Chapter 21

Airis was imprisoned in a dungeon beneath the great cathedral in the capital. Immediately after being labeled as a witch, she was no longer a Holy Knight. However, since the fact that a Holy Knight had produced a heretic was inconvenient for the Church, it was kept secret from the public.

Airis's magical equipment had the ability of extended immortality.

If her magic was sealed, she would be almost powerless.

To prevent her from using magic, someone was always on guard, ready to destroy any magic circle she might try to form. She was transferred from Eldana to the capital under constant surveillance.

Incidentally, the execution was to take place in the capital rather than in Eldana to prevent the public from learning that Airis had been a Holy Knight. If the execution were to take place in Eldana, the residents would surely find out.

(Oh... I messed up...)

In the cold dungeon, Airis repeatedly thought the same thing. It was premature of her to admit that she had learned magic from a monster. Originally, Airis didn't know that Shu was a monster, so if she had explained the situation in order, there might have been room for leniency. However, now she was in a position where no one would listen to her.

(They think that speaking to a witch would defile them...)

The lack of food was the most painful thing. She could get water, but only the minimum amount, and she received no food at all. During the transfer, she wasn't given any meals either, as they thought she was going to be executed anyway. Although her immortality prevented her from starving to death, she still felt hunger and thirst. As a result, Airis had no energy to stand and was resting on the stone floor.

(Ugh... I want some sweet bread...)

At such a time, it was typical of Airis to think about trivial things. One might think she should feel more threatened by the danger to her life, but Airis wasn't worried. This was because she believed in her promise with Shu. The emotions she had come to realize made her trust Shu without doubt.

(Hmm... footsteps?)

After lying there for a while, she suddenly heard footsteps. Since she was lying on the floor with her ear to the ground, the footsteps were very clear. Among the steady footsteps, one set had a slightly different stride.

The steady footsteps belonged to a Holy Knight, and the other set to an Inquisitor.

When Airis lifted her head and stood up, two people were just arriving. As expected, they were a Holy Knight and an Inquisitor.

"It's time for the execution, witch. Come out."

"Yes."

"Indeed."

The two guards who had been watching over Airis's cell responded. One of them took out a key and unlocked the cell with a click. Next, the Holy Knight who accompanied the Inquisitor entered, took out a rope, and tied Airis's hands behind her back.

"Stand up."

"It hurts..."

The Holy Knight forced Airis to stand. Due to the lack of food and the hard floor, Airis felt both fatigue and pain. Her body ached all over. Despite this, the Holy Knight silently pushed her back and urged her to leave the cell. Knowing that resistance was futile, Airis reluctantly complied.

She was then led to the Inquisitor. Thanks to her immortality, the pain in her body had already subsided. This magical equipment used its magic to protect Airis, healing injuries instantly and regenerating even fatal wounds. It could even convert magic into life force to keep her alive in a state of starvation. With her A-rank magic power, Airis was almost immortal.

"Hmph... How detestable. Immortal witch."

"I am—"

"Do not speak, defiled woman!"

"Ugh!"

The Inquisitor struck Airis to prevent her from speaking. His job was to apprehend heretics who opposed the Cult of the Magi, and his piety was greater than that of any priest.

He didn't think that a witch like Airis had any human rights.

"Damn, I'm defiled from touching a witch. I'd like to crush her with my magical equipment, but unfortunately, it has no combat power. What a pity."

His magical equipment could determine the truth. It had no combat power but was useful in apprehending heretics.

After all, Airis had an absurd ability—immortality. No matter how much she was attacked, she would regenerate, so most methods were ineffective. That's why the execution method was to burn her until her magic was exhausted.

"Defilement must be burned away. Fall into the underworld, where even the salvation of the El Magia God does not reach. Now, let's go."

"Yes, I understand."

The Inquisitor began to return the way he came, and the Holy Knight who accompanied him pushed Airis's back to force her to walk. On this day, the execution of the witch Airis was about to take place.

◆◆◆

There was a square in front of the great cathedral in the capital. At its center, a stage had been set up with a single iron pillar. The witch, bound to the pillar, had a bit in her mouth to prevent her from casting spells. The stage was made of dry wood, which would serve as fuel for the burning. Wood chips soaked in oil were also prepared to ensure a grand fire.

The public execution drew a lot of attention from the capital's residents. Although not everyone was present, a large crowd had gathered in the square, waiting for the execution to begin.

"The execution will now begin."

The Inquisitor, floating in the air using the fourth tier of wind magic, "Sky Soaring," announced loudly. This was not entertainment but an execution, so the crowd did not make a fuss. They focused on the Inquisitor, who was about to give a speech, and waited for his words.

