City ​​of Witches 212

Chapter 212 – #47_Protection(2)

#210

1.
It was a novel feeling.
Life as a lowest-class citizen of Gehenna.
It felt like only yesterday when I was shoveling out the Trinity Academy’s drainage ditch in the autumn rain.

Now, I was sitting and sipping coffee alongside a high-ranking noble, someone I would have feared would drag me away for blasphemy just for looking them in the eye.
Of course, it’s still hard to say we’re equals, but isn’t this something?

“I’m sorry.”

Tiferet began with a long apology as soon as she sat down.
She apologized to Siwoo, and also bowed deeply to Sharon again.

“It’s alright. Thanks to Duke Tiferet’s notarization, I’m much safer in the mortal realm.”
“But…”
“Tiferet, at this rate, we won’t get anywhere. It seems Siwoo and Sharon understand. Besides, you asked for this meeting because you wanted to compensate Siwoo, right?”
“That’s true.”

Tiferet nodded slowly at Deneb’s words.
Then, she stared intently at Siwoo’s face with a serious look.
At that moment, Siwoo was taken aback.

He felt a deep, inexplicable emotion in Eloa’s eyes.
It was hard to call it suspicion.
Longing, wistfulness, regret.
It was a gaze that was a complex mixture of those things.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any suitable assets to compensate you with.”

Originally, Eloa had a vast fortune befitting a long-standing duke.
But that was a long time ago, more than 100 years ago.
All of the witch ‘Tiferet’s’ assets were used for the bounty on her location, and the funds she earned afterward were all reinvested in hunting down public enemies and homunculi.

“If it’s about compensation, it’s okay. It was a situation anyone could misunderstand, and I received a proper apology yesterday.”
“Yes, I’m fine too. Any witch would understand the Duke’s feelings.”

Knowing that, neither Siwoo nor Sharon wanted anything more from the Duke.
Especially Sharon, who had gained the courage to get closer to Siwoo because of Eloa’s actions, didn’t hold any grudges.
It was a result that made her feel a little grateful.

“But I don’t like leaving you in the mortal realm like this. Even with the notarization from me, Geminai, and the Suah branch manager, it doesn’t guarantee absolute safety.”

That’s right.
Even in South Korea, which is known for its good public safety, murders happen.
Even though most crimes are caught and punished.

Similarly, even if the three witches’ notarization is authoritative, there could still be witches who would approach Siwoo, taking the risk.
If they approached thinking, ‘It’s okay if I don’t get caught’ or ‘I can’t stand it!’, the notarization would be meaningless at that point.
The notarization didn’t mean that it would protect Siwoo 24 hours a day.

“That’s true.”
“You may have heard from Deneb, but the magnetic magic you use is the ‘Contract of the King of All Diseases.’
It was used by Lapi, my apprentice witch. It’s a contract that allows you to realize and execute the optimal move with any weapon in your hand.”

Siwoo felt a little self-conscious.
Eloa said it was okay, and Siwoo didn’t know why he had that contract, but it felt like he was holding onto his disciple’s keepsake that had accidentally fallen into his pocket.
Moreover, this wasn’t something he could return to its original owner.

“Don’t make that face. Aren’t we talking about a fact that can’t be undone?”
“Still, I feel sorry…”
“It’s alright.”

Tiferet took a sip of her coffee and spoke again.

“Anyway, what you need most is to fully embody and utilize that contract. If you master that perfectly, you won’t be easily defeated by most witches.”
“Are you saying…”
“I will help you train.”

Siwoo was a little surprised, but Sharon’s reaction was different.
They both covered their mouths with their hands, surprised that Duke Tiferet would say such a thing.

Tiferet’s abilities in magical combat were beyond imagination.
In fact, the successive Tiferets had founded several martial arts and schools, and had made a name for themselves as masters.
Learning combat skills from such a Tiferet was an invaluable education that money couldn’t buy.

“I would be very grateful if you would do that.”

Siwoo had planned to decline if he could, but this time was different.
He didn’t even pretend to be modest and readily accepted Eloa’s offer.

He had felt something after the battle with the White Knight and the massacre at the department store.
It was a kind of stimulus that he shouldn’t live aimlessly without a sense of purpose.

He was no longer the same slave he used to be.
He wasn’t the powerless being who was happy or sad about whether a piece of bread was hard or soft, who could be ordered around by anyone, and who could barely save others after risking his life.

Now, Siwoo had power.
He had the ability to save others, not just struggle to protect himself.
He had been feeling the need to refine and hone his power.

“I don’t think I’m a particularly great person. But I want to see better results in the future when things like this happen.”

Eloa, who had heard Siwoo’s firm will, froze for a moment.
Was it just a coincidence?
Or was it the unconsciousness that had been dormant in Lapi’s ‘vessel’ being projected?

He wanted to become stronger to protect others.
Siwoo’s words were exactly the same as what Lapi used to say as a habit.

Eloa closed her eyes for a moment.
And she honestly confessed all her feelings without hiding anything.

“To be honest, I don’t completely trust you yet.”

The transparent truth wasn’t revealed in yesterday’s conversation.
Everything had just returned to suspicion.
What Tiferet believed was not objective facts, but the subjective element of Siwoo’s character.

“I’m not saying that you’re hiding malicious intentions. It’s my sincere belief that no variable should be taken lightly when the opponent is Ea Sadalmelik.”

