Second Knot

We lost four calves in a single night. FOUR! I don't know how we're going to bounce back from this.

Even the calves that survived suffered terrible wounds. They'll never grow into viable cattle now.

The Indians might go around attacking livestock, but they'd never do something like this.

The wounds had to have been inflicted by huge...claws or the like! It's horrible!

Who did this? Who's responsible for this? Somebody, answer me!

It's the devil. It must be. Our family graveyard has been desecrated!

I steeled myself and prayed for strength to confront the beast... But just as I held up my lantern and started chanting holy verses, it fled into the night...

It was very dark, but I still managed to make out twisted legs, hooves, and a horrid protruding mouth!

That thing couldn't possibly have been human.

What's more, I saw it gnawing away madly on broken bones...inside a dug-up grave...

Oh, God, I can hardly bring myself to say it. Surely there can be no question. That was the devil's work!

(This is bad, Senpai...)

(This must have all happened before those monsters came and attacked us...)

？！

Order! Settle down! One of our constables has a report to share with all of us as well.

What I have to say may shock you, but I ask that you all remain calm.

Last night, somebody dug up the bodies of the criminals who were executed yesterday.

Every one of the corpses that was buried near the hill with the gallows has disappeared.

Including Tituba...

(Eep...) (Cursed devil...) (Even her...?) (We're all done for...)

The disappearance of these bodies, and the appearance of these monsters, cannot be a coincidence.

We must be even more vigilant now, but I'm afraid we can only do so much...

(...Did you hear that, Senpai?)

(I know we hurried to this town meeting in order to warn everyone...)

(...but I guess we won't have to anymore.)

Yes, there are still some things I'm unclear on too.

N-no, probably not.

We definitely can't say for sure that the threat has passed.

？！

...Ahem.

Yes, Mr. Carter? Is there something you'd like to say?

Well, as a matter of fact... I too saw these monsters last night.

And that's not all... I believe I know what they are.

They were a very close match to the ones described in the writings of a French aristocrat named d'Erlette.

...He called them "ghouls."

...Ghouls.

Then, you say these monsters were not the devil, but a different sort of creature, like specters or ghosts?

I suppose so, in that these are strange and extraordinary creatures. They too are demons that reside in the dark corners of the world.

These ghouls have a keen aversion to all living things.

To sate their appetites, they slaughter their prey and feed off the corpses.

Furthermore...d'Erlette said that these creatures were once human.

Humans that turned away from God's teachings and abandoned their humanity.

Thank you, Mr. Carter. This is valuable information that will certainly be useful as we discuss the matter.

However, while I hesitate to even speak such blasphemous words...

...does this mean that these ghouls may have been the dead come back to life?

Was there anyone you recognized among them?

...

？！

(...!)

...No.

I'm afraid I can't speak to that. It was the middle of the night, after all.

Besides, according to the document I read...ghouls and the living dead are not the same thing.

I managed to drive away the ghouls I saw last night...

...thanks to Fujimaru and his companions.

That is why some of you may have heard gunshots and howls last night.

...I see. That was very brave of you.

I will report all of this to Judge Hopkins as well.

I would also take this moment to urge more men to volunteer for the night watch! Those of you who are capable and willing, come with me!

Master.

Hello, Sanson. Thanks for escorting the Reverend here.

Of course. I'm afraid we can't be too careful now, even here in the village.

？！

The Reverend says he has a favor to ask of us. What would you like to do?

？！

You have a job request? For The Fujimaru Company?

...? Is it that strange? I thought it would be a reasonable thing to ask of performers like yourselves.

Y-yes, of course it is. I'm sorry for being rude.

？！

...Yes, good point. I can't blame you for being taken aback.

In my profession, plays, novels, and other such things are usually considered base forms of entertainment.

Things that seduce good people of faith, and impede my job of guiding them on the just and God-fearing path.

...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to speak ill of your work...

However, as of late this village has seen one terrible incident after another.

Children are frightened, and their parents are unable to care for them.

Prayers alone will not be enough to set the faithful's minds at ease.

I admit that it is beyond my abilities to remedy the current crisis we face.

So I was hoping that you could put on a play that would get the children to smile again.

