Until The Witch Dies

Chapter 11

Section 4: An Old Clock Shop at the Corner on the Outskirts of Town

Translated by AmaLynne

The sky is kind of blue today.

I looked up at the sky and saw a feather fall.

It was an owl feather.

「You smell more like a bird than I thought.」

As I sniffed, the white owl cried shyly.

It was lunchtime on a peaceful sunny day.

We were heading into town.

A carbuncle on my shoulder and a white owl flying high over my head.

And next to me was one of the most adorable and beautiful girls in the world.

Why is there such a difference even though we are the same female primate species?

「What’s wrong?」

「Nothing.」

I quickly turned my face away from Finne.

「So, I’m going shopping, but was it okay for Fine to follow me?」

「Hm? Yeah. I had a small favor to ask Master Faust, but she didn’t seem to be home. Besides, I wanted to see your face.」

「My geez, you really love me~」

「Silly.」

I feel your love for me when you don’t deny it.

I thought of such a foolish thing, but there was a little something that stuck in my mind.

It was because there was a shadow on Finne’s face.

As I wondered if something was wrong, I suddenly noticed the watch she was wearing in her hand.

It was a familiar watch that she had been wearing for a long time.

It was her grandfather’s watch.

「By any chance, is that what you meant by『favor』?」

「Eh? Yeah. How did you figure that out?」

「Because it stopped.」

The watch, which looked tarnished in places, had many fine scratches on it, and now showed no sign of movement.

Even though it had lost its original function, she still wore it with great care.

「I’ve been wearing it for years. It’s not in good shape, especially these days. So I was wondering if Master Faust could fix it with magic.」

「Hmmm… Let me see a little bit. Misolacido?」

「Eh? Yeah.」

I stare intently at the watch.

Whether inorganic or organic, when it fulfills its role, a flow of energy is generated inside.

There is a spirit residing there.

In the East, it is said to be a『Mourning God』or『Eight Million God』.

I was told that the way people call them and perceive them changes depending on the region.

Spirits dwell in things that work.

However, things that have completed their roles and have reached the end of their lifespan do not show any sign of spirits.

There was no sign of a spirit in this watch.

「How is it? Can it be fixed?」

「I don’t know what to say about this. Well, let’s have a watchmaker take a look. I know a great place.」

「Meg is very open-minded about that sort of thing.」

「In my line of work, I’m often involved with people, especially merchants.」

「I hope they can fix it…」

「Why can’t you just buy a new one? There are a lot of cheap and stylish ones on sale right now. The kind that young people like.」

「I don’t know what to say. I just want to use this watch a little longer.」

「Hmmm…」

The look on Finne’s face as she gazed at the watch was somewhat sad and lonely.

◆◇◆◇◆

The destination watch store is a small store at the end of a shopping street.

It has a retro atmosphere and, to put it bluntly, is a bit gloomy.

But I know it.

I know that the old man in this store loves watches more than anyone else.

「Uncle, I’m here.」

「Oh, Meg-chan, welcome. Who’s that girl over there?」

「My・Favorite・Friend・Forever. You know, best friend.」‡

「That’s an amazing name. Mabudachi-chan? You look Briton, are you from India?」‡

「Apologize to India.」

While I was staring at her, Finne was looking around the store with a curious look on her face.

「I didn’t know there was a watch shop here.」

「I didn’t think they were still in business either. I thought it had long since gone bankrupt and closed.」

「Ha-ha-ha, you say that like you mean it, ha-ha-ha」, his eyes aren’t laughing.

In this store, where clocks are hung on the wall, there are watches, alarm clocks, cuckoo clocks, and many other kinds of clocks.

All of them ticked precisely and were well maintained.

Each clock has a spirit that is firmly in place.

This would not be possible with amateur work.

This is the work of a true craftsman.

「So, what can I do for you today?」

「Oh, I’d like you to take a look at her watch.」

When Finne presented her watch to him, the uncle said,「Let’s see」, and put his glasses back on.

「This is a rare German military watch.」

「How do you know?」

「I’m a watchmaker, you know. It’s a very well-made watch. The workmanship of the parts is especially good. Germany is a country of watchmakers. I can feel the craftsman’s attention to detail.」

「So… is it can be fixed?」

「Hmm, I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to take a look. But as you can see, I’m all alone right now. It would be bad if any other customers came, so I’m going to keep it temporarily for now.」

「Hmmm, then…」

◆◇◆◇◆

「How could this happen?」

We were sitting at the counter of the store.

I decided to watch the store while uncle looked at Finne’s watch.

Beside me, Feine is sitting on her cheekbones, as if in a daze.

Through the window, I could see the peaceful cityscape and the people walking through it.

「Meg.」

Finne’s voice comes out flat as she looks out the window.

「Are you really going to die?」

「Sounds like it.」

「Why are you so unconcerned?」