The Witch’s Final Promise

Stepping into the room, Anto gazed at the emaciated figure lying on the bed, slowly approaching her, step by step. She lay there peacefully, just as she always did, seemingly asleep upon the bed.

“Hillevi,” Anto whispered, calling out her name softly. He then settled onto the side of the bed. After a long moment, the witch’s eyes fluttered open, turning towards the person before her.

“…Livia? Are you there?”

Silence. This time, unlike before, Anto offered no reply. Hillevi’s voice was faint, lacking strength, yet it carried a hint of joy.

“I can’t even see you anymore.” It was then that Anto realized Hillevi’s eyes had lost their former luster. What she perceived had, at some unknown point, blurred into formlessness.

“You have been maintaining the barrier all this time,” Anto stated slowly. “You understood why those entities were so active here. Those things you fed me weren’t poisons, nor were you using me as a test subject; you merely wanted to conceal my aura. And then, you alone erected this immense barrier in the forest—sustaining it by yourself for thirteen whole years. Your magic has long been depleted… yet the barrier persisted. After your magic was exhausted, it consumed your physical strength, and after that, your memories… Eric told me everything; you threatened him not to reveal any of this to me. But I knew, I felt it… I have been living under the protection of others: the priest of Linders… Teacher Eric, and you… I have lived for thirteen years under the protection of so many.”

“I hid him well,” Hillevi murmured, speaking as if to herself, yet also to another, her voice like that of a small child. “No one found him, no one could harm him. Back then, I couldn’t protect you, and you said it was alright… that protecting him would be enough. But, but… how could I, after losing you, protect that scoundrel’s bloodline? Because of him, because he was the one who—”

“But you did it,” Anto said softly. Hillevi calmed her breathing, then whispered, “Did I… do it? Yes, I did…”

“Do you know, watching him is like watching you. He possesses extraordinary talent and a kind heart. Yet, the challenges he faces are far from simple. Too many, too many will seek to harm him. I needed time, a great deal of time, to allow him to grow. The Holy Light Flame… it’s too dazzling. If he doesn’t learn to conceal himself, he will be easily torn apart in this world. My training for him was harsh, even cruel; he might come to hate me for it. I’ve vented my frustrations on him more than once, and he might be afraid of me. I couldn’t teach him as you would; you are the Saintess, and I am a witch.”

“…You did very well.”

“It wasn’t enough, never enough,” Hillevi whispered. “Never enough…”

“It’s enough, everything is enough,” Anto’s voice trembled. “All of this has been more than enough. There is no need to continue.”

Silence.

“Your mission… it is complete.”

Anto extended a hand, and light gradually bloomed forth. Within the radiant glow, Hillevi’s vacant eyes regained their brilliance. For a fleeting moment, she found herself amidst a lush land of flowers and grasses, bathed in the warm midday sun, where the maiden before her appeared so gentle, so… intensely nostalgic.

‘We once promised to escape it all, to a forest where no one would disturb us, filled with vibrant flowers across the fields and four-colored birds nesting among the trees. Later, we discovered those birds had long been extinct, existing only in ancient texts. I had known all along, but I never wanted to expose your fantasy. Sometimes I found you tiresome, not wanting to engage, yet I couldn’t deny your allure, unable to stay away. Before I met you, I believed in neither gods nor fate, but after our encounter, I truly felt you were an angel, sent by destiny, descending with light by my side into the mortal realm. Yet this was no paradise; angels would not be revered on this continent. Their wings would be broken, their bodies bound tightly to the earth, and the earth itself devoured people. I watched you inspire others, I watched you help them regain faith in a desperate world, and I watched your light extinguish, finally buried within the soil. If I had known this light would fade, why did you let it shine so brightly, so unforgettably?’

“You truly are… an exceptionally infuriating woman. After all these years, you never once visited my dreams.” The emaciated witch in black robes spoke these words to her dearest friend. The Saintess’s smile, however, remained unchanged, and she extended a hand, as if gesturing to her. Hillevi understood the meaning: it signified that she had… fulfilled their promise.

“Anto… he has become a man capable of facing this world,” Hillevi said to her. “I, too, should continue on with you, to that lush land of flowers and grasses.” Having spoken, she finally turned her head, looking at the young man behind her, and said calmly, “Return to that wooden cabin one last time. I’ve left everything of hers there. If they’re useless, burn them. If they’re of any use, then take them. In any case, to me, these things are no longer needed.”

“I have fulfilled my mission.”

“And yours, has just begun.”

****

As Anto opened the door and stepped out, Eric leaned against the doorframe. He saw the figure on the bed inside; the witch lay there as if peacefully asleep, her face serene, surely dreaming a pleasant dream. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon her, imbuing her with an unexpected aura of sanctity.

“She’s gone,” Anto whispered. “Don’t disturb her.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure she gets a proper grave. I still have some savings, enough to arrange a modest…”

“Keep it simple,” Anto said. “She wouldn’t have liked anything elaborate.”

“Indeed,” Eric responded, looking at him. They had anticipated this day for a long time, yet its arrival still caused the air to thicken with solemnity.

“The witch’s death means this land no longer has the protection of a barrier.” At that moment, the Otherworld Travelers, Tikka and Mula, spoke from the side.

“The people here will likely have to relocate to Linders Fortress. The fortress city will finally resume its duty of defending the front lines. This must be our first meeting. I am Tikka, an adventurer from the Council.” He extended his hand to Anto, while Mula, on the other side, looked at the young man before them with surprise.

“What a beautiful young man… a bishōnen (TL Note: A Japanese term referring to a young man with an idealized, often androgynous, beauty.)? So incredibly handsome, wow, and quite adorable! I’m an adventurer with him too. Are you the one who possesses the Holy Light Flame?”

“Yes,” Anto replied without hesitation. He knew that with Hillevi’s matters concluded, he would now have to face another challenging situation.