Third Knot

...

...Oh. Good morning, Senpai.

？！

I could ask the same of you, Senpai. It's not even daybreak yet.

Nezha is staying out of sight and keeping watch from the roof.

This is the only place they can use their spirit forms, after all.

It looks like today will be the best weather we've seen in a while, even if the wind is still very strong.

？！

...I was resting in Abby's room.

Nezha and I both talked to her a bit last night.

...She was curled up in her bed, crying.

She's been trying to put on a brave face, but she's suffering quite a lot...

She feels terrible about what happened to Tituba...

...and to Lavinia's family.

And then there's...

？！

Yes... Exactly.

She said her uncle may be strict, but he was never the kind of person who could do something so cruel...

...

I guess I haven't been of much help to you after all, Senpai.

？！

...Thank you, Senpai.

...Okay, I'm going to go get ready.

Mash. Time for breakfast.

Robin. Will keep. Watch now.

Thanks, Nezha.

It's still a little early for breakfast, but I think I can make you something quick and... Oh, wait...

？！

I just remembered that I checked the pantry earlier, and we're almost out of food...

Of course we need to make sure Mr. Carter and Abby have enough to eat, but we also need to think about ourselves...

Porridge. Again...

...So that's what happened last night.

？！

Of course. Unfortunately...there did end up being some casualties.

Some villagers put up a valiant fight and managed to defend themselves...

...but by the end of the night, four were dead.

And to make things worse, they can't even be buried yet, since this happened at the town graveyard.

Then...where are the bodies being kept now?

At the Reverend's house.

I happened to be there while they were discussing it, so I suggested that, and the Reverend asked me to help.

They're now safely in his basement, which is locked and as secure as we can make it.

Some of the bereaved were very upset about that idea though, so it took a lot of work to convince them...

？！

So. We were not. Strong enough...

Even though. They enjoyed. Our play.

...It's sad, but it's also infuriating, isn't it?

These are just regular people, trying to live their lives in peace.

It's kind of ironic that the preparations they made to fight in wars, or against the Native Americans, ended up being useful to them now...

Oh, there you are, Fujimaru. ...I'm afraid I've got some seriously bad news.

Where's Mash? I don't see her anywhere.

？！

She said we were all out of food, so she went shopping with Abigail.

Damn this incarnation, forcing us to eat to keep up our strength.

Yeah. It's adversely affecting our magical energy turnaround rate too.

To make matters worse, even the general store was running low on stock, so it can't be easy for Mash to buy what we need.

Worst case scenario: we may have to deal directly with the farmers.

？！

...? You mean he's not here? Come to think of it, I don't see Robin anywhere either.

I-I see... Oh, this is bad. SO bad...

？！

We...

We can communicate with Chaldea again...

Wha!?

？！

I thought Master was the only one who could set it up, let alone turn it on!

Hey, don't look at me! I'm as shocked as any of you!

...!?

...!!!

...! ...!!!

Oooh, yeah. She's mad. Reeeal mad. Super mad, even.

I believe "enraged." Is the right word.

？！

You can see why I was hoping Mash could calm her down a bit.

Good idea. Still. You. Did this. To you.

Exactly. You made your bed, now you can lie in it.

...Anyway, if the real Medea is responding to us from Chaldea, they must have an idea of what's going on here.

？！

You know, I wonder why our communications suddenly came back online like this?

Oh, that? ...Hehe.

Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with the work Mash and I have been doing trying to get it tuned up.

And it doesn't look like Chaldea did anything to override the interference either. It's weird.

As far as I can tell, it looks like something either changed here, or here and with Chaldea at the same time, and activated the magical summoning circle.

So, then...

...it's NOT like the Demon God Pillar, or something else, is hacking us?

Hacking!? You really think anything could hack MY workshop?

...! ...!

Medea seems to be losing patience.

It's a shame that we're not all here right now, but we can't wait any longer.

Can we communicate with them, Master?

？！

(Nod)

"...Got it. Thanks for the bare bones update."

"I'm glad you're all okay. We have a good idea of what's going on there now."

"Between Tituba's fate, and Hopkins's arrival, things are clearly going very differently from real history."

"We don't have much time to trade info since our connection is unstable, so let's do that while we can."

"First of all... Is that Circe?"

...Hehe.

"...I see. Then I guess we avoided the worst-case scenario."

!?

!!! ... (Stifled laughter)

Wha... Wha... WHO'RE YOU CALLING A VIRGIN GODDESS!?

I'm the great Queen Witch! HEY! Stop patting my head like I'm a child, Fujimaru!

And YOU! Quit pointing and laughing at me, Medea!

"Hahaha. It's great to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. But we really don't have time for that now, so let's save it for another time."

"At any rate, I believe it's safe to assume this unknown Servant is Circe? ...All right then."

？！

"I'm glad to hear that we got a little good news in all this."

"At least we now know what one of the major threats we're facing is. So, we can take measures against it."

...Do tell.

"Wise and insightful Circe, allow me to thank you on behalf of all of Chaldea."

Hehe. Why thank you. I'm glad to see Chaldea's acting commander is so polite and understanding.

？！

"After investigating things on our end, it's clear that the Near-Future Observation Lens, Sheba, had a hand in Circe's accidental summoning."

"What's more, it's been acting strangely again since right before our comms were re-established. It...well, bluntly, it's gone berserk."

