City ​​of Witches 291

Chapter 291 – #64_Twins And Sharon (4)

#289
1.
Countess Lucy Yesod was one of the wealthiest individuals in Gehenna, second to none.

This was because she operated a luxurious bathhouse, a complex of all sorts of entertainment, convenience, and lodging facilities, in the rather dull Gehenna, which lacked amusements, making money off wealthy witches.

And that wasn’t all.
Based on the enormous wealth she had accumulated, she was expanding her business to the mortal realm, planning and constructing various theme parks worldwide. It was no wonder that she often met with Countess Geminai, who was also very interested in mortal realm businesses.

“I think this is a reasonable compromise.”
“It’s true that witches understand each other well, isn’t it? Those number-crunching folks in the mortal realm are so suspicious.”
“Of course, even if our paths are different, we pursue the same goals, don’t we? We witches.”

Albiereo neatly arranged the copies of the contract on the desk and put them in an envelope.
It was a document outlining a collaborative agreement between the two countesses regarding a large-scale theme park to be newly built in Hong Kong starting next year.

Of course, the two witches did not directly negotiate the detailed aspects of the business.
Once they conveyed the guidelines related to the business, the two companies would appropriately coordinate and proceed within the bounds of the agreement.
Therefore, the matters discussed by the two witches were, strictly speaking, related to Gehenna, not the mortal realm.

There was a rumor that had been circulating recently.
It was unconfirmed information that Duke Keter was no longer involved or active in mortal realm affairs.
In fact, this was nonsense that was heard every 50 years or so when things would quiet down.
Each time, Keter would silence the rumors by punishing the witches who tried to verify their truth.

However, the recent events were different.
Even though the Cowardly Witch had caused a disturbance, the Duke did not move.
It was already apparent that some public figures were indiscriminately expanding their businesses and that the exiles were causing trouble, which was too much to passively condone.

In response, they intended to push forward with a postponed project to rectify the chaotic state of the witch society.
It was the establishment of a witch point, combined with a theme park, on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, where the Chinese Communist Party’s interference was relatively less, to avoid the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, which opposed the establishment of witch points.

This was the responsibility that those who bore the honor of being ‘nobles’ should rightfully bear.
History had proven that if chaos arose in the mortal realm, it would soon affect Gehenna.

“For the prosperity and glory of Geminai.”
“For the transcendence and sublimation of Yesod.”

The two countesses, expressing respect for each other’s families and names, finished their discussion and lightly toasted with their glasses.
Perhaps because they had each taken away what they were satisfied with, smiles lingered on the faces of the two countesses.
After the business talk was over, Albiereo looked down at the terrace below and said.

“By the way, Diana is still the same, isn’t she?”
“You can see it, can’t you?”

The meeting took place at a private villa in the Levana Grand Bathhouse.
Specifically, it was on a terrace overlooking the vast outdoor bath.
Looking down, they could see an apprentice witch floating in the pool, which formed a large crescent shape.

She had her gray hair tied up like her mentor, Countess Yesod, and was wearing a bikini.
She had a sunbed with a tube attached floating on the water, with a book in one hand and a bottle of alcohol next to her, enjoying the leisurely atmosphere to the fullest.

“Haa…”

Wrinkles appeared on the forehead of the elegant Countess Yesod.
A beautiful appearance and a high title as a countess.
A 22nd-tier countess who had achieved high research results recognized by the academy.
Countess Lucy Yesod, who had achieved all the glory a witch could achieve and was about to inherit her title, had her biggest worry…
It was none other than her apprentice witch, ‘Diana Yesod.’

“Sometimes, I’m so envious of you.”

Countess Yesod sighed without reservation, expressing her honest feelings.

“They say twins listen to their mentors so well… Why is Diana such a troublemaker…?”
“If you went on a picnic with the twins for just one day, you’d realize they have their own difficulties. I often wish Odile and Odette were as well-behaved as Diana.”

Albiereo responded to the grumbling with a wry smile.
Even after more than 10 years together, she still felt drained when she was with the twins…
She wondered if the composed Countess Yesod could handle it.

“It’s better if they’re noisy and rambunctious. At least they listen to their mentor. I don’t know who that girl takes after…”

Diana was an outstanding talent among the apprentice witches.
Born with witch’s blood, she was exceptionally sharp-witted, standing out among the apprentice witches.
It was no exaggeration to say that she had completed all the preparations three years ago, shortening the originally scheduled inheritance period.

“What are the twins doing now?”
“They’re probably attending Evergreen Witch’s elemental lecture at this time.”
“See? They still do what they’re told. Look at that girl? She’s been like that since this morning. And it’s not just for a day or two. Isn’t it frustrating? Isn’t it?”

However, there was a major problem with Diana, who was smart, intelligent, and even pretty.
She was a notorious slacker, which even Countess Yesod had given up on.

“At least when I’m around, she pretends to do things when I nag her, but I wonder what will happen when I’m not here…”

Lucy bit her thumbnail.

“I can’t take it anymore. I need to give her a good scolding today. Will you come with me?”
“Me?”
“Yes, she doesn’t listen to me, so can you help me out?”
“If it’s just that…”

Lucy stood up abruptly and, taking Albiereo, who had a reluctant expression, with her, went down to the pool.

