...All the strange things about this had been visible, in various respects, from the start.

The way Colette lived, for example. Why would a girl of only 12 or 13 years of age be living alone in a ramshackle cabin in a forest right next to a village? She had told her that her parents had passed away, but she was still too young to be living on her own.

She was precisely at the kind of age where the villagers ought to be looking after her, given that she'd been born in its vicinity. Communal life wouldn't be possible if not for the spirit of people mutually helping each other out.

If they weren't going to help her out, then that meant...

"The very fact that a young girl has ended up living in a ramshackle cabin in the forest is proof that Colette is shunned by the people of the village. She can't get any help from the adults, so she's had no choice but to live on her own. Though, surprisingly enough, it seems like she's been living quite a strong life." Omega concluded, realizing the situation that Y/N hinted to her days ago.

She'd acquired her cooking and hunting skills back when her parents were alive. Despite not receiving any love from the villagers, the love she'd received from her parents had kept her from dying.

However, having been shunned and turned away from her village, the girl's loneliness had attracted a different problem.

Namely, the issue which Palmyra had shouted at her...

"...A Witch? This sure is a fateful thing."

Colette's living circumstances, the presence of the "Beast" which Palmyra had told her about, as well as the word: "Witch" that she'd cried out as she embraced the struggling Colette.

The whole picture surrounding this snowy forest became clear from the fragmented pieces.

There'd been a downwards spiral, wrought by the fear they'd held against the unavoidable "Witch".

"It started when Colette's parents died."

Palmyra let go of Colette as she twisted her body with a bestial roar, and began to talk.

The death of Colette's parents. ──That had been the trigger for the collapse of everything.

"Colette's house was attacked by a Witchbeast. Both of her parents were killed, leaving only Colette behind..."

The house was left in a dreadful state, and Colette's parents, having been attacked by the Witchbeast, had apparently been left in a state so terrible, that no one could bear to look at them. Palmyra had said that Colette had ended up being the only one to survive in this bloody house.

Colette had afterwards been taken in by one of her relatives in the village and begun to live there.

However, tragedy wasn't going to let her escape.

"The Witchbeast hadn't overlooked Colette after it failed to kill her. It found the house that had taken Colette in and..."

"Sunk its fangs into that family, I imagine. ──Witchbeasts are the nemeses of mankind. It's really no wonder that there's some around that show such guile if it's for the sake of killing or maiming."

"...The harm the Witchbeast brought didn't end only with that. It went on, and on."

The Witchbeast had kept pursuing Colette without showing signs of relenting.

Tragedy struck each house every time that Colette was taken into them. ──Despite that, the Witchbeast had never bothered to kill Colette.

As the damage spread, no matter how kind of heart the villagers were, they became unable to keep her. They perceived the presence of the girl named Colette as a burden.

"In the end, they got so spooked out, to the point that no one would take Colette in. The opposite in fact, they drove her away to a small forest cabin... It was like she was..."

"...A human sacrifice."

Omega took over for Palmyra as she choked for words.

Palmyra's expression stiffened as soon as she heard her. She was a rather innocent girl, unlike what you would imagine from her face. You could perhaps say that she was good of heart, in stark contrast to her upbringing.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help but say it was a meaningless sentimentality when compared to the facts at hand.

"When you consider it from the perspective of protecting the village, they must have thought that offering Colette as a sacrifice would have resulted in less damage, compared to defeating this dangerous Witchbeast. It's only natural, from a risk management point of view." Omega pointed out.

Rituals where sacrifices were offered, to pray for things such as good weather and bountiful harvest, have been carried out everywhere throughout the course of history.

In all honesty, Omega couldn't see the validity in offering sacrifices to unwilling enemies. However, if said enemy presented a concrete threat, then she could say that trying to draw out its warmth wasn't that bad of a move.

"Although, that presumes your enemy's one that can understand conversation."

"...I know, right? Why would a Witchbeast that lacks all manner of reason leave, even if they offered Colette to it. I didn't really get it, and I'm still unconvinced. But, the entire village was gripped by fear. That's why they tried to offer Colette..." Palmyra said as her tears leaked again, streaming down her face.

"As a sacrifice... Well, no, not just that. When I think back to the warning you gave me Palmyra, it's obvious."

