Chapter 291
Chapter 291
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 291
Chapter Title: Twins and Sharon (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lucy Yesod, the Countess, was a woman of such immense wealth in Gehenna that no one would dare claim second place.
She ran a luxurious bathhouse complex—a veritable hub of entertainment facilities, conveniences, and accommodations—in the otherwise dull and entertainment-scarce Gehenna, raking in profits from wealthy witches.
And that was far from all.
Leveraging her vast fortune, she had expanded her ventures into the mortal world, spearheading the planning and construction of theme parks on a global scale.
It was only natural, then, that she would occasionally cross paths with Countess Jemernai, who shared a keen interest in mortal-world enterprises.
"This seems like a fair compromise."
"Witches always understand each other, don't they? Those number-crunchers in the mortal world are so suspiciously paranoid."
"Exactly. We're all pursuing the same path, even if our directions differ. We witches."
Albireo neatly gathered the contract copy from the desk, tapped it straight, and slipped it into an envelope.
It was a document outlining a collaboration agreement between the two countess houses for a massive theme park set to open in Hong Kong by the end of next year.
Of course, the two witches wouldn't hash out every minute business detail themselves.
They would simply convey guidelines, and the respective companies would coordinate appropriately within the agreement's bounds before proceeding.
Thus, what the two witches had actually discussed—strictly speaking—pertained not to the mortal world, but to Gehenna.
There had been rumors circulating lately.
Rumors from an unknown source claiming that Kether Duke was no longer involving herself or making moves in mortal-world affairs.
In truth, such nonsense cropped up every fifty years or so whenever things quieted down.
Each time, Kether had silenced the gossip by punishing any witches who sought to verify the rumors.
But the recent incidents were different.
Even with the Witch of Cowardice stirring up trouble, the Duke hadn't budged.
It was already too lenient to overlook; Public Enemies were expanding unchecked, and exiles were causing disturbances that had been detected.
In response, she aimed to push forward a long-postponed venture to restore order to the chaotic witch society.
That venture: establishing a Wizpoint branch on Lantau Island in Hong Kong—a region with comparatively less Communist Party interference—doubling as a theme park, to circumvent opposition from the Chinese Communist Party against Wizpoint's founding.
For that was the responsibility borne by those who carried the honor of "nobility."
History had proven that chaos in the mortal world inevitably rippled into Gehenna before long.
"For the prosperity and glory of House Jemernai."
"For the transcendence and exaltation of House Yesod."
The two countesses raised their glasses in a light toast, expressing respect for each other's houses and lineages, thus concluding their discussion.
Perhaps satisfied with what each had gained, faint smiles played on their lips.
With business concluded, Albireo gazed idly down at the terrace below and remarked,
"Speaking of which, she's as hopeless as ever, isn't she? Miss Diana."
"You can see for yourself."
The meeting had taken place in a private villa at the grand Levana Bathhouse.
Specifically, on a terrace overlooking the expansive outdoor pool.
Gazing down, they saw an apprentice witch bobbing leisurely in the massive crescent-moon-shaped pool.
Her ash-gray hair tied up like her mentor the Countess Yesod's, clad in a bikini.
She lounged on a sunbed equipped with a float tube atop the water, book in one hand and a bottle of liquor by her side, thoroughly savoring her leisure.
"Haa..."
A wrinkle creased the once-elegant Countess Yesod's brow.
Beautiful features and the exalted rank of countess.
A 22nd Hierarchy countess whose research achievements had earned acclaim from the academy.
The greatest worry of Lucy Yesod—the witch who had achieved every glory possible and now stood on the cusp of succession—was none other than her apprentice witch, Diana Yesod.
"Sometimes I envy you to death."
Countess Yesod let out an unfiltered sigh, spilling her honest feelings.
"They say the twins listen so well to their mentor... Why does Diana have to torment me like this...?"
"If you spent just one day on a picnic with the twins, you'd understand my own struggles. I often wish Odil and Odet were as well-behaved as Miss Diana."
Albireo responded to the grumbling with a wry smile.
Even after over ten years together, being around the twins still drained her energy completely...
She wondered if the refined Countess Yesod could handle them.
"It's better when they're rowdy and full of mischief. At least they snap to attention at their mentor's word. Who did she take after, anyway...?"
Diana was an exceptional prodigy among apprentice witches.
Born of witch blood with a brilliant mind, she stood head and shoulders above her peers.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she had shortened the scheduled succession timeline and completed all preparations three years early.
"What are the twins up to now?"
"Around this time, they'd be attending the Evergreen Witch's special lecture on elements."
"See? They do everything they're told. Want to see her? She's been like that since this morning. And not just today or yesterday. My insides are boiling—don't you think they should?"
Yet the greatest flaw in the clever, brilliant, and beautiful Diana was one even Countess Yesod couldn't rein in.
She was an unprecedented slacker.
"At least when I'm around nagging her, she pretends to do something. But when I'm not... what then...?"
Lucy gnawed at her thumbnail.
