Story 01: The Witch of the White Forest [VBEX5]

The Bad Apple

STORY & ILLUSTRATIONS No.01
The Witch of the White Forest
Souls extracted and exploited by demons become “Sinful Spoils”, spreading woes in the world of men.
When the curse of the primordial Sinful Spoils spread all the way to the “White Forest”,  it raised the curtain on the tragedy of the girls.

PROLOGUE 0
“The Cursed White Forest”
A long time ago, far away from the human village, there was a mysterious forest called “The White Forest”.
There were stories about how those that wandered into the forest and became exhausted recovered their strength and were able to make it back home.
Or how youngsters that entered with the purpose of causing trouble were driven out by a wolf that spoke human tongues.
Or how if a baby with no relatives was abandoned at the entrance of the forest, by the next day the baby will have vanished and a great circle of flowers will bloom there…
The nearby villagers, fearing these rumors that could not be discerned as fact or fiction, began spreading tales about how “there is a witch in the White Forest”, so that people would stay away from the forest.
And that the witch, named Diabell, and her 4 apprentice witches were living in this forest.
Tales of the White Forest

Beware the White Forest

Woes of the White Forest

The Witches Inhabiting the White Forest
Diabell, Queen of the White Forest

A Great Witch who lives in the Forest. Because of her immense magical power, she was feared to be an evil spirit. At a whim, she would take in babies who were abandoned in the forest and raise them as her family.
Astellar of the White Forest

She learned the “attachment magic” that attaches all sorts of things together.
Elzette of the White Forest

She’s of the same age as Astellar. She has a magic that can wake the souls of the dead.
Silvy of the White Forest

The eldest of the girls. She has a magic that can subdue wild animals and evil beasts.
Rucia of the White Forest

Slightly older than Astellar. She can change her appearance with the transformation magic.

End of page 1

TL notes:
-The “tales” that the villagers began spreading use the same word as Tales of the White Forest (言い伝え, iitsutae).
-Diabell is believed to be a 妖魔 (youma). A direct translation would be “ghost/apparition”, but in a more literal sense, it would be closer to a “spirit + demon”, which is why we are using “evil spirit”. Diabell’s Japanese name and Queen Azamina’s Japanese name include this term. Subterror Fiendess and Subterror Behemoth Fiendess are the only other cards using this term.

The young apprentices Astellar and Elzette grew bored with their peaceful, yet monotonous lives in forest.
At that time, they found a beautiful red apple like they had never seen before in the depths of the forest.
Hearing a voice out of nowhere which said “There is no doubt this apple is delicious”, and with both of them mistaking the origin of this voice as being each other, they decided to give this apple as a present to their beloved witch.
However, that apple was a “Sinful Fruit”, introduced to the forest by a demon.
The witch, cursed by the fruit, spread cursed thorns across the White Forest.
Following this, the two apprentice witches, Silvy and Rucia, lost their lives to the curse.
The young Astellar and Elzette split the remaining magical power of The Witch Diabell and somehow managed to survive.
And thus, the once beautiful White Forest turned into a blatantly repulsive, strange black forest, becoming a place which will not tolerate anyone entering it.
Susurrus of the Sinful Spoils
Scourge of the White Forest

Sinful Spoils of the White Forest

The “Sinful Fruit”…it was introduced by “The Demon, Azamina”; a dreadful fruit that turns the soul of anyone who tastes it into Sinful Spoils. This curse, which consumed Diabell, not only attacked Silvy and Rucia, but also went after Astellar and Elzette. The two young girls were saved by the power left behind by Diabell, but these events heavily changed the lives of the two little girls.
Deception of the Sinful Spoils

Silvy and Rucial, having the link between their souls and bodies severed by The Demon’s curse. Their souls become Sinful Spoils, and their bodies become vessels to carry out The Demon’s plans.
Like the Diabell

Even though she was deceived, it was Astellar’s own mistake that caused her to lose those dear to her.
Chasing after the Sinful Spoils, in other words the souls of her family, she came to be known as the “Seeker of Sinful Spoils”.

End of page 2

TL notes:
-The Japanese name for “Scourge of the White Forest” is “Demon of the White Forest”, much like the “demon” that is mentioned in this page.
-“The Demon, Azamina” (悪魔アザミナ) is not the name of any of the currently existing “Azamina” cards.
-The name by which Diabellstar is known is the “罪宝狩り” (Zaihou-gari, Sinful Spoils-Hunter), which is part of the Japanese name for WANTED: Seeker of Sinful Spoils. The full name being “The Sinful Spoils-Hunting Demon”.

