City of Witches Chapter 282

A deep and dark space.

Darkness so profound it steals all sense of distance, with no end in sight.

But what Sharon felt was not the fear or terror such darkness might bring.

Rather, it was a feeling akin to returning to a familiar, warm womb.

This was the world of the Unconscious.

A conceptual space, an Ain, where all the magical assets accumulated by a Witch over generations are stored.

How much time had passed?

What might be happening outside?

For the current Sharon, such things were mere trivialities.

In this profound space where no emotion could be felt, where even one's personality seemed on the verge of fragmenting, she focused solely on her Magic.

A massive cross-shaped structure dominating the center of the Ain.

It was the Orbital of Elements, encompassing the power of the five elements.

Countless elements of water, fire, earth, wind, and void drifted through the heart of the darkness like a fairy's dance.

"It's beautiful…."

Even in her state of indistinct consciousness, Sharon felt awe toward it.

Observing the harmony that embraced each element's coldness, warmth, solidity, overflowing vitality, and all their energies, she endlessly interpreted and analyzed it.

The interior of the Ain did not contain only the structure.

There were elements, and there was magic power.

Magic power that was not originally Sharon's, that she had received several times until now, coiled around the structure like a fierce current.

-Kugugugugung!

And then, change began.

The Orbital of Elements began to resonate with a vibration that shook heaven and earth.

"Ah…."

In an instant, an intellectual pleasure bordering on ecstasy struck Sharon's entire body.

It was enlightenment.

The wave of information and knowledge that had flooded her when Sharon first inherited the Brand.

It was the process of absorbing the knowledge that Sharon should have fully inherited originally.

-Kugugugugung!

With each deafening roar, magic power extended into the Orbital as if necrotic nerves were being revived.

The parts of the Brand that had become disabled due to the incomplete succession were vividly resurrecting.

The elements seemed to stir with joy at the birth of a Great Witch who had finally grasped her rightful authority.

Each element embracing Sharon coiled around her body like a whirlwind.

She willingly surrendered herself to that torrent.

The intense shock of breaking through contradictions and contemplations she had never understood until now.

Along with a light so dazzlingly bright it hurt the eyes….

"Ah…."

Sharon's eyes, which had been lying quietly on the bed, opened.

Upon regaining her senses, she found herself in a room bathed in pleasant moonlight streaming in at an angle.

A space so spacious a typical commoner family of four could live comfortably.

Turning her eyes, overly sensitive to light from long disuse, to survey every corner, she saw furnishings that were somehow both antiquated and luxurious.

Narrowing the focus a bit more, it was the bed itself.

The feel of the feather pillow against the back of her head was top-quality.

The feel of the blanket covering her up to her chest was also top-quality.

She could quickly discern that even the elegantly draped canopy was top-quality, embroidered stitch by stitch.

"...Ah…!"

As her stagnant memories returned to consciousness, they came chasing after her.

The last thing etched in Sharon's memory was the drowned Witch driving a pike into her chest.

And Siwoo, left alone before the powerful Homunculus.

"Siwoo!"

Even though the environment clearly indicated he wasn't nearby, Sharon called out anxiously, looking around frantically.

Until she confirmed his safety, the fact that the complete succession she had so desperately wished for was now finished was not important.

"Kgh! Hgh!"

Merely trying to plant her foot on the ground triggered the Autonomous Defense.

Her limbs had stiffened from lying down for too long.

How much time had passed since then?

What happened to Siwoo?

Sharon, nearly in a state of panic and flustered, suddenly froze in place.

Because the scenery visible outside the window had caught her eye.

"What…?"

At first, she thought she was seeing things.

She could guess that someone had saved her.

She could also easily infer that they had treated her and provided meticulous care.

However, the vast garden sprawling outside the window and the landscape visible beyond it were so inexplicable that her mind momentarily short-circuited.

That's right.

This was not the Mortal Realm, but Gehenna.

The clean air without a speck of fine dust and the room's scenery, heavily reminiscent of the Belle Époque era, proved it once again.

"I see…"

Soon, Sharon understood.

"I must have died…"

She had returned to Gehenna, where she had so longed to come, and all the Brands her Master had passed down were fully restored.

It couldn't possibly work out so well for a Witch with a fate as tragic as hers.

This must be the afterlife where all wishes are happily fulfilled.

Then, if she used a summoning spell for Siwoo, would he appear?

No, since this is heaven, calling for Siwoo wouldn't cause him to die in reality, right?

Sharon, with her dazed mind, had somewhat absurd thoughts.

"Is that so? To my eyes, you seem perfectly alive."

"Eek!"

At the voice that suddenly came from behind, Sharon jumped in place.

She had been caught from behind.

The moment she realized it, the delusions from just moments ago vanished instantly, and within a second, she summoned her Witch attire and Wand, pointing it behind her.

The Witch looking at Sharon with a half-exasperated expression was a familiar face.

It had been a long time since they met directly, but she had just recently met her younger sister, who looked exactly like her.

"Co… Countess…"

"Please, just call me Albireo."

Sharon's face turned pale as she hurriedly hid the Wand behind her back.

The instinct of a debtor was truly fearsome.

It had rapidly cooled Sharon's head, which had just woken up and couldn't think straight.

"I thought you might be curious, so I'll tell you in advance. Siwoo is safe. Word arrived that there was some commotion in Seoul, but it was resolved well. Also, this is the Jemernai Count Family mansion, and there's nothing wrong with Miss Evergreen's body."

"Pardon…?"

"It means everything is fine, so don't worry."

