City of Witches Chapter 63

"Oh my."

"This is quite a mess."

Upon setting foot in the Latifundium valley of the Spirit Mountain, what greeted them was the wreckage of vegetation, viciously clawed and torn by a destructive force.

Nearly half of the once-beautiful ancient trees had suffered irreparable wounds or were broken.

Seeing it firsthand was enough to make one give up on calculating the damages.

Fortunately, it was the fallow period, so crop damage wasn't too severe, but with the trees meant for mushroom cultivation in this state...

"We'll have to uproot the ancient trees that have already lost their production function and bring new ones from the Spirit Mountain to plant."

"Duke Keter might make a fuss."

"Really? Would someone like him bother with such a trivial matter?"

Despite the immense damage, Albireo and Deneb remained unperturbed.

If the magical tool business, the foundation of Gemernai Co., had been damaged, it might be different, but before the capital power of the Zemnarai family, which extends to the modern era, losses of this scale are negligible, recoverable within a week.

Besides, as Witches, they wouldn't stake their lives on every single gold coin anyway.

Therefore, the reason they personally came here wasn't to assess the damage.

"How is it? Sensing any distortion?"

"Still searching. Same here."

It was to uncover the cause of the 'magic power entanglement phenomenon' observed in the Spirit Mountain recently.

Magic power entanglement, which causes various anomalies as atmospheric magic power becomes unstable, generally occurs for two reasons.

One is a natural mystery phenomenon, like a waterspout forming over the sea.

The other is when magic interfering with space is activated or when space itself is distorted.

"It reeks, but the 'kernel' is nowhere to be seen."

Deneb, who hadn't batted an eye at the devastated farming site, wrinkled her nose.

The barrier of the hidden world that constructs Gehenna is near perfect.

The pinnacle of fully autonomous barrier arrays, adjusting and adapting to all external variables.

After all, it's a large-scale barrier personally designed and overseen by none other than Duke Keter.

In Gehenna's 600-year history, there has never been a single instance of a hole forming due to an error in the barrier itself.

So, what causes holes to appear?

"Annoying, when I don't even have time for Magic Research. This is why I hate Exiles."

It's when 'Exiles,' stripped of their citizenship, pierce 'kernels' to illegally enter Gehenna.

While Gehenna guarantees maximum freedom and rights to its city's Witches, Exiles are an exception.

Those who kill triple-digit numbers of humans in cruel experiments to raise their Hierarchy or steal other Witches' Brands are strictly prohibited from entry under Gehenna's civil law.

Thus, they intentionally exploit the characteristics of Homunculi, who can traverse the hidden world, to dig these holes.

And that very Homunculus, used as a key, nearly killed Odil and Odette.

Thinking of that, even the dignified Countess felt fury rising.

"Let's catch and kill them."

"Good idea."

To dare cause such havoc in Count Gemernai's territory and even endanger an Apprentice Witch?

Unforgivable.

Sealing the kernel before more Exiles or lost ordinary people cross over was the top priority, so it was temporarily pushed back.

After all, once the kernel is closed, any Exile who made it inside becomes a rat in a trap.

"Not the Latifundium side, but the Spirit Mountain?"

"How deeply did they hide it?"

Grumbling, Albireo, extending her magical tentacles in all directions, spoke to Deneb.

"By the way, Deneb. What about our darlings? I told you we should have managed them sooner."

"Would they listen if we said anything?"

"Still, it was dangerous this time. If it weren't for that heroic slave, something terrible might have happened by now."

"Hmm~ But we can't keep them as flowers in a greenhouse forever. They need to experience dangers like this too. That's why you turned a blind eye when our darlings secretly went to Taro Town, right?"

"That's true. I should gift them some useful combat-type Artifacts."

"That's a good idea."

As the discussion about the Twins' treatment passed, Siwoo's matter naturally came up.

"How will we compensate him?"

"He probably doesn't know, right?"

"How would a mere slave know?"

They pride themselves on raising the Twins, who, though still naive and innocent about the world, are more upright than anyone.

A man whom the Twins clearly follow so devotedly can't be a bad person.

Then, even if he's a slave, he's likely from the 'missing persons' side.

"........"

"...Pitiful."

At Deneb's words, Albireo fell silent.

"How about proposing a different form of compensation? If he's dissatisfied with being a slave, we could accept him as a guest of the family."

"Indeed. If he misses the Mortal Realm, we could attach him as a guide later when our darlings go out for amusement."

"Still, his own will is most important."

Even if he returns to the Mortal Realm as is, it probably won't be the life he hoped for... but as they say, even the governor of Pyongyang can quit if he doesn't like it.

"Let's ask him again."

"Separately, I'll prepare materials to persuade Baroness Amelia. If he insists on going to the modern world even after explaining the situation, we'll help him settle down."

"Good. That level of reciprocation is needed to maintain prestige. Around ten million dollars, perhaps?"

Exchanging such talk, Albireo and Deneb continued to leap through the air, searching for the kernel.

Freedom.

How sweet it sounds?

Returning home after getting off the Twins' carriage, Siwoo found it hard to contain his excitement.

Soon, he would finally be able to enjoy the rights he should have had as a modern person, not a slave.

"FUCK Gehenna FUCK Witches. A city for Witches? It's all BULL SHIT."

Siwoo hummed a spontaneously made rap.

After reveling for a while, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.

For five years of slave life, he lived solely for escape, focused only on escape.

But this situation... it's like...

