The Witch and Her Companion: I'm Just a Normal High School Student, but I Became the Familiar of the Highest-Ranked Witch. Also, It Seems I'm the Only Guy in the Witch Organization I Joined - Chapter 88: The Seven Sins and the Unattainable Flower

Chapter 88: The Seven Sins and the Unattainable Flower

Rachel Poker

“—‘The Sovereign of Freedom’… That’s what they called Ibis by the time she was known as one of the Four Great Witches.”

Vivian had finally finished devouring every last tomato from her burger and was now eating like a normal person.

“The Sovereign of Freedom… huh?”

“Aye. Ibis was a monstrous witch who could wield five kinds of magic. With that power, she overcame any hardship and lived as she pleased… And so, those around her, filled with awe and reverence, dubbed her the Sovereign of Freedom.”

Vivian, if I recall, was called the “Sovereign of Mercy” because no one could kill her… or something like that. Makes sense—nicknames like these always have a reason behind them.

“Five kinds of magic? That’s insane! What kind of magic could she use?”

“Hmm, it’s a personal matter, so I won’t spill too much… Let’s just say she wielded three red magics, one blue magic, and one white magic.”

“…Tch, c’mon, you could at least tell us one!”

Hikari, who’d been quietly listening this whole time, finally piped up. Hell yeah, Hikari, give her some sass!

“…Hmph. Fine, if it’s something she’ll never use again, I suppose there’s no harm in sharing… One was transformation magic. A spell that let her manipulate her own body, even changing her gender at will.”

“Transformation magic? That’s… so cool! Totally magical!”

“Isn’t it just? Ibis used to transform into a man all the time, and let me tell you, she turned into such a dashing fella that she was quite the heartthrob!”

Transformation magic… Depending on how you use it, that could be one terrifying spell. But—

“If it’s that convenient, why doesn’t she use it anymore?”

Vivian did say it was a magic Ibis would never use again.

“…When Rachel, the Sovereign of Seraphim, died… Ibis was gravely injured. The wounds on her face were especially bad. For some reason, no matter how she transformed, those scars would always show through.”

Grave injuries… The ones Rose mentioned. But to have scars on her face that won’t fade, of all places?

…That’s… kind of a painful story, isn’t it?

“Ugh, yeah, if you’ve got scars that blatant, transforming’s pretty much useless, huh?”

“…By the way, what caused those injuries?”

“Judas Memory. The Sovereign of Ruin, a Lord… The infamous traitor who slaughtered Rachel, the Sovereign of Seraphim, and eleven of their fellow Ravens.”

So far, this lines up with what Rose told me. It seems I really was killed by Judas, at least according to the story.

“Can you tell me more about what happened back then?”

“I don’t mind. It was about four hundred years ago, give or take… That day, there was some kind of spat between Ibis and Rachel, the Sovereign of Seraphim. Rachel declared she was leaving the Ravens and stormed out of the castle. That’s where it all began.”

Me leaving the Ravens? That’s news to me. Rose didn’t seem to know the exact reason either.

“It sounds like the falling-out was Ibis’s fault. Since Ibis couldn’t go after her, Judas took it upon herself to track Rachel down.”

“So she was trying to bring her back… Does that mean Rachel was a special kind of witch?”

This question had two layers: one, to probe if Ibis and I were truly lovers, and two, to see if Vivian, as a Lord, knew any exclusive intel.

“Rachel and Ibis were betrothed, promised to be wed. But that’s not the only reason…”

“Meaning…?”

Another bombshell! Not just lovers—engaged?

“Back then, there was a witch organization called the ‘Seven Sins Pleiades’ plotting to dominate France. Rachel had previously sent one of their witches to prison… I believe it was ‘Lilac Ginrami, the Witch of Pride,’ and… who was the other one…?”

Lilac… Lilac Ginrami? Isn’t that the Raven witch working at the café on the outskirts of the hot spring town?

To think I had a connection with her… We met and introduced ourselves, but it didn’t stir a single memory.

