Episode 3
“I’m relieved to see that unlike my sister, you have a bit of a temper—and a will to live. My sister always wanted to die. She used to beg me to take her head with a single stroke of a blade.”
While Cesion rambled on, Gremory’s gaze drifted behind him. For some reason, as soon as he began talking about his younger sister, the vengeful spirits wandering the mansion began to gather in this very spot.
“I should have just done it then. If I had, she wouldn’t have died so agonizingly by fire.”
“……”
“They say that if you’re burned at the stake, your soul cannot ascend to the heavens and is forced to wander this world. That thought keeps gnawing at me. Iris isn’t wandering around out there, resenting me, is she?”
She is, Gremory thought, but she held her tongue.
The spirits swarming behind Cesion’s back were all in the form of black-haired women. Among them was a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Cesion. Presumably Iris, she was sobbing, her lips twitching. She seemed to have something she desperately wanted to say, but seeing as the listener was a witch, she held back out of distrust.
However, a question arose. It was one thing for Iris to be lingering here, but what was the deal with the crowd of other women?
The answer came immediately.
“If Iris is wandering this world, I hope she stays in this mansion. It would be lonely for her if she were by herself, so I hope she brings the other victims along. I want those women who died unjustly to at least find a safe place to rest here in death.”
So, that was it. The spirits of every woman sacrificed in the witch hunts across this land had flocked to this place. Iris had brought them here with Cesion’s permission.
In other words, those spirits were off-limits as food. Cesion desired their safety and rest.
Damn it.
Feeling a sudden pang of hunger, Gremory burrowed deeper into her blankets. Unaware of Gremory’s frustration, Cesion began pushing a bowl of potato soup—left behind by Anna—toward her.
“Sorry, was I boring you? I suppose I talked about myself for too long. Here, try to eat something. Have you chosen to starve to death because you’ve lost the will to live? I went through the trouble of saving you. You’ve been given a new life, so find some strength. Hmm. Is the title ‘hey you’ a bit much? In keeping with tradition, I shall grant you a name.”
“!”
“What would be good? Hmm. Lillian? No, that’s too common. Carmilla? That’s common too.”
A chill ran down Gremory’s spine, and she threw back the covers, sitting bolt upright. For a witch to receive a new name from a human was practically a declaration that she would never use her powers again. Of course, it wasn’t a problem if the witch herself didn’t accept it, but it was a deeply unsettling omen—like having one’s name written in red ink.
“Ah, you’re awake. Will you eat?”
Gremory swiped the bowl of potato soup away. With a loud clatter, the bowl went rolling across the floor. The soup spilled onto the carpet, creating a disastrous mess.
Yet, Cesion didn’t seem to care a whit about the spilled soup; he was still preoccupied with his search for a name.
“I take it you won’t eat. Then, your name shall be…”
“……!!!”
On impulse, Gremory made a decision. She would reveal her true identity, throw a proper tantrum, and then make her escape.
She couldn’t eat the spirits here, and there were no humans she could torment and consume. She could survive by nibbling on the dark energy permeating the mansion, but that was like trying to fill one’s stomach with water. Rather than starving while suffering the misfortune of being given a new name, it would be much better to find a different nest. She could no longer endure the daily food torture and the forced confessions.
Gremory bit the tip of her index finger with her sharp teeth. As a drop of red blood welled up, she wrote her name across the bedsheets.
「GREMORY」
There wasn’t a human alive who wouldn’t know this terrible and famous name. It was the name of the plague that had claimed millions of lives in the southern continent eight years ago.
Gremory intentionally widened her mouth into a grin, revealing her half-severed, dangling tongue and her sharp fangs.
Yes, human. Have you finally realized who you brought home? Judging by your grim expression, you must have sensed your fate. Now that you’ve dared to offend me, you’re in deep trou—
“Good heavens. Did those villagers stick you with such a horrific name?”
“…….”
“Damn it, you don’t need to be called by such an ominous name anymore! I’ll give you a new one right now. Alexandra? Euris? Or perhaps Serina? Which do you like?”
“!”
Gremory pointed at her name with an expression of pure irritation. Cesion pressed a hand to his forehead and let out a deep sigh.
