The Sorcerers of Zero.
The group was formed by a certain anonymous individual to pursue true peace for witch-kind.
Its members swear magical blood oaths and learn the ways of magic.
Their influence grows stronger by the day, and as such, magic has spread throughout Wenias.
The Sorcerers of Zero stood in resistance to the increasingly aggressive witch-hunts,
taking on the kingdom's forces and plunging the kingdom into a civil war.
Just as breakthroughs in ironworking changed war,
and the wheel changed transportation,
innovations in magic would shift the balance in the world.
Senobishitatte todokanai No matter how I stretch, it won't reach
Chie o furishibottemo No matter how hard I think
Madamada tarinai mitai da ashi tsucchau genkai It's still not enough, my legs hurt too much to press on!
Datte kirei na iro shitete It has such a pretty color
Mizumizushiku yureteiru And looks so juicy swaying back and forth
Onaka wa suitenai kedo tabete mitai na I'm not hungry but I want to try it
Ijiwaru iwaretemo makenaindakedo sa "I won't stop even if you say I'm being mean."
Tama ni wa tayotte yo boku o "You should ask me for help sometimes!"
Hatto ne hirameki It comes to me in a flash
Discover! Yuujou tte fantasy? Discover! Is friendship just a fantasy?
Kajittemiteyo ichiban ni wakacchatta Give it a try, the thing I realized the most
Amai no kana suppai? Chotto dokidoki Is it sweet or sour? It's kind of exciting
Minna de ita kara mitsukeraretanda I found it being with all of you
Mahou no you ni narabeta taisetsu na word A special word like magic
Kono deai I won't let go
Hanasanai Of this meeting
I am Albus.
That is what I am called amongst the Sorcerers of Zero.
I thought witches were supposed to keep their names secret?
It's an alias, moron!
The holy book of those Sorcerers of Zero.
The incense-perfumed parchment is bound by ebony and the hinges have gold embellishment, yes?
Yeah.
Then it must be my book.
Where is that book now, boy?
It's at our hideout, but...
Will you show us the way there?
Forget about him.
You can use magic, Zero, so that makes you our ally... right?
I told you before, I am the one who wrote the Grimoire of Zero.
I've always been told that it was He who wrote the book.
"He"? Who's "He"?
What? You don't know?!
He is the person who spread magic through Wenias.
He's noble, and proud, and fights for peace for all witches!
Yeah, but that wonderful guy's the one who sto-
Mercenary.
Boy, is that hideout close by?
The entrance is hidden in Latette village, on the road to Formicum.
That village is quite famous for something, yes?
Huh? Famous?
Oh, it has really good walnut bread!
The walnuts are crunchy and the bread's hot, fresh, and fluffy!
How very enticing.
Mercenary, let's hurry there.
R-right.
Hey, you sure it's alright to lie about being on their side?
I didn't lie.
What? But just now...
I said was that I was the one who wrote the book and smiled. That was all.
I don't know how the boy might have interpreted that.
Is that how witches do it now, huh?
The boy truly adores Him.
If I told him that his holy book was a stolen item, he'd definitely react badly.
So just get your story straight, then.
Hey, Gramps!
G-Gra...mps?!
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
You look pale.
Just my fur.
And even Sorena's granddaughter joined the Sorcerers of Zero!
Isn't that amazing?
A direct descendant of the old witch who watched over Wenias?
She was really pretty, and smart, and tall, and she had ginormous boobs!
Man, I would've like to lay eyes on her if she weren't a witch.
But how's He supposed to lead the group when he doesn't even show himself?
Well, duh, she's the one who runs the Sorcerers of Zero.
It's obvious she would be, she's Sorena's granddaughter.
How the hell would I know that?
Sorena, "Him," they're all witches and a pain in my ass!
How unbelievably rude!
For a manservant, you certainly have terrible manners!
I'm nobody's servant!
I'm her guard, but I still hate witches!
We'd be better off if you were all dead!
Excuse me?!
Seems like you'll get along well.
Oh, yeah, totally!
Goodness...
It's a ring.
That's quite the treasure you've found.
Why don't you try it on?
I'm not going to wear a ring! That's for women!
Men wear rings, too!
Perhaps it once belonged to a witch, but I sense magic in that ring.