I see... A play for children...

Let's do it. Master. Come on. Let's do it. Please!?

I knew. You would understand. Master!

A play is sure. To put Abigail. In good spirits.

...Good point!

？！

Thank you. It's good to know that we are on the same page.

If I may, I think the play should be something appropriate for our village, such as... No, on second thought, I'll let you all choose what to perform. This sort of thing is well beyond my expertise.

Very well then, I will see you all at the town hall later...

Oh, please wait a moment, Reverend.

Yes?

Well, you see...

There's actually a member of The Fujimaru Company who has yet to go on stage...

...and I thought I should introduce you to her ahead of time!

Oh, I see. Yes, I would love to meet her.

...Is that her...?

...(Grin)

This is, um...

That's right! You've got everything to worry about with me around!

...Oh, so you're looking to die young, are you? I can arrange that!

？！

I am Circe the Witch!

The daughter of Helios, god of the sun, and descendant of Okeanos, god of the sea...

...and heir to the spells and wisdom of Hecate, goddess of the moon! That makes me the greatest witch ever!

I... Huh...!? A-a witch!? Did you just say you're a witch!?

...Th-that's the role she specializes in!

It's all just an act! The ears and...everything are just part of a costume to help her get in character!

Right. That's totally what's going on here. Hehe.

I-I see... I-I suppose there ARE a number of plays that involve witches. Macbeth comes to mind.

...V-very well then.

I'll be sure to let the other villagers know about this addition to your troupe.

...In the meantime, I do hope you will put on a good play for the children.

Oh, and... I would appreciate it if you kept the fact that I was the one to make this request to yourselves.

...Whew...

I didn't want to say anything while we were talking to him, but...you're REALLY not cut out for this acting stuff, are you, Mash?

I'm doing my best!

...Hmph, that Reverend guy's got a lotta nerve. I swear, what IS it about men of the cloth...?

It's that much more rich when you consider that his testimony is a big part of what got Tituba hanged.

...He's trying to protect the village as best he can. He may make mistakes, but I don't truly believe he's acting out of malice.

Well, you ask me, nothing's worse than an idiot who throws himself into something without a thought.

That doesn't mean we can just sit back and mock anyone who makes a mistake.

Hey, I'm just saying it's impossible to rein someone in when they start getting all self-righteous.

Ooh, we've got a joker and a dandy hurling abuse at each other. I could get used to this. Hehe.

That's it! Keep it up! Just make sure it doesn't get in Fujimaru's way.

Whoa whoa, what're you talking about?

You're the main reason we're all confused here, Queenie. You know that?

...Guess I've gotta hand it to you though, Master. You're really taking all this in stride.

？！

That's fair. Anyway, after what I've seen these last few days, Fujimaru...

...I've got a pretty good handle on your open-mindedness and your talent as a mage.

I was pretty surprised myself...

I'd heard the real Medea mention her before, but...

I still can't believe that Circe, the famous witch of Greek myth, has been with us all this time...

That's right. I've been posing as Medea since we Rayshifted here.

I'm a Servant without a Master.

I probably manifested as part of Da Vinci's summoning experiments.

I was so confused when I initially manifested, and my magical energy was running really low to boot.

Looking back on it, the summoning system probably didn't give me sufficient knowledge for the times.

Even with Medea there, I couldn't trust Chaldea as an institution, so I decided to flee.

I snuck around looking for different ways to escape, and thought I might ask an outside Master for help.

But when I learned there was nothing around Chaldea but ice and snow, my hope turned to desperation.

I'm not really gifted with a ton of staying power or endurance, you know.

That was about when this Salem stuff started happening, so I figured this was my chance.

It didn't seem like coincidence. Actually, it felt like someone was guiding me.

...So you felt you were being called here.

？！

You really need to ask? Because Tituba's dead!

You must have all figured this out by now, right?

She's a Servant. Well, was, I guess. And "Tituba" wasn't her True Name.

I don't know who she was, but somebody summoned her, and was providing her with magical energy.

I admit, I was only pretending to help establish contact with Chaldea. I've actually been jamming it this whole time.

I didn't want them telling you that I wasn't who I said I was.

