First Knot

...I see.

So Master went to the village in order to accompany Mr. Carter?

That's right. Robin went along too, to keep them safe.

He said he's hoping they can determine whether that figure really is cursed or not, as part of our investigation.

It looks like we'll just have to rely on Senpai for this.

True... We need to be especially careful right now.

How's Abigail doing?

Abby...hasn't left her room since last night.

I tried bringing her something to eat, but she wouldn't even touch it...

Nezha went climbing up to the roof earlier...

...but I have no idea what she's got in mind.

You know, ever since we got here, Nezha's been acting like a cat on its last nerve.

Maybe she likes kids more than she lets on?

(Sigh)... Anyway, it's hard seeing Abby so down in the dumps.

Servant or not, Tituba clearly means a lot to her.

Seeing Tituba thrown in jail must have shocked poor Abby.

...

...She's very different from the other children here, isn't she?

There can't be many children as sensitive as her in this time period.

It's especially unusual that she would be so close to a...well, a slave.

...I'm not so sure about that.

It is simply in her nature to be kind. Anyone can be compassionate like she is. It is just a matter of actually wanting to.

I agree with Sanson. Prejudice only takes root in certain environments.

Abby lives a relatively wealthy life. At least by the standards of this colony.

And she seems to have a very good education as well, thanks to Mr. Carter.

And somehow, even after the loss she's suffered, she's held onto her natural cheerfulness.

I think that might be her greatest strength. ...But she still couldn't have done it alone.

It's only because Tituba, someone else who knew her parents well, was there beside her.

It must have been a big help to have a close family friend around to talk to with her parents gone.

That's why she's taking this so hard. She's afraid she's about to lose someone else she loves...again.

...You know, when I put it that way, it kind of sounds like someone else we know, doesn't it?

...

About that...

When we went to look for Abby after she ran away yesterday, I found out that...

Hmm... An extreme fear of Native Americans, huh?

Yes. But it wasn't just fear. It was... I'm not sure how to put this...

Loathing...? Or maybe a strong fixation...? Whatever it was, it was definitely unusual.

...

So that's also why you felt there was something different about her, then?

...What did Master have to say about that?

Medea!? Where were you this morning?

Answer the question, Mash.

W-well... Yesterday, I was still processing it myself, and along with everything else that happened last night, I never got a good chance to tell him...

I see... That may actually be for the best.

What do you mean by that, Medea?

I've turned the house into a magical workshop. I just finished the rite a moment ago.

...!

A-are you sure that was a good idea? That seems like the kind of thing we really should have asked Mr. Carter about.

Oh, don't be such a wet blanket. I had to do it if we were ever going to contact Chaldea.

Regardless, that was awfully bold, especially given the circumstances. People might have seen you.

...Were you in your spirit form?

Yes. What's more, you should all be able to use your spirit forms now, too, at least within the house and its grounds.

...!!!

...So it would seem. I guess we have your rite to thank for this. But, what exactly is going on?

...Now we can change into our spirit forms "too," you said? That makes it sound like you already could.

...Well of course. Teehee. Who do you think you're talking to?

I'm Medea. Hecate herself taught me magecraft.

There's no point in just speculating about what MIGHT be happening here. What we need is proof.

Proof that there's something strange about this whole village, magically AND historically!

Proof that this whole land, that Salem itself, is the real heretical version of history...

As such, in order to observe it properly, I needed a workshop that I could withdraw to. Somewhere isolated from any outside influence.

...I see.

Then I trust you'll fill us in on the details once Master returns.

...Along with why you're the only one who avoided being pseudo-incarnated.

My, so direct and forceful, aren't you? Teehee.

Heretical history... Then, does that mean this land...Salem as it is now...

...is actually a separate dimension created with magecraft, rather than its actual past self having been brought here unintentionally?

I think so. I still can't read the rules on some of these destiny currents...

...but I'm trying to identify the root of their unusual phenomena cycles.

If it was magecraft, then someone here should have a soul that can never be fulfilled, and a will to bring about the curse that caused this.

And that should lead us to the Demon God Pillar, yes?

I believe so.

...I see.

I don't think I've ever seen you work so hard on anything before, Medea.

Me neither. But it's very encouraging, and a nice change of pace.

H-huh? What do you mean by

Well, we can deal with that stuff later.

We already told Master and Mash about this, but Sanson and I discovered something unusual too.

Yesterday, we met a girl called Lavinia Whateley.

She's the little albino child we ran into in the forest on our first night here.

But more importantly, she comes from a family of mages.

...Wait, what!?

The Whateley house is far from the village, and its basement appears to contain a magical workshop.

It HAS been concealed, but very roughly. We found discarded alchemy equipment strewn about nearby.

We also found animal remains buried in their yard that seem to have been used for dark magic rituals.

...What did this underground workshop look like? Does this mean that girl's family are practicing mages?

Well...I'm afraid we still don't know for sure.

Neither Mata Hari nor I could have gone inside without leaving a trace.

That sort of thing is more up Robin's alley.

...There was nothing more we could do.

Without Master's permission, we couldn't risk getting any closer.

Even if we could have used our spirit forms, we couldn't know we wouldn't be walking into a trap.

That's okay. Just knowing that there's a magical workshop there is more than enough.

...We still need to be careful about how we handle this, though.

If the people of Salem find out that the Whateleys are mages, there's no telling what they might do.

Mash, I believe you also said that Lavinia and Abby are good friends?

Yes, that's what Abby told me. However...

...it also seems that the people here strongly dislike the Whateleys.

And I don't know how much Abby knows about that, if anything...

Hmm. Mages, huh... That could be even worse than the clergy.

Also... May I say something?

I am not sure if this is because of the rite you completed here, Medea, but...

Oh, did you remember something already? Go on, tell us.

...Yes, I did.

Something very important, actually.

That new judge who showed up out of nowhere last night, Matthew Hopkins...

I know him. Or rather, I know OF him...

He is, like me, one of the most famous executioners in history...

He is? Then, he's not really a judge...?

I couldn't make heads or tails of that man. Who is he?

He's

(Wait, stop.)

Hm?

...Ah, good morning, Abigail.

...Morning, everyone.

What were. You all. Whispering about?

Nezha told me about how Uncle is out with Mr. Ringmaster right now.

He...he went to see how Tituba's doing, right?

That's right. So please don't worry, Abby.

I'm sure that Senpai and Mr. Carter will clear Tituba's name.

Yeah... I guess you're right. Plus, Nezha's here too.

Nezha? What about her?

The young girl. Refused porridge. I added spice. She ate.

Um, what she's trying to say...

...is that we talked about all sorts of things while I had my porridge.

And she told me that if I found any bad guys, she would beat them to a pulp.

That she'd make them completely evaporate, before even a drop of their blood has a chance to hit the ground.

It sounded truly frightening... But...I also kind of want to see it now.

Of course. (Thwip) I would be delighted. (Kathwap)

That sort of violent performance really isn't what we're going for with this troupe...

