Bookmarks That Lost Their Place

*Sigh*...

Barie, can I ask you something?

Y-Yes? What is it?

Do you remember the time when the werebeasts broke in?

Oh... Of course I remember.

Two of them ransacked the library...

No, not that time.

Ah...

Then... do you mean when the scaled ones tried to burn down the entire library?

Yes!

That's the one.

Wasn't that ages ago? Why bring it up now?

... Scribe Sherum?

Records are important, Barie.

History offers direction on how to move forward.

All knowledge originates in the past, and to avoid making the same mistakes...

... we record precedents, create protocols, and follow them.

I and all the witches, even Queen Belita, have always stressed how important records are...

Right...

And yet...

How is it two puny werebeasts were able to burglarize our library?

Eeek! I-I'm sorryyy...!

B-But I did get the books back! I even went to the surface to get them!

Yes, Barie, although you did save our books in the end...

... The library was nearly burnt down before, and now it's been burglarized by werebeasts... It's a disgrace.

Someone needs to take responsibility.

Don't you think so, Barie?

Uaaagh!

I-It was the middle of the night, and I was alone since everyone else went home...

And witches don't come as much as they used too!

Only a few apprentices come here to study now!

And once they earn their title, they never come back...

What's your point?

The library's practically been forgotten! We're the last on the list when it comes to the budget. It's too hard to run anymore!

You have to help me somehow!

Hmm...

It is true that the library is short-staffed. Even the witch in charge of confidential documents ran off to the surface out of nowhere.

R-Riiight... Haha...!

I am not as extreme a witch as Fricle.

We didn't lose the books in the end, so I will argue for a reduced punishment.

Wh-What kind of punishment?

To help you get back in the mindset of your training days...

... you will deliver the morning newspaper with Levi for a month.

Ahaha... Yes, that is merciful of you!

Well, the mess the werebeasts made is all cleaned up, right?

Just a bit more reorganizing left, but yes, heehee.

And there are no books unaccounted for, I assume?

Not yet anyway, heehee.

You did check the ultra restricted section only court witches can access, correct?

B-But the werebeasts didn't go near there.

They only ransacked the web and light novels section...

So you haven't checked the ultra restricted section?

No...?

...

...

How long has it been since you last went there?

Oh, I don't know... About 20 years, maybe?

The court witches are the only ones who have access... And you're the only one who goes at all, for the most part.

Are you saying you haven't checked on our most important section for decades?!

That's where all the records dating back to when us witches moved underground are stored!

Queen Belita's personal diaries, historical texts restored after the great fire...! Are you saying you didn't even clean it?!

No wonder it's always full of dust when I go!

Uh… W-We might've cleaned it… I think…

Phew! Of course you did. Yes, yes. I worried for nothing.

By that I mean we cleaned the door... We never opened the door and went inside...

Um... Scribe Sherum? What are you writing?

“Barie the librarian is hereby banished to the pit for gross negligence in library management…”

“Though she has fallen into the abyss, history will remember her--”

Aaaah, no! Don't say it like it's set in stone!

Nothing will have happened! Isn't it fine as long as the books are intact?!

L-Look! Everything's on the shelves--

What do you call this?

Wh-What?! Why are they all pulled out?!

I-It wasn't me!

I haven't been here in 20 years!

Then which court witches have?

Uh... Y-You...?

You went in to add new court records a week go…

Odd... The shelves were in order when I went...

What is this gold powder, then?

It's all over the alchemy section… Could it be related?

Heh, hehe!

What, may I ask, is so funny, Barie?

Lost your mind thinking about going in the pit?

I don't think I'll be the one going in the pit.

Sorry?

Only one person has been in the restricted section… and that's you.

And I realized that means you're the only one capable of doing this...

I can't be thrown in the pit for library mismanagement!

I'm reporting this to the court!

Eeek! You're what?! It wasn't me!

Wait! Wait, I said!

Tsk...!

It'll be all right. I'm innocent...

As long as I explain everything to Queen Belita, she'll understand.

...

Hold on.

Queen Belita's still sick, which means Fricle is still working in her place...

Sherum!!!

What are you writing?!!! I told you not to record when I fall over!

Forgive me, Fricle, but the record treats everyone equally.

“Fricle… tripped while thinking about a runaway disciple and scraped her knee.”

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rats… *Munch, munch*… Can't believe I'm stuck doing paperwork…!

“Fricle... is stress-eating fried sweet potatoes...”

W-What gives?! Where'd you come from? And I said to stop writing that kinda stuff!

Haa... at least that thorn in my side Sherum isn't here.

“Fricle... thought she was alone and complained about the secretary being annoying...”

Hey!!! Get outta my room!!!

I swear I'll rip up every single record to pieces!

Arrrgh...!

Fricle's gonna have my head for this!

Then I'll just clean everything up before Barie reports me...!

Gahh, shoving them back in randomly is gonna make them impossible to find later!

I really am gonna end up in the pit, aren't I?!

Huh?

What... is with these books?

Why are all the pages blank?

Heehee… And you call yourself a hero for that?

Of course! I'm practically the king of the underground!

W-What is that?! Don't tell me the culprit is still here!

Wait, is it...?!

King of the underground? What did you do to get that title?

I'm the one who built this Witch Kingdom!

From the Witch Court Tower to the tiny cottages in the far corners…

There’s not a corner of this place that doesn’t bear my handiwork!

Ahaha! You’re bragging just because you built a house?

And you? What have you done?!

I made every loaf of bread in the Sprite Kingdom!

Not a single sprite has eaten bread I didn't make.

You're just a bread-lover!

