Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)

—————————————————————————————————————

Roswal Estate

Koji: Frederica-Sam. If you will please tell us about the sanctuary.

Frederica: Very well but before that, I have to tell you something. The one named Garfiel. He is the one you must be most wary of.

Koji- She says that but when she says it she has a look on her face. I see so maybe a friend or family?

We stepped outside as Frederica, Ram and Rem prepared the carriage. Before we left Frederica walked over to us.

Frederica: Me and Rem will take care of things here so do take care.

Koji: Of course.

Rem: I will see you when you return sister.

Ram: I'll return as soon as I can.

Frederica then handed a necklace to Emilia.

Koji- I have this suspicion that she's working for Roswal but such thoughts are unfounded for now.

We got into the carriage as Patraches started leading us to the Sanctuary. 

Koji: Lady Emilia. Could you allow me to hang on to that necklace?

Emilia: ? Why?

Koji: I just have a feeling about it.

Emilia: Alright.

She gave the necklace cover to me.

Koji- Better in my hands than in hers. Whatever you're planning Roswal. I'll figure it out.

After a while, I looked to see Emilia a little distressed. I was able to correctly deduce what was happening.

Koji: Puck hasn't shown up for a while has he?

Emilia: Yes. I called for him but he won't come out.

Koji: Has this happened before?

Emilia: A few times but... I'm still worried.

Koji: I see.

Koji- It seems Puck has something planned out. Cheeky cat.

Koji: Are you anxious? Hm... Perhaps you believe that there are half-elves in the sanctuary?

Emilia: Eh? You could tell?

Koji: Yes. While I won't discount the chance I hardly think Half Elve classify as demihumans. I wouldn't get my hopes up but it's not bad to have a little hope.

Emilia: You're right...

Koji: The future awaits us so if you begin thinking of it too much you may miss it entirely.

Emilia: That's ... really wise.

Koji: We should be getting closer soon.

Emilia: Yes you're right.

Koji: How is it out there Ram-San?

Ram: Everything is fine out here. No issues.

Suddenly the necklace began to glow.

Emilia: The necklace.

Koji- This thing!

I opened the window ready to throw out the necklace when I heard a thud. I turned to see Emilia on the ground not moving. Unconscious.

Koji- Roswal you...

I got teleported away as I stood before a person with the stature of a child but the expression of an adult. I saw her ears. An elf?

Koji: Are you an elf?

??? ran away as soon as I spoke. I decided to tail her. I observed her looking behind herself. It seems she's luring me somewhere. I suppose I have nothing else I can do right now. I continued following her until we came to what looked like a temple. I stepped inside cautiously looking around when the area changed again.

Koji- This necklace! Again? No... It's not the necklace it's this place.

???: Oh welcome welcome. It's been a while since I've talked to someone. I hope I wasn't too forward.

Koji: And you are?

???: My name is Echidna. Perhaps you know me better as the Witch of Greed?

My gaze sharpened.

Koji- A witch of deadly sin. Not the one that haunts me but still.

Echidna: The way you look at me as if I'm the enemy. It hurts my feelings you know. I am still a tender young maiden after all.

My gaze didn't soften in the slightest. I didn't trust this woman. The Witch of Greed. It's not a name that promotes trust in those that hear it and perhaps it's for good reason.

Koji: I'm afraid I'm not the type to let down my guard in the midst of someone who claims to be a witch.

Echidna chuckled.

Echidna: I guess you're right.

Koji: Tell me. What are my whereabouts? How was I transported again?

Echidna: I'm afraid you're mistaken. You're still in the temple. This is a space for the mind alone. My Witch's Tea Party.

I walked up to her taking a seat.

Echidna drank her tea.

Echidna: Why don't you take a drink?

Koji: I'm afraid I'll have to decline. There's no telling what you could have laced it with.

Echidna: Oh nothing special. Just my bodily fluids.

Koji: You're joking right?

Echidna: No. It's laced with sweat from my thighs.

I took the cup and drank it all in one swift gulp.

Echidna: Oh? Hahaha.

(Just kidding. This is a joke. Did not happen.)

Koji: Sweat from your thighs?

Koji- Coincidence or could she know about my past? But how? There are some things that are so obscure in this world.

Echidna: You're an interesting person Ayanokoji. You sit before a witch but there is no fear in your eyes. Only caution.

Koji: ...

Echidna: No expression either?

Koji: What did you expect from me?

Echidna: I suppose a normal person's reaction would be to vomit on the spot.

Koji: I suppose I have better manners then.

Echidna laughed.

Echidna: I have to agree on that but I'm sure you have had your fair share of moments where you've vomited because of something.

Koji- The way she said that... this woman is dangerous.

Koji: Why exactly did you bring me here?

Echidna: I'm afraid that I'm not the one who brought you here. You are the one who came to me.

Koji: I see. So it wasn't your action that brought me here.

Koji- There is no reason for her to lie about that.

Echidna: So Ayanokoji. You can ask me any questions you want while you're here. Ask whatever you want. Of course, this area is meaningless to you, isn't it? It doesn't allow you to drop your guard or relax yourself.

Koji: You're correct on that.

The surrounding collapsed cracking and disappearing.

