Chapter 423
Chapter 423
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 423
Chapter Title: Verification (4)
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1.
"You're joking, right?"
Even though she was convinced it wasn't a joke, Albireo still asked.
Deneb was dead serious.
Unlike Albireo, who loved playful teasing, Deneb never minced words or spoke idly.
Especially not on a matter involving the twins' well-being—uttering insincere nonsense about that was simply unthinkable.
"Do I look like I'm joking right now?"
"Deneb, you're way too worked up. Let's step outside and get some air."
Albireo had lived a long life, weathered countless storms, yet somehow, whenever Shin Si-woo got involved, nothing but heart-stopping crises cropped up. It was a mystery even to her.
"And you don't need your sister's permission either. My body is mine to do with as I please. What I'm asking is your willingness."
"I'm terribly sorry, but... that might be difficult..."
It was the same reason he'd turned down Albireo's advances before.
It had only been a few days since he'd vowed to himself, "Let's keep things smooth from here on out."
Following Deneb's lead would shatter the twins' trust—not to mention betray Sharon and Eloa Tiphereth's faith in him.
Even if it was the price for staying with the twins.
But Deneb was resolute.
"In that case, I still won't forgive you, Si-woo."
"Why? Why does it have to be that way?"
"The fact that the twins' vessels show no issues is just an inductive conclusion. No one knows what actually happens during the act itself, right? I can't understand you, sis! This is about Odil and Odet—how can you just sweep it under the rug like that?!"
In truth, the mana generated when a man ejaculates or gets erect is minuscule.
To affect the vessel, he'd have to press right up against the womb's entrance and release.
So, as long as it was a different entry point—and there'd been no problems with the twins so far—Albireo judged it safe.
Not just with Si-woo, but she trusted the twins wouldn't lose control and go for the front either.
"No, Deneb? Even so, that's..."
"If you won't, then we isolate you completely until the inheritance."
Even if Si-woo promised now, "Fine, I won't touch them until the inheritance," the mood wasn't right for trusting empty words.
It was a disaster born from shattering Deneb's trust—no way it'd pass with a verbal agreement.
Even if she did believe him, Deneb wanted verification of the mana effects from anal sex itself.
Not just the results, but the process too.
But after vowing not to fool around everywhere, how could he possibly poke around in his mother-in-law's back door?
Accepting Deneb's proposal felt like betraying the twins, Sharon, and Eloa.
Refusing meant getting chased out of Gehenna or separated from the twins.
"Your answer?"
"No, wait, answer what? Are you really going to do this? If that's the issue... you could always ask someone else. Like Miss Evergreen, or Duchess Tiphereth..."
Albireo had a point.
Deneb wasn't driven by lust making such a request, but if she was truly worried about the results of anal sex, she could ask one of Si-woo's lovers to test it.
Of course, it'd be a massive rudeness, but Deneb's refusal wasn't about manners.
"How could I hand over something this important to outsiders? And those two—they'd never give testimony against their own interests!"
"If word got out, it'd be a scandal staining the family name."
"We're not talking a hundred times—just once to confirm."
"The twins would hate it."
"Si-woo already has plenty of women around him. It's all for their sake anyway—what's there to complain about?"
Before long, the two mothers-in-law were bickering over opinions, not even bothering to ask Si-woo's input.
"Um, could you not..."
Si-woo tried to slip in, but...
"You don't get a say, Si-woo!"
"Who do you think caused all this? Just sit tight."
"Yes, ma'am."
Icy glares from both sides shut him up instantly.
The argument dragged on all the way from the underground dungeon back up to the mansion.
2.
In the end, Si-woo was dragged silently to Deneb's room without a word of input.
Deneb's room was structurally much like the twins'.
But it carried a more mature scent, mingled with the faint aroma of incense.
The Jemernai Countess and Si-woo sat at the table, sipping drinks.
The side dish? The heated clash between Albireo and Deneb.
Deneb clung stubbornly to her stance, while Albireo desperately tried to dissuade her little sister.
In the endless back-and-forth, Albireo raised the white flag first.
"Sigh, fine."
Albireo shot Si-woo a glance with her stunning violet eyes, then continued as if resolved.
"If that's how it has to be, I'll do it instead. You don't know anything about this stuff anyway."
All Jemernai Countesses were orthodox witches with no male experience, but Albireo had the most knowledge in this area.
If they absolutely had to commit the taboo of the son-in-law taking the mother-in-law anally, she'd shoulder that role herself.
