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Originally a hunting forest, after Shaalta Chartres came to rule this land, it was offered as a tribute to the queen. Later, it was bestowed upon the Witch households that arrived with her, becoming the Witch households’ base. The animals such as wild boars once released into the forest were eradicated, and now only small animals like deer and squirrels live there, moderately thinned out.

In ancient times, Seven Witches who supported the royal ancestor Shamo Chartres gathered herbs in the forest north of the Black Sea. They bought parts of animals from hunters and belonged to a clan of pharmacists who refined medicine. Respected as sages of the forest, they served Shamo Chartres well, becoming the cornerstone of the later Great Empire.

The forest was a source of medicinal herbs, and for the Witch households claiming descent from the Seven Witches, having a forest near their homes was an important confirmation of their proud lineage. Leaving the deer was because the antlers of young stags were an important medicinal herb, a key ingredient in medicines. However, the reason for keeping them was the only trace of the ancestors’ occupation, which the last Witches living today had long since forgotten. The last clan that cherished tradition, passed down skills, and refined medicine was the Yurumi Witch Household in the Kilghina Kingdom, a Witch clan that was not protected in the Shaalta Kingdom and had long been extinct.

In the heart of that forest stands one house. In the perfectly maintained forest, with a few trees felled, a small wooden house stands in an open area. Upon closer inspection, the house appeared to have been skillfully crafted by a talented carpenter, using the finest wood and cedar bark meticulously applied to the exterior walls. The roof was not made of boards or tiles but was covered with natural stone. This natural stone was mined in a land called “Beard Valley” from the now-defunct Yalta Kingdom, a famous export at the time. The slab-like joints formed on a cliff in Beard Valley had uniform thickness, making the andesite extracted from there ideal for roofing without much processing.

Of course, in the modern era, long after the fall of the Yalta Kingdom, houses using such stones did not exist. The houses that were once roofed with those stones had been rebuilt or re-roofed using different methods, and now only this one house remained. The stones used for the current roof were purchased in bulk by the ancestors of the current Witches at the time of the fall of the Yalta Kingdom.

Using the architectural techniques of the Great Empire era, building a house like those from that time, no matter the cost, was a modest pride for the witches. Wooden houses, which were not as durable as stone constructions, had stood there for nearly nine hundred years, undergoing numerous rebuilds and repairs, with little change from how they were then. The only notable change was the disappearance of the room once called the dispensary, with shelves of medicinal herbs and mixing tools, which has now become a storage room.

Inside that house, six Witches were gathered.

Vivila Marmasset

Sharne Charleville

Keagel Carsefit

Jura Lakramanus

Gula Temper

Kiki Enphile

Except for the head of the Gyudanvier family, the heads of each household were gathered under one roof.

“That’s the situation. And then, they asked me to run an errand and let me go.”  (Keagel)

Keagel Carsefit finished explaining. Those words were not in modern Shan language. They were in ancient Shan language.

At the evening gathering (Sabbath) held in this house, it was customary to use the ancient Shan language. As inheritors of the culture dating back to the Great Empire, and being at the apex of the Seven houses, it was only natural for the Witches to speak the ancient Shan language. It was considered that those who could not do so were ignorant and had no right to speak.

“I see… then your place is going to be in trouble.” (Kiki)

Kiki Enphile remarked.  The Enfile Household held many positions in the royal court, so if what Keagel Carsefit said was correct, they would be the least affected by their family business being disrupted. It seemed they would continue to be relatively secure.

“What are you going to do from now on?” (??)

“I don’t know… I have no idea.” (??)

The Carsefit Household’s business mainly involved the Second Army, which would likely be disbanded in the future. It would be unthinkable to leave it as it was. If that were to happen, the entire Carsefit family business would disappear, and if their reserves were depleted in the future, the family might find themselves destitute. Simply put, the Carsefit family would be the most affected.

“Why not raise a private army? I can hire some if you need. A few won’t hurt.” (Vivila)

Vivila Marmasset spoke up. The Second Army was responsible for guarding the Witch’s Forest and also played a role in military policing within the capital. If they were gone, there would be demand for hiring private army.

