City ​​of Witches 747

Chapter 747 – #159_The Prodigal Son Returns (5)

#747

1.
-Clink

Shiwoo picked up the bunch of keys lying on the chair.
His master was a master of martial arts before being a witch.

Her senses were so developed that she could detect even a single bean under the mattress, a truly fantastical ability.

And such a master had mistakenly left her keys behind?
Especially when she had been so on edge, watching Rinne just moments ago?
It was impossible.

Therefore, he could infer several things from the meaning of the keys she had left behind.

“A tsundere, I see.”

Before that, Rinne interjected.

“In our culture, such actions are called tsundere, a neologism.”
“I see.”

Come to think of it, Rinne was from Japan.

Even if she was confined to the old mansion, she was backed by a modern-day Yakuza organization, so it wasn’t strange for her to know such things.

Even so, there was no way Shiwoo wouldn’t know a word that had been popular for over 20 years in a neighboring country.
He had a Japanese friend, Takasho, and besides, it wasn’t exactly a neologism to Shiwoo, who was still living in human time.

“A person who is different on the outside and inside. They act cold on the outside but are warm and shy on the inside.”

In fact, his master was far from being a tsundere, and Rinne was more in line with the definition of a tsundere.
However, Rinne didn’t seem to realize this and continued her explanation enthusiastically.

She explained that this neologism was a recently popular compound word, a mix of tsuntsun and deredere.
Seeing her look proud to be teaching him something he didn’t know, Shiwoo simply nodded.

“Where did you learn such a word?”
“I heard it from the organization’s kumicho.”
“Kumicho?”
“It’s the chairman.”
“……”

The image of a Yakuza boss teaching Rinne the definition of tsundere was a comedy in itself, but now was not the time to watch such a comedy.

“My master is not that type.”
“I know. It was a joke.”
“Where is the joke in making such a serious face?”
“I did it because you seemed too worried.”

Shiwoo gave a bitter smile, while Rinne remained expressionless.

Anyway, the meaning of the keys she left behind was not difficult.

Eloa would probably never accept Rinne.
She was the one who had kidnapped Shiwoo, and she was a person who went against the beliefs she had built up her whole life.

Therefore, there was no falsehood in the hostility his master showed towards Rinne.

But on the other hand, his master owed Rinne a debt.
Regardless of the process, Rinne had risked her life several times for Shiwoo and had eventually rescued him safely.
In that respect, she must feel a sense of obligation.

She couldn’t accept Rinne as Shiwoo’s lover, but she didn’t want her to be put on trial and face death.
She also knew that Shiwoo didn’t want such an outcome.

So, she had left the keys behind, pretending it was a mistake, to prevent Rinne from ending up in the worst situation.

It was an unspoken promise that if Shiwoo secretly helped Rinne escape, she would take responsibility for the political fallout. It was the most consideration a principled person like his master could show.

-Clang!

The iron bars that had been separating the two disappeared.
Rinne was chained at her wrists and ankles, unable to move far, so Shiwoo stepped inside.

“Ugh, the room condition is really bad. Have you been meditating here all day?”

Dorothy’s place was much better.
The prison on the lowest floor had no bed, and a chilly draft rose from the floor.

It was understandable that Rinne, who had fought so hard, had to be locked up here immediately, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“It’s bearable. But…”

-Clink, clink

Rinne pulled hard on the chains and hugged Shiwoo.
She buried her head in his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“I missed my husband.”

They had only been apart for a day, but Rinne hugged him tightly as if they had been separated for months.
After hugging him for a while, Shiwoo held out the keys to Rinne.

“Are you uncomfortable? I’ll unlock them for you.”

It was to unlock the shackles on her wrists and ankles.
However, Rinne did not readily extend her arms.

Instead, she hid her wrists behind her back so that Shiwoo could not touch them.

“I don’t want to.”
“Huh?”
“What will happen if I escape now?”
“As you can see from the situation, my master must have allowed it. It might get more complicated if you stay here longer, so she’s probably trying to finish it herself.”

Seeing how cooperative she was, she must have taken care of things with the immigration office as well.
His master had been close friends with the head of immigration for quite some time.

However, what Rinne meant by ‘next’ seemed different from what Shiwoo thought.

“Can I be with my husband again as his lover?”
“If it’s my master… she’ll probably pretend not to know.”

His master had always been harsh, but at this point, he was sure she had left the keys behind.
Even if Rinne returned to the modern world and Shiwoo visited her often, his master would probably turn a blind eye.

She wouldn’t treat her like the other lovers, but probably as if she were ‘non-existent.’

As Shiwoo became depressed thinking about this, he realized his own optimism.

