City of Witches Chapter 200

Tiferet, who had been leaping between buildings as if flying, saw it.

COEX, Seoul's largest convention center, was enveloped by a massive circular barrier.

Inside that otherworld manifested by the Ceremonial Artifact, many people were likely dying even now.

Therefore, Eloa first thought she must destroy the flute.

All barrier magic has a core and a catalyst.

In this case, the core would be Dagon's Flute.

It was self-evident that the barrier must be dispelled to prevent the spread of damage.

But as things stood now, she could not pinpoint the flute's location.

Because of a universal characteristic of barrier magic.

Barriers are typically created to prevent observation from the outside or free passage in and out.

This is natural, as their purpose is to separate inside from outside, creating a new world.

The police, military, and reporters, likely bewildered by the inexplicable phenomenon, probably couldn't properly inspect or enter COEX's interior either.

For Branch Chief Sua, who would be saddled with handling the aftermath of arguably the largest incident in nearly a century, this could at least be called fortunate.

But that wasn't the important issue right now.

Eloa recited an Incantation.

"I make a Contract."

A faint magic power settled in her magenta eyes, and a 'Light of Truth' began to shimmer.

Tiferet's innate magic was 'Contract Magic'.

A Contract inherently involves a price.

From now on, her eyes would be able to see through all illusions and deceptions.

Though once the Contract ended, she would lose her sight for about an hour as the price.

As the power gained from the Contract settled in her eyes, the barrier that had obscured her vision became transparent like glass, allowing her to see through.

"Ah...."

Eloa, who had spotted the flute on the rooftop of the COEX Mall several kilometers away.

Immediately after, her eyes, scanning the surroundings, became bloodshot.

There was a white knight who looked like the Enemy Knight she had been pursuing, only with its colors changed.

If it had ended there, she might have found it strange, but Eloa would not have been shaken.

However, the Black Armor engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle against the Enemy Knight.

Upon discovering that armor, Eloa felt a surge of passion.

The two Ribbons extending from its lower back.

The color was slightly different, but the shape was unmistakable.

The innate magic of her hated enemy, Ea Sadalmelik, who had taken the life of her beloved Raphi—a face and a form she had never forgotten for a single day, hour, or second.

Both that appearance and the method of use were Ribbons woven from the 'Maiden's Loom'.

"That's right...!"

Ecstasy.

It was an explosion with no other way to describe it.

A thrilling, exhilarating pleasure that burned her heart, scattering the boredom, melancholy, and lethargy she had felt these past few days like ashes.

"That's right, that's right, that's right. I believed it. I believed you couldn't be dead."

She was alive.

Ea Sadalmelik was alive.

Just as Eloa had so desperately wished, she was perfectly alive and diligently up to her usual nonsense today.

The heat flowing through her blood vessels stood each and every one of Eloa's wilted hairs on end, rousing her vitality.

But soon, Eloa's face hardened stiffly.

Ea, perhaps due to aftereffects from her encounter with Baron Marigold, was uncharacteristically wielding a sword and shield, engaging in melee combat.

She was using swordsmanship.

A deflection with a trajectory all too familiar to the eye, parrying the ominous White Knight's thrust.

A high slash with a trajectory all too familiar to the eye, bisecting the White Knight's body.

Even knowing it was an absurd delusion, it was so similar that she couldn't help but wonder if the Witch fighting there was Raphi.

Without a doubt.

Tiferet could never forget that swordsmanship, that way of using the body.

The 'Contract of the King of All Maladies' that Raphi, whom she loved more than anyone, had inherited.

Ea was brazenly handling the Contract she had stolen from Raphi as if it were her own.

Her mind, which had been dyed with joy, immediately became a chaotic mess, as if plunged into a mud pit.

Eloa's tightly clenched lips split, and blood flowed.

It was the most vile desecration and mockery.

Kill.

She would kill her.

No, she wouldn't let her die easily.

She would thoroughly break her, make her regret her sins and beg for death in agony, and then shatter her.

Eloa's foot struck the empty air.

In the blink of an eye, arriving at the mall's rooftop, Eloa without hesitation smashed three White Knights that seemed likely to become nuisances.

What these were, what relation they had to the Enemy Knight—none of that mattered.