“From now on, it might be better to call them mercenaries. Well, more or less, everyone will have to change their work…”  (Vivila)

“That’s beside the point!” (Sharne)

Sharne Charleville interrupted Vivila’s words with a sharp tone, slamming the table. No one reacted with surprise or deference due to age. The youngest among them, Jura Lakramanus, was the only one who flinched and reacted.

“Guuh—” (Sharne)

Sharne Charleville tried to stand but quickly became breathless due to old age and sat back down. She had turned 120 this year. Ninety years ago, the talented woman who had once been notorious as a schemer was now wheezing like this.

“…Ha, ha. Whether our dealings with the Papal States have been exposed to Yuri Hou or not, that’s what we should be discussing now. How many people already know? The six of us here, plus Boff and Noza…” (Sharne)

Sharne Charleville grimaced bitterly.

“Kuh… That’s why I said… we shouldn’t involve them.” (Sharne)

“…What’s the use of saying that now? You reluctantly agreed back then too. After the assassination, we needed to prepare against the Hou and Rube Households.” (Gula)

Gula Temper remarked. The Temper Household held strong interests in the royal capital’s port. The idea of bringing in the heads of the Boff and Noza Households had been hers.

“We should have ignored it. Those spineless turncoats won’t move anyway.” (Sharne)

“If we get sandwiched between the Hou and Rube Household, we won’t stand a chance. Without a contract, Boff will let Rube’s army through. Then we’ll be done for, just like we discussed.”  (Gula)

Gula Temper was still young, in her seventies. She struggled with ancient Shan language and had developed a habit of repeating the same word endings. In her opinion, even if the Hou Household were to be wiped out, there would still be one wing of the General household with guts. That was the Rube Household, and the assumption was to assassinate both households simultaneously, that would be ideal. However, if that were impossible, they needed to halt the Rube Household’s movements.

“Sharne, you’re not dismissing something that was decided at the Sabbath.” (Vivila)

Vivila Marmasset spoke, asserting her strong position within this gathering, seated at the highest place. Even though it was called the agreement of the Sabbath, the Gudanvier family was absent. Ignoring the Seven Witch Covenant was taboo for the Witches present here, but there was also a convention that those who betrayed the entire Witch community could be purged. In order to expand this, it was decided to remove Gudanvier.

“I agree that the Crusade’s exposure must be avoided. Since the Second Army is no more, we mustn’t forget that they’re capable of anything.” (Vivila)

Vivila said while looking at Keagel Carsefit. Although she had claimed to have risked her life to go after Yuri Hou, Vivila didn’t entirely believe it.

“The situation is the same for both Noza and Boff. The information hasn’t leaked from the top where they hold celestial titles. It’s not that dire of a situation.” (Gula)

Gula Temper remarked.

“Indeed. If we consider what’s to come, it’s wiser for them to keep quiet. They should have enough sense for that.” (Vivila)

Vivila concurred.

“Now, what about the escape plan…?” (Jura)

The first to speak up today was Jura Lakramanus, the youngest present here. She was only half as old as Gula Tempur, having recently graduated from the academy. Her face bore scars as if cut with a blade.

“Tsk…”  (Sharne)

Sharne Charleville clicked her tongue. Due to missing teeth, it came out as a sucking noise.

“The Boff and Noza Households won’t take us in. Don’t you understand even that much? Or are you planning to beg Yuri Hou to send you to Aisa’s isolated island?” (Jura)

Since Yuri How’s company now managed the shipping to Aisa’s isolated island, it was only possible to cross through the Hou family. Thanks to celestial navigation, which had significantly lower accident rates compared to traditional navigation, other forms of shipping had become obsolete within just a few years. Nowadays, the journey to Aisa isolated island by ship was not life-threatening. While some strolled back and forth nearby as if on a walk, no one sought perilous voyages anymore.