Maybe I should pray to God, and ask forgiveness...

...

...At any rate, we have a lot we need to discuss with Master as soon as he gets back.

...You mean, about your plays?

...Yes, of course.

Specifically, we need to discuss the tragedy and comedy taking place right here on Salem's own stage.

...?

Welcome back, Senpai.

Mr. Carter went out again, and he took Abby with him.

He said he was going to the church to speak with the Reverend. It sounds like they're all concerned about what's going on with the other children.

So right now, we're the only ones here.

...How did your investigation go? You said you met with Judge Hopkins?

A-are you okay? You look pale...

I don't blame him.

No problem. You must be seriously worn out after dealing with that old fart.

...That bad?

？！

Why don't you have a seat in that comfy chair and try to relax, Senpai?

We learned a few things too while you were out, so I'd like to make sure we're all equally caught up.

Thank you, Senpai...!

That's what I was hoping to be when I asked to come along!

Y-you think so...?

I-I mean... Now's not the time.

Please don't forget that you have important responsibilities as a Master of Chaldea, Senpai.

？！

Okay, to start...let's go over what happened with Matthew Hopkins, the judge that suddenly showed up last night.

Man, I don't know what that Hopkins guy's deal is.

First of all, Master, Carter, and me...

...went to the town's holding cell to talk to Tituba.

But all the guard would tell us is that she wasn't allowed any visitors. Orders from the top and all.

So, you weren't permitted to see her at all then...

Nope. Turns out that in this case, "holding cell" is just a fancy way of saying "underground prison."

I snuck a quick peek inside the cell, and it was a real hellhole.

There were rats and cockroaches everywhere, water leaking from the walls, the whole place smelled like something had died...

And never mind sunlight. The only light in the whole jail was a few dim torches in the hall.

Any more than a day in that dump and you'd lose your goddamn mind.

What about Tituba then? Did you see her at all...?

Tituba's... Well, she's still alive, I guess. She was curled up in a ball and freaking out something fierce.

Poor Tituba...

Coward! Rescue. Simplicity itself. Why did you not?

Uh, 'cause I'm a coward. Obviously. Especially here in Salem.

Stop it, Nezha. Remember, Master and Robin went to clear her name, not to break her out.

If we were to overstep our bounds like that, we would only end up furthering suspicion against her.

Hmm... Hm? ...I see. Yes. You are right.

Apologies, Robin. Thoughtless of me. That.

...S-sure, no problem. Anyway, like I was saying...

It was all Hopkins's call not to let anyone see her. Wouldn't even let her owner, Carter, in.

So we decided to go talk to him directly. We found him staying in a room at the fanciest mansion in town.

A ship captain by the name of Turner built it. Turns out it had a guest room specially reserved for judges and preachers and bigwigs like that.

Okay, so you went to see Hopkins directly. ... Did he seem to be a Demon God Pillar?

A Demon God Pillar? You serious?

How the hell should I know? What was I gonna do? Shoot him in the face and see if he transformed? C'mon.

In the end, all I could do was watch Master get worn out.

Ah, don't sweat it. It's not every day we Servants get to help you out like this.

...

Being exhausted from consecutive battles is one thing, but I can't believe you're this exhausted just from talking to someone, Senpai...

？！

Maybe the magical erosion caused by the curse that Medea is concerned about is affecting Master too?

Hm? What're you talking about?

That's definitely important too, but first, we want to hear more about what happened there. How did Mr. Carter handle the negotiations?

Carter's a pretty levelheaded guy, but he's also got balls of steel.

He went toe-to-toe with Hopkins the whole time. You'd never know he was just a mild-mannered professor.

Abby told me. Carter served. During a war.

Ah, a military man... That explains it.

He walks just a bit gingerly. Must be an old war wound.

...! I'm impressed you caught that, Sanson. I didn't notice at all.

Carter didn't even try for an emotional appeal, or anything like that.

He just said that Tituba was his own private property, and refused to budge from his claim that taking her away like this was unlawful seizure.

He even said he would seek punitive damages if this resulted in any impediment to her ability to work.

The constables who were there were pretty freaked when Carter said how much money he would ask for, but Hopkins didn't even blink.

The cursed doll? What of it? What became. Of that evidence?

That's where our Ringmaster showed what he was made of.

He kept insisting to see the figure again to determine whether there was black magic at work.

...But?

But all Hopkins would say was...

"The devil has taken up residence in that doll, just as he has taken up residence in Tituba."

"One need only look at the suffering child to see the hand of the devil in all this."

"If we are to limit the curse's reach, we cannot have people getting near or even touching that doll."

...Ironically, that would be the sensible move in a situation involving magecraft.

But Mr. Carter wasn't having thatso he decided to speak with the Reverend, who made the diagnosis, hm?

Me too.

That's true. Abby's a very strong believer herself.

Maybe she can get the Reverend to listen to reason... At least, I hope so.

？！

...Now it's just a race against time.

What do you mean?

Hopkins is going to try to...extract confessions from his suspects. That is what he does best.

Who is Hopkins? It's time you told us. Sanson.

All right.

From what I know...Matthew Hopkins was a British attorney.

If this is indeed 1692, Hopkins would be quite elderly. Yet, he does not seem so.

However, history tells us he died in 1647, almost half a century ago if Abigail gave us the correct date. I can only surmise that history is wrong in this.

During his life, he was best known by the title of "Witchfinder General."

No, he is not military.

No, he is not an official inquisitor affiliated with any church.

？！

Matthew Hopkins made witch hunts his life's work. The title was, so far as we know, one he gave himself.

He supported himself with the rewards he got from hunting witches.

His methods were brutal, even cruel, but people went along with them.

I heard that he was responsible for the execution of three hundred so-called witches in east England over the course of three years.

Three hundred people...in only three years!? But weren't all of them innocent...?

Most of them, yes, I expect.

Ugh, what a scumbag. So he went around seeing innocent people strung up as witches just to make a buck?

...Did you say they were hanged? I thought witches were burned at the stake back then.

...The vast majority of these witch hunts resulted in hangings. Especially in England.

Witchcraft was considered a grave crime against the teachings of God. As such, suspected witches were tried and executed the same as other felons.

Burning someone at the stake was more a form of torture than execution, and also served as a warning to anyone watching...

As executions go, hanging is far more efficient and less painful.

As these people are British colonists, they probably share many of the same sensibilities.

With Hopkins here, that's definitely possible.

I agree... He's definitely our biggest threat right now, whether he's with the Demon God Pillar or not.

？！

Putting Tituba in that disgusting underground prison will wear on her mind, and quickly.

If an ordinary person is locked away, starved, and denied visitors...

...they might last a week...no, three days at most.

Three days... So that's what you meant by a race against time.

Sanson. Very knowledgeable. About this.

...

Gotta hand it to you, Prince Nezha. You're way better with kids than me.

Hehe!

