Chapter 22 : Black Forest (3)

Beatrice gazed at the moonlight streaming across the desk. The chaotic crystal placed by the laboratory window glowed like red veins.

“It’s still not easy…”

She flipped through the parchment filled with spells and research formulas, sighing. After several sleepless nights, her vision became blurry.

“Still not sleeping?”

Haru opened the laboratory door. The warm scent of black tea filled the air.

“Sleep is just a luxury for witches.”

Beatrice responded without lifting her head. But her nose involuntarily twitched at the scent of the tea.

“Here.”

Haru handed her a teacup. The sweet fragrance seemed to wash away her fatigue.

“You’ve been working hard lately. Did you want to help me that badly?”

Beatrice choked on the tea as she took a sip.

“Don’t get the wrong idea! I just want to get you out of here as quickly as possible!”

“So, that’s why you’re working through the night?”

“Of course! I need to send someone like you, such a bothersome guest, away as soon as possible…”

Her words trailed off. Beatrice’s face turned red at Haru’s playful smile.

She muttered, lowering her gaze to the desk.

“…And it’s dangerous to do it alone.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing, nothing at all!”

Beatrice hastily stood up, the hem of her black dress fluttering.

The next morning, sunlight began to shine through the laboratory window. Beatrice checked the magic circle she had prepared overnight. The incantations drawn on the parchment gleamed as they caught the light.

“Let’s get started. No time to waste.”

The two headed out to an open area away from the cabin. Haru pulled out the chaotic crystal from the void.

“Now then…”

Just as Haru was about to channel magical energy into the crystal, Beatrice was suddenly startled.

“Wait! What are you doing?”

“Huh? I was going to strengthen it…”

“Are you crazy? Doing it so recklessly will cause an explosion!”

“Oh, sorry. Did I worry you?”

“It’s not you I’m worried about! If it explodes, my precious forest will be destroyed!”

Beatrice quickly started drawing the spell. A complex magic circle was etched into the ground. The intertwined patterns filled the floor like a spider’s web. The witch’s black magic flowed through the circle.

“Now, let’s set up a support spell… and we need to add a stabilization incantation too…”

“Wow, impressive.”

“Hmph, of course. I’m the witch who created the ‘Black Forest’ as my signature magic.”

Beatrice answered with a smug look. But the dark circles under her eyes revealed the toll of sleepless nights.

“Now, bring the crystal over.”

As Haru handed her the chaotic crystal, Beatrice’s eyes sparkled. The red magical energy inside the crystal pulsed like a heartbeat.

“Alright, now slowly…”

Haru’s magical energy flowed into the crystal. Beatrice’s spell surrounded it, stabilizing it.

The red veins inside the crystal gradually became more transparent.

“Success!”

“Though there’s still a long way to go.”

Beatrice muttered, looking at the crystal.

‘It’s okay if it takes longer…’

She suddenly shook her head in surprise at her own thoughts.

‘What am I doing? I need to send him away quickly…’

“Why are you shaking your head?”

“Oh, nothing!”

Flustered, Beatrice hastily began to tidy up the magic circle.

“That’s it for today! I’m tired, so I’m calling it quits…”

“Huh? It’s still early…”

“Shut up! A witch’s research is for the witch to handle!”

But before she could finish her sentence, she staggered. The fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days hit her all at once.

“Careful.”

Haru quickly caught her.

“Let go… Let go!”

Beatrice struggled, but no strength came to her.

“Let’s rest now. We still have tomorrow.”

“But…”

‘If the crystal stabilizes like this, you’ll leave…’

A heavy feeling settled in her chest.

“Tomorrow… it’ll take longer tomorrow.”

She muttered softly.

“Really?”

“…Yeah.”

Beatrice lowered her head, embarrassed by her selfish feelings.

“Then let’s take it slow. There’s no rush.”

Haru’s voice was gentle.

Beatrice’s steps wavered. Haru carefully wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Let’s go rest now.”

“Hmph, I’m fine.”

Despite her boastful words, the strength in the hand holding his arm was palpable.

