Episode One

If there is a god, I’m pretty sure they hate me. I can’t think of anything I’ve done to deserve it — I’ve tried to live reasonably, honestly. But reality is cruel, and reasons don’t matter; I have to carry this curse of mine regardless.

Given that I’m supposed to live with something like this — the least the universe could do is give me a happy ending. Anything less and it simply isn’t worth it.

Am I selfish for wanting that?

　　　　◇

We left the green of the forest behind some time ago. When the familiar city walls finally appeared in the distance, I let out a quiet breath. Good — we’d made it back before nightfall.

Selene was walking a little ahead of me. She turned, silver hair catching the fading light.

“Almost there — get your face ready. The Black Witch doesn’t look like that.”

“We can barely even see the walls yet. Nobody’s going to spot us all the way out here.”

“No. Do as I say and be quiet about it. Otherwise I won’t give you your supply.”

A measured, faintly cold look from those composed eyes.

Using someone’s physical condition as a threat is cruel. She knows I’m not asking for this by choice — she has to know. And yet I can’t defy her. If she cuts off the supply, I’m the one who suffers. I let out a sigh, loud enough for her to hear, and straightened my spine.

“…Fine. There. I’ve switched. The Black Witch is ready and awaiting Lady Selene’s every command.”

“Good. Then you can handle the fans who’ll be waiting for us.”

Satisfied, she turned and walked on ahead.

“That I cannot do…”

Even in the dusk, Selene’s long silver hair drew the eye in a way that couldn’t be helped. I quickened my pace so as not to fall behind, and arranged my expression into something Black Witch-shaped.

We walked in silence for a while after that. The walls that had seemed so distant were close now, and the gravel path underfoot had given way to a properly paved road without either of us noticing.

We passed through the great gate. The ground changed to cobblestone, and the sound of two pairs of boots rang out, crisp and hard, around us.

The main street beyond the gate was lively as always. Merchants called out to adventurers climbing down from carriages, all competing for their attention. Voices flew back and forth; the crowd shifted and flowed.

The food stalls caught my eye, but I wanted to go home and rest. Today, more than usual, I had no patience for this.

And around this hour, the out-waiters tend to gather. I was trying to push through the crowd quickly when Selene grabbed my arm, hard.

“Hey—!”

“Be quiet.”

She murmured it low, and without releasing my hand, she steered us sideways, out of the flow of people and towards the edge of the street.

Ah…

“Um — excuse me! You’re Lady Selene, the White Witch, aren’t you…? And — and Lady Sion, the Black Witch, too—”

“You’ve both worked so hard today! Where have you been…?”

Waiting at the spot she’d pulled me to were two young girls — barely past girlhood, by the look of them. Their eyes were fixed on us, but their feet were slightly drawn back, shoulders stiff with nerves.

From their clothes, they weren’t mages. They were probably fans — Selene’s fans, to be specific.

“Good evening. We were out to the distant forest today — monster subjugation. There were some dangerous moments, but Sion bravely shielded me from harm…”

“Isn’t that right?” Selene took my hand with a smile. The corners of her mouth were soft, but her golden eyes held a pressure meant only for me.

“Uh… yes. It was a bit hairy, but we managed.”

I held my gaze steady against the urge to look away, and forced the corners of my mouth up.

Every time we spoke, little cries of delight escaped the girls — but I noticed most of their attention was on Selene regardless.

“Did the two of you wait here specifically for us?”

Selene continued in her polished public voice, unruffled. Her eyes lit up the girls’ faces each time she spoke.

“Yes! We saw this morning that you’d gone out on a job, and we just — we had to see you—!”

The girl held up a familiar-looking pamphlet.

Shirokuro Tsūshin — the White-Black Bulletin. That publication that makes a hobby of tracking the daily lives of the White Witch and the Black Witch.

I swallowed the sigh before it could escape.

“How kind of you, coming all this way… Seeing your faces, I feel my fatigue melt away.”

Selene smiled gently and leafed through the pamphlet they offered her. Even the way she turned pages was graceful, and I nearly sighed again.

Unable to join their rising warmth, I let my gaze drift away. The sun had mostly set, and the light that remained was shifting from sunset to the flames of street lamps.

I was gazing blankly down the street when a sharp pain shot through my waist.

“Sion agrees, don’t you?”

She was pinching me — hard, entirely at odds with her sweet smile — and it was all I could do not to make a sound.

A serene face for the public, quiet fury delivered only to me. How accomplished the White Witch everyone admires has become.

“Y-yes. Thank you so much for coming. We’ll keep… doing our best.”

I pressed my face into a smile despite the pain threatening to twist it.

The girls’ cries of delight rose with every word we said — but truly, almost all of their gaze was for Selene.

“We’ll leave you here for now. Please keep supporting us.”

I raised my hand in an awkward wave and parted ways with the girls, whose eyes still shone.

After that, Selene kept moving through the crowd, responding graciously to every fan who called out to her, one by one.

I want to go home.

I trudged alongside her, barely suppressing my exhaustion, when she murmured, narrowing her eyes:

“It really is wonderful to have people cheering for us. I have to keep working harder.”

“…Yeah.”

I looked away from the face that had turned to catch my expression, and picked up my pace. If I stopped, another fan would find us.