There were two reasons why Tiferet volunteered to be Siwoo’s temporary teacher.
One was to help him gain the ability to survive on his own as compensation for her apology.
The other was the faint hope that he might act as bait to lure out Ea.

“Of course, I will wholeheartedly help your abilities blossom. But it is also a teaching that includes surveillance. If you don’t want that, I will prepare compensation in another way.”

Siwoo felt trust in Eloa, who was looking at him with unwavering eyes.
In fact, Eloa didn’t have to say anything.

It was obvious that Siwoo wanted to be taught by her.
If Eloa had kept her mouth shut, she would have easily achieved what she wanted.
There was no need to bring up negative nuances like surveillance and reveal her true intentions.

But Eloa refused to achieve her goal easily by riding the atmosphere.
She showed all her hidden cards to her opponent.

Because that was the right thing to do.
Deception and sinister intentions were too far removed from Tiferet’s ideology.
This thought was really rude, but Siwoo felt like he could guess why Tiferet had missed Ea several times.

“Yes, I agree.”

Siwoo nodded without hesitation.
Thus, Siwoo and Tiferet became temporary master and disciple.

2.
Since not all the problems were resolved, Tiferet left, promising to meet again.
Deneb woke up the twins and prepared to return to Gehenna.

“Are you really going back?”
“Yes, with this mess, it’s dangerous to leave the kids here, not that I don’t trust Siwoo, but…”
“I understand.”
“Thank you for taking care of them.”
“It’s nothing. I enjoyed it too.”

The twins’ cheeks were swollen and their mouths were pouting, as they were leaving much earlier than planned.
Their hands were very rough as they packed their luggage into their travel bags.
Especially Odile, who was almost on the verge of tears.

“Can’t we stay a little longer, Master?”
“We haven’t done much with our assistant…”
“The situation is what it is. Stop sulking and pack your things quickly.”

The twins were moving slowly, with expressions that showed they really didn’t want to do it.
Deneb, sighing at the sight, asked Siwoo.

“Would it be possible for you to visit our mansion in the near future?”
“Pardon?”
“Soon, Siwoo’s official citizenship and pass will be issued. It means you can freely travel to and from Gehenna like other witches.
It’s dangerous to bring the twins outside every time… If you visit us, we’d like to treat you as a special guest. And also, to thank you for this incident.”
“Our assistant is coming to our mansion?”
“Really?”

The twins popped out of the room as if they had never been sulking.
They had been pretending not to listen, but it seemed they had heard everything.

“If our assistant comes to our house, I’ll make you a guinea fowl stew! I’ve gotten a lot from you too!”
“I’ll make you poker rounds!”
“Poker rounds are just white bread with nuts and honey!”
“Lena is the one who prepares all the ingredients and stuffing for your guinea fowl stew! You just put it in the Dutch oven!”
“Odile, Odette, can’t you just get along for one day?”

Deneb and Siwoo smiled wryly.
It was a time when they sympathized with each other’s hardships.

“You must have a lot of trouble.”
“What do you mean? They’re so cute, it’s fun to teach them.”

When all the preparations were finished, Odile and Odette said their final goodbyes to Siwoo and Sharon.

“It wasn’t long, but it was fun, Sister.”
“Let’s talk and play more next time.”
“Yeah, I also enjoyed it, it felt like I had a cute… pretty younger sister.”

Sharon stroked Odile and Odette’s heads.
Next, it was Siwoo’s turn.
The twins opened their arms and hugged Siwoo tightly.
Siwoo was shocked and glanced at Deneb, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Still, was it fair to say he was more accepted than before?
Anyway, a hug was tolerated.
Of course, no one could guarantee anything more than that.

“Assistant, you have to! You have to come! I hope you come before Thanksgiving.”
“That’s too late! You have to come at least a month later!”
“Yes, I’ll come to see you as soon as my citizenship is issued.”

After hugging the twins one last time, Siwoo quietly asked Deneb.

“Before you leave, can I ask you just one thing?”
“Yes, feel free.”
“How is Baron Marigold doing these days…?”

At Siwoo’s words, Deneb made a knowing expression.
It was as if she was saying, ‘Why are you asking that?’ or ‘Don’t you know better than me?’

“The last time I saw him, he was the usual baron. Even that he was back in his hermitage.”
“I see…”

So that’s how it was.
Siwoo fell silent for a moment, feeling an unknown emotion.
What should he call this…
Yes, the feeling of being unsettled was the most fitting emotion.

“It’s just personal curiosity, but I was wondering what was written on the note you entrusted to me… No, it was a frivolous question.”
“It’s alright. You even went through the trouble of delivering the note.”

The conversation, which had been awkwardly cut off for a moment, continued with Deneb’s soft smile.
Unlike her slightly complicated expression, her eyes were wise, as if she had seen through the essence of the matter.

“It seems you’re popular, Siwoo.”
“Pardon?”
“If I had met you a little earlier, I might have been interested too.”
“What are you suddenly talking about…”
“I wonder if it’s right to give this advice for the sake of the twins…”

Deneb leaned in and whispered in Siwoo’s ear.

“Sometimes, women want to be hugged without saying anything. Especially those who are clumsy in relationships.”
“Pardon?”

It was something Siwoo couldn’t understand at all.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand the meaning of Deneb’s words, but rather that he found it difficult to accept…
Deneb, who had unilaterally ended the conversation, winked and led the twins away.

“Come on, let’s go back, you troublemakers.”