Himliel, a world abundant with magical power, where the Gods reside high in the heavens, silently watching over the various races on the earth below, while protecting the entire world.
Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Humans.
People of all races walk the earthly realm, enjoying the protection and blessings of the Gods, while offering their devout faith in return.
…………
“What, what, what…”
Inside the solemn and austere cathedral.
Footsteps echoed one after another.
An elderly priest and a young believer walked through the aisle between rows of old wooden benches, stopping before a certain statue of a deity.
The old priest glanced up at the statue, then quietly waited.
In the continued silence,the young believer began to grow restless.
His still-immature eyes darted left and right; the musty scent of aged wood from the benches and floor filled his nose, making him slightly uncomfortable.
Old, cold, just staying here made one feel as if their lifetime was decaying alongside.
“What…”A narrow rural chapel.
The young believer sighed silently in his heart.
He really did not want to spend his entire life in such a place.
If only he could be transferred to the Central Cathedral…“Neichade.”
The old priest’s sudden voice startled the young believer, who jolted upright hurriedly.
“I’m here, Father!”
“In front of the Gods, remember to maintain humility and respect.”
So he was caught daydreaming…The young believer lowered his head awkwardly.
“…….”
“I’m sorry, Father…”
“It’s all right,” the elderly priest said kindly, “Recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is a good quality. I believe that great one will surely forgive you.”
That great one, huh…The young believer turned to look at the statue.
Staring blankly, lost in thought, he unconsciously asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.
“…Do the Gods really still descend?”
The old priest’s eyes darkened.
“……”
Silent, unable to answer immediately.
Until long after.
Silent, unable to answer immediately.
Until long after.
“I have always believed…”
He spoke slowly with unwavering conviction.
“Just as that great one once brought dawn to this world, dispelling the darkness that shrouded it, healing the wounds of both body and soul, bathing us in divine light so we might enjoy everlasting peace and tranquility.”
“I firmly believe…”
“The day that great one returns will surely come.”
“Dong! Dong! Dong…”
Just then, the church bell tolled.
The old priest clasped his hands together and slowly closed his eyes.
“It is time. Let us offer our prayers to that great one.”
“Yes, Father.”
The young believer also closed his eyes and clasped his hands.
In the quiet and aged cathedral, the long voices of their prayers gradually arose.
….….
“Dong! Dong! Dong…”
As the bell’s sound spread through Ment Town and reached the Hayelal residence, the Hayelal family did not stop their tasks as usual to silently pray.
At this moment, the head of the Hayelal family, Rezelian Hayelal, was pacing nervously back and forth in the courtyard.
“Still not done, still not done…”
Watching his father’s anxious pacing and constant muttering, Reed shook his head helplessly.
“Father, could you stop pacing in front of me? This isn’t the first time.”
Rezelian stopped and grabbed Reed’s shoulder, shaking him hard.
“I know, I know, but I just can’t help worrying! Lilia, Lilia she…”
“Ahhhh.”
Reed was speechless inside; this troublesome old man was truly a handful!
“Wah! Wah! Wah…”
At that moment, a loud crying erupted from inside the house.
“It’s born! It’s born!”
Rezelian’s eyes suddenly lit up.
He threw off Reed’s shoulder and dashed inside.
Reed immediately stood up.
“Wait, Father, you can’t go in yet…”
“Sir, you can’t come in now! Please leave quickly!”
“Don’t be like this, let me see my child! Is it a boy or a girl? How is Lilia?!”
“Please leave immediately!!”
“Ahhh…”
Listening to the chaotic commotion inside, Reed couldn’t help but put his hand to his forehead.
My father really is…The 777th year of the New Divine Calendar, the 7th day of the 7th month, Sabbath (Sunday).
In Ment Town, Pasara Empire, the seventh daughter of the hereditary knight family Hayelal—Hulim Hayelal—was born into this world.
……….
“Heave-ho, heave-ho…”
In the Hayelal family’s storage room, seven-year-old Hulim was carving a wooden stick with a small knife.
Not long after,“Done!”Hulim held the carved stick high above her head, her young eyes sparkling with light.
“Hey, ha! Magic Bullet~!”
Swinging the stick around in a few practiced moves, Hulim then dropped the knife and walked outside.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap…Passing through the courtyard,Rezelian was practicing swordplay with Reed and Yamen using wooden swords.
