Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Fortune After Tribulation (2)
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"Oh my."
"This is a big problem."
As soon as they set foot in the Latifundium ravine of Evergreen Mountain, what came into view were the remnants of vegetation savagely torn apart by destructive force.
Nearly half of the once-beautiful ancient trees had suffered irreparable wounds or been snapped in two.
The sheer scale made any damage assessment feel futile the moment they laid eyes on it.
Fortunately, it was the off-season, so crop losses weren't too severe, but with the mushroom-cultivating trees in such a state...
"We'll have to uproot the ancient trees that have lost their production capacity and plant new ones from Evergreen Mountain."
"Duke Keter might make a fuss about it."
"You think? Would that guy even bother with something this minor?"
Despite the massive damage, Albireo and Deneb remained utterly unfazed.
If it had struck Gemernai Company's core magic tool business, that would be one thing, but for a family whose capital spanned into the modern era, this level of loss was trivial—recoverable in a week.
Besides, as witches, they had no need to stake their lives on every single gold coin.
That was why they hadn't come here to survey the damage themselves.
"Any twists detected?"
"Still searching. Same as before."
They had come to uncover the cause of the 'mana distortion phenomenon' observed in Evergreen Mountain recently.
Mana distortion, which destabilized atmospheric mana and triggered various anomalies, generally arose from two reasons.
One was a natural mystical phenomenon, like a spontaneous upwelling over the sea.
The other was magic interfering with space or the space itself being warped.
"It reeks to high heaven, but the 'kernel' isn't showing even a hint."
Deneb wrinkled her nose, unfazed by the devastated farmland.
Gehenna's inner-world barrier was near perfection.
The pinnacle of fully autonomous barrier formations, adjusting and adapting to all external variables.
Designed and maintained personally by none other than Duke Keter, no less.
In Gehenna's 600-year history, the barrier itself had never once developed a flaw.
So what was causing these holes?
"No time for magic research, and now this hassle. This is why I hate those exiles."
It was exiles—stripped of citizenship—punching through with 'kernels' to illegally enter Gehenna.
Gehenna granted its witches maximum freedom and rights, but exiles were the exception.
Banned strictly under civic law for triple-digit human sacrifices in brutal hierarchy-climbing experiments or stealing other witches' stigmas.
That's why they exploited homunculi—their ability to traverse the inner world—to dig these rat holes.
And that very homunculus key had nearly killed Odile and Odette.
The thought made even a refined countess seethe with rage.
"Let's catch them and kill them."
"Good idea."
Daring to wreak havoc in Countess Gemernai's territory and endanger apprentice witches to boot?
Unforgivable.
It had only been sidelined because sealing the kernel took priority before more exiles or lost civilians slipped through.
Close the kernel, and any intruders became rats in a trap anyway.
"Not Latifundium side—Evergreen Mountain?"
"How deep are they hiding it?"
Grumbling as she extended mana tendrils in all directions, Albireo turned to Deneb.
"By the way, Deneb. What about our little darlings? I told you we should've managed them sooner."
"You think they'll listen just because we say so?"
"Still, this was dangerous. Without that heroic slave, who knows what horror they might've faced."
"Hmm~ But we can't keep them as sheltered flowers forever. They need to face risks and gain experience. That's why you turned a blind eye when they snuck off to Tarot Town, right?"
"True. Maybe gift them some decent combat artifacts."
"Sounds good."
As talk of the twins naturally shifted to Siwoo,
"What about his reward?"
"He probably has no clue."
"No way a mere slave would."
They took pride in raising the twins more upright than anyone, even if they were still naive about the world.
A man the twins clearly adored couldn't be bad.
So even as a slave, he was likely a 'missing person' case.
"........."
"Poor guy."
Albireo fell silent at Deneb's words.
"How about offering other rewards instead? If he hates slave status, we could take him as a family retainer."
"Fair point. If he's homesick for the modern world, we could assign him as a guide when the darlings go out for excursions later."
"His own wishes come first, though."
Even if he returned to the modern world as is, it probably wouldn't be the life he hoped for... but even the Pyongyang governor said if he didn't like it, whatever.
"Let's ask him again."
"Separately, I'll prepare leverage to convince Baroness Amelia. Explain the situation, and if he insists on going modern, we'll help him settle in afterward."
"Nice. That's the dignified response. Ten million dollars oughta do it?"
Chatting away, Albireo and Deneb leaped into the air, continuing their kernel search.
2.
Freedom.
How sweet that word rang.
Returning home from the twins' carriage, Siwoo could barely contain his excitement.
