The witch’s whisper echoed in her ears, making Ileil’s already irritated mood even more restless.
From Gro’s earlier pointed words, he had clearly noticed something abnormal about her.
Gro might not have guessed that the black-haired witch’s voice could reach her ears, but he must have spotted something worth paying attention to, which was why he proposed splitting up after sending Kaze away.
“What can you give me? Don’t forget—last time you promised to burn my contract but never delivered.”
Since the last meeting with the black-haired witch had been interrupted by Dorias, Ileil had personally tested the contract’s effectiveness afterward—but the result was disappointing; the witch’s flames had not destroyed the contract between Gro and herself.
Can’t be helped, my kin. That Saint arrived at far too timely a moment.
The black-haired witch’s words fell, and a burning pain instantly filled Ileil’s right eye.
Ileil subconsciously covered her scorching eye and growled.
“What did you do to me?”
No need to be afraid. Open your eyes, Miss Ileil. Once you adapt to this sensation, you will see my guidance.
What answered Ileil was the black-haired witch’s gentle, almost soothing voice.
Enduring the intense pain in her eye, she opened her right eye.
Ileil suddenly discovered that her vision had changed—the scene before her right eye had the entire world tinted black.
After opening her eyes, the originally extreme discomfort gradually faded.
Very good. It seems your adaptability is stronger than I imagined.
The witch chuckled softly, but Ileil felt no joy at all.
The silver-haired girl asked in a cold tone.
“How did you change my eye like this? Before you appeared, I didn’t sense even the slightest trace of magic.”
Although I couldn’t help you break the contract last time, I at least managed to leave a backup before the Saint acted. I hid my power inside your body…
The black-haired witch’s words sent a chill down Ileil’s spine; she even realized what kind of change had occurred to her body.
Fortunately… that princess from Aressto did not probe too deeply into the abnormality on you. If Miss Prinshitt were as sharp as her brother, it would have been bad.
“……It sounds like you know a lot.”
Ileil frowned slightly.
From the witch’s relaxed tone, she seemed to possess much information that Ileil had no way of knowing.
Of course, Miss Ileil. The sweet voice echoed in her ear.
It sounded as if Ileil’s reaction was exactly what she wanted.
Today, I may not be able to break your contract with Gro. You must have guessed it too—that man deliberately created this chance for you to act alone—to test you, my kin.
The witch’s words struck straight at Ileil’s heart.
This made Ileil recall the pretty words Gro had said to her just minutes ago.
He kept “trust” on his lips, but Gro could not match his words with actions at all.
Ileil knew that Gro had always been on guard against her.
If Gro had not deliberately tried to get close and tease her, perhaps Ileil would not hate him so much.
“So…… what did you mean earlier by ‘you will get what you want’? Since you cannot help me break the contract now, what can you give me?”
The truth. The black-haired witch changed the subject. I will tell you—who betrayed you two years ago, making you lose your male identity and forcing you to become a witch with incomplete authority.
“Who?” Ileil asked urgently, but she quickly noticed the flaw in the witch’s words. “No… how do you know the truth? How do you guarantee you’re not lying to me?”
Heh. Truly vigilant, Miss Ileil.
The witch chuckled lightly.
At the moment she spoke, Ileil’s interfered right eye saw black-gold threads appear on the ground.
These threads made of magic continuously extended deep into the western forest, as if guiding Ileil.
Since you do not believe my words, then follow my guidance—touch the black feather at the end of the path. There, I will replay the segment of memory you are missing.
Ileil followed the black-gold threads forward.
Every step felt as if she were stepping on cotton.
In her right eye’s vision, the entire world was shrouded in a strange tint; even the moonlight had turned into a sickly dark gold.
If this was a trap…
The thought had barely surfaced before she suppressed it herself.
What situation could be worse than now? Losing her male identity, controlled by her enemy, her body even tampered with by the witch…
“You had better not play any tricks.” She warned in a low voice, her right hand already pressed on the short sword at her waist.
The witch’s laughter brushed past her ear like light feathers. My dear kin, what do you still have left that is worth me deceiving?
