Questions but no Answers

Roland checked his appearance in the water reflection, thus finally and truly accepting that he is no longer who he used to be.

'long gray hair, gray eyes...*sigh* Whatever, I might as well check my own room if there aren't any traps or anything harmful. I should definitely refrain from speaking my mind aloud.' Roland thought while searching the room, kneeling to have a look under the table. He looked everywhere yet couldn't find anything suspicious.

'This really isn't a reality show...There are no cameras or hidden microphones. Shit...' Roland pressed his hand to his forehead, now truly feeling mentally tired but it only lasted for a few seconds before he looked sharply at the doors.

He decided to have a look at the girl who was found guilty as a "witch" since this could be his orientation point.

'I just suddenly woke up as this Fourth Prince, not to mention in the middle of ruling where he was supposed to hang that witch. There is no way this is just a coincidence, if "something" made me like this and knew my old me, it would also know that I wouldn't let that girl be hanged. That witch might as well be the key to figure out why I am here or at least the starting point.' Roland thought and decided to leave his room.

When he walked out of his room, his chief knight was already waiting for him to keep mumbling about how witches should be hanged as soon as possible. Roland ignored him while making his way towards the prison which left Carter nothing else to do other than following the prince.

Roland just expressed his interest to question the witch by himself however Carter didn't want to leave him all alone together with the witch even when Roland made quite a firm order not to follow him. Since Roland didn't know how much political power he exactly had, he settled with just Carter following him, discarding other guards.

When Roland arrived at her cell, she was sitting on the cold ground with her hands tied behind her back. She got up once she noticed her visitors and watched them with defiant eyes as if to mask any fear she might feel right now.

"What is your name, girl?" Roland asked with a neither friendly nor cold smile, he was aware that the girl in front of him was wary of him therefore he didn't even try to play a good cop unless he wanted her to be even more on her guard.

'How can His Highness call her a girl? She is a powerful witch that can kill several people without a sword in hand!' Carter immediately wanted to get between Roland and bars but he was stopped by Roland holding his hand up towards him. He did it even without looking at him as if he already got the grasp of his personality as if he already calculated what actions he would take.

"Anna...is my name" The witch named Anna said as her defiant look suddenly disappeared.

"What had happened for you to be here, found guilty as a witch? I only got a vague report, I would like to hear it from your own mouth." Roland asked and a witch hesitated for a short moment however Roland didn't press her. After a few seconds, she started telling Roland what exactly happened.

...

'She actually didn't even try to change her story. It's practically the same as the one in the report I have seen before coming here.' Roland thought and his expression along with the look in his eyes softened a bit while looking at the girl's childish face. This change surprised Anna as she couldn't feel any hostile feelings from Roland.

'But to think that her own father would report her...I was already aware that most adults aren't better than trash but this is truly a new bottom line. A record if I may say so. And they are calling a girl who just protected someone a witch, the evil spawn of the devil...HAHA if she is evil then her own dad is fucking Satan!' Roland thought and subconsciously clenching his fists with such strength that his fists started trembling.

"Your Highness? She even confirmed that the report you have received is a complete truth. There is no need to question her any longer." Carter brought Roland out of his thoughts, trying to disappear from here as soon as possible.

'...Carter is a fool but he isn't a bad man. I think he is loyal enough to me' Roland thought before planning his next move.

"Anna...I hope you don't mind me calling you that since you gave me no surname. I would like to see those powers of yours. Will you enlighten me?" Roland asked while also extending his hand towards Carter to stop him from speaking up.

"What? Do you really want to see the power of demons?" Anna asked slightly surprised but when she saw Roland nod his head, she smiled a bit.

"I can't, I have the god's locket of retribution hanging on my neck. If you aren't afraid that your curiosity might kill you, you can get rid of it. I will gladly show you the power of witch."

"...Heh, I have never been afraid of death, for a long instance of my life I even saw it as a form of release." Roland muttered low enough for only Anna to hear before he tore the locket away from her neck, throwing it away behind him, completely shocking Anna for a split second.

"*You may begin your performance, miss. I hope you can make me feel fear.*" Roland brought his head near the gap between the bars and whispered with an amused smile closely to Anna before taking a few steps back to give Anna some space.