It felt like thinking he had one more year left of tedious, exhausting military service, only for the president to take office, shorten the service period, and be discharged overnight.

He suddenly felt lost.

Apart from the joy of liberation, the ensuing emptiness might be inevitable.For the first time in my life, I studied the discipline called Magic, cutting back on sleep and pouring blood onto paper, captivated by the beauty and wonder only magic could provide.

All those experiences were already beginning to be romanticized.

"Fuck, what do I do? It's already getting nostalgic."

This is a problem.

If this keeps up, I might end up thinking things like, 'Even though that bitch Amelia tormented me horribly, she had her cute moments.'

"But will Amelia let me go?"

Suddenly seized by rising anxiety, Siwoo shook his head vigorously.

That was just too much self-consciousness.

Amelia is a Witch who has lived for 150 years, and Siwoo is merely a slave.

And wasn't it clearly established before that Amelia has no feelings whatsoever for Siwoo?

Since the Jemernai Count Family is personally handling the negotiations, they will surely prepare conditions enticing enough for Amelia to nod in agreement.

Looking at the sky, the sunset was already gently fading.

The first person Siwoo sought out was Takasho, loitering near the caretaker's quarters with a cigarette in his mouth.

"Oh, you're here, sir!"

As soon as Takasho saw Siwoo, he clasped his hands together, bowed his waist, and scurried over.

Siwoo chuckled at Takasho's comical appearance.

"Takasho, let's have a drink. It's been a while."

"What, did you finally score?"

Dragging Takasho, who reacted exactly as expected, they entered his quarters.

"...Anyway, that's how it turned out."

Cheap wine and dried, shriveled fish jerky.

Sitting on the wooden floor sharing drinks, Siwoo spent about an hour explaining everything that had happened so far.

Studying magic to escape.

What happened with the Twins... he omitted the R-rated episodes.

And finally, about receiving assurance from Count Gemernai that he could return to the Mortal Realm.

Takasho, who had been listening to Siwoo's story with his arms crossed, suddenly sprang up and put him in a headlock.

"Ow! Ow! Hey, what are you doing!"

"You call me a friend, so why do you hide so much?"

"That's why I'm telling you now! Let go! You're freakishly strong!"

Takasho was unexpectedly a man of brute strength.

Takasho released Siwoo, whose temples had been pressed until he was nearly worn out.

Siwoo held his tingling head and glared at Takasho.

Takasho downed a glass of wine in one gulp and cleared his throat.

"So... you're going?"

"I have to. I can put in a word for you too. As you heard, I've accomplished something pretty significant. You're not a personal attendant like me; you're under the city hall's jurisdiction, so it shouldn't be complicated for you."

"Yeah?"

Takasho looked genuinely disappointed.

Siwoo wasn't exactly in high spirits either.

He was the friend Siwoo had grown most attached to during his five years of slavery.

And they probably wouldn't see each other again.

"Thanks for saying that, but I think I'll stay here."

"I figured you'd say that. I wish you'd come with me."

"Bullshit, you haven't even mentioned it to the Count yet."

Takasho plopped down on the bed and snickered.

The truth was, Takasho preferred life here over his life in the modern world.

Siwoo hadn't bothered to bring up Takasho's situation with the Count first precisely because he knew Takasho wouldn't want to go back.

"Who am I supposed to go to the tavern with on holidays without you? Sigh."

"You can go with the Witch you like."

This must be sudden news for Takasho.

Thinking they'd be friends for life, only for Siwoo to return to Earth alone must be quite a shock.

Even though Takasho must feel anxious about being left alone in Gehenna, he sincerely congratulated Siwoo.

With tears welling up, he hugged Siwoo and patted his back firmly.

"But still, it's good. Really good. You're smart, not like me, so you'll do well out there too."

Even though it was almost exactly as expected, for some reason, his nose stung.

"Hey, even though I called you a 'slant-eye' every day while looking at you. You know I didn't mean it, right? I was really grateful all this time. If it weren't for you, I would've been caught trying to escape and dragged to the docks long ago."

"For me, it was good to have someone I could talk to."

After ending the passionate manly embrace, Takasho's face was all scrunched up as he tried to hold back tears.

"Hey, are you crying?"

"Siwoo."

Takasho gulped down his drink, caught his breath, and spoke.

"If I ever get hit by a magic spell and TS into a cute girl, and become a Witch so I can come and go freely outside..."

Takasho smiled brightly.

Tears sparkling refreshingly.

"I'll definitely find you and give you a blowjob."

Siwoo felt chills run down his spine at Takasho's joke.

No lie, Takasho was scarier than the Homunculus earlier.

"Stop talking nonsense and let's just drink."

"Yeah, cheers!"

To share all the piled-up stories and the conversations they wouldn't be able to have in the future, it seemed they'd need quite a bit of alcohol tonight.

Suddenly, Takasho brought something up.

"Hey, I just thought of something. What if Amelia doesn't let you go, after all our wishful thinking?"

"Then, well, I guess I'll have to study magic again."

"That feels kinda lame."

"What's lame about it? It just means staying a bit longer."

Watching the sun set, the friendship between the two men deepened.

Author's Note (Afterword)

The reason only one chapter was posted today...

Readers might not know, but it's because I'm agonizing myself bald over two different routes.

Both episodes are enticing, but I'm at a branching point where I have to choose which one to go with, and I'm struggling too much with the decision ㅜ

Since it's a weekday, three consecutive updates are tough, but I'll post two chapters tomorrow!