Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Ars Magna Town (3)
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1.
Upon hearing Amelia's request, Flora wore a peculiar expression.
"You know this is a tailor's shop, right? We make dresses here."
"I've heard that when it comes to making clothes, this place in Gehenna is the best."
Flora puffed on her pipe, then made a troubled face.
To Siwoo's eyes, it was like the look of a fruit vendor who'd just been asked for a handful of salted mackerel.
"I appreciate the compliment, but I'm not really feeling it. I prefer it when pretty ladies try on my clothes."
She didn't outright tell them to leave empty-handed, probably because the person in front of her was a baroness.
Siwoo couldn't help but feel anxious on Amelia's behalf.
"I'll pay for it."
"It's not about the money. No motivation means no work."
Amelia pulled something from her sleeve at Flora's words.
It was a tiny perfume bottle.
More like an ampule than a perfume bottle, the little glass vial—maybe 15mL at most—contained a sloshing purple liquid.
Flora, who had been crossing her arms with a reluctant look, shifted her gaze to the perfume.
"Is that the 'Perfume of Fatigue' by any chance?"
"Yes. I'll give you two of these."
"Two of them?"
Flora's lax attitude flipped in an instant. She flashed a broad smile and took the bottle from Amelia's hand.
If Flora's dresses were all the rage among witches, Amelia's perfumes were in a league of their own.
Amelia had no interest in making money, so her supply was extremely limited compared to demand, driving up their value even more.
Apparently, they were hot items at the Red Roof Salon, selling out immediately at exorbitant prices.
For reference, Sophia handled the distribution of Amelia's perfumes, or so Takasho had mentioned.
Flora seemed thrilled, confirming Takasho's words weren't exaggerated as she accepted the perfume.
"Alright, now I'm motivated. First, I need to take your measurements. Come here."
Flora looked delighted, ready to dive right into the work.
At that moment, a curtain in one corner of the shop parted, and a man stepped out.
"Oh, customers?"
A tall, blond man emerged, looking like he could be the soccer team captain from a teen drama.
"Jake, I told you to wait inside."
"I woke up startled because you weren't there next to me."
"Acting all cute."
The man's voice carried a suave narcissism. Wearing only jeans, he strode over barefoot and casually wrapped an arm around Flora's waist.
Surprisingly, he greeted them in that pose.
"Hello. I'm Jake Robert."
He bowed politely to Amelia, then kissed Flora right there.
Flora accepted his tongue.
Right in front of Amelia and Siwoo, the man and the witch launched into a steamy American-style kiss.
"Smack... slurp..."
"Slurrrp... slurrrrrrp."
Siwoo was dumbfounded.
What kind of shameless display was this? And in front of customers?
But the real surprise was yet to come.
Flora and Jake's relationship looked utterly natural.
In the sense that it didn't resemble a witch and her slave at all.
The way he spoke casually to her, the relaxed attitude—it all screamed equality.
An obnoxiously lovey-dovey couple flaunting their affection without a care.
In other words, partners on equal footing.
Siwoo felt embarrassed by proxy and glanced at Amelia.
"......!"
Her eyebrows were arched in about 75% shock.
Her round eyes trembled, long lashes quivering.
Her mouth hung open on the verge of gaping.
Flora's tongue wrapped around Jake's, their lips pressed together.
As they slowly parted, a thin strand of saliva stretched long between their tongue tips.
"Whew, you're too hot. Be good and wait."
"You're the one who's irresistibly lovable. Hurry back, honey."
After the kiss, Flora smacked Jake's butt, and he tossed out a cheesy line before heading off.
Amelia rubbed her eyes, wondering if her vision was playing tricks.
But seeing Jake disappear behind the curtain again, it didn't seem like an illusion.
"He's handsome, right? Staring won't make me share."
Flora glanced at Amelia and smirked.
Amelia's curiosity was killing her.
Even knowing it was impolite, she had to ask.
"Is that man a slave too?"
"He's a slave, but he's also my boyfriend."
Boyfriend? A slave?
Massive confusion.
Even after seeing it with her own eyes, it didn't compute.
How could a witch and a slave be lovers?
"Isn't he cute? I picked him up from an orphanage when he was seven and raised him. Even grown up like that, he's still a kid in my eyes."
Amelia knew some witches got involved with their slaves in various ways.
She'd always despised it as utterly un-witchlike behavior.
Weren't witches chosen to pursue the path of magic?
Getting distracted by a man and slacking off was a betrayal of that.
Especially acting like genuine lovers...
"It's... weird."
"Says the one who came all the way to a tailor to dress up her beloved slave."
"That's not it."
Amelia bristled in denial, but Flora didn't seem bothered.
"Anyway, darling's waiting, so I can't drag this out. This way."
"I said it's not like that."
"Okay, why get mad?"
Flora led Siwoo inside, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor.
2.
Siwoo entered the inner fitting room of the tailor's shop.
Amelia opted to sulk in the lobby.
