Chirem Act 6-7.1
Act 6-7: The Witches Who Rule Over the Elements
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1[1-3], R2[4-5], R3[6-8]
Part 1
「Oh. It’s been some time, you wench.」
Arcana’s temples twitched in suppressed irritation, yet outwardly she maintained a pleasant smile, her voice laced with unmistakable hostility. At her words, a deep furrow formed between the brows of the bewitching enchantress.
「Ha! Big words from a three-centuries-old virgin who never grew out of it—an eternal child in body, but a spinster at heart. For a socially crippled hag clinging to a fake youthful face, I suppose genuine romance and a prostitute’s work are one and the same. What a pity.」
「I’m not lacking in social skills, nor am I some obsessive neat freak—I’ve simply grown weary of the messy business of human relationships. Honestly, I almost envy you. If I’d been as loose in mind and morals as you—opening your legs for anyone who comes along—perhaps life would have been much easier.」
「Who are you calling loose in the mind? You damned lifelong shut-in, you nitpicking mad scientist!」
「So you won’t even deny being loose down there? You shameless, lecherous, pig-headed old hag, still chasing after men long past your prime.」
「「Tch!」」
Within only seconds of meeting, Arcana and the enchantress had already whipped up an atmosphere on the verge of exploding. At last, they both let out sharp, resounding clicks of the tongue and turned their faces away at the same time.
「Tch… Still the same sharp tongue as ever. I thought you might’ve mellowed a little now that you’ve finally got yourself a man, but you haven’t changed one bit. Well, good to see you’re still going strong.」
「Hmph… You’re one to talk. You’ve yet to grow out of that childish habit of snapping at everyone. Since you hold a position now, you ought to learn something of appearances and propriety.」
「No need to worry—I act properly with everyone else but you. That said… Heh, from the look of things, nothing’s moved forward with that darling boy of yours, has it? Well, it’s hardly surprising—who’d get worked up over that withered, scrawny body of yours?」
「That’s none of your concern. And since there are plenty of people around, you’d do well to hold your tongue on such matters.」
「Kekeke, touched a nerve, have I? By fixing your body in that youthful state, you’ve shut the door on any hope of growth. Even that puppet you fashioned from a piece of yourself— Surely it’s nothing but a lingering regret for the future you’ll never have.」
「Silence. Your ingratitude is nothing short of outrageous. It was I who bestowed upon you the spell of eternal youth— And more than that, it was I who taught you the very foundations of magic itself. Remember that your present station exists only because of me, and learn to honour your master. Judia Herodias, the 『Witch of Eternity』, one of the 『Strega Coven(Seven Witches)』」
As Arcana glared coldly, the bewitching woman called Judia twisted her scarlet lips into the shape of a keen crescent moon.
===
Eulia Abelia, regarded as the holy land of magicians worldwide, was ruled by transcendent witches and the magi who worship them. Its political order was topped by the 『Strega Coven』, the highest council of seven 『Selene』, each the absolute master of a magical element. Below them, administrative bodies established within vast artificial nature zones—crafted through grand sorcery—govern and administer under their command.
They had fostered many outstanding magicians, and although none of the Selene could quite rival Arcana— Acclaimed as the greatest sorceress in the world— Their strength was said to fall not far below hers. For this reason, they were regarded as a major strategic asset by both the human side and the Evil God’s side.
On the other hand, Eulia Abelia, which required a regular influx of magically gifted individuals to safeguard its survival as a state, forged an alliance with the Alliance Army on the condition that Enzenite Academy would provide it with exceptional magicians each year. As part of this arrangement, a Southern Command Base was established, and thus Eulia Abelia was formally incorporated into the human side.
Indeed, the five women accompanying the delegation to the Southern Command Base are the 《Selene》— members of the Strega Coven who govern Eulia Abelia. Among them, Judia Herodias, who commands the “Attributeless”, stands as a monarch-like figure, holding the greatest authority in decision-making even among the seven.
