The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

What Meruru told him was her sinful past, in which she forced everyone to become witches, compelled them to kill each other, and ultimately no one survived.

In other words, she replaced Kurobe Nanoha and came to this prison as Kurobe Nanoha. After experiencing hardships, she became a witch and eventually fell into ruin. She even suffered all the hardships that the prison guards drove her to do.

It was Meruru who did it.

He has done all sorts of bad things.

Although, in theory, the bad things Meruru did shouldn't have anything to do with him...

But who made that promise?

They must take away Meruru's sins.

Who told him to like Meruru?

...Witch?

cough.

Anyway, he fell in love with Meruru, he made a promise with Meruru, and he took away Meruru's sins.

They should admit their mistake at this time.

only......

Meruru confessed her past to him alone, and even though Nanoha Kaori in front of him was a victim, he could not easily reveal all the facts.

This was one of the few things he couldn't be honest about with the girls.

"Actually, I should have realized it as soon as Nanoha Kaori suspected that I was the 'mastermind'."

Although he first learned of Nanoha's suspicions about him, he only learned the truth from Meruru.

But not realizing it is not realizing it.

What I realized belatedly was the reality before my eyes.

"...What is Hoshino trying to say?"

Kurobe Nanoka was somewhat at a loss.

I wanted to be honest about the past, so why did the atmosphere suddenly start to take such an unpleasant turn...?

"What I'm trying to say is that I should know the true identity of the mastermind that Nanoha Kaori is chasing," he said.

Chapter 195 She's still sleeping

"Isn't she a witch?"

Nanoha Kurobe tilted her head, puzzled as to why she would say that.

"..." Utsunomiya Hoshino paused for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle: "She really is a witch."

That's true, she really is a witch.

“Then it has nothing to do with Hoshino,” she said.

It's all the witch's fault, it's all the witch's fault, what does it have to do with Hoshino?

If we're going to blame Hoshino, then it's just that he was incredibly unlucky to be entangled with a witch.

"Um..." With her words blocked, Hoshino Utsunomiya was a little unsure of what to say.

But I still have to speak up.

Nanoha Kaori didn't know that this witch was not that witch, but did he not know that?

Since you know, there's no need to pretend you don't know and try to cover things up.

"Let me think about how I should say it."

What can't be said?

Meruru's identity, and any words that would cause her to be hated by Nanoha.

If Nanoha Kaori insists on hating any specific person, then she should just hate that person.

From this perspective, yes, both shots that Nanoha Kaori fired at him were correct.

He is indeed guilty, and strictly speaking, he is indeed the 'mastermind' behind the scenes.

At least, her revenge was justified.

What is there to say?

Or perhaps, what does he know about Nanoha Kaori's sister?

After thinking for a moment, Hoshino Utsunomiya came to the conclusion that...

...He knew nothing.

Haha...

I really didn't ask in detail.

After all, Meruru is at least four or five hundred years old. Her extremely long experiences and the guilt of self-torture not only made her prone to crying, but also her mental state was not ideal.

His memories were already vague and ambiguous, so he didn't bother to ask what happened during each witch's trial.

He didn't intend to be distracted by other things, given that he had other purposes to pursue.

Just remembering that this happened is enough.

What Hoshino Utsunomiya didn't expect was that there was more to this story, and that it was related to Kaori Nanoha.

That......

"I know who Nanoha Kaori is seeking revenge against."

"Mmm." Kurobe Nanoha nodded repeatedly.

She's a witch, you know.

"But I will not become her enemy for the sake of Nanoha Kaori."

“...Hmm.” Kurobe Nanoka indicated her understanding.

Making enemies of the witch is not a good thing. Hoshino has already been tormented to this extent; forcing him to become an enemy of the witch further...

She didn't want to see that happen.

If she wants revenge, let her do it herself.

"She probably knows how to solve the guard problem."

"Mmm." Kurobe Nanoka wasn't surprised.

If a witch doesn't know this, can she still be called a witch?

Moreover, Hoshino didn't seem to know much about it either, and his presumptuous words didn't make any assertions.

"I'll go find out from her."

"Hmm...?" Kurobe Nanoha's thoughts paused for a moment.

This means...

There are two possible interpretations.

Hoshino wants to question the witch.

Hoshino asked to ask the witch.

Those with a strong presence ask questions, while those with a weak presence seek favors.

When facing witches, they are undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

In other words, Hoshino's words sound like he'd have to beg the witch in a lowly manner for her sake, and might even have to endure the witch's various physical advances towards him...

He had to submit to another woman because of the woman he loved...

"Hoshino, should we go and beg her?"

Nanoka Kurobe's voice wasn't very steady.

Because this feeling is very strange.

But she doesn't seem to be very good at refusing.

To put it bluntly, she didn't want to see Hoshino Utsunomiya humbly begging the witch for something, but if it meant she could get a way to save her sister, she couldn't easily give up.

After all, that was her primary reason for coming here.

It's not like you can give up your sister just because you like someone else.

But to talk about sacrificing the person you like for your sister...

She also found it difficult to do.

That's why I'm so conflicted...

"Hmm? Just tell her, right? She'll tell me if she knows." Utsunomiya Hoshino touched Kurobe Nanoha's little face.

What's there to beg for? Someone as gentle as Meruru wouldn't need to kneel down and beg to explain herself.

The only possibility is that Meruru might not remember things clearly.

Oh, and there's also the possibility that because Meruru might forget the feelings they built up during their time together, they might need to reconnect with her.

...He didn't really want to think about it.

There's a feeling of emotions falling into an empty space.

"Will...will I tell you? Oh, okay..."

Grabbing Utsunomiya Hoshino's wrist, Kurobe Nanoka seemed to understand.

Yeah, the witch is the type who tells Hoshino everything she's going to do.

The witch is the one who actively made Hoshino fall in love with everyone.

If Hoshino simply asked, the witch would tell him.

After all, the witch cared so much about Hoshino.

From this perspective, isn't the witch a pretty good person?

“So, if Nanoha Kaori can’t find a solution, then leave this matter to me for now.” Utsunomiya Hoshino’s hand traced down the girl’s cheek to her back, lifting a few strands of her long, black hair, holding them in his hands, and gently stroking them as he spoke: “It can’t be considered atonement, nor can it be considered an equivalent.”