City of Witches Chapter 328

If there was any difference in the nomadic life after Clara joined, it was that we now had a base camp, however meager.

We had a campfire of sorts and a tarp to block the sandstorms.

And occasionally, we were treated to warm meals.

Of course, it was Clara who proactively provided them.

Clara, who considers others' feelings and offers lively consideration.

Perhaps it was because I was grateful for her, who never demanded anything and simply stayed by my side, that I ended up speaking first like this.

Originally, I had no desire to tell anyone.

Not even Sophia.

As I stared at the crackling campfire, Clara handed me a warm cup of chamomile tea.

And so, the long story began.

"The reason I hunt public enemies... is because I owe a debt to Duke Keter."

"Ke, Keter? Ah, no, sorry. Please continue."

Clara flinched as if startled.

In truth, an ordinary Witch has no business meeting Duke Keter.

A transcendent being even among Witches, difficult to approach.

An absolute ruler who would not hesitate to turn on their own kind for the sake of balance.

Such perceptions were strong.

Not a single Witch had personal ties with Keter, and even those who exchanged brief conversations or transactions were exceedingly rare.

In most cases, being associated with Keter meant that Witch's death.

"In exchange for saving one life, hunting the Homunculus and public enemies listed in the Death Ledger. That was the task she demanded."

"Ah..."

No matter how painful or unprepared Amelia was, the reason she could not run away.

It was because Siwoo's life was at stake.

If the Contract was not fulfilled, Keter would take Siwoo back without hesitation.

Throughout history, Keter had shown only such an iron-fisted course.

"...Is it someone you love?"

At Clara's infinitely cautious question, Amelia hesitated.

Because she couldn't grasp what answer would be good.

So slowly, she began to unravel from the beginning.

The inner thoughts she had never told anyone.

"At first... he was just a slave."

A slave who refused to serve at night.

Back then, Amelia was arrogant.

Arrogant and foolish.

The responsibility as a Witch, unexpectedly thrust upon her after losing her mentor.

Trapped within the thick walls of self-righteousness she had built alone, gazing only at the square sky of those days.

"At our first meeting, he refused my request, and I took it as an insult."

A mere slave had refused the request of a Witch, and a baroness at that.

The childish and petty anger that arose from it.

Like a child who didn't get the gift they wanted, she poured out her anger one-sidedly.

"I deliberately called him out to do dirty work, made things hard for him. I tormented him."

At first, it was just venting.

Because he was detestable, because I hated him, because he was annoying.

At the time, she deceived herself with lofty excuses, but the essence didn't change.

Amelia was simply throwing a tantrum.

A day passed, then a month, a year, three years.

Despite all the dirty tasks she assigned, his silent dedication occasionally caught her eye.

Unlike other slaves who were busy groveling, his stubborn persistence was irritating, yet at some point, she found herself watching him with her eyes.

After that, she called him for different reasons.

Afraid that Siwoo might notice the emotions she herself couldn't define.

She only tormented him with a high-handed attitude.

"I kept, kept calling him. Making him do chores by my side, because at those times, he would look at me. I secretly liked that... I just kept repeating the same mistake."

She didn't realize the wound was deepening.

She didn't even know what kind of feeling her own heart held.

Amelia convinced herself it was because her pride was hurt.

Because of Amelia, who couldn't be honest, only Siwoo suffered.

"It must have been hard, painful. Why... why am I only now able to think like this?"

Not knowing doesn't mean the sin can be forgiven.

That point is unbearably painful.

"I regret it... I want to turn back time, but..."

"......"

"I don't know how to face him. What expression he'll look at me with, what gaze he'll meet me with. I'm scared... I can't bear it..."

"Amelia..."

She is afraid to see Siwoo again.

Amelia still remembered Siwoo's figure, vomiting blood as he resentfully cursed her.

What about Amelia's figure?

How must she have looked to Siwoo, who knew nothing, as she begged for his forgiveness?

She is terrified, utterly terrified, of the betrayal he must have felt after regaining all his memories.

She still keeps the note he left later, too afraid to unfold it.

If the contents of that note are as Amelia imagines.

Then she will truly lose the strength to move forward, and if so, Siwoo will also die at Keter's hands.

"Amelia."

As much as Amelia is not eloquent, it wasn't a well-organized outpouring.

She merely rambled on endlessly, listing only her own thoughts.

Yet Clara looked at Amelia with eyes that understood everything.

"Have you talked to him since then?"

"......"

Amelia shook her head slightly.

Clara pressed a little further.

"Have you asked for forgiveness?"

"After everything is over... Then I'll go to him and ask for forgiveness."

Amelia knew this too was a cowardly act.

If Siwoo learns that Amelia endured all this hardship for his life, he won't be able to stay angry.

Because he is the one who saved Amelia, who tormented and bullied him, with just the words, 'This is not right.'

While thinking she has wronged him greatly, she is relying on his kindness.

"Hmm..."

Clara watched Amelia, who was blankly staring at the teacup clutched in both hands.

Like an immature and clumsy child.

As if a selfish girl, who tormented the boy she had a crush on, now regrets it.

Thin, abundant golden hair as if spun from gold.

Amelia Marigold, who displays a beauty so eerie even fellow Witches find it chilling.

Should I comfort her a little more?

