Once Cynebal was gone, I finally sat down and decided to rest a bit. The exhaustion hit me really hard, but nonetheless, I still spent the day as I would do normally.

Playing with Scarlet was tiring me out even more, but I couldn't lie... It was also fun at times. Helping Mother whenever I could was obviously something I didn't mind doing, lessening the burden on her was a natural action- I couldn't simply watch her working hard all day.

I'd also chat a bit with Scarlet's mother. How to describe her... She was a pretty woman? Within the village, there were probably quite a few women that I could name who I found attractive or pretty, and Scarlet's mother was amongst them. She wasn't the most beautiful woman nor was she the ugliest either... But there was something about her that made her stand out from the rest in her own unique way.

Now that I think about it, the way she dressed and carried herself really made it seem like she was a noble woman rather than a commoner.

Usually you'd be seeing her wear white inside her home like she is today. The clothes she wore were also prim and proper, they fitted comfortably on her slim body. Furthermore, her voice was something special, it was always soothing to hear and although it was on the quieter side, somehow it could grab your attention at any time.

You could even say that she seemed like a person with no faults at all... But that's never true. No one can be perfect. I'm sure she has her own faults or weaknesses, whether they come to light in the future or not- does not matter to me.

I took a glance at Scarlet's mother while she was talking endlessly. I couldn't lie, the youthfulness on her face was something that brought awe on many faces of other women. Clean, white, glossy- I think a lot of women were jealous of her too...

I don't know when I started to notice and admire the beauty of women, I don't think that's something that should be going through my mind at my age either, but it is what it is. Maybe I've just matured faster than others. Yeah, that seems to be what's most likely.

"And do you know what Scarlet said to me just before!? When she went out walking with you yesterday... She said she stole an apple- and ate it!"

Oh... That's right. Yeah... It was Scarlet who did the stealing, not me. Yup, definitely not me. Since Scarlet admitted to her crimes, I don't need to say a thing- Am I right? Kukukukuku~

"My goodness, what a child she's become..."

"Uhm... yup." I replied instantly whilst nodding my head in complete agreement.

I wasn't fully paying attention to what Scarlet's mother was saying, and I don't think what she was saying mattered much to me either. She seemed absorbed in letting out some of her recent complaints and frustrations. However, she never shouted or seemed angry. It seemed like she just acknowledged the moments of inconvenience and listed them to me. In the end, I thought sitting back and listening would be the best in this kind of situation.

Listening to her was starting to bore me, were adults always like this? I looked past Scarlet's mother but then found my eyes being drawn back to somewhere else. I was looking at her long, creamy blonde hair which she untied and let down.

"Ah~ there we go. Nothing left to tie me down now, haha~"

I think I was somewhat hypnotised by the bottom half of her hair as it was flowing so beautifully due to the gentle breeze that entered through the window. Maybe Scarlet's mother wanted to set her hair free after a hard day of work.

Anyway, I've confirmed it- and I don't think it's going to change. Hmm, yeah... I have no doubt in my mind. Scarlet's mother is definitely a pretty woman... And kinda funny too. Especially how she gets worked up over such small things but manages to still seem kind and gentle with her words. I can't help but laugh a little on the inside.

"Hmm? What is it Sebastian? Is there something on my face?"

"Ugh- ah... no. It's nothing."

Well... looks like I got caught red handed. Instead of taking a glance, it turns out I was staring at her for a while that even she started to notice...

"Oh, is that right?" She said as she balled her hands up and placed them against her cheeks in a cuteish manner. She smiled at me, tilted her head, and then let out a charming giggle. She definitely knew...

Scarlet's mother and I continued to discuss various topics such as things like prices of food and clothes within the village, what to give as a gift for a friend, and so on and so forth.

It was a long conversation... maybe not even a conversation at all since she was the one speaking most of the time. So in the end, although I learnt a few new things, it was kind of draining... Scarlet's mother sure did seem like she had a lot to say...

But as much as I wanted to escape from the situation, I didn't think I would've been able to do so in a polite way... During this long, drawn out and one-sided conversation- naturally, we also spoke about rumours that were circulating around the village. And of course, the word 'Witch' came up. I think it was right around this time when Scarlet's mother started acting weird.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Hmm?"

Just as I could sense the conversation nearing its end with the occasional pauses of silence that began to increase, Scarlet's mother looked up for a moment and then brought her attention back down again. I didn't say anything to her as I thought she must've just seen a fly flying above her or something.

I was simply anticipating the moment where she would end things and I could finally be set free... But after that, Scarlet's mother shook her head many times and then stopped all of a sudden... She glanced to her right and beside her, there was me.

An awkward silence grew at the table. Her eyes were cast over mine with a sort of bizarre intensity. How to say this... Out of nowhere, it was as if she was judging me, evaluating me, and trying to see the truth that lay deep within my eyes. She was undeniably behaving oddly and out of character. Usually her gaze would be calm and gentle, unlike this one.