Diana was leisurely floating on the water, reading, regardless of whether her mentor came or not.
Lucy took a breath and shouted in a stern and dignified voice.

“Daughter!”
“…!”

Diana, startled by the sudden roar, dropped her book into the pool.
Looking to the side, she saw her mentor with a terrifying expression and Countess Geminai.
Diana got up and greeted Albiereo awkwardly.

“Hello, I’m sorry. I was so engrossed in reading that I didn’t realize you were here.”
“It’s alright. Please, be comfortable.”

Her appearance was that of someone a year or two older than the twins.
Her gray hair, tied up to keep it from getting wet.
Unlike her dark hair, her topaz-like, shining vermilion eyes were beautiful, befitting the dignity of a witch.
Diana, who had a perfect blend of the opposite feelings of decadence and purity, had a languid voice that was the opposite of her thorny atmosphere.

“Why are you suddenly like this?”
“I was going to watch how long you would laze around today, but I couldn’t take it anymore, so I came!”
“But I’ve already finished studying for today?”

Even with Lucy’s thorny reprimand, Diana was completely unconcerned.

“Who’s talking about studying? I told you to go out and make friends when you’re done studying! Take a walk! I told you to do that!”
“Making friends is annoying…”
“You know who this person is, right?”
“Of course, it’s Countess Albiereo Geminai.”
“Right! The countess’s daughters ride horses! They learn instruments! They hunt! They have reading clubs! They study hard! Why are you like this?!”

Diana sensed that this was not a situation that could be resolved with mere words and subtly got up.
She naturally released her magic power and walked on the water, splashing, before standing at attention.

“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself now. Would you like to see what I studied today?”
“…Let me see!”

Diana rummaged through her bag near the pool and took out a workbook.
Lucy flipped through the pages, checking the contents.
Diana glanced at her and added an explanation.
In fact, it was closer to a surefire move that always worked rather than an explanation.

“Today, I analyzed a paper that Mom wrote a long time ago in my own way. Of course, I didn’t understand everything, but it was a truly beautiful law.”
“……”
“The mysterious balance of the reverse field woven like an arabesque, the magical utility in the combination of subtle principles, I felt an outstanding aesthetic value.”
“……”
“After reading such a high-level text, I couldn’t focus on the rest of my studies. So, I floated on the water and contemplated all day.”
“……”

-Flip, flip

Lucy checked Diana’s analysis of the paper until the end.
Diana stretched out her arms and nestled into her mother’s embrace like a baby bird seeking its mother’s warmth.

“Mom, I really respect you. I want to be a cool witch like you.”
“……”

Even Albiereo, who was watching from behind, could see that it was obvious flattery.
It was so obvious that her face was burning.
Diana, whispering like a little devil in Lucy’s still stiff ear.

“I’ll go for a walk after dinner today. For more than 30 minutes. I promise.”

-Crumple!
The hand holding the paper that Diana had submitted tightened.

She’s really angry.
Albiereo guessed.

If the twins had caused an accident and tried to get away with it like that, Albiereo would have willingly made them write 10 reflection papers.

“…My daughter…!”
“Huh?”

However, the situation went in the opposite direction.

“I don’t know who she takes after to be so smart! Well, the paper I presented back then did cause a sensation at the Truth and Clarity Academic Conference! How was this part? The influence and control of the reverse field that distorts the concept of reality! This part!”
“Uh… I didn’t understand that part well, but I’ll definitely look at it again tomorrow.”
“Okay, okay, do that. Oh my! Her nose is pretty, her eyes are pretty, and her lips are so, so cute! Mom is so proud of our Diana!”
“Yes, I’m the proudest of Mom in the world.”

Lucy opened her arms wide and hugged Diana tightly.
Albiereo watched the two mothers and daughters, who looked more like sisters, in their warm reunion with her mouth half open.
She knew it was an undignified sight, but she was dumbfounded.

“Okay, come here. I’m sorry for scolding you for no reason… I think I was too impatient.”
“No, Mom. You did it all because you love me.”
“Mom loves our daughter the most in the world…”
“I love you too, Mom.”

Albiereo saw the corner of Diana’s mouth, who was still nestled in Lucy’s arms, curl up in a sly way.
Diana quickly erased it when she noticed her gaze.
Let’s pretend I didn’t see that.

That’s right.
The reason why Lucy Yesod had not been able to correct Diana’s bad habits at all.
She was not only one of the wealthiest people in Gehenna but also a huge daughter-fool.

“My wonderful daughter. Is there anything you want to eat today? Mom will buy it.”
“I want to eat the snacks you bought from Border Town before.”
“Doritos?”
“Yes, that one.”
“If my daughter wants to eat it, Mom has to go. I’ll be back from Border Town in a flash! Rest well!”
“Yes, the nacho cheese flavor.”
“Okay! I got it!”

Diana, who was calmly specifying the flavor, and Lucy, who was happily heading towards the portal with light steps.
Watching her back as she walked away, forgetting to even say a proper goodbye.

At that point, ‘daughter-fool’ wasn’t enough, ‘daughter-idiot’ was a more appropriate term…
Albiereo thought to herself.