Volume 4, Interlude I [Tea Party]

Volume 4, Interlude I [Tea Party]

[???: Parallel Universes, that’s one school of thought. It states that, separate from the universe we are living in now, there exists many alternate universes following along a similar path]

The person speaking was trying her best to suppress the waves of excitement in her voice.

Accompanying that lecture-like statement, she was lightly tapping her fingers on the table in a pleasant and even rhythm.

[????: That sounds, huu... like it’s, haa...... kind of complicated]

[???: It’s not that hard to wrap your head around. Imagine infinite Parallel Worlds, each being generated by just one difference in choice. For example, say there is a split in the road on your way home. Both paths ultimately lead to your house, and there is a you who went right and a you who went left―― that possibility would already constitute an extremely small-scale Parallel Universe]

[?????: What. So you’re saying that there’re so many worlds out there that we can’t even count them? That’s just stupid]

Hearing the response to the lethargic voice, a spirited voice butted in.

The lecturing speaker returned a wry smile, and raised a finger in front of her impatient companion,

[???: It’s not nearly so ridiculous. Indeed, that last example may have been too narrow to convey the sheer scope of the variations...... but you can definitely apply it to a grander scale as well]

[?????: Grander scale...... like what?]

[???: Let’s see, right. ――Imagine if you had abandoned the isolated Elven vanguard on Boroid Plains, what would have happened then?]

[?????: ――――]

[???: ......Hmm. I was expecting you to be more infuriated by that]

[?????: It’s simple why I’m not angry. Even if you repeat that situation tens, hundreds, or thousands of times, I would always’ve choosen to throw my fists into the fray. ――So your Parallel Universe or whatever would never’ve come to be!]

With that forceful proclamation, the speaker threw her foot right onto the table. Seeing her literally “Putting her foot down” on the matter, the lecturer let slip a small smile. Noticing this, the spirited one angrily scowled up her pretty face,

[?????: What’s so funny!?]

[???: No, I mean that was very manly of you, but your panties are showing, Minerva]

[Minerva: Aa, kya! What, you dumbass! Unbelievable! Idiot! Dumbass! Duuumbass! Blockhead! Stupid! So stupid! You stupid, dumbass!]

Shouting curses that exposed the limits of her vocabulary, the blond-haired girl―― Witch of Wrath, Minerva, pulled her foot off the table with tears in her eyes, quickly closing her legs and holding down her skirt with her hands.

She looked up furiously―― at the white-haired Witch sitting opposite her. But,

[????: Haa. Leaving aside who’s right or wrong here, huu... your panties... haa...... you kind of did that to yourself, Minerva, always so unladylike, huu...... no point blaming anyone else for it... haa]

[Minerva: Unladylike! Like you’re one to say that, Sekhmet. As if you ever wear anything other than that...... actually, when’s the last time you changed your robes?]

Minerva swiped her harsh glare onto the Witch of Sloth―― Sekhmet, plopped on the table, completely buried in her long, magenta hair.

Under that sea of hair, a head moved and peeked out between the gaps, looking back at Minerva.

[Sekhmet: You just throw it over your head, huu...it’s the most convenient......haa... Typhon wipes my body for me...huu...so it’s not like I get filthy or anything...haa]

[Minerva: You go criticizing other people’s behavior when you...... Augh, aughh, aughhh......what do you want!? So I’m to blame? It’s all my fault? You want me to beat you clean here!?]

Minerva angrily waved her fist about, while Sekhmet turned her head away without saying a word.

Seeing Sekhmet lose even the energy to speak, a blue vein popped up on Minerva’s forehead, but, as if having grown used to her temper, Sekhmet already completely lost interest.

Taking over for the spent Witch of Sloth, the first Witch―― the Witch of Greed, Echidona, clapped her hands together and carried on the conversation,

[Echidona: I do understand your anger, but as much as I find it delightful, I would like to continue on our topic now]

[Minerva: Hrrmph. You’re the one provoking me with all that Parallel Worlds rubbish, Echidona. I’m angry. I’m enraged. I’m furious...]

[Echidona: Right right. Now, on with Parallel Universes. If that last example didn’t stick...... let’s see. What do you think would have happened if Flugel never sealed the pact with Volcanica?]

Holding a finger to her lips, Echidona mischievously smiled as she raised this question to Minerva.

Minerva swallowed her breath and narrowed her blue eyes.

[Minerva: If Volcanica and Flugel never sealed their pact, Reid couldn’t have stopped her by himself...... and the world would’ve been swallowed]

[Echidona: If it had been swallowed, what then, I wonder. Of all the world, only the Witch of Envy would remain. Perhaps, a Parallel Universe in which this is the case even exists. And, if it does, won’t you find it incredibly interesting?]

[Minerva: Your eyes always get so gross whenever you talk about her, Echidona. ――I’m really not that mad at her. I just can’t share your wrath on that one]

[Echidona: Well, that’s one way to approach it, I suppose. ――Your wrath is the delightful kind. That’s why you were the most lovable of all the Witches]

Echidona said in past tense, while Minerva looked away with a small snort and crossed her arms, emphasizing her abundant breasts with a jolt of her back.

[Minerva: I’m not looking to be loved. All I want is for conflict to be wiped from this world, for all the suffering, grief, and cries and wails of pain to be exterminated by my fists. I don’t need anything else on my path. My rage, my wrath, and my healing fists――are my everything]

Minerva proclaimed her life’s purpose without a shadow of a doubt.