"We're doing everything we can to keep the system running, but it could shut down at any time..."

"Worst case, it could even damage the system...or cause problems during your Rayshift back!"

"So, we still have a lot of questions, but I think we'd better end the call after this next bit of info."

"Are you doing all right, Fujimaru?"

？！

"This is the most critical thing I have to tell you. I'm going to have to broad strokes it for you. I wish I could have told Mash directly, but oh well."

"...These analysis results pertain to the forced 'incarnation' you told us about earlier."

"When you infiltrated Salem, your memories were falsified. To be more exact, your entire cognitive process was jumbled up."

"We believe you are now unable to connect your knowledgei.e. your memories of past eventsto the information you are currently receiving."

That's taking it a bit far. It's more like you're all on a reeeally bad trip. Still...

Were you always. This easily confused. Master?

Come on, stop that. Nezha's clearly not getting your joke. At any rate...

？！

I'm impressed this Da Vinci lady managed to figure all that out from what little she had to work with.

That does back up what Circe warned us about.

...This is terrible!

We'll never figure out the truth as we are. This is a devastating blow to our mission.

We're practically dancing in the Demon God Pillar's palm right now. Is there nothing we can do?

？！

"This condition induces visual and auditory hallucinations. It's less like magecraft and more like...well, going mad."

"I had Mata Hari memorize our historical file on Salem before you went there, and Mash already knew it."

"This file included a list of all known residents in late 17th-century Salem identified prior to this incident."

"Comparing that list against the people there now should have told you who didn't belong there."

"But it sounds like you haven't been able to determine that."

"Which means that even Mash, who's no longer a Demi-Servant thanks to her Galahad Spirit Origin being dormant, was unable to escape this effect."

"That bodes equally poorly for you too, Fujimaru. You're in a seriously precarious state."

...

"That said, not even a Demon God Pillar can alter someone completely without a contract."

Understood! This will. Not stand.

"One thing I can say is that there's probably some truth that can only be seen from within the madness."

"Something that's making it hard for us to observe Salem from the outside."

...No. We cannot abandon our sanity.

？！

"We still don't know, unfortunately."

"There's no way the runaway Demon God Pillar wouldn't predict that Chaldea would try to stop it."

"And there's no reason Circe would be any exception. ...According to Medea here."

...(Nod)

"I actually have a different opinion myself, but at this point, I'm just speculating."

"At any rate, as long as you have a temporary contract with her in place..."

"Sorry, the engineers are having a fit. Looks like our equipment is at its limit. I'm afraid we have to go."

"Next time, I'll be ready to exchange information in a considerably more efficient manner."

"I pray to all your respective gods that you complete the mission and come back safely. All right"

"@Circe. Do you intend to return to Chaldea? --Medea"

Oh, hell no. She must still be living in dreamland if she thinks I'm going back there.

She was a lot smarter back when she was still a virgin.

？！

Hey, wha... ...Grr...

...I'm glad we were able to tell them we're okay, but this doesn't do much to help us.

I'm glad to know you're relieved, Master...

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...True, that IS very important.

？！

Good question. She HAS been out shopping for quite a long time. She should've been back by now.

...I do not sense. Evil aura.

But. I am. Hungry...

Can. No longer move...

Oh, are you stepping out then, Master?

If you're going to go meet Mash, I'll come with you.

I can't wait to tell her about this call.

？！

No trouble at all, Master..]

I'll go too. I see now just how strange this village really is.

I doubt the ghouls that show up at night are the only danger that should concern us.

It IS a nice day for once, and I'm tired of staying inside. I think I'll take this chance to go out and

？！

Huh? You know you're talking to the Queen Witch here, right?

Hunger... Famished. Need... Meat.

Are those...wings? Do they...taste. Like...chicken?

What? Hey. Quit looking at me like that. Hey!

There...seems to be something going on at the general store.

I see Abigail there. But...where's Mash?

...

Oh great, it's that old woman again... Maybe I shouldn't have come along after all.

She and I really don't get along...

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Yes, as a matter of fact.

Don't you understand, everyone?

Have your eyes grown so clouded that you can't see what's right in front of you?

We've been so enamored with these absurd plays that we have neglected our prayers!

And now look at the tragedy that has befallen us.

"Yeah!" "You said it." "Maybe this is God's punishment for our sins..."

This is OUR village! Why have we given these outsiders...these heathens, free rein here!?

Now, now, everyone, calm yourselves.

That goes for you too, Rebecca. Settle down before you hurt yourself.

I'm truly sorry that you lost your sister Mary to those monsters.

I know a lot's happened with those performers too.

But both the Reverend and the acclaimed judge from Boston have given them their blessing.

And you've never been to one of their plays yourself, so you don't know what a good job they're doing.

...Yeah...

Tell me, Giles. And everyone else, for that matter.

Have you already forgotten what we've been through? Are we no longer even telling our children?

Whether it was during the long, harsh winters, or the bloodred night when those savages attacked...

...we've always banded together against the difficulties that threatened us.

If we turn away from God again, this time, He will surely turn His back on us in turn.

Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. You're saying we should just do what we've always done, no?

I'd feel better if we could do that too. But things are worse here now than they've ever been.

The children are running off into the forest and dancing as if they've gone mad, refusing to listen to a word we say; horrid monsters are forcing their way into our homes and eating everything in sight.

How is shutting ourselves inside and praying going to help with such dreadful things happening all around?

