Chapter 834
Chapter 834
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 834
Chapter Title: Regarding the Prophecy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
Siu returned to Gehenna the instant he heard the prophecy.
He had a lot of people to inform, so he moved busily.
He separately visited his mothers-in-law and Countess Yesod to explain the situation, and told Odil and Odet the truth as well.
He even introduced Yebin to them, and they expressed their gratitude for saving their lives.
Countess Yesod immediately dove into additional research.
The sensitive little mother-in-law burst into tears, while the elder one sighed deeply and comforted Siu, promising to find some way to resolve it.
Even the refined little mother-in-law shed tears, but Odil and Odet's reaction was on another level entirely.
"Why is the Assistant always like this...! Did he do a ton of bad stuff in his past life or something?"
"If the Assistant dies... I'll die right after him."
Siu did everything he could to calm the twins as they wailed uncontrollably.
It wasn't set in stone yet.
He kept repeating things like how no one knew when it might happen.
But it wasn't easy at all.
Odil and Odet still carried trauma from when Siu had nearly died after tangling with Ea.
They refused meals and flatly rejected classes.
They insisted on sticking right by Siu's side.
"Odil, Odet. Don't you still need to attend your lessons?"
"Assistant, we're never leaving your side!"
"Master has to understand! You could never know how we feel!"
Albreo, who would normally scold the noisy twins into silence...
This time was different.
How could she reprimand her adorable little ones when they acted like they had separation anxiety at the slightest distance?
Watching the twins fail to regain their composure, Albreo resolved on a special measure.
"Haa... All right. Siu, could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sure."
The moment they entered the study, Albreo uncorked a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass, gulping it down.
She looked utterly distraught, on the verge of blowing a gasket.
"Siu."
"Yes."
"Could you look after the twins for a while?"
"Of course. It's the least I can do."
Even though he'd saved the twins, he'd put them through a lot of heartache in return.
As apprentice witches who could do nothing about it, they must have been especially torn up inside.
Seeing Siu nod readily, Albreo pulled out another glass and poured him some.
Judging by the mood, it didn't seem like he was about to get chewed out.
"Siu, I'm sorry for always blaming you up until now."
"No, it's fine. I've made plenty of mistakes myself."
"Mm, well... It's been a while since you've seen the twins, hasn't it?"
"Pardon?"
Albreo hesitated for a moment before awkwardly opening her mouth.
"It's been a long time since you two... got together."
It took Siu a good while to realize what she meant by "together."
He never imagined such words coming from his elder mother-in-law's mouth.
"It's been a bit."
True enough.
He hadn't been able to during his time detained in Hexennacht, and even after returning, various circumstances had kept it from happening.
Albreo cleared her throat repeatedly, looking extremely embarrassed, but opened her mouth as if she had to say this.
"Ahem. I read in a book that sexual activity between lovers releases hormones related to stability and helps with that. Is that true?"
"From what I know, yes."
"You can sleep in the twins' room tonight. I'll let the maids know."
It was a sudden suggestion.
And equally surprising.
He knew his elder mother-in-law tacitly allowed his relationship with the twins.
Once a month or so, they managed their secret fun without issue.
But for her to lay out the welcome mat like this—what was going on?
"Um... It's awkward for me to say, but are you sure that's okay?"
Albreo fanned herself furiously and downed more innocent wine.
"Whew... If you're sneaking around after so long apart, you might rush and make a mistake. It might calm the twins down too, and I want you to have some happy time together after so long. No matter what, they really like you, you know."
"I see."
"It's not that I don't trust you. You know that, right?"
"Of course."
If she didn't trust him, she wouldn't be setting this up in the first place.
"Do your best."
Having received this abrupt special mission, Siu headed to the twins' room.
2.
Odil and Odet shared the same room and the same bed.
Due to the Jemernai trait of "two as one," apprentice witches needed to live together from the start to sync their breathing.
Of course, it wasn't forced.
As each other's other half, they bickered on the surface but Odil cherished her little sister deeply, and Odet felt the same.
They were the perfect partners for sharing worries and gloom.
As bedtime arrived, Odil and Odet sat on the edge of their lavish bed.
Their slippers dangled from their toes.
Warmed by the fireplace, the two in soft lamb's wool pajamas wore matching sullen expressions.
They brushed their curly black hair with fine combs, but their movements were soulless.
"Odet."
"Yeah, sis."
"Just calling your name."
"Okay."
Their hearts were in turmoil.
Staying in the present world without traveling and meeting vassals for succession was fine.