“……” Ileil did not answer and simply quickened her steps forward.
As she went deeper into the forest, the light gradually dimmed.
Yet her right eye saw even more clearly—black vines wrapped around the tree trunks slowly wriggled as she approached, parting like living things to open a small path for her.
The threads came to an abrupt stop in front of a dead oak tree.
A pitch-black feather was nailed to the trunk.
The feather’s surface flowed with black-gold light, exactly the same as the flames from last week’s fire.
“Is this the place you mentioned?”
It is here. Please forgive me for being unable to appear for the time being… but as long as you touch this feather, all your confusion will receive exact answers.
The witch answered meaningfully.
Ileil half-believing, half-doubting, slowly reached her hand toward the feather—
The instant her fingertip touched the feather, the world spun violently.
What you are seeing now… is the segment of memory you are missing.
The black-haired witch’s voice fell.
Immediately afterward, Ileil’s consciousness was dragged into darkness.
She could feel the feather continuously pouring information into her mind.
…….
Cold iron chains bit into his wrists, and rough hemp rope bound Ileil’s feet tightly to the stone pillar of the altar.
He struggled, forcing hoarse roars from his throat, but no one answered.
Cracks in the temple dome let in pale moonlight, illuminating the dried bloodstains on the ground—this place had long been occupied by heretics, and the air was filled with the smell of rotten incense and rust.
“Release me!” He heard his own hoarse roar.
It was a male voice, belonging to the self who had already died.
No one answered Ileil’s angry roar until—
Tap, tap, tap.
Steady footsteps came from the shadows, boot soles striking the stone slabs like a countdown to death.
The young Ileil suddenly raised his head, pupils shrinking sharply.
“Gro……?”
The man walked out from the darkness, still wearing that lazy appearance, the corners of his mouth carrying the familiar, disgusting smile.
His black hair was tied casually behind his head, and his olive skin gleamed coldly under the moonlight.
Ileil’s gaze locked tightly on what he held in his hand—
A heavy money pouch was being casually tossed and caught.
“The paralyzing drug wore off so quickly. That’s bad for you, kid.” Gro’s voice carried an unnatural echo, as if he were simply chatting with Ileil.
“It’s you….”
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s just business.”
Ileil’s breath stopped for an instant.
Business?
What business?
Ileil suddenly realized that the subjugation of the heretics two years ago had been Gro’s trap to sell him.
Gro offered no explanation. He simply stepped aside, revealing several gray-robed figures behind him.
Their faces were hidden under hoods, but Ileil could sense the darkest smiles concealed in the shadows.
“The goods have been inspected. Strong will, pure hatred. He is the perfect container.” One of them spoke in a low voice. Bony fingers extended from a sleeve, thin as bones, nails pitch-black like ink.
“Payment received. I won’t disturb your next experiment.” Gro weighed the pouch and turned to leave.
“Wait!” The gray-haired youth struggled violently against the chains, wrists grinding bloody. “Gro! What the hell are you doing?! Answer me!”
Gro’s steps paused. He glanced back.
“Don’t blame me, kid.” His voice remained calm, even carrying a trace of pity. “You hate me, right? Then hate me with all your might—hatred will let you live longer. Try hard to survive this experiment.”
With that, he walked into the darkness without looking back.
The youth’s roar stuck in his throat as he watched Gro’s back disappear.
Only then did Ileil learn the “truth” from two years ago.
—He had been sold.
—Sold by the person he hated most to those unforgivable heretics.
The gray-robed figures closed in, forcing a black-gold potion down the young Ileil’s throat.
Their chanting sounded like whispers from the abyss, echoing in his ears.
Ileil felt something wriggling under his skin, bones twisting, flesh reshaping. The agony made him nearly crush his teeth.
Aaaah—!
His scream was drowned in the heretics’ bizarre chanting.
…….
When the intense pain finally stopped, Ileil could no longer make a sound.
He—no, now it should be “she”—collapsed in a pool of blood, silver hair sticking to a back soaked in cold sweat.
Mirror-like fragments reflected an unfamiliar face:
silver-white long hair, eerie golden pupils, the delicate contours of a girl.