The fatigue was already gone. Thanks to the vitality connected to the Black Forest, her human weakness was swiftly healed.

But Beatrice didn’t let go of Haru’s arm.

‘Just a little longer… just a little longer…’

As they walked together, she felt his warmth. The time she spent alone seemed meaningless now; she wasn’t lonely anymore.

“Hey, I can walk on my own now…”

“Shut up!”

Before Haru could even finish speaking, Beatrice tightened her grip on his arm.

“Helping the witch is your duty, understand?”

Haru let out a small laugh.

“What’s with that laugh? I’m tired because of you in the first place!”

“I know, I know.”

’This… is the first time…’

Relying on someone. Feeling someone’s warmth.

Beatrice felt her heart racing uncontrollably.

’Just a little… just a little longer…’

And so, the two walked slowly along the forest path.

Though it was twice as long as usual, Beatrice didn’t rush at all.

Back at the cabin, Beatrice covered her face in embarrassment, recalling her actions. The moment she had clung to Haru’s arm earlier kept replaying in her mind.

’Is it because he’s a hero… his muscles aren’t bad… ugh…’

She felt her face flush. She needed to escape this situation quickly.

“Drink this!”

“Suddenly?”

“Are you going to refuse the tea the witch is offering?”

Beatrice pouted as she spoke.

She brewed black rose tea. The rose, which contained a deadly poison, colored the tea a dark red.

“Again?”

“What?”

“Poison?”

Beatrice’s ears turned bright red.

“Oh, no! This time, really…”

Though the flower contained a deadly poison, the way it was brewed made all the difference. If steeped in hot water without any special treatment, it would become a lethal poison. But if processed with special reagents, it turned into the finest tea.

Haru sighed and picked up the teacup.

“Not doing this recently, and now suddenly?”

“If you don’t like it, then don’t drink it!”

But it was already too late. Haru took a sip and smiled.

“Rose tea? Tastes good.”

“OO…”

Beatrice felt like sitting down right then and there.

“How… how again…”

“The poisoned tea actually has a nice flavor.”

Haru asked teasingly.

“Die! Just die!”

Beatrice screamed, hiding her face.

“You’re so annoying!”

“Why are you so moody? You were kind this morning.”

’It’s because you kept being kind… My feelings are getting weird…’

“Hmph! Of course, I’m a witch, so it’s natural!”

Haru smiled and took another sip.

“I guess I’m addicted now. Do you have more?”

“Ugh! Enough already!”

Beatrice quickly escaped. She tried to cool her flushed face, but the warmth in her chest wouldn’t subside.

She grasped the hem of her black dress tightly and muttered.

“Next time, next time I’ll really add more poison…!”

But even those words now carried a new meaning.

That thought made her face turn red again. Beatrice sighed, leaning her forehead against the wall.

“What is this… I feel like a girl in love… Really… I’m such a fool…”

As the days passed, the chaotic crystal grew more transparent. Beatrice smiled in satisfaction. The research with Haru was going more smoothly than expected.

Then, suddenly…

Boom!

The ground shook. The bookshelves trembled, and magic books fell to the floor in a cascade.

“What’s going on…”

Beatrice’s eyes widened. The Black Forest began to writhe. The trees visible outside the window twisted, and dark vines lashed the air like tentacles.

“Beatrice, this is…”

“Wait!”

She quickly cast a spell. Her dark magic flowed into the forest, but there was no sign of calming. Instead, it swayed more violently.

“No… why is this happening?”

Beatrice’s hands trembled. This had never happened before. The Black Forest, which she had always controlled perfectly…

Boom!

A larger tremor struck. The ground shook violently, and the bookshelves rattled, causing books to fall everywhere.

“Be careful!”

Haru grabbed the crystal. At that moment, the window shattered, and dark vines poured in.

“Haru, move!”

Beatrice screamed, but it was already too late. The vines coiled around Haru’s ankle.

’No…’

Her heart pounded. The fear of possibly losing him overwhelmed her.