Don't you dare insult bread-lovers!

What are these tiny things?! Familiars?

Uaaagh! A witch! Run!

Return to your true forms! Your chains of servitude are broken!

AAARGH!!!

Blarggh!

The familiars are being sucked back into the books... The pages are refilling!

“Witch Kingdom Urban Planning”... “Sprite Kingdom Baking Techniques”...

The writing inside gained self-awareness and started talking, then?

Who would do this kind of magic?

These three books scattered here are all blank too...

So they “escaped” as well?

Let's see the titles...

“The Stirring of Snakes: The Witch Kingdom Theft Case”...

“Scar of the Dark Elemental”...

And this last one doesn't even have a title.

The books themselves weren't stolen. They were sabotaged!

Whoever did this is bold as brass.

Three separate tracks, three different directions... Are these the tracks of the escaped writings? Or the culprit?

The first one has a long tail and continues in one line.

But no footprints for the second. Did they use magic to flee? I only sense traces of a spell.

One with eerie magical energy... and the scent of... ghost berries?

The third one... has normal footprints.

But why are they so big? These must be more than twice the size of mine.

Here she is! The one who sullied the Witch Kingdom's super important records!

Sherum?

F-Fricle!

Hah, I knew this day would come eventually...

... but I didn't know how easy it would be to take you down.

You've got it all wrong, Fricle!

What's the meaning of these books scattered all over?

You... Always bleating about how important the records are, how you want to record everything...

Did you actually erase what was on these pages?

Agh! No! It wasn't me!

Silence! Plotting such wickedness when Her Majesty is unwell...! I caught you red-handed!

Take her away at once!

Argh! I didn't do it, I said! You can't just assume I did based on nothing!

Don't just stand there! Seize her!

Huff, huff...

How did I end up a fugitive?!

I've never dealt with anything this bad in all my time on the court! I have to fix this quick!

If I find the missing records, I might be able to clear my name.

Huu... Okay! Let's take it easy and think back to the tracks I saw.

Of the three “writings” that escaped... The easiest one to track is the one that left magical energy behind?

That cold, soul-piercing energy... It's gotta be a phantom.

To the Phantom Marsh it is, then!

Mmm, yes, the magical energy is strongest this way... along with the smell of ghost berries.

Ugh, do I really gotta do everything myself?!

I've let you lot off again and again, but it's like you don't know when to quit!

I know that voice...

B-But Shaydi, we didn't do anything.

I don't even know why you’ve called us here.

Are you messing with me right now?!

I know phantoms are born to make a mess, but still!!!

You crossed the line this time!

That's Shaydi, the leader of the phantoms!

I wonder why she summoned all these phantoms here.

Can you at least tell us what the issue is instead of just yelling?

Ah, I think I know what it is.

The two things Shaydi hates the most...

... are Rim's jokes and bringing up how old she is.

So Rim obviously walked by and called you old! Ahaha!

Shut your trap, Mask Freak!

Waaaah! My mask!

Hey, pumpkin! Got nothing to say?

Aww...

Nothing at all? You ignoring me? Why aren’t you answering, pumpkin-head?!

I'm Ner! Before Shaydi called me Ner, I was just plain old Speaki...

Waaaaah! It huuurts! I'm not the one who’s supposed to get beaten up heeere!

Yeesh, you rascals...! I am being serious! Read the room before you mess with me!

R-Read the room?

Maybe old age has finally caught up with Shaydi... She's even breaking character now!

Yeah, Shaydi never says these kinds of reasonable things!

It's real...!

Shaydi really is angry!

Run away!!! No time for pranks!!!

I gotta hide before she turns me into ghost toast!

What is going on here?

This is just unbelievable!

If it wasn't any of them... then was it Rim?

No matter how I look at it, it doesn't add up.

I never thought there could be a ghost even more twisted than me... It's not the kind of prank someone like Alice would do either...

Shaydi looks really livid right now.

I wonder if her problem is related to mine.

Speaking of, that ghosts berry scent is strongest around her!

So she's the one behind that weird magic? Huh, no surprise there.

I need to find those writings quick...

Haa, I'm in such a foul mood. Nobody better test me!

Or I'll flatten them into one dimension, turn them into a dot, then erase them for good!!!

...

Or maybe I'll toss their heads and limbs into different dimensions! See how they like being split apart!

Hehehe... just what I need to get this stress off my chest.

...

Sherum realized something even more important than recovering the stolen “Scar of the Dark Elemental” writing. Without evidence, justice could never be served, even with the culprit standing right in front of her!

Right, that's settled. I guess I'll investigate elsewhere and see how the pieces fit!

Huh? Who's yammering over there?

Eeeek! Better run before I'm spotted!

Shaydi is a seriously dangerous phantom as far as I remember.

Anyone with a lick of sense knows better than to take her on alone.

The smart thing would be to tell Queen Belita and deal with Shaydi later.

It's not that I'm too weak to fight her...

... or so Sherum told herself.

Rats! I'm so used to recording honestly that I wrote down my inner thoughts! It's already on the page. I couldn't possibly edit it now...

Hoo... Calm down. One step at a time.

I'll tell the queen about Shaydi later!

Now I need to follow the second track from the library! The single winding trail...

If my hazy memory serves me right, the scaled ones left tracks like that behind when they invaded Belitein...

Long tails, cold bodies... Werebeasts from the surface...

We mistook them for our dragon neighbors, let them in without a second thought, and the library nearly burned down before we knew it... Not to mention the ransacking of the court's treasury.

Are those savages still running amok?

I thought the furry werebeasts had driven them to the deepest reaches of the forest... Perhaps I should see for myself.

