Chapter 42 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

〈 Chapter 42 〉 Episode 42. Testimony. * * * ** An intense shock, something I'd rarely felt in my life, hit my head with the force of a hammer. Like diluted red paint soaking into a canvas, fresh blood slowly trickled down my scalp, gradually spreading into a small picture on the floor. "■■,■■■??" "■■■ ■,■■!" A sharp, piercing noise rattled in my ears, throwing my senses into chaos. With my vision shaking and legs growing weak, I couldn't help but collapse on the spot. Even so, my hand, resolute in its task of removing the cloth from Sia's mouth, completed its mission brilliantly. Though it was my own body, I felt almost compelled to offer it praise. The cool eyes set on the floor were enough to soothe the scorching heat from the blow to my head. I let out a small sigh and forced myself to endure the incomplete sensations. "■슨 ■■, 하는■■ㅡ!!!!" "마을■ 망가트■, ■녀를 ■을 뿐이지." As my hearing gradually returned, parts of their conversation began to make sense. Apparently, they had decided I was the 'culprit' behind some incident and believed I was the cause of the current situation. I couldn't yet fathom why they considered me the culprit or why Sia was treated similarly despite their conviction of my guilt. One thing was certain—they had lured me here using Sia as bait. I held my throbbing head, curled up, and tried to withstand the pain. "...Ah...ah...it hurts..." "ㅡCan a ■■ do pain too? Fascinating." Thump, thump. The footsteps, devoid of emotion and disturbingly mechanical, echoed in my ears. An old man with neatly groomed white beard emerged, parting those surrounding Sia and me. Contrary to his gentle appearance, his words lacked any hint of mercy. Perhaps he was harsh to his enemies, yet kind to his allies—a duality within him. As I struggled to turn my head, I met his gaze filled with overflowing, relentless hatred. "Alice!!! Remie, release this! Let me go!" "So, is this child truly the witch, Remie? I was skeptical when you said you’d lure her alone, but you’ve truly outdone yourself." "....Yes, Village Chief. This child is indeed the witch." Well, it wasn't surprising. It seemed Remie planned this all along—to bind Sia and lure me here. But a 'witch,' huh... It's been so long since I've been called that name. Once, it was a title I frequently bore. "It’s said that witches bear a peculiar mark according to the records. Check for it." ".....Understood." Yank, the hair Ellie often praised was pulled by someone’s grasp, yanking my head backward. Pain spread from my scalp, and I forced my uncooperative legs to kick and push myself upright. My scream mixed with Sia's cries, filling the forest with a haunting chorus. "Scream! It hurts...it...hurts!" "...I won't say I'm sorry." "Remie, this isn't like you! Please, please don’t do this!!!" "I must." But with Sia securely bound and me devoid of any strength to snap even a twig, our resistance was mere child’s play. For a person holding beliefs more precious than life itself, such resistance barely amounted to a nuisance. What they deemed necessary was beyond the scope of consideration. "Don’t...don’t, stop it, Remie!!!" "......." Rip, rip. Despite the desperate pleas, Remie's delicate fingers mercilessly tore away my clothes. The fabric, shredding along the seams, quickly turned to rags incapable of serving any purpose. And eventually, it was revealed. "....Oh..!!" "ㅡThis is..." "The witch's...mark...!!" Whoosh. The untouched, pure winter air chilled my exposed body. As if witnessing a horror beyond comprehension, everyone around me gasped collectively. That included Sia, who knelt in front of me, unable to avert her gaze. In fact, she seemed more shocked than anyone else. For a moment, silence lingered. As everyone was struck speechless by the hideous scars and wounds, the village chief was the first to break free from his thoughts and approached me. "...No need to question further... but I'll ask anyway. Are you a 'witch'?" "...Witch...?" "The one who cursed our village, ruined our fields, sang eerie songs, destroyed relics, and drove people to despair—I'm asking if you’re that 'witch.'" Now, filled with even more hatred, the chief’s voice accused me of being the cause of the strange happenings in the village. I shook my head, though sluggishly, using my entire body to deny his accusations. With each movement, still-wet blood dripped from my head, trickling down. "...I don’t...know...not me...I’m not...a bad, girl..." "...Hmph, still denying it." I denied committing any crime. Isn’t it obvious? I did nothing wrong. Yet the chief's expression betrayed his distaste, as he turned his gaze towards Sia, who cried before him. When his eyes landed on Sia, even Remie, who wasn’t the target, momentarily flinched while