Soon, he'd finally reclaim the rights of a modern citizen, no longer a slave.
"FUCK Gehenna, FUCK witches. City for witches? Total BULLSHIT."
Siwoo hummed an impromptu rap.
Mid-celebration, a sudden emptiness hit him.
For five years of slavery, he'd lived solely for escape, eyes fixed on nothing else.
But this situation felt like...
Thinking his grueling military service had a year left, only for the president to shorten terms and discharge him overnight.
He felt lost.
The void creeping in, separate from liberation's joy, might be inevitable.
Studying the brand-new discipline of magic, sacrificing sleep to spill nosebleeds on paper, captivated by its beauty and mysteries.
All those experiences were already starting to glow rosily in memory.
"Shit, what do I do? It's already nostalgic."
This was bad.
He might end up thinking, 'Amelia was a pain, tormenting me harshly, but she had her cute side.'
"But will Amelia even let me go?"
A flicker of anxiety made Siwoo shake his head.
That was overthinking it.
Amelia was a 150-year-old witch; Siwoo, just a slave.
Hadn't it been settled that she felt nothing for him?
With Countess Gemernai negotiating directly, they'd prepare terms Amelia couldn't refuse.
Looking up, the sunset was already dipping low.
The first person Siwoo sought was Takasho, lounging near the caretakers' quarters with a cigarette dangling.
"Oh, master has arrived?"
Takasho clasped his hands, bowing obsequiously as he rushed over.
Siwoo chuckled at the clownish display.
"Takasho, long time no see. Let's grab a drink."
"What, you finally fucked her?"
Dragging Takasho—who reacted exactly as expected—to his quarters.
3.
"...Anyway, that's how it went."
Cheap wine and desiccated dried squid.
Sitting on the floor sharing drinks, Siwoo spent about an hour recounting everything.
Researching magic for escape.
His time with the twins... minus the 19+ episodes.
And finally, securing Countess Gemernai's promise to send him back to the modern world.
Takasho, arms crossed and listening intently, suddenly shot up and locked Siwoo in a headlock.
"Ack! Ow! What the hell!"
"You bastard, calling me friend but hiding all this?"
"I'm telling you now! Let go! Your grip's insanely strong!"
Takasho was surprisingly strong.
Releasing Siwoo, nearly drained, Takasho gulped wine and cleared his throat.
"So... you going?"
"Of course. I could ask for you too. You heard—I earned big merit. You're city staff, not exclusive like me, so it shouldn't complicate things."
"Yeah?"
Takasho looked a bit wistful.
Siwoo wasn't thrilled either.
The friend he'd bonded most with over five years of slavery.
And they'd probably never meet again.
"Thanks, but I'll stay here."
"Figured. I'd love if you came too."
"Liar—you haven't even mentioned it to the countess."
Takasho flopped on the bed, chuckling.
Truth was, Takasho preferred life here over the modern world.
Siwoo hadn't brought up Takasho first precisely because he knew that.
"Who'll hit the bars with me on days off now? Tsk."
"Go with that witch you like."
It must be sudden for Takasho.
Thinking they'd be lifelong friends, only for Siwoo to head to Earth alone—quite the shock.
Yet despite the anxiety of staying in Gehenna solo, Takasho sincerely congratulated him.
Eyes misty, he pulled Siwoo into a bear hug, pounding his back.
"Still, good for you. Really good. You're smart, unlike me—you'll thrive out there."
Even though he'd half-expected it, Siwoo's nose tingled.
"Hey, I called you stinky feet daily, but you know I didn't mean it. Seriously, thanks. Without you, I'd have bolted early and ended up dragged to the docks."
"Same here—nice having someone who gets it."
Ending the manly embrace, Takasho grimaced, fighting tears.
"Dude, you crying?"
"Siwoo."
Takasho chugged booze, steadied his breath, then spoke.
"If I got hit by magic and TS'd into a cute girl, became a witch free to roam outside..."
Takasho grinned brightly.
Tears sparkling freshly.
"I'll track you down and blow you once."
Siwoo felt chills at the joke.
No lie—that was scarier than the homunculus earlier.
"Cut the bullshit and drink."
"Yeah, cheers!"
To unload piled-up stories and share ones they'd never get to again, they'd need a lot tonight.
Suddenly, Takasho piped up.
"Hey, random thought. We've been all sentimental, but what if Amelia won't let you go?"
"Then back to magic research, I guess."
"Gives me the creeps."
"Creeps my ass. Just a bit longer, then I'm out."
Watching the sun set, the two men's friendship deepened.