Story Guide
“Diabellstar”, the “Seeker of Sinful Spoils”, chasing after these by any means necessary. When she found the “Original Sinful Spoils” in some ruins, she decided to join forces with “Poplar”, who was born from it. Diabellstar easily defeated the “Goblin Bikers”, a gang of delinquents who had set their eyes on Poplar, but immediately after that, she fell unconscious due to the power of the Sinful Spoils controlled by “Diabellze”, the White Witch, who showed up unexpectedly.
Diabellstar the Black Witch

Snake-Eyes Diabellstar

Sinful Spoils of Slumber – Morrian

▷▷For more details, check the Valuable Book – EX 4◁◁

STORY III
“Intertwined Fates”
□□ Side: Diabellstar □□
When Diabellstar woke up, she looked around and realized she was in the prison of The Great Fortress Castle. The Goblins, caught in the crossfire, were at a loss. In order to save them, their Goblin friends managed to tear down the castle walls! But there was little time to rejoice, as grotesque monsters from the walls they had just destroyed began attacking them.
Goblin Biker Grand Breakout

Goblin Biker Grand Crisis

Taking advantage of this uproar, Diabellstar plans her escape, but 2 “Saints” stand in her way. Their appearance is bizarre, yet somehow familiar. When the Sinful Spoils she was wearing, Silvera and Rciela, began making a commotion, she herself understood that the Saints that she was facing were the fully transformed bodies of those that used to be her family.
Goblin Bikers Gone Wild

Azamina Debtors

The Identity of the Saints on the Offensive
Those afflicted by the demon’s curse have the link between their souls and bodies severed, with their souls becoming Sinful Spoils and their bodies becoming “Saints” manipulated by the demon. The souls of Silvy and Rucia became Sinful Spoils after they were afflicted by the curse in the Forest, and these came under the protection of Diabellstar, but their bodies became Saints.

End of page 3

TL notes:
–We have previously translated the Sinful Spoils story of the VBEX4 here.
-The “Saints” (聖徒, seito) are part of the Japanese names of the “Azamina” Fusion Monsters and Elzette, Azamina of the White Forest. This term is supposed to be force-read as “Azamina”. In order to avoid confusion with the card simply named “Azamina”, we are using the kanji (“Saints”) instead.
-“The Great Witch Morgana” has the same title of “Great Witch” that Diabell has in this book.

They won’t allow “those things” that once used to be their bodies to hurt Astellar. Silvy and Rucia, who had become Sinful Spoils, bare their fangs, and along with Diabellstar, resolve to put an end to the fate of those 2 things. Even if this act amounted to giving up on her wish to save her family, to which she had dedicated her whole life.
Guilt of the Sinful Spoils

After the brutal struggle, narrowly escaping the attack of the Saints, Diabellstar uses the rushing Goblins as transportation in order to head somewhere. What awaited for her at this destination was…
Goblin Bikers Gone Bonkers

□□ Side: Diabellze □□
Meanwhile, Diabellze, who had obtained Poplar and the power of the Original Sinful Spoils, arrives to what once was her home. The White Forest, afflicted by the curse, had transformed into a repulsive, deep black forest. It became the lair of the forces of the Saints. Diabellze retaliates against the Saints approaching her, using the power of the Sinful Spoils. Eventually, she managed to take down the strongest, fated “Saint Regina”, and she coincidentally met with the vestige of the Great Witch left behind by the demon: “Queen Azamina”.
Azamina Determination

Azamina Moa Regina

Queen Azamina

This is the appearance of the body of the Great Witch “Diabell”, being taken over by Azamina. This body, turned into a part of The Forest, is now forced to produce Sinful Fruits.
After having her life saved by the magical power of Diabell, Diabellze pretended to be controlled by Azamina in order to protect herself. She fought hard during this golden opportunity, yet her resolve was weakened while facing the vestige of the witch that used to be like a mother to her.
Azamina Aphes

She will do whatever it takes to exert revenge on the abominable demon who stole her beloved mother, her older sisters and even the connection with her younger sister. She let herself be consumed by the Original Sinful Spoils, turning into “Snake-Eyes Doomed Dragon”.
Snake-Eyes Doomed Dragon

After sacrificing her body and turning into a Doomed Dragon, Diabellze launches a desperate final attack. However, the evil spirit sneered at this act, and proceeded to transform as well. “Saint Azamina” appeared in front of Diabellze, and with just one attack from her, the dragon transformation was undone. After her last resort had no effect, she was in a desperate situation.
Saint Azamina

End of page 4

TL notes:
-“Saint Regina” is the most literal way to write this name. This is supposed to be force-read as “Azamina Regina”. The name being used here is just part of the Japanese name of the card (殺戮聖徒レジーナ, Massacre Saint Regina, force-read as Azamina Moa Regina).
-The “Azamina” that takes over Diabell’s body, and whom Diabellze pretends to be controlled by, is written directly as “Azamina”, instead of being a forced reading for “Saint”.
-When Diabellze turns into a “Doomed Dragon”, this term is a forced reading for “Original Sin Dragon”. The same happens with the Japanese name of the card itself (蛇眼の原罪龍, Original Sin Dragon of the Snake Eyes).

