Chapter 27: The Haggler

"Good morning!"

I heard those words the moment I left my room, yet I couldn't find their source. The voice was definitely Matilda's, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Haha, seeing people's reactions to this never fails to amuse me~"

Upon saying that, the witch appeared out of thin air in front of me. The least I could say is that I was surprised.

"Good...morning. How did you do that?" I asked. Matilda grinned.

"What can I say, a witch has her ways," she explained with a shrug. I decided not to dwell on the very apparent violation of the rules of the world as I knew them, with the justification that Matilda had some sort of trick up her sleeve. What a weird way to start my day...

"So, did you rest well?" she asked.

"I'd say so."

"Figured as much. You overslept, but I remembered how tired you were last night, so I chose not to wake you. So, I instead went to get you breakfast. Aren't you just the luckiest man alive to have someone so thoughtful for a friend?"

She was holding a loaf of bread on one hand, and a bottle of honey on the other. While I could've addressed the cocky remark, Matilda's act seemed genuinely thoughtful. Actions speak louder than words, after all.

"Thank you, Matilda, that's nice of you."

"Don't sweat it," she brushed me off, and handed me my meal.

"I suggest we eat on our way to the forest, is that okay with you?"

In truth, a walk could shake off my drowsiness, so I agreed with her idea.

"Good. Let's go!"

...

The forest was as shady as the last few times I passed through it. Unlike those times, we weren't walking with a definitive destination in mind; we were just going wherever there could be mushrooms. It's not that I wasn't enjoying the walk or anything, but I was more interested in the so-called 'juicy secrets' I was promised.

"Hey, Matilda, what about those secrets you said you'd share with me?" I wondered after eating the last piece of bread I had left.

"Don't worry, my dear, I didn't forget... I was just thinking of a way to spice things up a little. So, for every mushroom that you pick for me, you get the chance to ask me any one question of your choice! You could ask about my hobbies, about my past with the villagers, or maybe what I think the meaning of life is! Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

"What the hell? I thought you said you'd share intel with me as a reward for coming along!"

"Did I now...? My memory is foggy..."

"*sigh*…You really are something else..."

"Hey, now. You don't understand how irritating it was to extract information from you when we first met. I deserve to have some fun now. Besides, it's not like you'll be left empty handed if we don't find any mushrooms..." she stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really? How so?"

"Well, you'll be left with the memories of having gone on a walk with a cute witch. That's not something you get to do every day, is it?" she added with a wink.

"That's true, I don't get that chance every day, but you didn't tell me you invited a cute witch along. Where is she?" I asked, looking around.

...

I was feeling a bit proud of my little jab, until I realized that I wasn't getting a response. I looked at Matilda and her expression was a mix of exasperation, shock, and disbelief. In the end, she looked away from me, but didn't say anything - that I could hear, at least.

'Don't tell me that actually hurt your feelings...'

"I didn't know you had it in you, dear. Well, I'll remember that, and rest assured, you will pay." She chuckled.

I suddenly started to feel very unsafe.

...

My flow of random thoughts was cut short when something red popped out in the midst of all the brown and green. It was small and littered with even smaller white dots. A red mushroom! I handed it to Matilda after picking it.

"Very well, dear. Go on now, ask anything that comes to mind."

It didn't take me very long to come up with a question. Eva had mentioned something about how Matilda had been banished for witchcraft on my first day with the illagers, but I wanted a clearer idea.

"What is your relationship with Cornelia and its citizens?"

"Ah, right to the heart of things, I see. Very well, then..."

She took a deep breath.

"For basically half my life, Cornelia was my home. That was so long ago, that the town didn't even have a name when I used to live in it. I used to work as Sebastian's assistant at the library and would occasionally help out Emily with potion brewing. Did you know I was a supplementary Order member? Or Council, whatever it's called now?"

"No, I didn't." Although, in hindsight, that could explain why Eva keeps putting Matilda in charge whenever she's unavailable herself. Someone with at least some prior management experience is the most suitable option in cases like that.

"I'm not surprised. Who would even tell you about that? Anyhow, that was what my life was like for the longest time..." Her tone was rather neutral, not betraying any emotion at all.

"So, what happened?"

"Uh-uh, you've gotta find another mushroom if you want me to answer another question. Remember, mushrooms come in red and brown varieties."

At this point, I wasn't sure if she was using me to get mushrooms, or if I was using her to get info. Be that as it may, I was still on the lookout. In due time, we found another mushroom, a brown one this time. It had sprouted from a fallen oak trunk. The same transaction ensued.