Echidna: So what would you like to ask me? About Daphane. The Witch Of Gluttony that created The Great Mabeasts in defence of God to save the world from starvation? The Witch Of Lust Carmilla who gave emotions to the non-humans in an attempt to fill the world with love? The Witch Of Wrath Minerva? Who struck people to heal them as she lamented the state of the world? The Witch Of Sloth? Sekhmet who drove a dragon past the waterfall at the end of the world all so she could rest? The Witch of Pride Typhon? Who out of youthful innocence judged criminals one after the other? Or the Witch of Envy who used all of the other witches for sustenance and swallowed half the world earning the mire of the whole world. 

The environment around us reformed.

Koji- I see. She's greedy for my experiences. My deaths. It's the only logical explanation for her friendly demeanour. She doesn't expect to manipulate me but to partner with me to further her thirst for knowledge. While I'm suspicious. Especially if it will cause some kind of side effect his opportunity is too good to pass up. I'll have to take the risk.

Koji: Very well. For one is there a being that has a similar power to that of the White Whale?

Echidna: The Sin Archbishops of Gluttony.

Koji: Archbishops?

Echidna: There are three of them with a shared power.

Koji: I see. Next, I want to learn about Roswal L Mathers.

She explained about Roswal.

Koji: Your student who has become obsessed with you huh? Does he possess a Gospel? Hm... I see. This explains many things. He wishes to revive you. This helps me understand his motives a bit better.

Koji- He'll try to manipulate me. Is this why the witch that haunts me forbids me from telling others about my ability? He might use it to his advantage or even force me to die over and over until he gets his desired result.

Echidna: Anything else?

Koji: Who is the witch that haunts me?

Echidna: That would be Satella the witch of Envy.

Koji- Satella? The Witch Of Envy?

Koji: I see. Tell me about her.

Echidna: She might blush madly if she found out you wanted to know more about her you know?

Koji: Is that so?

Echidna: Of course if she had seen us having a tea party then she might have assumed some dangerous things. Hehe.

I gave her the same look Horikita had given me when I suggested something similar in the Cafe during our first year. I was not amused.

Echidna: Aw. You don't have to act so coldly. 

Koji: Stop stalling.

Echidna: Fine Fine. The Witch Of Envy Satella was a normal girl who travelled with the great sage Flugel until she encountered what was called a Witch Factor. That Witch Factor was Envy however she was incompatible with it and it caused her personality to split in two. Driven by madness she devoured half the world until she was defeated by her former travelling companion Flugel and Volcanica.

Koji: I see. Is that all?

Echidna: I don't think I'd recommend learning anymore just yet.

Koji: Why me?

Echidna: I have no idea.

Echidna smirked.

Koji- Liar.

Echidna: Your ability that Satella gave you. You're not going to name it?

Koji- She knows about it huh?

Koji: No need. It's a tool but it doesn't need a name.

Echidna: Just give it a name.

Koji: Rebirth By Death

Echidna: Wonderful.

Koji: Beatrice mentioned something About Petelgeuse's Witch Factor. What was she talking about?

Echidna: When you defeated Sloth the witch factor chose a new host.

Koji: It's me isn't it?

Echidna: Indeed.

Koji: What about the sanctuary? What is its purpose?

Echidna explained its purpose and how she was tied to it.

Koji: About Beatrice?

Echidna: She's a Great Spiri I created through artificial measures.

Koji: You tasked her to protect the Library? How long has it been?

Echidna: About 400 years.

Koji: You're a cruel witch.

Echidna: I suppose but Ayanokoji I did give her an out.

Koji: An out?

Echidna: I guess I'll have Roswal tell you about that. Just ask him.

Koji: Then I have no more questions. I'll be leaving.

Echidna: Wait what? Come on? Don't you have any other questions?

She looked distressed.

Koji: No. I'm done.

Echidna: Wait! Hold on! I'm the Witch of Greed you know! I know a lot of things. People from around the world come in search of me for the chance to talk and ask me things. Just wait and we can talk for a little longer.

Koji: I know and I'm done asking questions or do I have some other use for you other than that? I'm assuming I can return right? If I have more questions I will.

Echidna: You're a naughty boy Ayanokoji. Using Emotional manipulation tactics on a poor maiden like me. But you are right. You can come back.

Koji: Just send me back for now.

Echidna sighed.

Echidna: You're a cruel man you know. Treating a girl like myself in this way.

Koji: I never claimed to be a saint.

Echidna: I have one request of you then.

A portal appeared behind me.

Koji: What is it?

Echidna: You will tell no one what transpired at this tea party.

She walked up to me.

Echidna: You won't completely understand why yet but I will also give you the right to take part in the trials of the sanctuary.

Koji: Trials?

Echidna: You'll understand to worth of this gift in time.

She licked her hand.

Echidna: I'll take great pleasure in the experiences you'll show me when you get to that stage.

Koji: You really are a witch.

Echidna: That's right. I'm a really evil woman. Even more than you were an evil man.

Koji- This woman knows my past.

I sighed as she flicked me in the head sending me through the portal.

—————————————————————————————————————

To Be Continued

—————————————————————————————————————