meaningless commodity. Death by aging is also just returning to nature. Of course... it is different when reaching an improper death. Such as being invaded by a Demonic Being.

She was talking about the extermination of the Elf race.

A story I had not described, and which was not even in the setting book.

To be precise, there is only an irresponsible description that higher races beyond the rift were exterminated by Demonic Beings.

Of course, that wouldn't be important.

—Then let us watch a bit more.

Along with her words, my vision brightened again.

This time, a place that looked like the Jongno market was visible.

A crowd that appeared to be more numerous than the grains of sand on a beach, as Cha Jaehee had said.

A crowd several times larger than the one at the fireworks festival I had attended with Do Minyeong in District 10 was gathered.

What they were focusing on in the crowded situation was a temporary photo studio.

Though it was only a shabby tent of about ten square meters, many people were lining up to take photos.

A very natural sight considering it was 1959.

For the Sword Saint, the Phantom Thief, and the Witch, there would be nothing better than a photo to prove their memories.

"This is very expensive to take just once. Thanks to me roaming the market and inquiring tirelessly, I was able to make a reservation at a particularly low price."

Cha Jaehee put on airs.

The Witch, who was wearing a dirty cloak to hide her identity, spoke with a sigh.

"Would it have been nice to tell me in advance? If I had known we were taking a photo, I would have come out with at least a bit more care."

"With more care? You only have a few sets of clothes anyway."

"What? You say that because you do not know, but I've received many things like vestments as gifts from the humans who visit the shrine."

"Hmph, I just wanted to surprise you. And what is the importance of being well-dressed? Isn't the fact that the three of us were in the same place itself the important thing?"

"Th-That's true, but... why are you saying things that are unlike you?"

"Unlike me? I've always been a fellow full of romance. I'm a man who embraces the grand ambition of traveling the world in this wide chest."

"Hah, you make me laugh."

Senseless conversation followed.

As students of that age usually do, they laughed and talked over trivial things.

Time passed like that, and they entered under the photo studio tent.

The photographer was an American.

Looking at his burly physique, he might have been from the American military.

Anyway, they stood in front of a white cloth, and they all froze while looking at the camera.

"Should we not take it while smiling?"

"I... I am already smiling."

"Cha Jaehee, do you know that your expression is the most awkward?"

The photographer soon gave a hand signal.

It meant they should not move because he was about to take the photo now.

At that moment, the Witch took off the hood she had been wearing.

A sudden action because she wanted to reveal her face like Kim Yuseong and Cha Jaehee.

Before they could stop her, a crude flash went off, and only then did she hurriedly pull up the hood.

"I-It'll be fine, right? No one outside would have recognized me, right?"

It is a funny thing for her, who can predict the future of humans, to have such a concern.

That is, if one does not know that the future she sees is only one of many possibilities.

In fact, most of the humans who came to see her did not meet the predicted future.

This was because at the point they knew the future, meeting that future was close to impossible.

The Witch being unable to see her own future followed the same context.

The moment one perceives the future, it falls to a meaningless daydream.

Whether it is a tragedy or a comedy.

It was meaningless until one faced the incident occurring directly.

Such as the Sword Saint, the Phantom Thief, and the Witch, who returned to the village after enjoying the festival to their hearts' content.

"The disappointment is great, Head of the Shrine. To break the rules and leave the shrine... and to a festival where humans were gathered, at that."

The ones who waited for them at the entrance of the village were the people of the shrine.

It was natural for them to have noticed her deviation from the beginning.

There was no way the Demonic Beings who had directly crossed the rift would have failed to feel the mana of a mere half-blood vanish.

"This matter cannot be simply overlooked. The shrine will hold the Head of the Shrine accountable for her crime. Furthermore, the half-breeds who accompanied her... Ahem, those two will be kicked out of the village right now according to the rules."

It was a sound like a bolt from the blue to them, who thought they would simply be kicked out.

The Witch spoke as if appealing.

"Wait a moment! We did not cause any trouble with the humans! We admit our fault, but to execute us right away...! Furthermore, is Yuseong not a warrior of the shrine!"

"In that case, we should hand down an even more severe punishment. How could we forgive someone who has forgotten his duty as a warrior of the shrine?"

"Th-That's...!"

The people of the shrine surrounded them.

No matter how outstanding Kim Yuseong’s skills were, facing Demonic Beings who had lived for a long time was a difficult task.

As expected, numerous spells were directed at Kim Yuseong and Cha Jaehee, and they were soon bound and suspended in the air without even being able to resist.

"Head of the Shrine, remember this matter clearly. There are no exceptions to the rules of the shrine. If such a thing happens even one more time... we do not know what we might do then."

"..."

The one who stood at the front and spoke said as he looked back at the group.

"Quickly take the Head of the Shrine to her quarters in the shrine. Do not serve her meals for the next few days. Postpone all scheduled oracles as well. Lock the door until she shows signs of self-reflection. And..."

The one who was looking back at the group shifted his gaze back to the Witch.

"It seems the Head of the Shrine needs some mental training."

"..."

At the words mental training, the Witch’s hands trembled.

It was not anger.

In this case, it was fear.

The memories of having undergone spells close to brainwashing and physical punishment by the Demonic Beings since childhood because she possessed the Source of Gray pressed upon her.

—What do you think?

The memory stopped along with the Elf’s voice.

To describe it, it was a pause.

I replied while keeping my gaze fixed on the silently crying Witch.

—She is piteous.

—And?

—I was curious whether she would also regret this situation. Because she said she was ready to handle anything for the sake of the memories.

—Did it look to you like she was regretting it?

Well.

There was no way to know without asking her directly.

However, the thought occurred that she might be blaming herself.

The fact that her existence became a pain for the ones she loved.

—It looks more like she is blaming herself rather than regretting. The blame of 'Why was it specifically me who was endowed with the Source of Gray?'

—Interesting.

—...

I turned my head and gazed at one man among the group.

He was wearing the most incongruous expression in this memory.

—The Demonic Being Gen...

I was certain.

One of the Demonic Beings who hid among them and opened the Great Rift in 1959.

The character who sacrificed the Source of Gray.

Soon, my vision was dyed black once more.

This time, I asked the Elf first.

—What are you going to show me now?

—The final chapter of the tragedy.

—The reason why the Great Rift opened.

The Elf nodded.

—Then let us watch. The final story of the Sword Saint, the Phantom Thief, and the Witch.

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