“This bastard…”

Beatrice cast a stronger spell, but her magic failed to gather properly. The more her emotions flared, the more her control over her magic faltered.

“Why is this happening…”

Her fingers trembled as the flow of magic scattered uncontrollably. The chaotic energy further enraged the Black Forest.

’I… I made this mistake…’

The forest’s hunger was her fault. For Haru’s sake, she had let humans go free. She had essentially taken the Black Forest’s sacrifices.

But there was a greater problem. It was her feelings for Haru.

She had always been alone, so she thought she had forgotten loneliness. But the time spent with Haru had awakened that emptiness.

The warm soup he made for her every morning.

The moments she secretly watched him chop firewood.

His smile when he ate the clumsy meals she made for him.

’When the stabilization is finished, Haru will leave… forever…’

Just the thought of it made her chest collapse. Her conflicted heart disturbed her magic, and the unstable power further stirred the Black Forest.

“Beatrice!”

Haru’s cry snapped her out of her thoughts. The dark vines were wrapping around his waist.

“No… no!”

She cast another spell, but it was useless. The more Beatrice’s emotions ran wild, the wilder the forest became.

’Please, calm down… Please!’

But it was already too late. Her once-perfect control had shattered. The forest rejected her command.

The Black Forest roared even more fiercely. Now, even Beatrice was beginning to be ensnared by the vines.

“Ha… Haru…”

Her voice trembled. She couldn’t save him. No, she couldn’t even save herself.

’Is this how it ends…?’

Beatrice closed her eyes. Her past, the time spent alone, passed by like a slideshow.

And in the end, the brief moments she shared with Haru overwhelmed it all.

The dark vines wrapped around their bodies. Beatrice gathered her last remaining magic.

“This is…”

For a moment, the vines that had been entangling Haru loosened. The last of her magic freed him.

“Beatrice!”

“Go! Quickly!”

Beatrice screamed. The vines tightened around her neck.

“I can’t leave you…”

“If you stay here, the vines will come after you again!”

Haru drew his sword, but Beatrice shook her head.

“It’s useless. This is my magic. I can’t escape the Black Forest anyway.”

“Even so…”

“Are you worried because of the Chaos Crystal? Don’t worry.”

Beatrice smiled bitterly.

“Actually, the stabilization is almost done. I just need to finish it. You could do it on your own.”

Haru’s eyes widened.

“Go now! You don’t need to risk your life because of someone like me!”

Beatrice’s voice rose. The Black Forest trembled even more.

“I’ve been planning to kill you from the start! Every night, I imagined how I would kill you as you slept. If the poison failed, then a curse; if the curse failed, then a monster…”

It was a lie. But to save him…

“Just leave already! You’re just a pretentious hero. Acting all noble, saying you want to save the world!”

Beatrice’s voice turned sharp. Her trembling eyes were filled with cold cynicism.

“Acting kind, acting righteous… I hate people like you the most! Want to save the witch? Don’t make me laugh!”

Her fingertips trembled. But she had to keep going. To save him.

“I am the witch of the Black Forest. I’m not someone who belongs with a hero!”

She spat out curses, but Haru didn’t back down.

“I… I’m a bad witch! I’ve killed so many people!”

Tears flowed from Beatrice’s eyes.

“I haven’t spared anyone who entered this forest… I made them all food for the forest!”

Haru still stood his ground.

“So go… Please go…”

Before Beatrice could finish, the dark vines moved again. They aimed sharp thorns at Haru.

’Please… just listen to me this one time.’

Beatrice’s eyes filled with desperation. Tears ran down her pale cheeks.

Though her body was stained with the darkness of the forest, her tears remained clear and pure.

“A bad witch…”

“Yes! Just leave me, a worthless witch…!”

“…Hmm, you are a bad witch.”

Beatrice’s heart stopped. Yes, this was right. This was how it should end. After all, she was just a bad witch…

A small smile spread across Haru’s lips.

“But to me, you’re a good witch.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened. She couldn’t breathe.

The dark vines wrapped around his ankle, but Haru’s gaze was unwavering.