Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: Those We Nearly Lost (3)
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Like when Sharon first encountered movies, the twins' reaction was fantastic too.
A romance film playing in such stunning high definition that you could probably count the actors' pores.
Being a movie renowned for its visuals, it instantly hooked the twins.
The pair, who had been glued to Siu and chattering nonstop before the screening, clamped their mouths shut and focused intently.
Well, for about fifteen minutes?
"Snoooore..."
"Grooo snore..."
Sharon picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
The story was just about to ramp up into its main plot when the twins' snoring started.
"Twins gonna twin."
"Right? It's wild. They conked out at the exact same second. Even their snoring's in sync."
One-piece pajamas you had to step into from the feet up, like costume suits.
Somehow, they'd each picked ones that matched their personalities perfectly, and now they were sprawled across the sofa, sleeping soundly.
Considering today's schedule and the chaos that went down, no wonder they were wiped out.
Mentally draining in all sorts of ways, and physically too.
Especially Odet, who'd braved that typhoon for a late-night stroll just before dawn yesterday—she'd held up like a champ till now.
"What do we do? They're too cute. Am I not supposed to say that? But they really are..."
Sharon wore the exact expression women make when spotting a tiny, adorable kitten.
Lips pursed forward, hand delicately covering her mouth in feminine delight.
Her eyes sparkled so brightly she looked on the verge of happy tears.
Siu carefully slid his arm free without waking them.
"Mmmph... mmmph..."
Both Odil and Odet frowned in their sleep, clutching at his sleeves and tugging.
But somehow, they stayed asleep.
"Sleeping like angels~."
"Yeah, can't leave 'em here though... gotta move 'em to my room."
"Need a hand?"
"Nah, I got this solo."
"Ooh~ Siu's growing up."
Siu pulled out a ribbon and wove it into a hammock-like cradle with swift loops.
All that recent practice weaving ribbons for everyday chores was paying off.
He could handle two at once now, and even pull off complex patterns like this.
Though thinking about how he'd gotten punched today over a misunderstanding made him feel a tad wronged...
Best not overthink it. Right now, mission was delivering the twins safely without waking them.
He laid the angelically slumbering pair side by side, tucked them under the covers up to their necks, and quietly shut the door.
They fidgeted a bit but never woke, hugging each other tight and sleeping like total pros.
Out in the living room, Sharon sat on the sofa, staring at the blank TV screen and swinging her legs idly.
"Whatcha doing there?"
"Just sitting."
The brief quiet from Sharon broke as she glanced at Siu and smiled.
"What's with the sudden grin?"
"Just remembered what Odil and Odet were up to. Aren't they the cutest?"
"Totally."
Would Odil and Odet turn into dignified witches like Countess Jemernai once they gained experience over the years?
Honestly, from what he'd seen so far, it was hard to picture.
"I figured they'd be scary as hell at first. Preconceived notions, maybe, but y'know... that whole..."
"On the surface, they scream pampered noble ladies. Like they'd pick fights over bad tea or chuck handkerchiefs in your face."
"Yes! Exactly!"
Spot-on description—Sharon clapped in delight.
"Anyway, that vibe had me wary at first. But nah, they're just pretty and sweet as can be. Makes me wanna adopt 'em as little sisters."
"Trust me, it'd wear you out quick. Been there."
No denying the twins were cute and pretty, but "sweet as can be"?
Hard for Siu to fully relate—he'd been totally ensnared by their flawless teamwork vibe.
Sure, now he goofed around with their haha-ho-ho antics, but that first time they'd pinned his weakness? His spine had tingled ice-cold.
"Gonna step out for a smoke. You finishing the movie?"
"Nah, I'm crashing too. Feels like I've been sleeping way more since hanging with you. Barely slept before."
"Clearing your head with zero thoughts hits different."
"Right?"
He tapped his temple, wrapping up the chat casually, then headed to the rooftop.
Even post-typhoon, the night air hung heavy with humidity.
At least a cool breeze was blowing—that was something.
Clamping a cigarette between his lips, he lit up. Clean smoke filled his lungs.
"Fuuu..."
Doing nothing at all, but his eyes stung.
Body was beat—probably.
Mental shock wasn't off the table either.
Not some battle-hardened soldier, and he'd witnessed that many people slaughtered.
Honestly, coasting this calmly was suspicious in itself.
Normal folks see a murder scene in movies and puke, have nightmares, total meltdown, right?
Siu reflected anew on his own detachment, lost in odd musings.
-Ring ring ring-
His phone buzzed.
A contact he'd received ages ago but never initiated a call with.
Deneb Jemernai.
"Yes, Siu speaking."
[How's your body holding up? Oh, just set it down there.]
Background noise suggested "Oh, just set it down there" wasn't for him.
Why the twins were left alone in this officetel post-disaster?
Word was Deneb was rushing around handling cleanup.
"Sorry you're working so late."
[Just tying up loose ends after getting what we came for—no biggie. Twins okay?]
"Yep, stuffed themselves silly and now out cold."
[No freakouts or anxiety?]