holding my head. Wait? In this absurd, almost comedic situation, I finally gathered the pieces of the puzzle. I understood what had befallen them. Why Sia was bound like this. I understood why Remie deceived me into coming here with lies. I had finally pieced everything together. No need for a quiz show; let’s just get straight to the point. The recent blizzards and unusual cold spell had unsettled the village. Sia, already ostracized and suspected by the village, must have been accused as the culprit—the so-called "witch." Her black hair, a symbol of ill omen, likely served as enough evidence for them. Yet, somehow, the blame shifted to me. Sia would never have betrayed me to them, so it must have been Remie, who loved Sia dearly, that sold me out. Just as she shared stories with me, she must have relayed different ones about me to them. Ah. Truly, this is a tearful tale of love and friendship. As a mere audience member, it was an almost applause-worthy, beautiful story. And indeed, it seems our protagonist despises having the arrows of accusation pointed at Sia. She whispered quietly into my ear, making sure the village people weren’t looking our way. "Alice, wasn't it? If things continue like this, Hahn will die." "...Ah...?" "You are the witch. You are the monster. You are the bad one, and everything wrong is your fault—" She murmured in my ear, ensuring the villagers couldn't see her gaze locked on Sia. She wanted me to confess. To declare myself guilty. Only then would Sia survive. Despite Sia watching us both, she remained steadfast and commanding. Perhaps she believed that being hated now was a trivial concern. "Remie!! What...what are you doing...you—!!" "...Trust you’ve understood, Alice. You’re a smart girl." "......Ah....Ah...?" Nodding, nodding. I bobbed my head up and down absurdly, staring blankly at Remie's words with glazed-over eyes. If asked whether my life or another's life was more important, I'd say the other’s life, without hesitation. Especially if that person was a dear friend, it was hardly a choice. Hehe. Sia was truly blessed. To have someone who loves her so deeply by her side is a rare blessing indeed. The real bonds are not with those who celebrate your joys, but with those who stand by you when life is at risk. I envy that. I truly do. "I...I am...a witch...I am a witch..." "...Alice? No...don’t say it...don’t, Alice!!" "ㅡOh." Sia used to say that Remie wasn't her real friend; that Remie had other friends too. True, someone as brilliant as Remie likely had no trouble making friends. Sia must have felt small jealousy and loneliness. That's why she was so childishly happy when I said I wanted to be her friend. But Sia was wrong. Remie was just an intelligent and sharp woman who grasped reality. Her cold demeanor in public and leading in scolding were actions driven by her own convictions. "I’m sorry...I’m...sorry...Cough, cough! I did...wrong..." "I see...finally admitting to your crimes." "ㅡWhat nonsense are you spouting, Alice!! Don’t say that... Get a grip, get a grip!!" For if she were rejected, she’d forever lose any chance to aid Sia. By scolding first, she knew it would soften others' criticism and violence against Sia. Remie must’ve bit her lip and gnawed her nails, acting superbly so even the subject of her act failed to notice. In response to her sacrifice, I did my best to take all the blame upon myself, kneeling and rubbing my hands as if pleading. "ㅡRemie!! You...you...!!" "...Wasn't I right? This child is truly the witch, and Hahn is just an unfortunate victim of her curse." "Haha, indeed. Figuring that out and resolving it makes you worthy of being called the village’s genius!" Thud, thud. Hard stones, the size of fists, hurled towards me. Perhaps fearful of what a declared witch might do, they began throwing things at me in terror. Though they were the ones insulting me, they were the ones afraid; how ironic. My head, my body, my legs, my chest—they threw stones if stones were within reach, sticks if sticks were available, and if there was nothing else, they spat. Die!! Because of you...my child...!! Our harvest is ruined...!! With the most convenient excuse that the source of all misfortune was right before their eyes. Blessed enough to have a scapegoat to bear all their woes, they vented their malice upon me driven by madness. If faith is expressed as reverence for a god who grants fortune and wealth, couldn’t malice towards a creature that brings disaster also be considered faith? They were followers, seeking salvation through suffering. In that case, what am I? "Hehe." Amidst flying objects and a body wracked with pain. The screams piercing the sky and the sighs of people relieved. Listening to it all, I simply formed a small smile no one else could see. ** * * *