Original subtitles

Who is it?

It's me, Miss Anna.

I'm sorry to bother you so late.

I have something important to discuss with you.

Your Highness?

Don't be nervous, Your Highness.

I mean you no harm.

Who...

Who are you?

The Sacred Mountain and Magic Eye?

I didn't expect you to be such a learned man, Your Highness.

You're a witch?

Yes.

You may call me Nightingale.

Nightingale...

Why have you come here?

First, I must thank you, Roland Wimbledon.

Thank me?

For what?

For Anna and Nana.

You know about Anna and Nana?

I heard a witch had been captured here,

so I came to rescue her.

To my surprise, you didn't execute the girl named Anna.

I spent the next week observing Nana and learned about her as well.

Although I don't know why you hold no ill will toward witches,

I still want to thank you on behalf of the Witch Cooperation Association.

Are you saying you've been lurking by my side for a whole week?

It's so tiring talking like this.

Shouldn't you invite a lady to sit down?

What, do I look that terrifying?

Will you answer my question now?

You're really not afraid of me.

I can see the fear of witches in people's eyes,

but in yours,

I see only curiosity.

I arrived here a week ago

and have been lurking by your side ever since.

I've seen everything you've done.

So, why have you revealed yourself now?

Just now, your head maid came in

to pour you a glass of red wine before bed.

Then she added a little something extra to it.

You...

You mean Tyre?

She poisoned my wine?

It seems your harem isn't entirely safe.

I've never touched her.

So, you saved me.

I owe you my thanks.

It's nothing.

A life for a life.

You saved Anna,

so I helped you get rid of a traitor.

Now we're even.

I need to take Anna and Nana away from here.

You want to take them away?

Yes.

Where to?

Back to the Witch Cooperation Association.

That's where witches truly belong.

Why?

Only in the Witch Cooperation Association

can witches live without discrimination,

without persecution,

and without having to hide themselves.

They won't be persecuted here either.

I've given them equal contracts and high salaries.

You can see that they're doing well here.

You've done a lot for the witches,

but there's one thing you can't do.

You can't lead them... to the Holy Mountain.

The Holy Mountain?

Yes.

Only there can witches find eternal peace.

My men previously discovered traces of witches in the northern mountains.

Are you trying to find the Holy Mountain in the Impassable Mountain Range?

No comment.

In that case, there's no way I can allow it.

The Months of Demons begin in two months.

The mountains will be full of snow and demonic beasts.

I won't let Anna and Nana take such a risk.

How about this?

You can find the Holy Mountain at any time.

Why don't you all come to Border Town for the winter?

You can continue your search after the winter.

You're suggesting

we bring the entire Witch Cooperation Association to Border Town?

How amusing.

That's impossible.

Your Highness, even if you're not afraid of witches,

there are far too many who are.

Once witches are exposed,

the Church will come knocking in no time.

Why would you take such a huge risk

rather than let them leave?

Because... they're very important to me.

In that case,

you surely don't want Anna's life to be in danger, right?

Are you saying Anna's life is in danger?

Yes. That's why I have to take her away.

Anna is about to come of age.

The Day of Adulthood is the first major ordeal every witch must face.

Most witches awaken during the Months of Demons,

which is said to be when the Gates of Hell open.

Coming of age marks a turning point for witches.

Girls who have not awakened by the age of 18

will most likely never become witches.

But for those who awaken before 18,

every year on the anniversary of their awakening,

they suffer the torment of demonic possession.

Every blood vessel and sinew aches with unbearable pain.

In the end, blood seeps from their skin,

and their eyeballs bulge from their sockets.

If they can endure it,

their bodies will slowly recover after four or five days of rest.

But those who can't hold on will die in agony,

their deaths horrific to behold.

Blood mixed with internal organs bursts from every orifice.

Upon contact with air, it turns into black mist.

Finally, when everything that can be expelled is gone,

only a layer of charred black skin remains on the ground.

Many witches die on the day they come of age.

This is the evidence for why we are seen as the incarnation of the Devil.

Anna is about to come of age.

In the Witch Cooperation Association, we know how to care for her.

Her chances of survival are much higher.

And the Holy Mountain will bring us eternal peace.

Therefore, I must take Anna and Nana away.

Perhaps they are indispensable to Your Highness's grand plans,

but I still hope you can give them a chance to live.

Very well.

In that case, I'll let you take them.

I'll take you to her.

Thank you for your understanding.

I knew I hadn't misjudged you.

Who is it?

It's me, Miss Anna.

I'm sorry to bother you so late.

I have something important to discuss with you.

Your Highness.

I understand everything you've said.

Thank you, Nightingale, for coming to save me.

But I'm not leaving.

Wh-What did you say?

I said, I want to stay here.

Anna, you still don't understand how terrible the demonic possession can be.

Your magic is nearing maturity.

Once it's affected by the Months of Demons...

I don't care.

The demonic possession won't kill me.

I will overcome it.

I just want to stay by His Highness's side.

Fine.

In that case, I'll stay here for now, too.

Uh...

What?

Didn't you want to bring

the entire Witch Cooperation Association to Border Town?

I have experience.

On the Day of Adulthood, I can at least be of some help.

And if you don't make it through,

I also have experience handling the aftermath.

I will definitely make it through.

I'll be in your care for a while, then.

Well, I'll be going now.

Get some rest.

Yes, Your Highness.

Good morning, Your Highness.

Good morning, Carter.

Did something happen?

Your head maid, Tyre, died last night.

Huh? What happened?

This morning, the guards found she had fallen from her room's balcony.

There were no signs of a struggle, and no outsiders had entered,

so... it was likely an accident.

