After leaving the council square, Loki began visiting the individuals on his list one by one.
As expected, most had already gone missing—so much so that even their families had no idea where they had gone.
It was within Loki’s predictions.
He contacted Christine once during the search. She, too, seemed to be running across the city for the same matter, and she once again warned Loki that if anything happened, he must let her be present.
But when Loki tried to confess to her about the Saintess’s possession of his body, Celulu suddenly feigned some sort of terrible illness, letting out suspicious noises at his side. Fearing Christine would get the wrong idea, Loki had no choice but to cut the call short.
Now I really need to think about what kind of face I should wear the next time Christine asks about this…
You little brat…
After weighing the difference in their strength, Loki gave Celulu a mental scolding—only to sigh and let it go.
Strength aside, the moral burden was simply too heavy. Loki felt like a harried neighbor-uncle being forcefully pressed by a mischievous little girl. Beyond struggling out the words “You can’t do that,” he had no real resistance.
Eventually, the two arrived at the Witches’ Mutual Aid Association of Kaisania.
If there was any place to gather information on the witch who attacked Baron Freeman, aside from the academy that served as their headquarters, it would be here.
Witches were bound by strict rules and registration. Ever since the very first witch, every new one born was recorded in the ledgers. Even now, in their flourishing age, the records were complete—no omissions except death.
Thus, the moment a witch fell into corruption, became a blasphemer, or betrayed the Empire and their kin, her name would be marked, and she would be hunted by her entire race until death.
But Loki’s timing wasn’t great.
The receptionist explained that searching for a witch was beyond her authority. It required a witch to handle personally. Unfortunately, none were on duty today, so he’d have to come back another time.
One thing to note—the witches stationed here weren’t just receptionists. They were essentially intelligence operatives. Calling them field agents wouldn’t be wrong.
Still, the receptionist, sensing that Loki and Celulu were no ordinary visitors, quietly tipped them off: upstairs in the café sat a witch of fairly high rank, though she wasn’t affiliated with the Association. Perhaps she could help.
So the two of them went upstairs—straight to Ina and Selene’s table.
Relations between Loki and the witches were… delicate. One could even call them enemies. But as long as their leader wasn’t present and no one brought up the past, both sides could act as if nothing had happened.
Unless they ran into a stubborn witch, of course.
“I’m looking for Miss Ina.”
“—Ahem.”
Loki turned his gaze to the girl who had straightened up, her appearance carrying the vibe of a delinquent gyaru.
So this was the “high-ranking witch” the receptionist had mentioned.
Though…
From the glimpse beneath her robe, he caught sight of an academy uniform.
Wait… this is just a student who hasn’t even graduated yet, isn’t it?
But there was something familiar about her face. And those heterochromatic eyes too—they triggered a strange sense of déjà vu.
“Well, this is surprising. The soulless man who once brought shame upon the witches dares to show his face here.”
Loki had long since grown used to such hostility.
In fact, if a witch ever greeted him kindly, he’d immediately suspect something was wrong.
Words were one thing. As long as he paid the proper price, witches would provide the highest quality service. He never let himself get bogged down by barbed remarks.
Normally, he would just steer the talk straight to business.
But Celulu beat him to it.
“Oh? So this is the witch the receptionist mentioned?”
The petite Saintess clasped her hands behind her back and skipped forward, deliberately stepping into Ina’s line of sight to block her view of Loki.
The sudden move left the young man gaping like a fish, unable to get a word out.
“Still in an academy uniform, hmm? Don’t tell me you haven’t graduated? And someone like this is being called a high-ranking witch? When did witches start lowering their standards so much?”
“…”
A vein pulsed visibly on Ina’s forehead. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles popped.
The annoying pest had arrived.
From the very first glance, Ina knew she wouldn’t get along with this white-dressed church woman—or, to be more precise, with any woman who set foot inside Lord Loki’s home.
But Ina had no idea who Celulu truly was.
She never read the papers, never cared for worldly news. Aside from the witches’ internal affairs, her entire attention was devoted to following Loki’s shadow.
Besides, Celulu had only appeared out of nowhere overnight. Ina hadn’t had the chance to investigate. To her eyes, this was nothing more than a parasitic pest in church garb—daring to cozy up to Lord Loki.
And pests must be exterminated.
For Lord Loki’s future happiness… only she, the rightful bearer of the matching ring, was his destined partner!
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the parasol, casting cool shade across both girls’ faces.
Caught in the middle, Selene suddenly felt the invisible pressure and began inching her chair away—eager to escape this battlefield.
“The one who sought me out should be this gentleman here,” Ina said flatly, locking eyes with Celulu.
It was almost as though sparks crackled in the air.
“I have no interest in wasting words on irrelevant nobodies. Step aside—you’re in my way.”
“Arrogant witch.”
Celulu sneered.
“Ignorant churchling.”
Ina lifted her chin.
Why were these two girls, strangers meeting for the first time, already spitting venom at each other?
Loki couldn’t help but feel baffled.
Celulu’s possessive streak he’d already witnessed earlier that day—any woman who so much as batted her lashes at him was instantly skewered by her icy glare. She’d even smile and innocently ask him what he thought of those women afterwards.
She really was sent by the Church to keep me under control, wasn’t she?
Loki shook his head and stepped forward, moving past Celulu to stand before Ina.
“Apologies—you must be Miss Ina? I have an important matter I’d like to entrust to you as a high-ranking witch.”
But the moment he approached, Ina flinched back. Her eyes darted wildly, breath coming rough and uneven, and her expression froze as she stammered incoherently.
“N-no, it’s f-f-fine, L—th-this… this gentleman… P-please, go a-ahead. Wh-what do you need from m-me?”