City of Witches Chapter 204

Just as Sharon had been when she first encountered movies, the Twins’ reaction was also extremely positive.

A romance film playing in such high definition you could practically count the actors’ pores.

As a work famous for its visual beauty, it completely captured the Twins’ attention.

The Twins, who had been clinging tightly to Siwoo, firmly closed their previously chattering mouths and focused once the screening began.

So, for about 15 minutes?

“Snooore....”

“Purrrr....”

Sharon picked up the remote and turned off the TV.

It was just when the main story was about to get going, but the sound of the Twins snoring had started.

“They really are twins, aren’t they?”

“Right... It’s truly amazing. They fell asleep simultaneously, not even a second apart. Even their snoring rhythm is the same.”

The one-piece pajamas you have to step into from the feet up, like a mascot costume.

The Twins, who had each chosen pajamas that strangely suited their personalities, were now lying on the sofa, fast asleep.

Well, considering today’s schedule and the events that occurred, it was understandable they’d be tired.

There had been plenty of things to tire them out mentally, and physically as well.

Especially Odette, who had gone for a late-night walk through the typhoon just last night—it was a wonder she had held out this long.

“What do we do, they’re so cute. Am I not supposed to say that? But somehow, they’re cute...”

Sharon was making the expression women make when they see an extremely small and adorable kitten.

Her lips pursed forward in a feminine pout, a hand covering her mouth.

Even her eyes were sparkling, almost to the point of welling up.

Siwoo carefully pulled his arm out so as not to wake the Twins.

“Mmmph mmmph....”

Both Odil and Odette frowned in their sleep, grabbing his sleeve and hanging on.

But thankfully, they didn’t wake up.

“Sleeping so soundly~.”

“Right, we can’t let them sleep here... I should move them to my room.”

“Want me to help?”

“No, I can handle this much on my own.”

“Oh~ Siwoo, you’ve become so capable.”

Siwoo took out his Ribbon and spun it around, weaving it into a shape like a hammock.

Lately, all the practice of using it in various ways in daily life had paid off.

The number of Ribbons he could use simultaneously had increased to two, and he could now weave complex shapes like this.

Thinking about the misunderstanding it caused today and the punch he took, he felt a little unfairly treated...

But right now, he could transport the Twins without waking them, so he decided not to dwell on it.

He laid the angelically sleeping Twins side by side, covered them with a blanket up to their necks, closed the door, and came out.

They both tossed a little but never woke up, sleeping soundly while tightly hugging each other.

Coming back out, Sharon was sitting on the sofa, swinging her legs gently while staring at the turned-off TV.

“What are you doing there?”

“Just sitting.”

Sharon, who had been quiet for a moment, glanced at Siwoo and smiled.

“What’s with you all of a sudden. Getting sentimental.”

“It’s just, I remembered what Miss Odil and Miss Odette were doing. Isn’t it adorable?”

“It is.”

Would Odil and Odette also become dignified Witches like Countess Gemernai once they grew older and gained experience?

Honestly, based on what he’d seen so far, it was hard to imagine.

“At first, I thought they’d be really scary. It might be prejudice, but you know. That, that...”

“Just looking at them, they do give off the vibe of noble young ladies who’ve been pampered. The kind who’d complain the tea tastes bad for no reason. The kind who’d throw a handkerchief in your face.”

“Yes, that’s it!”

Whether the expression was apt or not, Sharon clapped her hands happily.

“Anyway, that’s the feeling I had, so I was a bit wary. But they’re just pretty, soft and gentle. I want to take them home and make them my little sisters.”

“If you actually did that, you’d probably get pretty tired? I know from experience.”

There was no denying the Twins were cute and pretty, but soft and gentle...

As someone who had been completely caught off guard by their fantastic teamwork and had his weaknesses exposed, Siwoo found that hard to agree with.

Now, of course, he could joke around with the Twins, but when they first caught his weakness, even Siwoo had felt a chill down his spine.

“I’m going to go smoke. What about you? Want to finish the movie?”

“No, I’ll get ready for bed too. Ever since meeting you, I feel like I’ve been sleeping a lot more. I hardly slept before.”

“It’s good to clear your head and not think about anything sometimes.”

“Right.”