My hearing may not be what it once was, but I say to you, God will always hear our prayers.

By the seventh sunset since this all began, Salem will be unified in peace.

Seventh sunset? I'll settle for our bodies still being in one piece by the seventh sunrise...

I didn't even get to say goodbye to my family. Reverend or not, he's too young to be of any use.

We need to drive these outsiders away and make Salem what it once was!

...

You're wrong... You're all...mistaken.

You're all claiming that God wants the same thing you do, but you don't really know...what He wants...

What's wrong, Abby?

...Oh, Sanson. Ringmaster Fujimaru.

I'm looking for Lavinia. Not that I expect to find her here.

It looks like nobody's seen her since we went our separate ways last night.

...Didn't you come here to go shopping with Mash?

Yes. And we did.

We ended up buying quite a lot, so I asked the shop owner if he wouldn't mind carrying it to our house for us.

I'm just here waiting for him.

？！

Mash? She's with Uncle.

...I thought you already knew that.

Hmm... Mr. Carter, then... Do you know where they went, Abigail?

They went off toward the village outskirts.

...Oh?

It was you who enticed the Reverend into going along with this, wasn't it!?

What're you searching for now? Trying to find another man to sink your claws into!?

(Sigh...) You again? Do you think you could let go of my arm, please?

And as for the Reverend...

As I recall, you were far more...enthusiastic than he was when you barged in on me backstage.

Wha

I'm sorry, but I can't accept your request.

Believe it or not, I love all the men of Salem equally.

Sh-shut up! You're the one who

？！

Shh. Try not to make any noise, Master.

Can you come with me for a minute? It's urgent.

？！

I'm sorry. I screwed up big time. Really big.

...I lost sight of Mash.

？！

Uh, yikes. Yeah, looks like things are getting kinda heated, huh?

It's okay.

Go on ahead, Master. I'll handle things here.

？！

Something had been nagging at me all morning.

So I secretly went after Mash and Abby to keep an eye on 'em.

They'd finished their shopping and were just passing by the town hall when Carter showed up.

Said he was gonna go to Boston to fetch a judge, or reinforcements if that didn't work out.

Said this was the perfect chance to do it, since the weather was nice.

Then Mash said she'd like to go with him part of the way.

I think she was hoping to find the way out of the village.

？！

Exactly. No way in, no way out.

The only person who showed up here besides us is Hopkins, and he came from the wharf.

Right now, it's impossible to leave this village. We triple-checked that the first day we were here.

But Carter didn't seem concerned about that at all. No surprise Mash was curious.

I got curious too, so I figured I'd keep an eye on them and not interfere. That was my screwup.

Next, Carter rented a horse at the stables and headed for the village outskirts...

And that's where I lost sight of them.

？！

...

Mash and Carter both vanished. Of course, I searched everywhere I could, but...

？！

...I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I treated Mash like she was still a Demi-Servant without thinking about it.

But even if she can protect herself, she's still just a regular human.

？！

...The forest just gets thicker the more you keep going, so this is as far as we can go.

It's basically a Bounded Field. Try and get through, and you just end up lost, and after you wander a bit, you're right back in the village.

If so, one of the Chaldea agents around the Mist would spot 'em. Course, that doesn't do us much good, since we still can't contactHuh? What is it?

？！

...What? You got in touch with Chaldea?

Well that's great. Awesome, even.

...Still, that would've been right around the time I lost sight of them. So if they DID manage to escape...

...you'd think the Chaldea agents watching the Bounded Field's perimeter would've reported something had changed.

So why didn't they...?

...Oh, right, I almost forgot the other thing. Over here, Master!

？！

Shoo, shoo! Get outta here!

...It's in this hollow, Master. This is what I wanted to show you.

It ain't pretty, but you've fought enough battles by now that I figure you've seen worse. Just be ready.

...Parts of them, anyway.

Whoa, whoa, easy there! Take a closer look.

It's not Mash, all right!? Not Carter either, for that matter.

？！

These people have been dead for a long time. You can tell by how much they've worn away.

Looks to me like there were two of them. A man and a woman.

？！

The bodies are at least a few years old. But this hole was dug up real recently.

Based on the teeth marks, and the mess of the surrounding area, I'm guessing the ghouls did that.

...Hm? What is it, Master?

？！

...Token of the deceased, huh.

Looks expensive... But it's also rusted charcoal black.

If this were a real grave, I'd opt to just leave 'em alone...

But this is too shallow to be a proper grave. Hell, we don't even know who these people were. No tombstone.

We may as well hold onto that for a while. We can always put it back later if we figure something out.

？！

How they died? Hmm...

Not much of a detective, not like the armchair guy or the necromancer, but I'll give it a shot.

They're in pretty bad shape, even for having been there as long as they have, and for the ghouls and crows picking away at them. But, look...

I can make out a gunshot wound on the woman's body, so we can go ahead and rule out natural causes. Either someone killed her, or she took her own life.

And the man's neck was broken a long time before the crows and ghouls got to him. Which means...

？！

Looks like it.

Then there's this weird rock formation. Looks like they used to be arranged in a perfect hexagon...

Taking a wild guess here, but I think it might've been an altar.

Hm? ...What the hell? It looks like it was broken apart on purpose... But why?

...Wait, hang on. Was there someone else here too?

...Good point. Seems sensible. It'd explain how AND why they died.

