Chapter 744 – #159_The Return of the Prodigal Son (2)

#744

One.
A battlefield filled with the brilliance of swords and sparks of magic.
And the mother-in-law’s hearing, which has comparable tension.
The defendant, Shin Si-woo, stood squarely in front of the black judge, who seemed to be full of resentment.

“Siwoo-kun, I heard the whole situation from Miss Marigold.”
“Don’t be too nervous. It’s a simple verification process.”

Contrary to expectations, Deneb, who gently hands over the chair, shows off the gentleness of a lawyer instead of the force of a judge.

“What are you sitting on? What did you do well?”
“That’s why you put a person who has just woken up from a hospital bed? Is your sister a person?”

Incidentally, it seems that the relationship between the lawyer and the judge is not very good.

It would not be enough to express my gratitude a few times for my little mother-in-law’s taking care of her circumstances after she was trapped in a fishbowl….

“Wouldn’t it be against the etiquette not to bring a family guest into the office and serve them a cup of tea at this time in the first place?”
“…What?”
“Someone who lives somewhere emphasized it. Whatever the situation, etiquette and formality are important.”
“Deneb, say it again.”
“Okay, I’ll say it again. He said that nobility and dignity are like clothes, so if you don’t take care of them, it’s like being naked. Whoever lives somewhere is a count.”

As a request, I would like you to refrain from scratching the clothes of the eldest mother-in-law, who is already uncomfortable.
A first-of-its-kind accident in which a lawyer openly disputed a judge was taking place in real time.

“Deneb-sama, you don’t have to do that! It’s more comfortable to stand still without that thirst! How are you!”

In the end, Siwoo forced himself in and spoke out bravely.
Albireo, who was glaring at Deneb and raising his twin wick, sighed heavily at Siu’s answer and waved his hand.

“Whoa, sit back. What to drink…. Grab something from that shelf and drink it.”

Anyway, the conversation started in earnest with appetizers.
As soon as the conversation started, Albireo took out a piece of paper from the table.

“Siwoo-kun, can you see this?”
“I see.”

A blank sheet of paper without any magical devices.

“It is trust.”
“Yes?”

Albireo held it in his hand and crumpled it.
The judge who shoots a very cold gaze with a pretty radical performance.

Albireo, who had grabbed the wad of paper like that, unfolded it in front of Siu.

“Now, what happened?”
“Loads…. Is it crumpled?”
“Yes, there is no way the crumpled marks can be erased unless magic is used. Trust, once broken, cannot be easily regained. Unfortunately.”

A cold sweat broke out on my back.
My feet have been numb ever since the word ‘trust’ came out.

Albireo had threatened to put an end to her if he seduced the witch one more time.
In front of such a great mother-in-law, it was no exaggeration to say that she had expected everything she would say since she brought Dorothy and Rinne with her daughter and returned to Gehenna.

Having been cornered like this, it was now the turn of the defense.
The little mother-in-law opens her mouth as if she was waiting for her role.

“Why are you spinning around and talking so hard? Even crumpling wasteful paper.”

Sure enough, I took the initiative of the support level.

Please! Little mother-in-law! I’m really dying!
Deneb couldn’t understand even though he sent his eyes hard.

Siwoo chose to seek mercy through confession and atonement before the little mother-in-law’s enthusiasm ruined the trial.

“Really! Sorry!”

It was decided to go ahead with the strategy of getting on his knees, bowing his head, and asking him to see only the death penalty because he had committed a mortal sin.

“I didn’t mean to disobey Albireo’s words! Trying to avoid the worst somehow, I also learned the pitiful situation and the work became out of hand!”
“…….”
“But I will make you as happy as Odile-sama and Odette-sama, even if it means giving my life!”

Now, all he had to say was ‘Give me your daughter!’, But before that, Albireo intervened.

“Siwoo-kun. Raise your head.”
“No! I am a sinner who suits this posture the most! Kill me!”
“… Will you really kill me? I’m in the middle of talking, so hold your head up.”
“Yep.”

The eldest mother-in-law, who had a headache, tapped her forehead with her fingertips and continued her words.

“I also admit that the origin of the incident was my complacency and coercion.”
“It’s not coercion, it’s not worth it. I decided to do it.”
“I was talking about a simple causal relationship. Who would have known this would happen? It was because the aftermath was great to act naturally.”
“To put it simply, it means that even unnie, who has no blood or tears, is acutely aware of the responsibility, Siwoo-kun.”

Judging by the sarcastic little mother-in-law’s way of speaking, her eyebrows twitch but she doesn’t vomit, it seems to be true.
I was surprised because it was something I hadn’t even thought of.

“I have no intention of sternly rebuking Siwoo for that reason. He doesn’t think he deserves it. This is the most embarrassing.”
“I am only sorry….”

“Strictly speaking, you are not cleverly seducing the twins. Following you around because you like Odile and Odette is something you do while knowing about Siwoo’s preference for women. Of course, you can get angry.”

Siu was a little surprised to hear the words of her eldest mother-in-law, who seemed to be trying to convince herself.
If you listen to it, it sounds plausible.
However, if Siwoo mentioned it, it was an extreme rationalization that he would have nothing to say even if he ran away immediately.

How can ideals and emotions always be in parallel?
Even in this situation, I had no choice but to admire the generosity of my eldest mother-in-law who calmly counted the situation.