Ah, a werebeast! Right on cue.

Hello? Excuse me?

H-Huh? What do you want?

I just wanted to ask you--

Aaah! A w-witch! I didn't steal any books! I'm a law-abiding werebeast!

What? No, I was just going to ask you--

Ah, y-you were going to ask something?

Sorry about that. I ran into a really scary witch once...

I get the impression this werebeast is hiding something.

So, what did you want to ask?

Right, let's see...

Ah, yes! Who's the leader of the werebeasts these days?

Huh? The leader of the werebeasts?

The captain, obviously! Ahahaha!

Captain? Not chief? Then... what is this captain like?

A venomous beast with razor-sharp fangs that goes around biting people?

I don't know about venomous, but the captain is pretty vicious. And her fangs are nice and sharp.

Uhhh... then does this captain rule the werebeasts by force? Like a tyrant?

Well, the boss is a total menace, so that’s roughly correct.

A-Are you telling me the world-eating snake has returned?!

Why are you shaking all of a sudden? You asked your question. Now get going already. I'm gonna be late for today's Monatium raid!

The werebeasts have begun raiding again?! Ohhh, this is bad!

But I have one last question!

Did your captain gather the six treasures again?

Treasures?

Ah, wait. You mean those old things?

The captain said she doesn't need them to become the ruler of Elias, so she threw them away.

Though, I think the chief beat her up and made her put them back...

Anyway, the captain says she's so strong she doesn't need any magic treasures!

She's become so powerful she doesn't need the treasures?! That can't be!

How is that possible? I distinctly remember hearing she was smashed to bits so badly she'd never set foot here again!

Wait... then what happened to the deer? Don't tell me the deer was hurt!

Deer?

Might've been a roe deer. I don't remember exactly... but the werebeast with horns!

Horns? Do you mean the chief?

She has horns. Just this morning she was wandering up that hill over there.

Looked like she was in a bad mood, so I didn't say anything to her.

She's still alive, then? There is hope!

Hehehe, not for long...

What do you mean, “not for long”?

Until the day the captain beats that two-horned chief to bits!

Uh-oh. I have to warn her! It's not too late yet!

Thank you for your help, fox werebeast. I must be going now!

A witch shaking in her boots from hearing about the captain?

Haha, our captain is the best!

Sigh...

Oh, if my memory is correct... Yes, that's the one!

The werebeast who saved Elias from a great calamity!

Excuse me, I need to talk to you about something urgent--

Aaaahhh!!!

What in the world?!

Hm? You are... a witch, aren't you? What brings you to the surface?

You seem familiar somehow. Have we met before?

You don't remember me? Well, it has been a long time.

It doesn't matter. Just answer me this. Did you fight the snake again?

Did you win? What happened? Tell me!

Hmm...

It's been dealt with.

Then can I record it as a victory? This is history in the making!

How did the battle start? How did you defeat it? Tell me everything!

...

Hmm.

I took care of it.

Oh come on, you have to give me more than that!

This should be preserved for future generations!

The situation is resolved.

I remember now. You were just as reluctant to talk back then too.

But this time, I need to hear the facts.

Mistakes that are recorded can become lessons for the future.

What if this happens again when you're not around anymore?

Someone has to know how to deal with it, right?

...

Just the broad strokes! That's all I'm asking!

Now I remember... You're the same witch who asked me all those questions way back when.

I'm sorry, but my answer hasn't changed.

Those mistakes...

... end with me.

I shall not pass them on to anyone.

That is why I say it has been resolved.

Oh, don't be like that...!

Go back and write that it was resolved.

That is all that needs to be recorded.

Urgh...!

All these years, and you haven't changed a bit.

You'll have to tell your secrets one day!

The burdens we carry only grow heavier with time!

Horned Beast!

...

I believe we are done here. Take care.

I hope we never meet again.

This is bad.

I've only managed to recover one of the three escaped writings.

The other two writings are extremely important... and dangerous...

There's not a chance the queen will let this slide, knowing her.

My expulsion from the court is a given. It's the havoc these records could wreak that worries me.

Ugh...

I have to get that last writing back, no matter what.

And I'm not gonna let fear or threats stop me.

I just need something solid to report back to the queen.

That said...

What exactly is this book?

I don't remember writing anything like it. The paper isn't good quality either.

I always choose the paper myself. I'd never buy stock this poor.

The layout's all weird too. What's with these huge boxes on every page?

It's almost as if...

Is that a picture diary?

Yes, I believe so.

Uh...

Could I take a look?

Huhhh?

There's nothing in it! Must not be our queen's, then.

My apologies. Her Majesty sometimes hides these kinds of things on inspection days.

I had to check to be sure. It might've been left with just anyone.

Wh-What?! You're the Head Priestess of the Yggdrasil Order?

Ah? Oh, I think I've seen you before at the Witch Court.

Always standing behind the queen, writing something. What was your name again?

Sh-Sherum.

Yes, that was it! Sherum!

You're very fond of books as I recall.

Are you here on court business?

I can guide you if you'd like.

Wait a second.

Head Priestess, are you saying this book looks just like the picture diary of the Sprite Queen?

Yes, I am.

It's just a cheap notebook you can buy at the stationery store in front of the palace.

I bought Her Majesty a number of journals for something to practice in before she started writing official entries.

She still hasn't finished a single one since ascending the throne...

But thanks to the Master, I believe she's filled about half of one now.

Even though the Master writes in her place fairly often...

Wait, so this is a picture diary?

What was the Sprite Queen's picture diary doing inside the library's restricted section?

Are they even the same diary? I should make sure.