Wasn't the important thing right in front of her?

Wasn't the Witch, to whom she could pour out a century's longing, hatred, and resentment, adorably waiting?

"I've come to keep my promise."

Even the sight of her creating a hideous armor from shadows and imitating a knight was detestable.

The Contract of the King of All Maladies was not for her.

It was a Vessel and a Contract that Eloa had newly created solely for Raphi.

She stomps the ground.

A body enhanced by six Contracts.

She plants her feet.

The front foot digging into the ground like soft mud, and the rear foot standing firm as if one with the earth.

The essence of the Foot Technique, manifested by inheriting the quintessence of all martial arts throughout history, shattered the crude armor like an insect's exoskeleton and tore through its interior.

"You haven't forgotten me, have you?"

Troublesome.

That vulgar smile wouldn't leave the corners of her mouth.

There was a satisfying feel to the hit.

"Hoo...."

Watching Ea in the Black Armor tumble backwards pathetically, Eloa completed her post-victory routine.

The act of steadying her breathing and scanning her surroundings, remaining vigilant even after felling an enemy.

As the caster lost consciousness, the armor, which had been composed of shadowy black smoke, dispersed.

Eloa, who had hoped to see the long-awaited face of her enemy contorted in pain, stiffened rigidly.

"A man?"

The identity of the one who had wielded the Ribbons and freely utilized the Contract stolen from Raphi was...

Shockingly, not Ea Sadalmelik.

No, it wasn't even clear if it was a Witch.

A pretty face, even with a torn eyelid and half of it painted in blood.

It was a man dressed in an utterly Mortal Realm-style outfit of jeans and a t-shirt.

Stunned by this reversal, as if struck on the head, Eloa even forgot what she should do.

She checked if this was some kind of trick.

If, for instance, illusion-type Magic was being used to deceive the eyes.

But the magic power within the Brand was pure.

Moreover, Eloa's eyes now saw through false images.

"What is... this...."

Dumbfounded, Eloa fumbled over the man's body.Even seeing it, I couldn't believe it, so I tried to confirm through touch.

A Spirit Body.

Due to the nature of the Spirit Body, which maintains the body in its most perfect state, well-developed muscles could be felt even through the clothes.

Was there ever a Magic that could transform a male and female body?

No, more than that, has there ever been a case in history where a man used Magic of this level?

Could it be a high-level deception employed by Ea after all?

Perhaps it's bait she threw?

In the midst of extreme confusion, the one who could provide an answer was already unconscious.

"This... this... this..."

"Step aside!"

At that moment, a Witch who had come up to the rooftop revealed herself.

Despite wearing a Witch's uniform, she was a Witch with deep green hair, wearing leather riding boots and holding a Wand in her hand.

"Step back. If you don't move aside immediately, I will attack."

A flowing, reflective light was rising in her blue eyes.

A Witch who seemed to have a connection with the man lying down, likely an Exile.

Given that she didn't launch a preemptive attack, she seemed concerned about the man getting caught up in it.

"Did you do this?"

"What are you talking about! Why would I do something like... Huh?"

Like blowing out a candle, the magic power that had been gathering and dispersing at the tip of the Wand's emerald vanished.

"Huh, by any chance... Duke Tiferet?"

"That is correct."

Among Witches, the uniquely vibrant pink hair, the Ceremonial Artifact 'Sword of Contract' gripped in hand.

Sharon, who had rushed to COEX in a fluster after hearing the Twins' message, had recognized the identity of the person who seemed to have attacked Siwoo.

After all, the story of the Duke who left the Mortal Realm to wander for revenge after his Apprentice Witch was murdered a hundred years ago was well-known even to the public.

"But... why did you attack Siwoo?"

However, from what she had heard in passing, she was a righteous Witch.

She was also the one who took the initiative to establish Witch Points when other Witches turned a blind eye to Homunculi and public enemies, using their own circumstances as excuses.

No matter how much Sharon tried, she was a monster she couldn't possibly contend with.

Therefore, before acting rashly, Sharon attempted to engage in conversation.

"Perfect timing. Who is this man?"

Even though Sharon showed no intent to fight, Tiferet still hadn't lowered her sword.

