Judith's POV:
- My room... was it always this big?
A relentless feeling of loneliness fills me as I rest lazily in my room. The situation is so out of control that I can't keep up. Even Nath locked herself in her room three days ago and hasn't come out. She seems preoccupied with the Cathelaya issue. Although I'd rather keep Nath's powers hidden from the human world so she can live in peace. I knew better than anyone that she wouldn't give up easily.
- That little brat... she's really grown up too fast. Before, she couldn't leave my side while she had that expressionless look on her face... Look at her now, saying things like "I won't let anyone else die" with such a serious expression on her face... Where did that little girl I knew go?
I fiddled with a book on my chest while thinking nostalgically about the past. A fleeting smile passed across my face.
- I've left her abandoned for too long to investigate this... but I finally got what I wanted.
In my hands was a book with yellowed and worn pages. That book with a language so old that it was only used in the old empire that disappeared 500 years ago. Not only was it very difficult to find this book, but finding a way to translate it consumed an enormous amount of effort and time. I visited so many countries, I snuck into so many different libraries just to obtain this information. A sense of accomplishment washed over me as I held the book to my chest.
- Ena, the witch of reality... No, would it be better to call her the angel of destruction?
A slight movement could be felt around me. Although it was subtle, I could clearly sense it with my senses.
- Get out of there, I know you're watching me.
With a tired expression, I stare up at the ceiling of my room while leaning lazily on the armchair where Nath usually reads. Absolute silence reigns in the room as I stare into space in annoyance.
- COME OUT OF HIDING PLACE AT ONCE, YOU DAMN ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION!
My scream, tinged with anger, carries through the empty room. In front of me, a strange weed grows unnaturally into a flower that grows strangely from the wood.
"Don't you think it's rude to call me that? I left that name behind about 500 years ago."
- I figured you were up to something when you brought Nath to me to take care of her.
I cut through the weeds with a cold stare as I can hear a chuckle in my head as if it's bouncing off the walls of my skull.
"But I have to say... I didn't expect anyone other than Mia to call me that. Where did you get that from?"
- Don't underestimate a full-time reader. When I put my mind to it, there's nothing I can't figure out. The story of the 8 fundamental angels. The theory of the cyclical celestial kingdom. That's all I could get my hands on these past few months.
"And to think there would still be books from the time of Rishon... I really didn't expect you to discover all that."
- I even had to sacrifice my precious tutoring hours with little Nath to figure out what you were.
"...So much energy wasted."
A sigh echoed in my head as Ena remained silent for a while. While I carefully observed the weed, I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them again and breaking the silence.
- ...Was it you?
"...Was it me? I don't understand your question, Judith."
- Don't play dumb. I'm talking about whether you organized this ridiculous spectacle.
An annoyed chuckle sounded in my head as I slowly wore down my patience. With a swift movement, I lunged at the weed in front of me, crushing it with my fingers. When it fades, hundreds of weeds suddenly begin to sprout around me, just like the first one.
"You're not the beast witch for nothing. You behave like a wild animal at times like this. Despite knowing how pointless it is to crush those poor chrysanthemums."
- ANSWER MY QUESTION!
In a frenzy, I violently rush through the field of weeds to crush them. For every one I pulled or tore apart, two more sprouted out of nowhere. Before I knew it, weeds had grown all over the room. The furniture, the floor, the bed, even the objects on top of the furniture were covered in weeds. Even though I had stopped, the weeds continued to grow, filling even the ceiling. My chest rose and fell erratically as beads of sweat fell from my forehead. The fatigue from all the movement had stopped me as I watched in resignation as they continued to grow erratically, filling the entire room with weeds. I sit down on the couch to catch my breath, sighing heavily.
- Would you mind stopping right now? I really don't want to clean all this up later.
"Oh? I thought we were still playing. It seems I got a little carried away, sorry for being so carried away."
- Tch
The mocking voice echoing in my head only irritated me more and more. With all my willpower, I restrained that impulse and stared into space with a serious look.
- … Were you the one who killed Mia?
A silence filled the room. A strange pressure was felt from the weeds surrounding me. A few seconds later, the silence was broken.
"Pfff… hahahahhahahahahahaha"
An insidious laugh echoed in my head at full volume. I involuntarily covered my ears as the voice in my head violently shook my brain. A few seconds later, the laughter finally died away as I stared in bewilderment at the weeds in front of me.
- What the hell is so funny?
"After all the research you did, after all the deductions you made to figure out that I'm the Angel of Destruction, is that your question? I thought you were smarter than that."
I lower my head in pain as I sigh heavily. I quickly raise my head as I look at the weeds.
- I suppose because you're an angel you wouldn't understand, but to me… no, to Nath, that question is more important than any other.
"…I suppose I can answer that. After all, you made me laugh after almost 600 years."
The weeds surrounding me suddenly turn toward me. Hundreds of flowers turn toward me in an unnatural and strange way.
"Mia, the Witch of Deception, is not dead. As for her fate… I'll just say that you'll eventually meet her."
Although a repulsive giggle echoed in my head when she said it, a wave of relief filled my heart.
- I see. It's enough for me that she's alive. By the way, Ena, it might not be good for me to say this, but don't underestimate Mia. You may think you can use her in some crooked plan you have in mind, but I assure you, she'll exceed your wildest expectations. She's the kind of person who always does things like that as if it were nothing.
"...Well, I suppose it's true that she's an impressive mortal. But..."
A disgusting chuckle echoes in my head again before she continues.
"She's still a mere mortal after all."
- I see. I suppose it may seem trivial to you, but don't underestimate mortals.
"I wonder about that. After all, it was Mia who disappointed me 500 years ago."
- I suppose even 500 years ago Mia was freed from your crooked plans.
A tired sigh echoed in my head.
"Interpret it however you want. After all, as impressive as it is that you were able to uncover all that, it will soon be useless. I was planning to spread that information anyway. Congratulations, you've wasted months of your life!"
A chuckle escapes my mouth as I defiantly glare at the weed.
- Say what you want, you're just being a sore loser.
"Think what you want. I'm done with this conversation anyway. I'm leaving, see you later, Judith."
- Wait, I haven't finished my questions.
"I don't have to answer your questions. I only appeared and answered your question as a reward for your efforts. Don't mistake your position, you filthy mortal."
A powerful sensation attacks my spine as an enormous pressure hits my back.
"Ah! Right, right. As a bonus, I'll remove the chrysanthemums so you don't have to pick them up. See you!"
The pressure suddenly disappears as the weeds that filled the room wither and slowly fall back, just as they came. A heavy sigh resounds as I stare helplessly at the floor, where a carpet of weeds has fallen from the furniture and ceiling.
- ....And who the hell is going to clean all this up?