Circe, huh... Yeah, she could probably learn something from all this. She may be shady, but not much we can really do about that.

I don't think she even means to be.

But, given how ravaged these bodies are, I don't think even the Queen Witch herself could tell much about 'em.

？！

Given their location, I'd bet this has something to do with the Bounded Field around the village.

'Cause like I said, they sure didn't die of natural causes.

Master, I'm gonna keep looking for Mash.

I'll take you back to town first, so you can fill everyone else in on what's

？！

...Good point. Wasn't thinking. Forgot I'm not my usual self here. If I'm not careful, I could end up dead.

Okay, Master, I'll stop going off on my own from now on. ...Sorry again about this.

Mash and Carter. Gone!?

Ran off together into the woods, huh? I didn't think Mash went in for those scholarly types.

Understood! Shall. Search for them. At once!

Hold it, Nezha... H-hey! I said wait!

Slow down! You'll set the floor on fire with those fire skate...rocket booster...things!

Let gooo!

...(Sigh) Stupid Taoist puppet.

Can you try to get a grip too, Fujimaru? Your anxiety is getting Nezha all worked up.

？！

...Anyway, while I do wonder where Mash could be, if not whether she's safe...we have other matters to discuss right now.

Good job making it back, Fujimaru. I've got something to tell you.

Nezha found out we've got lookouts watching this house now. Lookouts who weren't there until yesterday.

...No, not familiars. Humans.

And not just Hopkins's men. Regular Salem people too.

This whole thing with Mash has got to be a trap.

They're trying to throw us off so we'll go look for her without watching our backs, and then we'll fall into any number of other traps they may have set.

？！

Hehe. ...You sure about that?

If they're trying to draw a noose around a Chaldea mage's neck, they're going about it in an awfully roundabout way.

There's plenty of smarter ways to go about killing you.

Anyway, that's not what's important right now!

Right. It's about that human trash fire we all love to hate!

？！

...I imagine you've sensed this by now too, Fujimaru.

Hopkins's words are powerful...and poisonous.

You know how throwing a pebble into a still pond can make surprisingly big ripples?

Well, that is the kind of power at work here in Salem as we speak.

That's exactly what I want to know too.

Don't be absurd. That'd be way too obvious.

？！

Still, when all's said and done...I'm afraid I don't have any answers yet either. Sorry.

It sucks, I know...

Those of us who have really mastered magecraft can usually get a good idea of what's behind spells and fortune-telling we've never seen before.

Exactly. The way. Of the Buddha. Extends to. All things. No different here.

...And yet, here we are.

It may look like a ritual we're totally familiar with...

But it just feels...off. It's fragile, and sharp, and dangerous, like a sulfur crystal.

It changes shape for each person, as if to ensnare them. It's like touching someone's mind...

...

...Maybe we're not supposed to understand it. Maybe it would even be dangerous if we did...

...

Attain enlightenment. Reach the Root. Master reason. ...If there is. Another, fundamentally different path... One must lose. The lotus. Of one's mind.

...And attain darkness manifest.

？！

Guess this is it for our temporary contract... ...Huh?

Master, we have a serious problem.

Mr. Ringmaster! Mata Hari's...

？！

...

...With God as our witness, this court is now in session.

...

...Mata Hari, actress and performer.

That is obviously just a stage name. What is your real name? The one your parents gave you.

Margaretha Geertruida Zelle. ...It's very common.

I'd hate for any women with the same name here to feel like they were being attacked too, so please just call me Mata Hari.

...Hmph.

The plaintiff in this case against Mata Hari is...Bill Osborne.

That's me.

...Osborne.

You claim that Mata Hari is a witch. Is that correct?

That's right. She's a witch!

A succubus sent by the devil himself!

In today's court, we will examine the evidence and uncover the truth of these allegations.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Yes, I most certainly do. To begin with, that woman...

...

...Mr. Ringmaster? Please cheer up.

？！

...She must have decided to go to Boston with Uncle.

Don't worry. I'm sure she'll come back safely.

Besides, there's no way Mata Hari could be a bad person.

Mr. Osborne always makes a big deal out of everything.

Everyone here knows that. I'm sure the judge will just scold him for making all of this up!

...You look pale.

You're scared, aren't you. It's okay... You're not alone.

Here, hold my hand.

N-no, I'm not... I'm just doing my best to put on a brave face.

With Uncle gone, I need to help however I can.

Not at all.

It's been so helpful, having you all here with me.

？！

Mata Hari's one of your dear friends, right?

I can tell you both respect each other. I'm a little jealous, really...

But that's why you have to believe in each other and stick together when times are tough.

Mr. Fujimaru? Remember, you're the leader of this troupe. You're like a young King David.

When Goliath ridiculed David, and cursed him in the evil demon Dagon's name...

...David slew Goliath magnificently. And he was just a humble shepherd. He didn't even have a sword or spear.

And all because his friends, and David himself, believed that God would strike the behemoth down.

That's right! Because he was a hero!

I talked about this with Sanson as well. He said he's a King David fan too.

...? Um...is that a joke, Mr. Ringmaster? I'm afraid I don't quite get it.

？！

You're looking a lot less pale now. Are you feeling better?

...Oh? You dropped something...

...Wait. What...is this...?

？！

This was...Father's... Why do you have it, Mr. Ringmaster...?

You found it...at the edge of the forest...?