That does not seem to have stopped some of the Servants here from realizing it.

Medea. Will be furious. Her retaliation. Swift. And terrible...

Eventually, I stopped jamming the communications.

I mean, I even learned that this place was so cut off from everything that there was no point bothering.

That's also why I needed a workshop, so I could make full use of my abilities!

So, basically...

...our fates are inextricably intertwined, Fujimaru.

Neither of us is going anywhere until we've sorted out whatever's happening here in Salem.

She DOES look a lot like Medea...

Wow, Senpai, you sound just like a Chaldean mage...! Oh, I-I'm sorry.

？！

I don't think that's really the biggest point of concern here.

At any rate, I'm afraid I don't have any way of dispelling your suspicions right now.

I sense. Powerful energy. But. Only traces of evil...?

Damn, so you can detect bewitching powers too, Your Highness? You really do got a lot going for you!

...But never mind that. I wouldn't trust Queenie here as far as I could throw her. Which...I guess is pretty far, but you get the idea!

For all we know, she could be a Demon God Pillar pretending to be a Servant. I mean, we've seen some weird shit before.

It's not like you've even made a contract with her, right?

Then how about we make a limited contract now, as proof of my willingness to cooperate? I'm prepared to do that. And now it's even possible thanks to my workshop.

？！

I swear to Hekate, I can't do anything to reestablish communications until we know what's blocking them.

So let's get this limited contract underway so we can have some fun together. Come on, time's a wasting.

S-slow down! Give Senpai a little time to think it over...!

Ahem... B-by the way, I'm curious to know...

If Salem's Bounded Field wasn't this strong, and you could have already escaped from it...

...what would you have done, Circe?

Haha, well, no point in keeping secrets now, huh?

My original plan was to entice you into coming with me, Fujimaru.

？！

Wha... Wha...!

That's a specialty of mine, you know. If any Servants had gotten in my way, I would've just taken them out.

...Hmm. I see.

...Well, right now, we have no choice but to depend on her.

I guess if I had to give you just one piece of advice, Master...

...it'd be to tell you that women are at their most dangerous after they've shown their hand. Just keep that in mind.

？！

...Hehe.

(This is troubling... Circe seems to be a completely different kind of witch from Medea...)

？！

...Good point. Okay, I will.

If this is what you want, Master, we'll go along with it.

Going. To tell Abigail.

Huh? Nezha!?

...So Master, about the thing we were discussing.

？！

You mean Absalom Whateley. The...alleged alchemist.

Right. As suspects go, he's looking pretty good... But something about this just seems off to me.

What do you think, Professor Circe? Care to fill the rest of the class in?

Absolutely!

For starters, I'm sure you can imagine how an alchemist might double as a necromancer.

After all, alchemy is all about gaining control over bodies, life, and souls. Turning lead into gold is just a happy by-product.

Anyway, at this point, the main thing you're concerned about is whether he has anything to do with the Demon God Pillar, right?

And then there's the moving corpses. The ghouls, as Carter called them...

If there's anything here I don't understand, it's them. I couldn't pick them up at all.

I'm afraid it was only sheer luck that we managed to drive them off last night. There's no way I could've done it on my own...

I see. So not even your workshop's defenses were enough to repel them, huh, Mederr, Circe...

Still, I think Nezha was fairly sensitive to them?

I believe her methods are more...primitive. She's more sensing hostile intent than evil.

True. It's a good thing she was here.

So if there's a chance monsters like that might attack again, shouldn't we come up with a plan, like, now?

...'Course, now that things've come to this, I'm wondering about Carter's background too...

Like, why would an ex-military Oriental Studies professor even know about ghouls in the first place?

...

...Is there something you want to say, Sanson?

...I'm afraid there's something I need to apologize to you all for.

It's about the other Whateley we know, Lavinia...

You're going to put on another play? At the town hall?

That's right.

The one we did yesterday. Far too dull. This one. Much more fun!

...

You do not. Feel up to it?

Okay. If you do not.

...Thank you, Nezha.

You, Mash, Fujimaru, and everyone else have all been so kind to me...

And I've only been thinking about myself...

No one. Blames you.

...I wish I could go with Lavinia...