Somehow, he had ended up with many lovers.
And thankfully, they had all gotten along well without any major trouble.

They had gone on trips together, acted like friends, and there were even cases where they became triplets and showed off their extreme chemistry.
They had accepted each other’s existence and achieved harmony.
Perhaps all of this had been an excessive amount of luck.

“Then I will stay here.”

Rinne declared.

“The harmony of concubines is also a virtue that a wife should show.”
“Is this also a joke?”

Shiwoo understood that Rinne was trying to lighten the mood with her own wit, but the situation was quite serious.
He wondered if Rinne wasn’t fully aware of the situation.

“Harmony in the home brings success in all things. If we get along well enough to eat together, there’s nothing we can’t solve. Family harmony is the highest priority.”

Rinne’s logic would have made anyone who didn’t know her laugh.
But Shiwoo, who knew what kind of life she had lived, couldn’t just laugh.
Instead, he gave his honest opinion.

“If that’s the reason, wouldn’t it be better to prioritize your safety and think about the future?”
“I suppose so.”

Rinne shook her head.

“But I have never once defeated Tiferet.”

That’s what he had heard.
That was also why Rinne had taken Shiwoo as her disciple.

But it was unclear what that had to do with this conversation.

“You must have heard my conversation with her earlier. Tiferet called herself the wife and me the concubine as if it were natural.”

A burning fighting spirit appeared in Rinne’s usually indifferent eyes.

“My pride will not allow me to become her mistress under her tacit approval, begging for her mercy.”
“Oh dear…”

Shiwoo knew how strong Rinne’s inner fighting spirit was, even though she was quiet and didn’t talk much.
Considering the bad blood between the two, she couldn’t just go along with it.

“I’m ashamed to ask, but can you do me a favor, husband? Please create a fair arena for us to compete.”
“What if I still ask you to leave?”
“……”

Rinne, who would usually say ‘of course you must,’ turned her head away and avoided answering.

“Rinne?”
“……”
“Rinne?”
“……”

Her behavior was quite cute, so he followed her gaze, repeatedly calling her name. Rinne shook her head, avoiding his gaze and his questions.
Her lips were starting to pout as if she was about to cry.

“Don’t do that.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop joking.”

Anyway, happiness always comes with a price.
Perhaps he had been too irresponsible, spreading his tentacles in all directions and neglecting them.

If he was going to be the protagonist of a polygamous relationship, he needed to put in the effort.

“Then, well… I’ll try my best.”

He would somehow persuade his master.
He might not be able to avoid being exiled, but he would make sure Rinne was officially recognized as his lover.

“Husband.”
“Yes.”
“Can we go on a trip together when this is over?”
“I can’t promise, but I’ll try my best.”
“I understand.”

After a light kiss with Rinne, Shiwoo headed back to his bedroom.
He wanted to discuss this issue with his other lovers before meeting his master.

2.
The twins were apprentice witches and were asleep.
Lürie was also fast asleep, so the conversation naturally continued with Amelia.

The two sat close together on the sofa after leaving the bedroom.

“Shiwoo, I’m okay.”

Amelia was generous in accepting Shiwoo’s explanation and request for understanding regarding Rinne’s situation.

“I told you before, I’m also someone who has been helped by Shiwoo’s kindness.”
“Still…”
“Do you think I’ll lose just because two more people have joined?”

She clenched her fist, showing a fighting spirit that was unlike Amelia.

“By the way, where is Sharon? Hasn’t she returned yet?”

He thought she had just left for a moment, but the fact that she was still gone was clearly strange.

Also, Sharon’s help was needed for his future plans.

Sharon was the one who maintained the closest relationship with his master, and she had also acted as a mediator between the lovers with her sociable personality and friendliness.
Just hearing her know-how would be a great help.

However, the fighting spirit that had been on Amelia’s face turned into a look of slight worry the moment Sharon’s name was mentioned.

“It would certainly be much easier with Sharon’s help, but…”
“What happened?”

After hesitating for a moment, Amelia nodded and admitted it.

“We fought.”
“Huh?”
“She got really angry while Shiwoo was asleep. She’s probably locked herself in the workshop now.”

Sharon fighting with someone?

It was unbelievable.
Judging by the atmosphere, it wasn’t just a small squabble.
Moreover, she hadn’t even seen Shiwoo’s face after he had returned and had locked herself in the workshop…
Was this finally the price for his excessive happiness?

“It’s all my fault. Can Shiwoo meet her and talk to her?”
“Yes… I should.”

Feeling that things were getting more complicated, Shiwoo headed straight to Sharon’s workshop.