Chapter 621
Chapter 621
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 621
Chapter Title: Desert Night
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1.
Deneb's research was swift.
Once she realized the sensory linkage was at play, wasn't it just a matter of blocking it?
She hadn't prepared countermeasures only because she hadn't noticed it until now. But once she dove into her research, she mastered the technique to sever the linkage in a mere half day.
That said, things weren't going to proceed without a hitch.
In fact, the real problems were only just beginning.
She had managed to create the conditions for a secret rendezvous with him without alerting her sister. But ultimately, an insurmountable wall stood between the two of them.
Even if she boldly demanded a physical relationship, Si-woo had no reason to accept it, did he?
And even collaborating with the Yesod Count Family to use the mirror wouldn't work anymore. The sensations within had changed, so she'd be found out immediately.
"Haa...."
How had things ended up like this....
Every time she caught sight of him playing innocently with the twins, pangs of conscience stabbed at her heart.
Self-loathing and guilt.
Lips pressed tightly together, Deneb gazed out the window. There, Shin Si-woo was visible, laden with luggage and preparing to depart for the present world.
2.
Lurye, who had undergone concurrent herbal bath treatments, recovered her magic circuits ahead of schedule.
Having fully regained the power of the 23rd Hierarchy, she wanted to challenge the trials without a moment's delay.
She claimed it was to reclaim her true strength as Queen of the Deep Sea and show those arrogant blonde and pink-haired girls a lesson....
But even for Lurye, could she really stand a chance against those two?
Master aside, Amelia had wandered the present world and gained experience in all sorts of battles.
Still, Lurye wasn't the type to heed dissuasion from the sidelines. If it motivated her to tackle the trials more diligently, I figured it was best to leave her be.
In any case, I could see and hear the twins, who had come to see her off, exchanging affectionate farewells with Lurye.
"I shall ride horses again upon my return. Next time, I will surely defeat you all."
"Challenges are always welcome."
"Come back safe. Bring lots of souvenirs when you return."
"Having received such generous hospitality, I must repay it as a queen. Worry not."
Odil, Odet, and Lurye got along far better than expected.
They stuck together like childhood friends, playing constantly.
Watching the three of them embrace warmly one by one brought a smile to my face. Having finished their goodbyes, the twins then approached Si-woo.
"Assistant, don't get tangled in any weird incidents this time. Stay healthy."
"That's right! If it seems dangerous, you have to run away, okay?"
They scampered over like obedient puppies and threw themselves into a hug.
"Yes, don't worry. Odil and Odet, you two behave and wait nicely. I'll definitely bring souvenirs."
I averted my gaze from Big Mother-in-law's disapproving stare and stroked their heads.
Next came a light kiss with Sharon.
"Si-woo, be careful not to get hurt? I don't need souvenirs—just come back safe."
"You don't have to worry that much. Master's coming along too...."
"Still, the present world makes me anxious."
I had already said goodbye to Amelia last night, since she was endlessly busy these days. Now it was just time to depart.
Al bireo, her expression even more displeased, pushed the twins' backs.
"Alright, cuties. Back to class. Sharon, take care of them."
"Ugh, can't we take the day off on a sad day like today?"
"Studying.... hate it...."
I watched their retreating figures with a fond smile as they waved until the end. Al bireo grumbled.
"What a lavish send-off. Must be nice."
"Tell me about it."
Big Mother-in-law had grown even more displeased with Si-woo after recent events, but his efforts to secure funds on his own seemed to earn him some points.
"Don't do anything harsh that'd worry the twins. Come back safe."
At least she offered that much encouragement.
Leaning in, Al bireo whispered softly.
"If you bring back another new girl this time, I'll really throw a fit."
"I-I'll keep that in mind."
Well, trust was still a long way off....
Off in the distance, Master's figure appeared, rolling her suitcase. Preparations for the present world trip were finally complete.
3.
Ten thousand pounds in gold coins for Lurye's citizenship donation.
In truth, she could easily cover that by emptying part of Akula's treasure vault, without even overcoming the trials.
But to pass Big Mother-in-law's test, Si-woo had to procure it himself.
Living among the wealthy had dulled his sense of money, but it was still an enormous sum—eighty billion won.
While scouting for methods, Takasho brought fantastic news.
'Brother, I've got a great moneymaking opportunity.'
It was unexpected.
I'd asked as a stopgap, but I hadn't anticipated help so quickly.
True to her role as madam of Rose Glass, where affluent witches gathered, Takasho had access to premium intel and reliable connections to verify it.