When the crowd finally thinned, a hand caught mine and I turned. Selene, who had been walking a step behind, was watching me quietly.

“Sion.”

“How’s your mana?”

She asked it quietly, her voice slightly lowered. Her gaze seemed somehow unanchored.

The usual post-mission check.

If you’re worried, don’t make me use magic in the first place.

“I’m alright for now. Tonight — please.”

“…I see. Then let’s stop by the guild on the way.”

She said it as if it were nothing, put on her smile, and walked ahead again.

The White Witch and the Black Witch. Our reputation had grown in all the wrong ways, and walking through this city had become exhausting. I wish only she had to draw this kind of attention.

Eyes down, I followed her through the heavy guild door.

As the noise from inside filtered through, the fact that we’d made it back settled over me, and my cheeks softened almost despite themselves.

The moment we were inside, Selene said she had business on the second floor, and left.

She almost never goes to the second floor. I wondered briefly what she could want up there — but she wouldn’t be back soon, and waiting was pointless.

Bracing my shoulders against the laughter and shouting erupting from all corners, I made my way to the counter.

“Oh, Sion! Welcome back. Looks like you made it through another one safe and sound.”

“Thank you. Somehow still alive.”

Becky — the familiar face at the counter — greeted me warmly, and I gave her a small wave. The bright red bandana she wore on her head suited her cheerful personality. I find myself sometimes wishing I could pull off colours like that — vivid, bold. I probably can’t. If it were Selene, she’d make it work. She makes everything work. It’s infuriating, but it’s probably true.

“No Selene today?”

Becky tilted her head, curious. She’s older than me, but that gesture somehow looks charmingly girlish on her.

“We were together until just now. She said she had something on the second floor.”

“Hm, is that right.”

She gazed into the middle distance for a moment, then snapped back to her usual bright expression.

“Well, anyway. Let me grab the report form — give me a moment.”

I watched her bustle away from the counter and stood there at a loss, looking around.

There were robes like ours, heavy armour, all manner of adventurers going about their business. Some glanced at me, but nothing like the attention we’d drawn in the streets outside.

Here, the White Witch and Black Witch weren’t especially special. Just two more adventurers among many, presumably.

I don’t like how noisy this place is, morning to night — but I don’t mind that nobody treats us like something out of the ordinary.

“Sorry for the wait. Alright — can you set out the confirmation materials for me?”

I gave a small nod and drew the sharp fangs from my bag, laying them out on the counter.

“Five in total… confirmed. Sign here for me?”

I had just set the pen to the form when weight landed on my back and I lurched forward. The pen stopped.

“Oh, Selene! Welcome back — good work today. I’ve already checked the materials, you’re all done.”

“…I’m trying to sign. Move.”

I muttered it, frowning at the sensation pressed against my back.

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry. Oh, but Becky, listen — Sion today, she was incredible, and—”

I completed my signature while those two carried on, laughing between themselves. They always seem to light up around each other — like sisters with a big age gap.

“And there we are — signed and delivered. You’re done for the day. Want to look at tomorrow’s postings while you’re here?”

Becky produced a stack of request forms from under the counter. Selene shook her head.

“We’re taking tomorrow off, so no need. I’ll come back the day after.”

I expected as much.

Selene never takes requests on consecutive days. I’ve never asked why — it’s probably something like it’s too tiring.

“Understood. Get some rest, both of you.”

Becky’s eyes crinkled warmly as she passed us each a small slip of paper.

Meal vouchers for the dining hall. Between Selene, money isn’t an issue for us — but free meals are always welcome.

“Thank you. What’s good today?”

“Let me think…”

Becky shuffled the request forms and considered for a moment.

“Today I’d recommend the beef stew. And apparently fresh produce came in, so the power salad would be good too.”

“…Beef stew. That’s what I’ll have.”

I pressed a hand to my stomach as it let out a quiet protest. I didn’t really have much appetite, but apparently my body disagreed.

“Dinner sorted, then. Becky — see you.”

“Thank you. Goodnight.”

Becky’s voice calling the next adventurer followed us out as we made our way into the dining hall adjoining the guild. The warm smell of roasting meat mingled with something sweet — several fragrances layered together — and my chest eased, just a little, without me deciding to let it.

We looked around the busy dining hall for a table and managed to find two empty seats, settling across from each other.

“I’m exhausted… It feels like forever since I sat down.”

I sank deep into the chair and let my forehead drop to the table.

Sitting down had released something, and now tiredness came flooding in. We’d been walking since early morning, and the monsters had given us more trouble than expected. There had been rest breaks, but I’d apparently used far more mana than I’d planned. My body felt heavy, and there was a tightness in my chest. I was a little worried about whether I could finish the beef stew.

If I can’t manage it… I can always give the rest to Selene.

“Sion — your posture. Your expression. There are people here too.”

Selene had her eyes on the menu, but her voice dropped towards me.

I sat up quickly and turned my own eyes to the menu.

“…Sorry.”

It doesn’t sit right with me. But to survive, I have to be the Black Witch. And I’d gone and said I’ll do anything Lady Selene commands, which I’ll be paying for for a while.

I watched Selene call over the server and place her order with quiet efficiency, and let out a small breath.