“Well, anyway, Rachel had no shortage of enemies, the Seven Sins Pleiades included. If word got out that she’d left the Ravens, every witch and their broomstick would’ve come for her head. That’s why Judas went after her… or so we thought—”

“Do you have any idea why Judas betrayed them?”

“Honestly? Not a clue. There’s no motive that makes sense, so people chalked it up to a lover’s quarrel… But killing the one she loved? That doesn’t sit right with me.”

“…Wait, Judas… was in love with Rachel?”

Hold on, something’s off. Didn’t Rose say Judas had an unrequited crush on Ibis?

“Aye, that’s right. Judas was a lightweight, you see. One time, we forced some liquor down her throat, and she spilled all her secrets. No doubt about it.”

“…Though, to convince the Ravens, I may have spread a rumor that Judas was pining for Ibis. Most folks probably believe that version.”

Okay, this is getting complicated. But if that’s the case, it makes even less sense for Judas to have killed me…

***

[Kanon]

Even with the sun shining bright, the wind whipping across the rooftop in this season—especially with so little to block it—is just a tad too chilly for my liking.  

And yet, here I am, trekking up to the rooftop every lunch break like clockwork. Of course, it’s to enjoy a meal with my friends… or so it’s supposed to be—  

“…Today’s lunch is feeling awfully lonesome, isn’t it?”  

“Oh, I know! To think not just Karuta, but even Sakurako-san and Hikari-san are absent…”  

Normally, the five of us would gather here to dig into our lunches, but today, three of them are out. With just the two of us on this wide-open rooftop, the wind feels even colder than usual.  

Honestly, if they’re going to skip school, they could at least invite me along!  

“By the way, have you heard from Karuta yet?”  

“Well, I did manage to get through to her this morning… but it sounds like she was up all night gaming.”  

“I see. So she just crashed and burned, huh?”  

“…Probably.”  

Emilia lets out a massive sigh, her gaze dropping to the bento box beside her. No doubt it’s the lunch she lovingly prepared for Karta. Honestly, what a pitiful way to be treated!  

“But still, Karta aside, for Sakurako and Hikari to skip too? That’s just weird. Do you know anything, Emilia?”  

Sakurako, ever the serious type despite her looks, and Hikari, surprisingly diligent despite her looks—they’ve been late before, sure, but never absent like this.  

“…Well, this is just between us, but… it seems those two have finally gotten together.”  

“Oh my, really? So they’re both absent because…”  

Sakurako swore up and down she’d never end up in that kind of relationship with Hikari… and yet here they are, skipping school to be all lovey-dovey!  

“I just… what kind of face am I supposed to make when I see them tomorrow? Apparently, Sakurako stayed over at Hikari’s place last night…”  

“…Oh my. They’re definitely doing it.”  

“Eek! Don’t say it so bluntly like that!”  

Emilia buries her face in her hands, her legs flailing wildly. Your skirt’s riding up, dear.  

“My, Emilia, you’re surprisingly pure, aren’t you? I could’ve sworn you and Karuta had already…”  

“D-Don’t say such reckless things! I’m only sixteen, you know!? Besides, Karuta and I aren’t like that!!”  

“Sakurako said something similar, you know. Zero credibility.”  

And that flustered panic of yours isn’t helping your case, by the way. Not that I’ll say it out loud.  

“K-Kanon-san, you’re one to talk! Acting all calm and composed… Don’t tell me you’ve secretly got a boyfriend or something!?”  

“In my case, I’ve simply given up because I’ve had zero luck in love… Being too beautiful is quite the burden, you know. Nobody dares approach a flower blooming out of reach.”  

“Or maybe Kanon-san’s standards are just way too high?”  

“Oh, darling, there’s no such thing as too high when it comes to ideals—or heels, for that matter. That’s what makes a woman radiant, don’t you think?”  

“…That’s… kinda deep.”  

“Though, to be honest, I can’t stand high heels. Far too hard to walk in.”  

“Whaaat…?”  

I told Emilia I’m calm because I’ve given up, but truth be told, that’s not the whole story.*

It’s hard to explain, and I’ve got no proof whatsoever, but… I can’t shake this feeling that my destined someone is drawing closer, right to my side…