...So then, you were never able to examine the evidence?

I took a look at it, but I couldn't tell you one way or the other. It just looked like a regular handcrafted doll.

...That means I will need to examine it myself.

For all your talents, Master, I don't think you'd be the best equipped to handle this sort of thing.

It would be great if you could do that, but...

？！

Of course.

I believe you already heard the general outline I gave to the others earlier.

I'll spare you the details. In summary, I took the liberty of turning this house into my workshop.

It should be quite helpful, as it seems we'll largely be staying here during our mission.

I see.

Indeed, as of now, the area we are investigating here is much smaller compared to past missions.

My primary aim was to ensure I could make full use of my magecraft, but there are other benefits as well.

That is, so long as we're in my workshop, we are not affected by the influence this land is having on us.

？！

Right. But that's only a very small part of all this.

...Oh?

Can anyone here describe what Tituba looks like in detail?

...Huh? What do you mean?

I know she's, uh...a mild-mannered woman with brown skin, but... Hm? Well, that's strange...

What about the color of her eyes? Her hairstyle? Her build? Her age?

...Now that you mention it, I can't remember anything like that.

...Oh man, I can't either. What the hell?

Damn, you're right, Medea. We didn't even know we were caught in the enemy's trap.

So then...something's been interfering with our awareness? Or maybe our memories...?

And as long as we're inside this workshop, we are not subject to that interference, correct?

Right. If this Bounded Field can so easily interfere with a Servant's senses, it must be the sort that would typically require a Divine Spirit to create.

And yet, we still can't get a firm grasp on it. It's like it slips away whenever we try...

？！

Isn't it obvious?

Tituba has been concealing her true appearance all along.

Actually, she is the one who strikes me as odd at this point, more so than Hopkins, in fact.

If anyone here has a connection to the Demon God Pillar, I'd bet it's her.

...!

Ideally, I would have liked to examine her after she returned here to Mr. Carter's house, but since that no longer seems to be possible...

...I'll just have to go examine her myself.

That seems like it'd put you at a hell of a disadvantage.

Well, I guess you're the only one who hasn't been so affected by the Bounded Field...

I guess that's why you're the Queen Witch or whatever, yeah?

Hehe... You know it! I'm the baddest witch of all! No need to be shy about it!

Huh, kinda thought that might piss you off. I guess Salem agrees with you or something?

I know we're already asking a lot of you, Medea, but...

...there's something else we need your help with.

？！

I've been focusing on getting the workshop done, so I haven't made any progress there yet. But I'm about to.

I'd give it about a fifty-fifty chance of working, sadly.

Master, I think this is your call.

Do we focus on saving, or possibly capturing, Tituba? Or on making contact with Chaldea?

Well said! Fujimaru!

Any Master. That would. Make a child cry. No Master. Of mine.

Ulp... W-well...

This is an important mission, so...I guess...we should focus on making contact with Chaldea...

We don't have any time to waste, Senpai. You need to consider our options carefully.

...I'm pretty sure that long face of yours isn't going to convince Master of anything of the sort.

Nope.

I guess not...

？！

Anyway, there might be a whole bunch of problems we've gotta solve, but it's not like we've suffered any losses ourselves so far, right?

So, don't get mad at me for saying this, but I don't think contacting Chaldea needs to be a priority now.

(...Phew.)

Oh? You're backing me up on this, Medea?

Yes, I agree. Given the circumstances, making contact with Chaldea can wait.

For now, I'm going to pay Hopkins a visit. Would you mind escorting me, Ringmaster?

I'd like to say that no one else needs to come along...but I doubt that will be well-received.

Me! I'll go along too!

？！

Then I shall join you as well.

I think there may be something I can do to improve the situation.

That would be great. Thank you, Sanson.

Okay then, in the meantime, we'll keep investigating the village. Robin, Nezha, shall we?

Sure thing. Guess we'll head back to the Whateley estate.

Understood.

...Fujimaru, was it?

I do not care how many times you ask. I will not be releasing a suspect held in custody.

If she is truly innocent, then she has nothing to fear. Do not interfere with my work.

You are oddly presumptuous for a band of traveling performers.

Unless...you have some personal reason to protest the suspect's detention?

...

(Senpai...are you sure it was a good idea to face him head-on like this...?)

(Th-that may be true, but still...)

(H-hang in there, Senpai...! You can do this!)

？！

(Fujimaru, Mash.)

(You need to keep Hopkins talking. Make him show you the evidence he seized.)

？！

Absolutely not. That evidence is crucial to this case. This is not up for discussion.

？！

...

Why are you so fixated on this object? The slave woman has already admitted to making it.

I-I, uh... Th-that may be, but...

...Your Honor.

Hm...? And who might you be?

My name is Charles-Henri Sanson. I'm a member of The Fujimaru Company.

A Frenchman, eh. You're certainly a long ways from home.

Indeed, I have been wandering for a long time. But I also know a thing or two about medicine.

In fact, I have treated a significant number of patients.

Furthermore, I am told there are people here who have fallen ill, with children among their number.

So if it would please Your Honor, I would ask your permission to examine them.

Well now, this is a surprise. You, a doctor?

No doubt you mean to charge exorbitant prices for some potion or such. Or perhaps you are a heretic yourself?

Nothing of the sort, Your Honor. For example...

I can see that you suffer from joint pain.

...And what does that prove? The same could be said for most men my age.

I'm sure the inclement weather we have been having lately doesn't help.

Perhaps your aching joints have put you in a foul mood.

I can also see that you enjoy your liquor, but don't care for a lot of milk in your tea.

...H-hmm.

If I may, I would suggest that you refrain from drinking too much.

It would also do you good to eat more fresh vegetables, rather than subsist only on bread and meat. I suggest courgettesI mean, zucchini.

I also recommend salad with parsley and apple vinegar dressing. It will help with the pain.

？！

...

...I can't say I approve of your methods, Frenchman. Any layman could do the same.

I can all but hear you shouting that you aren't like those ghouls who think applying a few leeches entitles them to a reward.

...Very well. I shall grant you permission to examine the patients.

However, you are not to harm or puncture their bodies in any way, nor are you permitted to administer anything brought in from outside their homes.

Also, you may charge no fee. You will be paid a fixed amount per household from the village coffers.

Thank you, Your Honor. That is more than enough.

Phew... This is great. Now we can examine the villagers as much as we like.

(Plus... I think this could help with our investigation. Right, Senpai?)

I hope you don't mind my taking the liberty, Ringmaster.

(True, he does seem to have softened up a bit...)

？！

...Hopkins.

Your first responsibility lies neither to the villagers, nor to your decrepit knees and back.

It's to the health of a valuable witness: Tituba.

As a fellow woman, I'm GOING to examine her, whether you like it or not. Give me the key to her cell. Now.

(M-Medea?)

I'm sorry, Mash, Ringmaster. There's just something about this man I can't stand.

Well now...

If you've come to perform a farce, I'm afraid you are in the wrong place.

