Volume 2: Chapter 028: Ulysses (Yunosis)’s Third Memory
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
(Third Memory)
Approximately 2100 years ago.
West Continent, Gijeen Kingdom’s West Forest, Crimson Witch’s Hut
Yunosis: 100’s
The Crimson Witch’s abode was fairly simple.
It had drying aromatic herbs and medicinal plants hanging from the ceiling, along with bottles of nuts and jams giving it a very rustic feel.
It was also decorated with acorns, pine cones and pressed flowers, rather than creepy, the little cabin felt rather cute.
What’s with those terrible rumours I kept hearing from everyone?
To think that this potpourri-scented place was [1] the home of a supposed evil witch.
“This is rather unexpected…”
“What about it? Do you really believe the rumours of me collecting the ripped off the faces of beautiful girls?”
“Hahaha, it’s my first time hearing that one.”
“… …”
The Crimson Witch had her hands on her hips, looking a little cross. She looked like a normal young teenager at that time. I was fascinated by her. Perhaps that was the true danger. Not to mention, the rumours may be one of the ways with which she protected herself.
She brought a cup of tea to where I was sitting. Well, this does seem like an invitation, right?
“Anyway, what business do you have with me? Also, do you always travel with those guys?”
“They are spirits…”
“I know that. Your reputation already reached the Western Continent. You’re the White Sage, known for being pure white as well as the creator of Spirit Magic or White Magic. It’s just… I thought you’d look older.”
“Well, the thought is mutual.”
“Oh my, haven’t you heard that I stayed looking this age by drinking the blood of beautiful young women? Oooh, so scary~” [2]
“… …”
She was practically rolling her eyes as she poured milk into her tea before stirring it with a spoon.
“I witnessed a battle between yourself and the Black Demon King at the Northern Continent. I tried meeting with the Black Demon King, but he had closed himself off in a different dimension.”
“Ahh, that guy… He’s a freaking recluse.”
“Why do you fight? Would you tell me the reason?”
“Reason?”
Her eyebrows darted upwards as she stared at me. I felt a little overwhelmed by the intensity of her gaze. Even so, as the White Sage, I shall maintain my composure.
“By the will of Vabilophos, depending on your reason, I may have to stop you.”
“Reason, eh? Well, if you want me to give that, I’m afraid we don’t really have one.”
“What?”
Whatever composure I had collapsed in an instant.
“There’s absolutely no reason. We’re just playing around. Play fighting, you know?”
“… …”
I cannot understand her words.
“[3] Hey, I thought you of all people would know this. He and I… we recognised each other’s powers and competed seriously to prove our existence. You go about all over the world preaching balanced and fair magic, but have you ever thought of yourself as being someone equal to others?”
“That…”
The Crimson Witch leaned closer, her sea-coloured eyes appeared to lure me in as they gazed steadily at me.
I could not look away from her.
“Tell me your name, White Sage. I shall see all there is to see about you and tell you all that I will see.”
“Are you speaking about my MP numbers?”
“If you wish. From your expression, I can tell that no one had ever been able to see the end, right? If one doesn’t even know their own measure, what is there to talk about?”
“… …”
It takes a special kind of resolution to speak one’s name to a Naming Witch. Especially when you do not know what that person would do with such information.
Even so, I did not hesitate.
“My name is Yunosis Baromet. Although few address me by that name now.”
“[2] Well, obviously. You fear having others call you by your real name. The longer you live, the worse it gets. By distancing yourself from others, you feel you get hurt less…”
She stood up and stared into nothingness.
The silence lasted for a while.
Suddenly, her lips arched into a grin.
“Fufu… Ahahaha!! How amazing~ You are the same as me and that guy!”
The Crimson Witch kept laughing as she pointed her finger at me while I sat in my chair. Suddenly, she looked down at me and said-
“Yunosis Baromet, with an MP value of 1,272,850, you are the same as the Black Demon King and myself… Those with MP of over one million points are all Demon Kings!”
“1.27 million….?!”
The shock I felt when I first heard that number was tremendous.
At that time, the general average was about 400. Humans with an MP close to 6,000 points were considered monstrously powerful. I had believed that my MP score may be something close to 10,000… this was ridiculous.
“Fufu, you look surprised. Well, that’s understandable. That kind of power is beyond natural living beings at this point.
“I thought so too… but I would prefer not to think about it…”
“Fufu…”
She sat down in her chair, sighed and took a sip of her tea.
“It’s quite funny, really. I’ve looked at a lot of people’s names until now, but the MP values of ordinary people are around 200 to 7000. We really are on a different level from everyone else.”
“… …”
“However, that is exactly why it is possible for us to freely wield such powers. Which is why you trying to create a troublesome magic is so weird!”
She picked up one of the nuts from the middle of the table as she waited for my reaction.
Naturally, I could not hide my shock about my MP numbers. However, I became even more interested in the Crimson Witch and Black Demon King, both of whom had the same level as me.
“You said that you recognised each other’s powers. Is it because you hate each other?”
“We~ell, there were times that I did think that the Black Demon King was super annoying.”
“If there is no real reason for conflict, why not stop the futile battles? The powers that you wield, no, our powers have the potential to destroy the world.”
“Fufuf, aren’t you being way too serious, White Sage? Well, I don’t hate that attitude.”
She laughed as she nibbled on her nuts.
“If that’s what you think, you should do your very best to stop the fights between myself and the Black Demon King.”
“What are you saying, Crimson Witch?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
However, judging from her eyes. It did not look like ‘nothing’ at all. Her smile was sharp and somewhat provocative. I have never met a woman who made me think of her as an equal or even better than me.
Perhaps that was why, although she looked attractive, there was something hateful and pitiful about her.
Was the Black Demon King the same?
“I understand. You want me to join in the battles, right?”
“Fufu, as someone with the same level of power as us, don’t you think that it’s a pity not to test out your full strength? Is living a long and boring life really living?”
“Unfortunately, I have plenty of things to occupy my time, so I don’t have it in me to feel bored. Therefore… I would prefer if the fights come to an end.”
“Fufu… doesn’t it all work out in the end?”
Back then, I believed that the strong should protect the weak.
In fact, I don’t believe my way of thinking was wrong at all.
It was simply that the Crimson Witch and the Black Demon King all had different ways of thinking.
While I still could not understand why those two fought or why they would bother to do battle every month, I was in fact, searching for the same thing as them.
[4] We were all searching for the reason for our existence.However, if we all wield our powers as we please, the world will be destroyed before we know it.
Our world is truly that fragile.
To us, each battle may only be a momentary distraction. However, for powerless people, the repercussions could be a long and painful one.
The more I tried to meddle in the fights between the Crimson Witch and the Black Demon King, the more they appeared to escalate.
Eventually, I started looking for other ways to stop the conflict.
It was around this time that I learned of the legend within the Sanctuary.
The Legend of the Hero from Another World.
A legend of a saviour who appears when the world is plunged into chaos.
[Gumihou: You know, a lot of the problem seemed to be from this Sanctuary…]
[1] Add details to indicate scepticism [2] Adjust the delivery style, because it’s freaking repetitive. Yeah, yeah, whatever. [3] Adjust speech style to reflect Crimson Witch’s attitude [4] Add detail
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