Patting his head, he roughly concluded the conversation and went up to the rooftop.

Even though the typhoon had passed, the night air, still heavy with moisture, felt oppressive.

If there was any good point, it was that a cool breeze was blowing, perhaps?

Putting a cigarette in his mouth and lighting it, the plain smoke filled his lungs.

“Hoo....”

His eyes stung even though he hadn’t done anything.

He felt lethargic, perhaps because his body was under a lot of strain.

The psychological shock couldn’t be ruled out either.

He wasn’t a veteran soldier, yet he had seen so many people die—no, be slaughtered.

In fact, it was suspicious that he could pass it off this calmly.

Usually, in movies or something, just witnessing a murder scene makes people vomit, have nightmares, and cause a fuss, right?

Siwoo, newly aware of his own cold detachment, was caught in a strange sentiment.

-Ring ring

The phone rang.

It was a number he had received a while ago but had never actually called first.

It was Deneb Zemernai.

“Yes, I’ve answered.”

[Is your body alright? Ah, just leave it there]

Judging by the commotion around her, the ‘Ah, just leave it there’ probably wasn’t directed at him.

The reason the Twins were left alone in the officetel even right after such a major incident.

He had heard it was because Deneb was running around busily handling the aftermath.

“You must be having a hard time working so late.”

[It’s work I chose to take on, so it’s nothing to call hardship. Are the Twins doing well?]

“Yes, they ate and drank to their heart’s content until just now and are now fast asleep.”

[They aren’t particularly scared or anxious, are they?]

Here, rather than saying, ‘Yes, not at all. They collapsed from exhaustion after eating,’

“They said they missed you a lot, Countess. I think you should come quickly.”

It was probably better to answer like that.

A bit of flattery, seasoned with memories of the past.

[Hehe, those rascals? Miss me? With that assistant of mine who used to sing my praises right beside them? That can’t be. You’re quite the smooth talker]

“Haha.”

His intention was seen through in an instant, but a relaxed laugh could be heard in Deneb’s voice, soaked in fatigue.

This much felt like a success.

With Deneb’s voice saying ‘Just a moment,’ the surrounding noise died down a little.[The reason I contacted you separately isn't solely because of the twins.]

"Yes, please go ahead."

[Thank you for safely returning the twins this time as well. I am indebted to you.]

To be honest, unlike last time, even if the twins had been present this time, would things have been significantly different...?

Deneb seemed to be grateful for Siwoo's decisive actions themselves.

[I cannot maintain my dignity if I let this pass without any compensation. Is there anything special you desire?]

"No, there's nothing I particularly need. What you've already given is more than enough... Ah."

[It seems something has come to mind.]

Come to think of it, among Sharon's creditors is the House of Gemernai.

Considering Sharon's reaction, which bordered on a seizure just at the sight of Gemernai's ring, a significant portion of the 50-billion-won debt might have been financed by the Zemnarai family.

"No, it's nothing. May I tell you about it next time?"

But I haven't even asked Sharon for her opinion.

The Zemnarai family is already providing substantial support.

Bringing up such a massive financial matter over something trivial like this didn't seem like a good idea.

I should discuss it gradually when an opportunity arises later.

[Well, I'm not free at the moment either, so I'll formally inquire next time.]

As she seemed about to hang up, Siwoo hurriedly asked.

"May I ask just one thing, Countess?"

[Yes.]

"By any chance... do you know why I am able to wield Ea Sadalmelik's innate magic?"

[Haa... So you really don't know either. That was the question I wanted to ask you.]

Of course, it couldn't be resolved that easily.

But it's not something I can ask Deneb, who seems very busy, to put our heads together and ponder over.

"Yes, I apologize for bothering you while you're busy."

[Not at all, please feel free to contact me if anything happens.]

With those words, the call ended.

The cigarette had burned down near the filter without him noticing, emitting a foul smoke.

Siwoo suddenly offered a brief moment of silence for the innocent people who had been victimized today.

Somehow, it felt like the right thing to do.

"Let's go back and get some sleep."

Trying to shake off the gloom and stretching lazily, Siwoo froze mid-stretch.

Because a witch had suddenly appeared on the deserted rooftop.

"........"

