Sophie left Fallen Leaf Town with a smile.
Even as she walked alone through the heavy snow, she didn’t feel the slightest bit lonely.
“They all say witches are destined to be alone.”
Thinking of all she’d experienced these past months, Sophie gazed longingly at the small town behind her as it faded into the distance, “But they’re wrong.”
Now, she finally understood why, on a whim, she’d risked her heart to stay and watch Green tinker with his plans.
Watching for fun, observing?
All just excuses.
What she truly wanted back then was only…
“Home.”
A simple word.
For most people, it’s merely a place to rest in their daily lives.
But to Sophie, it was something beyond words—something so precious that even as she climbed the path of power in search of truth to the very end, it remained almost out of reach.
Witches had no home.
Cursed by blood, they were doomed to wander, unable to give their hearts.
They were either being consumed by the curse within them or running for their lives.
Even the luckiest witch only ever changed her identity again and again, hiding, until the Church of Light found her and destroyed her, or until she lost control and became a monster.
“So, I have to leave.”
But even though she was alone, Sophie felt not the slightest loneliness in her heart.
Because she knew she’d left her mark on the world—at least, in this vast world, there was a small town, and people in it, waiting for the day she returned.
“Somehow, I feel like I’m not even afraid to die anymore.”
Sophie looked up, gazing at the falling snow.
In this icy, withered, endless winter, her eyes held no confusion. It was as if the boundless snow before her was the Spring of Vitality.
Once, Sophie wasn’t afraid of death.
But that kind of courage was only a calm acceptance, a mental preparation.
Now, Sophie’s fearlessness was the true peace that comes from letting go.
“Oh? Is that so, Miss Witch?”
A voice appeared out of nowhere.
“Then can you die in peace?”
Sophie rubbed her hands together, exhaled a breath.
Whoosh.
A puff of white mist flashed by.
“Demon Hunter?” Sophie asked, not the least bit surprised. It was as if she already knew a deadly foe had been lurking unseen all around her.
Clang—
A sword light swung, splitting the air with unstoppable force.
Shhk!!!
The ground was sliced straight in two.
Hard rock crashed down, and in the blink of an eye, a bottomless crevice formed.
“So you did know I was here.” A figure in a windcoat, enchanting and beautiful, stood right at Sophie’s side.
“Not an ordinary Demon Hunter…” Sophie narrowed her eyes, sensing the woman’s aura with her psychic power, “You’re—!”
Her pupils contracted, her voice tinged with surprise.
“A Knight of Truth?”
The Church’s strongest weapon, a ninth-rank directly under the High Priest?
“No wonder you’re the legendary Mist Witch.”
The alluring woman unfastened her windcoat, revealing a lovely face. In her eyes, as bright as the stars, there was no light—only an endless killing intent.
“Your reflexes are as sharp as they say.”
That Knight of Truth took a yellowed booklet from her pocket and started to read: “Mist Witch, number three on the List of Wanted Witches. Your crimes are as follows: In Eagle City, you murdered Honorary Citizen Carter and his entire family for their wealth…”
“So your Church has fallen so low it seeks justice for a slave trader now?”
Sophie couldn’t help interrupting.
“First, the dead include not just Carter, but other family members. Second, Carter was indeed in the slave trade, but he never infringed on the rights of his own kind…of humans.”
“Witches are not human.”
The Knight of Truth’s face didn’t twitch in the slightest, and she continued to recite Sophie’s “crimes” in a cold, mechanical tone.
“For these crimes, in the name of the God of Light, Mist Witch, I, Knight of Truth Jessica, will carry out your sentence here—purification! Let your wicked soul repent for its sins!”
Vmmm.
A pure and sacred radiance blossomed from her.
The cold features of Knight of Truth Jessica were now tinged with a bewitching red glow, and those eyes, fixed on Sophie, blazed with desire—the desire to kill.
Suddenly, Sophie understood. This Knight of Truth wanted to kill her not because of Church orders or the “crimes” on some list.
Jessica just wanted to kill a witch.
Just like any other human.
Sophie suddenly felt very tired.
“Knight of Truth, my lady.” She sighed softly. “If—if I stand here and let you kill me, will you spare the others? The people in that town?”