"So, what happened, you ask? I'm afraid I'm not as ready to talk about it in depth as I thought. I can still give you a brief idea if that's okay with you."

"It is, I understand."

"Honestly, it didn't really matter if you were okay with it or not, but I'm still glad you're on board."

"..."

"Okay. So, here's the gist of it. You're aware of the threat that zombies pose to the villagers, right?"

I nodded in response. It was one of the first things I had been told back when I served as Cornelia's defender. That felt so long ago... I stopped my mind from wandering.

"Well, you see, when you have a job like the one I used to have, you come into contact with books. Lots of them. So, with all the information I had to juggle, I decided to do some research for a potential cure in my spare time. A cure that would purify my zombified siblings... Suffice to say, it backfired... I was forced to leave my home behind..."

I took a mental note of the way she spoke. Her tone was still aloof, but the pause between her sentences was increasing, which probably meant this was a rather touchy subject for her. When I realized she was done retelling her story, I decided to swerve the conversation.

"And after that you met Eva, right?"

"Right. Boss, Vincent, and all illagers really, are dear to me. It's not that big of a deal, anyways. I picked up a side gig as a wandering trader, so I could go to Cornelia anytime I wanted without being recognized, so...it's not like I'm...missing out on anything. Anyway, let's return to the task at hand."

As I ran that information through my head, Matilda's relationship with the two tribes started to make more sense. If Matilda was banished from her own kind, and found shelter with the illagers, it would make sense why she'd feel at least some attachment to the latter.

After a while, we came across a whole patch of red mushrooms sitting under a tree. As I went to pick them, Matilda instructed me to leave one be, so that their numbers could regrow. I complied, and handed the leftover mushrooms to her. I only had a few questions left, but with the important ones out of the way, even those boiled down to casual curiosity.

"What's your relationship with Eva? She seems to trust you a lot."

I didn't get the reaction I was expecting. The witch grinned slyly – a certified bad omen. Of all the times to get casually curious...

"Woah, there, darling... When did I ask you any questions regarding your connections?"

She stopped walking, and turned to face me.

"The questions I asked you, were...about...you," she poked me in the chest in between words for emphasis, as she continued. "What you're asking for is gossip, which I don't condone. Unless... you give me something of equal value..." she proposed in a teasing manner. I felt a little nervous.

"What do you mean?" She squinted her eyes inquisitively.

"Say... That woman you were with... What was she called again... Rana, was it?"

"What about her?" I did not like where this conversation was heading.

"What was your relationship with her?"

"Why would you even care about that!?"

She turned my question against me again.

"Why would you care about my relationship with boss?"

"Mere interest. I get the feeling your motive for asking isn't as innocent, though."

"Well... think about it. If you two really were close, and there's even a one in a million chance she somehow finds our base, we're gonna have to know whether we should treat her as an ally or...as an enemy~"

...Damn it. I did not trust this at all. That was a scenario that hadn't even crossed my mind. What if I were to reveal the nature of my relationship with my old partner, only to have it somehow used against me? The illagers didn't seem quite as malicious as I had initially been told, but I still didn't trust them.

But what if Matilda's words came true? What if Rana really were to cross paths with the illagers? If I were to tell Matilda the truth, would I be protecting her? Would the illagers leave her be? I didn't know... I didn't know the answer to any of these questions...

"-ou copy?"

Then again, Matilda had told me about her backstory just a few moments ago. Would it be fair for me to not do the same?

"-llo?"

"Wh-what did you say?" I asked.

"Ah, you're finally awake! So, dear, what will it be?"

I looked ahead once more, refraining from looking at Matilda in the eyes.

"I...don't think I'm ready to tell you..."

I didn't avert my gaze. Inexplicably, I heard giggling.

"Fair, fair. Anyway, just a couple more mushrooms should do the job."

I felt thankful that she dropped the subject, at least.

...

It had been a while since we last found a mushroom. By the time we came across the final brown specimen we needed, it was around noon. Telling the time and keeping track of it wasn't exactly easy, simply due to the immense foliage above us. A clock would have been useful...

"Alright, that should be it, I think. Thank you for escorting me, dear. Do you have any last questions you'd like to ask?"

"Hm... I may have something in mind, but it could come off as indiscreet."

He unibrow arched.

"Oh? Now you've piqued my curiosity. What is it?"

"You're a villager...but your eyes aren't green. How come?"