I thought I saw her at the town hall last night. I think she must have wanted to see the play, too.

...Lavinia, hm?

I've been praying for Tituba's soul to go to heaven.

...Hmm. The Heavenly Realm. Not a fun place.

If anything. It is restrictive. Boring.

Some are. So disappointed. With it. That they. End up. Running to hell.

...(Giggle) That sounds like the story about fallen angels.

Anyway, that's silly. I'm sure that heaven is a perfectly wonderful place.

...Very well. Lavinia, was it?

I shall. Bring her. Promise.

So please. Cheer up.

...Huh?

Mademoiselle Lavinia.

Sa...

Th-this is...r-really troublesome...

Wh-why did you bring me here...against my will...

And if that...wasn't bad enough... A...

Lavinia! You really came!

Thank you, Nezha. Thank you so much!

No need. For thanks. Enjoy. Now. I must put on makeup.

...You're wrong. I-I didn't come...because I wanted to...

I-I just couldn't...stay at home anymore... They...they kicked me out...

Your uncle came. With the constables...

He did...?

Yes... He...he said he wanted to talk...to Grandfather.

You mean...about what happened last night...?

Lavini

I

It's...terrible...

What happened...to Tituba...

...It is...

I-if it wasn't for this village... She'd still be...

Lavinia...

Maybe, but this is still the village where we were born and raised...

...

...

Abby, Lavinia? Why don't you two have a seat over here.

We're just about to begin. Come on, Sanson. You need to get ready, too.

...Right.

I'm just...a child...

I don't...

...

Master, a word, please.

？！

...It appears something happened with the Whateley family.

I don't believe it poses an immediate threat like what happened last night, but it still...nags at me.

So if you don't mind, I would like to go there and see what's happening for myself.

Huh? You mean, right now!?

S-so we have to perform without you again? Now what are we going to do? S-still, I suppose that IS important...

？！

W-well, I do know all the lines by heart...!

But if I do that, who will be the prompter...? Would you and I take turns...!?

...Mash.

This play. Does not need a prompter. Look into. The children's eyes. Listen. Their hearts.

...

H-hello there, everyone. Thank you all for waiting.

I see there are a number of you who have never seen a Fujimaru Company production before.

My name is Mash, and I'll be your narrator this evening. Later I will also appear as an actress in the play.

Today, The Fujimaru Company will be performing a thrilling fantasy...

A beloved tale from the Eastern kingdom of Qing...

We will be performing a chapter of a grand epic called "Journey to the West."

Our tale begins over a thousand years ago...

...when a famed Buddhist named Xuanzang Sanzang sets off westward in search of inspirational sutras.

Sutras, in case you didn't know, are like the Bible for those of the Buddhist faith.

And while "Journey to the West" may be fictional, Xuanzang Sanzang was a real person.

A person who crossed a distance equivalent to three round trips between Salem and London.

And with nothing more than the unshakable faith she held in her heart!

...Three round trips across the Atlantic Ocean? She really traveled that much?

How did she do it? Did she go by boat?

No, by foot!

She walked for the vast majority of her journey!

Wow, that's amazing!

I can't believe it! Is she joking?

No way, that's impossible! Nobody could walk that far in their whole life!

...

...I-if you devoted your life to it...you could even go around...the entire planet...

...

...That's not...that's not possible...

Nobody could ever go somewhere...that far away...

There's no way...

...

Well now, who can say? After all, this did take place over a thousand years ago...

Still, one thing is certain: Xuanzang faced many trials and perils during her journey.

But worry not, distinguished young guests. Xuanzang did not have to undertake this journey alone.

She was joined by her disciples, who were capable warriors in their own right...

Uh oh. How will Xuanzang Sanzang and her friends ever get out of this predicament?

You'll find out once we've finished changing the set. Please stay right where you are.

If anyone needs to use the washroom, now's your chance!

...

...I-I need to...use the washroom...

...Wait.

Where do you think you're going, Lavinia?

The play isn't over yet. It's just getting to the good part. Is...is it boring you?

...

...S-Sanson wasn't on the stage... He must have...gone off on his own...

...So...you want to go back home? I've got a bad feeling about this.