Unlike the tidy lobby, the fitting room was cluttered with decorations, jewels, and mannequins everywhere.
"Stand on that pedestal over there with your arms out? I need to take measurements."
"Sure."
As Siwoo stood awkwardly, Flora pointed to the footrest.
She pulled out a measuring tape and started with his waist.
With brisk, professional movements, she measured his underbust, chest, and limb lengths, jotting them down.
Seemingly bored, she struck up a conversation.
"You serve a cute witch, huh? The previous Merrygold had a more mature vibe."
"Uh... yeah..."
"Speak freely. You're a customer now."
Flora exuded a relaxed, comfortable aura.
Especially after she'd openly admitted her relationship with her slave, she didn't come off as condescending like other witches.
She treated him like any other person, putting Siwoo somewhat at ease.
"Then, could I ask what perfume Lady Amelia gave you?"
"Oh, the Perfume of Fatigue?"
Flora proudly pulled out the one she'd received.
"The moment you smell it, this intense fatigue hits you. Your body aches like you've overworked, your eyelids droop, and forcing yourself awake gives you a splitting headache."
"Hmm... I see."
"Weird, right?"
Weird was an understatement.
Not a fatigue remedy, but a fatigue inducer? Siwoo, who'd suffered chronic sleep deprivation for years, had zero need for it.
"Witches don't really need sleep, you know? That's why deep sleep is impossible. You can never feel that refreshed wake-up after a solid night's rest at the end of a tough day. Wanna take a quick whiff? Deep breath."
"Hoo."
As Siwoo inhaled, Flora remeasured his chest and continued.
"But with this perfume, you can relive that sensation. It's like a perfume that lets you smell perfume itself?"
"What about sleeping pills or sleep spells?"
"Those let you sleep deeply, but they're artificial. The key is naturalness."
"Got it."
He didn't fully get it, but witches had plenty of quirks he couldn't wrap his head around anyway.
"Measurements done. Mind if I go wild with the design?"
"Please do."
Siwoo knew nothing about suits anyway; best to trust the expert.
"Slim waist, nice lines—Italian style suits you. No patterns, pleats at the shoulder ends, Ravascas pockets, strapped buttons—perfect. No shoulder pads... Single vent for a dandy look? Wider lapels to make your legs look longer. No cuffs. Nice."
As Flora rattled off terms Siwoo didn't understand, the fabric she'd brought floated into the air.
Dozens of needles, scissors, and threads swarmed from all directions, stitching it at breakneck speed.
Even a factory couldn't match this pace as the suit took shape.
Siwoo couldn't even dream of replicating such telekinesis.
"Incredible."
Siwoo muttered in awe while staring, and Flora chuckled.
"After over 400 years of making clothes, you pick up a few tricks."
"Four hundred years?"
Witches had infinite lifespans, but most passed on their stigma after 100-200 years.
Once magical inspiration and skill hit a wall, research stalled.
"A bit old, huh? I enjoy making clothes more than magic. Sorry to my predecessor, but what can you do? Her mistake for taking on a debauched apprentice witch."
She giggled ungracefully, and in under a minute, a full suit was complete.
Slower than a factory stamp? Doubtful.
"Try it on."
In the blink of an eye, the suit adorned an empty mannequin.
The fitting results?
Siwoo was stunned in front of the mirror.
The dark navy fabric hugged his body perfectly.
Measured and made on the spot, yet bending or turning felt effortless.
But above all, the tailoring.
If he walked out to the modern world like this, people would bombard him with questions about where he got it—flawless in every way.
After years in ragged work clothes, this made him look so different he felt awkward staring at his reflection.
"Clothes make the man, huh."
"Looks good, right?"
Flora smirked, knowing he'd love it.
"Worn many suits?"
"No, and it's been ages..."
"Don't button the bottom one. And the tie—come here."
Flora untied Siwoo's clumsy knot and retied it neatly.
She ran her eyes over his silhouette.
"Not bad. Shoe size matches, so take Jake's old pair."
"Th-thank you."
"Save the thanks for your witch outside."
Flora covered her mouth, laughing.
Life under a witch like her would be peaceful and happy.
Why'd he end up as Amelia's exclusive slave, of all people?
As he inwardly grumbled, he felt grateful to Amelia for this chance to wear something so fine.
She'd made him suffer for five years, but gifts like this muddled his feelings.
"Let's tidy your hair and beard too. Can't have you looking sloppy."
Flora cast a spell to clean his face, then slicked his hair back with pomade.
Thus, the complete package stood before the mirror.
A bit over-the-top, but the barber-shop slick-back pomade, luxurious suit, tie, and shining shoes.
Heading to a job interview like this? Instant rejection.
The interviewer would think, "That guy's a spoiled rich kid; won't adapt to office life."
"Dripping with swag. Like a young master from a wealthy house. Time to show off."
Flora pushed Siwoo toward the door.
Siwoo parted the curtain and stepped into the lobby where Amelia waited.