Bandits, you think?
Though they usually don't get this crazy.
That's the same choker as the one the boy has.
Sorcerers of Zero, then?
No doubt about it.
This was a witch's doing.
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
This is strange.
So many dead, but the village itself is untouched.
It's a magic spell called flagis.
It burns only its target, and its flames do not spread.
Was there a damn tornado in this house?
Lamant, a magic spell used to turn wind into blades.
It can cut the high branches from a tree, and it could easily do the same to human limbs.
Redaest.
A magic spell to turn boulders to dust, but here...
How awful.
From this section of the pillar, I can see this witch was a novice.
Etrack.
It uses earth and wood to make a wall.
Looks like he suffocated to death.
Magic...
...can be wielded like this.
Hey...
Hey!
What happened to this village?
You said you had a hideout here, so why was it attacked by witches?
There's more than one group of sorcerers.
Don't tell me.
Rogue witches.
The Sorcerers of Zero are an open group anyone can join if they have the talent and follow His word.
But some people use magic for evil the moment they learn how to use it.
These rogue witches, after being turned away from the group,
routinely attack and pillage villages that have nothing to do with witch hunts.
So they used to be your allies.
I can understand how some people would suddenly turn evil once they got power.
They came here to steal the Grimoire of Zero!
So they wish to learn more magic to increase their power?
But something piques my interest.
These rogue witches have had their magic completely taken from them.
Huh? It wasn't us.
If the rogue witches attacked the Sorcerers of Zero, then who killed the rogue witches?
If you think about it, weren't they killing each other?
Looters.
Unforgivable!
Hold it.
Leave this to me.
But-!
I told you I'd protect you.
You'd just get killed if you tried to pick a fight right now.
There's something I wanna ask them.
Hey, hyena bastard.
It wasn't us!
The witches did this!
Yeah, I know that. I've got a different question for...
Wha-?!
How dare you...
How dare you kill them?!
Stop it, I still have questions!
Bag do glaht! Stop it, I still have questions!
Hellsfire, come forth!
Hey, you gotta do something!
You can just stop him from casting, right?
Boy, a witch always strives to achieve the best possible outcome for themselves.
Book of Hunting, Page Six, flagis! Boy, a witch always strives to achieve the best possible outcome for themselves.
Book of Hunting, Page Six, flagis! That man did not kill your friends.
Grant me power, for I am... Would you do as Sorena's killers did in her final moments,
I am... and sully her name by killing innocents in the name of revenge?
Goodness.
You just escaped death.
You've been here a while, right?
Did you see anything?
It was a little while back, but there was a strange man.
When we came by, sorcerers were walking through the streets of the pillaged town.
They were killing other witches.
The Sorcerers of Zero, or the rogue witches?
No idea.
Where'd the man go?
He went towards the church.
Alright. Thanks for the important info!
Looks like he knows he can't accompany us from here.
Guess it's goodbye, then.
He ain't afraid of beastfallen.
He's really the perfect guard dog.
That's a great idea.
Mercenary, give me that necklace you're wearing.
What're you gonna do with it?
It still has the scent of the Formicum children on it.
I get it, they can take care of him!
You think he can really make it all the way there?
Witches can become the masters of not only demons, but of animals as well.
You would call them familiars.
You're a smart one.
If I order you to go to town and find those children, I'm sure you'll make it successfully.
Thank you for earlier.
We can get into the hideout from here.
It's just a wall.
The Grimoire of Zero is gone!
Dammit, we came all this way for nothing?!
You think the rogues stole it?
That or a Sorcerer of Zero escaped with it.
It could be in the forbidden room...
"His" room, then?
Completely deserted.
And the Grimoire's not here, either.
But did someone really live in this room?
Whoa there.
Guess we've gotta comb through everything.
By the way, Boy, was her granddaughter among the dead?
Huh?
The granddaughter of the great Sorena.
You said she was in control of the Sorcerers of Zero.
No, I didn't see her.
There weren't many victims in the hideout, so I think she must have escaped.
If this Grimoire of Zero is like your holy book,
then the chances that the granddaughter escaped with it are pretty good.
Guess that's our last clue.
Old man! Are you alright?!
Albus? You're alright...
I'll heal your wounds!
Iea do kouha,
Blood, resume thine flow, return to thine flesh!
Book of Protection, Page One, Chordia!
Grant me power, for I am Albus!
You're badly wounded...
Be careful...
Huh?
A tall man came into the hideout...
Intruders!
Who are you?!
Bastard!
They disintegrated?!
It wasn't magic.
What on Earth did he do to them?
Albus, I'm so glad you're alive.
If you can bring together our scattered brethren, we can reform the Sorcerers of Zero.
Right!
Please lead them.
Huh? Me? I couldn't...
I know that you can.
Albus, thank you. It's alright.
I'll heal your wounds!
It's alright. That's enough.
Don't say that!
The rest is in your hands.
Old man! Wait!
Book of Protection, Page One! Chordia!
Old man... old man!
I can heal your...
Zero...
Magic cannot bring the dead to life.
This still worries me.
Let's get a move on.
You don't think this is strange?
Huh?
There are signs that the Sorcerers of Zero put up a fight, but it looks like the rogue witches were killed instantly.