？！

？！

No...

No, I don't...want it... I can't...accept it...

It...must have come from...outside Salem...

？！

Please... Just hold on to it...

Mata Hari is a dignified woman. She would never do something to warrant such vicious slander...

...

...Sanson. You are not presently giving testimony.

...Fujimaru. As Mata Hari's employer, and the leader of your company...

I call you to the stand to serve as a witness. Rise.

？！

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God...?

"The woman with the eyes of the sun..."

I'm not the queen of a southern kingdom. Hell, I don't have any dignity at all.

I think I was born to be an actor.

The sun doesn't cast a shadow. Especially not one that others step on.

It exists only to illuminate you... To grant your every wish.

Ahh... Norman... My son... Why did this happen...

Margaretha... You... You may as well have poisoned him yourself!

Why didn't you keep a closer eye on that bottle!?

That's not fair! Don't make this my fault!

That prescription wouldn't even be here if you hadn't bought it while you were out womanizing

Shut up! Shut up!

...!

If hitting me makes you feel better, then go ahead!

Ahh... Curse you... If Juana Luisa fails to wake up too...

I will see to it that you pay dearly for this, Margaretha...

...Never mind that. Please, just pray. Pray for Juana Luisa... My little sun...

Please... Please smile again. Just once...

That was the first time in my life I despised someone enough to kill them...

To kill someone I once loved. BECAUSE I once loved him, foolishly.

...That's right. In my heart, I had already killed him countless times...

The Fujimaru Company's Sanson saved my daughter's life.

That alone should prove that they are good, upstanding people, with boundless love in their hearts.

What was that, Mrs. Pickman?

It sounded like you just told us this man practiced medicine without a license from the governor.

Huh? I... Well...

？！

？！

Yes, I did. I admit to that.

However, according to another villager's allegations, Sanson left behind a prescription at the Pickmans' house.

A scrap of this prescription has been admitted as evidence. Practicing medicine without a medical license is a grave and serious crime.

？！

Your Honor! The Pickmans made a deal with the devil!

They asked him to save their daughter by sacrificing other innocent people!

How dare you! I've been nothing but a good neighbor to you, and this is the thanks I get!?

It's not my fault your daughter has always been sickly!

I even told you that you should have Sanson treat her, and you refused to listen!

That's right! This is a matter of honor.

Your Honor, I can vouch for Sanson as well.

My granddaughter wouldn't be alive today without him. He's a great man with talents beyond any mere actor.

If anyone is at fault here, it is me for inviting him into our house.

...Mr. Pickman...

...

Shout and weep all you like, but justice cannot be moved by such petty concerns. Nor shall I.

All I require of you is the truth. I will determine with my own learned, neutral eyes who is, and who is not a witch!

For often does the devil appear before those in crisis, in a form most sweet and beguiling, offering their heart's desire.

In the end, traveling performers are no more than drifters.

All is well so long as things go the way they wish, but at the first sign of trouble, they disappear like so much smoke.

This man has the gall to be both actor and doctor how and when it suits him. He is nothing like a true doctor, who has to earn his patients' trust.

As for this "actress," it seems that once the curtain falls, she plies her true trade: harlotry.

...Indeed.

So too are sins innumerable and varied, which is why the law seeks to judge them fairly and justly.

Only one who had repented for her ways. I will not have you interpreting the Bible to suit your own ends.

As you'll recall, once that sinful woman had repented, the Son of God drove out seven evil spirits from her before offering His blessing.

However...

？！

...is Mata Hari capable of such a thing?

Or is she instead a wretched, wicked woman who lowers men's guards, betrays them, lures them to adultery...

...and freely wields the seven vices in order to ensnare her targets? In other words...a witch?

Those who have fallen for such a trap inevitably seek companions with whom they might lessen their guilt...

...As for you, Mrs. Pickman.

I see that I must also put you to the question when this trial is concluded.

Depending on your answers, we may need to continue these proceedings...

...!?

"...To my beloved Monsieur Astruc."

"I am writing to you again so that I may better express my thoughts regarding the Salome matter we discussed the other day."

"Afterward, I was extremely fortunate to find not one, but two theater managers who liked my performance!"

"According to them..."

Mata Hari... Indeed, she is nothing less than a prodigy.

Her outstanding record proves it beyond any doubt.

Her technique may be shoddy, her misguided passion delusional, and her makeup garish...

...yet she consistently walks a line that weaves them all together into a show you simply can't look away from.

Hmm... That said...

She could also be considered a threat to those striving to create true art...

Oh yes, I've been to see her shows countless times! I don't even know how many bouquets and presents I've sent her.

Hahaha, of course, I don't expect anything from her in return. That is what it means to be a patron!

Hmm. Still, lately, I suppose there have been a lot of...new faces at her shows?

I can't deny that I've been less willing to attend after so many French generals started showing up.

They don't offer money, but given the current circumstances, they're good at exerting their influence in other ways.

If Mata Hari were to ever mistake that for her own power, well...that would be most unfortunate.

Mata Hari isn't just a great actress. She's practically a living legend!

This tiny theater is far too small to accommodate all her eager fans!

She deserves nothing less than to perform for the entire world!

"...So I've been thinking."

"I'm positive that I could bring the eccentric, uninhibited, attractive, and ever so memorable Salome to life on stage."

"So I would like to ask you, Monsieur Astruc..."