...

I...in that case, I'm going too! Take me with you.

No. That's... I couldn't possibly...

Didn't you really want...to see this play...?

If I can't see it with you, Lavinia, it's going to be boring no matter what. Right?

...But...

...J-just stay quiet... We need to...be extra careful...

...Okay. I will.

Okay everyone, the intermission is over! Please get back to your seats!

...Wait. Huh?

Where did Abby and Lavinia go...?

Mash. Introductory remarks. Go.

R-right! Sorry!

...Judge Hopkins?

Where are you taking this elderly gentleman?

...You're the Frenchman with The Fujimaru Company.

Sanson. My name is Charles-Henri Sanson.

I'll ask you again: Where are you taking this man? To prison?

If you mean to imprison him with no further questioning or due process, as you did with Tituba, I beg you to reconsider.

Your Honor, you are a representative of the governor of Massachusetts, not a king.

You're certainly bold, Frenchman. It seems you cannot help yourself from meddling.

Out of our way! You dare mock His Honor!?

You've got a big mouth on you, even for a performer. Shall we put him in his place, Your Honor?

...Not just yet.

...Hmm. I didn't expect to see you here.

Not you too, Mr. Carter?

...Sanson, you were there last night too. You know this is necessary.

Absalom used black magic to animate those ghouls and have them menace the village.

He is a clear and present threat. We cannot tarry in putting an end to that threat.

Wha...

I'm surprised to hear that from you, Mr. Carter.

You were the one who told us about these ghouls in the first place.

I took you for knowledgeable and trustworthy; I didn't think you were one to wield authority like a bludgeon.

Please don't prove to be so base in your motivations. If you suspect this man of wrongdoing...

...he should be tried for his alleged crimes properly, with the people of Salem serving as his jury.

Surely you can agree with that, Judge Hopkins! Please, give him a fair trial!

That's quite enough out of you, young whelp.

There is no need for a trial.

You fail to see what is truly happening here.

A poison threatens to spread through this village, an evil that could cause it to rot from within.

What could the painstakingly slow process of a trial accomplish against such a foe? Even as we speak, the devil is luring all manner of villainy to Salem.

That is why I was sent here. To prevent riots, looting, adultery, impiety, and other such horrors.

...I must disagree, Your Honor.

If you intend to pass judgment on your fellow man, you have all the more reason to trust in his rationality.

These people are not witches. They loathe witches more than anyone.

You must not plant the seeds of the devil himselfthis absurd notion that witches are running rampant in Salemin the minds of the people!

...

Shut up! How dare you speak to His Honor like that!

...

...Uncle? What are you doing?

...! Abigail. What are you doing here?

...I didn't want you to have to see this, Abigail.

I'm afraid the Whateleys are heretics. They have no place here in Salem.

Uncle... This isn't like you. Why would you say such a thing?

Move. Get into the cart, Whateley.

Ah... Ah... Wai

...G-Grandfather...

...Lavinia.

You are a Whateley. God's glorious protection lies within you.

But not yet. It is still not complete.

I cannot depend on Mason. I doubt she is even here in Salem any longer.

Find Captain Marsh, the owner of the wharf. Ask him for help.

He owes our family a debt.

...O-okay... I will...

Now you're trying to pass your evil on to children?

The police are searching your basement. I'm told they'll confiscate any dubiously acquired money.

...Suit yourselves.

Randolph...

You must despise me for what happened to your sister, and her husband.

...

You mean...my parents...?

Weren't they killed by Indians...?

Your anger is misplaced.

All I did was return them to their original, proper forms.

I merely opened the door to this prison. They are the ones who chose to walk through it.

Enough of your nonsense! Hasn't my niece already suffered enough?

Calm down, Mr. Carter.

All right, Judge Hopkins, I'll take him straight to prison!

Good.

...Curses...

This... Even if this is all just a mirage of the past, this isn't right...!

...Hmph. Charles-Henri Sanson, was it?

I can see you are more than just a mouthy actor. Curious though I am, that can wait till later.

Your contempt has more than earned you a sentence of your own... But I have a better use for you.

The gallows were destroyed during last night's storm. Fortunately it didn't happen during an execution.