"..."

"It's nothing. The villagers thought that Colette was the Witchbeast's master, right?" Omega inquired.

She could say that too, was a natural development.

They'd been attacked by the Witchbeast over and over again, and each time, only Colette had survived. It was logical that people would turn their eyes suspiciously towards Colette as it kept happening. "A sacrifice for the Witchbeast" was a nice excuse, with the real reason being to keep the dangerous Colette away from the village.

It must have been the least scrap of conscience the villagers could spare, for them to not have made any attempt to kill Colette.

"Well, I suppose they were protecting themselves. Humans aren't good at sympathizing with others in times where they can't afford to."

"And like that, the villagers started to call Colette a Witch." Palmyra explained.

"──. I see. No better proof of being kicked out than that."

Mending their ties had already become futile, now that they'd insulted her with a curse that spelled out the most abominable being in the world. She knew what it meant for Colette to live in the forest, alone.

And if Omega's conjecture was right, the manhunt should have started, rather than ended.

"There were incidents where animals were gruesomely slain in the forest, right? This graveyard serves as a place for you to bury these brutalised animals. You made it, am I right?"

"...How..." Palmyra said, completely baffled at Omega's intelligence.

"Elementary my dear Watson."

Omega thought back to when her contractor asked if she knew about the other world, and yes, she indeed did. Not his world, rather, a parallel universe of her contractor's original world.

Her much unneeded words she'd squeezed in didn't get through to the frantic Palmyra. By wanting to show off her knowledge as well, she'd ended up messing about, saying words which held no particularly positive meaning to them.

Without brushing back on her casual remark, Omega circled her hand around, and pointed at the gravestones,

"In fact, similar things to this happened everywhere 400 years ago. Back in those days, the requirements you needed to become a "Witch" were rather unclear. That's why, to put it in other words, some thought that maybe anyone could become a Witch, provided they fulfilled the minimum requirements. Thus, weird rituals became widespread."

There'd been quite a lot of these rituals, so gruesome they had been, that they'd make anyone with a delicate disposition avert their eyes. She could truly say that back then, the world was at its darkest.

"This is off topic, but why must rituals always escalate towards the path of gruesomeness? Wouldn't it be great if once in a while we had a ritual taking place during the day, rather than at night, where we just laid flowers out?" Omega asked to no one in particular.

"What are you trying to say..." Palmyra looked at Omega, trying to understand her words.

"Whoops, pardon me. Well, it's nothing so complicated... What I mean is that the girl who's been treated as a "Witch" by the villagers decided she might as well actually try and become one. Or, perhaps she started the ritual because she was under the impression that she'd become one."

So regardless of the actual person's intent, the ritual would prove effective when the conditions were right.

Living alone in the forest, Colette had involuntarily brought about these conditions.

"The factors choose those who are qualified. Had she been found by them, the path to being a "Witch" would have opened... Unfortunately though, it seems like the Witch Factors of this era have already found qualified individuals. Well, I suppose this is a Witch-lacking era, thanks to that kid who's keeping a bunch of them on their own."

The kid in question was also a Witch, another one that orchestrated many events that lead to the downfall of many cities and lives. One that also seemingly is absent from the historical just like Hector. As for why she did indeed have them, Omega did not know...

For starters, in this era, they called those with Witch Factors names like Sin Archbishops, rather than "Witches". Quite rightly, the way they were treated didn't change, no matter how they were called.

"Looks like I got sidetracked again. Anyways, Colette was alienated from her village due to this, and so, left alone, she began to dip her hands into carrying out these gruesome rituals to try her damndest to become a "Witch"... Luckily, it doesn't seem like she's sullied her hands past killing some animals. Though, it would have only been a matter of time."

"...She would've probably you know, hurt someone, if we'd left her alone..." Palmyra sighed.

"Indeed. Oh dear, without a doubt I would have been the prime candidate for that. Or perhaps it would have been you. Both of us were lured into the forest."

Had Palmyra come here to the graveyard tonight because she'd predicted things were about to move forward?

Considering she was actively carrying out the ritual, the concept of opening a path towards becoming a "Witch" by cutting herself free from all of her attachments wasn't a bad one. She had a really keen eye.

