Chapter 738 – #158_The Escape
#738
1.
Dorothy, who had met with the 23rd-tier trio, L’Huer, Eloa, and Amelia, returned to Hexennacht to obtain the magic formula for the ‘Gate.’
Given the close connection between Dorothy and Siwoo, the trio’s role wasn’t significant.
Her plan was to complete the dimensional magic formula and slip out as quietly as possible once the formula was delivered to Siwoo.
No matter how many 23rd-tier mages there were, a frontal assault was realistically unlikely.
It was more likely to put the hostages in danger.
Her lovers also knew this, so they took on the role Dorothy had asked of them.
That role was to intercept any pursuers if they followed through the portal to the mortal realm.
Unlike Gehenna, Hexennacht had only about ten passages connected to the mortal realm, making it easy to secure positions and wait.
However, even with L’Huer’s guarantee, Dorothy was a public enemy.
She didn’t expect to be trusted infinitely just because she was in charge of such an important operation.
Therefore, when one of them suggested accompanying Dorothy into Hexennacht, Dorothy wasn’t particularly surprised and agreed.
In terms of power, having Tiferet, the Duchess, accompany her would be the most reassuring.
However, she was too famous.
Her magic pattern was widely known, making her unsuitable for carrying out such a secret operation.
L’Huer was the most eager to volunteer for this mission, but Dorothy dissuaded her.
The cute princess didn’t have much combat experience, and she was far from cautious.
By process of elimination, Amelia Marigold naturally became the companion.
The ‘Perfume Witch’ had hardly ever engaged in external activities.
This meant that her identity wouldn’t be revealed in the magic pattern check, which was the most important point of identification during security checks upon entry.
“Don’t be too nervous. Nothing will happen.”
Dorothy, smoking a cigarette while passing through the long immigration line.
Unlike newly arriving public enemies and exiles, she had a guaranteed identity, allowing for a quick entry process.
“…Okay.”
Amelia nervously touched her necklace.
This necklace was an item developed by the Solidus Trading Company in collaboration with Bianca.
It was an artifact called a ‘collar’ that restricted the use of magic to enslave witches.
Dorothy intended to introduce her as a slave she had captured in the mortal realm and enter leisurely.
Of course, that alone wouldn’t be enough.
There might be witches who knew Amelia’s face, and if that slave was a 23rd-tier mage, it would draw unnecessary attention.
That’s why Amelia was wearing a veil.
Like Dorothy’s nun’s habit, the artifact ‘Nun’s Veil,’ created with the power of absolute force, disguised the wearer’s appearance and abilities.
The most special thing about this veil was that, like the ‘Revelation’ Dorothy used, it performed its function with almost no magical signs.
It was an essential item for living as a public enemy in the mortal realm, and it was originally intended to be used if Siwoo needed to be extracted alone.
“Are you sure this will be okay?”
Amelia, who had been very tense but hadn’t said anything, cautiously opened her mouth, seemingly feeling anxious as they approached the immigration office.
“It’ll be fine. My magnetic magic can’t be detected by normal magic searches.”
It was understandable that she was nervous.
From Amelia’s perspective, Dorothy wasn’t someone she could completely trust, and this was a city of demons.
Considering this, Dorothy explained the situation in a little more detail.
“Hexennacht needs to grow as quickly as possible. You know that, right? But what if the immigration process is super complicated? Getting into Hexennacht isn’t that hard. It’s getting out that’s difficult.
And my name carries some weight here.”
As Dorothy had confidently stated, it was true.
“Your process is complete. You may be penalized if you do not register the slave’s identity at the city hall within the next 7 days.”
“Okay~ Thanks~”
Dorothy shrugged her shoulders.
“See?”
2.
The day to meet Siwoo was the next day.
Dorothy, who had successfully obtained the final code, first returned to her mansion with Amelia.
“Just change your shoes and come in.”
Amelia, who had been very nervous, was able to relax a little.
Compared to Gehenna, it was similar in size to a townhouse in Tarot Town.
The difference was that while Gehenna had the feel of an old aristocrat’s villa, Dorothy’s mansion was modern, reminiscent of a wealthy person’s villa in the mortal realm.
Not only Dorothy’s mansion but the entire atmosphere of Hexennacht was like that.
The clear glass view overlooking Arcana Town was similar to what she had seen when staying at a hotel in the mortal realm with Siwoo.
Remembering her trip with Siwoo, Amelia was filled with anxiety.
She had heard that Dorothy knew where he was staying.
Couldn’t she meet him right now?
She was so close, yet the anxiety that she might never see him again was burning her heart.
“Would you like something to drink?”
A glass of whiskey was held out in front of Amelia, who was sitting on the sofa with a troubled expression.
“Please take this off first.”
