A Plea for the Condemned Witch

The war room blazed with light, illuminated throughout the night.

Beth Daisy and Loynin arrived, serving steaming milk tea to everyone present.

“Loynin…” Faein’s gaze finally landed on her.

“My Lady President, I am merely one of Her Highness’s maids now,” Loynin replied, her head bowed.

“Lolo,” Beth Daisy whispered conspiratorially into her ear, “The Princess’s Personal Maid Guard holds a status second only to the guardians of each floor. You mustn’t underestimate yourself.”

‘Her Highness…’ Loynin, having not seen me for some time, looked at me with a hint of anticipation.

“You should stay and listen with us, Senior Sister Loynin,” I said.

“Really? Yes, Princess!” Loynin seemed overjoyed.

****

Just then, a tall, slender young woman appeared in the war room. Her pink hair was masked, styled into a delicate, high ponytail, and her eyes, though bright, held a cold, detached glimmer.

“Madam Beth, we have investigated this witch named Asta as you instructed. In fact, she already had some connection to our dungeon,” the woman stated.

I stared at this young woman, finding no relevant memories of her. “And who might this be?”

“This is Rodis, the captain of the Maid Guard’s Intelligence Division. She was recently transferred from the Demon Lord’s elite maid corps in the lower realms and is exceptionally skilled in reconnaissance and intelligence!” Beth Daisy explained. “Rodis, please report your findings to Her Highness.”

“Yes!” Rodis knelt on one knee and continued, “Asta is a witch who resides among several nearby villages. She has repeatedly summoned low-level demons to fight against bandits plundering villagers and has even concocted magical potions to cure plagues in the villages, earning her considerable affection in the surrounding areas. Asta is a proponent of the balance theory, advocating that humans and dungeon creatures can trust each other and benefit mutually.

Recently, to strengthen its military, the Empire has intensified its efforts to quell dungeons within its territory. Asta went to persuade the lord of Redfang Castle not to excessively hunt monsters and, for a time, even earned his trust. However, it is said that during that period, Asta fell in love with another young woman. When their affair was discovered, someone reported it to the lord.

In the Empire, romantic affection between women is severely illegal! Once discovered, both sisters would be subjected to a brutal stoning. Coupled with Asta being a witch, this further incited the rage of the populace, who believed that the recent famines and plagues were divine retribution for her forbidden lust and dark magic!

As a witch involved in a forbidden love, Asta is to be executed by stoning first, then burned to ashes. Yet, Asta has consistently refused to reveal the identity of her lover. Her execution is scheduled for tomorrow at noon.”

As Rodis finished, a profound silence descended upon the room.

I sensed a delicate, fragrant presence beside me, its breathing suddenly quickening.

Turning, I saw Senior Sister Faein’s ample chest rising and falling visibly, her beautiful eyes now appearing somewhat terrifying.

“These beasts! They mean to stone an innocent, defenseless woman to death—a woman who helped them, healed them, and brought them good fortune! All because she loved another girl? All because she is a witch? I will not allow it! I absolutely will not allow it! As a human, I am ashamed of my own ignorant and barbaric kind! These villains! All men are scoundrels, villains!” Faein’s voice was exceptionally agitated, bordering on hysterical, her delicate knuckles turning white as she gripped her sword hilt tightly.

“Burning witches and stoning ‘deviant’ women—hasn’t this been common throughout human history? Why are you so agitated?” Suriya remarked, utterly indifferent. “Besides, what does this have to do with us? It’s merely the ignorant and barbaric actions of some lowly humans.”

“We must rescue that witch! We must go!” Faein cried out, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Huh?” Suriya paused, stunned. “I say, Human Lady, you can’t be serious! Why should we meddle in such internal human matters concerning the punishment of witches and ‘deviants’? Moreover, she’s just an insignificant witch! Why should we risk leaving the dungeon and venturing deep into the human world to save her? It’s utterly preposterous!”

“What if they are lowly humans, and what if she is an insignificant witch? For the girl named Leona, who is willing to sacrifice her very soul for a glimmer of hope to save her beloved sister—where is the lowliness in that emotion and courage?” Faein retorted passionately, her face flushed crimson.

“Heavenly Glow Kiori, why are you so agitated? Do these people have any connection to you? Do you understand what it means for the dungeon to interfere with the surface world? If we do this, we will shatter the delicate balance of confrontation between humans and the dungeon, potentially enraging the entire Empire! While I don’t fear those Imperial powerhouses, it’s simply not worth incurring so much trouble for two unrelated humans!” Suriya argued.

“Princess!” Faein moved around to face me, then suddenly knelt on one knee. For the very first time, Senior Sister Faein knelt before me, her head bowed. “Your Highness, I implore you, save this witch, save these sisters!”

“Senior Sister Faein…”

“If Your Highness cannot make such a decision, then at least permit me to go and save them alone!”

Senior Sister Faein’s words were resolute.

Her proud knees now touched the ground, her fair body trembling ceaselessly from sorrow and agitation. It astonished me. ‘Senior Sister, why do you care so deeply about this? As Suriya said, it’s merely a minor, ignorant, and barbaric internal human affair.’ Yet, the sight of Senior Sister biting her lip in sorrow made it impossible for me to remain indifferent.

‘To cause the elder sister beside me sorrow, to cause the elder sister kneeling before me sorrow—isn’t that a dereliction of duty for a younger sister like me?’

Though, Senior Sister had not yet formally acknowledged me as her sister in any sense.

I took a deep breath, rose to my feet, and gazed at the somewhat desolate forest and primitive, ignorant village captured in the image. “It is time for humanity to understand that the dungeon will not passively defend itself indefinitely. There is a young woman who, knowing the odds are stacked against her, is willing to sacrifice her most precious possession for a chance to rescue her beloved sister. The dungeon has heard this sentiment!”