City of Witches Chapter 347

The path leading up to the hill toward the Gemarnai Mansion grounds is lined with a forest of cork oaks and beech trees.

Amidst the fallen leaves shed by trees preparing for winter hibernation, a black spear split the air with a piercing sound.

A 2.45-meter-long spear woven from shadow.

Its shape and length were precisely identical to the Red Branch.

“Huh…!”

The opponent facing it was Eloa.

With her cherry-blossom-colored hair tied back for mobility, she effortlessly deflected the spear tip that had risen to her chin.

Simultaneously, Siwoo spun round and round.

From within that rotation, intermittent thrusts erupted in a triple strike.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

Eloa dodged the spear strikes alternating between high and low, then closed the distance in one fluid motion.

Eloa’s blade, which had slid up along her opponent’s weapon as if gliding, halted right before Siwo’s throat.

Their eyes met, and Siwo offered a bitter smile, raising both hands.

“Well fought.”

“Haa, you worked hard too, Master. I still can’t keep up, as expected.”

“Of course, did you think you’d catch up already?”

The two shared water amicably before sitting on a nearby tree stump as a makeshift bench.

Siwo sought guidance from Eloa.

Originally, Siwo fought utilizing a shield and Longsword, but he had changed his equipment on this occasion.

He had thought that if the day ever came when he could perfectly control the Red Branch, he would make it his primary weapon.

Although the Contract of the King of All Maladies granted proficiency with all weapons, the difference between what was ingrained in the body and what was not remained significant.

The fact that he was defeated more easily than when sparring with a Longsword proved that.

“What’s the problem?”

“It’s a matter of spacing. The distance you were once familiar with has become unfamiliar, causing you to retreat when you should advance and advance when you should retreat. But it’s only a matter of time. Once you get used to it, you’ll be fine.”

Eloa, sitting slightly apart, wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

How could such strength emerge from such a slender neck and a frame that seemed like it would topple over with a light tap?

No matter how much it was thanks to Magic, it was endlessly fascinating.

“It’s been a while since we’ve sparred like this.”

Eloa smiled brightly, as if that alone made her happy.

“Let me look at you for a moment.”

Suddenly gazing at Siwo, she leaned in.

The distance between them abruptly narrowed.

As Siwo froze awkwardly in a situation that seemed like she might lean in for a kiss,

Eloa patted Siwo’s face with her own handkerchief.

It was likely a pure white handkerchief embroidered with a floral pattern, as if she had done the needlework herself.

“I-I can do it myself.”

“It’s fine, it’s not a difficult task.”

Although it was the opposite side from where she had wiped her sweat, a strangely sweet Fragrance tickled his nose.

It was as if she had generously applied perfume.

While feeling somewhat embarrassed, Eloa tucked the handkerchief back into her bosom.

“It’s been so hard to see your face lately… Have you been very busy?”

“Yes, but my work is finished now, and for a while, I want to focus on training. May I continue to ask for your guidance?”

“If it’s your request, I’d make time even if I had none. Just say the word, anytime.”

“Yes, Master. Thank you.”

“Do you have plans after this?”

“I’ll probably proceed with Magic Research. It doesn’t seem to unravel easily.”

Even though he thought he had gained some confidence in Magic.

It seemed to be teaching him that it was baseless arrogance.

He was currently creating and testing various sample Magic Formulas, but the results were dismal.

It felt like hitting a rock with an egg.

“You’ll manage it well in no time.”

“Then I’ll head off before it gets too late. I’ll see you this evening.”

“Very well.”

Siwo bowed his head and headed toward his quarters.

Eloa stared intently at his retreating back.

The happiness that had been etched at the corner of her mouth transformed into a sorrowful smile, leaving behind an inexplicable sense of regret and bitterness.

She murmured quietly, as if to no one in particular.

“…This should be enough.”

After spending a night in the carriage with Siwo and erasing his memory,

Eloa was able to take time to compose herself in her own way.

That included seeking out his lover, Sharon, to apologize.

In a way, one could say they had finally returned to a proper master-disciple relationship.

Was it because they had been together all this time as a matter of course?

Only after erasing Siwo’s memory did Eloa realize how much he had been preoccupied with the incident in the rainwater tunnel in the past.

As evidence, during their time together today, she couldn’t help but notice his glances, as if he were being cautious.

And there were no awkward silences falling between them.

While she found that fortunate,

a part of her heart was newly filled with bitterness.

“Hup.”

Eloa rose to her feet again before distracting thoughts could settle in.

She was still paying the price of the contract.

But it wasn’t as severe as before, to the point of being unable to move.

To clear her mind, moving her body was important.

Eloa spent a while performing a swaying Sword Dance, gathering her composure.

Amelia, still wandering remote areas to carry out the Death Ledger,

and Clara, taking on the roles of guide and handling miscellaneous care by her side.

The two finished today’s hunt and sat around a campfire in front of their crudely made camp.

Today, Amelia’s prey was a notorious public enemy of the 21st hierarchy.

A formidable foe whose victory or defeat even Clara couldn’t gauge in a head-on confrontation.

A brutal public enemy who used a transformed elemental system of Magic to unleash cold fire and hot ice,

but Amelia, honed through battles regardless of her own will, was strong.

Even Clara, who had watched her fights from the side until now, hadn’t imagined such an overwhelming difference in Combat Power.

Dew-like rain falling over a parched desert.

A spectacle of nameless wildflowers blooming, nullifying all Magic.

It was an overwhelming scene that naturally raised the question: Could any opponent truly stand against that?

“You worked hard again today.”

“…….”

“I was going to help a little if it looked difficult.”