STORY IV
“The Sin-Creating Goddess”
Azamina’s attack is about to reach Diabellze, who is covered in wounds. However, at that very instant, a Witch clad in black appeared. Diabellze, being saved from the threat, could feel the grand resolve of her little sister, and how much she had matured.
Filia Diabell

Although she had decided to finish this by herself, Diabellze decided to join forces with Diabellstar in this revenge tragedy. Then, she activated the hidden skill of her magic that can manipulate the spirits of the dead: She called forth the spirits of the dead running rampant across The Black Forest, as well as the souls she had collected of all those that had been sacrificed so far, and wore them around herself. She had become the very essence of a Witch.
Diabellze the White Witch

The Cruel Life Led By “Elzette”
Elzette’s soul was saved by Diabell, but her body was controlled by a Saint. However, the very moment she defeated the Great Witch Morgana, she was freed from its control.
Elzette, Azamina of the White Forest

She avoided the separation of her soul and body, but her freedom to move her body was stolen from her.
Play the Diabell

Elzette was commanded by Azamina to fight Morgana to the death. She was able to win in the end.
Sinful Spoils Awakening

After coming into contact with Morgana’s Magical Eyes, which can manipulate minds, she was freed from the Saint’s control.

Diabellstar, who had inherited Diabell’s magical power, prepares to fight alongside Diabellze. She used her “attachment magic” to control the separation of the soul and body caused by the Saints, and by incorporating the Sinful Spoils of Silvy and Rucia she was wearing, she transformed into the ultimate demon, who could surpass even the Great Witch Diabell.
Diabellstar Vengeance

When everyone thought the final attack had landed, “Saint Azamina” discarded the soul and body of the Evil Spirit Diabell, exposing her true form. The true nature behind “the Tales of the Demon who transforms humans into Sinful Spoils” was “The Divine Human and First Sinner, who is purified by transforming the sins of men into Sinful Spoils”.
Azamina

As a result of “Saint Azamina” discarding the power of Diabell, her control over The White Forest through the power of Diabell was lost, and what little power of Diabell remained in the forest used Poplar as a medium to influence Diabellstar and Diabellze. Its appearance was like an illusion, and yet it emanated an unimaginably strong power.
Poplar of the White Forest

Thanks to the influence from “Poplar of the White Forest”, Diabellstar transforms her body into an “Execute Dragon”. In addition to the power of the transformation into a demon, Diabellstar also obtained the Divine Human power hidden by Diabell, no matter how temporary, evolving into a being that rivals even the supernatural “Goddess of Atonement”.
Snake-Eyes Vengeance Dragon

End of page 5

TL notes:
-Morgana’s “Magical Eyes” (魔瞳, matou) are using the term that is force-read as “Morganite” in the Morganite cards.
-The “tales” of the demon use the same term as the “Tales” of the White Forest (言い伝え, iitsutae).
-The “Goddess”(神女, shinnnyo) in the chapter title and the “Divine Human” (神人) are words that could be equivalent to a “god”, but because of the word choice, there could be a human element to it. This may imply that Azamina (and Diabell’s power) is some kind of hybrid between a god and a human, and not necessarily a full “god”.
-“Execute Dragon” is a forced reading for “Adjudication Dragon” (断罪龍, danzai ryuu), much like in the Japanese name for Snake-Eyes Vengeance Dragon (蛇眼の断罪龍, Adjudication Dragon of the Snake-Eyes).
-“Goddess of Atonement” is the kanji in the Japanese name for “Azamina” (贖罪神女, shokuzai no megami).
-In the Valuable Book EX 5 itself, there is an arrow going from Diabellstar the Sin Adjudicator to Snake-Eyes Execute Dragon with the text “Evolves through the power of a Divine Human”. We are omitting the arrow just for design constraints.

Diabellstar, transformed into an Execute Dragon, crashes into the Goddess of Atonement. The sin-destroying light, created by the interweaving of “The Power of the Divine Human” and “The Flames of the Original Sin” finally caused the body of the Goddess to rot away.
Curse of Diabell

Diabellstar’s transformation into a demon caused her to exhaust her life. However, what saved her life from being summoned to the heavens was the love of those that once were her family. As a result of the extermination of the Goddess of Atonement, the curse disappeared, the souls of the Evil Spirit Diabell, Silvy and Rucia regained their sense of self, and ascended to the heavens in her place. In the end, the only ones left were the 2 wounded witches
Sinful Spoils Sanctification

EPILOGUE
“The Witch of the White Forest”
And thus, the White Forest returned to being a peaceful, mysterious forest like in the past. The witches that once inhabited it should have disappeared, however, people that have heard the voices of a little girl coming out of nowhere began spreading the rumor that “there is a small witch in the White Forest”.
Witch of the White Forest

This was the story of “The Witch of the White Forest”, as told on a certain day, on a certain hour, on a certain place, by a mysterious storyteller.
Diabellstar the Black Witch

SECRET IMAGE
Diabellstar the Black Witch

End of chapter

Thanks to 过户费喜加一 at Bilibili for the scans

Reference Art:
A mysterious lady:

Pink bird:

Selfish cat:

WANTED posters:

“In a corner of the big city…
WANTED posters for some really, really bad guys”

4D Paper Play:

Top: “Pays for her travel expenses (‘official’ job)”
Diabellstar: “A long, long time ago…”
Bag: “→ Folds + Travel Bag”

Mysterious child:

“A mysterious child (?) who appears in a certain White Forest”
Book: “Copy”