Sharon stood there dazed, as if frozen for a while.

Tears streamed from her wide-open eyes.

Her legs gave way, and she plopped down right where she stood.

Siwoo was safe.

That statement was enough.

"It's a relief… it's a relief… it's a relief…."

Albireo watched that sight with a complicated gaze before handing her a handkerchief.

"Sniff… Thank you… But, it's truly a relief…"

"Shall we have a little talk?"

"Um… Do I have anything to share?"

A lovely appearance that made one think, 'If forest fairy elves existed, they'd probably look something like this,' with large breasts and wide, easy-birth pelvis that couldn't be hidden even by the loose patient's gown.While Albireo was lost in thought admiring the beautiful sight, Sharon's mint-colored eyes glanced around as if checking the situation.

Either way, Count Gemernai is the creditor, and Sharon is a delinquent debtor who has failed to properly repay her debts over many long years.

If he were to add more debt under the pretext of something like nursing expenses, Sharon would be in a position where she'd have no choice but to pay.

"Hoo, well, I thought you might be curious about what happened."

"What happened?"

"Recent events involving Siwoo. Strangely, he only gets caught up in major incidents."

To the bewildered Sharon, Albireo calmly explained the events that had occurred recently.

It wasn't surprising that she, who had various networks and informants even in the Mortal Realm, knew the details inside out.

That the series of incidents in Seoul were part of the Cowardly Witch's plan.

That Siwoo, cooperating with Duke Tiferet, had defeated the Enemy Knight and the Cowardly Witch.

That he planned to finish the cleanup without major issues and come to Gehenna to meet the Twins and Sharon.

Sharon, who had looked as if the sky were falling just hearing that Siwoo had been in danger, finally breathed again upon hearing that the incident had concluded without anything seriously wrong.

"Miss Sharon was in a coma. With Siwoo's consideration, our Jemernai Count Family was helping her recover."

"Thank you. I can never thank you enough..."

Albireo's complicated gaze tangled above Sharon's head as she bowed politely.

Having heard about Siwoo's recent situation from Deneb, Albireo couldn't help but acknowledge her own misjudgment.

Matters like romantic relationships could easily be inferred by conversing and piecing together surrounding clues.

Things like mutual feelings or trivial emotions.

Especially in Sharon's case, it was practically like she was leaving clues out in the open.

Considering the distinctly changed quality of her magic power, it was clear she had overcome an incomplete succession while she was unconscious.

Perhaps being able to approach the world of the unconscious had been the trigger.

Moreover, she was in a situation where she had nearly died and then survived.

For the person she thought of first in such a moment to be Siwoo...

Albireo's diagnosis was that Sharon's goodwill toward Siwoo bordered on almost blind love.

Considering that Siwoo himself, while remaining in Seoul, had prioritized Sharon's evacuation,

And especially considering that the place where the two had met with misfortune was a hotel, how far their relationship had progressed was as clear as day.

Given that they even seemed to be living together, they must literally be a fiery-hot couple.

Of course, driving Siwoo out of Gehenna was Albireo's own choice.

Having noticed that the relationship between the Twins and Siwoo was dangerously crossing a line, Albireo had judged that she needed to separate the three, at least until the Hierarchy succession was over.

Even if they only enjoyed the relationship in secret, couldn't they suddenly make a mistake one day?

The choice she made back then for the Twins' sake had now become a regrettable decision.

In the end, it turned out that the man the Twins were deeply infatuated with had been taken by a formidable witch named Sharon Evergreen...

Even though she had promised to wait just five years, the very person who drove Siwoo out, knowing full well that life in the Mortal Realm would be tough, couldn't very well blame him for cheating on the Twins.

But simply retreating after conceding the high ground is second-rate.

Albireo had her own thoughts.

She revealed the reason she had originally requested a private meeting with Sharon.

"Miss Evergreen."

"Yes."

"While staying at our mansion, would you consider becoming the Twins' private tutor?"

"Pardon...?"

"Baron Marigold has just vacated his position, leaving the elemental magic instructor role open. The Evergreen school is the closest to orthodox among existing elemental magic systems, so it works out well. I've prepared a contract; please read it."

For the Twins' sake, even if it wasn't the most honorable method, it would be better to subtly intervene here.

Even if she felt sorry for Sharon, even if she knew people's hearts couldn't be controlled.

For the happiness of her beloved daughters, she couldn't just do nothing and stand idly by.

"Wha?!?!"

Sharon, skimming the contract at the sudden proposal, was startled.

Because the terms were far too good.

The Twins were scheduled to succeed the Brand within five years.

Meaning, the maximum contract period was five years.

Within that time, whether the Twins succeeded the Brand or failed due to insufficient achievement, all remaining debt would be considered nullified.

All research materials seized as collateral during the loan would be returned, and during the contract period, substantial research funds, living expenses, housing combined with a workshop, and dignity maintenance support.

Finally, upon contract termination, a recommendation letter for the Truth-Seeking Academic Society or an introduction letter to Trinity Academy.

Not only debt relief, but support solidly planning both her present life and future was promised.

"Yes! I'll work hard!"

Sharon was overjoyed, ready to jump for joy.

If this worked out, she wouldn't need to rely on Siwoo anymore.

She could stand on her own as a proper person and be with him.

She could escape the problem that had tormented her for decades.

For Sharon, it was an irresistibly sweet contract she had no reason to refuse.

"However, there is a condition."

Albireo forced herself to ignore Sharon's delighted expression and spoke.

"Could you please keep your distance from Siwoo?"