“…….”

Clara boiled tea for the weary Amelia while persistently asking her questions.

It was important work.

Regular check-ups were essential to support Amelia and prevent her from breaking.

She was like gold, shining so pitifully yet seeming as if she would crumble if one looked away even for a moment.

How could she be left alone?

Amelia’s continued silence.

Clara, who had assumed she simply didn’t want to answer, detected an unusual demeanor.

“Are you okay…?”

“…I’m okay.”"You..."

Clara swallowed a groan as she looked at Amelia.

Her face and lips were deathly pale.

Her long, long eyelashes trembled faintly.

Though her expression was as blank as ever, cold sweat flowed ceaselessly, making her skin look sticky.

Clara recognized Amelia's condition at a glance.

Magic power deficiency.

A symptom that occurs when the magic power stored in the Brand is forcibly squeezed out and used beyond its limit.

"If your condition is this bad, you should have said something!"

"It's... okay... If I just rest a little..."

Amelia looked like she didn't even have the strength to lift her own eyelids.

Her exhaled breaths, released with the weak nodding of a sick chicken, were mixed with a feverish heat.

Originally, magic power deficiency isn't a particularly serious problem.

Like exhaustion after intense exercise, it's the kind of thing that can naturally recover if you had to categorize it.

However, Amelia had exhausted her magic power many times until now.

The result of pushing her body so relentlessly and heading to the battlefield was that she had finally surpassed a level where natural recovery was possible.

"Come here!"

Clara threw down the teapot she had been boiling for Amelia and lifted her small body into her arms.

Even through her clothes, her entire body was as hot as a ball of fire.

Hair matted with sweat crossed her cheek, and Amelia looked up at Clara with a dazed, unfocused gaze.

"Amelia. I have a request."

"......"

"To help you, you need to release your autonomous defense."

"......"

"I'll transfer my magic power to you."

What Clara intended to do was an act of sharing her own magic power with Amelia.

Fundamentally, this is taboo among Witches.

Because it is an extremely dangerous act.

For Witches, whose physical bodies are made of Spirit Bodies, magic power is no different from blood.

As Witches who each use different innate magic, they possess magic power of distinct, differing properties.

Therefore, if one carelessly accepts another's magic power into their body without defense, it could cause side effects akin to a full blood transfusion with an incompatible blood type. Moreover, if the one transferring the magic power harbors even the slightest malice, one's life could immediately be endangered.

"Will you trust me?"

"......"

Even in this physical state, a tiny ripple finally appeared in Amelia's eyes, which had remained eerily unchanged.

It was a sky-blue ripple, beautiful enough to make one's eyes sting.

As Amelia gave a small nod, Clara immediately began emergency treatment.

Clara drew out the magic power stored in her own Brand.

Self-manifested magic power, crimson like flickering red flames.

She couldn't transfer it to Amelia in this state.

She had to revert it to its pre-manifestation, most neutral state possible and then infuse it.

Clara's magic power storage capacity was outstanding, far exceeding that of Witches of the same hierarchy.

However, this purification process caused an extremely inefficient waste.

Even distilling an entire bottle's worth of Magical Power would leave only a few drops of pure magic power.

"Wait just a little. You'll feel better."

Sweat also streamed down Clara's forehead.

Soon, only white, transparent magic power remained in her hand.

It might not be perfectly neutral, but it was pure enough.

"Haa..."

As Clara transferred the magic power to Amelia, color returned to Amelia's face.

And seeing Amelia, who seemed to relax immediately and fell into a deep sleep, Clara let out a sigh of relief.

"...That was dangerous."

She thought they had become quite close by now, but Amelia was still putting up walls against Clara.

That point was disappointing, yet it also made her think it was truly like Amelia.

Because compared to the lofty realm of the 23rd hierarchy, Amelia Marigold was hopelessly immature, fragile, and clumsy.

She was a fool who couldn't even comfortably show her own wounds to others.

Clara stroked the luscious golden hair of Amelia, who was leaning back against her knees.

The thin, fluffy golden hair, as if spun from gold melted on the looms of angels, flowed pleasantly between her fingertips.

The haggard, sweat-dampened cheek.

Even the fine lips, slightly parted, exhaling feverish breath.

Even after rolling around in the chaos and ending up in this state, a strange Alluring Charm emanated from Amelia.

Clara's gaze, which had been staring as if enchanted, turned toward the Death Ledger in Amelia's embrace.

The list of public enemies left by Duke Keter that must be killed.

Originally, one should get the owner's permission to look through something like this...

But leaving it like this was problematic.

Since she had taken it upon herself to look after Amelia, it seemed better to at least find out who the next opponent was.

Clara opened the Death Ledger.

Flipping past the section for the public enemy dealt with today, the next opponent designated by Keter was...

"This... won't be easy."

Affiliated with Cliptoth.

A Great Witch of the 22nd hierarchy.

Called by the Epithet 'Witch of Desire,' who has sent countless Witches to their rest.

It was Bianca Bellili.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

Pfizer second dose aftereffects

I learned that after a hiatus, continuous updates are the standard.

But I'm extremely, extremely tired.

I exercise regularly, have never had any major body pains, and even with the first dose, aside from being sleepy, I was fine, so I thought it would be okay, but...

The second dose brings a fatigue of a completely different dimension.

Especially, body temperature regulation isn't working well, so the sweating is the most bothersome.

Continuous updates will probably be difficult for a while.

Everyone, please be careful too... I rushed to get it because I was thinking of traveling a lot, but I keep feeling like I got it for no reason lol.

I have newfound respect for those who work at companies and got the vaccine.