“…What? You suddenly want to go hunt the Witch of Lust? Scarlet, have you lost your mind… or gone crazy?”
Crazy? Witch?
That was what Sylvia said to me when I exclaimed, “Sylvia! I’m going to hunt the Witch of Lust!”
Had I lost my sanity after overthinking the Witch of Gluttony?
For a brief moment, I felt wounded by Sylvia’s expression, which seemed both flustered and pitying.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had spoken too rashly.
I was too eager to share the miraculous method that popped into my mind as I was pondering how to deal with the Witch of Gluttony.
Surely, bursting through the door without any explanation to declare I was going to hunt a witch might look insane.
Reflecting on my earlier outburst, I quickly added more context for Sylvia.
“Oh, remember the story about the Sacred Remnants that Ms. Eve told us? She said we would need about three Sacred Remnants to have any chance against the Witch of Gluttony.”
“Yeah, I remember that. But how is that related to the Witch of Lust?”
“When I fought the Witch of Lust before, I saw that she had a Sacred Remnant. So if we defeat her and take her Sacred Remnant, wouldn’t that help us against the Witch of Gluttony?”
As I mentioned the Sacred Remnants, Sylvia’s expression turned serious, and she slowly nodded, realizing it wasn’t an outrageous idea.
She started tapping the table with her fingers, deep in thought, then spoke up.
“Hmm… It’s definitely not a bad idea. If we can obtain a Sacred Remnant, it would be much better than just sitting around twiddling our thumbs.”
However, while Sylvia responded positively, she raised a finger as if a concern had just struck her.
“But there’s one problem. Even if we know the Witch of Lust has a Sacred Remnant, how do we find her? We can’t just wander around aimlessly until we stumble upon her.”
Sylvia had pointed out the most significant issue—how to locate the Witch of Lust.
But I already had a solution in mind and immediately answered.
“That’s not an issue. I know how to find out where the Witch of Lust is.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, we’ll borrow the power of the Holy Sword that Yoon Si-woo has. Just like when you found me last time, we can discover where the Witch of Lust is hiding.”
“Oh, that method could work…!”
Sylvia’s eyes widened in realization, but then I heard her let out a soft sigh.
With a genuinely disappointed expression, she elaborated on the issue with my idea.
“That was a great thought, but I think it might be difficult. From what I understand, the ability requires something that can specify the target’s location, like blood or hair. I was able to find you because I had a ring stained with your blood. But we don’t have anything that can pinpoint the Witch of Lust right now…”
Sylvia had a good reason to doubt.
As she said, the Holy Sword of Truth’s ability needed something specific to locate the target.
She seemed disheartened, but I thought there was still a way.
So, I smiled and replied to the forlorn Sylvia.
“Why would there be nothing? It’s all over the place.”
“Huh? What do you mean it’s all over the place…?”
“Of course, there’s the miasma left behind when we fought the Witch of Lust. That could help us pinpoint her location.”
“Miasma…? You mean that could work?”
I nodded confidently at Sylvia, who appeared puzzled by my mention of miasma.
When it comes to whether it is possible or impossible, the answer is a clear yes.
How do I know without trying?
Because I knew that in the original story, Yoon Si-woo had used his ability like that.
He had tracked the location of a witch based on the miasma of the Witch of Gluttony to lead people to safety.
Of course, despite his efforts, Yoon Si-woo, who had run around aimlessly, faced a tragic end alongside Sylvia due to the exhaustion of those he was trying to save.
However, knowing about that bittersweet conclusion, I steeled myself.
To avoid such an ending, I needed to explore all possible means to resist the Witch of Gluttony.
Anyway, once I explained my method, Sylvia nodded, seeming to believe it was a feasible plan.
“Hmm… As long as we can pinpoint where the Witch of Lust is, it sounds like a good idea. Of course, going out to hunt won’t be easy.”
“But we’ve fought her before, and right now, my physical condition is much better than when we last fought, so we have a good chance. Besides, it’s something we must do. I can’t forgive that witch for playing with people.”
“Right. It’s better to eliminate threats that could potentially attack the city again. So, you’re thinking of going to hunt the Witch of Lust, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
I nodded at Sylvia’s question, confirming my intentions, and I couldn’t help but mumble out of surprise shortly after.
“Um, Sylvia… Is something bothering you about this?”
Sylvia had made a very displeased face the moment I nodded.
What? What did I do wrong?
I found myself nervously wondering what the issue was when it dawned on me that she might not like the idea of me going hunting.
Sylvia has never been a fan of me getting involved in dangerous things.
However, I was the only suitable candidate for hunting the Witch of Lust.
So I cautiously spoke to persuade her.