However, Palmyra's prediction was off the mark here. ──Colette hadn't set her mind on that.

"I'm sorry to say, but this girl is not a "Witch". And getting more into this, her true nature isn't that of a "Beast" either. By the way Palmyra, is it okay if I ask you something?"

"What is it. If you know so much, what are you even..."

"The villagers fear a Witchbeast; but no one has seen it, right?"

As she said this, Omega walked over to the two embracing girls. She stretched out her hand over to the still struggling Colette── And gently took off the bracelet she was wearing on her wrist.

Instantly, the strength from Colette's body left her.

"...Colette? Colette! What did you do to her!?" Palmyra yelled in alarm, but Omega was as calm as ever.

"She's only lost her consciousness since the link's been severed. She used up way too much of her strength, so it's really no wonder that she fell asleep immediately. At any rate..."

Colette let out soft breaths as she slept, despite Palmyra's panic. Her angelic sleeping face felt quite out of place in this brutal situation, but that couldn't be helped either considering that she probably had no idea that she was the "Beast".

"'Meteors'... They were named after "Shooting Stars" because they can make your wishes come true."

Note: "Meteor" is commonly mis-romanised as "Metia". But it should be Meteor, as can be seen here.

Wishes like that were fleeting; in the long run they became a breeding ground for causing trouble, deviating from the manufacturer's intent. Both now, and in the days of yore, that was the main issue underlying these "Meteors".

Was it the wishes people had which were tainted, or the tools themselves? Perhaps it would have been better to also include an instruction manual with them.

"Though, you should be able to hazard a guess at what kind of use the tool has just by looking at it."

Anyhow, there were many cases where they wouldn't, so maybe she was overestimating the general public?

Either way...

"Colette won't be running rampant anymore. So long as she gets rid of her bracelet." Omega stated.

"But that's a memento her parents left her..." Palmyra argued, but Omega continued her explanation.

"This is the "Beasting Bracelet"... That's what the "Meteor" is called. It's a tool that you can activate even if you don't possess any special powers; a harness that people who lack strength may use to protect themselves."

There'd once been a time where humanity had been swamped with enemies. The "Beasting Bracelet" had been created out of pity for humans, who back then, were putting their lives at risk even to just set up camp. It had been created to help them.

"When it senses danger, its owner's mana is temporarily increased, making it so their body is able to fight. The owner's sense of reason decreases drastically in exchange, and they become similar to a beast. That's why it's called the "Beasting Bracelet"." Omega continued her explanation.

"Then it's all because of this damn bracelet that Colette's parents, and all of the other victims..."

"I heard that her parents were merchants who had dealings with the outside. I dare say they got their hands on the "Beasting Bracelet" from somewhere there. They made it into a gift for their daughter, and after that..."

On that fateful night, the "Beasting Bracelet" had transformed Colette into a "Beast" and carnage had ensued.

Typically, the "Meteor" would spring into motion whenever danger loomed; however, it wasn't all too strange a naive girl could feel danger coming from even the turmoils of a nightmare.

"The same thing occurred wherever she was taken in, until finally she ended up alone. Ironically enough, Colette thought of herself as being dangerous, after being treated as the root of all evil. Contrarily, that made her acquire the qualifications to control the bracelet. The killing of those animals was an "in your face" resistance."

That was the truth of the matter that surrounded Colette, the girl who lived in the forest all on her own.

She'd lost her family, she'd been shunned by the villagers, and she'd been driven away into the forest. The little girl had kept performing her ritual to turn herself into a "Witch" instead of sealing up the fearsome "Beast".

But this time, she was going to sacrifice the traveller who'd stopped by her place, to turn herself into an actual "Witch"...

"...That's ridiculous." Omega mused to herself, chuckling.

"Does she really think that killing all those wild rabbits is going to turn her into a "Witch"? That's a child's dream." Omega said, smiling at the girl's innocence.

Omega looked up above her as she said that. The sky was still covered in heavy clouds, with not a star in sight. That irked her, so she swung her arms up.

In an instant, a gust of wind kicked into life far above in the skies and dispersed the clouds, revealing the pale moon behind.

"...Hg...ha..." Palmyra gasped, and she noticed Omega's changing appearance.

