City of Witches Chapter 220

After the one-sided sparring that was almost embarrassing to even call training.

Eloa returned to the hotel where she was staying.

She had an appointment with Branch Chief Sua this afternoon, but the training ended earlier than scheduled, leaving her with some free time.

Sitting in the lounge with a cup of coffee ordered, she deeply pondered over what had happened today.

Originally, it was Eloa herself who first suggested teaching him to skillfully handle the Contract of the King of All Maladies.

There were two meanings implied in that.

One, as she had previously stated, was to protect and monitor him in his surroundings and wait for any potential interference from Ea.

The other was...

A faint hope that perhaps, by watching him, she might catch even a glimpse of the beautiful Sword Dance of Raphi, which she could no longer see.

After all, that was all that remained for her to remember Raphi by now.

"........"

However, Eloa's expectations had spectacularly veered in a futile direction.

The Contract of the King of All Maladies was undoubtedly one of the most useful innate magics for Close Combat.

It naturally taught how to move the body effectively and how to handle weapons.

But even riding the same high-performance motorcycle, the output of an ordinary person and a professional racer would be entirely different.

Siwoo's movements couldn't even compare to the tip of Raphi's toes.

And she would likely never see them again.

"Nothing but regret."

She knew this wasn't something to blame Siwoo for.

In fact, she wasn't really blaming him either.

She was merely directing a bitter scoff at herself for having harbored such selfish expectations.

"What troubles you?"

Across from Eloa, who had been sipping coffee and muttering to herself, Branch Chief Sua took a seat.

Despite having been swamped for days dealing with the aftermath of the recent incident, she showed no signs of fatigue, appearing as impeccably neat and dignified as ever.

A hanbok adorned in vibrant, multicolored hues, not modernized but traditionally ornate.

Merely by her sitting across, the luxurious hotel lounge seemed to take on an antique ambiance.

"You're earlier than expected."

"I could not possibly keep the esteemed lady waiting."

Sua replied with an elegant smile.

Since she rarely uttered such coquettish words normally, one could say Branch Chief Sua was in a good mood right now.

"I heard you have taken on a new disciple."

"Hardly a disciple. I merely offer trivial guidance."

"If you publicly attest to their status, provide backing, and even impart martial arts, how is that any different from having a disciple?"

"Teacher, your teasing is rather excessive today."

Sua beamed with a grin as she watched Tiferet looking somewhat embarrassed.

She had watched over Tiferet from a very long time ago.

She had seen Tiferet burning herself solely for revenge after losing her disciple.

She had also seen Tiferet, after her target for revenge disappeared, denying reality and crumbling into emptiness and futility.

Seeing her finally break free from the keyword of 'revenge' and form a new relationship, how could she, as a longtime friend, not be overjoyed?

In front of the beaming Branch Chief Sua, Tiferet gave a bitter smile and took a sip of her coffee.

"But what did you mean by saying you were disappointed?"

"Well..."

Tiferet recounted the light sparring she had with Siwoo this morning.

"His spirit to rise again no matter how many times he falls is admirable... but how long that will last remains to be seen. In fact, I'm not even sure if that tenacity will truly benefit him."

"Hmm..."

Sua made a subtle expression.

Though Eloa said it in passing, Sua could clearly sense it.

That Eloa, having lost both her disciple and her target of revenge, was projecting her longing for her disciple onto the man named Shin Siwoo.

Though she herself claimed it was for surveillance, wasn't her insistence on taking the role of a teacher and imparting lessons partly because she wanted to find traces of Raphi in him?

"It might be better to stop for his sake. Trying to catch two rabbits halfway often results in losing both."

"Esteemed lady."

Sua gently admonished Eloa with her beautiful, jade-like voice.

"Not everyone is born with the overflowing blessing of martial prowess like you."

"But..."

"Might the purpose behind your wish to impart martial arts to him, if I may be so bold, have been because you needed a place to rest?"

Sua spoke very circumspectly, carefully avoiding any mention of Raphi.

Eloa was stronger than anyone Sua knew, but also weaker than anyone.

She knew well the state Eloa was in—taking on no new apprentice witches, disregarding even her own life, and wielding her blade relentlessly.

Like a porcelain vase covered in fine cracks, making a rustling sound at the slightest touch.

