Chapter 18
A visitor arrived at the bamboo forest as soon as dawn broke.
“So, there was definitely a Room 404, I heard your voice, and then it disappeared? I’m not accusing you, but that’s what happened!”
“Must’ve been a weird dream.”
“I asked another maid, and she said Room 404 never existed! But I saw it!”
“…….”
“Just in case, I went to your room, and you were sleeping with Anna! I couldn’t sleep a wink last night because of that ghost! It was terrifying being alone!”
Your little sister is also a ghost. Mori barely held back the words.
“Then sleep here.”
“Huh?”
“You said you’re scared alone. So sleep here. I’ll stay with you.”
“No, that’s not the point…!”
Gremory peeked only her eyes out from under the blankets, blinking in confusion.
“Why? My bed’s big. Anna slept here yesterday.”
“Sigh, turns out there’s something scarier here than ghosts.”
Cheshion roughly ran his fingers through his silver hair. Women who had been isolated from the world due to prolonged witch hunts often missed proper education on certain topics. In such cases, they either ended up in embarrassing situations or worse.
Suddenly, Cheshion went somewhere and returned, shoving something into Gremory’s blankets.
“Take a break for a while and read this book. I’m giving this to you sincerely for your own good.”
“What’s this? A sex-ed book? Did you seriously think I asked you to sleep next to me because I didn’t get proper education?”
“I-Isn’t that the case?”
“That’s insulting.”
Gremory shoved the book back out.
In the demon realm, the most rigorously taught subject was human sexuality—because the darkness that bloomed from infidelity was deliciously vile.
Cheshion was flustered. Insulting? What did that mean? Did she… seduce me? And now she’s offended because I ignored it and treated her like a child by giving her a sex-ed book?
“S-Sorry, Mori. Really sorry! But I don’t share beds with anyone in the Grand Duke’s residence…!”
Cheshion’s face burned red as he stammered.
“Get out.”
“R-Right. Sorry.”
Cheshion fled. Yet, for some reason, an eerie sensation clung to his back.
Just then, Isolene appeared down the hallway. Cheshion rushed to her like a lifeline.
“Isolene! Listen to me!”
“Stop running around with your ridiculous ghost stories! I’m busy.”
Isolene brushed him off and walked away. Terrified of ghosts, Cheshion felt like crying.
Anna could now work peacefully. With her tormentors gone, some maids even began approaching her first.
The vacancies left by the disappeared maids of Room 404 were quickly filled by new hires. Since the former occupants hadn’t worked much anyway, the workload remained unchanged.
Gremory watched from a distance. The corners of her lips twitched upward. What was this itchy feeling that came from doing good deeds?
Just then, Iris giggled.
—Feeling proud?
“……Proud?”
—You look very proud right now. You helped someone close to you be happy.
“…….”
Proud. Yeah, maybe that was it. She hadn’t understood this emotion until now.
—By the way, where did the maids from Room 404 go?
“Dropped them in a nearby field. They probably ran off.”
—Tch, should’ve dumped them in the volcano with the monsters.
“They didn’t commit crimes worth being eaten alive, so I just scared them.”
—Oh… I’m really confused. Are you actually a witch? You seem more like a saintess or an executioner.
“Watch your mouth. That’s an insult to me. Would you like being called a witch or a demon?”
—…No. I’ll be careful.
As the two bickered while strolling through the garden, a lavish carriage emblazoned with the imperial crest entered the estate.
“Hey, what’s that? I thought your brother was on bad terms with the imperial family. Why’s an imperial carriage here?”
—He is, but he’s on decent terms with Third Sister Ibelia. She visits occasionally.
The carriage passed by Gremory. Through the open window, Ibelia and Gremory locked eyes—for a long moment. Ibelia’s attire resembled a priestess’s more than a princess’s.
What’s with her?
Just the eye contact alone gave Gremory a strange feeling. Like Cheshion, Ibelia’s imperial blood made her inner darkness invisible.
—She must be here to deliver a prophecy. Sister Ibelia is blessed by the heavens to foresee the future.
“!”
—What’s wrong?
“!!”
—Worried Sister Ibelia will expose you as a witch?
“Goats!”
Gremory’s mood soured upon spotting the goats being led by Ibelia’s servants.
—Tch. Figures.
Iris was genuinely baffled by Gremory’s personality. Sometimes she seemed clever and decisive, and other times… utterly stupid.
—Why not follow Ibelia and hear what she tells your brother? Aren’t you curious?
“You’re the one who’s curious, aren’t you?”
—…Okay, yes.
“Sigh. What’s with your endless curiosity?”
Gremory transformed into a black cat and scurried after the carriage. Unnoticed, she slipped into the parlor behind Ibelia.
Ibelia and Cheshion sat awkwardly across from each other. Cheshion spoke first.
“……Been well?”
“I’m the same as ever. And you?”
“Same.”
Gremory curled up under the sofa.
“My purpose in visiting remains unchanged. I’ve come to deliver a prophecy.”
“Must be ominous. You’ve never brought me good news.”
“The volcano will erupt soon.”
“Volcano? The one in the Grand Duchy where monsters dwell?”
“Yes. The ancient dragon slumbering within will awaken in a week.”
“Sigh… Unbelievable. First a witch, then ghosts, now an ancient dragon?”
Rubbing his temples, Cheshion exhaled deeply. These mythical beings were giving him a headache.
“The ancient dragon isn’t a myth like witches or ghosts. It’s real—just so ancient it’s become folklore.”
“So what happens when the volcano erupts and the dragon awakens?”
“The Grand Duchy of Edel will be annihilated. You must evacuate—”
“No. I’d rather die here.”
“Let me finish. Evacuate the civilians, and you stay to stop the dragon.”
“Can it be stopped?”
Ibelia nodded. As she smiled faintly and lifted her teacup, Gremory felt their eyes meet again.
“How’s Severian? Repenting quietly?”
“Sigh… No. While he avoids festivals and parties, he still enjoys every privilege of the crown prince. Even exiled, he works to suppress your influence.”
“Has he tried harming you? He must know you visit me.”
“Even if he tried, how could he defeat one blessed with foresight?”
Blessed with foresight. Cheshion’s brow furrowed.
“Ibelia. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I have a question. As someone with foresight, you’d know the truth.”
“What is it?”
“Do you think witches exist?”
“No. How could they?”
The black cat licked its paw and smirked. By now, it wasn’t even surprising that no one recognized her.
What a fraud.
“Right? They don’t exist?”
“They don’t. Look at neighboring countries—zero witch-related incidents. Witches are just imperial superstitions.”
“But I’ve recently experienced something witch-like.”
“Couldn’t it be hallucinations from stress? I’ll send you calming herbs.”
“No need. The abbey’s overflowing with them.”
“Good. Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
The fraudulent prophet left. Gremory slipped out and headed somewhere deserted, tail swaying.
Ibelia smirked, watching the completely unsuspecting witch.