Um... Would it be at all possible for me to take a look at the Sprite Queen's picture diary?

What? Whatever for?

I know Her Majesty can be a bit, well, embarrassing, but it feels wrong to just show you her diary...

There was a serious incident that took place in the Witch Kingdom of Belitein. Checking that diary may help me get to the bottom of it.

Please, Head Priestess.

I swear on my honor as a court scribe! I won't do anything improper!

Just a quick peek. Please.

Nngh... It feels shameful... showing you her diary...

But you look serious, and you don't seem like the type to joke around...

Very well.

Just... please don't make fun of Her Majesty after.

Me, make fun of the Sprite Queen? Why would I do that?

Well... I mean...

Don't you even know her...?

I assumed you would, if you're from the Witch Court.

I've heard quite a lot about her from Queen Belita. She speaks of her often.

And from what I've heard...

She's a bit stubborn, but quick on her feet when speaking and skilled in combat.

She also apparently has more stamina than Queen Belita herself...

Ah... haha... Is that what you heard?

Don't worry.

Us witches tend to exaggerate others' minor flaws for political reasons...

... but I’m a witch who values facts.

Based on what Queen Belita has told me and my own records, I fully understand the Sprite Queen's prestige.

So you can trust me.

You just made me even more nervous than before...

Anyway, fine.

You promise, right? No mocking or laughing at Her Majesty?

Yes, I promise! You're rather paranoid, aren't you?

Ahem!

Your Majesty? Your Majesty!

Could you open the door? You have a guest from the Witch Kingdom.

Mmm, that sweet scent is almost dizzying.

I feel like I've smelled something like it in Queen Belita's office too... or is it just my imagination?

Your Majesty, if you don't open this door right now, I'll break it open!

Huh?

Uagh! You can't do that on the queen's door! Can you?

Ah... It's f-fine! Us sprites are a bit peculiar, huh? Haha...

Head Priestess, are you okay? You're red like a tomato...

Uah... Ha! Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

Your Majesty! Open the door already! I'm dying of embarrassment here!!!

Gah, there goes the doorknob--

T-Treason!

What? Treason?!

Wait, i-is that okay too? I don't know anything about sprite court etiquette!

Ah... Th-This is just…! The place is old, that's all! It's under maintenance!

Look! If you just tap it like this, it opens right up!

See? Just a little mistake, that's all.

I don't know about that...

Don't read too much into it… The door's open now. Let's go find Her Majesty.

I-I guess...

This is odd. She's nowhere to be seen...

And look at the state of this room!

Was there a break-in? The sheets, the clothes, these crumpled papers and pastels...

There's also a bunch of bread wrappers and crumbs everywhere...

...

Wait, does the queen just not clean her room?

Arrgh!

Oh my. Head Priestess, your forehead's throbbing!

Ahaha! Oh me, oh my! It must have been a break-in!

I can't think of what else it would be.

Her Majesty probably got scared and ran away!

Y-Yes, that must be it!

It has to be.

Because if the intruder isn't caught, then Her Majesty will be the one in trouble.

...?

Do sprites always word things so ambiguously?

Anyway, I don't see the diary anywhere in this mess.

It looks like Her Majesty-- I mean, the intruder took it and ran.

Well... It is inspection day, after all.

I can already guess how this is going to end... Sherum?

Yes?

You should go back to the Witch Kingdom. I'll send word once I've found the diary.

I can't do that. This is urgent. I need to know immediately.

Ugh... Figures it isn't that easy...

Haaa... so be it.

Then shall we go look for Her Majesty together?

Shouldn't we be looking for the intruder?

Well, there's a 100% chance Her Majesty is with the intruder.

That's an awfully confident statement of probability. Are you sure?

Yes. Absolutely. Sadly so.

Master? Master!

Nothing much... Has Her Majesty been here by any chance?

No? Was she not on her way to hang out with you?

Ah, hello, Master.

I am Sherum, a scribe of the Witch Court.

I record and organize all manner of incidents, big and small.

Queen Belita has told me a great deal about you.

I was in the middle of gathering information to document your deeds. I'm honored.

Epica? That bard?

No, I've never met her in person.

But there are plenty of books about her in the library's novel section.

Personally, I have little interest in novels. Only factual records matter to me.

Sherum is here to find Her Majesty's diary.

I mean, it is inspection day, after all.

That was what I thought as well, but...

Would you happen to know where she is?

We already checked the bakeries.

We went to Ashur's bakery and every shop in the bakery district.

That's why we came to ask you.

Something bad happened to her, didn't it?! What should we do?!

A cave? Her Majesty goes to a cave?

Ahaha! It's just one of her regular walking paths!

I see, so these are frequently visited locations.

Understood. Lead the way.

What's this now...?

The Master's footprints...

They look just like the third set of tracks in the library...!

Yes, she always comes here with Marie whenever she runs away.

I think...

... you could answer that better than we could.

Drop the act.

Sherum? Where is this coming from?

I tracked the thief's prints all the way from the Witch Kingdom.

And they lead straight to you, Master!

There isn't a more distinct set of footprints in all of Elias!

No one else has feet that big for such giant shoes.

I don't know your motive, or what you hoped to accomplish...

... but the evidence points to you breaking into the Witch Kingdom's library and stealing the records.

Master’s right, Sherum! You must be mistaken!

Footprints aren't enough for such a grand accusation!

Besides, Master’s shoes were made by a tailor. The tailor could have a pair too.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Mayo had a pair either...

Doesn't that sound like her?

Anyway, there are plenty of disciples who could fake those footprints!

Even so.