"Hmm... Sebastian? Yes, of course... Alright, I've gathered my thoughts now."

"..."

"Sebastian."

"Hmm?" I replied. I decided to remain calm and not inquire too much about her peculiar behaviour.

"I know I've talked to you about this before but you must make sure not to speak or say anything about this specific word when people are nearby."

"..."

"There are many prying eyes and people in this village who have become more wary and... hmm. What to say? Let's say... 'aggressive' when it comes to that topic."

"Why?"

"..."

"I don't understand. Why do humans hate... 'witches' so much?"

Even though Sebastian liked learning new things, he had never really gotten his hands on a book related to history- he found 'history' to be very boring. He was more likely to go for a book that interested him or garnered his attention in some other way. That's why his selection of books was more random than anything.

"Ah, no one has mentioned it to you? That's odd... but I guess it's best if you don't know too much as well. You're still a bit too young.

"But don't you and everyone else know that I'm already more-"

"BE QUIET." She said authoritatively.

"And listen..."

I nodded my head and complied with her command. Scarlet's mother spoke in such a demanding way and so suddenly too, that my body twitched a bit in surprise. I think I was a bit frightened. Okay, maybe not just that. Other than feeling surprised or frightened, I also found it a bit funny because that tone of voice didn't suit her at all- but I'll keep that to myself.

"All I'll say is that witches and humans have always been at odds in the past. It doesn't help that out of the three kingdoms ruled by humans, our kingdom is next to the land of the witches- the seemingly never ending forest... And well, there's nothing that's going to change now... even if you wanted it to."

As she didn't say anything else for a while, I surmised that I was able to speak a bit freely now.

"Hmm? What did you mean with that last thing you said?" I said curiously, it was a genuine question that I had.

"Ah, nothing- forget about what I just said. Haha~ alright... now you hurry along and go outside. Go and have some fresh air."

Scarlet's mother turned Sebastian around so that he would be facing the door and lightly pushed him towards it.

"But..."

Sebastian was outside now and right in front of the door. He wanted to know more about witches in general and what Scarlet's mother had meant with the last thing she had said.

"No 'ifs' or 'buts', we've talked enough for now. You should go out, explore or play. Focus on taking in the pleasant breeze that the outside has to offer." Scarlet's mother waved her finger at Sebastian as if scolding him, and then closed the door with an unusual amount of force.

"..."

Scarlet's mother seemed a bit different today. She felt a bit 'off'... even if it seemed as though she was acting as her usual self. It was as if she was... insane. When she looked up at the ceiling of the house, I couldn't see fully but I do think I saw her eyes... darting and moving crazily, from one corner to the other.

There was something about her just before she started talking about witches and during the conversation itself, that gave me the impression that something wasn't... right? It couldn't be just a coincidence that she happened to seem different today. There must be a reason behind her uncanny behaviour but I can't think of anything right now.

"Huh... Well then, I guess it seems like I'll need to do some more research into witches by myself."

Getting my hands on a history book would be quite difficult though, especially if 'witches' were a part of it. Usually, normal story books are more cheap so whenever my Father or Cynebal used to travel to the closest city, on the way there they'd buy them from merchants or regular people selling random goods for the extra little bit of money.

Although, most of the books I have now, I have received by my Father using a different method...

Hardly many people would want to read story books in general. Their interest turned to more useful things like history books or other items that provided entertainment in a more effective way than fictional stories so they fell out of popularity in the past decade is what my father told me.

However, history books are expensive. They're handwritten and the materials to make them are hard to acquire or very high-priced like any other book- and due to the amount of valuable information that they contain, they have become even more costly.

Usually, my Father would take any books he could find from any carriages or wagons that were deserted after being ransacked by thieves which he would somehow chance upon. I guess you could say he was even a thief himself! But jokes aside, he just took them and brought them back for me or Scarlet to read. That said, I still have all the books that I've received. In total, maybe about... 12?

I've been thinking about selling them for quite some time now but haven't really found or had the chance to, especially when most people in the village look for more useful items. I guess I'll look for an opportunity to sell them when I'm outside the village.

Now then, I've been walking for a while but much time seems to have passed while I was thinking. I've already arrived at this huge flat land of grass that stretches out... quite far. As usual, my concept of time sure does seem to spiral out of control while I'm thinking...

I have to make sure to somehow bring myself back to the present. I can't simply 'think' all day without any action. Well... whatever. Let's bring my attention back to the task at hand. I guess it's about time to say 'hello' to that boat seller by the river.

------------------------------------------------------

[One should not dare defy a witch, especially humans. For actions have consequences and in this case, the consequences will be severe. Feel free to challenge us as many times as you like. That was the height of your foolishness in the past.

That was your mistake.

That's why the weak are in fact idiots. All they do is ask questions and think. Think... Think... Think. Think as hard as those weak brains can manage, but the result will still be the same. Nothing will change... so be prepared for that day is soon upon us. The very day that you will meet your true end.]

- The Vengeful Witch