chapter 25:The Witch's Sacrament
Roberta's expression hardened.
She watched the young horse bury its face in Ulrich's chest and weep. At a glance, it looked as if it were crying out of happiness. A stranger, upon seeing them, would think, 'Ah, it must be a reunion with its master after a long time,' and smile warmly.
But the truth was entirely different. That young horse was originally a person, and she had just met Ulrich for the first time. The reason the young horse was crying was that he was the only one who had recognized the truth.
Having become something other than human, how could she possibly contain her emotions upon meeting the only person who understood her plight?
Ulrich stroked the young horse and said.
"Let's move. There are too many listening ears here."
The three people and one horse—no, the four people—went to the inn's stable. The inn was bustling with customers as lunchtime approached, but the stable was quiet. Only the three people's horses were tied there.
"Try writing your name on the ground."
Ulrich said, untying the young horse's halter. The young horse then scraped the dirt floor with its hoof. Its unshod hoof crudely drew the letters.
Marika. That was the name she had been given as a person. Next, she wrote the name Matias, who was Marika's father.
Fritz, who had been watching the two names carefully, spoke.
"Matias is the Lord of Kir Castle."
Ulrich nodded.
"A vassal of Meyer."
"Yes... He's one of my father's closest men."
Fritz explained that Matias was a nobleman whose family had served as the lords of Kir Castle for generations, and he was so close to Count Meyer that they were like brothers. Fritz added that he had often met and spoken with him.
"I heard that Matias had a daughter. But she was too frail to... leave the castle, and my father even mentioned his concerns about an heir because of it."
"I see."
Hearing this, the young horse approached Fritz and nuzzled its face against him. Though they had never met, she seemed happy to meet the son of the man her father served.
A moment later, the hoof wrote a third name.
Oksana Narses. Next to the full name, the word "witch" was added. She insisted, with letters dug deeper into the dirt than when she wrote her own name, that this was the culprit who had done this to her.
*She, this witch, did this to me. The witch, out of jealousy, turned me into something that wasn't human and tried to offer me as a tribute to the heavens while my father was away.*
Marika lifted and lowered a leg that would never reach, as if a person were trying to reach out and touch her own back, motioning for them to look at the wounds on her body.
Oksana Narses. Next to the name with the surname added, the word witch was added. She insisted that she was the one who made the girl this way, with dirt dug deeper than when she wrote her own name.
Marika, as if a person were trying to reach out and touch her back, lifted and lowered a leg that would never reach, motioning for them to look at the wounds on her body.
The many wounds on the young horse's body were traces of her narrow escape from death.
"Narses..."
Roberta frowned, mulling over the surname.
"She must be a witch of considerable skill."
"Indeed. Mages reveal their level through their surname."
They looked at the full name, Oksana Narses, again.
The name Oksana was unfamiliar. But the surname Narses was impossible not to know. For he was one of the Five Sages who had laid the foundations of magic in the first age of humanity.
To list the achievements of the five one by one would be too long a story. However, one thing to know was that mages attached the name of their master or one of the Five Sages to their full name.
"Um, what do you mean by that...?"
Fritz, not understanding the conversation, asked cautiously.
"Do you mean she's a disciple of this Narses person? The witch?"
"No. It means there is no one worthy of being her master other than Narses himself."
Mages usually take their master's name as their surname. This was due to the custom of a master bestowing their name upon a disciple when they judged the disciple's achievements to be sufficient.
However, there are occasional cases where a disciple's achievements surpass their master's. In such cases, they usually refuse their master's surname. Mages are a very proud lot, after all. Claiming they cannot bear the name of someone of a lower level, they instead take the surname of the founder of their magical lineage—that is, one of the Five Sages.
Oksana is one such case. For her to use the name Narses as her surname means her magical lineage began with Narses. It also means she prides herself on being an outstanding mage.
"It's truly a pity."
"A pity?"
Roberta tilted her head.
"Narses was the most open-minded of the five. He said that anyone with talent should be able to learn magic, and that one should treat people with such an open heart. Roberta, have you not heard stories about him?"
"Yes, I have. Most mages today follow the Narses school of thought, after all. Because he took on such disciples, people gathered without distinction of poverty, class, or race, and their numbers were so great they formed a city, correct?"
"Correct. That city is the city of mages, and though its power has waned, its lineage continues."
"But why did you say it's a pity...?"
Ulrich shook his head.
"Look at how his name is being used by that child. The compassion he held for the ignorant is nowhere to be found; it is used merely as a tool to display her own confidence."
He said, stroking the face of Marika, the girl who had become a horse.
"If she understood even a fraction of his heart, she would never have dared to do such a thing to this child."
What had been cast on the girl was a vulgar magic commonly called a curse.
"She is a mage of a high enough level to perform on another what is difficult even to perform on oneself. Though we can sense it being this close, is this not a world full of mages who cannot even do that?"
To use such talent for such a base act, he said.