Or give her a push here?

Not yet.

Amelia seems to need a little more time to think.

"Thank you for telling me."

"......""I think anyone can make mistakes. I may not be of much help, but if it gets too hard... talk to me sometimes."

"Thank you."

"What's there to thank? We all help each other out."

Clara's cheerful laugh, half-forced.

A slight sense of ease finally appeared on Amelia's face, which had been heavily furrowed.

Rose Glass, thriving in business as usual today.

The queuing system Takasho swiftly introduced helped eliminate the long line of Witches that used to stretch in front of the store.

Moreover, as Periwinkle's praise wasn't just empty flattery, the third floor, with its nice atmosphere and decent drinks, was now operating entirely as a cafe.

They were even securing a new customer base.

"Sigh..."

Siwoo, who had become a conversational partner for over ten Witches just today, returned to the office and puffed on his cigarette.

Perhaps because he had gained some know-how by now, the stress from the hosting itself was less than before.

But dealing with Witches who showed curiosity as if observing a rare creature—no matter how much his mouth were to tear, he couldn't call it easy.

So, using the evening hours as an excuse, he requested about an hour of rest per day and was currently taking a break.

Then, a commotion arose from downstairs.

"So, we're totally close with Assistant Shin Si-woo, okay?"

"We even brought money like this, so what's the problem?"

A shrill, squeaky voice full of complaints drifted through the window.

Peeking out, he saw the familiar faces he expected.

The Twins, dressed in modest dresses and wearing half-bonnets, were arguing at the store entrance.

"Well... there are many other people waiting too..."

Liam was sweating bullets at the sudden appearance of troublesome customers.

Come to think of it, he was said to be a freshman with only a year of Gehenna life.

Though still just Apprentice Witches, dealing with the Twins, who were incredibly bold and boasted an immense My Pace, might be overwhelming.

"Lady Odil, Lady Odette. Long time no see. It's fine, Liam, let them in."

"Assistant!!!"

Before Liam could even let them in, the Twins, spotting Siwoo from the second-floor window, hopped right through the window.

The Twins' patented window-hopping entrance.

As Siwoo spread his arms, the Twins, their skirt hems fluttering, each leaped into his embrace.

"What brings you all the way here?"

"Assistant, you weren't showing your face anywhere, so we came looking!"

"We came because we missed you. We heard you got a new job?"

"Isn't that too much?"

"Right! You should've told us too!"

The Twins rubbed their cheeks against Siwoo's to their heart's content, showing their delight.

It hadn't even been three days since they last saw his face, but it felt like being welcomed as if meeting after three years.

Always adorable, Odil and Odette.

"Sorry, I've been a bit out of it lately."

"If you're sorry, welcome us by patting our butts. Normally, we'd never allow this kind of greeting... but since it's you, Assistant, we'll make a special exception."

"Right! For the record, I'll even allow touching inside the drawers."

"Sure, sure, I'll do that. The inside might be a bit much, though."

He patted the Twins' bottoms as they subtly stuck them out while still in his embrace.

His mind and body were tired, but the soft, squishy sensation felt through their clothes was truly healing.

After that peculiar greeting ended, Odil and Odette, their eyes sparkling with curiosity, launched a barrage of questions.

"By the way, Assistant, what happened? A job? And we heard you're serving drinks and even acting cute for other Witches?"

"Did the Master take your credit certificate? If so, we could help..."

"Ah, I'm just helping out a friend."

Siwoo laid out the whole story to the Twins.

There was no need for a long explanation, nor to add or omit details.

A friend opened a new store, business wasn't going well, and he was helping out for promotion.

And that it was just about serving some drinks and having conversations.

"Phew, I thought you'd become a voluntary sex education teaching aid or something."

"I was worried sick too, but I'm relieved."

Only then did the Twins seem to relax, smoothing down their chests.

"Anyway, since things turned out this way, we came to buy your time. We don't want some other nasty Witch taking you away."

"We even broke our piggy bank, so you'll play with us, right?"

"Well... that might be a bit difficult."

Though he appreciated the sentiment, it seemed tough.

The current Siwoo wasn't a designated target but a promotional totem.

Naturally, anyone monopolizing him had to be prevented, and that included the Twins.

"Why!"

"Why!"

Their cheeks, once puffed up with anticipation, now swelled with dissatisfaction.

Seeing them so excited, having even broken their piggy bank, Siwoo didn't feel entirely comfortable sending them away empty-handed either.

"Instead, I'll have free time after work ends today. Would it be okay to meet then?"

"Today?"

"At night?"

"Yes, I was actually thinking I should stop by the mansion soon. It'd be nice to have a drink together then."

"Yay! Great!"

"I'll prepare some really good wine!"

The Twins jumped for joy at Siwoo's suggestion.

He wanted to enjoy a bit more healing like this, but his break time was almost over.

He bid farewell by patting the Twins' heads.

"I should get back too. See you later."

"Assistant! Is it okay if we watch you work?"

"Right, I'm curious what you do."

Watch?

There wasn't anything he couldn't show.

Even though the waiting list was incredibly backed up, if Siwoo gave Takasho a heads-up, securing one spot wouldn't be difficult.

Siwoo readily nodded.

"Then I'll reserve a table near me for you."