After the cage of light had completely enveloped Ortesia.
A moment later, the light dissipated, and there was a soft thud at her feet.
Rose cast one final glance at Ortesia, collapsed and motionless — then turned on her heel. As if to say there was nothing more she needed to do.
And then, as she passed by some nearby rubble... she spoke to the shadow within.
"You can come out now."
"...!"
The one who emerged at her words was — a girl with golden hair and red eyes.
Laila Yosef von Yustia. The second princess of this kingdom, and once the symbol of the Church faction.
And... Ortesia's daughter.
Rose addressed the girl who had been waiting there, having obtained permission to stand by for the sake of her own wish.
"As promised, I've made it so you can speak with her. ...I'm sorry, though."
Then, in a voice that carried both remorse and an unyielding conviction... she continued.
"...She doesn't have long."
"...!"
She had been told this beforehand. But... hearing those words once more — Laila was not so obtuse as to fail to understand what they meant.
"Do you hate me for it?"
"...No. Mother could never go back — there was no retreat from the start. If we had left her as she was — she would have done the same thing over and over again. I knew that, so..."
That was why Rose had not hesitated.
With her own convictions and resolve in her heart, she had faced Ortesia's "feelings" head-on — and then, without wavering, had cast her magic with every intention of doing exactly what she did.
It was something that someone had to do.
She couldn't be perfectly detached about it — not enough to say she bore Rose no resentment at all for having done it — but she had enough composure to acknowledge it.
"...I understand that I'm the one who's been asking for things my way. So..."
"Yeah. I'm leaving now — do whatever you want from here."
That was all Rose said before departing the scene.
The Royal Capital was still mired in chaos. There was surely still plenty for her to do as well.
And so, Laila was left behind.
Having steeled her resolve, she stepped forward toward Ortesia.
"...Laila...?"
Ortesia looked at her with hollow eyes.
Her consciousness lingered thanks to the life force of a powerful mage, but even so, it was clear she didn't have long — her voice was faint, fragile, barely holding on.
"...Fufu. To have my daughter at my side as I pass... I'm quite blessed, aren't I?"
"You don't need to say things you don't mean, Mother."
Laila answered immediately, without missing a beat, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"I've known for a long time now. That you never had your eyes on me from the very beginning — that from the day I was born, you were only ever chasing after the phantom of the Sky Witch."
"..."
"So there's one thing I want to hear from you."
She had wanted to talk one more time. And when that wish was granted, she had already decided what she needed to say.
"Why did it end up like this?"
There was no hope of truly understanding each other. No hope of her wish ever being fulfilled.
Then... at the very least, she wanted to know the reason why things had turned out this way. As someone born from Ortesia's wish, she felt she at least owed herself that much knowledge.
"I understand you have no obligation to speak with me. But... doesn't it feel hollow? Your wish, the feelings buried deep within you — to simply vanish without anyone ever knowing..."
"..."
"I probably can't empathize with you, I know. But if you tell me, I'll remember. If you wish it, I could even leave behind some form of your words. ...That's why—"
In a twist of irony, it was the negotiating skills she had honed through her life in the church.
She turned them on her own mother, and pressed for answers.
...Whether that actually got through to her, she couldn't say.
The chances were higher that it hadn't. But perhaps, knowing this was the end, some measure of sentiment had stirred within her as well.
After a faint, thin exhale, came one quiet word.
"...Yes. You're right."
And so — the Calamity Witch, for the very first time, most likely.
Began to speak of the thoughts and wishes she had hidden at the very bottom of her heart.
Next time — the Named chapter. Please be sure to read it!