And what about you? Are you really fit to serve as the guardian of the law that you claim to be?

Medicine is an intellectual practice, and so is the domain of men. The superstitious nonsense women espouse as healing is nothing more than witchcraft.

Tell me, woman, are you a witch?

I am wisdom itself. Deep womanly wisdom.

Clearly you do not believe that women have anything useful to offer in their experience or stories.

Watch your mouth!

How dare you address the His Honor that way!?

...Hold. These people didn't come here to enact violence.

...I've heard stories myself, you know.

Including ones about thieves who disguise themselves as traveling performers.

Indeed, I see now that such a cover would be perfect for those with larcenous intent.

Cunning clowns win over the children, and obscenely dressed dancing girls beguile good, upstanding men.

They mislead the townspeople with caricatures of bystanders and voyeurs, then take advantage of the commotion to steal from them.

At times they even commit arson or burglary, and disappear like so much smoke.

Once they leave, they never return to that town, not even caring what manner of evidence they leave behind.

What a foolish, dim-witted notion.

Such greedy bandits could never hope to perform a refined tragedy, nor a moving comedy...

None could ever compare to King Lear or the Merchant of Venice as I saw them in the London Globe Theatre.

Hahahaha!

Th-that's right.

We're performing the best we can!

...Ahh...

Ahh... Ahhh...

Ah...CHOOO!

Gesundheit. You coming down with a cold, or did your mustache just get stuck in your nostrils?

Hmm, I just got a strange chill down my spine. Odd... Oh well, I'm sure it's nothing. Hahahaha!

Definitely a cold.

？！

(...)

(Hypocrite. Arson and burglary are precisely what you yourself did during your witch hunts...)

(Still...)

(Could it be that he regrets his past now...? He almost seems like he's trying to make amends...)

I swear to you that we respect Salem's customs, and would never do anything to compromise its piety!

Hmm, you don't say.

I will tell you now that I sent a messenger down to Boston to visit someone who knows the city well...

...and he reported back that no one had ever heard of a troupe calling themselves "The Fujimaru Company."

That is not, in itself, a significant problem...

Massachusetts has not forgotten the Boston witch trial of John Goodwin from four years ago.

Four children began having strange seizures, and as expected, an old witch was responsible for them.

Indeed, the devil frequently makes use of women for his evil means. How can you be certain that this slave woman is not one of his pawns?

And so I declare that Salem must be placed on high alert.

There are witches in our midst...

The devil is here in Salem! There is no telling what form he may take!

...!

Does this mean you're banishing us?

Hmph... So you would confess your guilt by running away?

Quite the opposite... Fujimaru, I give you permission to perform for the entire town.

？！

And you WILL perform. Tonight. You will give a masterful performance that moves everyone here.

And in so doing, you will demonstrate that you truly are performers.

Gather as many villagers as will fit in the town hall, and give them a good show.

We just did that last night!

That was only a select few. This will be for the rest of the village. And if your play does not move them...

...I will have you arrested as bandits pretending to be performers, and investigate you all thoroughly.

If we succeed, will you release Tituba from prison?

That is a promise I cannot make. A crime is still a crime.

But I can say that if it goes to trial, your success will leave a much better impression on the jurors.

And one more thing. That woman will not be in your cast when you perform.

...Huh? Me? Why!?

Lock her in a cell as well, to ensure her compatriots do not flee in the night.

？！

You were extremely rude to a judge. Be grateful I did not pass sentence on you here and now.

In fact, I will even put you next to Tituba, just as you wished.

Grrr... Hopkins!!!

Ah, truly convincing anguish. I hope to see such pathos from all you actors tonight.

M-Medea...

This is all so sudden... You want us to perform tonight? What play should we

Do not worry. I will select that for you as well.

For it must be about something that Salem needs now more than ever...!

...So we gotta put on a play to clear our names? The hell's that old man thinking!?

There's no reason we gotta put up with this crap. He's just gonna find something else to criticize.

But Medea's been taken hostage, and Tituba's still in prison.

If we're going to save them, we have to earn everyone's trust.

Indeed. Resorting to violence would be playing right into his hands.

...Easy for you to say. You get to run off somewhere else.

There's nothing we can do about that, Robin.

Villagers have been coming to ask for Sanson's help since they heard about his medical expertise.

？！

I appreciate that, Master. And I am sorry for leaving you all at a time like this. Now then, I must be off.

Be careful out there, Sanson!

Master. What did Hopkins say?

？！

A stake? So we simply. Need to burn it?

That is. Not so hard.

Burning at the stake, huh? Well that's just great.

Like Frenchie said, England hasn't used that method of execution in forever.

Play or not, that's gonna leave a nasty impression on the villagers.

He clearly wants us to impress on everyone how dangerous witches are.

...Still, does this mean he wants us to put on a tragedy?

Because I think making an example out of the witch would only cause the audience to sympathize with her.

And if we do that, we'll end up in trouble, 'cause he'll just say it's proof we support heresy.

Dammit, we don't have time to figure this shit out before we go on stage!

Well, technically, yes, but...

Yes, there was. However...

？！

I'm afraid it could be considered a bit, uh...difficult?

This may not be for me to say, but I honestly have no idea what Andersen was thinking when he wrote it...

Hey, it's not like it's a major epic that takes several days to perform, right? Let's do it.

Besides, we've all got the hang of performing after last night's play.

？！

U-understood! That said, Medea isn't here tonight...

...and we don't have time for you to memorize the script, Senpai.

S-so I'll just have to join you all onstage myself!

？！

Are you sure. Mash? You will not. Freeze up?

Hmm, I don't know about this. Mash isn't exactly great at lying, or even hiding how she feels...

...Then again, maybe that would work to our advantage if she plays a bit part? Village girl or something...?

She'll be taking over for Medea in the lead role. ...I just hope she can handle it.

...

No fair... Why are you all ganging up on me like this...?

If that's how it's going to be, then I'm not going to feed you your lines even if you forget one...!

M-m-my name is Jeanne.

I-I-I am known as La Pucelle, the M-m-maiden of Orleans!

(O-okay!)

(One baguette, two baguettes, three baguettes, five, eight, thirteen, twenty-one, I can't eat that many!)

？！

Th-this is a tale of tragedy, and of miracles...!

Our story begins with Jeanne, a girl from the village of Domrémy, miraculously hearing the voice of God.

Tonight, you will see how Jeanne goes on to don armor, command soldiers, and ride a white horse into battle with her flag held aloft.

You will see her become Saint Jeanne d'Arc, the hero who saves France!

And yet, a tragic end awaits this heroine...

Tonight, The Fujimaru Company is proud to present...

"The Liberation of Jeanne d'Arc"...!

We begin in France, during the middle of the Hundred Years' War...

Hold it, hold it. Just hold it right there!

Th-that voice... Who are you?

Who are you?

I recognize that voice. Could it be...?