Not only that, but the aura emanating from her entire body suggested she was ready to cut down even Sharon along with Siwoo if things went wrong.

"He's my friend. He's definitely not a bad person! I think there's some misunderstanding; he fought here to stop this incident. Just a moment ago, the Apprentice Witches of the House of Gemernai..."

"This man was using the innate magic of Ea Sadalmelik and my Apprentice Witch. Do you think you can dismiss it by saying he has no connection?"

Sharon, cut off mid-sentence, was left speechless.

Who is Ea Sadalmelik?

She is a notorious public enemy infamous for murdering Duke Tiferet's Apprentice Witch.

Sharon knew that Siwoo had faced her in a life-or-death situation and later became a Witch, but he was using her innate magic?

That was something even Sharon didn't know.

But Sharon believed in Siwoo.

She didn't know what circumstances led to this complicated entanglement, but Siwoo was undoubtedly a good person.

There was no possibility that the evil deeds the Duke was concerned about had been committed by Siwoo's hand.

Her experiences and memories up to now told her so.

But that was solely a judgment based on Sharon's personal experience.

The Duke, who lacked such experience, didn't simply believe a third party's words and step aside.

"I understand that the situation looks strange even to me. But it's really not true. Siwoo might have some foolish aspects, but he's kind and good. He would never harm others without reason."

"I don't know who you are. But if you appeared to save a suspicious man in the midst of this chaos, I have no choice but to be suspicious. If you show even the slightest movement, I will cut you down. Step back."

As if to show it wasn't just an empty threat, the Duke firmly gripped the sword with both hands.

In the tense atmosphere, Sharon, meeting the Duke's gaze, discovered a confirmation bias coiled within.

She had no intention of listening to Sharon's words from the start.

She had no desire to clear up the misunderstanding.

No matter what was said, she wasn't in a state to be persuaded.

"No, on second thought, you're suspicious too. An Exile, right? Are you part of a scheme to disguise as a man or to spirit away a reincarnated Ea? Were you hired by someone? Could you be under some enchantment without even knowing it?"

"That's not it..."

"The Witch of Aquarius is a cunning one. She escaped my grasp three times using methods no one could have imagined. I never let my guard down even once. If this man is somehow connected to Ea, there's a possibility you're being deceived too."

Eloa's rapid speech showed not a hint of composure.

Despite being such a powerful being, she seemed cornered, speaking as if she were the one being pursued.

It looked as if she were trying to convince herself, not Sharon.

"No... ending it like this might not be a bad idea either. Wouldn't that be cleaner?"

Eloa's sword, which had been held straight, pointed toward the fallen Siwoo.

She didn't truly intend to kill.

It was a kind of bluff to observe the reaction of the man who might be pretending to be unconscious while also testing the reaction of the suddenly appeared Sharon.

Because she thought threatening the life of a man hiding some scheme might yield a clue to the truth.

"No!"

Indeed, Sharon's reaction was intense.

Fire spreading from her feet created a barrier, obscuring the view.

Vines sprouting from the concrete blocked the sword tip aimed at Siwoo's neck.

Sharon, riding the sudden gust of wind, rushed in to pull Siwoo out.

Her skill in adeptly handling three types of Magic simultaneously was nothing short of remarkable.

But her opponent was unfortunate.

"Kyaa!"

Sharon, still in her running posture, had her nape caught in Eloa's hand.

Legs pulled from the ground floated in the air before being slammed onto the concrete floor.

Without even comprehending what had happened, the Duke was gripping Sharon's neck with a cold gaze.

"I told you not to move."

Facing the Duke up close once more, Sharon was certain.

Shadows of madness and fanaticism.

Despite having such pretty-colored eyes, no light could be felt in them now.

She wasn't in her right mind.

She was merely rampaging, consumed by vengeance.

"Now, do you see?"

The Duke twisted Sharon's neck to make her look at Siwoo.A red line had already been drawn across his neck.

The tip of the blade was digging into his flesh.

“Just a little more pressure, and this man dies. If you want him to live, confess everything you know.”

A Word from the Author (Author’s Note)

Sorry for the delay! I’ll write the 200th chapter note in the 201st chapter, which will be posted tomorrow at midnight!!!