The Red Witch - Chapter 19
The motion was smooth, without the slightest hesitation or excess — a movement devoid of emotion. Kiara had seen similar sights when soldiers occasionally trained near the base of the tower, but their actions were always rough and heavy-handed. Ael’s, in contrast, were effortless and precise, almost artful.
Because of that precision, even when the blade caught the candlelight and gleamed with a chilling glint, neither Kiara nor Raelin could do more than stare in stunned silence.
“Raelin Verhenan.”
Ael called her name in a voice more composed than ever. Raelin, who had been staring at him with a dazed expression, flinched as if jolted from a dream. Kiara, too, startled awake beside her.
“You have been caught in the act of unlawfully appropriating military supplies — embezzlement, misappropriation, and dereliction of duty. According to the Bretnach Wartime and Postwar Provisions, local commanders in occupied territories may execute judgment at their sole discretion.”
As Ael pronounced each word with grave formality, both Raelin and Kiara began to pale.
He was reciting Raelin’s crimes. And the sentence.
“Aeliel Grandilgale, commander of the Golden Lion Knights and acting authority of the Altnebra Occupation Zone, hereby declares the immediate execution of Raelin Verhenan.”
“No! Stop!”
Kiara shouted before Ael even finished speaking, rushing forward to wedge herself between him and Raelin.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Ael’s previously calm expression tensed, his brow creasing in disbelief. He hadn’t expected someone to interfere — especially not her. She’d looked ready to collapse moments ago, eyes locked to the floor in fear.
Where had this courage come from?
His irritation lasted only a moment before Ael’s narrowed eyes began to study Kiara. The strands of black hair falling over her shoulders were trembling ever so slightly.
So, she was scared.
Ael let out a quiet, amused snort and issued a calm warning.
“Move.”
“No! I-I told you, didn’t I? I said I was the one who wanted to eat it…”
Huh? One of Ael’s eyebrows lifted. Now even her voice was shaking. And yet, the fact that she still stood her ground despite her fear sparked a flicker of interest in him. Strong curiosity, even. But curiosity or interest — those had nothing to do with what he needed to do.
As always.
“If you don’t move, I’ll cut you down too.”
Ael warned her, but Kiara only shook her head, lips pressed tightly together. She was so terrified that tears had begun to well in the corners of her eyes.
After watching her for a moment, Ael clicked his tongue.
“…What a reckless thing to do.”
At this point, he had no choice but to cut her down.
He hadn’t intended to kill Kiara too, but part of him felt it might be for the best. Ever since they had shared a bed, something had been nagging at him. He didn’t know exactly what it was, but whatever it might be, it would be cleaner to settle it here and now.
She was a cursed witch, after all. Better to eliminate anything that might become a problem. That had always been one of the ways Ael managed to stay alive.
“This is your last chance. Move.”
At least he had given her a warning — he supposed that was the final courtesy. The Ael of old wouldn’t have wasted time with words; he would’ve struck first without hesitation.
But instead of fleeing, Kiara stepped even closer.
“…If you’re going to cut me down, then do it.”
Ael looked at her with something like astonishment as she grabbed the blade pointed at her with her bare hands. Most women — no, even most men — would scramble away the moment he unsheathed his sword.
But her eyes were full of clarity.
Still, judging by her trembling, she wasn’t crazy.
Tilting his head, Ael examined the brightness in her red eyes with quiet curiosity.
“Kyaah! L-Lady Kiara!”
Right then, Raelin let out a shrill scream that grated on Ael’s ears. Even so, he didn’t move, only furrowed his brow deeply.
Or rather, he couldn’t move. That was the more accurate way to put it. As always, he had sharpened his blade the moment he woke up. A single movement now, and it would cut her hand.
‘Hah… look at you, you were ready to cut everyone down just a moment ago.’
Mocking himself, Ael felt a faint vibration travel down the blade — Kiara’s subtle trembling.
…If only she weren’t shaking.
Somehow, he found her endearing, and a soft chuckle escaped him.
