The Witch, Who Once Was Called A Saint

In the first place, if soldiers like Eos were defeated, the town’s citizens would have no means of fighting it .

The chimera is a monster that should be defeated before that happens .

(That’s right, I’m unable to leave Eos by himself, but after knowing that, all the more reason I can’t leave!)

It’s not like the people around her will immediately realize that she’s the immortal witch when she joins the battle .

She’ll be satisfied as long as she’s able to beat it and go home .

“You’ve been making me meals as thanks, but you’ve thanked me enough . You don’t mind if I pay you for the interest, right?”

That’s right, we’ll be even with this .

It’s so that I don’t feel guilty, Astraea thought as she came closer to Eos . But although Eos had been at a lost for words for a moment, he immediately shook free from Astraea’s hand .

“You can’t, it’s dangerous . You’re not a soldier, are you?”

“Are you able to use magic so that you don’t die even falling from that height?”

“But–”

“What, do you want to say that I have no grounds for my confidence?”

“That’s… But the circ.u.mstances are different!”

“Is there a problem even though I said I have the ability to deal with it? If so, say it . ”

If he has something he wants to say, he should just say it .  I’ll try and reject all of it .

–When Astraea continued to glare at him, a boisterous laugh suddenly came from behind her .

“What’s this, you’re surprisingly losing this argument, Eosphorite . ”

“Captain!”

Eos’ voice raised in surprise, and Astraea turned around to look .

Standing there was a tanned-man with blonde hair . The man directed a good-natured smile at Astraea .

“Nice to meet you, young lady . I’m Sphale . Eosphorite’s superior officer . ”

“…Nice to meet you . ”

Even if you tell me you’re his superior officer, what are you doing eavesdropping on people’s conversations?

Come to think of it, she didn’t have the will to greet anybody, but this is the inside of a fortress . Despite being told that this is a s.p.a.ce where ordinary people can enter, she’s still an outsider . Astraea changed her mind, and cast such monotone words at Sphale with the most minimum of courtesies .

(The fact that Sir Captain here is Eos’ superior officer has nothing to do with me)

In the first place, there was something else she was more curious about instead of those finer details .

“Your name’s Eosphorite?”

The name of the man she recognized as Eos was Eosphorite, there was no other way to react but in surprise .

But for Astraea to say that, Sphale was also surprised .

“What the, you didn’t even give your name to a lady you’ve been meeting with on your days off?”

“Meet–!?”

What a way to phrase it! Isn’t that way of speaking just inviting huge misunderstandings?! Astraea thought so despite being at a loss of words from too much shock, and in contrast to her, Eos was extremely calm .

“No, she cut me off and I just couldn’t say it after . ”

“…”

When she recalled what happened then, she couldn’t exactly deny it… is what she feels .

But it’s Eos’ fault for suddenly coming out of nowhere . That’s right, that’s definitely right .

Remembering this, her troubled heart calmed down for a moment .

Oh right, that shouldn’t be important .

Eos may be Eosphorite, but in Astraea’s heart, it doesn’t change the fact that Eos is still Eos .

“Well, young lady . I also understand where Eosphorite’s coming from . Even if you’re a witch, you’re still an outsider . There’s a lot of information here that we don’t want getting out . ”

“…That’s also true . ”

“That’s why–”

Which of those were faster: Those words, or Sphale’s actions?

Even though it was within eyesight, Astraea jumped out of the way of the sword that swung down with little to no preparation . A heavy sound resounded from where Astraea had just been .

“I can’t really get along with anyone else except those I deem worthy . ”

“That’s a very dangerous way of greeting someone, isn’t it?”

“It’s still in its scabbard, the worst that could happen would be your bones getting broken, right?”

How rude, isn’t he more of a brigand than a soldier?

Should I try countering once or twice? That thought flitted through her mind, but it wasn’t possible to act on it . Because Eos forced his way between them .

“I just can’t overlook this, Captain . ”

“Oh ho, scary . Have I greatly offended you, Vice Captain Eosphorite?”

“…”

The words Vice Captain seems like it’s to establish that Eos too is a soldier with position .