“B-but… Yuri Hou…” (Jura)

“What that? Honestly, it’s as if the Rouge is crying in the grass. How pitiful.” (Sharne)

“…I’m sorry,” (Jura)

Jura Lakramanus muttered, crestfallen. Surrounded by seasoned witches, Jura felt exceptionally weak. The memories of her humiliating defeat in the All-School Tougi Tournament, coupled with the recent death of Rouge while she assumed her role as the head, had left her shrinking within the Sabbath, where she was constantly ridiculed.

“What happened to that confidence you had when you brought that document?” (Sharne)

“You were so energetic back then. You were so excited to get back at Yuri Hou. Are you scared now?” (Vivila)

Charleville and Marmasset, the two elders, berated Jura, causing her to further slump. Her head seemed to be in trouble.

“Even though you missed Yuri Hou, it seems like you went to the morgue and stabbed his parents in the stomach. Maybe you had a grudge. I don’t know how you feel, but what if Yuri Hou saw the bodies? Do you think…” (Kiki)

Kiki Enphile spoke up.

Kiki was known for her compassionate nature among this group and was not fond of the bullying of the younger members by the old members. Throughout previous Sabbaths, Kiki had often come to Jura’s aid. However, on this occasion, she couldn’t remain silent.

“Ah, did you do that…” (Gula)

Gula Temper sighed. This information was known because of the Enphile family’s strong connections to the royal castle. Except for Marmasset and Charleville, to whom Kiki had consulted beforehand, the others were hearing this for the first time.

“Did you not consider the possible consequences when Yuri Hou escaped? If this was done after learning that news, there’s no redeeming this” (Gula)

“Ugh…” (Jura)

Jura winced, gripping her head as if enduring a headache. Her mind was already overwhelmed with fear of Yuri Hou and the pressure from the heads of the Witch households, threatening to burst at the seams.

*Screeeech.*

Unexpectedly, the door to the cabin creaked open. All five sets of eyes turned towards the door.

Standing there was an elderly woman with a cane. It was Luida Gudanvier.

“You—” (Vivila)

Vivila Marmasset said.

“You seem to be having quite the fun without my knowledge. Allow me to join you.” (Luida)

Luida sat down in her own chair, the only empty one, with a pale face. She sat in the last seat closest to the entrance, so the walk was short. Since the Gudanvier Household was excluded, the seating arrangement hadn’t changed. The end seat had always been Luida’s spot.

“Why have you come?” (Vivila)

Vivila inquired. There was a longstanding animosity between the two, and their relationship remained strained.

“I’ve come to enjoy the spectacle of fools from the best seat in the house, of course. They say a drowning man will clutch at a straw… hehehe. I’ve done business with merchants for years, but who knew it would work just as well with the Great Witches.” (Luida)

Luida chuckled merrily, seemingly relieved to release pent-up frustrations. The Gudanvier Household was currently treated as being of inferior rank, but it hadn’t always been that way.

Originally, the Gudanvier family’s business was real estate. Their ancestors, who came to the peninsula 900 years ago, foresaw the expansion of the royal capital and acquired undeveloped land on the outskirts of the royal capital. At that time, with pervasive uncertainties about the future, there was little movement to invest in real estate, which was considered a less liquid asset.

They used up most of their imported funds for this endeavor. By the time the next generation took over, the capital’s expansion had reached that area, and they began earning stable profits as landlords. The prosperity of the Gudanvier family began there, purchasing and selling properties in the royal capital, reaching a pinnacle of prosperity for a time. However, it was ruined by Luida’s predecessor, who began to believe that trade would be more profitable and indiscriminately sold their prime properties to other Witch households.

The fleet they invested in heavily was always in the red. The trade they started without a clear plan, without knowing what to buy or where to sell, wandered aimlessly. Instead of cutting their losses and closing the business, they continued aimlessly, and as a result, most of the Gudanvier ‘s assets disappeared. By the time Luida took over, all that was left were scattered bits of land throughout the capital and seats as executives in the royal castle. Luida relied on these assets to rebuild the family gradually, gathering funds and slowly reconstructing the household.