At any rate, Salem now needs men to repair and expand them.

But the villagers are ill at ease around the gallows, and wish to stay far away from them.

Therefore, you will head to the hill and rebuild the gallows along with the prison guards.

...No, on second thought, you will do it entirely by yourself.

It should be a most fitting task for a conceited, self-flagellating whelp like you, Charles-Henri Sanson!

...H...

...He...

He killed my grandfather... Even my father, Noah...

...I'll get him...for this...

...I swear it...

...I never thought Mr. Carter would end up helping Hopkins...

I can't believe there's been another round of hangings... It's not right. Everything's...all wrong...

The way things are going, it's only a matter of time before the nooses end up around our necks.

...You were there, right, Doc? You're telling us you couldn't do anything to stop it?

...No, I couldn't.

？！

...They started using the gallows the moment I finished rebuilding them.

It was clearly a threat. He's warning us to stay out of his way.

Damn you, Hopkins...

...

Are we just going. To take this. Lying down. Master?

Truly. Okay with that?

？！

...

...Still, so long as people are being given a trial according to law, however imperfectly...

...justice is being served.

Whatever strangeness is happening here in Salem, these are still humans. Still flesh and blood.

They have faith in their traditions, and love for their families.

Even if their joy and suffering should disappear tomorrow like so much dew...

...I still want to support them.

To do otherwise would be going against everything we Servants stand for...

...!

Fog's rolling in from the sea tonight.

...?

This. Not only fog.

...An evil aura. Growing. What is this...

Another evil aura? You don't mean...

Sanson! Nezha!

Senpai is asking for you! I-it's another attack!

MORE ghouls!? Come the hell on! Can we not have a freaking break!? Not for ONE MINUTE!?

When did this village become an all-hours ghoul hangout?

I guess they must have liked the shows we've been putting on every day.

Can you please talk about this later!? This is serious!

Ghouls are appearing all around the village, and they seem even more aggressive than last night!

？！

It's all thanks to Circe's expanded surveillance network.

I may no longer be able to fight alongside you, but I can still help you out from behind the scenes, Senpai!

Hehe.

Hang on, the hell's going on here, anyway? Shouldn't these ghouls be coming from the hill?

No, tonight they appear to be coming from the town graveyard.

...Oh, aaawesome. That leaves us far more graves to contend with. Oh, there are the private ones, too.

？！

...Understood!

I'll tell the villagers to stay inside and keep their doors locked.

It's a good thing there's a thick fog tonight... Everyone, please try to stay out of sight as much as possible!

That. Will be difficult.

Tch... This ain't your everyday kind of miasma.

No wonder we've got living dead on our hands now.

What's going on here? Wasn't that Absalom alchemist s'posed to be behind all this?

It certainly seemed like he was involved, but it'll be difficult to ask him now that he's dead...

...No, wait. They can talk, can't they? Ugh, this is just great. I hate everything about this.

(Gasp, gasp, gasp...)

C-Circe! Another one's headed your way!

...!

Nice hustle out there, Mash. Think you can keep baiting them over here?

Vantage points like this are great for using my spells without worrying about hurting anyone else.

Okay, I'm ready for the next round. Come and get it, ghoulies.

I've got a great big banquet all lined up for you to enjoy. Hehe.

Come forth, my beast of envy. Come forth from the dim depths of your watery home...

Bare your many fangs, and feast upon the six calamities!

...!

Stand back. Master!

Resound, Universe Ring! Let no evil stand!

Wait, Nezha. Is that...Absalom?

...What?

So, even Old Man Whateley, the one who was buried at the hill, turned into a ghoul?

Hm? That makes. No sense!

？！

...Master! Nezha!

Be careful not to finish him off. We need to ask him what is really happening here!

...Very well. Understood.

Ur...gh... Gh...hk...

Our... Our great...Outer...

...iä...IÄ...!

Leave this place, old man. Your work in this is finished.

...!? Mr. Carter, what are you...!?

？！

There is no place for alchemists removed from this world's laws. Not even hell itself.

Now return to the void from whence you came.

Mr. Cart

...La...vini...a...

My...gran...ghter...

...