The Duke's Witch

Duke

These markings match the description Alice found... The witch Zeniba's signature curse pattern.

Duke

If this is correct, she's responsible for at least two major transformative curses in the region.

Lendrott Alice

My lord, did you find something interesting in those dusty old books? You've barely moved in hours.

Lendrott Alice

Careful not to fall asleep face-first in them. I'd have to rescue you without touching your deadly skin~

Piccolo Fio

I cross-referenced the mechanical failures in Marco's aircraft with known witch sabotage techniques. The magical residue matches!

Piccolo Fio

This witch doesn't just curse people - she sabotages their equipment first so they're vulnerable!

Duke

Zeniba cursed me to kill with a touch... and transformed Marco Rossolini's head into that of a pig?

Duke

(Why target both of us? What connects a duke and a pilot?)

Lendrott Alice

Both curses transform something natural into something unnatural... touch that brings life becomes touch that brings death...

Lendrott Alice

And a human face becomes that of an animal. There's a pattern in her madness.

Piccolo Fio

Wait! Both of you were investigating the ancient ruins in the eastern valley right before being cursed!

Piccolo Fio

Marco flew reconnaissance over them, and Duke, didn't you fund an excavation there?

Duke

She's protecting something in those ruins... And now we know who our enemy is.

Duke

Alice, prepare my travel gear. Fio, can you get a message to Marco? We need his aerial skills.

Lendrott Alice

Already packed, my lord. I took the liberty while you were buried in books.

Lendrott Alice

I even included extra gloves. Can't have you accidentally turning our witch friend into a corpse before she fixes you, can we?