"...Yeah...I can't answer that, I'm afraid."

"I see..."

She waved her hand.

"Just ask any other question you want. On the house," she added with a wink.

"In that case...what do you need all these mushrooms for?"

"Did you forget? World domination, of course."

"Hilarious."

"Oh, that's rich coming from someone whose jokes are laughable...which ironically means unfunny..."

"..."

"They're ingredients for food and potions. Did that satiate your curiosity?"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry I asked."

"I accept your apology. Anyway, I think it's about time we headed back. Thanks for the help."

Without warning, she pulled out a potion bottle, and threw it on the ground in front of her. In an instant she disappeared.

"I'll see you back at the mansion~" her voice trailed off.

"Matilda, wait!"

I didn't get a response. Had she seriously abandoned me? In the middle of the forest? All on my own!? I let out a groan of frustration. With how similar everything looked, and how dense the forest was, it was only natural that I was lost. Getting my bearings would prove to be quite a pain. I drew a sigh.

'Time to build another dirt pillar...'

...

From a higher vantage point, the brown roof of the mansion stood out in the middle of all the greenery. Getting back on the ground, I walked towards the mansion's direction, while the events of today played back in my mind.

Of all the individuals I had met until that point, Matilda was probably the most difficult for me to appraise. Unlike someone like Catherine, Vincent, and – to a lesser extent, Eva, I couldn't tell whether the witch was a friend or a foe. Even some of her acts of goodwill felt calculated, as though she had ulterior motives. Perhaps she wasn't lying when she said she had a grand plan. World domination probably wasn't her actual goal, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was being entangled in her scheme.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone this deep in thought before. I'm impressed."

My nonsensical musings came to a screeching halt when Matilda's voice resonated from my right. She had popped out of nowhere again. When she made eye contact with me, she tipped her hat.

"How do you keep doing this? Is it that potion?"

"Sharp as always, I see! Invisibility potions are handy, aren't they?"

"..."

"Come on, you don't really think I'd actually ditch you, right?"

"..."

"I'm not that cruel, you know? I just wanted to see how you'd act on your own!"

"Sure...And how do you think I acted?"

"Impressively. Seeing you two mold your surroundings is fascinating. Oh, speaking of whom, boss told me to notify you of the upcoming second full moon's event."

"...Like the one in Cornelia?"

"Essentially. Due to popular demand, the tradition was kept. Sometimes we read like we used to, but other times we share horror stories around a campfire, consume too much suspicious stew, or set up fireworks. It depends on how we're feeling."

Considering how popular this event was for the villagers, it made sense those who were exiled from Cornelia would want something similar in their new lives.

"Sounds neat," I ultimately commented.

"Does it now? Wanna participate?"

"I'll see when the time comes."

"Whatever suits you. It'll be a few days until then anyway."

...

We arrived at our destination shortly thereafter, in the afternoon.

"I'd say this was a fairly productive expedition, wouldn't you say so, too, Stevie?"

"...Yes. Thanks for bringing me along, I think."

"Ha ha, the pleasure was all mine. See ya!"

We split off at the staircase that led to the third floor. She continued down the hall, whereas I walked up the stairs. I had walked quite a distance today, so I considered going to bed early. While on my way to my room, however, I heard someone call my name.

It was Vincent.

He walked up to me and stood still for a few moments. He was avoiding eye contact, instead opting to look at the side, and he had an irritated look on his face.

"What is it?"

He looked at me for a second, and his face warped to one of the most uneasy and forced smiles I had ever seen. He slowly and shakily outstretched his hand.

"No hard feelings, right?"

If I had to guess, I'd say Eva had made him do this. In the most calculated manner I could muster, I shook his hand. I didn't trust him, but the less enemies I had, the better. Besides, if he had tried to pull something, I would've dealt with it somehow.

"...Right."

He nodded and walked off.

'I'd better sleep with one eye open...'

Unfortunately for me, I wouldn't be able to turn in as early as I had wanted. When I stepped into my room, there was a figure standing near the window, looking outside. The leader of the illagers herself.

She was staring at the sky, seemingly absorbed in her own little world. This was probably the most at-peace I had ever seen her. She wasn't wearing her cloak this time, and her ponytail was free to spill down her back. The afternoon sun was casting its rays on her, giving her skin an almost ethereal glow. Seeing her like this caused a thought to creep up on me.

