Chapter 523
Chapter 523
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 523
Chapter Title: Deep Sea Witch (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
I was bound with ropes and forced to kneel before the Deep Sea Witch.
Resisting wouldn't get me anywhere, and there was no place to run even if I tried.
To use spatial translocation magic, it had to be a place I'd been to before or somewhere visible to the naked eye, but we were in the middle of the ocean at an unknown depth...
At least I could breathe a sigh of relief that we could finally talk.
The Deep Sea Witch sat in a swivel armchair, legs crossed, and commanded in a lowered tone.
Even lowered, it wasn't so much majestic as it was a high soprano pitch.
"Prisoner, raise your head."
Only with permission could I finally look at her properly.
Her sleek black hair showed hints of blue only in the light.
Sapphire-dark blue eyes and prettily curved eye corners.
Combined with eyebrows that strongly asserted themselves upward, it created a striking, my-way-or-the-highway impression.
She had an inherently cute look but seemed to be straining to wrap it in dignity.
"What is your name?"
"Shin Si-woo... Your Majesty."
Not sure if it mattered, but I matched her speech pattern with some rough historical drama lingo.
I didn't forget to quickly lower my head again after the brief glance.
I had confidence in pandering to a witch's whims.
Crossing her would lead straight to a minefield.
"Very well, Shin Si-woo. Do you know what crime you have committed?"
"I deeply bow my head in apology for harming one of Your Majesty's subjects. Even if you take my life here, I would consider it just atonement."
But that didn't mean I had to shut up and bear all the misunderstandings.
Though brief, I pieced together info from observing her speech and behavior.
First off, she didn't look that old.
Witches were immortal beings; appearances alone couldn't reveal their age.
But after dealing with many, you could tell from mannerisms and aura whether they were mature witches or fresh inheritors.
For instance, Sharon and Countess Jemernai looked similar in age but had totally different vibes, right?
By Siwoo's guess, the witch before him seemed even younger than Sharon.
The twin-like impression she gave wouldn't leave his mind.
Also, she referred to a 'kingdom,' her familiars called her 'Your Majesty,' and she used 'We' for herself, so I played along with her worldview as much as possible.
Kids love adults who listen to them, after all.
"However, before disposing of me, Your Majesty, there is something I wish to report."
As expected, the Deep Sea Witch seemed thrilled by the 'Your Majesty' title.
"...We permit it. Speak."
No.
This was beyond expectations.
I hadn't thought she'd like it so much that she'd widen her eyes to hide her delight while perking up her ears.
It was exactly the average twin reaction...
Anyway, I poured out my grievances at length.
I hadn't entered the fish tank because I wanted to.
I was recognized as prey by the kraken and attacked, so I fought back.
I'd only tried to escape the tank.
While asserting it was self-defense, I didn't forget to praise how formidable the kraken was and how wondrous the tank's spatial magic was.
"...For these reasons, I humbly beg Your Majesty's mercy. And if I may ask one more thing... Was it not Your Majesty who used the fish tank?"
"...It was not We."
"Then I grieve only for this unfortunate accident."
"......"
The Deep Sea Witch, in her medal-adorned uniform, chin propped, lost in thought.
She opened her eyes, which she'd closed softly, and spoke.
"We understand your circumstances. However, it is fact that you assassinated the Foreign Minister of Nukelavi Kingdom. Punishment is inevitable regardless of reason. Thus, We decree."
So I hadn't misheard 'Foreign Minister' earlier.
Even as bewilderment hit from the absurd roleplay, I listened to her judgment.
"To the prisoner Shin Si-woo, We sentence lifetime enslavement."
Lifetime enslavement?
The familiar punishment triggered trauma, but I swallowed it down.
For now, saving my life bought time.
I knew that as long as I was alive, even in the worst situation, opportunity would come.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's gracious judgment. Then, what duties shall I perform?"
The Deep Sea Witch seemed as sloppy as the twins, but judging by appearances alone was dangerous.
Showing submission to her authority, I asked as calmly as possible.
"Natalie the Sounding Officer will guide you. Follow her. Natalie."