Odil and Odet would one day inherit the Jemernai name and all its present-world businesses—it was a necessary step.
"Sis."
"Yeah, Odet."
"Just calling your name."
"Okay."
But the prophecy the Assistant had shared was different.
Wasn't it saying he might disappear before long?
The most frustrating part was that apprentice witches like Odil and Odet could do absolutely nothing.
Helplessness, anxiety, worry, and sadness pricked at their hearts like a bundle of blunt needles.
That's why they just aimlessly called out to each other, unable to sleep.
-Click!
That's when the door opened quietly.
At first, they thought it was maids checking the bedroom fireplace or Head Maid Galina.
"Are you asleep?"
But the person who appeared when the bedroom door opened was, astonishingly, the Assistant.
Despite their deep gloom, the twins shot up from their spots.
"Assistant!"
"Assistant!"
"You're still awake, huh."
The twins rushed over so fast their slippers nearly flew off, hugging Siu's waist from both sides.
Nestled in his sturdy embrace, their noses tingled again.
Just looking at his face brought such joy, yet he might vanish someday.
It felt like their hearts were tearing apart.
But they couldn't act childish forever.
Odil and Odet forced bright smiles, trying to stay strong.
"How'd you get in here?"
"It's nighttime!"
"Ah, I got permission. They said it's okay to sleep together tonight."
Sleep together?
For a brief moment, joy swelled over their anxiety.
"Yay!"
"Master's the best!"
Like wilted moss revived by a splash of water, Odil and Odet perked up.
They didn't want to spread their unease to the already troubled Assistant, but their delight at the surprise gift was genuine too.
Siu stroked the heads of the bouncing twins.
"Forget standing around—let's get to bed!"
"Right! Our bed's super fluffy!"
"It's from the supplier to the Swedish royal family!"
"We've wanted to brag about it forever!"
"Is this that famous bed?"
He'd known them for ages, but this was his first time stepping into their bedroom.
They usually held their rendezvous at the outpost in Tarot Town.
That place evoked a noble townhouse with its grandeur, and all the furniture was luxury too, yet they bragged endlessly about the home bed.
It had piqued Siu's curiosity.
"Lie down, Assistant, lie down!"
"Here! Right here!"
"Whoa, we've been dying for you to try it. Excuse me then."
Odil and Odet pulled back the covers, making space for Siu on the bed.
They patted the ample bed, urging him on.
"Ooh."
Siu had played along with the fuss, figuring a bed was a bed.
But the moment he lay back, he was stunned.
It felt like sinking into a nest spun from clouds.
The other furniture in the Jemernai estate was excellent, of course, but since sleep was essential for apprentice witches, they'd probably imported the absolute best bed money could buy.
The twins watched him eagerly, awaiting his reaction.
"All-natural filling materials! Precisely tuned spring elasticity down to the millimeter! And the finest stitching!"
"See why we made such a fuss?"
"It's custom-made for our figures, so it might be a tad off for you."
"But it's still amazing, right?"
"This is killer."
Siu gave a thumbs-up, and Odil and Odet beamed with pride.
Even though he wasn't tired, a short nap would feel sweet as honey.
Moreover, the faint, fresh scents of Odil and Odet permeating the bedding felt incredibly cozy.
A sudden curiosity struck him.
Siu wasn't into luxuries, but he wondered, "At a fair price, maybe I should get one?"
"Excuse me, but how much is a bed like this?"
"Dunno? Odet, how much was it again?"
"Master gave it to us ten years ago. I heard it was about 2.1 billion won in Korean currency."
"......"
As expected, an absurd figure.
The world of the wealthy could be baffling sometimes.
"Want one too, Assistant?"
"If you like it, how about we get you one for the harvest festival?"
"No, no."
"For real, we could. We'd use our saved allowance."
"But tell us quick. Custom order takes about half a year."
"I'll just treasure the thought."
No matter what, he had some pride.
He was already getting free room and board—taking a bed worth a fortune on top?
Even if comfy, it'd keep him awake with guilt.
Their back-and-forth bickering went on for a while with "Just take it" and "No, really," until the twins snuggled into his sides on either flank, ending it.
"This feels like a dream. The Assistant in our bed."
"Love it so much."
The blissfully grinning twins' tiny faces occasionally planted kisses on Siu's cheeks.
"It's been forever since just the three of us hung out."
"Everyone together is fun, but monopolizing the Assistant is great too."
And so, Odil, Odet, and Siu—reunited as just the three of them after so long—let their conversation bloom.