'A witch I know well passed it on. It's a secret decryption of an oracle from the Prophecy Agency. Figured you could make good use of it?'
The info Takasho secured was a prophecy about the location of a named homunculus in slumber.
The details were too precise to dismiss as mere rumor.
Its name: 'Demon of the Labyrinth'.
As the name suggested, it resembled the bipedal bull Minotaur from Greek myth. A homunculus with thirteen eyes embedded in its body, it had vanished after its last appearance around two hundred years ago.
Its self-generated magic: 'Labyrinth', deploying a labyrinthine shadow realm.
In the past, Si-woo would have fled at the mere sight of it. But now, he judged it feasible to hunt.
With Master's assistance, safety was assured.
With no better moneymaking option, a homunculus raid was ideal.
It was a legitimate means worthy of Big Mother-in-law's approval.
Thus, after first sending Lurye back to Akula for her trials, Si-woo headed to the prophesied site alone with Master.
The destination: the Karakum Desert, covering seventy percent of Turkmenistan's total area in Central Asia.
A sand desert famed for the 'Gates of Hell', where natural gas fields burn eternally.
Si-woo and Eloa were heading to a complete no-man's-land, far even from the Gates of Hell that drew some tourists.
With the emergence date looming, it was a breathless travel itinerary.
Even Gehenna's 'gates' couldn't teleport directly anywhere worldwide.
At minimum, clean, expansive water like a river was required.
Thus, they flew from Atyrau Airport near the Caspian Sea on a light aircraft to the vicinity.
Now aboard Master's pre-prepared beloved steed, they spent half a day driving across the desert.
Crossing Central Asia—a place he'd never visited—in a day, riding a light plane for the first time, and tearing through the sands in a badass Jeep. What a tumultuous journey.
The outside temperature hit an unbelievable 43 degrees Celsius for April.
Even with the AC blasting inside, without the heavy tint, sweat would have dripped from the sunlight.
No paved roads in such a remote desert, so they rattled over bumpy terrain, kicking up sandy storms.
To left and right: withered grasses in the dry season, scorching sun, and endless dunes shimmering with heat haze to the horizon.
"Hand me the map? Not sure if this is the right area."
"Here. Water too?"
"I'm good."
Despite Si-woo's offer, Master insisted on driving. She exuded the aura of a lawless wanderer across the wastes.
Windbreaker and scarf against the sand, oversized sunglasses—she shifted gears adeptly, keeping the high vehicle stable.
"It's been a while since we've been alone together."
"Yeah."
Eloa, who had gladly agreed to accompany after hearing Si-woo's circumstances, struggled to suppress her rising smile.
On the surface, it was to protect Si-woo venturing into the present world alone.
Though branch leaders like Eloa had rolled up their sleeves to stabilize things somewhat, the present world remained a powder keg of dangers. Especially the Middle East and Central Asia—lawless zones beyond Waypoint's surveillance.
But such anxieties diminished greatly with Eloa along.
Moreover, cross-checking the documents Eloa received against Waypoint's DB confirmed it was genuinely secret intel. Takasho had likely bought precious info to help Si-woo.
This minimized the chances of other witches swarming the desert heart or competing for the subjugation.
The Demon of the Labyrinth had survived ages not through raw power, but its evasion and concealment via self-magic.
With its evil eyes, it wouldn't fall for tricks. Objectively, Si-woo could dispatch it handily.
So all that remained was to relax and enjoy the trip with him.
Watching his lovers bicker over the seat beside him was heartwarming, but a solo date was hardly unwelcome.
It was also why Eloa had dug out the Jeep long stored in the warehouse—back when she wandered the present world on foot, roughing it with her powers.
Having rushed, they had a day or two until the scheduled emergence. They could cuddle under the starry desert night and drift to sleep in his arms.
For that, Eloa had even hidden her bunny girl outfit from the harvest festival deep in her suitcase.
But her expectations were dashed sooner than anticipated.
"Hm?"
The Jeep crested a 40-degree sand dune effortlessly. Through the windshield, an oasis-like depression in the dune's center came into view.
The desert welcoming night as the sun dipped low, casting long shadows.
Around the nearly dried-up oasis bustled dozens of people prepping camps from tents, pickups, and RVs.
Not one or two, but dozens. Given their beauty and this death land shunned even by nomads, they were undoubtedly witches.
If it was truly classified intel from decoding the Prophecy Agency's oracle as Takasho claimed, this many wouldn't have gathered.
Both Si-woo and Eloa were taken aback.
"What could this mean?"
"Wait here. I'll scout the situation."
Eloa leaped out first to assess.