Better than "Nah, passed out from food coma":
"They were asking for you a ton, Countess. Better hurry back."
A little flattery laced with old memories.
[Heh, those rascals missing me? With their chatty assistant there singing their praises? Suuure. Slick one, aren't you?]
"Haha."
Intent seen through instantly, but exhaustion softened Deneb's voice with a lazy chuckle.
Close enough to a win.
Noise dipped as she said "One sec."
[Not calling just about the twins, though.]
"Go ahead."
[Thanks again for getting them back safe. I owe you.]
Unlike last time, even with them there, would it have changed much...?
Seemed Deneb appreciated Siu's decisive actions themselves.
[Can't just let it slide without reward—ruins my rep. Anything special you want?]
"No, really. What you've already given is..."
"Ah."
[Something popped up?]
Come to think of it, Jemernai Family was one of Sharon's creditors.
Sharon's reaction to that ring—fainting fit—suggested a hefty chunk of her 50 billion debt came from them.
"Nah. Mind if I bring it up later?"
Without checking with Sharon first.
They'd already gotten tons of support from Jemernai.
Dragging up massive debt over something this minor felt off.
Better discuss gradually when the time was right.
[Sure, I'm swamped anyway. We'll talk formally next time.]
Sensing the call ending, Siu blurted:
"One quick question, Countess?"
[Shoot.]
"Any idea why I'm wielding Ea Sadalmelik's Nature Magic...?"
[Sigh... You really have no clue. That's what I wanna ask.]
No surprise—it wouldn't resolve that easily.
Couldn't beg a busy Deneb to brainstorm with him either.
"Sorry to bother you when you're slammed."
[No worries. Hit me up anytime something comes up.]
Call ended there.
Cigarette had burned down to the filter, stinking harshly.
Siu paused briefly to pray for the innocent victims today.
Felt like the thing to do.
"Time to crash."
Shaking off the gloom, he stretched hugely—then froze mid-pose.
A witch had appeared out of nowhere on the empty rooftop.
"........."
The very one who'd mistaken Siu for Ea today and smashed a terrifying punch his way.
Eloa Tiphereth, the Duke.
She stared silently, expression unreadable.
Chills shriveled his balls; goosebumps prickled like a plucked chicken.
Spine turning to ice, Siu spoke first.
"Sorry, but if you're gonna hit me again, could you avoid the liver? Been drinking heavy lately—it's shot."
Maybe a surge of reckless guts?
Or his liver swelling with gall from getting wrecked and healed earlier?
Siu blurted the absurd line without thinking.
Even he panicked after.
"........."
As he fidgeted over the snarky jab—not quite a joke—
The white-clad Duke pursed her lips, glaring.
No initial killing intent, though.
Uncertain, wavering eyes.
"Who... are you?"
That fragile, high-pitched tone from half a day ago.
Fists clenched like packed snow crab, but voice weak, on the verge of collapse.
The Tiphereth who'd nearly killed Sharon and half-wrecked Siu.
Expected a torrent of curses...
But glimpsing frailty behind her icy mask, a precarious vibe like she'd crumble at a touch—Siu held his tongue unbidden.
No point charging in hot-headed against her.
"I propose a contract."
Too late he realized pity was a luxury.
Eloa drew a sword from thin air, beginning her incantation.
A beautiful blade engraved with twelve mysterious characters on its side.
"Bloom!"
⟨ Contract Sword ⟩
Twins said the misunderstanding was cleared, but buying that hook, line, and sinker was a mistake?
Deneb, even Siu himself, had no clue why he wielded Ea's ribbons or the Duke's apprentice's Nature Magic.
No room for explanations from the start.
And her opponent? A grand witch among grand witches.
Siu'd gotten stronger lately, but she was rank 23—could pop him like a worm.
Black armor wrapping his body as he pondered escape—
Eloa tossed the sword at his feet.
No relaxing, though.
Half a day ago proved she could send him to the grave bare-fisted.
"No intent to fight right now."
Knowing that? She raised both hands meekly.
But "right now"? A beat later and he'd still eat fists.
Cold sweat poured.
"Just questions. Who are you?"
And through her eyepatch, Siu sensed insanely potent mana surging.
Densest he'd ever witnessed, billowing from the Duke's lips.
Word of Power.
Magic manifesting the caster's will spoken aloud.
The pinnacle spell called True Word, unfolding before him.
Resonating with her Word, three characters on the sword glowed.
They spread, enveloping Siu and Eloa.
"I wish to form a contract. We each ask three questions, unable to speak lies. Do you agree?"
Thankfully, no hostility in the spell, as she said.
"Handy trick like that... should've used it sooner."
Siu felt a bit miffed.
Early use meant no beatdown for him, no near-miss for Sharon.
If it'd cleared things up fully, anyway.
He placed his hand on the shimmering strings around him.
An intangible force bound him instantly.
Nothing like Confessional Poem.
Unlike that one's forced one-way confession, this demanded consent—inescapable once given.
"I agree."
And so, a midnight tribunal began.