"Children of El Magia, listen well. This witch approached a monster and, as a result, became a heretic with the power of magic. She not only disrespected the grace of our God but also made a pact with evil. Death is the appropriate punishment."

Magic, magical equipment, and spells are believed to be gifts from El Magia. In particular, spells are considered to have been granted by the gods in ancient times, and the highest level, the fifteenth tier, is therefore called a divine spell.

Learning magic from a monster is considered an unforgivable taboo. Although there are various interpretations, not everyone shares this view. In reality, some high-level monsters use magic, so a few people interpret magic as not being granted by El Magia. However, the mainstream of the Cult of the Magi, including the Inquisitors, adheres to the former view.

(Muu! Who's a witch?!)

Airis, bound to the iron pillar with a bit in her mouth, was shouting in her mind. She knew that learning magic from a monster was wrong, but she didn't think Shu was evil, even after learning he was a monster. She understood that it was possible to communicate with monsters.

Or rather, love makes one blind.

(Ugh... Even with immortality, burning is terrible. It hurts even if I don't die!)

When Airis looked down at the stage, several Holy Knights were waiting. They were experts in fire-based magical equipment or spells, gathered specifically for this execution. At the Inquisitor's signal, they would simultaneously activate their magical equipment or cast spells.

(And Shu is just as bad! He said, 'I'll protect you, even if it means going against all of humanity,' but he doesn't help me! What a letdown! Shu is such a jerk!)

(Hmm. That's a harsh way to put it. Who's the fool here?)

(That's obvious. Shu, who says something that makes my heart skip a beat but doesn't keep his promise.)

(I see, I see. ...You're the fool, Airis. Who are you talking to right now?)

(......Eh?)

Airis noticed something had intruded into her thoughts and looked around. She moved her eyes right, left, and down, but couldn't find the source of the voice. Meanwhile, the Inquisitor, floating in the air, announced the final judgment.

"It's time for the execution. Death to the witch!"

At this signal, the Holy Knights began to channel their magic. The fire-based magical equipment users manifested their equipment, and the spellcasters completed their magic circles through incantations. However, a heavy sound interrupted their preparations.

"Death"

At that moment, a blue-white mass flew out of all the Holy Knights who were activating their magical equipment or casting spells. The mass flew towards the iron pillar where Airis was bound, as if drawn to a single point. The crowd, including the nobles, royals, priests, and the Inquisitor, watched the blue-white mass in shock.

Suddenly, someone landed silently at the top of the iron pillar. The blue-white mass was absorbed into this person.

"Death magic is enough. My necromancy has improved my magic control. Thanks to the practice of controlling death magic, I can kill many at once."

With these words from the person, Shu Arkwright, all the Holy Knights were instantly killed. They collapsed as if their batteries had run out.

Everyone was confused by the scene. What happened to the fallen Holy Knights? Where did this person come from? Who was he?

However, Shu introduced himself.

"...Arkwright. The King of Death."

"The King of Death!?"

"Let's just say 'Death.'"

The Inquisitor tried to say something but was cut off by Shu's death magic. The Inquisitor, who had been floating in the air, fell to the ground when his spell was cut off. A red flower bloomed where he landed on the stone-paved square. Ignoring this, Shu spoke to Airis.

"Airis, I have a question."

"What is it? And what about that surprise attack—"

"I'm taking you with me."

"—Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking... And taking me with you!?"

"You're noisy. Humans have abandoned you. I can take you in."

"I'm not an object!"

"You have no choice."

"But you said you had a question!"

"The answer is 'yes' or 'I understand.'"

"It's practically a single choice!"

Holding Airis under his arm, Shu used acceleration magic to fly up and land on the top of the towering iron pillar. From this most visible spot in the square, he declared, activating a vibration spell to amplify his voice.

"I declare war on humanity."

The crowd shuddered at these words.

"In one month, I will destroy this capital."

The nobles and royals trembled at these words.

"Gather as many forces as you like. I will send them all to the underworld."

The priests turned pale at these words.

"This is retribution for taking my subordinate and executing my only disciple."

The bishop remembered the prophecy of the divine princess from the Holy Grinia.

And he realized that they had made the wrong choice.

"I repeat. The King of Death, Arkwright, declares war."

With these words, Shu activated acceleration and movement magic, flew into the sky with Airis, and disappeared.

The execution of the witch turned into a declaration of terror. That day, the capital of the Kingdom of Ramza was thrown into chaos.

Along with the name of the King of Death, Arkwright.

This is the recovery of the novel's title.