This was Echidona’s book of forbidden knowledge which held the world’s Past, Present, and Future―― the “Memories of the World”.

If the Incarnation of the Thirst for Knowledge, Echidona, ever felt like it, she could access any information, knowledge, or history within this world. But, out of personal preference, she seemed to feel an aversion to using the power of this forbidden tome.

[Echidona: The Second Trial reads into the challenger’s heart, and finds every crossroad he had passed―― one could also call it “Regret”. The Memories of the World recreates the different choices he might have made, as “Presents that were not to be”. In its very nature, compared to the First Trial of facing one’s past, and the Third Trial of overcoming one’s future, the Second Trial is somewhat easier to pass]

[Minerva: Easier to pass, what do you mean?]

[Echidona: It’s a question of whether one could see the world as Daphne does. As Sekhmet said, so-called Parallel Worlds would ultimately remain separated, untouchable lines never to meet. Regardless of regret, or longing, they could never be reached]

[Minerva: And here your Trial is shoving those lines right in people’s faces!]

Seeing Minerva turn up the ends of her eyes in annoyance, Echidona lightly shrugged.

She brushed her hand through her own white hair, and said, as if to calm the now standing Minerva,

[Echidona: To the common person, the Second Trial is indeed easier to pass. Compared to having to overcome a past that actually happened, the Second Trial merely touches on “Possibilities of what could be”. It is each person’s freedom to accept or deny it...... and all one has to do is to accept the present, actual world]

[Minerva: The actual, world......]

[Echidona: And we are back to the question of perspective. Sekhmet, Daphne, or even you could easily find the solution. ――If you could do that, then you would pass the Trial]

Listening to Echidona’s explanation, Minerva gave a begrudgingly nod.

Indeed, if it was as Echidona said, then the Trial isn’t as harsh as she thought.

For all the Witches present――or even just for anyone with a clear sense of self identity, it should be easy to pass that Trial.

[Daphne: If so~, then why~, is Subarun having such a hard time with it~? Subarun doesn’t look like a child with no sense of identity~]

[Echidona: ――In his case... hm]

Recalling Subaru in her memories, for some reason, Daphne started making a chewing motion with her mouth. Overlooking this behavior, Echidona closed her eyes to ponder on her words,

[Echidona: The Second Trial is an observation of Parallel Worlds. In a sense, it is an act of witnessing the implications of one’s regrets. Like I said, it is easy to accept or deny it. ――In fact, one would only have to rationalize it by noting that reality never progressed this way]

“But”, Echidona continued,

[Echidona: Only in his case, this wouldn’t apply. It was even a surprise to me that the Second Trial hit him this hard. ――Truly, unexpected]

[Daphne: Sniff~ sniff~...... I could smell you grinning with joy, Dona-Dona~]

[Minerva: She gets happy whenever she sees something she couldn’t predict, I bet. Nasty pervert...... just hopeless]

[Echidona: Birds of a feather. Since you are all my friends, you aren’t exempt from that, either]

Daphne chuckled while Minerva puffed with rage, and, if one listened carefully, one could hear snoring coming from Sekhmet’s general direction. Taking each of these Witches’ reactions into her eyes, Echidona rocked in her chair, when,

[??????: Dona~, Typhon’s hungry too~]

Running up from the meadow with little steps was a little girl. As if to leap onto the table on the hill, she called out to Echidona.

With green hair and auburn skin, and her white teeth beaming in her smile, it was the Witch of Pride, Typhon.

Seeing the girl who had avoided getting involved in the tricky conversation and had instead passed her time playing in the meadow, Echidona smiled back,

[Echidona: Sorry for boring you. Now for Typhon’s tea...... should I make it extra sweet? And do you want your regular treats?]

[Typhon: Anything’s good~. Running around a lot took up all my strength, I want drink and eat and rest now~]

Saying this with incredible energy, Typhon pulled out an empty chair next to Sekhmet and hopped onto it. Then, with one hand playing with Sekhmet’s long hair, she used the other to stuff her face with treats Echidona had made appear with a snap of her fingers, spraying crumbs all over the table.

This scene might just bring out a smile onto the face of someone who was ignorant of Typhon’s nature.

[Echidona: You must be tired too, from looking after Typhon?]

[???????: Th...... that’s not, true......though? T-Typhon’s a good girl, and, her powers...... also, wouldn’t, work... on, me, you know? S-so, it’s fine. I’m, doing just fine]

Looking up at Echidona from her side, the one who arrived at the tea party one step behind Typhon gave this stuttering reply with a weak smile rising on her face.

With her pink hair reaching down to her waists, the girl gave off a shockingly ephemeral vibe. Though there was nothing outstanding about her features, for some reason, she just naturally attracted one’s gaze.

More than anything, like a small animal, the impressions of her expressions and bearing tugged powerfully on one’s heartstrings.

[Echidona: Take a seat, Camilla. ――I’ve called you here for a reason]

[Camilla: I-is, something......st, starting? It, wo......won’t be scary?]

[Echidona: It won’t scare you or hurt you. ――I just, need your help to get the pieces moving]

Sitting down next to her, Camilla―― the Witch of Lust, timidly looked back at Echidona. Echidona gave her a smile, and lithely flung out her arms,

[Echidona: ――With your love, I wish to rescue a poor lost lamb]

Echidona said in the trembling voice of a Witch, and offered her her outstretched arms――

-=Arc 4 Interlude I End=-