City of Witches Chapter 167

The immigration checkpoint prepared for Witches traveling between the Mortal Realm and Gehenna.

With numerous Witches passing through daily, the lounge connected to the 'Gate' was bustling with crowds.

A Witch with hair tied tightly back in a soft pink reminiscent of spring cherry blossoms walked out with steady, plodding steps.

Magenta eyes gleaming not with coquetry or charm, but with pride and conviction.

Slender lips pressed firmly together and a faintly outlined physique.

Despite her short strides, the Witch's determined march to the center of the lounge somehow exuded the charismatic aura of a stoic sage.

The Witches, each occupying their own corners of the lounge and chattering away, collectively held their breath the moment they saw the girl.

Then, they quietly bowed their heads.

"........"

They had immediately recognized who she was upon seeing her distinctive appearance, even among Witches.

The Witch of the Contract, Duke Eloa Tiferet.

Yet, they were not bowing merely to her ducal title.

The reason she had slaughtered hundreds of Homunculi and slain double-digit numbers of public enemies was not for herself, but for the safety of other Witches.

Therefore, no matter how self-centered or dogmatic a Witch might be, they paid respects to her nobility and merits.

Acknowledging their reverent response with a nod, Eloa immediately walked toward the person she was seeking.

"It's been a while, Lady Deneb of Gemernai."

"Duke Tiferet, I hope you have been well?"

The Witch with striking white hair, clad in an antique mermaid dress, greeted Eloa with a smile.

Upon receiving the Duke's message, she had handed over her meticulously divided, minute-by-minute schedule entirely to Albireo and come alone to meet her.

It was only natural, as the House of Gemernai was the one that purchased the legacies acquired by Duke Tiferet and the items left by public enemies to turn a profit.

For a premium customer who tirelessly supplied high-quality magical tools and Artifacts, VIP treatment was a must.

"Where is Ea Sadalmelik?"

"Shall we move elsewhere to talk? I have a carriage waiting."

"Let's go quickly."

Eloa, striding past Deneb with long steps, was as impassioned as expected.

At first glance, she seemed to be maintaining utmost composure, but to Deneb, she merely appeared to be bottling up emotions like a bomb ready to explode at any moment.

She had returned immediately upon hearing the news of Ea's death, despite having wandered the Mortal Realm for the past century without so much as showing her face in Gehenna.

Though there were crystal balls for long-distance communication and remote letters, she likely wanted to confirm it with her own eyes and ears.

The two sat facing each other in the elegant carriage.

Eloa spoke the moment Deneb settled into her seat.

"Ea Sadalmelik is dead? Is it true?"

"First, my condolences. Last winter, the Witch of Aquarius infiltrated Gehenna to attack Baron Marigold and died in battle against the Baron."

In that moment, Deneb saw it.

The collapse of Eloa's expression, which had been rigidly maintained through sheer willpower.

She probably hadn't been able to believe it.

That's why she had sought out Deneb, who collected the most accurate information of anyone.

"That can't be."

"Tiferet..."

"It can't be. Ea Sadalmelik is a persistent and thorough bastard. The body? Was a body found?"

Eloa leaned forward, almost as if to pounce on Deneb, as she asked.

Frankly, Deneb was a bit worried.

If Eloa failed to contain her anger and lightly punched the carriage, this luxurious vehicle would likely collapse like a mountain lodge swept away by a landslide.

"No body was found. But considering the unique nature of Baron Marigold's innate magic... it's practically certain that she evaporated without leaving even a corpse."

Particle magic, which scatters extremely fine particles to interfere with others, literally disintegrates the target into pieces.

After hearing the Twins' account and rushing to the scene, what Deneb found was Amelia, screaming while embracing Siwoo without a single wound, and Sadal Melik, transformed into a pile of flowers.

Moreover, the battle between the two had been overwhelmingly one-sided.

To think Sadalmelik's escape was permitted despite such a disparity in power?

Hard to expect.

As Deneb added these explanations, Eloa's expression grew increasingly crumpled.

The Duke barely managed to suppress ragged breaths mixed with futility and resentment.

"You said the Witch who fought Sadalmelik was Marigold? I must meet her. I simply cannot believe that cunning vixen is dead. Arrange a meeting for me."

Eloa's tone burned with a fervent resolve that she would never give up like this.

Deneb, on the other hand, was troubled.

Because she had heard from Sophia about the state Baron Marigold was in.

Secluded in the hut she lived in during her Apprentice Witch days, having issued a clear guest expulsion order.

Given the circumstances, it seemed she had parted ways with the slave she had a crush on for some reason and was submerged in sorrow.

"That's..."

Deneb hesitated, but Eloa showed no sign of giving up.

If stopped, she would likely seek out Marigold on her own, even if she had to inquire around herself.

In that case, it might be better for both parties if Deneb arranged the appointment.

"Hoo... Alright, let's go see her right now."

"Thank you."

The carriage began rattling its way toward the hornbeam forest where Amelia lived.

A monotonous routine.

Also, an excessively lethargic and numb routine.

After Siwoo left, Amelia did what she was most confident in.

Immersing herself in Magic Research to bury all sorrow and pain.

Becoming engrossed in something to avoid recalling painful memories.

The happy life in the hut filled with warm colors was gone.

Left behind in a world turned monochrome, just as it was before meeting him, she merely fled from what was unbearable.

Otherwise, it would surface.

His gaze, soaked in resentment.

His voice, permeated with betrayal.

Amelia unfolded a sheet of paper and began writing down the Magic Formula that came to mind.

If nothing came to mind, she would write down everything she had learned so far on a blank sheet from the beginning.

As long as a shred of thought remained, she had to exhaust it all.