"...No, I need to do it myself or it won't satisfy me. You're not objective enough, sis."
"What kind of talk is that?"
"Letting the twins get away with something dangerous proves you're not objective!"
"......"
Albireo fell deep into thought.
If Deneb was this adamant, even she couldn't sway her.
"To truly confirm the twins are safe, we need to understand exactly what happens during the process. Anything less, and I won't accept any other option."
Albireo swallowed a groan at Deneb's final nail in the coffin and turned to Si-woo.
"Si-woo."
"Yes."
"You'll have to cooperate."
"Is this really necessary? Like I said before, this just feels... wrong."
It echoed what he'd said when Albireo offered to relieve him in the twins' place.
Not so much an offer as a honey trap, really.
"The circumstances are a bit different now. And things got this messy partly because of you."
"I can't deny that..."
"Deneb has no ulterior motives. No romantic feelings or sexual curiosity toward you. It's purely for magical inquiry."
Deneb, listening beside them, bristled and shouted.
"Of course! You think I'd do this because I want to?!"
"We'll be gone after the inheritance anyway... Just close your eyes and get through it once. Don't we need to confirm the risks of your secret fun with the twins?"
Silence stretched as he pondered.
"Just once, right?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
The dangerous pact between son-in-law and youngest mother-in-law was sealed.
Si-woo, with a sliver of lingering doubt, added a caveat.
"One last thing, just to be sure—is this another trap? The moment I accept Deneb Countess's proposal, I get disqualified...?"
"Would you like that?"
"God, yes."
"...What a shame."
Of all days, no twist today.
3.
Deneb excused herself to the bathroom to prepare.
As an astral body guaranteeing perfect cleanliness, and with magic substituting for washing, it might just be a mental ritual before sex.
Or perhaps time to steel her nerves.
Si-woo took a quick shower too, then stepped out in a robe.
And froze.
Albireo, whom he'd assumed had left, sat in a chair by the bed, watching him.
Recalling the situation, even she seemed absurdly amused, a wry smile crossing her face.
"No way—you're staying, Countess Albireo?"
"That's the plan. Deneb insisted. To minimize errors in the experiment, we'll double-record the results."
"Jesus..."
This was already awkward enough—the most cringe-worthy night of his life ahead.
Having Countess Albireo observe? Instant sage mode.
His dick might not even cooperate.
"Don't look so down. I don't want to watch either."
Albireo chided his funeral face with a sharp tone.
"...I'm truly sorry to you, Countess."
"You were warned so many times. To cause this mess... If only you'd shown a little more restraint and caution..."
Mid-trivial chat, Albireo rubbed her eyes, as if feeling mental fatigue.
"I never imagined Deneb's first time with a man would happen like this."
To Albireo, Deneb was her little sister.
Seeing that sister on the verge of losing the purity she'd guarded lifelong in such a harsh way...
It brought a different despair than with the twins.
Especially since it was with her son-in-law—a taboo mother-in-law relation.
"S-Sorry..."
"No helping it. Deneb's so stubborn. But don't feel too guilty."
"At least virginity isn't a big deal to me or Deneb. Though debating it for backdoor stuff gets philosophical."
"What do you mean all of a sudden...?"
"Deneb knows nothing about man-woman relations. Unlike me, she has zero interest. Once this 'verification' tonight ends smoothly, she'll treat it like it never happened. So ease up on feeling bad for your other women."
Albireo propped her chin, swinging her legs idly.
Pretending nonchalance, but it seemed like an effort to lighten Si-woo's guilt.
"So don't overthink it—do your best."
"Thank you."
"And if anything this ridiculous happens again, I'll kick you back to the mortal world myself."
As they chatted amiably, Deneb emerged from the master bath.
He'd wondered why it took so long—she'd clearly bathed.
Faint heat lingered on her slender nape.
Gone was her usual neat witch attire like a suit.
In this weather, a white nightgown without a shawl looked freezing.
The hem was short, baring her long, sleek, toned thighs—lift it slightly, and panties would show.
Shoulders finished with slits and lace, accentuating her rounded lines; so thin the fabric faintly revealed her skin beneath as it rustled.
One word to sum up the impression...
Like a doll dressed seductively.
Just the right muscle, none excess.
Her noble silhouette curved gracefully, naturally evoking the thought.
Yet Deneb's expression wasn't that of a fresh bride on her wedding night.
It was closer to a warrior steeled with resolve.
"I'm ready."
Albireo watched Deneb declare boldly.
"Haaaa..."
A deep sigh she'd tried to hold back slipped out.