Just hold the hell up! This isn't the damn big bang; don't start ALL the way at the beginning!

How are we gonna get through this crap tonight if you start at the freaking Hundred Years' War!?

(Gasp) Are you my other self?

No way. Not by a damn sight!

But that's probably too much for this weird play, so yeah, let's just say I am.

I'm the dark side you didn't know you had. No matter how much they praise you, or put you on a pedestal...

...in the end, they're still gonna call you a heretic and burn you as a witch for no good reason!

They're gonna ship you out to Rouen and burn you like a stack of kindling!

Who is? The English Army?

Who do you think, genius!?

Which means tonight's play is actually called...

"The Burning of Jeanne d'Arc"!

Oh my... I certainly don't want to present a distorted view of history, but...

...couldn't we at least show them the French coronation ceremony? It's a wonderful thing to behold!

No way! Swear to GOD, no damn way!

Kill me first! I'd rather die than see that little twit Charles coronated!

But don't you find it incredibly moving?

Everyone's hearts joining together as one... Joyous words of celebration echoing through the cathedral...!

Ahh, at last, the great archangel Michael's prophecy has come to pass, and France has been saved!

Hurrah! Hurrah! Noelle! Noelle!

...Did someone say "Noël"? You did, didn't you?

Another new voice... Who might you be?

Oh for God'snot her! ANYONE but her!!!

It's me! Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily!

And you all know what Noël means... Christmas!

Tonight, we will be performing neither liberation nor burning, but rather...

"The Three Little Jeannes"!

Huh? What the actual hell? The Three Little Jeannes?

Oh, another version of me has shown up!

That's right. And here's the story! The Big Bad Wolves are coming!

We need to band together as sisters and fortify our defenses if we're going to withstand their onslaught!

HEY! Hans, what the HELL!? You're ripping off The Three Little Pigs now!?

Actually, I think we're okay, since it still hadn't been published in the 17th century...

Spare us the meta crap. That's not the point here, all right?

EXCUSE me, but the Big Bad Wolves are headed this way as we speak!

Come on, we need to build a house!

I agree. Fortifying one's defenses is very important.

Yeah, well I'm not doing jack squat! I remember this story. I know how it ends. The wolves are just gonna eat us one at a time anyway!

We don't know that for certain...

We may have been foolish enough to charge at the English Army with nothing more than a few spear techniques...

But if we work together, we can defend against this threat. Doesn't that sound nice?

...Grr...

That's right! If we get eaten, at least we'll get eaten together!

Helping or hurting, Lily? HELPING OR HURTING!?

Done! Just look at our lovely new house!

It's wonderful! Now we can't possibly lose!

Ugh, you just had to open your damn mouth, didn't you!? B-besides, something isn't right here.

We're ripping off the Three Little Pigs, right? So shouldn't the first house be straw?

This thing's gotta be even stronger than brick! Where's the story supposed to go from here!?

O-oh, wait. Maybe that's for the best...?

Big Bad Wolves these days breathe lots of fire, so we need to be ready for that!

What the hell kind of wolf breathes fire?

Why's everything gotta be about fire with you!?

Guess that's kinda rich coming from me...

The enemy's here! Come, we must prepare for battle!

What. The. Shit. Are you serious? That's a buncha top-tier arsonist wackjobs!

We could not ask for worthier opponents! Come now, show us what you've got!

We can do this, yes we can!

See!? I knew we were out of our league!

They're not letting up at all! Yeowch, that's hot!

Retreat! Retreeeat!

Not yet! I won't run away after merely having my castle burned down! This time, I shall vanquish them!

Kinda weird that she's the most bloodthirsty of all of us, don'tcha think?

...Tada! All done! I used ecologically friendly materials, so this one should be, uh...better for the environment?

NOW you build a stick house!? How is THIS an improvement!?

All we had was material left from building the castle, so I can't really say I'm surprised.

Fortunately, this will be a perfect chance to polish up my defensive Noble Phantasm.

Cut the crap! One of us is gonna get seriously burned here, you realize that?

Here they come!

...Um, they don't have anything to do with fire, right? I think we have a real shot here!

Oh, for... They're all connected to THE FREAKING SUN! This is even worse!

Dammit! Didn't they teach you idiots to pull your punches at acting school or whatever!?

This is terrible! Retreat! We must make a temporary retreat!

Strange. I don't remember "The Burning of Jeanne d'Arc" being quite this...upbeat.

True, it is strange. But an enjoyable sort of strange.

I didn't much care for that dark Jeanne d'Arc at first, but I find she's growing on me. There's a lot of significance to her misfortune.

I couldn't agree more. It just shows what happens when one acts purely out of envy, hatred, and anger.

They did an excellent job of presenting that as both a lesson and a comedy.

At any rate, neither witches nor stake burnings have anything to do with God-fearing people like us, so let's just relax and enjoy the show.

...

...Huh?

Is something wrong, Abigail?

I thought I just saw Lavinia outside the town hall...

...Did you now.

Well... Um...

...So we're down to cloth now, huh? That about figures. Guess we're stuck between a rock and a...soft place.

W-we're done for...

If these flimsy tents are the best we can build, then...

...!

Over there. I can see the last enemy troops coming into view.

Wait. Did you say "troops"...?

Oh. Great. The whole goddamn English Army!

Screw the wolves! We're talking Big Bad Round Table Lions now!

Ahh, alas... Both God and reindeer have forsaken this world...

...?

La Pucelle!

I don't believe it...! I recognize all of you!

We're honored that you remembered us! Every one of us has fought beside you before!

We have come on General Rais's orders to ensure your safety!

Oh my, the general himself...?

We couldn't imagine not being by your side during this final decisive battle!

The glory of the Maiden of Orleans's liberation shall be ours once again, La Pucelle!

Jeanne La Pucelle! Jeanne La Pucelle!

...

Oh, fan-freakin'-tastic. Now we've got a buncha meatshield dumbasses all drunk on the idea of some glorious battle nonsense.

Make-believe story though this may be...

...I cannot let you be captured and branded a witch.

General...Gilles de Rais.

...To be honest, I thought you would never return.

...I see your bad habits remain unchanged.

You simply cannot help but rush headlong into battle, even before God's protection has reached you.

I am forever trying to catch up to you... Which is exactly why you are so beautiful.

However, the battlefield demands patience if we are to emerge victorious. All the more so if the scales of victory balance upon our shoulders.

...Indeed. You're exactly right, General.

Ahh, God is with us! Blessed be the teachings of Salem!

Gilles...

Hah. God or no God, I knew you'd show up, whether I wanted you to or not.

Also, for the record, none of this crap is about Salem.

Oh? Then let me ask you, my dark holy maiden: Will you save our homeland? Will you save France?

I shall follow you wherever you lead.

Meh. Not like what I say is gonna change a damn thing at this point.

...Screw it. Let's do this thing. Might as well kick some ass since we're kicking and screaming.

Now that is the Jeanne I know!

