The Morning After
The sun rose over a wide green field, its light spilling across the swaying grass. A gentle breeze brushed through the air as the carriage finally came to a halt.
"…Uhh."
Leo slowly opened her eyes, finding herself lying inside the carriage.
"…Ugh. Looks like… we've crossed that kingdom."
She muttered faintly, pressing her hand against her forehead before forcing herself upright.
But the moment her palm brushed against her chest—
"Ouch…"
Leo hissed softly. Her wound had stopped bleeding, but the pain still lingered. She glanced down at herself, relief flickering across her face.
"…Guess I was lucky not to die yesterday. Huh? Wait—where's Kaizer?"
With that thought, she stepped off the carriage and onto the grass, scanning her surroundings.
"Kaizer…" she whispered as she walked toward the horses.
There, on the driver's seat, head drooped forward, was Kaizer—the postillion. He was sound asleep, using the horse's back as a pillow.
"Glad you're okay…" Leo murmured with a faint, almost fragile smile. But as her eyes lowered, her expression grew heavy with sorrow.
"…I wonder if Lucas is alright."
Her fists clenched.
"It's my fault. If I hadn't been with him… then he wouldn't have…"
Her voice cracked, rage flashing across her face.
"Damn it! I'm so weak!!"
She slammed her trembling hand against the carriage wall, frustration boiling over.
"Uhh, really… do you regret it that much?"
A woman's voice suddenly whispered into her ear.
"…Huh!? Who's there!?"
Leo's eyes darted around the open field—but no one was in sight.
"…Strange. I could've sworn I heard someone…" she muttered.
"Ooaaahh~…"
A loud yawn echoed.
Leo turned sharply—only to see Kaizer stirring awake.
"Oh, you're up." She let out a soft smile.
Kaizer stretched, rubbing his eyes with the water in his flask.
"Ahh, Miss Mion. Glad you didn't run off. I only managed to sleep at dawn…"
"…Actually, Kaizer, I…"
Her words faltered on her lips.
"What is it? Something you want to say?" Kaizer tilted his head.
"…I just… wanted to apologize. Because of me, you and Lucas had to suffer."
Her head lowered, her voice heavy with guilt.
Kaizer blinked once—then smirked.
"…Heh."
With a firm grip, he patted her shoulder.
"Listen, Miss! We're merchants. We risk our lives for goods every single day! Dying? Getting hurt? That's just part of the job. We don't give a damn about danger! Eheheh!"
He grinned wide, even throwing in a cheeky wink.
Leo's eyes widened, her lips parting. Her voice trembled.
"Y-you… you merchants are really something else. Thank you… for saving me. For giving me a ride."
"No need to thank me. It's our duty." Kaizer replied with a grin.
Leo turned her gaze to the wide sky above—clear blue, dotted with drifting clouds, birds soaring freely. She exhaled softly.
"…Thanks. I'll do my best. I need to reach the Rezein Kingdom. From here, I can manage on my own."
"Oh? I see. Then be careful, Miss! May your journey be a good one!" Kaizer called out cheerfully.
"Hmph. …I hope so." Leo smiled faintly.
In the middle of the green field, the postillion Kaizer waved her farewell.
"Bye-bye, Miss Mion! Until we meet again!"
"…Goodbye."
Leo raised her hand lightly as the carriage rolled away, disappearing into the horizon.
Tightening the straps of her bag, she whispered under her breath—her eyes sharp, her resolve unwavering.
"…Now… I will surely find you, Reality Witch."
And with that vow, she set off across the endless fields, her steps steady and resolute.
The evening sun dipped low, painting the horizon in shades of crimson and gold.
A vast stone bridge stretched across a shimmering lake, where clear water rippled gently and schools of fish darted beneath the surface.
Leo staggered forward, her steps heavy with exhaustion.
"Phew… finally. I made it."
She wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest rising and falling with tired breaths. Ahead, the distant walls of Rezein Kingdom gleamed in the fading light.
But the moment she stepped onto the bridge—
A violent gust of wind slammed into her.
"Ughhh!! W-what is happening!?"
The air twisted unnaturally.
CRACK!
A sound like shattering glass echoed in her ears.
"Huh…!? What was that!?" Leo's voice trembled. Her eyes darted frantically across the bridge—yet nothing was there.
CRACK!
This time, the entire bridge fractured beneath her feet—splintering like brittle glass.
"Wha—!!"
Leo screamed as the ground gave way, plunging her into the water below.
BAM!
The impact slammed through her back, forcing a cry of pain. She gasped, struggling to orient herself.
"Ughh… i-it hurts…"
But when her eyes finally focused—her blood ran cold.
The entire world around her was broken.
The lake, the sky, the horizon… all shattered into countless crystalline fragments, suspended in a void of white glow.
"…What… what is happening to me!?" Her voice quivered.
"My, my…"
A woman's voice whispered into her ear—soft, melodic, yet chilling.
Leo's body froze. Slowly, she turned.
There—emerging from the fractured space—stood a woman unlike any she had ever seen.
Her hair was long and silky white, flowing down in a perfect hime cut. Her skin was porcelain pale, her eyes striking—irises tinted light violet, pupils a deep pink that seemed to pierce through reality itself. She wore a black gothic gown adorned with white stripes, its elegance edged with a foreboding aura. Around her neck shimmered a golden necklace, and in her hand she carried a long wooden staff, crowned by a glowing, galaxy-like white ring.
The woman stepped closer, her heels echoing in the broken void.
"Wh-who are you!?" Leo demanded, panic flashing in her eyes. Her body trembled as she raised her hand defensively. "Answer me!"
The woman only smiled, her tone soft yet commanding.
"How gratifying… to meet someone who longed for me so desperately."
"What are you…?" Leo whispered, her voice cracking.
The woman leaned in, lifting a delicate hand. Her fingers brushed gently across Leo's cheek.
"Fear not…"
Her lips neared Leo's ear, her whisper sinking into Leo's very bones.
"You are… the most unique one I have ever encountered."
"H-huh!? Get off me!" Leo shoved her back, breath unsteady.
Her mind raced. This presence… it can't be…
"That means… you… you're…?"
The woman's smile deepened.
"Yes. I am the one you seek, Leo Julius Eros."
Leo's eyes widened. Her chest tightened. The Reality Witch…!
She clenched her fists, steadying her trembling body. Her expression hardened, her fear buried beneath resolve.
"…So you knew who I was all along."
The shattered world around them pulsed with a blinding white glow,
"Of course," the woman replied. But now her smile faltered. Her gaze sharpened, filled with knowing weight.
"The curse you carry… it is no mere burden. It is punishment. For your sin—one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Is it not?"
Her lips curved into an eerie smirk.
Leo swallowed hard, her throat dry.
"…Yes. That man is me. And you… you really are the Witch of Reality."
The woman chuckled softly, her presence suffocating yet regal.
"Hehehe… indeed. I am Lucillia Flavia Emma, the Witch of Reality."
Her smile returned—calm, graceful, terrifying and said haltingly
"…It is a pleasure… to..meet.. you."