Chapter 355

354: Revival and Reunion #5

The city of Sodomora is a fairly large metropolis with a population of nearly one hundred thousand.

The regions are divided according to the gates that are open in the east, west, north, and south.

Among them, the West Gate district occupies the largest proportion of Sodomora.

Even I, who occasionally roamed the city with Luna while residing in a cabin there, didn’t fully know every part of that street.

After all, it’s not a world where we can rely on GPS or maps.

Thus, I was somewhat drunkenly and vaguely searching for the address Malco had written down for me.

As peculiar junk appeared in alleyways and familiar streets came into view, along with chimneys spewing smoke and dust with no regard for environmental pollution, I began to sober up.

“Surely not, it can’t be.”

With such hesitant thoughts, I slowed my pace, until I finally recognized the shop I knew well and understood the destination of the address.

“Well, well…”

Should I turn back?

Just then, a presence was felt, and a wooden door creaked open, revealing long, flowing red hair.

“So who’s this? I had a feeling a distinguished guest would come-.”

The revealing off-the-shoulder style of a daring purple dress showed her neck and shoulders.

Her large chest and the glimpsed cleavage, soft thighs that looked plush, and the high heels visible underneath her slim ankles.

Her hat, similar to Malco’s, stood out impressively and suited her perfectly.

This was Nemea, the prodigy who had graduated top of her class from the Magic University.

“Hey…”

She spoke languidly as she always had.

“It’s been a while.”

“A… hello.”

sh*t, I should’ve turned back before the door opened!

I was distracted by the appearance of the witch Nemea. While I’ve always been susceptible to terrifying women, Nemea and I…

There was a rather uncomfortable incident, which is why I avoided meeting her if possible.

And this is why I stayed away from this slum area inhabited by apothecaries and alchemists.

Did Malco set a trap to complicate my life?

I spent 20 coppers on a meal, and this is my repayment!

“It’s been a while, but it seems your habit of overthinking hasn’t changed.”

“…”

“Come in. There’s something I need to tell my friend- and my friend also has something to say to me, right? I’ll prepare something to drink.”

Creeeeak.

Nemea fully opened the shop door and disappeared inside.

Creeeeak.

Peering through the wide-open door, the interior was rather dark, partly due to the setting sun drawing in the evening, and partly because only a few candles were lit.

It felt like a dungeon or abyss itself.

Should I turn around?

Or should I cross this threshold and settle this once and for all, achieving victory?

Srrrr…

During this hesitation, a cold wind reminded me of the presence of the white fur pelt I wore like a cloak.

Regulus, the great beast I killed, was a brave one. I hoped its valor, somehow contained in this fur, would give me some courage, and so I finally stepped inside.

Srrrk…

The moment I entered, the door closed and locked by itself. My possible escape was now effectively gone.

Regulus, save me!

I quietly whispered the name of the brave lion in my mind and slowly glanced around the workshop of the witch.

Bookshelves covered with dust.

Unidentifiable flasks and glass tubes, taxidermied animals and eyeballs, strange fish suspended in liquid that seemed to mouth at me.

“Sit on the sofa over there.”

At that moment, Nemea appeared with a large plate and sat on the sofa, inviting me to sit opposite her.

However, I didn’t feel comfortable sitting in a chair in this shop. After all, the last chair I sat on here ended up restraining me in some way, and bad memories of that incident still haunt my dreams.

“Will someone eat me? You can relax, friend.”

But Nemea seemed to read my thoughts, understanding my hesitation.

“It’s just a normal sofa. I swear it on the River Styx.”

The oath on the River Styx is the utmost expression of trust in this world. Thus, I was relieved and able to sit on the sofa.

Despite this, I couldn’t bring myself to touch the mysterious drink or tea that seemed to glow eerily.

As I sat there uncomfortably, Nemea continued speaking.

“Anyway, I’m sorry about last time. It seems you were quite scared.”

“…”

“You are cautious and easily frightened, like some wild animal – like a squirrel or a rabbit – and once you lose trust, you never show your guard, do you?”

Nemea chatted lazily without much regard for my thoughts.

“No need to be so tense. Back in the day, maybe, but there’s no way a frail woman like me could defeat you.”

“Frail woman?”

“You’ve undoubtedly grown stronger. You’ve become my equal – or even stronger.”

It’s true that now, without magic or sorcery, in simple physical strength alone, I could easily overpower the current Nemea. My strength even surpasses that of Hippolyte.

But maybe it’s the overly comfortable sofa or the sound of dripping water that makes me fidgety. Even though I just entered, I wish to leave this place.

My discomfort with Nemea isn’t due to her power. If that had been the case, it would have been simpler.

“So, what did you want to say…?”

“You’re too tense, friend. Alright, but I feel a little left out.”

Srrrr…

Below her hat, Nemea’s red eyes narrowed slightly, resembling a carnivorous beast looking at its prey, sending a chill through me.

“If you aren’t nice to me, I’ll tell poor, sweet Luna everything.”

“T- Tell what?”

“That’s right – everything.”

I felt dizzy at the prospect of Luna learning what transpired between me and Nemea.