"Hm" Anna smiled and what happened next slightly surprised Roland but the next second he was already widely smiling with opened mouth. The circle of flames formed around Anna's feet before the flames spread all around her body, melting the iron bars.

"Your Highness!" Carter immediately retreated with Roland to the wall, shielding him with his own body.

However, he didn't have to do anything because once Anna stepped out of her cell, the flames around her died down.

"Did you feel fear?" Anna asked with a smile which caused Carter to look slightly embarrassed since he didn't know what to do now that the witch was free, he could only wait for Roland's orders.

Roland pushed Carter to the side and within a few steps, he was right in front of Anna, once again surprising her by his nonchalant expression.

"I am afraid you failed, miss. However, you did satisfy my curiosity. For now...you should cover yourself." Roland said with a smile before throwing his coat over her petite body. The rugs she was wearing were almost all burnt so Roland was avoiding looking at her while speaking.

Hearing his words, a faint blush formed on her face as she became more conscious of her clothes, making sure Roland's coat is covering everything.

Roland wanted to take Anna with him back into his residence and it took great effort to talk Carter down and convince him that Anna is harmless. After all, she was all free and had all chances to burn them to death but she didn't.

"What about The Church? If this is known to the public, you will become their enemy number one, Your Highness!" Carter asked, reluctant to give up.

"The Church...bunch of fanatics hunting little girls...Carter-" Roland mumbled as he was leading Anna out of the prison before he stopped and called out Carter's name with a serious tone. The kind of serious tone Carter never heard from the prince which caused him to turn nervous.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness?"

"This is my final decision. If you are truly loyal to me, I hope you can continue supporting me" Roland said, casting a quick glance behind him at Carter.

"?! Yes, Your Highness!" Hearing his words, Carter understood how serious Roland was, thus he kneeled down and replied with a resolute tone.

"Good. Let's go, we have much to discuss." Hearing his answer, Roland smiled and motioned for him to stand up and follow him and Anna.

'...Magic really exists here. Is this really a game? I doubt witches in history could truly cast spells but the fanatical hunt of them pretty much adds up. I need to have a clear conversation with Anna and obtain her help, be it her knowledge or powers!'

.

.

After maids bathed Anna and helped her dress up, she was led into Roland's room where they held a conversation. Roland led most of the conversation with his questions but nothing gave him the answers he needed. In the end, he offered Anna a place to stay in his residence and a contract to work for him since he could still make use of her abilities and he also wanted to find out more about them.

All was going in a good direction until...

"Why? Why would you be so kind to me who is a witch? Don't you know what is being said about witches, Your Highness? W-Why aren't you afraid to be all alone together with a witch in one room." Anna asked, finally showing some emotions on her face.

"Because I don't see any hostility in your eyes. Your powers aren't powers of devils or demons. They are yours and yours to learn how to control. And because you killed someone to save somebody doesn't make you evil. You cannot be born evil, therefore you being a witch doesn't determine whether you are evil or good-" Roland said with a serious expression while looking at Anna who was attentively listening but his last words touched her the most.

"IT'S YOUR ACTIONS! Only your actions can determine what kind of person you are." Roland raised his voice while bringing his fist near his heart.

"At least that's what I believe in...I am sure in this big world, there must be both evil and good witches but that's not the reason to hunt all of them." Roland relaxed a bit and said his last piece with a warm smile, putting his hand on top of Anna's head whose eyes were already wide open.

"So...Do you accept to work for me? I promise you, as long as you will be loyal to me, I will never give up on you even if the entire world turns against you." Roland himself knew how hard it is to be alone, abandoned by everyone in the darkness of the world. That's also why he decided to protect this girl since he discovered through their conversation that she is just an unfortunate girl.

Anna watched Roland's extended arm with an opened hand, just waiting for her. After the last betrayal she experienced, it was the first time she felt such a warm feeling despite not even touching his hand yet.

"Y-Yes!" She had nothing to lose, a few hours ago, she was about to be hanged yet now she founded herself in front of someone who wanted to help her. She put her hand into his with a warm smile on her face and a few tears in the corner of her eyes.

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[You have recruited your 1st witch. Congratulations!]

[+ 1 Undistributed stat point]

[+ 100 Gold Coins]

[You have successfully unlocked a new feature - Shop!]

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'Huh?' Roland looked absentmindedly at the black screen floating in front of him.