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A mysterious voice calls out to him from behind, and Keisuke whirls around, shocked that he had not noticed this person's presence.
Ichigo: If you want to make sure that little girl gets home, you should be more of a gentleman and neatly escort her.
Ichigo: When she sees a strange man before her, most women will assume those eyes of yours are akin to a beast, and will be
frightened of you. Hahaha!
Standing there behind him is a mysterious woman with the face of a child.
Takamine Hospital is surrounded by the woods...This woman seems to have shown up out of nowhere and spoke to him softly in
a joking manner.
Keisuke: ...
The first thing that strikes his attention about her is her strange choice of clothes.
Those black clothes, in accordance with a triangular shaped hat, the first thing that comes to his mind is naturally a 'Witch'.
The years of experience that Keisuke has lived through urge him that this woman before him can not be underestimated.
Despite that, the fact remains that this person was able to circle around and catch him off guard, and he wishes to know
the name of this person who sets off an odd feeling of excitement inside him.
???: (Gasp)
Driven into sheer panic at the possibility that there may be two people about to kill her, the girl is freed from Keisuke's
gaze as his eyes are glued to the new arrival.
The girl than manages to stand on shaky legs and runs away as fast as she can like a frightened rabbit.
Keisuke: ...
Thanks to his hesitating for a few seconds in which Keisuke had chose to keep his eyes on this witch rather than his prey,
the girl begins to escape, but Keisuke is still poised to attack.
Ichigo: Oryo? She's left, and you plan on giving chase?
Keisuke: ...
Ichigo: Well now...I see you're a man of few words.
Keisuke doesn't know nearly enough about this woman, but Keisuke does not care for her attitude.
If this is to be the time he leaves this game, he does not mind at first. But than again, if he falls, Hinako will...
The moment Keisuke thinks of that possibility, he decides to take the risk.
Now, in order to decrease the danger by even just a little bit, Keisuke decides to determine the skill of the witch before him.
Ichigo: Well, it seems that young lady was able to get away. First of all, will you answer my question?
Keisuke: ...
In response to Ichigo's question, Keisuke answers with overpowering silence.
Ichigo: U~mu...It seems your preoccupied. Are you still thinking about going after that girl? Are you concerned for her safety?
Ichigo: I'm actually looking for someone. That's all I want to know. Would you mind helping me?
Keisuke: ...Who is it?
Keisuke says that, finally breaking his silence with the witch.
Ichigo: Who is it? Oh, just a friend of mine...
Keisuke: I am also searching for someone.
Ichigo: Oh, could it be you were looking for me?
Keisuke: ...
Ichigo: I see. I have forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Ichigo. Sagara Ichigo.
Ichigo: But if you don't mind, can you refer to me as the Magical Onee-san?
Keisuke can't believe this woman, who introduced herself as Sagara Ichigo, is continuing to joke like this,
but he doesn't drop his guard.
Keisuke is unsure of what to do. He wants to kill her because of his objective, but he is still unsure of her power,
and he continues to hesitate.
Ichigo: So, you say you're looking for people...
Seeing a chance, Keisuke interrupts Ichigo and fires a barrage of cards at her vital points at high speed.
He will not take any more chances, and will decide this match in an instant!
Ichigo: ...Umu. After all, it seems you have trouble being polite in the presence of a lady.
Keisuke: Hm?!
...However.
Even though nothing went wrong in Keisuke's execution of his surprise attack, his cards instantly vanished when they were on
the verge of striking her.
He had fired literally a barrage of cards at this witch, and yet they all disappeared without a trace,
leaving her without a scratch.
She had not shot them down with an attack or anything, they just literally disappeared.
Ichigo: You seem to be a real go-getter...Unfortunately, I perceive battle in a completely different way from you.
Ichigo: Certainly I am a normal human and don't have a magical weapon,
so I'm guessing you thought I would be defeated that easily?
Keisuke: ...
Keisuke's mask of emotionlessness breaks as this witch claims to be nothing more than a normal human, and he glares at her hard.
...A woman who can easily nullify an attack like that is far from a normal human.
Furthermore, it is impossible for a normal human to step foot here when Eyespace has been invoked.
Additionally, she had briefly radiated an overwhelming feeling of bloodlust...Keisuke realizes that he had been correct in his
initial evaluation that she was a witch.
Ichigo: Mu? What's with the look? What, do you not believe I am a normal human, even though I just said I am?
Ichigo: Certainly, this place won't allow just anyone here...
Ichigo: However, although mages are the only ones called here, isn't it possible that someone greater than a mage could come here?
Ichigo: I am the only person in the world who has transcended the state of a normal mage.
Keisuke: What?
Keisuke unconsciously mutters that when the witch says those unexpected words.
Ichigo: Should I explain it better? I am a Yggdrasil class mage.
It may be a little hard to take in at first, but I'll prove it to you gently.
While attempting to understand those words he has never heard before,
Keisuke is completely convinced that this person is bad news.
Keisuke: ...
Ichigo: Do you still not believe me? If what is considered science fiction is above our current level of science, than isn't
it possible for there to be a level of mage that is above the norm?
Ichigo: Unfortunately, I've always been too interested in science since I was a child...
I'm partly to blame for driving science so far ahead these days.
Ichigo: I know all about these magical weapons and their hosts. After all, I studied those crystals myself.
There is nothing I can't analyze scientifically.
Keisuke: ...
Ichigo: If you don't believe my words...Than it's alright. You don't need to understand anyway.
Ichigo: But, if you truly feel like you must test me...I'll play with you a little.
Keisuke: !!
This witch who has not moved a single step since she appeared slowly begins walking toward him,
swiftly closing the distance between them.