"...for assistance in bringing John the Baptist to justice."

"...From, your Mata Hari."

This is ridiculous!

Is it so bad to enjoy singing, and dancing, and plays?

Silence, child!

...No, let her speak. Her age has nothing to do with the truth of her words.

However, those who would show contempt for others and think only of themselves will be brought to justice.

...Ghh...

...God wouldn't want us to talk of people like they're awful criminals just because they're performers.

King David himself loved to dance. He even played his harp to banish the evil spirit plaguing Saul.

And all of you like to drink hard cider and cause such commotion to celebrate the autumn harvest.

I even know about how you played shuffleboard.

You're wrong. Of course we're going to be happy when God has seen fit to reward our hard work.

But letting entertainment and temptation into our lives also makes us vulnerable to the devil's whispers.

Lucifer's beauty was great enough to charm even God Himself!

We cannot put too much trust in ourselves. We are frail vessels, so we must always be humble and cautious.

We have nothing to our names, yet we still count our blessings as we go about our lives.

We're not kings. We're not even shepherds. We're nothing more than lambs.

That's it...? That's all we are...?

If there's nothing we can trust here, in Salem...

...then where COULD there be?

...

...Therefore, in compliance with French Army law...

...I hereby accuse spy AF45, aka H-21, aka Mata Hari of Holland.

She is charged with leaking top secret information to Germany and its allies, and concealing said information.

This included mission-critical information, such as the strategy for the Hindenburg Line, the leakage of which resulted in many casualties for our army.

In fact, we have received reports that our losses number no fewer than fifty thousand soldiers...

Most recently, she has also leaked information pertaining to our transport ship routes, which were subsequently sunken by enemy U-boats.

From her confiscated personal belongings, we have ascertained that the defendant has accepted large sums of money from Germany, so there can be no doubt of her guilt.

The decision is unanimous.

Conspiring against the government and interfering with military operations via espionage are grievous crimes punishable by death.

...I therefore sentence the defendant, Mata Hari, to be executed by firing squad.

Court is now adjourned!

...

...Your Honor! Please, let me say just one thing to everyone here!

You may speak. But your sentence may not be appealed.

...Yes, I was a spy. Some soldiers may well have lost their lives because of me.

But I swear to you here and now that my loyalty was always to France!

...Eep...!!!

...I see.

So you claim that your love of country is a match for the soldiers who gave their lives for France.

...Very well then.

Mata Hari, you will face judgment for your crimes once more, in death.

Look their souls in the eye, and proclaim your innocence!

Listen to their voices, ruined by the bullets that tore through their throats, and hear them yourself...!

Mata Hari...

Margaretha Geertruida Zelle MacLeod!

You have committed adultery through devilish means, and robbed the people of Salem of their senses.

You have betrayed God, and indulged in the evil of witchcraft. In the name of God and the good people of Salem, I hereby sentence you to be hanged as a witch!

...A...aaa...

...

...!

Ah... ...(Sigh)...

...I see. So that's how it is.

I suppose, when weighed against the fifty thousand people that live in Salem...

...my own life is a small price to pay to save them, huh?

Do you have a problem with my sentence?

No.

I further order her employer, Fujimaru, to pay damages and trial fees totaling forty pounds!

As well as an additional thirty pounds for the cost of the hanging!

What? That's absurd. I've never heard of such preposterously high court fees before.

？！

Order! Order!

How dare you show contempt for this holy court! Unlike the venues to which you are accustomed, this is not some cheap tavern.

？！

Get back! Nobody approaches the condemned!

...

...

？！

？！

You again?

Your Honor...I would like to speak with you.

Hmph. Sanson, eh...

Are you here to ask me to overturn their sentence, like those other foolish villagers?

Or are you here to call me a king again? I am but a humble servant of God and the law.

No, Your Honor. I am...well aware of the weight that a sentence carries.

However, this is all moving far too quickly. I would like to ask for a stay of execution.

...Is that so? Very well, the executions are not set to take place for a few hours. State your case.

As you know, Your Honor, a large number of people are dissatisfied with this sentence.

Salem is also currently beset by attacking monsters, which are stoking fear and grief in its people.

It is eminently possible that these feelings may incite anger and confusion, which would make it much more difficult to keep the peace.

So, you are telling me to be wary of riots?

This could be dangerous for you personally, Your Honor.

My own life is of little consequence.

What's more, I am told that Carter set out to Boston to bring back a new judge.

In which case, regardless of what becomes of me, the great work of these trials will continue.

These holy trials have begun, and neither the devil nor a saint can stop them.

...You're lying.

...Hmph.

There's no way we're talking that old man out of this.

What if. We tied Hopkins up. Made him. Mysteriously vanish? Right? Right?

Seriously...?

Fortunately. Abigail. Still at home. That is good. She will not. Have to see. Any act of violence.

Yeah, I don't see reckless violence helping here. It would probably end with more innocent victims.

Can't you feel it? There's a will at work behind all of this.

...Hm?

My, my. You arrived at the same conclusion I did.

Someone, or something, is taking advantage of our intervention avariciously, even cunningly at times.

Probably the Demon God Pillar, or one of his puppets.

But if they're not trying to kill us...

...who stands to profit from Mash's absence?

...Whoa there.

Hehe. You're cute when you're mad.

Shouldn't we be focusing on Mata Hari right now, though? I've actually got an idea for that!

