Chapter 6: Midnight Witches

At dawn, Isz and the others who still didn’t have their relics went to the alchemists’ workshop to make their choice.

Jako: “You will have the opportunity to choose one of these relics. Remember, they will accompany you in your future missions and duties, choose wisely.”

Isz chose the Retractable Spear S, Helena chose the Crimson Daggers, Mary selected the Black Sword, and Irineia picked a bracelet that released magical threads.

Jako: “Master your weapons while you still have time. The training grounds are available, young knights. If you have any further questions, you may ask me in my office.”

Isz went to the training field to test his spear. Besides being resistant, it could channel any elemental attribute for battle. He managed to channel lightning and destroyed all the training dummies.

Isz: “So light… I can make countless movements and even store it in my holster. Hyogo was right about my choice.”

Helena and Mary were training with Anna.

Anna: “Come on, girls. From this moment on, we’ll be fighting in real battles. Don’t go easy on me.”

Anna drew her relic, the Mercy Hooks, almost invisible hooks capable of immobilizing enemies or tearing them apart if the user willed it.

Mary: “Helena, stay in the rear while I try to create an opening in her defense.”

Helena: “Alright.”

Mary charged forward and managed a strong advance, but was caught in the first trap. Helena threw one of her daggers and realized she could control them from long distances, quickly forming a strategy to corner her master.

Mary made a slash with her black blade and noticed she didn’t even need to make contact to cut.

Anna: “So fast… these relics really are powerful.” She gave a small smile and ended the training.

Alphonse passed by the alchemists’ workshop carrying a book about the ancient lords and saw Irineia sitting cross-legged, controlling one of her dolls.

Alphonse: “Good morning. I saw that you chose the bracelet relic. Looks like you’ve already gotten used to it.”

Irineia: “Yeah, I like them. They seem to have a good range, and I can manipulate them in many ways. Maybe it would be nice to control everything… like a puppet master.”

Alphonse: “I agree, haha. But maybe that’s why human life is so intriguing, because we don’t know what tomorrow brings, yet we keep walking forward.”

Irineia: “Do you know why I like dolls? Because I control them. But even then, if I cut a single thread, their life ends. What would you do if you could achieve everything you ever wanted?”

Alphonse: “I’ve never really thought about it. I’m not interested in those kinds of things.”

Irineia: “Then why are you carrying a book about the Lady of Illusions?”

Alphonse stared at her and didn’t answer.

Alphonse: “Here. I came to bring you a coffee. I saw you didn’t get yours this morning.”

Irineia: “Thank you.”

She gave Alphonse a kiss on the cheek and left the room. Alphonse was left both happy and intrigued by her.

Helena noticed that Isz would stay with them for a while longer before joining the other scouts, and invited everyone to celebrate like they used to, but he declined, because at that same moment a letter from the priests arrived, assigning him a mission together with a support unit of tracking scouts.

Isz: “When I return, we’ll all spend more time together, don’t worry.”

Isz said his goodbyes and went to speak with Harpya, who was already waiting for him in a transport carriage.

Mary: “Now I understand why you like him, he’s pretty cute.”

Helena: “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

The two laugh and head to their quarters.

Harpya: “How was the relic selection?”

Isz: “All good. I’ve already chosen my new spear, but… what exactly is this sudden mission about?”

Harpya: “It suits your weapon style well. Anyway… this mission won’t be easy according to the reports. It’ll be your first time facing this kind of enemy, so pay attention.”

Isz swallows hard.

Harpya: “The police reported that children have been disappearing since last week. It started in the outskirts of the city, and now adults are vanishing too. A police unit was ambushed, almost all members were killed, but they managed to capture and interrogate a witch. She said she was only preparing the ‘future Lith’s’ pact… and then took her own life. We don’t know who this future Lith is, so keep your eyes open for anything suspicious. Isz, you’re no longer just a knight apprentice. You’ve fought in many battles. From now on, you’re on your own.”

Isz becomes thoughtful and nods.

Isz: “Will I have a support team?”

Harpya: “Yes, don’t worry. An old friend of mine will be waiting for you there, he’s the only knight among the tracker-scouts. Be careful, Isz. It seems he intercepted a man transporting supplies to the witches, and he had the Mark of the Voice of Lust carved into his forehead. If you come across any sorceress or anything of that sort, don’t hesitate to run.”

Isz: “Alright. The Butcher told me a bit about how a cult that worshipped this entity destroyed his village. They’re sadistic. Something is very wrong with security… how did they infiltrate right in the middle of the city?”

Harpya: “That’s what we’re going to find out. I’ll head to the southern continent to speak with some alchemists who know more about these entities. I’ll go with you to the terminal, and from there, we part ways. Hyogo will go with the Alchemists’ Explosives Division to investigate possible rituals involving gunpowder in nearby cities. The country of Volny requested our assistance for this mission.”

Upon reaching the terminal, the knights split for their respective missions.

Harpya: “Isz, your master said to eliminate any witch, or anyone sympathetic to the Cult of Lust. You understand, right?”

Isz: “I’ll do my best.”