But maybe because Eos didn’t want to be told that, he had on an unusually distorted expression . Of course, Astraea doesn’t plan on changing her att.i.tude towards him regardless if he hid it or not .

“…Well, it’s not like I particularly wanted to team up against it, so it’s fine . I can also defeat it on my own . ”

She can’t confirm that it’s a chimera based on just rumors, but the current Astraea is confident that she can defeat it on her own if it was some other monster .

(I might allow some of these people join me in beating it . Though they’re not too used to it)

But she couldn’t say something so easygoing as them getting used to it .

Just like the fortress witch that got pulled out of the line of battle before getting used to it, there’s a high possibility that the number of victims will increase .

(But if I battle it alone, they might praise me too much)

Even if she were to subjugate it this time, she’s afraid that a chimera might appear once more .

If that were to happen, the damage would be the same as this time .

She wanted to show the fortress soldiers a method of dealing with a chimera in case that happens .

(Well, if they don’t want me partic.i.p.ating, I can also operate on my own to prevent today’s damage)

Rather than later, she has to first settle the damages right now .

Do I even know what the soldiers plan on doing? Thinking that, Astraea glared at Sphale .

“Such a strong young lady . As strong-willed as the witch in the fairy tales . ”

“…”

“In addition to that strong will, your reaction isn’t bad… I would like to ask you to cooperate with us for the subjugation, but how about it little lady?”

“Could you please be a bit more honest in your subjugation request?”

Astraea pouted at that extremely rude way of soliciting her .

But with a buoyant mood, Sphale didn’t mind at all .

“A capable person that I had been hoping for showed up at this convenient time . Something like… there’s also a possibility that this is the empire’s trap, right? Except if you were a suspicious person, then Eosphorite wouldn’t be making such a scary face . I just thought to apologize . ”

“Eos’?”

What does this have to do with Eos’ face?

When Astraea turned to look around despite doubting Sphale as he shrugged his shoulders, Eos’ eyes had some strength to them .

“From what I see, if I wasn’t his superior officer, he would have hit me already . ”

“But it’s not as scary as you say it is . ”

“Just before you turned around, he showed me an expression as if he wanted to do it . But actually, your a.s.sistance would be a great help . Unfortunately, the only reward we can offer is some alcohol to drink . ”

Sphale’s vigilance had more or less disappeared based on his joking att.i.tude . And yet, he was still trying to sound her out but not enough to mind it .

In the first place, it would have been worrying in of itself if he had completely gotten rid of his vigilance towards me… Thinking that, Astraea once again turned around to Sphale .

“Tell me the situation . ”

“Sure, if it’s that–”

“I’ll be the one to tell you of the situation . Please go back and do your work, Captain . ”

“Wa–”

Astraea was surprised at having her shoulder firmly gripped .

Rather than saying she was unprepared, she didn’t think Eos would surprise her so she didn’t even think to be on guard for it .

Which is why she sent a look of protest at Eos, but Eos wasn’t looking at Astraea in the first place . He was completely glaring at Sphale .

(…Is it fine for you to stare at your superior officer that much?)

Is this what Sphale was talking about earlier?– While thinking that, Astraea grimaced but far from not minding it, Sphale found it interesting instead that he was being glared at .

“Yeah, yeah . I’ll leave it to you, Vice Captain . ”

“Captain!”

“Well, I’ll stop my jokes here for now . The battle’s gonna be inside the forest . It’s fine if you guys go on ahead and check the place that’s going to become the battlefield out . Eosphorite, I’ll let you explain to her while you carefully go on to the actual place . ”

His gentle voice from earlier had completely disappeared, turning firm .

Following that, Astraea’s expression became composed . And she did the same thing as Sphale did when he put his hand on his chest, and bent at his waist in salute . She thought that she had long forgotten it, but it seems that her body still remembers .

“Come here . We’re going on Lazool . ”

Astraea raised her body, and was led by Eos to the stables .

Lazool who she rode on earlier for the very first time heaved as if to say you’re late .

Eos brushed his nose in reply, my bad .

After that, when Lazool was taken out, Eos stood on a stand beside the stables . And Lazool came closer to it .