Equipping it may prove to be of some use.
If that's the case...
My magic is so weak.
Hey, I need a powerful offering.
Can I have your head, please?
Cut the crap, you little brat!
Ow!
God, you're such a miser, Gramps.
G-Gramps...
Boy, those sharp words will hurt his fragile masculine heart.
Look, he's practically crying.
That's not gonna make me cry!
Hello there, mercenary.
Going to help with the witch-hunts in the Kingdom?
Y-yeah.
Glad you're here, then.
They've been causing such a ruckus lately that the markets are completely dried up.
Yeah, huh.
We got along well with the witches back when I was a kid.
My grandpa got medicine from Sorena all the time.
My village is just up ahead. They'll welcome you with open arms.
Even beastfallen?
Yeah.
My village is really into witch-hunting.
Oh!
Take this.
Oh, a tomato!
Can you eat it?
Fresh outta the ground, hasn't seen the markets yet.
They're delicious to eat as-is, but amazing in a soup.
I see!
You too, boy.
Oh!
Keep up the good witch-huntin' work!
You guys know what this means, right?
I'm not a child! We're fine!
That's right.
We'll get right to making a soup with this.
No!
It means you two gotta lie low and not give yourselves away!
There's an abandoned house outside the village. I'll lead you there.
We don't mind just stayin' in a stable.
I heard that beastfallen are expert witch-hunters.
I hope we can count on your help.
I was expectin' the mayor to be more of a totterin' old man.
I was a mercenary like you once. Then I took an arrow to the knee.
How horrible.
Witch's raid.
Killed everyone, from the newborn babes to the bedridden elders.
We can rebuild our homes.
But we can't heal the deep wounds in our hearts.
Here we are. Make yourselves at home.
Thank you.
Anything happens, go see the old woman next door.
She's a bit of a strange one, but-
It's gone!
Oh, what shall I do?
What's wrong, Granny?
My ring, it's missing.
Where did it go?
Oh no, that was your keepsake from grandpa, wasn't it?
It's times like these that I wish we could see Sorena.
Mother, stop!
Don't break the village rules.
You've all promised not to say that.
Forget about that traitor Sorena!
Sorry about that.
We've had so many thefts lately, and I can't get to all of them.
Um...
Look!
That's Granny's ring!
This I, uh...
Sticky-fingered little brat!
Wait, you've got it all wrong!
That's right. He found the ring in a spring.
Hey! Get me some rope!
We've got to look into your group, Mercenary.
I've got a duty to protect my village.
There's no need for an investigation.
Why would he ask for lodging here if he stole from you?
That's exactly what a shameless thief would do!
I bet you stole those tomatoes, too!
Yeah, you can't buy those at the markets!
A man in a cart gave them to us!
How're we supposed to believe you after you stole that ring!?
They won't listen to us.
I won't go easy on you just 'cause you're a little girl!
What else would you expect of a beastfallen?
This is what happens when we put off witch-hunting!
They acted like they were good people, and now this!
It's just like what happened with Sorena!
Stop it, all of you!
We don't mean any trouble.
We'll just leave the ring and tomatoes here, so...
Don't...
Don't speak ill of Sorena!
You...
You're a witch!
Humans always blame everything bad on witches!
That's why the Sorcerers of Zero rose in rebellion!
B-but Sorena was spreading plagues throughout the land!
That's not true! Sorena quelled the plagues!
She saved people!
But you burned her at the stake!
No wonder they burned your village down!
You bastard...
Get him!
Stop!
Stop struggling and-
After them!
Don't let them escape!
Damn you, beastfallen!
You won't get away with this!
You moron.
Are you saying I was supposed to sit there while they insulted her?
No, but you witches killed a whole village of people for one woman's death.
If an indiscriminate massacre is what you consider just,
then the indiscriminate murder of witches could be called just as well.
Round up the men!
We're going on a witch-hunt!
We should be fine for a while this far out.
I'm going out for some fresh air.
Hey, sorcery takes some time to work, right?
That's right. Some rituals take an entire year to complete.
But now with that Grimoire of Zero, you just gotta say something and you can use magic.
Indeed. It's quite convenient.
Even a kid like him can do it.
Everyone's innate ability differs, but you can learn it in only five years.
