City Of Witches

Chapter 430: Merry Christmas (2)

1.

The Harvest Festival was the biggest event in Gehenna, celebrated by witches, citizens, and slaves alike as a replacement for Christmas.

For three days starting the evening of the third Monday in December, Gehenna—usually unchanged for centuries—transformed into a dazzling spectacle.

Everyone would set aside their work. Even witches who typically would keep to themselves join in the lively celebration.

The Gemini Mansion had also been redecorated to match the festive season.

The hallways were adorned with wall-mounted trees, carpets turned as white as fresh snow, and candlesticks glowing with colorful lights.

A massive fir tree stood in the courtyard, decorated with sparkling lanterns made of mana water in vibrant hues.

Tiny silver bells, canes, and other ornaments reflected the lantern light, adding to the grandeur.

Of course, true to its usual extravagant look, that wasn’t all the Gemini Mansion had to offer.

The main gallery featured straw sculptures and fruit displays symbolizing gratitude for a bountiful harvest, along with a grand exhibit of a taxidermied stag pulling a cart.

What could’ve easily looked like a jumble of trinkets was arranged with impeccable artistic sense.

“Wow, they really went all out.”

While walking towards the meeting spot, Siwoo admired the decorations.

That evening.

Siwoo had dinner with the twins, Sharon, his master, and Countess Gemini.

The meals at the Gemini mansion were always excellent, but tonight’s feast was in a league of its own.

Roasted turkey as a main dish, basked in oil and butter for hours, served with cranberry sauce, surrounded by a feast of rare delicacies from every corner of the globe.

It wasn’t some overly sophisticated fine-dining dish but instead had a simple, straightforward flavor that even Siwoo, with his modest tastes, could fully enjoy.

Afterward, they gathered by the fireplace, enjoying a cozy, familial moment together while holding glasses of cognac in their hands.

Then, it was time for the individual dates.

The festival schedule had been planned out, with Siwoo spending time with his master, Sharon, and the twins in that order.

Eloa had been allotted the time slot from 10 pm to 8 am next morning.

Though this arrangement had been made without his input, he had already felt guilty enough about juggling the four women at once, so he couldn’t complain even if he wanted to.

So, he went along with it without a fuss.

The aforementioned meeting spot was the fountain in front of the Gemini Mansion.

Since the mansion had multiple fountains, they agreed to meet in front of the one located at the garden near the private gate.

In any case, this was a date.

Which meant, he had to dress up properly for the occasion beforehand, and he did.

When he arrived at the fountain, he spotted his master leaning slightly against it, gazing up at the sky, moonlight shining down on her.

Her lovely pink hair was neatly tied up as usual, and when their eyes met, a soft smile bloomed on her lips.

“There you are.”

“You didn’t wait for long, did you?”

“Not at all.”

“We should probably just come out together earlier...”

Even as he uttered those words, he found that remark funny.

After all, they had been sitting together in the lounge before she left to change clothes.

Siwoo walked over and stood by her side.

“It’s to set the mood. Sometimes, such a thing is important, don’t you think? Meeting up at the agreed time and place adds a special touch.”

As he approached, Eloa subtly shifted her posture, looking more reserved all of a sudden.

It was their first official outing as a couple since they had confessed their feelings for each other.

Even though they’d spent so much time together and had crossed that line together, now that they were officially lovers, every little gesture they made felt much more meaningful.

“It’s strange... We aren’t really doing anything different, but... I feel a little shy...”

Eloa tucked her chin into the collar of her fur scarf, trying to hide her smile.

But the subtle curve of her upturned eyes gave her away.

Even her heels, lifting and lowering restlessly, betrayed her efforts.

“A-Ahem...”

Seeing his usually dignified master being so giddy like a teenage girl on her first date made Siwoo feel awkward himself.

He hadn’t planned anything fancy, and now he was worried about how well he could pull this off.

“So...”

“So...”

Both spoke simultaneously, breaking the brief awkward silence.

“You go first.”

“No, please, after you, master.”

Their words overlapped again, and another peculiar silence settled between them.

It was Eloa who broke into laughter first.

Siwoo joined in, their laughter easing the stiff atmosphere.

“If a date means spending time alone together, then this isn’t our first date, isn’t it~?”

“Yeah. It feels like we’ve spent so much time together already...”

“Mhm. That’s why I think... I want to use this occasion to experience everything. One by one, step by step. As your lover, may I ask you a favor?”

“Of course, just tell me.”

Eloa then nodded before hesitating for a moment.

After a while, with difficulty, she finally uttered her request.

“May I... hold your hand?”

“...”

The way she asked carried an unexpected and overwhelming charm.

It left him so stunned he forgot to answer, or even reach out his hand.

So, Eloa carefully took his hand with both of hers.

Their hands, just like their statures, were noticeably different in size.

Gently caressing his hand, Eloa intertwined her fingers with his and brought them to her cheek.

“I’ve always wanted to hold your hand like this and walk together.”

Her smile softened, melting with simple yet overwhelming happiness.

“At last, my small wish has come true.”

“...”

“Then, shall we go? There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

And so, their date began with their hands firmly clasped together.

2.

Ars Magna Town wasn’t actually a large town due to its location; Gehenna’s center.