Merry Christmas! I trust all is well with you, Lily!

It's my mentor!

Having you show up like this is the best present I could have asked for!

Huh? Are you kidding me? What the hell is wrong with you people?

...Now, assemble into formation! Quickly! Let La Pucelle's flag lead your way!

Yeaaahhh!

...That's right. I nearly forgot.

What truly keeps us safe is neither walls of brick nor ramparts of stone.

Our true bastion...is people.

It is people that are our ramparts... Their unwavering faith, our bulwark.

And yet, that is far easier said than done, as shown by how my own copy finds it difficult to toe that line.

That is the moral I shall take from this fable.

...Very well then, my other selves! My fellow soldiers! The time is upon us!

To the battlefield...!

Ahem...

As for what became of the three Jeannes' battle, that I leave to your imagination.

Suffice to say that during the Hundred Years' War, France was at its weakest...

...and England took advantage of the nobles' infighting to invade.

Although Jeanne d'Arc's appearance succeeded at turning the tide of that battle...

...she ended up being used by her enemies, and detested by her compatriots.

Even after Jeanne was captured and tried as a witch, King Charles VII did nothing whatsoever to help her.

Despite owing his coronation to her, he likely wished to quell any rumors that might threaten his authority.

And though she was their enemy, many English people wept to see such a devout figure as Jeanne come to such a tragic end.

Indeed, according to official records, it was an Englishman who responded to her pleas and gave her a handmade cross.

...This concludes tonight's performance.

Thank you all for coming.

Her convulsions have stopped, and her breathing has stabilized.

Rest assured, madame, the worst is behind her.

Oh my! Are you sure...!?

Thank you ever so much. You've saved my daughter's life!

These symptoms are caused by a sudden onset of fever. It's quite common among children of her age.

I'm certain it must have come as a surprise, but please don't worry. She's in no danger whatsoever.

Just keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't inadvertently choke on her vomit.

I will...

Ahh... All the Reverend did was call her name several times and give her smelling salts...

I don't know how I can thank you enough...

Please, don't worry about it. I'm not a licensed doctor, after all.

But if something else comes up, I'll drop everything and do whatever I can to help.

Please, take care of yourselves.

...Hmph.

I can't believe we owe a debt to a Frenchman... You called those convulsions?

Seeing her flailing her limbs like that, showing the whites of her eyes... It was downright terrifying.

If you ask me, I'd bet the devil is still lurking somewhere inside her.

Father, don't be rude. Dr. Sanson just saved our girl's life.

I know that. Here. It's not much, but you deserve it.

That's all right, good elder. I have a different arrangement in place for payment.

The name's Pickman. Don't go calling me "elder" again.

...Of course, Mr. Pickman. My apologies.

Our home may not be anything special to look at, but we come from a good family back in England.

We have enough stored away to pay back any favors we receive. So no back talk. Just take it.

If you insist... Thank you.

Do take care on your way home.

I should get back to the hall... Then again, the play must be over by now.

I hope Master and the others made it to the curtain call successfully...

Oh...?

Isn't that...

(Lavinia?)

There's no turning back now...

The sixth knot... The sixth door...

Salem is... Ah... Ah...ah...

...A...bby...

...!

Eep...

Wait, Mademoiselle Lavinia. I'm sorry for startling you.

I'm just on my way back from treating a patient. It's late to be out on your own. Let me walk you home.

I...I didn't know you were a doctor. Or, maybe an a-alchemist...?

I'm neither, actually.

...You told Abby I was there.

But, I guess no one...would believe that about you now... Not after the judge...gave you his approval.

Then, the company's performance was a success? Thank goodness.

...I thought I told you...not to talk to me anymore.

I thought I wouldn't run into you...because of the play...

I wanted to talk to you.

...

I-I know you were...snooping around my house.

Don't bother. It's pointless now.

It's already begun.

You're seeing the flower on the water's surface...and forgetting about the rotten mud beneath it.

Are you warning me? Then, you are trying to help

I'm telling you outsiders...to stay out of this.

Y-you'd never understand...what it's like for me.

You have friends you can trust, you can help other people, and you're appreciated for what you do...

B-but I'm...not even supposed to be here. Nobody...needs me...

What about Abigail? Don't you want to be friends with her again?

...

Lavinia, it's clear you care a lot about your family.

That much, even I can understand.

What is it that has you so unwilling to talk? Loyalty to your family? Your pride?

If it's a fear of losing the place where you feel you belong, then

I... Shut up... Shut up...!

Lavinia...

Y-you...you shouldn't go out tonight. Stay inside...Abby's house.

I don't know how you protected it...but if you stay in there, I'm sure...you can get through this...

...So you know about magecraft as well?

Don't say I didn't warn you.

...

Go in. But no more than two of you.

Hey! What'd I just say!?

Aw, don't be like that. What's the harm?

We're here to get you, Medea. I'm sorry it took so long.

...Hello, Mash. Hello, Fujimaru.

？！

Oh, this? This is nothing.

Never mind me. Go check Tituba's cell. Something's not right.

It's so dark... I can't see Tituba in there at all.

Yeah. That's 'cause she isn't.

...Huh? That's weird. I was sure there were a few other people being kept here.

Maybe they were all released?

？！

I'm not here to answer your questions.

Just take your little fortune-teller and get out of here.

I heard sounds coming from Tituba's cell about an hour ago. It sounded like she was being taken somewhere.

They took a number of other prisoners as well.

I thought they'd be done with whatever it was and come back soon... But they're obviously not.

Wait, does that mean you were waiting until we were busy performing...?

I told you outsiders, I'm not here to ans

Then you can tell me. I believe I have a right to know.

Ulp. Mr. Carter...

Where did you take Tituba?

...To the hill. Under Judge Hopkins's orders.

...! The hill...?

？！

He means a hill on the north side of the village. That's where the gallows are.

Gallows...!?

Tituba has already been sentenced. She's been found guilty.

This was your plan the whole time, wasn't it?

Judge Hopkins is trying to prevent the devil from gaining power in Salem.

Any interference will be seen as conspiring against the authorities. Are you aiding the devil?

Calm yourself. This is a clear abuse of your power.

The governor of Massachusetts should be consulted on this matter.

？！

Whoa, whoa, hang on a second there. Don't we have more pressing things to worry about right now?

That's right! We need to hurry to this hill!

I'll tell Sanson and the others waiting outside!

？！

Right!

Uncle, come on! We have to hurry and stop them!

Indeed.

Mr. Fujimaru, can I ask you to take Abigail along?

I'm afraid I have a medical complaint that prevents me from running well.

？！

There's the hill! That must be the gallows over there!

(Huff)... (Huff)...

Are you all right, Abby? Where's everyone else who went on ahead...?

？！

...So you came.

...

There they are...!

S-Sanson...?

Oh, Mash.

...I'm afraid they've already been executed.

We didn't make it. Tituba is dead.

!!!

D...dead...?