How do you explain the Sprite Queen's diary?

This diary has no business being in the Witch Kingdom's library.

Certainly not in the restricted section only court witches can access.

The only people who should be able to read it are the Sprite Queen, the Master, and the Head Priestess.

Also, Master, when you heard the queen had gone missing...

... why were you so at ease?

The Head Priestess was angry at first but only grew all the more anxious as time went on.

Yet you, Master, took the news matter-of-factly. It was almost unsettling.

I understand why you'd be suspicious, but there's no way Master would ever do anything to hurt Her Majesty!

And from what I've seen, Master cares about her even more than I do!

Besides, Master has been swamped with work at the Order lately.

...

Hmm...

You're not secretly plotting "The Great Escape" with Her Majesty, are you?

Hmm, perhaps not. I'm sorry, Master.

I let my worries get the better of me.

Hmm... Very well, if both of you insist...

I owe you an apology for suspecting you, Master.

The Head Priestess is around you at all times, so her testimony carries more weight than my deductions.

So, are we to conclude that someone has stashed the queen away and tried to make us suspect you?

It seems like it, based on what you've told us.

But who would do such a thing?

The Werebeast Village? It is possible. They're always picking fights with Her Majesty and calling her “stone head."

I don't think so. I visited the Werebeast Village before coming to the Sprite Kingdom, and no one mentioned the Sprite Queen at all.

Mayor Elena? That's too obvious of a suspect... Then again, she does pull some wild things every now and then...

Shaydi thinks Her Majesty is beneath her. She wouldn't even bother going after her.

I don't think so. I visited the Phantom Marsh before coming to the Sprite Kingdom, and no one mentioned the Sprite Queen at all.

Hello?

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty? I brought what you asked for. Where are you--

Huh? Aaaah! M-Master?

What was that about Her Majesty you were saying, Rohne?

Is there something you want to tell us?

Head Priestess?! Eeek! I don't know anything!

I'll tell you everything! Just don't hit me!

How... are those two sentences possible in the same breath?

Rohne! What have you done? Out with it!

W-Waaah... A little while ago, during the Order's dedication ceremony--

I told myself, "I'm gonna donate 100 gold!" But my hand started shaking, and I only put in 10!

I figured if I saved 90 gold at a time, I'd eventually have enough for a cutlet... *Sob!*

We're not asking about that! And you didn't even do anything wrong! The whole point is that people give whatever they want!

Not that? Th-Then...

Are you asking about the mayor?

I knew it! Did Mayor Elena pull something again? Spill it!

She apologized to Hilde about some new project she was doing!

I don't know the details. She said something about how “getting the hair" could wait, and that she needed to improve her relationship with Hilde first... Then she promoted the Medical Officer!

Yes, doctor promotion.

She said Hilde has a good public image, so she asked her to pluck some kind of hair... But Hilde looked absolutely horrified.

Oh, that?

I was just running an errand.

She asked me to buy some pastels from the stationery shop and bring them here.

She's supposed to meet me here really soon. She'll be here any minute now...

Worth a try. If this elf is telling the truth, this matter may be resolved without a fuss.

Mmhmm! Hmm...! Heehee!

Home sweet home! Nice and quiet, just the way I like it!

I guess Rohne's still a ways off.

Urgh... Your Majesty! It was just another runaway? We were worried sick!

Why I oughta--

Wait! Hold on.

She's not alone.

Huh?

Here! Over here! No one ever bothers us when we hang out here!

I can't believe my eyes...!

Hurry up! You're all legs! How are you so slow?

Master!!!

I'm coming, I'm coming! Hehe.

Are my ears playing tricks on me?

M-Master?

“Master”???

Wh-What's going on?

It looks like... some doodle a kid drew...

I knew I saw that somewhere before! That's how the queen drew you in her picture diary!

Her picture diary... came to life?

Then this blank notebook really is the Sprite Queen's picture diary?

Do you know what's going on, Sherum?

I might... have an explanation.

The Witch Kingdom library was burglarized, and I have been tracking the culprit.

But it wasn't an ordinary book theft.

The contents of the books themselves were stolen.

Someone used magic to pull the writing out into the real world.

And this blank notebook, suspected of having its contents stolen...

... has to be the Sprite Queen's picture diary. I'm convinced, based on what we found.

So the "Picture Diary Master" that Her Majesty drew has manifested in the real world?!

It looks that way!

Do you believe magic has to make sense, Master?

Magic was never meant to make sense.

Some people mistake magical systems for absolute truth.

But systems are just ways to help others understand knowledge they're not familiar with. They're not final.

There's rarely only one way to explain a phenomenon, after all.

And as time goes on, old theories are proven flawed or inefficient, and then revised or discarded.

Actually, yeah, even the mayor had a hard time trying to explain Elias's magic with the scientific method.

But the results were different every single day, so she just gave up and stopped thinking about it.

In a nutshell, magic is the power to impose your will on reality.

Nothing is impossible.

So if someone powerful wants something in a book to become reality, it's not all that odd.

Then could Her Majesty have been the one who broke into the Witch Library?

...

...

Sorry, that doesn't even make sense. The very idea of Her Majesty setting foot in a library is inconceivable.

I-Is it really that far-fetched?

Queen Belita visits the library quite often. Surely her sister would as well...?

I can vouch for that! Based on my surveillance, Queen Erpin has never once entered a library of her own free will!

???

Haaa... I think we've got a rough idea of what's going on now. Let's ask Her Majesty directly.

And we'll need to deal with that "Picture Diary Master" as well.

Send it back to the book it came from.

Now that it has self-awareness, maybe we can ask it who did this.