“Too slow! Your sword movements are too slow, it’s embarrassing! How do you two practice normally? This is unacceptable! Do you even deserve to be descendants of the Hayelal family?”
Watching Rezelian “beat up” his older brothers again, Hulim felt no surprise; ever since she could remember, her father often “beat up” his brothers like this.
To her, it was just a normal way to communicate.
She passed by them.
“Father, Brother Reed, Brother Yamen.”
Hulim greeted politely.
“Oh, Hulim, heading out? Don’t go too far!”
Rezelian turned around and, seeing his youngest daughter, his expression immediately softened.
“All right, Father! I’m going out!”
“Okay, be careful on the road!”
Watching his little daughter skip away, humming a tune and waving her wooden stick, Rezelian lingered for a long moment without turning back.
“Hey, hey, old man! That’s too much favoritism! Why are you so gentle with Hulim but scold us so badly?”
“Yeah, exactly!”
Breathless, Reed and Yamen grumbled discontentedly.
“Huh?!”
Rezelian’s eyes narrowed, turning fiercely toward them.
Thud!
Thud!
Two dull thumps, and Reed and Yamen clutched their heads, rolling on the ground in pain.
Rezelian pointed his wooden sword at the two brothers and shouted, “You idiots, how dare you complain?! From today on, double your daily practice amount!”
“Ah, nooo—!!!”
The brothers’ mournful howls echoed in the courtyard.
……
“Witch~ Witch~, the strongest witch~, all evil shall be vanquished~…”
In the South Mine Forest of Ment Town, sunlight filtered through the sparse canopy, scattering patches of light onto the forest path.
Hulim hummed an off-key tune of her own making while heading deeper into the woods.
As the youngest daughter, she was dearly doted on by her parents and siblings, seen as the well-behaved girl.
But in essence, Hulim was restless.
Like now, she was heading toward a secret sanctuary that the town’s adults would not easily enter.
If her parents found out, her idea of “not going far” and theirs might be worlds apart, and she might well be grounded.
But whether she forgot to tell or instinctively feared something bad would happen if she did, Hulim never told anyone where she went alone.
“La~! La la~!”
Hulim reached the heart of the forest, pushing through a thicket, where suddenly a small lake appeared before her.
The water was clear and calm, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.
“Heave-ho!”
Hulim climbed atop a large rock by the lake.
Pointing her wooden stick at the water,“Witch Hulim has arrived!”
Silence reigned in the woods…Holding the pose for about three seconds, Hulim felt no embarrassment at all.
Slowly lowering her stick, she nodded.
“Hidden well indeed, monster. To hear Witch Hulim’s name and remain unmoved is commendable!”
Suddenly Hulim swung the stick forward sharply again.
“Magic Bullet—!”
A gentle breeze rippled the lake’s surface, but the forest remained silent.
Magic Bullet….Nothing happened.
“Oh? Unexpectedly clever, monster! You saw through my fake attack; I’ll give you credit. But—”Hulim raised her stick high, her gaze turning serious.
“Now it’s time to get serious.”
“Magic Bullet—!!!”
Splash!
Waves surged wildly, disturbing the once peaceful lake.
“Hmph, this is the magic bullet attack of the great Witch! How’s that? Scared, monster?”
Hulim lifted her chin proudly.
Meanwhile, the stone she was pinching in her right hand quietly slipped behind her back.
The ripples on the lake quickly subsided.
“Oh? To withstand the magic bullet attack of the great Witch so calmly is to underestimate you. But my attacks don’t stop here! Take this, monster!”
Hulim bent down, casually picked up a stone, and while swinging her wooden stick, threw it toward the unseen “monster.”
Splash!
Splash!
Splash!…Ripples spread across the lake.
After a long time, worn out from play, Hulim lay on the rock.
“What a thrilling battle!”
Supporting her upper body with her hands, she sat on the stone, gazing at the lake.
“You’re a powerful monster. The victory will be left for next time.”
With that, she picked up another stone and tossed it toward the lake.
At that moment, Hulim did not realize that this very stone she threw next would set in motion an event that would change her destiny forever.
Splash!
As the stone struck the lake, sending ripples like before,The gears of fate began to turn.