Chapter 358

Here’s the English translation following your provided glossary:

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357 Revival and Reunion #8

I still remember the first time I met Nemea.

Back then, I had only recently gained my freedom after being a slave, so I was still unable to escape Elpride’s shadow.

Because of that, I had a vague sense of fear and prejudice toward women who used magic.

But upon reflection, the only similarity between Elpride and Nemea was that they both used magic.

In truth, Elpride was closer to a sorceress who manipulated elements rather than a Witch. In that sense, Nemea had an unorthodox aura, as if she had jumped straight out of a fairy tale.

A pointed hat, crimson eyes, disheveled hair, and an old-fashioned dress.

There was something eerie and unsettling about her—like she would grant a wish but take something precious in return. It felt as if, behind her languid tone, she was baring her fangs.

And that was probably true. The moment I let my guard down, she’d sink her teeth into my neck and exploit me for everything I had.

“Friends, come in~. I was expecting you~. I’ve prepared a lot inside~.”

Nemea had once likened me to a herbivorous animal like a squirrel or a rabbit. And honestly, in the food chain, I wasn’t much different from creatures that could only eat grass.

In this Gaia Continent, soft modern humans like me had to stay constantly alert, ears pricked, always wary of whether some predator like a puma might leap out from the bushes.

So, I had a certain instinct for sensing people who meant me harm or held ill will toward me.

And in that regard, Nemea seemed like an enigma wrapped in malice. If I had to put a name to it, malice fit best.

“If you have the courage to step into the workshop of a real Witch, not some cheap imitation~.”

Nemea lazily stepped aside in front of the door. With a creak, the door swung open, revealing a dim interior that, despite the morning light, felt as dark and eerie as night.

Standing there, I couldn’t help but shiver at the thought of what awaited inside. But Elpride, as if unafraid of anything, strode right in without hesitation.

What a fearless girl.

“What are you doing, Hassan? Hurry up. We have a lot of places to visit today besides here.”

She even urged me to come in quickly.

“I don’t plan on wasting too much time in a place like this.”

“Hmm~? A place like this~?”

But the idea of stepping into that space with Nemea and Elpride was terrifying to me.

Still, turning tail and running wouldn’t solve anything. It wouldn’t change the situation unfolding before us.

So, with a “Screw it, whatever” mindset, I stepped inside—only for the door to shut behind me automatically, as always.

Thud.

“…!”

The louder-than-usual sound of the door closing made me flinch. Whether it was funny to her or not, Nemea let out a languid laugh from under her pointed hat.

Squish.

Elpride pinched my back, snapping me out of it.

“Now then~, sit wherever~. I’ll bring you something to drink~.”

With that, the Witch disappeared into the depths of her workshop, the clinking of various vessels echoing from within.

I sat beside Elpride on the sofa like it was nothing. With her next to me, I figured things would work out somehow.

As a fellow Mage, she’d probably be sharp enough to see through any Witch’s tricks, right?

The thought gave me a sense of security.

Rustle.

“Hmm…”

Elpride rested her long Staff across her knees, narrowing her crimson eyes as she carefully scanned the interior of the workshop.

Just this morning, she had seemed ready to whack someone with her Staff in frustration. But now, she looked calm and composed.

“It’s… surprisingly orthodox. Meticulous. No shortcuts—just textbook. But that also makes the barrier formula quite rustic. Typical of a bookworm scholar.”

She muttered a few incomprehensible critiques under her breath.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

When I hesitated, not understanding, Elpride pointed to the corners of the workshop with her finger.

“The four cardinal directions—the hexagram of the barrier is drawn here. And there, on the threshold and doorposts, Runes are carved in dark red. Probably lamb’s bl**d.”

Where she pointed, there were indeed twisted markings—whether letters or symbols—written in dark red. Writing with lamb’s bl**d? That was unsettling and creepy.

“What’s that for?”

“A protective barrier formula. It takes a long time to prepare and is too cumbersome to use in dungeons like Pluto’s Labyrinth or demon realms.”

“That’s right~. It requires dedication~. But that’s why it’s effective~.”

Before I knew it, Nemea had returned, carrying a wooden tray with three cups, placing one in front of each of us.

She then sat across from us and added:

“I know a thing or two about Elven Mages~. I’ve met many Elf exchange students from the Ivory Tower~. Though they all failed in the end~.”

Nemea’s crimson eyes also narrowed. With four red pupils glaring at each other, I felt like holes were about to burn through my skull.

“You Elves~, you think speed and power are all that matters, don’t you~? How to shorten incantations~. How to amplify offensive spells~. That’s all you care about~.”

“Isn’t that obvious? No matter how much you obsess over lofty theories, they won’t help in real combat.”

“Real combat~? That’s why you’re declining~. Magic is academia~. It’s truth~.”

Nemea and Elpride continued their bizarre conversation, one I couldn’t follow. But one thing was clear—these two would never get along.

Nemea spoke again.

“Samaritan friend~. I’m not in a position to say this, but~. You should be picky with the women you associate with~. Luna is cute, but this Elf friend here is hardly a woman’s woman~.”

“Huh?”

“She’s pretty, but she’s the type to devour her husband~. I heard she even has a criminal record for burning down a city~? An outsider from beyond the Continent~. Quite the audacity~.”

“…”

Elpride silently clenched her Staff with a crunch.

She was usually kind to unexpected people, but it seemed she couldn’t contain her Wrath in front of Nemea.

But after a scoff, she quickly regained her composure.

Nemea, however, wasn’t done attacking.

“She looks docile, but she’s angrier than anyone~. How frustrating must it be~? What was once hers alone~. Her own Samaritan slave~. Now she has to share him with random girls who popped up out of nowhere~. I wouldn’t have stood for it~.”