Sounds good. Let's go.

Your Majesty!!!

Aaah! N-Ner? And Rohne?!

Rohne, you traitor! You ratted me out?!

Don't get the wrong idea! I-I got caught too!

I only ratted you out after they caught me! I didn't say a word before that!

That's still ratting me out, you dummy!

Figures. Leave it to an elf to betray me and act like she was in the right!

Huh? Master?

Why are there two of you?

You’re here... and also over there...!

Wh-What?! You look exactly the same!

If that is how the queen drew the Master...

... then I suppose, from her point-of-view, they would indeed appear identical.

And who is this witch?!

Urgh, are those clothes or just books and papers?! She looks treacherous!

Your Majesty! She's a guest from the Witch Kingdom! You mustn't say things like that!

Hmm...

Interesting.

Whenever that pumpkin phantom causes trouble, I feel just like you do right now.

Not... anything... like you?

How... am I any different?

I... am you.

I... am... the Master.

Huh? B-But--

Quickly, Your Majesty! Come over here!

I-I can't tell which one's the real one...

I'm the real one, Erpin.

Your Majesty! Listen to the Master!

Umm... If Ner's with that one, then maybe that's the real Master? Then I should go over--

No. Don't go.

That’s an impostor.

Believe the one you want to believe, Erpin.

Aagh! I don't know!

I can't tell anymore! Waaaah!

D-Don't come any closer! I’ll punch you in the stomach!

Erpin. Come to me...

S-Stay back, or I'll hit you too! What if you're both fakes?!

If one of you is fake, then there could be two fakes! Or three!

Not at all. It just looks like a walking doodle to me, Master.

So only the queen is affected by this perceptual distortion.

Master, try talking to her some more.

Perhaps she'll recognize your authenticity.

Huh? The day we first met...?

Hm? Hmm... Yeah, that did happen.

We didn't know who you were back then. Sorry.

R-Right, I remember.

I was really scared, but we got away in one piece thanks to you.

R-Really?

However...

I also remember it perfectly, Erpin.

I remember saving you during the insurgency.

That question was far too easy, Master!

You should have let the other one answer first.

The trick is to bait the impostor into giving the wrong answer.

Yeah! I read about something like that in a spy manual!

Uhhhhh...

Go ahead, Erpin. Ask us.

Me? Nngh...

It's okay, Your Majesty! I'm sure the Master will get it right!

There's no way Master would suggest this first confidently only to get it wrong. That would be embarrassing!

Mm... Okay.

I just need to ask a question... right?

Let's see...

I once gave you a cake as a present.

And I tried really hard not to take even a nibble.

Do you remember what kind of cake it was?

It did have whipped cream on it... But I don't think you'd call it a strawberry shortcake...

Wrong. You gave me an ice cream cake.

It was your gift for my 100th day in Elias.

I still keep it safely locked away.

Th-That's right! You're right!

Master! How could you get that wrong?!

Ch-Chocolate? I don't think there was any chocolate in it...

Wrong. You gave me an ice cream cake.

It was your gift for my 100th day in Elias.

I still keep it safely locked away.

Th-That's right! You're right!

Master! How could you get that wrong?!

Y-Yeah! That's right! It was an ice cream cake!

You remembered, Master!

Erpin.

H-Huh?

Thank you for the cake. You snuck into Ashur's bakery at dawn every single day to make it, didn't you?

Even after she caught you and yelled at you for trying to steal bread, you kept sneaking back until you finished it.

Huh?! H-How’d you know that...?!

Ashur told me. When I found out how hard you'd worked on it, it meant the world to me.

Y-Yeah...! And once I explained everything, Ashur even started helping me!

Indeed the drawing that popped out from her diary.

It knows everything the Master knows, but also everything they don't about the Sprite Queen's personal life.

Come to think of it, I remember reading things like that when I checked Her Majesty's diary.

At this rate, the real Master is gonna look like the impostor...

We'll have to try another approach. The game is stacked against you.

Er...

Why are we even asking this thing questions?

If Her Majesty's the only one being fooled...

... why not just get rid of the impostor and be done with it?

Once it's over, we can explain everything to her over a loaf of bread.

I think we've been overthinking this.

Are you sure that's wise?

Her Majesty's already confused. If anything goes slightly wrong, she'll only grow more suspicious of you.

Then we'll make it quick.

Her Majesty isn't very good at keeping up with sudden changes.

Hmm, it looks like it was drawn with pastels. Maybe an eraser will do.

That's not how you erase pastels.

You melt it with a hair dryer, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.

There's a book on it in the Witch Library's housekeeping section.

Though there's no need to go through all that trouble of erasing.

You have me here.

What are you gonna do, Sherum?

It came out of this book, so we'll simply send it back to the book.

I've adapted a retrieval spell for familiars before.

Then keep me from being interrupted while I cast the spell.

Her Majesty should stay away too. She could get caught up in the magic.

I'll keep her out of the way!

H-Huh? Ner? Master? What's going on? What are you doing?

I don't understand! And you couldn't even answer my question! D-Don't come any closer!

Erpin... help me...!

Let go of me! Ner! Why are you doing this?!

Return to your true forms! Your chains of servitude are broken!

Return to where you belong!

Errrrpiiiiin!

Nooo!!! Stop it! You're hurting Master! What is wrong with all of you?!

Heeya!!!

Gah!

Get out of the way! I'm protecting Master!

Uagh?!

I'm not letting you hurt Master, you fake!

QUIET!!!

Heeek!

Th-This is bad! The Master just folded in half like a flip phone!

Rohne! Try anything funny and I'll headbutt you into next week!