That way, there would be no time to suffer, even a little.

It was like this when her Master passed away, too.Thanks to that, Amelia was able to forget the pain a little and hide from the sorrow that desperately called out to her.

But compared to that time, there was a slight difference.

Even though it was clearly the same situation, and clearly the same method, she couldn't become completely numb and forget everything.

Even when she immersed herself in Magic Research to suppress distracting thoughts, once the sun set and night fell, one person would come to mind all too vividly.

Shin Siwoo.

Crinkle.

With a feeling as if her heart had plummeted, the corner of the white paper Amelia was holding crumpled.

"......."

It's because she still had stamina left.

It's because she hadn't pushed herself to the point where her mind became a blank white sheet of paper.

Just as Amelia was about to grab another blank sheet of paper and start filling it, she sensed a commotion coming from outside.

"I'll go get permission first."

"Nonsense, I'll go myself."

A faint wrinkle appeared on Amelia's previously expressionless forehead.

She had clearly asked that no one come looking for her.

It was irritating.

She hadn't asked for much.

She just wanted to be alone, and couldn't even that be granted?

The cabin door swung open and two women entered.

One was the somewhat familiar face of Gemernai Deneb, and the other was a Witch with pink hair she was seeing for the first time.

"What is it?"

It was only natural that a chilly question sprang from Amelia's lips.

Deneb, seeming to have expected this, apologized with a deeply apologetic expression.

"I'm truly sorry for the sudden visit. She said she absolutely had to ask you something about Ea Sadalmelik..."

Before Deneb could even finish speaking, the Witch, smaller in stature than Amelia, popped forward and spoke.

"Baron Marigold, I apologize for visiting without permission. Can you tell me about what happened on the day you clashed with Ea Sadalmelik?"

"To introduce her, this is Duke Tiferet."

Eloa, who was so impatient she jumped straight to the point without introducing herself, and Deneb introducing her in her stead.

Upon learning her identity, Amelia understood why she had come here.

After all, the fact that Duke Tiferet's Apprentice Witch had been killed by the Witch of Aquarius was a major incident, known even to Amelia who was insensitive to rumors.

The hostility that had clouded Amelia's eyes softened.

Amelia also knew the pain of losing a loved one.

Amelia offered seats to Tiferet and Deneb and said,

"I'll bring some tea."

"...And so, I confirmed the final moment with my own eyes."

"........"

Amelia had told the story of that day's events with what sincerity she could muster.

Though talking about matters related to Siwoo occasionally made her heart ache sharply.

As expected, it seemed the Duke had pushed herself to visit Amelia, wanting to hear whether Ea had truly died and through what process.

That sentiment was understandable.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance for revenge.

Even if the end might have been utterly futile, Amelia had essentially snatched it away.

However, in that situation, Amelia herself had no other choice.

"I'm sorry."

With those words, she ended her consolation.

Tiferet rose weakly from her seat.

"By any chance, did you lose sight of her even briefly, or notice anything unusual?"

"No."

"Any signs of being under an illusion-type Magic or of spatial movement being used?"

"There weren't any."

"Is that so.... Thank you."

Eloa, who conveyed her gratitude in a voice that seemed drained and faltering, was a different person from when she first entered.

Her once straight and sharp eyes had sunk pitifully, and even her dignified tone, which could rightly be called a model for nobility, was as weak as that of an invalid.

Eloa trudged out of the cabin, leaving only Deneb and Amelia at the table.

Deneb took a sip of the now cold tea and set the cup down.

"Duke Tiferet likely couldn't maintain her composure."

"I know."

"I could see she would visit on her own if left like that... so I dared to be rude and accompanied her."

"It's fine."

"Then I'll be going now."

Amelia's state, calmly forgiving, seemed better than expected.

Or perhaps it wasn't just 'better'?

As Deneb finished her farewell and stepped out of the cabin, she compared Amelia's past appearance with her present one.

Amelia when she first entrusted the Twins to Trinity Academy, who looked like a living doll.

Even to another Witch's eyes, she was incredibly beautiful, but there was a strong sense of artificiality, devoid of human emotion.

In contrast, when Deneb visited her a second time to receive the transfer of Shin Siwoo's ownership, she was much more vibrant.

Although it was a negative emotion like awkwardness and faint anger, she clearly felt like a being capable of experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.

If asked which current state was closer, it would undoubtedly be her appearance from their first meeting.

Outwardly she seemed fine, but a chilling coldness seeped out, as if touching her even slightly would slice one's finger like a razor blade.

"Has she lost heart?"

But Deneb was not Amelia's caretaker, and there was no need to stubbornly look after her condition.

Deneb immediately approached Eloa, who was walking away in the distance.

"What do you plan to do now?"

"...I don't know."

"I can arrange a place for you at the estate. How about resting a bit?"

"It's fine, I still have things to do. I lost the Enemy Knight. I must catch and kill him before he performs another spatial jump."

"Are you leaving right away?"

"I must."

To Deneb, Eloa seemed to be pushing herself too hard.

She had lived, even abandoning Magic Research, for revenge and to ensure the same sorrow she felt would not be repeated.

With one of the goals she had been running toward for a hundred years suddenly gone, emptiness and futility must be weighing heavily on her.

"It was good to see you after so long."

It might be good to let go a little.

Harboring such feelings, Deneb asked.

"...Where do you plan to go?"

"Korea."

Eloa answered.

=====

I received another fanart!

This is Amelia, heartbroken by Siwoo, drawn by Lin-nim!

The surrounding scenery and her distressed appearance perfectly captured the image I had in my head!

I express my overwhelming gratitude!

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

I'm doing it, continuous updates!