It was the very person who, mistaking Siwoo for Ea earlier today, had slammed a terrifying fist into him with terrifying force.

Duke Eloa Tiferet.

She was staring at Siwoo with an unreadable expression, saying nothing.

A chill shriveled his balls, and goosebumps erupted like chicken skin.

In the spine-chilling scene, Siwoo was the first to speak.

"Um, sorry, but if you're going to hit me this time too, please avoid the liver area. I've been drinking a lot lately, so my liver isn't in good shape."

Was it because a sudden surge of strong fighting spirit welled up?

Or was it because his liver, having been smashed and recovering, had swollen up like a balloon?

Siwoo found himself uttering such absurd words without even realizing it.

He was flustered even by his own words.

"........"

Just as he was anxiously pondering whether his slip of the tongue, closer to sarcasm or provocation than a joke, was a mistake...

The Duke clad in white clothes pursed her lips tightly and glared at Siwoo.

However, the initial venom was gone.

Her eyes were merely uncertain, wavering.

"Who... are you?"

It was the same slender, high-pitched voice he had heard half a day ago.

Separate from the tightly clenched, formidable fist reminiscent of a seasonal king crab, it was a voice that seemed powerless, as if she might collapse at any moment.

This was Tiferet, who had nearly injured Sharon and half-crushed Siwoo.

He thought he'd want to pour out a torrent of curses at the sight of her, but...

The glimpse of weakness behind the cold mask, the precarious atmosphere that seemed like it would crumble at the slightest touch, made Siwoo unconsciously hold back his words.

After all, even if Siwoo flew into a rage and attacked, she wasn't an opponent he could do anything to.

"Let us contract."

But he realized belatedly that it wasn't the time for leisurely pity.

Because Eloa had drawn a sword from the air and was reciting an incantation.

It was a beautiful sword with twelve unknown characters engraved in intaglio on its side.

"Bloom!"

The twins said the misunderstanding had been cleared up, but was it a mistake to have taken that at face value?

Come to think of it, neither Deneb nor even Siwoo himself knew why he could use Ea's ribbon, why he could use the innate magic of the Duke's apprentice witch.

There was originally no room for explanation from the start.

And his opponent was a Great Witch among Great Witches.

A 23rd hierarchy witch who could burst Siwoo like a worm, even if he had gotten a bit stronger lately.

As black armor enveloped his body, Siwoo pondered survival.

Eloa threw her sword down at Siwoo's feet.

But he couldn't rest easy because of that.

Hadn't he confirmed half a day ago that even with her bare fists, she could send Siwoo to his grave?

"I have no intention of fighting immediately."

Whether she knew that or not, she even raised both hands obediently.

More importantly, what did 'immediately' mean?

Even if they fought a little later, getting beaten to a pulp would be the same.

Cold sweat dripped profusely.

"However, I wish to ask. Who are you?"

And Siwoo saw, from behind her eyepatch, the manifestation of an immensely powerful magic power.

Magic power so dense he had never seen anything like it in his life bloomed from the Duke's mouth.

Word Spirit.

Magic that materializes the moment the caster's will is uttered aloud.

A high-level magic called Dragon Tongue was being manifested before his eyes.

Resonating with the Duke's Word Spirit, three of the characters engraved on the sword lit up.

The characters simultaneously spread outwards, enveloping Siwoo and Eloa.

"I wish to form a contract. A contract where each can ask three questions and cannot utter falsehoods. Do you agree?"

Fortunately, it didn't seem like a type of magic imbued with hostility, as she said.

"If you had such a convenient thing, I wish you had used it first..."

Siwoo felt slightly wronged.

If she had used it earlier, Siwoo wouldn't have been beaten up, and Sharon wouldn't have nearly been injured.

Of course, that's assuming the misunderstanding would have been sufficiently cleared with this magic.

He raised his hand and placed it on the shimmering string of characters floating around him.

Simultaneously, he felt an intangible force of unknown origin binding his body.

It felt completely different from the Poem of Confession.

Unlike the Poem of Confession, which unilaterally forces confession, this felt like a powerful restraint that couldn't be refused since the target had requested consent.

"I agree."

And so, an impromptu hearing began in the dead of night.

Author's Note (Afterword)

Urya!