Release That Witch

A week quickly passed and it was time for the investigation platoon to depart.     

Roland decreed that Barov, Carter, and Iron Axe come to the castle where he told them of his coming departure in a couple days in advance. The affairs of Border Town were to continue to be carried out according to the daily plans and regulation.     

It was not surprising that his decision was unanimously opposed by all three of them. Carter had hoped to perform the duties as the chief knight to guard the prince; Iron Axe requested that a troop of 100 soldiers escorted the prince; Barov tried to persuade him to stay based on the fact the degree issued by City Hall had to still be checked and sealed by the lord. Finally, he had to flex his power as the leader and commanded that everyone follow his orders.     

"Your Highness, I don't understand. What's so important that you must go personally?" Barov wondered aloud.     

"These matters are about the Western Region... including the fortune of the Kingdom of Graycastle," Roland said after a moment of silence, "And, only I'm able to make the best judgment calls."     

"Can't you... tell us the specifics?"     

"Not now, but you'll understand it someday." He shook his head. "Another thing, this trip is confidential, so you can't disclose this information to anyone."     

More than 200 kilometers from the Western Region there may be a battalion of demons stationed. These demons destroyed Holy City of Taquila and drove the resistance to the edge of the continent. They made Barbarian Land the scarred and forbidden territory no one dares to go to today and what happened was so horrible that it was forbidden to speak about.     

He was not overly distraught by it because he had been desensitized by watching several extinction films. However, he did not know how everyone else would react. If the information leaked, there might be a panic which would lead to a drop in the population of the Western Region.     

So, now was not the right time to reveal the truth.     

After arranging the political affairs, Roland boarded a hot air balloon, on the castle vestibule, with the witches, and flew to the snow mountain.     

"Your Highness, if over 400 years ago, and it really was the church that fought against the demons, are they good or bad here on earth?" After being told about the existence of demons, Sylvie had become concerned.     

"Bad, of course." Nightingale interrupted as Roland was about to speak. "Have you ever seen a good man who hunts down witches for no reason? We weren't demon's minions and we all know that we witches have nothing to do with demons, let alone a Demonic Torture.     

Sylvie continued to stare at Roland, appearing to wait for his answer.     

Roland thought for a moment. "First of all, there's no proof that the church fought against the demons and it has yet to be confirmed. If they really had made that sacrifice why would they hide it by destroying records of it? Telling the public would be the best way to gain more believers. I'm afraid that there're only a few clues as to the truth. Not to mention, it isn't so black and white for good and evil, and it's not that easy to distinguish it depending on which side you're standing," Roland answered with a smile, "What you want to know is if I'll decide to stand with the church in order to fight the demons, right?"     

"I..." Sylvie couldn't deny it, even though she wanted to."     

"The pope and the lord have always been enemies. I wouldn't stand on the side of the church, even without witches," he said, "What's more, now you're on my side."     

"You see I was right." Nightingale laughed. "Even if the church had fought against the demons, they were defeated, totally defeated. If that war had been led by our Prince Roland, the results would have been very different. So, why would we side with the loser?"     

"... I understand now." She nodded, seeming no longer depressed.     

The snow mountain came into their view at dusk.     

"What a massive mountain," Roland thought. Even he himself had rarely seen such a towering peak. There were no surrounding peaks standing by its shoulder, as if the earth suddenly stood up, creating a road to the heavens. The gray mountain wall occupied most of their vision, and it would take a few months to travel around the mountain's foot.     

They chose a plateau that was close to the seashore to camp, making it easier to observe their surroundings. And, it was far from Misty Forest, which ensured their safety against beast attacks.     

After eating their dry food, they started to set up their tent. Due to the limited carrying capacity of the hot air balloon, they were only able to carry one large tent. Roland was considerate though and slept in the basket, allowing the witches to share the tent, while Maggie slept in a tree. She could even sleep standing on her feet, after metamorphosing into a bird.     

He found that he was still shy and too embarrassed to squeeze in with the witches. Wendy and Soraya suggested that they sleep in the basket while Roland slept in the tent, but Roland rejected the idea.     

Sylvie was the only one who stared nervously at Roland while discussing the accommodation arrangement, and he did not know if her reaction made him want to laugh or cry.     

After arranging the guard, they all went into the tent. The rugged basket made it impossible for Roland to fall asleep, so he sat on a rock that was facing the sea and looked out at the moonlight on the water, becoming lost in thought.     

Suddenly, he heard soft footsteps.     

The prince turned around and found it was Anna.     

When he was in school, he would always look forward to something happening during group trips. Although nothing happened on most of his trips, he would not forget to look forward to the next.     

But, now that it was coming true, Roland was nervous. Acting nonchalant, he frowned before saying. "What's up? Can't fall asleep?"     

"No," Anna replied bluntly, "I just wanted to sit with you."     

"Really?" he coughed. "Thank you."     

"It's me that needs to say thank you." Anna smiled. The faint silver moonlight sparkled on her face and her blue eyes looked more beautiful than the sea. "Sylvie did not thank you for what you said, but I could sense it made her feel much better."     

"Are you happy for her?"     

"No." She shook her head. "I'm happy I have a choice."     

Roland was suddenly surprised. "What... choice?"     

Anna closed her eyes and kissed him on the cheek without saying a word. After what felt like a long time, she whispered, "Good night, Your Highness."     

Did that really just happen?     

Roland stretched in content and watched her as she walked back to the tent. As he turned to go back to the basket and try to sleep he felt a pair of invisible hands touch his face. He could see nothing in front of him, but he again felt the soft caress on his cheek. "And me, Your Highness. Thank you for what you've done for witches."     

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