“Luna, my temporary disciple, is such an innocent girl. What would she say if she found out about what happened between us – and now, regarding what’s in my belly?”

“Your belly!?”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

With a slightly furrowed brow, Nemea smiled.

“I haven’t, since then.”

“Not… not done what?”

“What else? My periods – or rather, it’s certainly a pregnancy.”

Nemea rubbed her stomach visible beneath the purple dress.

What the hell?

Is what I just heard the truth?

But how much time has passed? At least several months, surely? If that’s true, her stomach should be noticeably swollen, but it looks just as slim as the last time we met.

“Mother – what you’re looking at? You pervert.”

Swoosh.

“Of course, it’s a joke – pregnancy. I just couldn’t resist seeing your amusing expression.”

Nemea smirked, her eyes narrowing. I realized I had become her personal toy the moment I entered this cabin and accepted it.

Slowly examining me with her narrowed eyes, she then asked,

“You’ve been to the Abyss and Delphi, haven’t you? It seems you’ve also visited the Forest of Monsters, judging by the leather on you.”

She was referring to the white fur pelt I was wearing. Looking at it, it strongly resembles White One, the enormous tiger cat that Nemea cares for, perhaps of the same species.

Srrrr…

I quickly scanned my surroundings to ensure Nemea didn’t notice. The white fur shed all over suggests that she still keeps the huge White One, and its absence likely means it’s off on a walk.

Still, I don’t understand why Nemea, the witch, keeps a large white furred beast that might even be a descendant of the queen of monsters Echidna.

Should I ask her about it?

While contemplating this, Nemea cut in.

“So, how was it? Going back to the Forest of Monsters after such a long time.”

“It’s our first time. Last time.”

“Ah, my mistake. In any case, you’ve become a great hero in less than a year. I did say you had the signs – the presence of divine favor from multiple gods suggesting you’d either become a toy of the gods or a hero.”

“Oh.”

“Perhaps both in your case. Anyway, it’s quite the story – who would’ve thought you were Pluto’s son? You know, I might send you to hell, so don’t.”

Nemea laughed to herself at her own joke.

“However, your magic skills are rather amateurish and clumsy. Have you recently sought instruction in mana adjustment from other wizards besides me?”

Her gaze was piercing, a fierce predator’s eyes scrutinizing me.

“Some less than skilled witch has interfered, it seems.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, without mastering theory, you’ve developed a crude, brutish style of magic by killing highway bandits and monsters. Not sophisticated at all.”

What is she saying?

I soon realized she was talking about Elpride. Nemea seems to view Elpride’s magic as nothing more than a street-fighting brute tool.

Which, in fairness, has some credibility. The magic of Elpride does resemble a hammer to crack nuts, far removed from finesse.

“I could simplify that seal technique a bit more for you.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. But tampering with another wizard’s magic is disrespectful. Ask her once.”

“Wait? She said my magic isn’t sophisticated enough?”

“Exactly. If she wants to alter the seal, get her approval first.”

I recounted the discussion with Nemea to Elpride in detail.

By the time evening fell, the room was dark, and only the cheap candlelight filled the air with smoke.

Elpride, who had been frowning deeply, finally spoke:

“The theorists of this continent wouldn’t understand the battlefield magic of Albrheim. What they teach in their ivory towers are mostly high-brow theories.”

“Is that so?”

“There are many theories that one could study for a hundred years there, but when you face monsters or delve dungeons, they aren’t much help.”

“So, Nemea is the theoretical scholar, and you, Elpride, are the pragmatist, huh?”

“Something like that. By the way, is Nemea that woman’s name?”

“Woman? Did I say she’s a woman?”

“Of course, she’s a woman!”

Swooosh…

Tuuuck.

Elpride slammed her book shut abruptly, an unusual event.

The sudden narrowing of her eyebrows startled me.

“Let me just ask – did you sleep with that witch by any chance?”

“Well, I mean…”

“Kid, your hesitation just confirmed it!”

Elpride knew me too well. From my brief pause, she deduced both that Nemea was a woman and the awkward situation between us far too quickly.

“When was this?”

“It was shortly after we split up….”

“Wait? That’s when the curse of dual hearts had barely been lifted! Just after the curse broke, you went right to bedding someone?”

With a furrowed brow, Elpride was angry at me. Trapped in her Stage-N medium anger, all I wanted was to escape the situation.

I shifted restlessly.

Then, Elpride asked:

“Does Luna know about this?”

“No, Luna doesn’t… yet.”

“And Hippolyte, the Amazon, doesn’t either?”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“Hmph – surely, that ridiculous nymph wouldn’t know either.”

“Yet, only you know. About that woman named Nemea…”

“Hmm – it’s clear why you were so worried Hassan would find out. Alright, I’ve done enough reading. Maybe it’s time for me to make a move now.”

“To move…?”

I sensed an ominous sign.

“Hassan, isn’t Saturday, the day you rest for worship or whatever?”

“Well, it is, indeed…”

“Well then, take me to where Nemea is tomorrow.”

The idea of bringing Elpride and Nemea together had my head spinning.

*

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