“Um, Sylvia. Are you worried about me going out hunting? I appreciate your concern, but it’s just unavoidable. No one is more suited to handle the Witch of Lust than me…”
But Sylvia, still wearing her displeased expression, replied.
“…I am worried, yes. But I understand that you need to go out hunting and that you need me against the Witch of Lust. But I’m not angry for that reason! Do you not know why I’m angry?!”
“Uh… Well…”
Hearing Sylvia ask whether I genuinely had no idea why she was mad made me feel a bit anxious.
How was I supposed to know when I’m not a mind reader…?
But if I answered honestly that I didn’t know, I knew Sylvia would sulk.
How do I know this?
Because I had previously told a junior who had sulked for an unknown reason that I didn’t know why, and they got extremely upset.
I had to beg for days to calm them down.
I remember that time vividly because I felt so miserable.
“Um, I really don’t know why you’re mad, but at least I need to figure it out to fix it… Oh, no. I’m sorry for whatever it is… so please calm down…”
“Ugh… How did I end up dealing with such a blockhead… Anyway, Senpai, I’m really upset now, so don’t talk to me…”
Just thinking about it gives me shivers.
That was when I deeply understood how complicated human feelings could be.
When they said to leave them alone, it only made things worse, so I ended up sticking around and repeatedly apologizing until I finally got forgiven.
In the end, I never learned what made that junior so upset.
There was nothing significant about what happened the previous day.
“Senpai… Can you drink with me today? I feel a bit lonely…”
“Oh, but I don’t drink…”
“Then at least let’s eat some snacks together.”
“Okay, then.”
After my junior asked me to drink because they were feeling lonely, I went along with it.
“Hehe, Senpai… you’re in better shape than I thought…”
“Hey, stop that! You’re going to wear down my arm. By the way, you seem quite drunk already, so drink responsibly.”
“Oh, just a little more. Just a little more…”
I stayed up late keeping them company, but they ended up completely wasted.
“Ugh, Senpai… I feel nauseous. Can we just rest somewhere…?”
“Come on, I told you to pace yourself!”
“Senpai, there’s a motel nearby…”
“I’m really losing my mind because of you…”
I had to book a room for them since they insisted they felt sick and couldn’t go home and suggested resting.
“Senpai… shall we shower together…?”
“…What do you mean ‘together’? Just go in and wash up!”
“Hehe, you’re so shy… I’ll go first, so just wait for me… okay?”
“Sure. I’ll wait, so hurry up.”
Since I was worried they might slip and hurt themselves while showering drunk, I kept an eye on them until they finished.
“Senpai, I’m all washed up now… what should we do? I’m fine either way…”
“Oh, you’re done? I’ve left some money on the table for breakfast tomorrow. I’m off now; you look like you should rest well and see me next week.”
“Huh…? Are you really leaving? Wait, Senpai! Senpai! Hey, you jerk—”
I went home and crashed right after.
It was Friday, and then when I met them again that following Monday, for some reason, they were furious at me.
I had booked them a room, made sure they got something to eat, and even gave them taxi money…
Thanks to that experience, I learned that being honest and saying I didn’t know when they asked why they were mad was the worst choice, so I decided to gloss over Sylvia’s question.
To my relief, Sylvia fortunately shared the reason for her anger first.
“Earlier, you said, ‘I’m going to hunt the Witch of Lust!’ But why not say, ‘Let’s go hunt the Witch of Lust together!’? You weren’t planning to go alone, were you?!”
At her words, I flinched.
Because I had indeed intended to go solo.
I thought it’d be better for me to face the Witch of Lust alone than risk others getting involved.
But I instinctively realized that saying that would make Sylvia incredibly upset.
Even as I hesitated to answer, I felt Sylvia’s gaze sharpening.
So I decided to quickly deny the possibility with incredible speed.
“Ah… I must have misspoken. I was planning to ask you for help from the very start.”
“Wha…? I see! I thought you were going to leave me out and take on the risk alone. But that wouldn’t happen, would it? I could be a tremendous help against the Witch of Lust, so naturally, you’d consider me from the beginning.”
“Uh, yeah… it’s true. If you come along, it couldn’t get any better.”
“Is that really true? Hehe.”
Seeing Sylvia beam with joy made my conscience twinge, but what I just said was not a lie.
Indeed, Sylvia would be a tremendous asset against the Witch of Lust.
So I felt completely at ease including her in the plan.
If that weren’t the case, no matter how much she cried, I wouldn’t have made such a statement.
Anyway, it seemed Sylvia was quite pleased with my words as she smiled brightly and murmured,
“Hehe, now I’ve become someone you can trust and rely on, Scarlet.”
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