A thought that for some reason made me feel uncomfortable, and perhaps a little guilty. It was one of those thoughts that sneak up on someone and catch them by surprise, as though they are not actually theirs.

She was really pretty.

Sunbeam was in the room as well. She was dancing to a tune that was coming from the jukebox. In between pirouettes, she gave me a wave. It was only then that Eva noticed my presence. Once she looked at me, our previous interaction replayed in my mind. She opened her mouth to speak a couple times, but it was on the third one when she actually said something.

"Steve, I...I've come here to..."

"..."

"I've...come here to say that I'm sorry. For everything. You were right. I've been treating you horribly this whole time. I hadn't even realized it, even though in reality, you are the last person I want to treat like this. Please forgive me."

"I..."

I remained silent.

"...It's okay... I'm actually glad, in a way. I finally got to learn what your true feelings are, and you have every right to feel that way."

"I don't...I don't know if those really are my true feelings..."

"..."

I was conflicted. On one hand, I was wronged, but on the other, Eva had been quite patient with me, all things considered. Maybe she had her own burdens to carry that I didn't know of. Maybe my words were too hurtful. Maybe there was a better way I could have handled that situation? I wasn't sure what to think. She drew a deep breath, before speaking up again.

"I may have a way to make it up to you. I'm going to need you to follow me."

And so, I did. We walked down the empty hall, side by side.

"What's this about?" I questioned.

"I...have a plan. To restore your memories, I mean."

I may not have been expecting anything in particular, but I was still taken by surprise. This was it. This was the reason I had agreed to stay here in the first place. To find out if Eva's claims were true. And yet...

"I don't know if it will work or not, but...I can only hope."

What would I even do if her plan succeeded? What would I do if her plan failed, for that matter?

"..."

She led me to what appeared to be a dead end. The wooden wall in front of us had nothing special to it, besides a two-block tall painting of a standing man who was wearing a black coat. Before I could ask anything, Eva and Sunbeam passed through it as though it was made of air.

Hesitantly, I followed. Surely enough, I phased through the painting myself. On the other side of the painting was a small room. In the middle of it, was the most eye-grabbing feature. An obsidian table with a red cloth laid over it. Its corners were decorated with diamonds. Hovering above the cloth, was an open book.

The enchanting table, as the recipe book called it. I couldn't believe that I was finally seeing one up-close. It was surrounded by tall bookshelves. On the right of this apparatus, was a chest.

"I don't understand..."

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything. But first..."

She handed me a sword made of diamond, and three lapis lazuli. This was the first time I had held equipment made of something stronger than iron, but I didn't have time to sort out how that achievement made me feel, if it even made me feel anything at all.

"What you need to do is enchant this sword with the enchanting table there. Do you know how to do it?"

"No, I haven't done this before."

"Then I'll guide you through the process. How many levels do you have?"

I focused on the green bar for the first time in a long time. I had completely forgotten about it, due to how unimportant it had been.

"Thirty-five," I answered.

"That should be enough. Please approach the book there."

I did as she said, and the book's pages fluttered by themselves. Once that stopped, I landed on a section that depicted a diamond sword on the left page.

"Lay down the lapis lazuli I gave you in front of the book," she instructed me.

When I did, three paragraphs started to glow on the right page. I then noticed that the words were written in a foreign alphabet. I didn't know what it was or how it was called, let alone how to read it.

"Each of the three paragraphs should have a green number to their right. Could you tell me the number of the lowest paragraph?"

The number stood out in contrast to the rest of the colorless page.

"Thirty."

"Alright, that should be the one." She inhaled deeply again.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I...I'm anxious. Never mind that. Now, please, read aloud whatever words you can recognize from the third paragraph."

I squinted my eyes. The characters were completely alien to me. An arbitrary combination of dots, squares, and straight and curly lines. Regardless, I kept staring and staring, hoping that something would happen. Subtle as a whisper, a word implanted itself in my mind. I uttered it with hesitation.

"Smite...?"

In an instant, the book closed shut. The lapis lazuli faded away, and the sword donned a strange glow. This felt surreal.

"Pick up the sword."

I did-

...

"Steve?"

"..."

*ring-ring*

"..."

"Steve!?"

"..."

...

A/N: I remember back when I first started writing this story, back in June of 2021. I estimated in my head that it'd be 30 chapters long, give or take. XD Nope, perhaps around 40 is more accurate. In any case, I really hope you enjoyed this one.

I feel the need to thank you for sticking with me and my story. The fact that you're reading this makes me really happy. See you next time!