You said it. And as luck would have it, there's a storm brewing right now.

Who's to say it couldn't cause the gallows to have an unfortunate accident?

Terrible idea.

...Huh?

？！

Here's what we're going to do. We're going to let Mata Hari be executed.

Whaaa!?

What're you playing at here?

I don't have time to explain, Dandyman.

Gee, thanks!

？！

Ugh, dammit. Dammit...! This friggin' sucks!

I know she's not the type to cry and beg for her life...

...but it doesn't make sense that she's not even trying to protect herself. This is basically suicide.

Indeed. I wonder if...

I can't imagine a real Holy Grail War ever taking place here, but under normal circumstances...

...your contract with them would be lost, and as per the example set by normal summoned Heroic Spirits, their soul would disappear without returning to the Throne.

So all you'd have to do is make another contract with them. We're still just Servants, after all.

As far as mages are concerned, we're basically just familiars. Glorified consumable items.

Eeeasy there. Hehe. I really do love your expressions.

... ...But then...

？！

What would become. Of Mata Hari's. Memories...?

What would become. Of her solitude? Of the suffering. Her soul endured...?

The Reverend's reciting a prayer for the condemned.

Mata Hari's up next... She's ignoring what he has to say, but...

？！

？！

...What do you wanna do, Master?

？！

You want me to lip-read? ...Okay, got it.

...What language is that? Is it even English? I'm just gonna copy her sounds.

？！

"It...so...kay..."

"Truh...st...ir...see..."

？！

The noose is around her neck now... Dammit, she's smiling.

...Your Honor, it's time.

Hang them!

MARGARETHA!!!

In the end... We let her die.

How could you. Let this happen. Master!?

？！

？！

Don't blame him.

...Hm?

It...it moved. Something happened back at the workshop...

Wh-what's... Ahh...

The workshop...? The Carter house? What happened?

(Sniff sniff)... Something's on fire in the village. Can't be a coincidence. With this storm about, they'd make sure a fire would never break out by accident.

No! But, something's going on now!

？！

Arson...!? I... Even I'm not all-powerful.

The workshop's defenses were made for monsters. They can't do anything against regular villagers.

Oh man, and after all that work I put into making it...

Divine retribution? This quickly?

...!? What about Abigail?

...Judge! Judge!

What is it? More corpse-eating monsters?

What do you think all these rifles are for!? Drive them off!

But this time, there are angry villagers among them as well!

Monsters attacked someone just as he was breaking into the Reverend's house, allowing them to escape!

My Lord... This is blasphemous! We've got to do something. I'll go tell Judge Hopkins!

Out of my way, youngster.

...Your Honor, it's not safe here. More of the monsters are on their way!

You mean the ghouls!?

THIS is the Puritan paradise I spent sixty-six days on a boat to reach? On a voyage in the deathly cold of winter, no less?

I would expect such disruption in a famine, or a revolt, not in a Puritan haven. What a disappointment.

Your Honor, you need to get out of here! Hurry, before they find you!

Without the armed reinforcements I've sent numerous telegrams for, there's nothing we can do to hold them off!

Absolutely not. My execution of these heretics is not yet complete.

We must wait and be certain that these wretched condemned are indeed dead, or the people won't rest secure in the knowledge that justice was served.

Are you mad!? No one is even here to watch any longer!

Say what you will. I will not leave until I am satisfied these criminals are dead.

...Grr...

...Your Honor...

I sense. An evil aura! Expanding! Exploding! There is more. Than ghouls here!

What is Sanson doing?

Oh well... This actually works out well. Now we don't have to distract them ourselves.

...Robin! Go get Mata Hari's body! We're taking her with us!

Huh? Her body? Why're you giving me orders, anyway!?

？！

Master! I'll get Abigail!

You are welcome! If I see. Others in danger. I shall save. Them too!

Huh...!? Why am I doing all the heavy labor here? Ugh, fine!

？！

...

...Abigail!

Are you all! ...Right?

...Lavinia?

It's me. Nezha!

...Nezha.

My house is gone. It's all burned down.

Hey, Nezha? I can't find Lavinia anywhere...

Do you think we could find her with this big fire to light our way?

...A-Abby? Do not get. Too close. Fire is dangerous.

Curses... These flames are. Too strong. To be put out. We must evacuate!

Fujimaru is. Waiting for you. Abby?

What a shame. Still... Now there's nothing stopping me from going anywhere I want.

Isn't that right?

Abby... That. Not freedom. That is

More of. These creatures!

Our rifles aren't even slowing them down! And we're out of ammunition!

Use your hatchets! Chop off their arms and legs! Keep His Honor safe!

I know how to use a sword! Let me handle this!

Oh no you don't! O-out of the way! We don't need any help from drifters!

Salem is OUR land! A land we carved out for ourselves from a dark and foreboding forest!

We'll protect it ourselves, whether we're up against Indians or the devil himself!

...!

Hey. What do you think you're doing? Don't you dare touch that corpse!

Judge Hathorne! I order you to arrest Fujimaru and the rest of his company!

They're no more than bandits now!

I-I'm sorry, Your Honor, but we've got our hands full at the moment!

？！

...Khh...!

Forgive me, Master!

I'm staying here! I have to keep these people safe!

？！

He's an idiot! A true, dyed-in-the-wool moron!

Forget your stupid principles for a moment and help us carry Mata Hari already!

