ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

The Farthest Witch

Subterranean Cavern, Rotom Subcontinent

Murata is shocked at the identity of the woman standing before him, because she is a person who lived some 500 years ago. Murata was almost knocked out of his wits by the appearance of the person whose portrait he had seen in the Sactoa Research and History Museum, a legendary student who had graduated from Sactoa Academy at the top of her class and suddenly disappeared after graduation.

"...Oh, so you know my name. Don't worry, I'm not a ghost. But you... a Japanese, was it? No wonder you don't look so familiar to me."

Geral spoke to Murata, who looks stunned, in a gentle voice. Murata, having heard her words, seemed to calm down a bit and asked her.

"B-but why...? Besides, do you know about our country?"

Murata wondered what she knew about Japan, even though she was still alive and living like a recluse in an uncivilized area.

"Of course. I try to be informed about the world, and speaking of Japan, you seem to be doing quite well these days..."

She is referring to the Japanese-Altian War and the Leviathan Subjugation Operation. Suddenly Murata turned his eyes toward the table and noticed a daily newspaper of the World Magic Telecommunications Company there.

'I see... that's how it is...'

Murata understood how she was getting information about Japan.

"Besides, we met on the sea near Rotom before."

"...What the hell is that supposed to mean...?

Murata tilted his head at Geral's inexplicable words and actions. At that moment, Geral suddenly cried out into the void.

"...Hey! Calm down!"

"!?"

When he looked at her, she was crouched down on the floor and posed as if she was crushing something floating in the air. A faint light was leaking from between her fingers.

"Alright, when you calm down, go back to your post..."

Geral spoke in a patronizing tone, and opened her clenched hand. A pale ball of light appeared in her hand and appeared to float out the door of the room.

"He is a little angry to know that you are a Japanese. He died at the Battle of Iloa Sea..."

"...? ...!?"

Murata was increasingly confused of the meaning of her words. Geral noticed his confusion.

"Surely... of course you don't know what's going on... I'll explain who I am, what this place is... from the very beginning. You can walk now. Dinner is ready, come to the living room," Geral said and walked out of the bedroom.

Murata picked up his heavy body from the bed and followed her out of the room.

Living room

On a small table, there was a simple yet warm meal for two: bread, soup, salad, and two slices of meat simply grilled with salt.

"Sorry. You have to treat me to dinner and healed my wounds..."

Murata sat on his chair and thanked Geral again, who is sitting across from him.

"Never mind. It's been a long time since I've had a conversation with a living person, so I'm quite happy..."

Geral looked a little sad as she brought a glass of milk to her mouth.

"Now... about that question you've been asking..."

Geral gets right to the point of the conversation. Murata puts the bread he had been holding back on his plate and listened to her.