“I didn’t know you would say that.”
“Because I value Siwoo more highly than you can imagine. However, if you increase the number of lovers in the future…. At that time, I will also take extreme measures, so take care of yourself.”

Albireo tried to slam the table, but realized the futility and let out another weak sigh.
He looks like he’s losing his pulse because his fever hasn’t risen.

“Anyway. I didn’t mean to criticize Siwoo right now. I was going to tell the story of Gehenna.”
“Is it Gehen?”
“Siwoo-kun, do you know what is the most important thing in Gehenna?”
“I do not know. Is it magic?”
“It’s the trust I was talking about earlier.”

Explanation that follows.

“A witch, if she wants, she lives forever. Even if she succeeds, the name will be passed down to the apprentice witches from generation to generation. It means that he is living while recognizing that the Eun-Won relationship is passed on to future generations.
That’s why Gehenna is based on a society of trust.

For example, the fact that I show infinite patience and treat Siu with respect is also because I received great grace from Siwoo.
The repayment of my faithfulness will be seen by the other witches of Gehenna, and the day will come when Odile and Odette become witches, and the day will come when they will put the Zemanai family’s proven trust to good use.”
“Apart from that, it is also true that my sister and I express our gratitude to Siwoo.”
“… I hate to admit it now, but Deneb is right.”

After saying that, Albireo took out the crumpled paper.

“And an outcast is one who has crippled the trust given to him. They are the ones who can never open a paper again.”

Now, Albireo’s words are starting to catch on.
This means that this is the main point.

“But since you were taken away, things have changed a lot in Gehenna as well. She began to absorb many of the outcasts, including the merits of Hexen Nacht, and Gehenna could no longer insist on her strict punitiveism.”
“It hasn’t been announced yet, but soon Gehenna will set up a screening body and begin a massive exile immunity program. At this rate, we will have to look at the explosive growth of Hexsenacht.”
“Then….”
“The first targets are Zlata Justitia, the ‘Witch of Freedom,’ and Alice Ibn Hayyan, the ‘Witch of Mercury. Besides that, there will be two.”
“Thank you so much!”

I was able to put my mind at ease in the part I was worried about.
Since the most difficult of the promises with Zlata has been fulfilled, Siu can do anything else if she puts her foot on her feet.
It is also a joy that the three Alices have safely returned to Gehenna.
She was able to safely receive money from Alice.

“But.”

A fire broke out in Albireo’s hand, and the crumpled white paper burned up.
The eldest mother-in-law said about the paper that disappeared neatly without even leaving ashes like a magic prop.

“Paper that can never be restored or undone. This is public credit.”

This time, the two pairs of purple eyes are rigorous, as if the opinion of the little mother-in-law is also the same.

“I can never admit it. The son-in-law of the Zemanai family is related to his exploits. Even one of them is talking to his son-in-law…. Hey! Siwoo Shin! You! Are you crazy?!!!!!”

I wondered if something was going well, but Siwoo shuddered at the shouting of his eldest mother-in-law, who showed off a sudden start in the shortest time ever.

“Sister, calm down. It’s already over.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa………. Know. I’ll cool my head, so you talk.”

This situation in which even Deneb stops hostile behavior and actively dissuades him.
I don’t know the details, but I do know that I am walking a very dangerous tightrope.

But he can’t back down.
It is said that grace is important in the witch society, but even if there is no talk of succession or anything, repaying the favor is of course an important virtue.

Even though she provided the beginning of the incident, Rinne, who risked her life several times for Siwoo, and Dorothy, who gave up after rolling up her sleeves over something she did not have to get involved in, cannot give up.

“Of course, I do not want to obtain citizenship. At least so that you two can leave Gehenna safely….”
“Siwoo-kun, can I speak first?”
“Yes.”

Clearing her throat, Deneb spoke with a worried look.

“Again, my sister and I have a lot of trust in Siwoo. You are also a valued guest in our family. To the extent that Siu-kun brought him, I believe that he isn’t just a bad guy, no matter how meritorious he is. I am also aware that their help has been a great help in rescuing Siwoo.”
“Go, thank you.”

“But this is beyond Gemonai’s control. Although it was unavoidable, Siwoo-kun took two of his exploits to Gehenna. Right now, we are using our personal connections and funds to keep our silence, but if more time passes, the Jemanai family will have no choice but to imprison the criminal in a dungeon and wait for a formal trial.”

I knew it, but it seems that the stigma of being a public figure is not something witches can easily tolerate.
This was supported by the saying that it was a problem that even the Countess of Gemanai could not handle.

“Then what should I do?”
“Here….”

Deneb slurred her tongue.
There is a clear answer, but he seems to be hesitant about whether it is okay to deliver it.

“Deneb hesitated, what are you going to do? She says she wants it.”
“But…. Okay. Siwoo-kun.”
“Yes.”
“Talk to Duke Tiphareth. She will hold the key to her solution.”

Yes.
Master is also clearly the duke of Gehenna and is supported by many witches.
Maybe it will find a way out.

However, Master was not by Siu’s side when he woke up.
When she asked Amelia where she was going, her expression only darkened.
If even the little mother-in-law hesitated like that, it must have been a problem for a reason Siu could have predicted.

“Then I will tell you myself.”
“I don’t recommend it, but I can’t help it. I knew you would say that.”

In other words, it was a problem that Siwoo had to solve on his own from here on out, and it was something he was determined to do in the first place.

“Previously….”

I wanted to make sure Rinne and Dorothy were all right.