Roberta thought that was absolutely true. When else had she seen magic of a level that could change one's physical form to that of another species? Twice in her life. The first was on the Ice Peninsula, when the dragon Narvakayani transformed into a human.
Of course, the magic cast on Marika was not on the same level as Narvakayani's. The fact that Marika was under some kind of spell could be perceived by other priestesses or mages, not just Roberta.
The first was on the Ice Peninsula, when the dragon Narvakayani transformed into a human.
Of course, the magic cast on Marika was not on the same level as Narvakayani's. The fact that Marika was under some kind of spell could be perceived by other priestesses or mages, not just Roberta.
The dragon, on the other hand, lived up to the saying, "a mage who holds a fragment of myth." If she had met the human-formed Narvakayani elsewhere, she would never have realized he was a dragon.
"So what do we do now? Is there a way to reverse it?"
"The most common method is for the one who cast the curse to undo it themselves."
The words, *Is that even possible?* caught in her throat.
As if reading her thoughts, he added, "It would be difficult."
"Is there no other way?"
"There is, but it's not a very good one."
Ulrich said to Fritz.
"First, let's meet the witch. Fritz, guide us to Kir Castle."
*
Lord Matias was a tall, handsome man with well-defined features. Despite being the father of a young girl and having taken a second wife, he was not yet forty. When Ulrich visited Kir Castle under the alias Armin of Dithmarschen, he came out to the castle gate to greet them.
"You said your name is Armin-nim?"
*He may never have heard the name, but he couldn't ignore it with 'Dithmarschen' attached. That title is only given to the children of the Duke of Dithmarschen.* The King of Osnover was Ulrich's adopted son, and Matias's own Lord was a vassal who had served the Duke for generations. It was not a name he could dismiss simply because he'd never heard it before.
Thus, he appeared nervous. His eyes and mouth were smiling, but the sweat on his brow was not from the summer heat.
"That is correct. Duke Ulrich of Dithmarschen is my adoptive father."
"My apologies. I had heard that the Duke of Dithmarschen has many adopted sons, but I'm afraid I do not know all of their names..."
Matias looked up at Ulrich, who was seated on his saddle.
"Well, I understand. My father is a rather indulgent man, you see. I don't even know all of my own older brothers, so it would be strange for you to know of me, my Lord."
Ulrich smiled faintly.
Watching from the side, Roberta felt her skin crawl. Even though she had been warned he would be using an alias and acting, seeing it in person was another matter entirely.
This persona did suit his appearance. Ulrich looked to be about her age, after all. In fact, it had been stranger to hear him speak of ages past with such a youthful face. Had she not known Ulrich's history, she wouldn't have felt anything was amiss at all.
*'It can't be helped. It's better to hide his identity like this.'*
Ulrich's name was far too famous.
Outside of Osnover, few might know it, but within, there was no one who didn't. There was the option of revealing his identity and interrogating Matias and Oksana, but he chose the more certain path, even if it was a detour.
The name that came of it was Armin. Roberta had asked as soon as she heard the name. To her question of whether he had used it before, he had replied, 'It would be faster to find a name I haven't used.'
"This is my guard, Roberta."
Roberta, dressed in plain clothes, bowed. She, too, hid her identity and played the part of a young knight.
'It would be faster to find a name I haven't used,' he had replied.
"This is my guard, Roberta."
"And, you already know Fritz, I presume?"
The lord of the castle, Matias, widened his eyes when he spotted Fritz in the group.
"Young master? No... To think we'd meet again like this."
"It's been a while, Lord Matias."
His wary attitude toward the party vanished in an instant. There was no room for doubt when the person was vouched for by none other than his own lord's son.
"You've grown so tall. And you've come to resemble the Count a great deal."
"Have I?"
"Yes. Blood truly doesn't lie, it seems. You were so young when the Count sent you to Dithmarschen... It's a relief to see you've grown up so healthy."
As the lord of the castle dabbed at the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, Fritz gave an awkward smile.
"Are you here on your way to the main house?"
"That's right. We were delayed on our way to see my father. We were hoping to stay for a night, if that's alright?"
"Alright? Of course it is! If it's not alright for you two, then for whom would it be?"
Just then, Ulrich, who had been listening to the two of them converse, asked.
"If I may be so bold, who is the lady beside you?"
He indicated the woman standing next to the lord of the castle.
"Oh, where are my manners?"
She was a woman in a dress long enough to touch the floor. She had been standing silently since the moment they greeted Ulrich's party, and now that she was the center of attention, she bowed her head slightly in greeting.
"This is my wife, Oksana Narses."
Oksana kissed the back of Ulrich's right hand.
"Narses... I've never met anyone with that name as a surname before."
"Is that so? I would have thought the Duke of Dithmarschen would have many mages under his command."
"It's a barren land. Even mages get fed up and leave quickly."
Ulrich smiled faintly once more as he looked at Oksana.