...D-don't look, Abby. It's better if

...Ah...ahh...

T...Tituba...

...

Sanson... How could you. Just like that?

Is your heart. A stone? Is your blood. Made of mercury?

Think. Poor Abigail.

...I'm sorry. I... I couldn't think of anything else to say...

Phew... Running is definitely not my thing.

...I see they hanged a number of people with Tituba.

...Yeah. Look at the color of their faces. They've been dead for some time now.

They must've been executed more than an hour ago. Isn't that right, Sanson?

Yes. Unfortunately.

...That would mean it was carried out while we were still onstage.

？！

I'm afraid so.

...

Hopkins...! You set us up, didn't you?

You never had any intention of waiting.

You just wanted to make sure we wouldn't be able to interfere with the execution! Am I right?

...What spirits move you to speak so, woman? Some cheap malt, or your own absurd sense of justice?

Either way, it's most unbecoming. I'll thank you to calm yourself and mind your manners before you speak.

？！

...I understand that witnessing executions can be upsetting, so I will pretend I did not hear that.

I heard about your performance. It seems you did very well. Even the Reverend was pleased.

I therefore officially grant you permission to continue performing in this village. Congratulations.

I look forward to seeing your next great performance for myself, young Fujimaru!

...Get...

Get her down...

Please don't leave Tituba tied up like that...!

Haven't you done enough...? Please don't torment her anymore...

Abby... ...Huh?

Stop! Get back!

Stay away from them!

It is forbidden for criminals to be buried in the town graveyard!

I have ordered laborers to dig a hole for them near the foot of the hill. They are working on it as we speak.

Until then, you are not to move the bodies!

No...

...I see. So we were too late...

Uncle... Please. Please get Tituba down...

...Indeed. My niece has the right of it.

The handling of her remains is for us to decide. You have no right to speak to us like that.

Mr. Carter, I understand you may not be familiar with our rules, but this is the way of our village.

Burying criminals alongside our ancestors would be sacrilege to the other villagers! Please understand!

Khh... Judge Hopkins!

The execution has already been carried out. I have no intention of interfering with Salem custom.

...

？！

People don't like to be confronted with cold, hard truth. It upsets them, and makes them vulnerable.

The devil himself was executed here today. Do not grieve for him.

Caring for the newly bereaved is of course very important, but...

...being overly protective only tempts the devil further.

I hope your plays serve to enlighten the other villagers in that regard.

？！

...

Dunno how you talk that much with all that beard weighing your chin down. It's like you're the king of some run-down little island country or something.

Whoa, easy there, gents. I'm not looking for trouble. It was just a little joke.

Spare me your nonsense.

...Hmm. It seems you have some excellent clowns in your employ, Ringmaster.

Very well then. You all may be outsiders...

...but performers are, by their nature, given free rein to speak whatever comes to their minds.

As such, I permit you to serve as jurors during your time here.

...Huh?

Wha...!?

Did I hear you right, Judge Hopkins? Are you out of your mind?

God is always watching over us.

...But it seems the people of this village are obstinate, and have no interest in broadening their narrow minds.

Abstinence leads to pent-up anger and frustration, and the laws of God become weapons with which to strike at those whom people come to resent.

In such an environment, performers like you can help to open the villagers' minds and lead them to the truth.

Therefore, Fujimaru...

If, in the future, there is another criminal trial, you will serve on the jury and help us hunt the devil.

...Some New World this is. It's still stuck in the Middle Ages.

It's every bit as dark, close-minded, and pigheaded as what they supposedly left behind.

...I cannot believe. They kill so coldly. Even a monster. Would hear its prey's. Cries for mercy.

What is it. That drives that man?

The only way he could live up to his image of a bastard Witchfinder General more is if he went around twirling that stupid mustache of his.

I guess it just goes to show that sometimes, a hardworking imitation can exceed a lazy genuine article.

Putting aside the question of whether it is done for good or evil means...

？！

S-Senpai?

I know a lot has happened since we got here, but currently, our most pressing obligations...

...are to restore communications with Chaldea, find out what's impeding our perception, and...

？！

Right...! That's our best lead in finding the Demon God Pillar.

Medea, would you mind picking up what you were trying to tell us before?

...Right.

Thanks to the extra time I had, I managed to figure out what's cutting us off from Chaldea.

It's tied directly to whatever it is that's interfering with our senses.

I'll spare you the details and just get right to the conclusion...

It isn't that we're being blocked from using our spirit forms. In fact, it's the opposite.

We are bound by physical laws while in our spirit form.

The Spiritrons that form these temporary bodies are in an abnormally excited state. But we're also always being provided with just enough magical energy to maintain these bodies.

Let's see. To put it another way...

...it's as though our mirror images gained a physical form and continued doing things in the mirror world.

But those forms can never leave the mirror world, and if the mirror were to break...

We'd be shattered along with it?

The Jade Emperor. Has one such toy.

For real!? I mean, at any rate...

We can't contact Chaldea because our magical energy is only flowing in one direction.

We're caught in the magecraft system manifesting Salem, one that's lost all sense of itself.

...That explains it.

So it's like we are still in the middle of a Rayshift. That doesn't sound very stable.

Now I gotcha. So our bodies aren't as strong as they should be 'cause it's like we're stuck in this land.

You're all, um...taking this surprisingly well.

Hey, we know this is bad news, all right? Like, the thing we gotta worry about the most here is

Death. Here in Salem. Our Spirit Origins. Will disappear. Right?

Exactly! You catch on quick, Your Highness! The other hardheaded saints could learn a thing or two from you.

I see. Hopefully we don't end up with more than some short-term memory loss then.

？！

More importantly

...Wait. What about Senpai?

How safe is he here? Is this phenomenon affecting his health too?

？！

Oh... Right. I'm sorry for losing my composure like that.

Still...if it is not only impossible to contact Chaldea, but we also don't know how to return...

I don't think it's unreasonable to get a bit flustered...

I'm afraid Mash is right to be worried. We're in real danger here, and all of our leads have dried up.

？！

Senpai...

You're right. Once we find the Demon God Pillar causing all this, things should turn around.

...

May I say something? I have another question.

I have been thinking; are we the only ones in irregular spirit form, or might there be others here?

Others? You mean, like...e-everyone else here in Salem...?

This village. Always transient. I said so. From the beginning.

But without any way to get information from the outside world, we have no way of verifying whether that's the case.

...I can't believe a Demon God Pillar could be this powerful.

？！

...We haven't exhausted all our options just yet.

It's possible the mage in the Whateley family knows something that could help us...

...Hmm. I'm kinda curious to see what a local mage workshop is like, but there's something else I wanna know first.

Does this mean you're the only one of us who can leave this place?

How about it, Ms. Queen Witch?

Wha... Robin...?

I'm betting you're the only one who could leave this Salem if you wanted to. Am I right?

...What are you saying? If you're trying to start some sort of witch hunt yourself

Hmm, guess that wasn't direct enough. All right, I'll ask you straight up.