Yes, the method is different.
And this person has had their magic taken from them as well.
So it was a different person entirely that killed the rogue witches.
Who was it, then?
There's only one person in the country who would do this.
Huh?
The tall man the old man spoke of...
Thirteen!
How do you know that name?
Mercenary!
Thirteen, you said?
Wha-?!
It's a forced summoning!
We'll be dragged down!
What is this place?
What's happening?!
Dammit!
Just use the beastfallen as bait.
He totally fell for it!
He's headed straight into a bunch of enemies!
What an idiot!
If his head makes it out, we can sell it to thieves.
Hey, did you hear?
I heard he killed fifty people all on his own.
I put my money on you dying! I heard he killed fifty people all on his own.
I put my money on you dying!
You'd be better off dead!
Die, die!
They call him the black beast of death!
Black?
The dried blood turned his white fur black!
Oooh, so scary! The dried blood turned his white fur black!
The black beast of death!
Mercenary. The black beast of death!
Mercenary.
Mercenary!
Witch! Where are you?!
Calm down. I said I would protect you.
I am currently moving to another location.
At this rate, I'm gonna fall to my death!
Your body is already here.
Reach out with your feet, feel the ground beneath you.
Dammit! Where's the ground?!
Feel my hand in yours.
Which hand?!
The hand with which we exchanged our blood oath.
You haven't forgotten that, yes?
Of course not!
Calm your breathing.
Your consciousness is returning to your body!
Good, you're back!
The hell was that just now?
A forced summoning.
There are only two people I know that can use this particular spell.
My teacher, and this bastard, Thirteen!
Why did you summon me here?
It is simply what happened. It was not by my will.
If anyone was to say my name in that church, they would have been summoned the same.
So it would have taken those who know nothing of magic, too?
Had you mishandled my Mercenary, he would have been dead!
I would not have expected an outsider to call my name there.
And, even if his soul had escaped to the beyond, it would be easy to call back.
As always, you excel in making excuses for yourself.
I will take that as a compliment.
The next question is mine to ask.
Why did you leave the caves, Zero?
Being alone left me listless.
I thought perhaps I'd spot your miserable face on my travels.
I told you the outside world is dangerous.
You promised you would wait for me.
Hold on a moment! What is this all about?
How do you know Thirteen, Zero?
You're friends with a Sorcerer of the State?!
"A Sorcerer of the State"?
I can't believe a country that's at war with witches would hire a sorcerer.
You'd better believe it, then!
He's a traitor to all witches!
Traitor?
I simply restored order from chaos.
Your unfortunate situation is one you've brought upon yourselves.
My God...
According to the letter that demanded the abolishment of witch hunts,
if we do not act, their next attack will be on the capital!
The witches could do it, too!
But if we outlawed witch hunts, the citizens would surely revolt!
My!
At the ready!
We are not here to fight!
We have a message for the King!
Stop the witch hunts before there are more victims!
If this keeps up, the rogue witches will continue their pillaging!
An ambush on the king?!
Damn you witches...
This is why I said we needed to be more generous with our donations to the church!
Which one of us turned down that proposal because it was a waste of money?
And what can your so-called Knights of the Realm do in this situation?!
You're the one who decided to reduce our military's budget!
I suppose we'll have to fight fire with fire.
A wise choice, your Majesty.
A sorcerer?
Why do they have a sorcerer?
Let me show to you what a sorcerer's fealty can be.
Entrust this to me. In exchange...
I know.
I will assist you in your search for the Grimoire of Zero.
Fall back!
Reality does not proceed logically.
Sorcerers who have affixed Zero's name to your own.
Your foolish actions have caused revolt, and have sullied the name of Zero.
What?
Such lowly existences would do well to frolic with beasts!
What?!
Thirteen killed the Sorcerers of Zero...
right in front of the King.
He's one of the King's underlings, and he's helping him hunt witches!
You started looking for the Grimoire of Zero way earlier, right?
Did you find it after you played around with those Sorcerers of Zero?
Zero, Zero, Zero...
Do not say that name so casually!
It is horribly unpleasant!
Look out!
Not just once, but again...
I told you that this is my Mercenary.
If you hurt a single hair on his head, I will beat you bloody and offer you up to a demon!
Do you really think you can?
Our power may have changed quite a bit since we competed ten years ago.
Well then, why not give it a try, Thirteen?
I too feel quite unpleasant.
Alright, then. I accept.
Get outta there!
How feeble.
Have your talents weakened?
Are they trying to destroy the whole damn place?!
Zero, go back to the caves.
I refuse. I waited for you.
But you never returned.
This is the result!
The witches in Latette were left mere shells.
Witches must never turn against their own!
You upset the balance of our world!
Thirteen, you have crossed the line!
Boy! Do something with your magic!
I can't do anything with my power!
So you're useless!
So are you!
Zero, I'm just...
"You're just"? Do not try to put on airs! Speak properly! "I am simply!"
Such antiquated rules...!
Dammit, we've gotta stop them!
What do we do?!
I either grab the witch or knock him off his feet!
That's crazy!
If we don't do something, we'll be burned to a crisp!
We've got to try something!
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