Sophie asked with utmost seriousness.
“You want to negotiate?” Jessica tightened her grip on her sword, tilting her head slightly. Her full chest rose and fell with the wind; her graceful form seemed like a lily in full bloom, sending out waves of fragrance.
“You know my strength.” Sophie’s gaze was clear. “Maybe I can’t beat you, but as long as I don’t want to die, a witch always has ways to survive.”
“As long as you’re willing to swear, in the name of the God of Light, to let everyone in that town go, I’ll let you complete your mission.”
Sophie spoke with sincere conviction.
“Mmm.” Jessica withdrew her gaze, as if truly considering Sophie’s words.
“Yes, what you say does make sense…”
Was she really considering it?
A faint hope kindled in Sophie’s heart.
She truly wasn’t afraid of dying.
But, but…
Strangely, Green’s mysterious smile flashed in her mind, and a sudden pain twisted in her chest.
They’d only known each other a few months, but this witch, who’d already lived more than most could imagine, now found her mind crowded with memories of those days together.
She knew Green wasn’t as cheerful as he acted. Late at night, when all was quiet, he would often stand alone by the window, his gaze tinged with loneliness.
She knew Green would sometimes get the sudden urge to cook, but for some reason he had no talent for it and always made a mess of things.
And when she tried to tease him, that stubborn lord would mutter, “Well, it’s just that I don’t have my usual utensils. I wanted to recreate a flavor you’ve never tasted before!”
All in all, Sophie wasn’t afraid of dying.
Because now, in her heart, she feared something even more than death.
Sophie had given her heart.
Grandmother was right.
When a witch gives her heart to a human, she truly isn’t far from death.
But—
Sophie didn’t regret it. She was even filled with happiness.
Pfft!
A longsword suddenly stabbed toward her.
“You’re ridiculous, witch.” Jessica’s voice cut off Sophie’s memories. “Did you really think I was moved?”
Shhk!!!
Jessica’s blade slashed with lightning speed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The whole hillside shook violently, roaring as if in an earthquake.
“Three hundred and sixteen.”
Pfft!
Sophie, caught off guard, was struck by Jessica’s blade.
Drip, drip—witch’s blood fell.
Emerald green blood.
“Mist Witch, do you know what that number means to me?”
Jessica pressed in, step by step.
“Cough, cough!” Sophie raised both hands and waved.
Whoosh—
Thick white mist burst from the ground, hiding her in its depths. Twisted shadows moved through the Mist, roaring again and again.
“I really don’t, Knight of Truth.”
Sophie’s voice came from near and far.
“That’s the number of people from my home village—everyone but me. A witch, disguised as a refugee, lured us in and, when night fell, became a monster and devoured the whole village!”
Jessica’s voice rose sharply.
“All witches must die!”
Boom!
Jessica lightly swung her sword.
Swish.
The wind stilled, and waves calmed.
With a single stroke, the thick Mist Sophie summoned was swept completely away.
Pfft!
Sophie’s face went pale; she collapsed weakly to the ground.
“I’ve killed many witches.” Jessica ran her hand along her sword. “Many were just like you—good at disguising themselves, using others’ sympathy.”
“But I’m not like that.”
Jessica declared, “Someday, I’ll kill the End Witch who summoned the Long Winter too, and return this world to the light!”
Was it over?
Through a haze, Sophie saw the deadly blade coming toward her.
Green…
At death’s door, Sophie murmured, “Hurry, run Green…”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Clang!
Sparks flew from the crossing swords.
“Who’s there?” Jessica’s expression changed.
A slightly rusted steel sword had blocked her blade.
Did that witch have an accomplice?
Aren’t witches always alone?
After all, these monsters couldn’t even trust their own kind!
Whoosh.
A strong wind swept past, blowing away the snow and letting Jessica see her challenger clearly.
“Sorry.” The newcomer gently picked up the weak Sophie from the ground. “I’m late.”
His eyes were full of sorrow.
“This world is even more tragic than I ever imagined.”
It was never as simple as good and evil.
Green sighed, “Can’t we ever run a simulation where it’s just a hero fighting the demon lord, like in those easy stories?”