When Luida inherited the family leadership, she put up signs as big as the tiny plots of land would allow and sought advertisers. Eventually, she resorted to hiring thugs to intimidate shopkeepers into advertising. However, due to their limited capital, they could never catch up with the other households. The Gudanvier Household had experienced a resurgence, but compared to the other Seven Great Witch households, their status had declined. And so, the granddaughter who should have been entrusted with the next generation betrayed Luida and went in a completely different direction. Luida’s disappointment at that time was beyond words.

“It was wrong to exclude Gudanvier, but the blame lies with your daughter. We were desperate too.” (Sharne)

Sharne Charleville said.

“I don’t care about that, Sharne-baba. In fact, I’d almost like to thank you. We’re still intact.” (Luida)

Sharne Charleville was five years older than Luida. Though at this age, the age difference didn’t matter much, in their youth, they had been close, partly because their houses were adjacent. The term Sharun-baba was a remnant of those days when Sharne was addressed as Sharun-ane.

“What do you mean, intact? Your household isn’t all that great.” (Vivila)

“Your family is probably going to be disbanded. Serves you right.” (Luida)

“Unfortunately, that won’t happen. Yuri Hou came to placate us. Too bad for you.” (Vivila)

Vivila said, her expression twisted with displeasure. Marmasset was a household that had entrenched itself among the merchants of the city and grew through intimidation tactics. Vivila became the head of her household about ten years earlier than Luida and bought a considerable amount of land from Luida’s predecessor. When Luida assumed leadership, she claimed that the land bought by the previous head at the end of his tenure was too cheap, thus violating the Seven Witch Covenant. Since then, although there was no decisive confrontation, there was a rivalry between them, and they weren’t on good terms.

“Hah… you’re quite confident to say that. Have you even met Yuri Hou? I have, and I’ve spoken to him directly. I bet you haven’t exchanged a single word with him.” (Luida)

Luida said, looking at Jura Lakramanus.

“That woman over there is a complete fool, but she’s seen and knows Yuri Hou herself. That’s why she’s scared like this. Maybe she’s better than you lot.” (Luida)

Luida continued, causing Jura to flinch when she was mentioned. Confidence was nowhere to be found in her now, unlike her past self. Indeed, Jura saw something different from the others, as Luida pointed out.

“What are you trying to say? Don’t speak in riddles.” (Vivila)

Vivilasaid, sounding irritated. She didn’t like seeing Luida looking so smug. For seventy years or so, Vivila had always been on top, and Luida had always been beneath her. While the gap gradually closed, it never reversed. Being looked down upon by Luida was unbearable for her.

“That boy is the kind who hits back when he’s hit. He won’t just take a beating.” (Luida)

As Luida spoke, a sense of tension crept into the expressions of the five Witches.

“If you’re hit, hit back and if you’re killed, kill back… That’s what we’ve always done. And yet, here you all are, conveniently banding together.” (Luida)

Luidachuckled with genuine amusement.

“Deciding whether to turn the right cheek or the left cheek… How absurd.” (Luida)

Vivila’s brow furrowed as she glared at Luida.

“Luida, did you betray us?”

Upon hearing Vivila’s accusation, Luida ceased her laughter. She sighed softly and regarded Vivila with a look of boredom.

“I’m a member of the Witches. It’s our pride to uphold the Seven Witch Covenant no matter what… But I haven’t sold anyone out. That boy has one of my treasured child attached with him. That girl knows the Witch’s Forest inside out. This place used to be her playground.” (Luida).

In reality, Luida hadn’t done anything at all. She hadn’t been instructed by anyone. She had independently gathered information and come here. Since Luida was left out of this conspiracy, she was able to observe the situation more calmly than anyone else from the outside.

“No…” (Jura)

Jura muttered, standing up from her chair and looking out the window.

“No! Are they already here!?” (Jura)

Though she couldn’t see the light of torches outside the window, the crescent moon cast its light over the grassy area between the forest and the cabin. In the moonlight, the glimmer of foreign metal within the forest was visible, its shadows encircling the cabin from a distance.

*Creak*

The door of the cabin creaked open slowly with a high-pitched noise.