How many hundreds of thousands of witches like him are gonna spring up from now on?
No wonder the villagers are terrified of their retribution.
You could win the war now.
Hmm?
Against the Church.
The witches lost in the five-hundred-year war, but with what you've got now...
You may be right.
I hadn't even thought of that.
Now you finally get it.
You weren't kidding when you said that Grimoire of Zero could destroy the world.
So, do you think Sorena really did spread diseases?
You're asking a witch to answer that?
Who else would I ask?
Are you going to ask me many more questions from now on?
If you want me to shut up, I will.
No.
I'm happy, Mercenary.
It's so very fun talking with you like this.
Huh.
If you had another to whom you could address these questions, I think I would be very lonely.
The probability that Sorena caused those plagues is extremely low.
Why do you say that?
Mooncaller witches trade their sorcery with local citizens for food and clothing.
That is to say, they have a symbiotic relationship.
If the village went under because of a disease, she would lose everything.
A witch always strives to achieve the best possible outcome for themselves.
So it was one big misunderstanding.
Since she was using sorcery when the plagues were spreading.
It's easy to imagine Sorena's regret.
Her actions lead to the boy's anger just earlier, and the revenge the witches have sought after.
All quiet outside.
They're coming.
Footprints!
They're close!
Don't show the beastfallen any mercy!
Burn him alive with your torches!
We're in trouble.
This way.
Why don't we just fight them?
If we piss them off even more now, we'll regret it later.
We can rest there.
Take this!
That was close.
You idiot! Don't go tossing out spells whenever you please!
I just put them to sleep. It won't anger them.
Too much and you'll get the Knights of the Church on our tail,
and I am not comin' with ya if they're comin' after us.
Look at these huge footprints!
This way!
Don't let them get away!
Bring some light this way!
They beat us here again!
They know these woods well.
They already know the easiest ways for us to get out or hide.
If we cannot attack, nor use magic, that leaves us with no options.
That can't be!
Someone's coming from in front of us!
Huh?!
One man... no, one dog?
Granny?
This way. Hurry!
If you follow this path, you'll be able to escape the forest without anyone spotting you.
It won't be long until you reach Formicum.
Thank you.
We owe you our lives.
I'm surprised you knew where we were.
I think one of your witches has figured it out already.
Of course.
What?
I used your fur.
Is that... a spell to find someone?!
What?!
Indeed. She is hiding her power, but this woman is a witch.
The place-finding ritual involves burning something spiritually connected to the target.
So you used our Mercenary's fur.
I can find a person, but not a lost ring.
I'm a terrible witch.
I found this in the spring.
Thank you.
I got this ring many years ago from the Mooncaller witch Sorena.
From Sorena?
"Foolish witch, falling in love with a human, give this ring to your beloved."
My own daughter went against my wishes and married a human man, choosing to live her life in hiding.
You will live as a human in a village, protecting your husband.
If your friends are hunted by the witch-hunters, you must pretend you do not know them.
Understand?
Sorena!
Was I too late?
Sorena was a great witch until the end.
I wish I could have met the great witch Sorena before she passed.
You lost a good witch.
I thought you hated witches.
Sorry about earlier. Insult me all you want.
Just as long as you understand.
I'm a very kind person, so I'll forgive you.
Are you seriously saying that yourself?
It was terrible how they blamed you for stealing it.
I'm very sorry, cute little witch.
It's alright.
We were about to make the same mistake we did with Sorena.
Farewell!
I couldn't possibly ask the villagers to forgive them.
But I want them to understand how they feel.
One day, witches and humans will join hands and live in peace.
I truly believe that will happen.
Tsuretette Take me with you
Ikisaki wa kimetenai kedo Though I haven't decided where
Yurashiteite Sway me with you
Sakasama demo kawaranai desho It doesn't matter if we go upside down
Zutto koko ga ii to omotteta I thought staying here forever was alright
Ano hi kimi to deau made wa Until the day I met you
Sagashidashitatte ii I want us to go on a search
Kasaneau mirai no hou ga ii I want our futures to overlap
Hikari ni nare Becoming the light
Tsunagiattatte ii I want us to be tied together
Futatsu no sekai o nozondatte ii It's fine if we want two worlds
Issho ni ikou Let's go together