「Come on, don’t go on and on having fun with just the two of you.」
Amidst the perilous mood in which none could interject, a lone girl swept in between the two, her glittering mantle scattering embers and her silver hair, bound in twin-tails, flowing gracefully behind her.
「While I can appreciate your joy at being reunited with your master after so long, might you allow us the courtesy of offering our own greetings as well?」
「When the hell did I ever say I was glad, oi?」
Judia drew her mouth into a grim line in protest. Yet, ignoring her, the silver-haired girl turned towards Arcana and the others, swept back her smouldering crimson cloak, and offered a light bow.
She was Selene of 《Fire》, also known as the 『Princess of Raging Flame Fist』―― Ashley Hestia.
「A pleasure to see you all in such fine form, Shrine Maidens. And long time no see, Arcana-sama. I am glad to find you well. Congratulations on your appointment as Hero — A well-deserved reward for your continued hard work.」
「Ah, it’s been a while, Ashley. Your warm greeting mean a great deal to me. You really are an exceptionally polite young one—something I’d dearly like that foolish apprentice of mine to learn from.」
「But of course! I am the prodigious jewel of the Strega Coven— The elegant and gloriously gorgeous sorceress of beauty and passion, Ashley Hestia! To honour Arcana-sama, the grand mistress of modern magic and the founding leader of the Strega Coven, is only natural! Unlike the others, you see! O-ho-ho-ho-ho!」
Announcing herself with a magnificently rolled tongue, Ashley raised a hand to her lips and let out a lofty, resounding laugh.
At that moment, another burst of laughter suddenly broke in from behind.
「Hyahaha! A prodigy, that muscle-brained brawler? Oh, that’s priceless—I’m laughing myself sick.」
「Haah?! What did you just say— Mithril?!」
Ashley instantly cut off her lofty laughter and turned with a sharp glare. There stood a petite girl, bundled in a fluffy, costume-like outfit, with colourful striped knee-socks and a scatter of accessories.
She was Selene of the 《Earth》. 『Mother of Continents』――Mithril Eurasia.
「I mean, come on—you’re the one whose motto is basically, "if there’s a problem, smash it", so what are you even on about? You try to brute-force your way through everything, and people are always telling you to calm down and act like a proper lady. And your grand solution? 〝I’ll speak in posh lady-speech!〟 Honestly, that’s just plain daft.」
「W-what did you just say?! I won’t take that from you—the one who wrecks the entire landscape every time you fight! Stupid Mithril! Silly-ril! Ha, silly-ril」
「Nyaha ha Ha-ha! What are you, a child? That’s exactly the sort of thing that makes you look daft— Haven’t you realised it yet?」
「Ki-ii!! One insult after another… Okay, let's step outside! Since it comes to this, we’ll settle it with a duel! I shall send you flying far beyond the horizon!!」
「Fine by me! I won’t lose. It's finally the time to see out who’s the tougher one!」
「Hey, cut it out, you lot! Are you going to turn the academy city into a complete wasteland?」
Ashley summoned blazing flames in both hands, while Mithril wielded a weapon on her back resembling a colossal war hammer. If Judia hadn’t stepped in this time, the cathedral would have been drawn into a devastating battle between the two.
「Ufufufufu... You two are just joking... Ri~ght?...」
A woman in a wheelchair, dressed in black robes resembling a kimono, watched the scene with a faint, melancholic smile.
She was Selene of the 《Darkness》. 『Queen of Hell』――Liliana Queen.
「Good grief… You two get along so well with each other, it’s heartwarming… Yet ridiculously infuriating at the same time…」
「…Is that so? To me, it just looks like they don’t get on at all and are constantly bickering with each others…」
Part 4
「Being close enough to argue… that’s the kind of bond it is. I don’t have anyone like that… Kanaloa-chan… you know what I mean, don’t you…?」
「…What a pain. I don’t need friends anyway…」
Faced with Liliana’s utterly lifeless eyes, the girl beside her turned away awkwardly.