Oh. Well...

Give her a proper burial.

Yes, Your Highness.

Go ahead. I'll head to the regular meeting after breakfast.

Wait for me in the office.

Yes, Your Highness.

Good morning, Your Highness.

You did it.

Since I'll be imposing for a few days, Your Highness,

it's only natural that I help relieve your worries.

Do you know who sent her?

Actually, I didn't kill her.

She had poison hidden in her tooth.

The moment she saw me, she killed herself.

I had no choice but to make it look like an accident.

It seems someone kidnapped her sister as a hostage and sent her to kill me.

Probably one of my siblings.

Family relations among the nobility have always been like this.

Anyway, you should go to your meeting now.

Don't keep them waiting.

But I haven't had...

Your Highness, are you all right?

Have you been feeling tired these past few days?

Ah, it's nothing.

Just a bit hungry.

Hungry? But Your Highness, you just—

I'm fine. All right, let's begin the meeting.

Very well, Your Highness.

Regarding this ore trade with Willow Town,

since we sold it at 50% of the market price,

we only made a profit of 200 gold royals.

After deducting expenses for food and the city wall construction,

we have 90 left.

Although it's still tight, we should be able to get through the winter.

However, given your announcement yesterday about forming a militia,

that expense will have to come out of your personal treasury.

Understood. Carter, how goes the militia recruitment?

There are many applicants.

The planned squad of 100 men is almost full.

However, the training and command of this unit are highly problematic.

We can't expect a bunch of workers and farmers to fend off demonic beasts.

They don't even know how to hold a sword.

What is your suggestion?

We need knights.

I know Your Highness may not care for the local nobles,

but I still believe we should seek the support of Baron Boris and the knights.

Please allow me to go meet with Baron Boris.

This concerns the safety of Border Town.

I believe we have a chance to rally them to fight.

I understand, Carter.

Go and arrange a meeting with Baron Boris.

Tell him I will visit tomorrow morning.

Yes, Your Highness!

Thank you for understanding.

Your Highness, do you think Baron Boris will help us?

There's a 90% chance he won't.

Carter is a loyal knight.

I agreed to go to appease him.

Carter may be too naive when it comes to politics,

but militarily, he's right.

Your Highness, your queen has already been captured,

the knight is surrounded,

and the bishop cannot hold the line alone.

If the last remaining pawns get captured,

what do you have left to win with?

You're too focused on the decoys, Barov.

What will truly help me achieve victory

are these people who push forward with all their strength to the very end.

But even if you have the people's support now,

they have no combat experience and they're unarmed.

They will receive thorough training.

And also,

they won't be fighting unarmed.

Okay, now, like this.

See the gap in the middle of the iron pipe?

Yes.

Now concentrate the flame as much as possible on a single point,

the thinner the better.

Slowly burn along this gap.

Okay.

Draw it in a little more.

Concentrate all the heat onto your fingertip.

Concentrate, concentrate a bit more.

That's right, just like that.

Slowly...

Follow the gap.

Yes, burn through.

A little slower. Steady, steady.

You did it!

Anna.

Your Highness.

Look, Anna.

This is what we've achieved this afternoon,

all thanks to you.

Your Highness, what is this exactly?

You'll find out soon.

This thing... will open the door to a new era.

Good evening, Your Highness.

Why are you acting like a stalker?

You're just too intriguing.

Besides, since I'm staying,

I need to protect you and Anna.

What if there's another assassin?

So I'm supposed to thank you?

You're welcome.

Besides, I've already received my reward.

This is what you had Anna make today, right?

You took that from my office.

I just thought it might be useful.

There are other fire users in the Witch Cooperation Association.

Go ahead and keep it.

I can draw another one.

You treat Anna really well,

and she trusts you a lot.

I've long forgotten

what it feels like to trust and be trusted.

Baron Boris's house is on the westernmost part of town.

You'll recognize it the moment you see it.

In Border Town, his house is practically a mansion.

I see.

They say he hired an architect from Graycastle

and used the finest timber and stone.

It wouldn't look out of place even in Graycastle.

He brags to everyone that his house is worth 150 gold royals.

Well, I'll have to see it for myself.

Your Highness, your courage and resolve to hold Border Town are truly admirable.

It is our honor that you thought of us in your time of need.

May I ask what exactly Your Highness needs us to do?

The militia currently lacks instructors,

essential weapons, and experienced fighters.

I hope you will answer my call

and lead your knights to help defend Border Town together.

I see.

Since Your Highness personally came to ask us for help,

it is only right that we do our duty.

However, it's truly unfortunate.

My knights have just returned from a hunt and are exhausted.

Besides, fighting demonic beasts is extremely dangerous.

I cannot send them to their deaths.

I assume raising a militia also requires funds.

So to show our support,

we've discussed and decided to

jointly contribute some funds toward your efforts.

As a token of our goodwill,

please accept this offer, Your Highness.

One... One gold royal?

You—

Carter.

I accept your kind offer.

Your Highness!

Well then, we'll take our leave for today.

My leg isn't what it used to be,

so forgive me for not seeing you out.

Your Highness, I'm sorry.

I've brought shame upon you.

I knew they probably wouldn't help,

but I never imagined they'd stoop so low.

This is an insult to the loyalty of knights.

Don't worry about it, Carter. I expected as much.

At least this one gold royal will cover a month's wages for Mr. Karl.

And it also makes it clear that

if we want to establish ourselves here,

we cannot rely on the nobles.

B-But without the nobles and knights,

how can we train that ragtag militia?

I have my ways.

Translator: Henry Lin Timer: Henry Lin Editor: Zachary Carlysle QC: William Haggard