Normally, Eos would get on Lazool by putting his left foot on the left stirrup, but seeing as the stand was there, he figured it would reduce the burden on Lazool . When she thought that, a sudden thought came to mind– I should prepare a stool the next time Eos comes then .

She shook her head, thinking, No, I came here today to settle our account . There’s no next time . I’ll tell him that properly, and go back home .

“…What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing . ”

“Is that so? …By the way, can you ride a horse?”

“No . ”

“Then, excuse me . ”

As soon as he said that, Eos stooped slightly, and grabbed Astraea who was by the foot of the stool by the waist .

“EH!?”

The next moment, Astraea’s feet were in the air as her voice turned shrill .

It was different from when she flew, a floating sensation where she was being supported by gravity in two places– It was similar to how something lasted a moment but also as if time slowed down .

Before Astraea realized it, she was sitting on top of Lazool .

“…”

Isn’t he a little too powerful?

It was weird when he pulled her up outside of the castle walls earlier, but Astraea widened her eyes, not even able to react to something that happened too quickly .

While her reaction was unable to catch up, Eos too got on top of the horse .

“Lazool, it’s just us two so you’ll be fine, right? You’re strong enough to even pull a carriage . ”

When Lazool replied to Eos’ words with a light cry, he slowly began to walk first to break-in .

Astraea was unaccustomed to this shaking, but after riding Lazool who came from outside to here, she didn’t think it was that scary .

In the first place, she knew that Eos supported her very steadily, so Astraea didn’t feel it was scary .

But–

“…Hey, Eos . Are you angry about something?”

I won’t be able to calm down feeling this vaguely tense atmosphere .

This may just be my imagination, and she does think it might be better to think of it like that– But let out a small sigh at Astraea’s question .

Even Astraea was unable to realize if that was a yes .

“I’m not really mad at you . Nor at the Captain . ”

“Then who are you angry at?”

“If I had to say, I’m angry at myself . In the end, it’s still my responsibility as a soldier to lead you to somewhere dangerous . If I had found and killed it myself, this would have ended without having to purposely lead you to it . ”

“…You wouldn’t be able to defeat something you’ve never seen before, but it’s not just one person’s responsibility . You’re worrying too much . ”

Although it’ll definitely threaten the lives of the citizens if it wasn’t defeated, it’s not like Eos will be careless about it . If he was, he wouldn’t have said something like that in the first place .

Even though she thinks his sense of responsibility is strong, Astraea thought that she had to quickly defeat it for Eos’ sake .

“But you… hate coming out in public, right?”

“Huh?”

“And yet you purposely stayed . You were forced to do something unreasonable because I forgot my charm… I just thought how really inexcusable this is of me . ”

She can’t exactly deny that she doesn’t like going out . Rather, it’s something she can fully affirm . For someone like her who had lived for a longer time than humans, she can’t exactly live and adapt to others .

Which is why she’s always lived alone in that forest .

“But it’s too late for that now . ”

It was just for a moment . Everything will end when she immediately goes back to her forest, and she was also the one who offered to partic.i.p.ate .

For the most part, the reason wasn’t because of the subjugation or anything else, but because he showed up is why he’s the main cause of everything .

Actually, should I say that the main cause is him repaying me?

Even if I did save him, if he hadn’t shown up a second time, then we wouldn’t have met a second time .

It’s already come this far, so there’s no point worrying about it .

“Putting that aside, what we should be thinking right now is a way to defeat it . Are you even going to tell me the details soon?”

The words don’t worry about it, she really couldn’t think of words that could properly convey this .

That’s why the best she could do was tell him something along the lines of I’d like it if you don’t speak to me of trivial things .

“…Okay . But before I do that, we’re going to go a little faster just before we reach the forest so try not to fall . ”

Don’t bite your tongue, huh?

The same time she heard that, Lazool suddenly sped up .

A lot of things had happened so suddenly when she came here, so she never noticed but she thought, My body is shaking on top of Lazool compared to when I flew, and because I don’t know which way we’re heading, I can’t even prepare for it– wouldn’t this just shake me off?

But she thought, on the other hand, it’s like a powerful run that I never experienced when I’m flying .