"Y-yes, Y-Your... Majesty... Pris... prisoner... this way..."
No shackles, no confiscation of items, not even a magic restriction—she just had the so-called Sounding Officer Natalie lead me away.
Siwoo returned to the corridor via the drab metal stairs.
"Sounding Officer."
"......"
"Natalie Sounding Officer."
"......"
I tried talking, hoping I could ask questions, but silence.
Familiars generally lacked high intelligence.
They were passive beings following set algorithms.
"Cle... Clean... human... every... nook... scrub... don't... touch... machines..."
Natalie Sounding Officer was no different; she showed me a cleaning cart in the corner and vanished after vague instructions.
Only alone without a watcher did I relax.
"Whew... That scared me."
Her actions, judgment, and follow-up were sloppily perfect...
But assuming the Deep Sea Witch was safe would be a misread from jumping to conclusions.
In Gehenna, no witch dared harm Siwoo, certified by Duke Tiphereth and Countess Jemernai.
But this was an exile; her connections might not hold.
I had to stay vigilant against the unpredictable bomb.
"This is so unfair."
I picked up the mop, but as the one who got hit first, I felt utterly wronged.
Who could've known the Foreign Minister was a mountain-crushing monster, or that the supposedly dead Deep Sea Witch was alive and furious about it?
"Everyone must be worried..."
By now, Deneb would've reported the kidnapping.
If only I could make one phone call...
"For now... let's survive."
Guaranteed safety and outside contact would require building rapport with the Deep Sea Witch above all.
Siwoo diligently pushed the mop.
Thus began his second eccentric slave life.
2.
Honestly, cleaning didn't faze me.
I'd polished Trinity Academy's vast grounds sparkling with just Takasho, even dug out drains, and climbed ladders for pruning now and then.
I was at a professional level with menial chores.
No point using magic and risking ire, especially since this space interfered with spells anyway, so I resigned to manual labor with a 'don't do what they say not to' mindset.
The problem was assuming submarine cleaning was no big deal...
"Is a submarine supposed to be like this?"
It was too big.
Insanely big.
The cramped corridor was just one layer; multiple mid-level stairs connected doubles and triples, densely packed like a mini-maze to maximize space.
No sunlight, no clocks in the sealed space—I couldn't gauge time, but after what felt like 12 bone-grinding hours, I'd barely cleared one floor of corridor.
I hadn't even touched the lower engine rooms reachable by ladder or corner nooks.
But what could I do?
If told to clean, I clean.
As I geared up for the second floor...
A presence drew my eyes to a spiky silhouette.
She'd watched for a while without me noticing, lost in cleaning.
The head that poked out vanished the moment I looked.
Should I call out first, or pretend not to notice?
Judging herself spotted, the Deep Sea Witch stepped out from the corridor corner.
"Ahem..."
She cleared her throat awkwardly, then approached with chin raised, stern-faced.
Not in the uniform from before, but comfy dress.
"This lowly slave greets Your Imperial Majesty."
Not sure if a lowly slave should greet the emperor directly...
But I remembered she loved the 'Your Majesty' bit.
Her dignified expression and perked ears suggested no issue.
"Ahem. We happened to be inspecting the kingdom. Still working?"
"I've not even finished half... My apologies."
The awkward historical lingo made my toes curl.
"Even as prisoner and slave, from the moment you boarded this submarine, you are one of us—of the Luerie Nukelavi Dynasty."
What was this now? Listening closely, even more radical words followed.
"We ban overtime beyond 10 hours daily for crew welfare and efficiency. Emergencies or training may require it, but overtime pay applies—refer to the labor standards in the code for details."
Surprisingly better conditions than many SMEs.
Come to think of it, submarine crews cooped up for months build family-like bonds without hazing.
"I know not where to put myself for Your Majesty's benevolence."
"However, you have duties today. Accompany Us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In kingdom roleplay, could a slave approach the emperor directly for business?
Or was the setting sloppier than thought?
Or was she more casual than expected?
Ignoring Siwoo's confusion, the Deep Sea Witch climbed the upper stairs with firm steps.