Who are you, really?

？！

Robin, what's this all about...? Are you in on it too, Sanson? Mata Hari?

Master... Mash... I'm sorry about this.

Mata Hari was the first to notice something was amiss. So, Robin and I have been keeping an eye on her.

？！

Again, I'm sorry, Master.

We didn't want you to find out at a time when it could have been dangerous for you.

Plus, we thought that sowing discord among our own ranks might be exactly what somebody wanted.

...

Exactly. And speaking of exceptions, I'd say you're the only abnormal one here.

We've been watching you all this time, and you didn't seem to be hostile.

So we decided to stay quiet and see how things played out. But then, to our surprise...

...you weren't able to prevent Tituba from being executed.

Almost looks to me like you let her die on purpose.

No. You're wrong about that.

I couldn't do anything in prison with the guards always watching. And above all...

...I wanted to make absolutely sure that Fujimaru wouldn't be found guilty himself.

Oh, really? Well, I can't fault you for that. Now then.

Let me ask you, Master: Can you compel her with your Command Spells?

How do we even know she's a Chaldean Servant?

Hm? Hmm hmm? Medea. You are our enemy?

A Command Spell...? P-please, don't do this...!

Senpai, this isn't right. Robin, you need to calm down!

Sorry Mash, but I'm afraid I'm completely calm here.

At first I thought she might be a spy from the Mage's Association...

...but there's too many things that don't add up for that to be the case. Why don't we hear what she has to say?

If you ask me, I would say she leaves herself far too open.

She could never be an Assassin out to kill you in your sleep.

？！

You all sure like to run your mouths, don't you...?

...Mr. Carter is back. They must have finished the burial.

？！

Hm? Are you sure?

Fine with me. If that's what the Ringmaster wants, I'll play along. But I'll be watching you. Always.

...Ew. Creep.

Robin. So depraved.

Huh!? Depraved!?

Abby went up to her room right after she got back...

She seems. Better. Than expected. Thank goodness.

...

...She behaved herself well while I was talking to the executioner, too.

She carried herself admirably, just like my late sister would have.

She has been through a lot lately, but in the end, she will be that much stronger for it.

...As we were saying earlier...

Is it true that the official reason the execution was carried out so quickly is because Tituba confessed?

It is.

Hard as it is to believe, Tituba confessed her sins of her own accord.

She claimed she saw the devil with her own eyes.

That he spoke to her, and urged her to cast aside her faith and sign a pact with him.

And that when she refused, he entered her body and controlled her himself...

？！

I still can't quite believe it.

She had injuries that make it clear she was whipped during her interrogation.

...Poor Tituba...

...That makes it sound like her confession was tortured out of her.

Exactly.

...However, it didn't seem to me like the executioner or guards were lying out of malice either.

If anything, they seemed deathly worried, as if they were afraid for their own lives...

Could they have seen the devil themselves?

Oh, I don't know about that.

They could be scared of Hopkins. That would explain it.

If there's something they fear more than that, maybe it's the wrath of God Himself?

...God, hm?

...Hang on just a minute.

Master, something weird's going on outside. It's still a ways off, but whatever it is, it's getting closer.

There is a scent. ...It is. Evil.

...Agreed.

...It'll protect anyone who stays here, yes.

But I can't vouch for the other houses.

？！

Someone's attacking us...? Don't tell me it's the Indians?

Mr. Carter, please stay here. Do not leave the house under any circumstances.

You need to take care of Abigail.

...All right. I will go fetch my gun.

？！

Yes, Senpai. I'll make sure to keep them both safe.

...

...!

They're certainly taking their time. Where in the world did they come from...?

In fact, it doesn't seem as though they mean to attack us at all. They don't even appear to be armed...

The evil aura's source. The stench of death...

You seem like you're doing better now that you've been able to take on your spirit form at least once, Nezha.

This body. Granted to me. By the Buddha and Taiyi Zhenren! My sense of smell. Cannot be fooled!

Whoa there, what the hell are those things? Oh, man, tell me this isn't turning into a living dead kind of situation here...

Man, Chaldea really screwed up their choice of Servants again. Wish I could trade places with that hardheaded saint girl right about now.

Are they enemies...? No, wait. Those are the prisoners who were hanged at the gallows...!

？！

Grooo... Grrgh...

How're these things still moving!? Haven't we hit 'em enough by now!?

...W-wait! I think they're trying to say something.

Huh? You gotta be kidding me.

...M...

My neck... It hurts... Dammit... Dammit...

Ngh... Everyone's...rustled cows...at some point...

Why am I...the only one who... Ooh, it hurts...

...I didn't...want to have...that child...

I was forced...into it...

So I took the...abortifacient...what else was I...supposed to do...

God...

The true God...resides...within my...heart...

...You are...the truly...wicked ones...

Ahhh...

They just disintegrated... Did we defeat them somehow...?

I cannot believe that the dead...could speak of God...

Those were corpses just now. I could have sworn they were...!

Their blood was cold, and as congealed as wet earth. Their muscles were stiff and rigid...!

And yet, they still possessed consciousness... Di-Did we just kill living people...?

Sanson? Sanson! Get a hold of yourself! This isn't like you!

Don't tell me the incarnation has affected your mind as well!

Be wary...! This is. Not yet over!

The evil aura. Remains...!

Those were gunshots! Dammit, they came around the back of the house!

Did we screw up leaving Medea behind?

...!!!

Senpai...! Look!

...

？！

...

So, you can see her too, Fujimaru.

Isn't that...Tituba?

I could have sworn we buried her, and yet here she is, wandering about as if still awaiting her sentencing...

Dunno 'bout you, but I'm not exactly hearin' seven angels and their trumpets just now!

Now that she's touched the workshop's Bounded Field, she's about to take on her true form...

She's preparing to attack!

...!

(What do we do, Master!?)

？！

...aAA...

A... AhH...

We have. Not yet. Vanquished her... Bounded Field. About to break!

This one. Far stronger regrets. Than the other corpses.

Begone, Tituba! No longer! Do you belong here!

Hehe...hehehe. You really do use some interesting spells.

We are both of us women and Casters, so I will send you to the underworld myself.

？！

Never mind that! Just hurry and add me to the lineup!

...A...

A... Abi...gail...

...

...!

Lower your bow. Robin.

That's a human. Not a corpse.

Dammit...

？！

This is real bad. Somebody saw us.

...

Hm? Isn't that...Absalom?

...I don't believe I saw him during the play. Who is he?

He lives here in Salem as well.

I rarely see him out and about, but unless I am very much mistaken...

...that was Absalom Whateley, the head of the Whateley family...

...and Lavinia's grandfather.

I see...

So THAT'S Salem's resident alchemist, eh.

...

...

...

Umm... Hold up a minute.

Who might you be, exactly?

Haha, I guess that WOULD be the first thing you'd want to know, wouldn't it?

...

...Tituba...