"I have no right to rest."

Despite the cautious advice, Eloa replied in a stiff, hardened voice.

It wasn't resentment toward Sua.

It was the strictness she showed toward herself, unable to forgive herself.

"Even a mere beast needs time to catch its breath. To achieve what you desire..."

"Teacher Sua, I don't even have any desires."

It was a weary voice.

Without a doubt, this was the first time Sua had ever seen Eloa outwardly express such vulnerability.

That sent a chill down her spine.

She even felt a sudden cold shiver.

Based on her long experience, she could guess what Eloa was contemplating.

Ending her own given life.

Namely, suicide.

The only reasons she hadn't taken her own life yet were likely just two.

Because she wasn't 100% certain about the life or death of Ea Sadalmelik.

And because she was in the midst of hunting Enemy Knights.

"Esteemed lady, even so, could you not... wait a little longer?"

"Wait for what?"

"Perhaps a single day, one sparring session, is insufficient to judge a Vessel's potential. Among talents, there are those who bloom late, are there not? Of course, I am not questioning your discernment..."

The words of Branch Chief Sua, who always spoke with effortless eloquence, suddenly faltered.

Not because she was interrupted or disturbed.

The palpable fear that her dearest friend might leave at any moment was enough to steal her breath.

"...Your words have some merit."

Eloa's expression wasn't particularly convinced.

Seeing Sua's pale face, she could tell it was just a placation.

"By the way, how is the matter with the Enemy Knight progressing?""Considering the 'White Knight' discovered by Your Grace and the surrounding circumstances, it is highly likely that they have colluded with the public enemy. It is presumed to be the work of the 'Cowardly Witch'..."

"I see. Please contact me anytime if there is any progress."

Watching Eloa rise from her seat first, Sua called out to her belatedly.

"Tiferet."

Eloa, who had paused for a moment, slowly turned around.

Looking back, the last time a smile bloomed on that face was nothing but a distant past.

"What is it?"

Suddenly, the thought came that she must convey these words before it was too late.

"...Thank you for being the girl's friend until now. And I ask for your continued favor in the future."

"Teacher Sua, you're saying such embarrassing things too."

Eloa gave a bitter smile and turned her body toward the guest room.

Sharon had been examining the Brand that Siwoo had pierced through with overwhelming magic power all night.

Sitting cross-legged after a long time creating a vessel of the Four Elements, Sharon closed her eyes and observed the Ain.

Her consciousness, sucked into the Unconscious, endlessly contemplates and observes the state of the Brand.

It was astonishing.

Through the three strokes that were completely incapacitated due to incomplete succession, thin threads of magic power were flowing.

Of course, it wasn't a level of magic power that Sharon could intentionally control, but the fact that the Brand, which had remained silent no matter what she did until now, had revived was a Miracle in itself.

If forced to make a comparison, it felt like a toe that had necrotized down to the capillaries and was only waiting for the day to fall off was regenerating?

Even seeing it with her own eyes, it was hard to believe.

"Hoo...."

She tried her best to bring in and analyze the knowledge within the Brand, but it was impossible.

However, there was nothing to regret.

Compared to the past when she couldn't even approach it, this alone was a tremendous advancement.

When Sharon opened her eyes and came out to the living room, Siwoo, completely exhausted, was sprawled on the sofa.

"What's this? When did you get here?"

"About... 30 minutes... ago..."

Siwoo, who had been rolled and tossed around for two or three hours, was crawling on the floor almost like a limp vegetable.

Thinking back, he had no idea how he got from the rooftop to the sofa.

"Did you get hit a lot?"

"It didn't hurt that much... I'm just tired."

How could anyone be fine after being thrown, flung, and pummeled like a sack?

Still, since he had actively stepped forward saying he would go first, he didn't give up, but it felt like being turned into minced meat for pork cutlets.

"How was it?"

"How was what?"

"Duke Tiferet."

"Fucking strong. Couldn't lay a finger on her."

"Well, of course. How could you be full from the first bite?"

It felt like being toyed with by a veteran of fighting games.

The only difference was that instead of sneering, 'Hmm~ memorize the frame data~', she pointed out what needed to be fixed?

But her advice was all things that were easy to say.

When you actually try to follow them, they are so difficult to put into practice that not a single one can be done.