There doesn't appear to be any tricks, and she appears completely defenseless, as she continues to walk straight towards him!
Keisuke: Ku!!
This outlandish behavior of this bloodthirsty witch is too strange, and Keisuke struggles to respond as best he can,
firing another barrage of his Mistilteinn at her.
...However.
The witch calmly continues to walk towards him, completely unconcerned with the disappearing storm that had surrounded her.
Keisuke: !
Who on earth is this woman?
Even though she did not dodge the barrage that Keisuke had fired at point-blank range,
she still managed to come out of it without a mortal injury.
However, the storm of cards was stopped, and still wasn't able to scratch the witch's skin. In response, she raises an arm.
Ichigo: Endless Banish.
Ichigo: Anything I see, no matter what it is, I can return it to nothingness.
Ichigo: It does not matter what the object is, even if it is a magical weapon...
Ichigo: Though it is inconvenient at times, it has it's uses. This is my power.
Keisuke: ...Ku...
Ichigo: While I am a normal human, as long as this gem is not destroyed I cannot die...Do I still seem like a mage to you?
Ichigo: I'm sorry if I still give that impression. Please give up, I do not want to use these eyes anymore than I have to.
Keisuke: ...
To explain her power like that with such supreme confidence, it is more of a dire warning...He realizes that any further
resistance would be futile.
After witnessing the vast difference in their powers, Keisuke voluntarily releases Mistilteinn.
Keisuke: ...I understand. I will obey.
Although only mages should be allowed within Eyespace, he admits that the power of this woman who can move freely about here
interests him, and he embraces his defeat, although he is reluctant to admit it.
Anyways, there is no one else around, and he is lucky that she seems to be the kind of person who would rather cooperate with
others rather than destroy them.
Yes, she really is a kind-hearted witch.
Unlike the old folk tales, it seems there really is a witch that can be trusted.
Ichigo: Wise decision. My magic will reach the target before any attack can reach me...and erase their very existence.
Keisuke: ...
While it is possible she is bluffing, Keisuke does not think she is.
For someone who can erase even magical weapons with this kind of power,
it is not hard to make the leap in thinking that mages could be erased as well.
Keisuke realizes this in this short amount of time that she truly is on a completely different level than him.
Though he knew he would have to exercise caution and watch out for the other mages...Perhaps this witch should give more
thought to her own safety in the future.
Because he knows if she drops her guard for even a second, she can easily be killed.
Ichigo: Well than...Do you mind if we talk? This "ritual"...What do you know about the mastermind of this whole thing?
Surprisingly, the witch seems to know about Ragnarok, what with her wanting to know about the mastermind and all.
Just what is the relationship between this witch and the mastermind? That is just one of the endless questions Keisuke has
that he wants to ask her.
Keisuke: ...You know about this ritual?
Ichigo: Umu. I just need to confirm a few things.
Keisuke: ...I see.
As Keisuke stares at the silently smiling face of the witch in front of him, his shoulders relax.
Fortunately, she does not seem to have any hostile intent.
Because of that, he knows it she would prefer to avoid any fighting if at all possible.
If he is defeated here, than Hinako's life will...
Keisuke: ...Honestly I have no interest in this game. I was involved against my will.
Ichigo: ...I figured as much.
Keisuke does not believe it would be a good idea to try and lie to this witch, and he tells her his story.
Keisuke: I met a boy who claimed he was the Game Master, but apparently he's only a messenger of the true mastermind.
Ichigo: Did he mention anything about the mastermind?
Keisuke: He did mention a peculiar name, in fact...I think it was Odin.
Ichigo: (Shocked gasp)
When she hears that name, the witch freezes.
She is about to ask Keisuke more about it, when at that time...
Keisuke: !!
From behind him, the sky on the far side of the treeline explodes in a golden light.
And when the golden light fades away, it is replaced with the familiar blue one.
...Before long, however.
Keisuke: !
Ichigo: Umu. Apparently the real world has returned.
The color "blue" disappears from the scene around them, and the world around them once again teems with life. While she would
normally be glad, her face hardens as she stares straight ahead.
That is because she knows a new victim has just ceased to exist.
Ichigo: Dear me...It seems like I couldn't find anything this time either. I can't do anything without any further information.
Ichigo: Hm? That is...
As she spots something on the ground, the witch hurries over to examine it.
Ichigo: Good grief...While I thought she ran away, she only made it this far...What a careless girl.
When Keisuke turns to look, he sees the girl from earlier toppled over on the ground.
Apparently when she was running she tripped and fell, knocking herself unconscious.
Ichigo: Fortunately it doesn't look like she's suffered any permanent damage...Guess I'll walk this girl home than.
Saying that, the witch carefully hoists the girl onto her slender shoulders.
Ichigo: ...Don't tell me you're still thinking of actually harming this child?
Keisuke: ...
Keisuke once again answers her with silence, and the witch eyes him back, displeased with the look, and opens her mouth.
Ichigo: Thank you for the helpful information, but let me give you some advise as a mysterious Onee-san...
Ichigo: If you continue to act this way in the future...you know that sooner or later karma will catch up with you?
Keisuke: ...I know.
Is he resolved or resigned to his task?
The witch does not know, but she still basks a sad eye over him again for another moment.
Ichigo: So you're determined to destroy yourself...What on earth could motivate you to do this to yourself?
Keisuke: ...
Ichigo: Whoawhoawhoa?! S-She's heavy! Geez, girls these days sure do grow quickly...especially in a certain area...*mumble*...
Without even asking why, the witch readjusts the girl on her shoulders and begins to walk off into the distance,
although on shaky legs.