“Okay, okay.”
Amelia, who had her collar removed and regained her magic, gave Dorothy a brief thanks.
“Don’t be too nervous. Our role is just to watch if he escapes well and intervene if there’s a problem.”
“Do we really have to wait until tomorrow?”
“I know you’re impatient, but the Sword Witch is quick-witted and suspicious. If we change the schedule for no reason, things could go wrong.”
“I know, but…”
Even as she said that, Dorothy felt uneasy.
It was hard to pinpoint.
She felt that the overall atmosphere of the city was unusual.
It seemed like there were more great witches wandering around Dignity Town than usual.
The security system felt stricter than other times.
However, without concrete information, there was no need to increase anxiety.
“Since we have some time, shall we talk?”
She was planning to go out again soon to check the city’s atmosphere anyway.
Before that, Dorothy decided to ease the tension in Amelia’s shoulders.
She sat on the sofa, sipping her drink, and naturally started the conversation.
“What kind of talk?”
“I thought you might have some questions.”
“Not really.”
Dorothy carefully examined Amelia’s face as she said that.
Putting aside her beauty, she had the look of a cold beauty.
She was a calm type, the opposite of the always-frivolous L’Huer.
Moreover, it was clear that she wasn’t good at lying.
Saying ‘not really’ with a face that looked like she had a lot to say.
“Are you really sure you don’t have any questions? It would be nice to get to know each other, right? We have to be together for the next week.”
Amelia hesitated for a moment.
“Why are you going this far for Siwoo?”
“L’Huer told you, right? He’s my precious friend, and I owe him a lot in many ways.”
She seemed like someone who didn’t express her emotions, so it was hard to know the reason, but after a round of questions and answers, Dorothy figured out the reason for the strange distance she felt from Amelia.
It was very easy.
The moment she said ‘precious friend,’ a faint sense of relief flashed across Amelia’s face.
Of course, Amelia wasn’t trying to monopolize Siwoo.
She had no intention of doing so in the future either.
However, Dorothy was now a public enemy, not a member of Gehenna.
It wasn’t because of prejudice against being a public enemy, but because of the anxiety about what would happen if Siwoo left Gehenna with her.
What accelerated that anxiety was Dorothy’s formidable chest, which couldn’t be fully hidden by her nun’s habit.
“……”
Every time she saw the fullness that seemed even bigger than Sophia’s, it subtly stimulated her complex.
At the same time, she felt disgusted with herself for feeling jealousy and anxiety in such a tense moment, making her twice as depressed.
“Hmm~”
And the skillful Dorothy was roughly grasping the situation just by Amelia’s subtle changes in expression.
She understood.
How could people’s hearts be moved by reason alone?
Dorothy herself had been feeling a subtle sense of competition and jealousy while looking at Amelia and Eloa.
“Of course, we’re a little more intimate than normal friends.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m being bullied a lot? Really… I’m completely helpless because my weaknesses are firmly held.”
Amelia was taken aback by the sudden intensity.
She didn’t know what purpose Dorothy had in bringing up such a topic.
However, she was already feeling terrible, and being suddenly provoked made her angry.
“Why are you bringing this up? I’d rather meditate than have such pointless conversations.”
“But you’ve been looking at my chest since earlier. I couldn’t just ignore it because it seemed like you were bothered.”
“I wasn’t looking.”
“Yes, you were~ Fifteen times.”
“I didn’t look fifteen times. You seem very proud of it, but my friend Sophia is similar to you. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Okay, okay~ Then that’s settled.”
After taking a sip of whiskey, Dorothy continued.
“Then why are you doing such a dangerous thing?”
“…Because I love him.”
Amelia said it as if she didn’t need to think about it.
“…That’s nice.”
In a way, she was envious.
To be able to say such a cheesy word like love so easily.
Dorothy probably wouldn’t be able to say that in her entire life.
She was too impure to say such pure and cute words.
Dorothy reached out and ruffled Amelia’s hair.
“You were looking so grim until just now, but your expression is much better.”
“W-what is it?”
“It means don’t be so stiff and relax. Do you think someone as skilled as me, who can seduce someone as pretty as me, would be in trouble? Maybe I’ll even bring the Sword Witch as my lover.”
Only then did Amelia realize that this was Dorothy’s way of being considerate.
The negative thoughts that had been piling up disappeared as her head heated up.
“…I could have done it myself without you having to be considerate.”
There was something similar to Sophia’s slyness.
Were all witches with big chests like that?
“But, I’ll say thank you.”
“Good, good. Then just wait quietly for a moment. I need to check the atmosphere around here.”
Dorothy, who had left the mansion, soon heard shocking news.
There were rumors that the Sword Witch had committed murder in Hexennacht and had escaped with a male witch.