"Still, to have such a woman for a wife, you are a very fortunate man."
"Yes. It seems Lord Hestio has truly favored me."
Matias laughed, ha ha, and clung to Oksana's side. Oksana looked shy and lowered her face.
At that moment, Roberta, who was watching the conversation from a few steps back, narrowed her eyes. Oksana's gaze was fixed on something completely unrelated to the conversation.
...
Her eyes were on the horse Fritz was riding.
That horse was Marika. The girl who had been turned into a horse by Oksana's curse was wearing a bridle and saddle, carrying Fritz. From the outside, it simply looked like Fritz was riding a slightly small horse, so there was no reason for it to draw any particular attention.
"She's not looking because she senses something off.:
Roberta watched Oksana's reaction closely. Throughout Ulrich and Matias's conversation, she would chime in appropriately while repeatedly glancing toward Marika.
And each time, a torrent of emotions would flash across her face for an instant before vanishing. Bewilderment, rage, disgust—a momentary exposure, difficult to notice unless one was watching closely.
Roberta watched Oksana's reaction closely. Throughout Ulrich and Matias's conversation, she would chime in while repeatedly exposing her attention to Marika.
If she had sensed the incongruity in the flow of Mana, as Roberta had, there would be no reason to hide her expression like that.
Oksana had realized that the horse Fritz was riding was Marika.
'Of course she realized. Not after what she's done.'
Roberta shot a quick glance, signaling Fritz.
At that, Marika, who had been staring blankly at the ground, lifted her head and met Oksana's eyes.
Immediately after, Marika whinnied and reared up violently on her hind legs. As she thrashed about like a horse stung by a bee, Fritz gripped the saddle tightly, struggling not to be thrown off.
"Fritz, what's wrong?"
Ulrich asked, feigning ignorance and frowning.
"I don't know! She must be upset about something again!"
Fritz let out a sigh, pretending to calm Marika down. At a glance, it looked as if the horse was simply acting up on its own.
But Oksana knew better. She had seen Marika start to rampage the moment their eyes met, and her expression showed that her suspicion had just turned to certainty. In the brief moment when everyone's attention, save for Roberta's, was on Marika, Oksana's face contorted as she glared at the horse.
"It seems the young thing hasn't been properly trained."
The lord of the castle clicked his tongue, tsk tsk, as he looked at Marika.
"Yes, we actually acquired her in a hurry in the city of Tenov..."
"Is that so?"
Just as he was about to explain the circumstances, Oksana cut in.
"You acquired her in the city of Tenov, you say?"
"The horse I was riding before had a problem. We managed to find this one somehow, but as you can see, she has a bit of a temperament. Well, I was prepared for that."
Her eyes glinted with a strange light.
"Darling, what if we were to help Lord Armin?"
She suggested to the lord of the castle that they give him a horse.
"No, that's quite alright."
But Ulrich refused, waving his hands dismissively.
"I wouldn't want to burden the Lord of the castle unnecessarily."
"But still... isn't she too wild?"
"As you just saw, it's not a major problem. Besides, Fritz needs the experience of handling a horse like this."
Just as she was about to continue with, "But—", the lord of the castle cut her off.
"He said it was fine."
The lord of the castle looked at Oksana with a stern expression. He could no longer tolerate her behavior; not only had she interrupted Ulrich and himself several times, but she was now acting in a way that was close to coercion.
Oksana lowered her head without a word. She bit her lip, looking vexed. She seemed anxious. Of course she is. Until they arrived, she must have been certain the matter was finished.
If things had gone according to plan, Marika should have been slaughtered. But for her to suddenly reappear? And in front of Lord Matias, of all people—the one person who must never find out..
From Oksana's perspective, Roberta thought, the current situation must seem like the last chance to avert disaster.
Oksana lowered her head without a word. She bit her lip, looking vexed. She seemed anxious. Of course. Until they arrived, it was finished
If things had gone according to plan, Marika should have been slaughtered. But for her to suddenly reappear? And in front of Lord Matias, of all people—the one person who must never find out.
From Oksana's perspective, Roberta thought, the current situation must seem like the last chance to avert disaster.
Because it must seem to her that Matias and Armin's party hadn't noticed Marika's true identity at all. That must be why she intended to offer another horse, to get her hands on Marika again and dispose of her, but she had let the chance slip right through her fingers.
If Armin's party left like this? It would only be a matter of time before her deed was exposed. People familiar with Mana, like a Priestess or a mage, were a dime a dozen. The moment someone else saw Marika, they would sense something was wrong, just as Roberta had.
"You're only staying for one night?"
Lord Matias asked.
"Meyer is just ahead. We plan to leave first thing tomorrow morning."
At the news they were leaving tomorrow, Oksana's shoulders trembled faintly. She watched the party follow the lord of the castle inside. Her fierce eyes were fixed on the young horse among them, the one Fritz was riding—Marika.
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