"This won't do. I need to give her a proper scolding today. Will you come with me?"
"Me?"
"Yes. My words fall on deaf ears, so could you back me up from the side?"
"If it's just that much..."
Lucy shot to her feet, dragging the reluctant Albireo down to the poolside.
Diana floated leisurely on the water, engrossed in her book, oblivious to her mentor's arrival.
Lucy took a breath, then bellowed in a stern, dignified voice,
"Daughter!"
"...!"
Startled by the sudden roar, Diana dropped her book with a splash into the pool.
Glancing sideways, she saw her fearsome mentor and Countess Jemernai glaring down.
Diana rose, offering a flustered greeting to Albireo.
"Hello. Sorry about that. I was deep in a reading trance and didn't notice you."
"No, no. Make yourself comfortable."
She appeared a year or two older than the twins.
Ash-gray hair tied up to keep it dry.
Unlike her dark locks, her vermilion eyes gleamed like topaz—befitting a witch's dignity, strikingly beautiful.
Diana blended decadence and purity in exquisite contrast, her thorny aura at odds with her languid voice.
"Why the sudden fuss?"
"I was going to watch how long you'd laze around today, but I just couldn't take it anymore!"
"But I already finished today's studies."
Diana remained utterly unflappable amid Lucy's barbed reprimand.
"Who said anything about studies? Your mother told you to go out and make friends after studying! Go for walks! Remember?"
"Friends are a hassle..."
"Do you know who this is?"
"Of course. Countess Albireo Jemernai."
"Right! The countess's daughters ride horses! Play instruments! Hunt! Join reading circles! Study diligently! So why can't you...?!"
Diana sensed this wasn't ending with words alone and subtly straightened up.
She released mana naturally, walking across the water with splashes before standing primly.
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself now. Want to see what I studied today?"
"...Hand it over!"
Diana rummaged in her bag near the pool and pulled out a workbook.
Lucy flipped through the pages, scrutinizing the contents.
Diana glanced slyly and added an explanation—or rather, her ever-reliable trump card.
"Today, I analyzed one of Mother's old papers in my own way. I didn't understand everything, but it was such a beautiful principle."
"......"
"The exquisite balance of interwoven reverse fields like arabesques, the subtle blend of principles—it had not only magical utility but profound aesthetic value."
"......"
"After reading such high-level writing, I couldn't focus on the rest. So I floated here all day, lost in contemplation."
"......"
-Flip flip
Lucy finished checking Diana's paper analysis.
Diana extended her arms, nestling into her mentor's embrace like a chick seeking its mother's warmth.
"I really admire you, Mother. I want to become a wonderful witch just like you."
"......"
Even Albireo, watching from behind, could see through the blatant flattery.
It was enough to make her own cheeks burn, though.
Diana whispered into the ear of the still-rigid Lucy like a little devil.
"I'll go for a walk after dinner tonight. Thirty minutes or more. Promise."
-Crumple!
Lucy's grip tightened on the paper Diana had submitted.
She's furious now, Albireo presumed.
If the twins pulled a stunt and tried to weasel out like that, Albireo would gladly assign ten pages of reflection essays.
"...My daughter...!"
"Huh?"
But the situation unfolded in the exact opposite way.
"I don't know who you take after to be so clever! Well, that paper did cause a sensation at the Truth and Virtue Academic Conference! How was this part? The influence and control of reverse fields distorting the concept of reality! This section!"
"Um... I didn't fully get that part, but I'll look it over again tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, do that. Oh! Such a cute nose, pretty eyes, and lips just like this—so adorable! Mommy's so proud of our Diana!"
"Yes, and I'm proudest of Mommy in the whole world."
Lucy threw her arms wide and hugged Diana tightly.
Albireo gaped at the mother-daughter duo, who looked more like sisters in their fervent reunion.
She knew it was unbecoming, but the absurdity was overwhelming.
"Come here, dear. Sorry for scolding you for no reason... Mommy must have been too impatient."
"No, Mother. You did it because you love me."
"Mommy loves our daughter more than anything in the world..."
"I love you too, Mommy."
Albireo caught sight of Diana's one mouth corner curling slyly upward while buried in Lucy's arms.
Diana erased it quickly upon noticing the gaze.
Pretend she hadn't seen.
Indeed.
The reason Lucy Yesod couldn't break Diana of her bad habits.
She was not only Gehenna's unrivaled tycoon but an utterly hopeless doting parent.
"Our dutiful girl. Anything you want to eat today? Mommy will get it for you."
"I want those snacks you got from Border Town last time."
"Doritos?"
"Yes, those."
"If our daughter wants them, Mommy will go fetch them. I'll be back from Border Town in a flash! Rest well!"
"Yes, nacho cheese flavor."
"Got it!"
Diana calmly specified the flavor, while Lucy headed toward the portal with light, eager steps.
Albireo watched their backs recede without so much as a proper farewell.
At this rate, "doting parent" doesn't cut it... "daughter idiot" fits better...
Albireo thought to herself in secret.