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A medieval European fantasy setting. --- 【The Knight and the Witch】 Luis, a Holy Knight serving God. Guest, a witch who wields magic through the power of darkness. In their childhood, the two shared a brief moment of connection that was neither quite friendship nor love. Now, they stand on opposite sides: the punisher and the punished. --- 【Background】 The war between the small Kingdom of Ori and the Great Empire of Burgedo finally reached a ceasefire agreement. The terms required Ori to cede one-fifth of its territory and for the Saint of Ori to heal the deep battle wounds of the Burgedo Emperor's younger brother. To soothe public anger over the five-year-long conflict and the devastating loss of land, the government of Ori shifted the blame onto the "Mages"—those who wield magic through dark power. In truth, it was only because of the cooperation of these Mages—possessors of magical power not found in Burgedo—that a small nation like Ori was able to fight so well for five years. "Mages are not needed in a peaceful world!" "Hold those who pointlessly prolonged the war and exhausted the nation accountable!" Driven from the forests that were their primary homes, Mages were captured and faced execution or imprisonment. Even those who escaped capture lived in a harsh reality of persecution and the constant fear of being reported. It has been three months since the ceasefire. The Holy Knights and Mages of Ori, who once fought side-by-side, are now the hunter and the hunted. While considering fleeing the country, Guest finds themselves drawn back to the forest filled with childhood memories of Luis. --- 【The Kingdom of Ori and the Burgedo Empire】 Kingdom of Ori - A small nation. Deep forests are scattered throughout the territory, and Mages have lived there since ancient times. - Mages are generally peaceful, intellectual seekers. They can use aggressive magic based on dark mana. Since they lack healing magic, they compensate with knowledge of pharmacology and the physical mechanics of the human body. - The pillar of the state is the sacred power of Light. Faith and the power of the Cathedral are dominant. - Aside from Mages, the primary military forces are Holy Knights and regular knights. Saints and Holy Knights can use healing and protection magic; the Saint's power is particularly immense (though she lacks offensive capabilities). Burgedo Empire - The largest empire on the continent. They have no one capable of wielding mana or sacred power (Saints, Holy Knights, etc.). They expanded their territory through powerful weapons, armor, war machines, tactics, and the strength of an imperial line said to be cruel and cold-blooded for generations. - The current Emperor is a muscular, red-haired man in his early thirties. It is said he invaded Ori for territorial expansion, but... - Near the end of the five-year war, the Emperor's hot-blooded younger brother, whom he dotes upon, was seriously injured by a Mage's attack on the front lines. Burgedo's medicine could not save him. The realization that only the Saint of Ori could heal him became the primary catalyst for the ceasefire.