"Ugh, our Siwoo is so tired, what should we do. I guess I have to cheer you up."

"Yikes! Don't stick to me, I'm sweaty."

"What's the big deal?"

Sharon approached hesitantly and then tightly hugged Siwoo.

Even though he was sweaty enough to soak his hair and should feel sticky.

She showed no sign of reluctance.

The problem was that she hugged so tightly that excruciating pain was felt from the limbs that were already screaming.

It was tremendous muscle soreness.

Well, even professional fighters become exhausted after sparring, and Siwoo had repeatedly sparred relying solely on the durability of his Spirit Body.

"I guess I need to wash you."

"Can't I just ask you to use Magic...?"

"No, I'll wash you myself."

Sharon gave a mischievous smile and used Magic to float Siwoo's body up.

Placing Siwoo, transported in a state of anti-gravity, into the bathtub, she took off his clothes.

"Raise your hands. Raise them."

"I can take off my clothes myself."

"No no, you're tired. Stay still."

Siwoo grumbled but obediently raised his hands.

The shirt clinging tightly to his skin was removed, revealing his upper body with prominent muscles.

Sharon unconsciously gulped.

It was a body that seemed tempered in real combat rather than just built through aimless exercise.

When the Spirit Body, which maintains the body in its most optimal state, met a male body, it resulted in a physique like a Greek statue.

And on top of that, sweat that exudes masculinity.

Sweat is originally dirty.

It didn't feel dirty at all.

Rather, she didn't know why her heart was pounding so hard.

Maybe it's because of pheromones.

And then she remembered how Siwoo had been pinned against the refrigerator by the Duke before sparring.

The rough voice and actions that bound him like tying him up, making him unable to move.

As that memory added on, her body somehow felt like it had become a furnace of desire.

"Pa, pants need to come off too."

"No, I said I'll do it..."

"I said no! You're tired!"

"This is more mentally exhausting."

After a while of bickering, the struggle between Siwoo and Sharon ultimately ended in Sharon's victory.

Triumphantly, yet with a strangely flushed expression, she took off Siwoo's pants and underwear.

Feeling as if he had returned to his slave days, Siwoo awkwardly looked up at Sharon.

He could now guess what she was thinking from the atmosphere.

"Sharon, sorry, but I'm really at my physical limit..."

Sharon didn't say anything and took off her own shirt.

And then quickly removed her Dolphin Pants, which revealed her pure white thighs, and the underwear covering her vulva.

Sharon climbed into the spacious bathtub where two people could lie comfortably.

Even while thinking he would really faint from exhaustion, seeing her naked body caused blood to rush to his lower half on its own.

"Just leave it to me... I said I'd cheer you up..."

"Hey, hey, hey..."

Sharon didn't say anything and pressed her body against Siwoo's sweaty body.

Right now, she couldn't think of anything, not even recovery of the Brand through sex.

There was only one desire: to hold him.

Author's Note (Afterword)

Actually, I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow regarding the webtoon adaptation.

And I have another important appointment over the weekend.

I said I could resume serialization after the 15th when things calm down a bit...

I'm sorry for going back on my word like this.

I've never had reserves, nor am I the type of person who can create them, so I thought about taking a hiatus, but I'm writing by squeezing out whatever I can.

Moreover, since the next episode is a major development, I wanted to resume if possible, but it seems difficult.

Now that the main story is gradually progressing, please don't be too angry!The following is a notice of gratitude for sponsorships!

• Thank you to -9616, Remski, Baektonica, Coffee Slave, Suhyeonui, and Primitive for your sponsorships!

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A voluntary over-the-top sponsorship! You must really like Sharon!

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The emoticon is pretty, right? I plan to beg later to have Amelia's emoticon remade with other characters!

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The titles of the Witches in the work are hereditary and have little to do with the Hierarchy.

When Gehenna was created, titles were temporarily bestowed upon the Witches who provided significant assistance (they were wealthy and high in the Hierarchy enough to have the leisure to do so), and it feels like those titles just became permanent.

• Thank you Amelpyepejoa for 100 coins!

I wish a Tiferet emoticon would come out too.

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My mental health is fine! Thank you for your concern!

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Thank you for celebrating the 200th episode milestone!

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