Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

WITH the City of Fol just a short distance ahead, Luca ordered the army to begin preparations for a siege. None of that mattered to Yuki though; she found herself utterly stunned by the outrageous fantasy-like things the man in front of her said.

“…What’s a Witch?” Yuki asked, not following the conversation.

The handsome young man with blond hair who spouted the fantasy info-dump—Luca—sat leisurely in his chair staring at Yuki with a brooding air. She had no idea what he was thinking.

Yuki had worn nothing but pale dresses during their trip, until she was suddenly told to wear a shabby gray patchwork mantle over a richly colored dress.

“Hey, say something. You made me wear these weird clothes. What’s going on?”

“Witches like to wear that kind of clothing. Keeping up appearances is important,” Luca replied shortly.

“What’s a Witch, anyway? Shouldn’t you start by telling me about that?”

Luca sighed as if answering her question was a nuisance. Ain quickly offered an explanation from where he stood beside her.

“I see you do not know about Witches either, Yuki. Make sure you listen carefully—I won’t explain this again. Witches are a race that predominantly inhabits Maruk and Rvydom. They have long lifespans, love dark colors, and are said to only be female.”

“Hah,” Yuki raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“Witches are also said to cast spells.”

Another fantasy world comment?

“Cast spells…? Like magic?” Yuki responded in disbelief.

“Well, you are not wrong thinking in those terms. Although the spells they are capable of casting depends on the Witch.”

“Do they fly and make weird potions?”

“Apparently many Witches do… At least according to the historical texts,” Ain added the last part after a thoughtful pause.

From the way Ain spoke, Yuki assumed he never encountered a real Witch.

“Have you never seen a Witch, Ain?”

“Me? Not that I know of. Well, there is not a lot of information on Witches in the first place. In the past, there was a large-scale witch hunt, which greatly decreased their population. Furthermore, Witches make it a point not to reveal themselves. Even if you happen to come across a Witch, there is a high chance you will not realize it.”

“Heh,” Yuki hummed, impressed. Then it dawned on her, “How do Witches reproduce if they are all female?”

“Clever girl,” Luca commented, playing with the hem of her mantle.

“Witches have children with normal men. If the child is male, they remain a normal human like their father. If female—they become a Witch. And eventually the Witch will disappear with her Witch daughter,” Ain explained, as though that was a natural course of events.

“So that kind of race exists in this world too, huh?” Yuki muttered fascinated. After a moment’s thought she added, “So why do I have to dress up like one of those Witches? That’s what I want to know the most.”

Yuki yanked the hem of her mantle away from Luca. Ain didn’t seem to know the answer to her question. “Uum…” he mumbled, glancing at Luca.

“You see, the conquering general holding the castle in Fol right now,” Luca smirked, “is rumored to have a thing for little girls. In the past he laid his hands on a certain girl.”

Has a thing for little girls? Meaning he’s a pedophile? Ew! Yuki grimaced.

“And apparently that girl was actually a Witch…and she viciously turned the tables on him.”

“I see…what a disgusting general. But what exactly does that have to do with my clothing?” Yuki questioned, slamming her fist on the table in front of Luca. She did not like where this plan was heading. He didn’t flinch—he merely glanced at her.

“You might not know this, but there’s a Witch known as the Legendary Witch. She looks around ten years old and is said to have violet eyes.”

Yuki’s bad feeling about the situation doubled. Was Luca planning to use her to dupe the general?

“…Are you telling me to become that Witch?”

“Whether General Isis laid his hands on the Legendary Witch or not, I’m sure your presence will traumatize him.” Luca looked Yuki straight in the eyes. His sullen expression was as hard to read as always, but she thought his eyes were sincere. “Will you come with me?”

If you plead with me using such a handsome face I won’t be able to turn you down, Yuki cursed internally.

***

“YOU’LL be fine as long as you stay confident and assert yourself,” Luca said, leading Yuki by the hand.

Covered from head to toe by the gray patchwork mantle, Yuki allowed Luca to lead the way, because she couldn’t walk well with her face hidden. She had been pulling at the odd material since leaving Luca’s encampment at the edge of Fol.