Spymaster Rohne hereby pledges her loyalty to the new Master!

Betraying again?! Ugh... I've had it with all of you!

Hweek!

*Huff, huff, huff!*

Erpin...!

You saved me...

Master! Are you okay? Waaaah!

Don't cry, Erpin. You're the queen.

B-But... Master... Your arm...!!!

Waaaah!!!

Ughh...

Is everyone all right?

The Sprite Queen's strength lives up to its reputation...

Remarkable.

But what do we do now?

I think we acted rashly and only made Her Majesty more suspicious.

And she slipped away again while we were busy.

I should've done a better job as Her Majesty's tutor! Waaah!

Maybe it's time to switch sides? If I report this to the mayor, I might even get a bonus...

How bizarre... I'm certain I cast the retrieval spell correctly!

Huh?

But how?

What does that mean?

I guess that's true.

Should we ask someone strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Her Majesty?

You will, Master?

But your back almost snapped from that one punch!

The Sprite Queen.

O-Okay, Master!

Hmm.

The Master of the Yggdrasil Order...

Based on the records alone, I always imagined Master as someone who merely oversees their apostles from afar.

But when the time comes for action, they don't hesitate.

...

I wonder where that resolve of theirs comes from.

The records say Master is not from this world...

Rather that they woke up in our world one day, but over time, seems to have become part of it.

We're all the same in a way, aren't we?

Before we were born into this world, we didn't belong anywhere either.

We open our eyes, adapt, and find a place in it.

Fire and water coexist in this world, after all.

I've heard even elementals and phantoms follow the Master in the Order.

Not an easy feat.

Master doesn't possess overwhelming power, nor any kind of miraculous ability...

They simply do what they can. Like now.

Such ordinary acts can lead to extraordinary results,

And at times, accomplishes things without realizing it.

Could it be that every one of those tiny actions is what binds everyone together?

Like small tributaries branching in every direction...

... that all converge into one big river.

Perhaps that's the Master's role.

I think I'm beginning to see what Queen Belita meant.

Facts that I'd understand as only words on a page...

... are beginning to resonate somewhere deeper inside me.

Master?

I'm here if you need me.

I've started feeling excited about where the history of Elias is heading.

What are you talking about, Sherum?

Sometimes reality topples even the most carefully constructed narratives.

When a reality more fantastical than fiction unfolds right in front of you, it gives you the feeling that something has already been “won.”

It doesn't happen often, of course.

But that's what makes history interesting, right?

And I have a feeling that you are part of that history, Master.

As you wish, Master.

*Hic! Sob! Hic!*

I'm okay, Erpin. You don't have to cry.

Hnngh... Hic... Are you sure?

I'm peachy keen!

Look at me! Perfectly fine!

I can move all my arms and legs no problem, I can speak...!

Nngh...

Thank goodness you're okay.

I hate when you get hurt, Master.

But... what happens now?

Ner, Rohne, that bookworm witch...

They all fell for the fake!

Should I ask my sister for help?

I'm more scared now than I was during the insurgency.

At least then I had Ner at my side...

Can the two of us fix this?

Sure we can, Erpin. We can fix it all.

Really?

Do you have something in mind?

Of course you do. You're smart. You always have a plan.

Everything will work out as long as you give it your all.

I'm going to give it my all...!

But what do I need to do?

Give it your all.

No, I mean... By doing what?

You're smart, Erpin. Everything will work out if you give it your all.

H-Huh?

Use the pastels you got from Rohne to draw something! Let's play!

No, no, no...

Th-This is not the time for playing!

Hehe, look here!

I wrote “Erpin is the best” on the wall!

Ugh, this isn't the time, you dummy!

And we don't even have any pastels! What did you write with?

Why are you all sticky? Is this sap? When did you get this on you?

Waah! How did you know I was here?!

Yes, Master!

I'm Her Majesty's spy tutor!

She's taking classes with you?

Is this another one of your tricks, Rohne?!

No! It's legit!

She showed interest in Morse code, so I started teaching her what I knew, little by little.

She's very happy to learn something if she thinks it's cool.

I-I don't believe you!

You didn't know that? If something is cool to her, she really makes an effort!

That's why I bought her a phone a while back.

N-Not because the mayor wanted to track her location, no siree!

...

Fine, say you're right! What's it got to do with her being in the Bean Log warehouse?

Is it one of those “right under your nose” kind of things?

Yes, exactly!

I had explained to her that when she runs and hides somewhere, it should be a place no one expects!

Somewhere no one would think she would go...

Where else but the Bean Log warehouse? She despises them!

Er-Erpin isn't here...!

Neither is the Master...!

Shhh! You're not supposed to say anything! Now they'll know!

See? It's just like I said. Heehee.

Well, we found her thanks to you, Rohne...

But I think you and I need to have a little talk later.

What? Uhh, why?!

...

Why just the two of us?! Head Priestess! Please! Waaaah!

I don't think she's gonna open up. Here, use my key.

Nooo!

Master, you have to push after turning the doorknob!

Eeek! Is Her Majesty blocking it?

Everyone rush the door!

Waaaah! Everyone's been fooled! And now they're coming to get me! Waaah!!!

I'll help you, Erpin.

With those spaghetti arms?! How?!

Just sit in the corner so you don't hurt yourself!

Okay, Erpin. I'll stay seated.

No, you can't just sit down and do nothing!!!

Okay! Then I'll sit, then stand, then sit, then stand, then not know what to do!

Waaaahhh!!!

Her Majesty's... too strong... The door won't budge!

Huh?

Master! Don't tell me you're gonna use Coco to blast the door down!