Juuust in case you were somehow not aware: Dead bodies? They're really goddamn heavy!

Falling back's all well and good, but WHERE exactly do we fall back to, Fujimaru?

You there! Hands off the condemned! It's forbidden to bury criminals in the graveyard!

Look, pal, I don't know what you've... ...Huh?

Wha...? Hang on. Mata Hari...? Did you just move...?

...N...

Ngh...

E-eee...! She's coming back to life...!

What're you doing, you idiot!? Just leave her already! She's nothing but another monster now!

？！

Whoa, whoa, cut me some slack here!

...! You're...!

...Ah...

My neck... It hurts...

...

Stay back, Your Honor!

Ahh...

I'm not...a witch... Why...

Together with...my daughter... Ahh...

...Ghh...

May God's grace...be with you... Ah... Graaah!

...

Master! I brought. Abigail!

Mr. Ringmaster... Are you okay!?

(Huff... Huff...) Somebody get me a piglet... I'm not cut out for all this running...

Nezha...? Who're all those people behind you!?

They followed me. While I was. Running around. The village.

Oh, really? Crap.

...Fujimaru? I think we're kind of out of options...

？！

You're telling me. I've been running around carrying a whole person on my back. One who's been biting the hell out of me this whole time, I might add!

Are you sure it's safe toow, ow, ow, ow!

What will you do? Master?

Huh? What the hell is THAT look for?

？！

...Incense Burner!

Rrr... Grr... Rrr...?

？！

Wait, Mr. Ringmaster... I know who that is...

Huh...?

Hello, Fujimaru. You look like you could use a hand.

Tituba...? Is that you...?

But...!?

...I'm sorry, Miss Abby.

Tituba the servant is dead. She finished her role, and stepped off the stage.

And that is why I'm free now.

Free to wield my power as I see fit! Free to make my fortune!

...O great spirits, blow them away!

Hisss!

And that concludes your free trial! For more of my services, you'll have to pay!

Hmm, shall we say a fixed price for every ghoul I kill? I'm also willing to offer discounts if you pay for a dozen at a time up front!

？！

Huh? You mean you're not here to help us, Tituuh, whatever your name is?

Why, of course I am! "Helping" and "people" are two of the sweetest words I can think of.

And every good deed deserves a good reward, right? So, how much can I put you down for?

Surely you don't expect me to work for no compensation...do you?

？！

Hehehe. Pleasure doing business with you!

All right then, I'll make sure to provide you with excellent service during our temporary contract!

？！

？！

？！

As the Caster of Midrash, I swear here and now.

I accept you as my Master...!

I've taken the liberty of preparing a safe house. Come on, I'll show you the way.

By the way, I don't see your friend Sanson anywhere?

That bastard decided he'd rather save Hopkins's hide than come with us! This is why I can't stand dealing with "do right" scholarly types!

How awful.

Thank you for saving us... But...

Are you...Tituba...? No, you can't be.

...B-but then, who ARE you?

...Abigail Williams.

When prosperous nations deal with each other, sometimes information is the most precious of gifts.

And so, I'm afraid...I cannot lightly reveal my True Name, not even to you.

I... I see... I'm sorry...

That said...

I WAS your servant once, Miss Abby.

You treated me so kindly, and I loved and respected you in turn.

I don't plan to go by Tituba anymore...but I'll never forget our time together.

In the meantime, let me tell you what most people call me.

The woman from the south, who rules all of Sheba as its queen...

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

...!

Senpai!

？！

Oh, Senpai...! I'm so sorry for making you worry!

How fortunate. How lucky.

Embracing. Tears. Praise be to the Buddha. For his guidance.

This is...a Bounded Field, huh... I had no idea there was a place like this in the woods.

I couldn't pick it up at all. How long has it been here?

Phew... I'm just glad you're okay, Mash.

Now, can I put this body down already, or...

Oh, right. Go ahead, Mata Hari. It's okay now.

...

You were. Alive?

Wha... The whole tiTHE WHOLE TIME!?

I'm still feeling sluggish, though... It definitely took a lot out of me.

Looks like you're pretty resistant to poison. That's actually kinda unfortunate in this case.

It would've been a lot easier for you if you'd just gone ahead and passed out for real.

Bwa...? What's going on?

I gave her some medicine to help her fake her death.

She took it before she was scheduled to be hanged.

？！

Oh, that's nothing for an escape act. Once you know the trick, it's easy.

Of course, even if you can cushion your vertebrae from the impact of the fall, you usually end up suffocating anyway from the pressure on your neck.

I did my best to preserve enough of her metabolism so that blood would keep flowing to her head.

The drugs I pilfered from the Whateley house really came in handy here... But never mind that now.

...You said something about a will at work in all this earlier?

...I sure did.

If Mata Hari had run away without atoning for her sins or facing justice in the village courthouse...

...I'm guessing we would never have been reunited with Mash.

...So the court always demands sacrifice, huh.

Course, that queen lady helped us out a good bit... But if she hadn't, I'm guessing whatever this "will" thing is could've just sent Mash off to her death.

Right. We've basically just had a hostage released.

...

What are you doing here, Mash? I thought you had gone to Boston...

Where's Uncle Carter...?

...The Queen of Sheba and I will explain everything.

But, I'm afraid...it will be very hard for you to hear, Abby...

...I...

...That's okay. I want to know what's really going on...