Ain’s words echoed in Yuki’s head. “I heard General Isis is keeping Adolunde’s prisoners of war locked in Fol Castle. No sooner than he set foot on Fol’s battlefield was he able to overwhelmingly fight his way through any resistance to the castle itself. He easily overtook the guards and conquered the castle. He put out an open invitation for Prince Luca and his Master to come and negotiate with him since the day he took over.”

The man must be scary if he’s accomplished all this so quickly. Yuki shivered at the thought of meeting him.

Luca’s troops easily pushed back any wandering soldiers and surrounded Fol Castle after setting up camp a slight distance away. Only Luca and Yuki were invited inside to discuss the next course of action with General Isis. An invitation that would have resulted in an all-out battle had it been refused.

“Why must I go with him?” Yuki asked.

“The messenger stated those taken captive will be executed unless Prince Luca and his Master come.”

“Master?” Yuki asked, confused.

“Within the Knighthood, Prince Luca has taken you as his Master.” Yuki blinked before realizing the ceremony at Adolunde’s Castle had made her Luca’s official Master.

Entirely unaware of her thoughts, Ain continued, “There is also the possibility of the enemy taking you hostage, or finding another use for you, I’m sure. General Isis is a depraved man, and I would not put it past him to have invited you for that purpose.”

“A battle would have started right away had I turned it down,” Luca explained after accepting the invitation. “The most satisfactory result would be the capitulation of the castle, but I want to prioritize rescuing the prisoners first. That’s why I accepted his invitation. Understand?”

That’s what he said, but… I don’t even know whether I can do anything to help—yet I came to a place like this. I can pretend I’m the Witch and make a run for it if things get ugly, but I doubt I can be of actual use except as a shield. Yuki’s archery case clattered against her back with every step. I don’t understand this guy.

She walked toward the castle gate with Luca’s hand clasped around hers. Thinking about it, Yuki realized she didn’t even know how old he was. All she knew right now was his hand was colder than hers—in fact, it was freezing. She glanced up at him through the opening in her mantle.

“Look straight,” he angrily chided.

I get the feeling he’s not a bad person, but… He gave her a decent amount of space, explained things when she was confused, and provided for her when she needed food and shelter. He’s got a horrible split personality though.

One thing she learned by traveling with Luca for the last week was he could be incredibly courteous. He would smile brightly and be polite in front of the people in the different towns they visited along the way, but when he was with just Yuki and Ain his face would suddenly sour. His charming smile replaced by a nasty nihilistic smile.

Well, I’m sure his uncivil side is the real him. He’s pretty skilled to constantly change his expressions and attitude. Yuki was impressed by his dual-personality.

“Don’t zone out,” Luca said, squeezing her hand.

Startled, Yuki looked up at Luca’s face—he didn’t show even the slightest sign of nervousness as he stared straight ahead.

He could be a little more nervous. Just how arrogant is he? What kind of upbringing causes someone to develop two personalities? Well, he is a prince. With his blond hair, blue eyes, handsome physique and swordsmanship, I’m sure he was never troubled to find a woman.

I’m suspicious of whether it’s really okay for any human to be as perfect as him. Oh, wait, the fact he has a split personality makes him less than perfect.

“Hehe,” Yuki giggled. Luca glared at her. His expression was pained.

“This isn’t a place I should have ever taken you, but…”

Yuki’s mantle hung low over her face, obstructing her view of him, but his voice sounded apologetic. It was her first time hearing him sound that way. Her chest tightened with panic.

“Somehow my Bonding with you was already brought to Isis’ attention—making it impossible to bring someone else. Puts us at a disadvantage.”

“Um, then I’ll do my best not to get in your way. I’ll work with you to help save the prisoners.” She squeezed his hand back and peered up at him. What she could see of his face through the opening in the mantle appeared startled by her offer.

“Sorry,” he said with his usual mischievous smirk when their eyes met.

Yuki was oddly able to understand why he made her dress like a Witch and held her hand the whole way. He’s trying to reassure me and keep me from feeling afraid.

She noticed his consideration of her feelings. The perfect seeming Luca’s clumsy kindness tickled at her image of a fantasy prince.

“It was my short temper that had me force you into being my Master. I’ll protect you to the best of my ability.”

They squeezed each other’s hand as the massive door in front of them slowly opened.