“There are plenty of tools in this world for writing other than blood. If you wish to write something in the future, ask for paper and a pen. But, so you know how to write? It seems you understand the language even if you cannot speak.”
“!”
“And to think you’d give me such a bright smile… I’m moved. Thank you for opening your heart to me.”
Cesion was far too kind, and Gremory was driven to the brink of madness.
“So, let’s go with Euris. It means a woman with a beautiful smi— Ow.”
Gremory slapped the back of Cesion’s hand. Then, she pointed once more to her name written on the sheet.
“You want to keep this name? No, it’s too unlucky. A person’s name is of grave importance.”
“!”
“Fine. If you’re that insistent, let’s call you ‘Mory.’”
“!!”
“Mory. You’re okay with that much, right?”
With a faint smile, Cesion rose from his chair.
“I’ll send for the sister. Make sure you get that finger treated.”
He gave Gremory one last smile and left the room.
Gremory sat frozen on the bed for a long moment.
“!!!!!!”
She writhed in silence, letting out a soundless scream.
Once her reason returned, Gremory reached a state of enlightenment.
She decided to view all these trials as a necessary price—the cost Cesion had paid to grant her this human body.
She also abandoned her impulsive plan to flee. She was already a fugitive who had escaped the Demon Realm; her goal was to stay hidden for as long as possible. Considering that, there was no place safer than the Archduke’s estate. Besides, she had nowhere else to go.
Gremory took a sip of the cursed potato soup. If she wanted to live here quietly, this was a penance she had to endure.
“Ugh…”
“Well done, our Lady Mory! Great! Just one more spoonful!”
Anna cheered with strange exclamations every time Gremory swallowed a spoonful.
Ultimately, the meal ended after only five spoons. Anna grinned as if a great feat had been achieved, even breaking into a little dance.
Afterward, Anna sat by Gremory’s side and chattered away. Anna liked “Lady Mory.” This was because Lady Mory listened to the stories she poured out without a word of complaint—and didn’t look down on her for being a mere maid.
As a result, Anna began to share more intimate details.
“My Lady, truth be told, there’s a rumor that this mansion is cursed. They say the Archduke’s sister was a real witch, and her death left behind an ominous influence.”
“The Crown Prince came by and caused a scene again today. Ah, you wouldn’t know since you stay in your room, but he throws a tantrum every time he visits. He’s simply too jealous of our talented Archduke.”
“The Archduke’s popularity is immense. He banned witch hunts and saved countless innocent women. Now, the nobles don’t have to be overly cautious, and the commoners can sleep soundly. Thanks to that, the Archduke’s popularity is the highest in the Empire.”
Regardless of what Anna babbled about, Gremory had only one thought.
I’m hungry.
She had tried the food just in case, but as expected, potato soup could not fill a witch’s stomach. While she was nibbling on the dark energy filling the mansion, it was nowhere near enough. Eventually, Gremory pointed at the pen and notebook Cesion had neatly left on the table.
“Oh, Lady Mory? Do you have something to tell me? Wow! This will be the first thing you’ve ever said to me!”
Excited, Anna brought the pen and notebook to Gremory. Gremory made a clear demand.
「Give me raw meat.」
The expectation on Anna’s face froze. But only for a moment; she soon nodded in understanding, her eyes welling with tears.
“My goodness… Lady Mory, you must have survived by gnawing on field rats like the other ladies did. You must be so hungry.”
“…….”
“I’ll prepare it as cleanly as possible! However, even if it’s clean, you could get sick, so I’ll only give you a little bit.”
“!”
Gremory irritably wrote her next words.
「No prep. Let the blood drip.」
“Oh, of course! You must have quenched your thirst with blood. I understand. I’ve heard that residents of the northern snowy regions supplement their salt intake with the blood of freshly caught animals. So, the blood of a freshly slaughtered beast should be fine. Just a moment!”
Anna soon returned with beef blood and a raw chicken.
Gremory was happily crunching away on the raw chicken when Cesion entered the room.
He flinched, witnessing Gremory gulping down the bright red blood. Gremory glared at him with eyes that seemed to say, “What are you looking at?”
Cesion startled for a second, but a bright smile soon broke across his face.
“Seeing how well you eat raw meat, you must be from the northern snowfields. No wonder your skin is so fair and your features so delicate.”