Moonlight poured down from the pale moon, illuminating the girls in the forest clearing. Then, the girl who was embracing the "Beast", and was face-to-face with this ancient being, gasped.

Then, the girl who was embracing the "Beast", and was face-to-face with this ancient being, gasped.

Because, the girl who'd been standing before her eyes was...

"...I see. The fact that you can keep your cool while looking at me means you have promise."

...a white-haired "Witch" with the hint of a smile on her face.

"The villagers cursed Colette as a "Witch", right? That's no good. Something like this being mistaken as a "Witch" would make both I, as well as those girls turn in their grave." Omega said.

Palmyra gave a small *Eep* as she looked at the Witch in disbelief.

"The village was this way, right? I'm terrible with directions you see." Omega clarified, but that did not stop the fear from the young girl.

The "Witch" smiled at Palmyra as her throat froze, before then asking her that. Still unable to muster any kind of thoughts, all the frightened Palmyra could do was nod repeatedly.

"My thanks."

The "Witch" thanked her for her reply, and began to slowly walk away. Straight towards the village. To show each and everyone of those cretins who'd mistaken Colette as a "Witch" the real truth.

Palmyra had felt her heart freeze over as she'd looked at the "Witch" walking off into the distance. After she'd left, she turned her gaze up to the sky ― at the moon.

──The pale moon was looking down on the two embracing girls, silent as ever.

She nibbled on some cured meat that had been left over, and warmed her body up with some warm water.

Then she put on her dried cloak, and straight after she'd made sure that her shoes were on again, her journey preparations were complete.

"I ended up staying longer than I'd imagined... Though I guess I did enjoy myself more than I thought." Omega mused to herself as she walked around.

Even ordinary daily life was a treasure in and of itself for one with a penchant for being able to enjoy just about every kind of event unknown. So long as it abounded with stuff happening, she needed no more.

"That said, nothing substantial remains. That must be my fate as well."

As she spilled those words out in a quiet tone, Omega exited the cabin that had served her for several days. Since its owner wasn't in, she had no one to say farewell too. A thank-you letter would be a bother as well, she supposed.

"A bird fouls not the nest as it is about to leave. Well, after it's been fouled plenty already."

Leaving these impressions behind, Omega left the cabin, went through the forest, walked across the empty graveyard, before finally she stepped out onto the path outside of the forest.

She would resume her aimless journey once more. With those feelings in mind, Omega would─

"──Where are you going all on your own, Omega-chan?"

"...Now this is an unexpected reunion."

Having been called from behind, Omega turned around, feeling slightly taken aback. Two young girls standing side-by-side appeared in her field of view.

The two girls, Colette and Palmyra, were holding hands, eyes fixed on Omega.

"You couldn't have come all the way here just to see me off right? I shouldn't really be saying this, but I don't think we parted in the best manner."

"You realize that, and you're still saying it... Look, you forgot something."

Palmyra tossed something over to her after she'd finished speaking. Omega instantly stretched out her hand to catch it as it arced towards her. She tried to catch it, but failed, and the object dropped to the ground.

"──. Oh, damn it. I nearly forgot about it." Omega was actually glad to have it back. If she lost it, not only the other Witches be mad, but her contractor as well.

"...Are you for real? It looks pretty important. You must be out of your mind."

Palmyra gave Omega a sigh as she picked up the important object that had fallen near her feet── Her blue pyroxene. Beside Palmyra, Colette raised her voice and called out with an: "Omega-chan".

"Um, you know, I really have so many apologies I need to give you. After all, I nearly..."

"Nearly killed me? Well, sometimes such things happen when you're alive. In reality, 'twas no more than an attempt, so you needn't fret about it."

"But that's not fair! Come on, please please let me make it up to you. Don't just keep everything away from you and shut me out like that."

Faced with Colette's vehement attitude, Omega once again felt regretful that she'd messed up with her choice of words. She'd just wanted to tell her not to worry, so how had it ended up like this?

"You don't need to thank me. You being treated as a "Witch" was a result of a series of unfortunate accidents. We identified the source, so the misunderstanding should have been cleared up. No one in the village should be treating you as a "Witch" anymore, right?"

"Uh-uh, that's right. Definitely not."

"I see. That makes me glad."

A lot of slip ups had happened that couldn't be remedied, but she was glad that at least one of them had turned out well.