Excluding the Levana Grand Bath, which took up over half the area, its size was less than a quarter of Tarot Town.

If one were to head northwest of the city center, where shops like Flora Tailor Shop were, one would find one of Gehenna’s most stunning landmarks.

The Hanging Garden.

It was the only property Duchess Tiphereth refused to sell, even after liquidating her entire fortune to fund and maintain Witch Point.

Now off-limits to everyone, the Hanging Garden featured a spiraling glass staircase reaching toward the sky and gardens that seem to float weightlessly.

Flowers bloomed as if oblivious to the seasons, swaying like they were praying to the stars, while an unseasonal breeze gently brushed against the skin.

While holding hands, the pair stepped on the dizzyingly ascending glass stairs and arrived at the garden, illuminated by moonlight as they leisurely wandered through.

From the garden, which rose high like an observatory, they could see the lively Tarot Town celebrating the harvest festival and the majestic Spirit Mountain wrapped in mystical fog.

Seeing all these views made Siwoo think like he was living in a dream.

“The more you explore Gehenna, the more beautiful places you find. It’s truly amazing.”

“Hee hee, you can look around to your heart’s content. Don’t worry, I won’t charge you an entrance fee~”

Siwoo had grown accustomed to seeing many magical sights, but even he was sure that nothing could compare to the beauty of this garden, so close to the heavens.

Eloa, who had not let go of his hand even once, fidgeted slightly before speaking.

“Siwoo, I’ll be leaving on a long journey soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“With Duchess Keter absence, the Criminal Exiles are bound to start troubles everywhere. I’ll need to focus on subjugating them for a while.”

Considering the setting and occasion, Siwoo had hoped for a romantic mood to be created between them.

That was why his master’s sudden announcement left him flustered.

“S-So suddenly...?”

“I should’ve done this a long time ago, but I kept myself from starting because I didn’t want to leave you.”

Subjugating Criminal Exiles.

To honor Ravi’s last wishes, as well as to satisfy her personal revenge.

Siwoo knew well that Eloa had devoted her life to hunting Criminal Exiles.

But he also knew how much she had changed since the Cowardly Witch incident.

Gone was her past self, blindly chasing revenge. Her smile had grown much more relaxed.

Criminal Exiles would only bring great harm to humanity.

Eliminating them was a righteous act of justice.

But, the human heart was a strange thing.

Though he knew that she was more than capable of handling most of the threats that those Criminal Exiles could pose...

That her actions would save countless innocent lives...

He still wanted to stop her.

He still wished that she wouldn’t go.

Or, at the very least...

“I’ll say this straight now. I won’t take you with me.”

“...I was just about to say I’d help you.”

“No.”

Eloa tightened her grip on Siwoo’s hand.

As if declaring a silent ‘Never!’, with her grip alone.

“This is different from the matter with the Cowardly Witch. I can be of help to you now, Master.”

“It isn’t a matter of that. I just can’t allow you to go with me.”

Siwoo wasn’t exaggerating his capabilities.

After all, he had already taken down the powerful Criminal Exile, Bianca.

He had even managed to win a sparring match against Eloa—even though she was holding back.

Although it was something his unconscious self had achieved, it had unlocked a mysterious surge of strength in him, and he was confident he would continue to grow stronger.

If he had been powerless, it would have been a different story.

But knowing he could be of help to her, there was just no way he’d let her walk such a dangerous path alone.

So, he decided to calmly try to persuade Eloa.

But Eloa cut him off, as if to stop any chance of persuasion.

“It’s not that I think you wouldn’t be helpful.”

“Then why...?”

Eloa, who had been walking steadily, suddenly stopped.

In the place where she turned, there stood a gravestone, and carved into its stone slab was the name Ravi Tiphereth.

Despite the passing of countless years, the gravestone was pristine, as if it had been freshly made yesterday.

The moment Siwoo saw it.

All the words and arguments he had prepared got caught in his throat.

“This is the first time I’ve brought anyone here ever since the moment I buried her.”

Eloa gently let go of Siwoo’s hand and knelt before the gravestone.

She wiped the cold gravestone with her hand, as if she were tenderly caressing her apprentice’s face.

Her eyes and touch carried a sorrow that words couldn’t describe.

“I wanted you to come with me. Ravi would’ve been happy to meet you.”

“...That’s not fair.”

With just that simple action, she revealed all the feelings in her heart.

The reason why she didn’t want Siwoo to follow her.

And the emotions that were hidden behind her words.

Eloa had not yet abandoned her mission.

But she didn’t want Siwoo involved in her path of redemption.

In the ashes of her life, he was the fragile hope that had finally emerged.

She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him again.

“If that’s the case... I can’t be stubborn...”

“That isn’t stubbornness. You were just concerned for me.”

Eloa then turned to Siwoo, her beloved disciple and lover, and made a request.

“I want to spend a moment with Ravi. Could you give me some time? Don’t go too far, though.”

“...Alright.”

While Siwoo turned his back and lit a cigarette, Eloa spoke to Ravi.

She talked about how she had been, how much she missed her, and how the world had changed.

And about Siwoo.

Sometimes her voice carried soft laughter, and other times it trembled with fragile sobs that made it sound like she was ready to break.

The night was so beautiful that even the starlight seemed to drown in the atmosphere.