Then what are you gonna do?

Did we not try that method already?

So you do have a plan.

Th-Then hurry up and do it! Save Her Majesty!

Hngh... Nnngh... I'm not talking to you, you fake... Hic! I'm not!

H-Huh?

I-I don't know!

I'm the real one, Erpin. Trust me.

Uuugh...

Arrrgh...

Urgh...

You... Hic!

You're smart... and get angry if I do something wrong...

You make me study... and play with me sometimes... Hic!

And say nice things when I do something good... Hic!

S-Stuff like that!

Nngh... Hic! But...

B-But...! Nnnngh!

The door opened!

Master... I'm sorry!

I was wrong!

I knew you were the real one all along!

It never gave me noogies or yelled at me, so I liked it a little more...!

I pretended I couldn't tell! Waaahh!

It's okay, Erpin.

You used your wits to convince her...

What a relief...

Figures, things only work out when the Master steps in...

What now?

What happens to the picture diary Master?

There is something I must verify before anything else is done.

Picture Diary, I invoke the magic within you! Tell me whose spell awakened you?

I don't know.

I just wanted to play with Erpin and woke up.

Because I'm the Master.

Is it telling the truth?

I cannot say for certain.

If my hunch is correct and you're a familiar, then you should know who your master is...

But as I said before, magic has no inherent limits.

If the one who cast the spell wished for you to forget your master, then it is within the realm of possibility.

Before I send you back, let me ask you one last time, Picture Diary.

Picture Diary, I invoke the magic within you! Who is your master?

I am the Master. Of the Yggdrasil Order.

And I keep Erpin safe.

Haa, I really don't think it knows.

...

We're all apostles of the Order, chosen by Yggdrasil.

We should work together to make Elias a better place.

We'll do it together, Erpin.

Quiet, you! You're just a magic pastel! Don't you utter Yggdrasil's name!

Ner, be nice!

The Master's as kind as that Master!

Ah, yes.

I was worried it might try to harm the Sprite Queen...

... but it is just her picture diary at the end of the day. It wouldn't try to do her harm.

Hmm...

I wonder if the other two stolen writings...!

Then answer me, Picture Diary, by the magic rooted within you!

After you awakened in the library, did you come straight to the Sprite Queen?

I went to the Order first.

Because I'm the Master.

And then I went to Erpin.

She looked bored.

So I played with her.

Because I'm the Master.

You went to the Order first, you said?

Oh no! Did it give some weird speech like the phantom pumpkin did?

We should go find out.

Sorry, Master, but I have to get going! Take care of Her Majesty for me!

Bye, Head Priestess.

Rohne, you're coming with me.

Huh?

We have to have our little chat.

Ahhhhh!

Might as well while I'm heading to the Order anyway.

B-But it's almost time to go home! Can't this wait till tomorrow? Waah!

Shush it and come with me!

Nnngh!

Well, I think we got all we could out of it.

Time to send it back.

Is playtime over?

Oh yes, Picture Diary. Playtime is over.

I wanna say bye to Erpin.

Because I'm the Master.

Hm? To me?

Probably. It doesn't seem like it wants to hurt her.

Y-Yeah!

Erpin.

Thanks for playing with me.

There are plenty of sprites, but only Master.

It's a lonely world out here.

And you've always been a good friend to me.

So, thank you.

Hic!

I was lucky I got to meet you.

I can't imagine what would've happened to me if I'd met someone else.

It was much more fun thanks to you.

We had bread, drew pictures, and went on a walk.

Y-Yeah!

I'll always watch over you.

You're my friend.

Sniffle...

Thanks, Master...!

I had fun too! And you're also my friend! Be safe, okay?

I'll use my diary more! And keep drawing for you!

Live a happy life in the diary, all right? Hic!

You be safe too, Erpin. And happy.

I will! I'll be happy! Waaaaah!

Right... on with the spell.

Return to your true form!

Your chains of servitude are broken!

Master.

Return to where you belong!

Keep Erpin safe.

She's our friend.

By the authority of Yggdrasil, return to your roots and slumber!

And we're the Master...

*Sob, sob!*

It's all over.

I sent it back.

Everything in the picture diary is here again.

Would you like to see, Your Majesty?

I wanna look at it by myself... Sniff...

It's my diary...

As you wish. Just let me know if something's there that shouldn't be.

She has a tender heart. She needs... more time.

Give her some space.

Now that it's just the two of us, there's something I should tell you.

Before I report this to Queen Belita, I think you deserve to know as well.

The stolen contents didn't come from just one book.

There were three books in total, and we've only recovered one of them.

I thought I'd been thorough, but after seeing what happened with the picture diary, I realize I abandoned the other leads far too soon.

Maybe. But we have to be ready if they aren't.

The two writings that are still out there are nothing like this picture diary.

Hey, Bana.

H-Huh?! Chief? What are you doing here?

I need you to make me something.

And you can't tell anyone about this. Especially not to Tig.

......

We've had our share of dark days as well.

Hey, Rim!

What, Shaydi? You come to pick a fight?

Hmph.

...

I have something to ask you.

You? Shaydi? Ask me?

Where there is the brightest light, there is also the darkest night.

Some records have been lost...

... but I will still share what I remember with you...

About the dark age buried beneath this world...

And so, that the world will not be consumed by that darkness...

... I must ask you...

... to stand with us witches...

So tired...

What is this? Sap?

The Insignia of Yggdrasil?

Oh, Yggdrasil...

What is this trial you have set before me, your lowly servant?

...

I accept.

I offer my life to this land...

... to carry out the Keeper's will.