The village had turned into pandaemonium when an actual "Witch" had visited. Since she'd staged it to be as un-traumatic as possible, the villagers would only be left having nightmares for the rest of their lives.

"All that's left is to pray that they don't accidentally choke on their own vomit." Omega chuckled.

"...Do you have any idea what you're saying?" Palmyra sighed at her behaviour.

"...? I was just pointing it out from a logical perspective, was there something strange about that?"

Palmyra let out a deep sigh as Omega cocked her head, with the latter unable to comprehend her reaction. Colette piped up in her place, with an "Uhm..."

"It's thanks to you Omega-chan that everyone in the village doesn't believe that I'm a "Witch". And their misunderstanding about the "Beast" has also been cleared up... But, you know..."

"But?" Omega asked, confused at what she could possibly hinting at.

"They also know now that I'm friends with a 'Witch'."

"──That's..."

Omega frowned as Colette said with a tap of her flat chest.

An actual "Witch" making its appearance had worked in proving that Colette wasn't a real one. However, it seemed like this kind of treatment had worked too well. The villagers sought the reason why an actual "Witch" had appeared, and thus, Colette had once again bore the brunt of the blame. Ugh, Y/N's really going to laugh at her unpreparedness for this situation...

Meaning...

"This time, I can't stay in either the village or the forest."

"I see... Yeah, I kinda get it. I kinda can't help but feel like it's partly my fault..."

"No, it's definitely all your fault."

Palmyra interrupted Omega as she stumbled for words, clearly stating it. Almost floored by the force of her argument, Omega suddenly took notice of the outfits the two of them were wearing.

Now that she looked properly, they were both wearing travel clothing. And not the sort you'd wear for a small trip, they were fully decked for a journey.

"Didn't I already tell you? I can't stay in the village." Colette told Omega, an expectant look on her face.

"And I've also used up all my courtesy with that village. That's why I'm going with Colette."

"So like, we were going to discuss it from here... But are you really alright by yourself, Omega-chan?"

Her question caught Omega off guard in its fullest sense. And that was why the eyes of the two girls shone brightly as they looked at Omega, her facial expression having changed without meaning to.

One of them was full of unbridled delight, while the other was full of pernicious delight.

"I've told you this many times, but my journey is an aimless one. I cannot promise you that it'll be a spectacular all-action grand adventure like you both desire."

"Spectacu...? Erm, I don't really get you, but if it's with Omega-chan, I bet it'll be really fun. I just love hanging out with friends!"

"I don't trust you to that extent, but... I feel like both you and Colette would fall into danger if I left you both to your own devices."

Colette happily clutched Palmyra's arm as she seemed to tail off into a sulk. Then, Omega let out a deep, deep breath as she looked at the girl beaming from eye to eye at her.

"Alright. I do need to teach you how to use the "Beasting Bracelet" as well. I don't know how far we'll be able to stick together, but you're both welcome to do as you like until you get fed up with it."

"Yaaay, way to go! Let's keep treating each other well, Omega-chan!"

Both Colette and Palmyra hurriedly shuffled over by Omega's side as she walked off in resignation. Of course, fake 'resignation', to complete the mission.

I wonder when we're going to tell them about why I was even here in the first place...

Then again, the gears of fate would shift a bit more interesting.

Omega clutched her pockets, and confirmed that the two ruined copies of the Book of Wisdom were still with her, and smiled.

Y/N. I fulfilled my part, so you better do yours as well, okay?

Omega thought as she walked with the girls, reminiscing about an incident that had occurred once.

The blue pyroxene hanging down from her neck shook; illuminated by the sunlight, it glittered brightly. It almost looked like it was trying to say something to Omega...

However, the complaints coming from the blue pyroxene only reached Omega's ears.

The three girls set out towards the city of Flanders, where the meeting point was set.

Meanwhile... in the south-western parts of Lugnica...

The Liberator and his two companions finally arrive at their destination, where he detected their target using a piece of Ryuzu Bilma's body as an indicator to locate ones like herself.

The large fortress of a house loomed over them, and within the basement of this particular house, is where their target resides, in that deep, dark place.

The Liberator readied himself for a fight, because no matter what it takes, he was going to rescue that girl down there.