“What?”

“Isn’t that why you came here looking for a fight~? Because I took the chastity of what you hold dear~. Do you know how that Samaritan friend of yours moaned while tied to the chair~?”

“…”

“That day is still vivid~. It hurt like being stabbed by a blade~.”

“You b*tch—!”

Elpride, who had been holding back, finally snapped. She swung her Staff at Nemea’s head.

Whack!

But Nemea’s hand moved surprisingly fast to block it. Flailing arms managed to keep Elpride’s Staff from smashing her skull.

Crash!

However, Elpride’s momentum sent the sofa toppling backward.

In the end, Elpride and Nemea ended up tangled on the fallen sofa, limbs flailing as they wrestled.

Elpride, having secured the top position, rained down punches on Nemea’s face. Nemea squirmed to avoid them, but—

With Elpride pinning her down, the attacks were one-sided. Once you lose the mount, it’s game over.

Elpride’s fists mercilessly pounded Nemea’s face.

“Agh—!”

Good God, the Witch Nemea was screaming! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was this how Witches fought?

“Y-You—! You d*mn pointy-eared—!”

But just when I thought Elpride had the upper hand—

Nemea’s legs wrapped around Elpride’s waist like a spider’s grip.

At the same time, Nemea pulled Elpride’s head down, smothering her against her chest.

Trapped between Nemea’s ample bosom, Elpride struggled, unable to continue her assault.

Seizing the moment, Nemea arched her back and locked Elpride’s head under her armpit in a tight submission hold.

A grappling technique?! My eyes widened at the sheer skill.

“You’re not escaping~!”

Nemea squeezed Elpride’s head with all her might.

The pain must have been unbearable—Elpride thrashed like Sun Wukong under the Golden Hoop’s tightening grip.

“Ngh—! Let go—!”

But Nemea’s arm was like a machine, only tightening further.

At this rate, Elpride’s skull might crack. I was about to intervene when—

“GYAAAH—!”

Surprisingly, it was Nemea who screamed.

My superhuman reflexes caught Elpride yanking Nemea’s long hair hard.

Nemea’s head jerked back violently.

Seizing the chance, Elpride freed herself and lunged at Nemea, who retaliated just as fiercely.

What followed was a chaotic brawl—clawing, scratching, rolling—too messy to describe.

Rip!

Clothes tore in the frenzy.

Crash! Bang! Shatter!

Furniture and tools were smashed as they rolled around. Finally, Elpride grabbed a heavy book from the floor and slammed it full force into Nemea’s face.

Wham!

“GAH—!”

With that final cry, Nemea collapsed onto the floor.

Her hair was a mess, her clothes torn, revealing large, pale br*asts that were… distracting.

“What are you looking at?”

Noticing my gaze, Elpride picked up Nemea’s hat and tossed it onto her body.

“I won. Phew.”

Elpride declared her victory.

I wasn’t sure what they were even fighting over, but she seemed satisfied.

“Don’t ever lay a hand on what’s mine again.”

With that, she wiped the bl**d from her nose with the back of her hand. The sheer badassery sent a shiver down my spine.

Nemea, meanwhile, chuckled.

“Heh… got me good~.”

Then, as if she’d never screamed at all, she sat up.

Though covered in scratches from Elpride’s nails, the wounds healed at an impossible speed, vanishing cleanly.

Since when could humans regenerate like that?

I was stunned—and so was Elpride, her brow furrowed. She picked up her Staff from the floor and silently glared at Nemea.

But Nemea just dusted herself off.

“What an interesting encounter~, Elf friend~. Elven fists are quite sharp~. My horizons have broadened~.”

“Shut up, adulteress.”

“Ahh~. Poor friends~. Let’s meet again sometime~.”

Elpride and I fled Nemea’s workshop like we were escaping. Even though Elpride had won, why were we the ones running?

Only once we reached an alley far from Nemea’s house did Elpride finally exhale and speak.

“She’s a weird one.”

“You think?”

“She wears a human’s skin, but she’s not human.”

Not human? Luna had said the same thing about Nemea.

“So, what? A shapeshifting monster?”

“No. It’s more like she abandoned her humanity. Probably dabbled in forbidden magic.”

“Forbidden magic?”

What a terrifying name.

“It’s common among reclusive types. Those who ignore the risks, consumed by their thirst for knowledge…”

Elpride didn’t elaborate further, just slowly stroked her swollen cheek with her white leather glove.

After a long silence, she finally spoke again.

“Hassan, it’s best to stay away from her. She’s an enigma. A frightening woman.”

“Scary?”

“Yes. We barely got out this time, but there’s no guarantee we could a second time. She’s not just any Witch. I can’t even begin to guess what she’s thinking.”

I see.

Elpride had a point. Nemea was scary—but her fear came from the unknown.

Most people have principles that make their actions somewhat predictable. But with Nemea, there was no telling what she was thinking or what she might do next.

That unpredictability was what made her terrifying. Elpride must have felt it keenly.

Facing Nemea was like staring into a dark abyss. Most people wouldn’t willingly do that.

Unless they had a reason.

“But if we want connections to that Aquinas Theological whatever, we’ll have to deal with Nemea.”

“Because of the Shrine expansion?”

“Yeah. More priests would make management easier.”

“Ugh. This is why the devout are such a hassle. But… I might be able to help with that.”

“You can, Elpride?”

“Yeah. I do have some connections with priests, after all~.”

Holy sh*t—did this mean we didn’t have to go back to Nemea’s place? I was so happy I could cry. I grabbed Elpride’s waist and lifted her high.

“All hail the great and beautiful Dragon Elf, Elpride~!”

“—Goddammit, I’ll k*ll you!”*

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