The Monster and the Witch

⚜︎ Ep 47: Interrogation Technique ⚜︎

"Leave us," Carmine told the prison warden. She stood in front of a dark cell.

"Are you sure, Duchess?" The warden saw the figure inside the prison cell. A man in shabby black clothes. His nose was broken and there was a large cut on his left hand. His eyes glowed like a predator in the dark. His yellow eyes lit up brightly in the dark as if he was ready to pounce at Carmine even when chained.

His entire body was chained to the floor. There was also a leather band with a red crystal on his neck. A symbol like two interlocking triangles was on the crystal.

Siife.

In the ancient language, it means 'Not permitted'. The symbol was used to negate a person's magic. As long as the symbol on the neckband lit up, the wearer would not be able to use magic. However, the neckband had a time limit. And if the wearer's magic was too strong, the crystal would shatter the moment the neckband was worn.

"Malakai has a Siife necklace," Carmine murmured.

"Uh... Yes, although this is the last one we have," said the warden, "Because the number of witches has thinned in the last decade, siife necklaces like this are no longer produced. It's lucky we still have one left. Otherwise–"

Not interested in the warden's explanation, she asked, "How did the Duke catch a teleporter?"

"Uhhm... that is because the Xoltar is cursed. When it makes a sorcerer bleed, that sorcerer won't be able to access their magic for a while."

Carmine raised her eyebrows when she heard that. "Xoltar? Damian's black sword?"

The warden nodded. "It's a sword that has been passed down in the Malakai family."

No wonder when the sword cut her, her healing abilities slowed. One thing that everyone knows from using magical tools is that the longer the tool is used, the more likely the magic of the heirloom transfers to the user's body. If so, it also explains why after Damian ... embraced her, the pain in her body was very slow to disappear.

If Damian was the one hurting her, she wouldn't heal quickly.

The dungeon at the Malakai residence only had one criminal detained that day. Rumors had it that Damian preferred to kill convicted criminals on the spot. He was not afraid to shed blood in his own territory. It was one of the reasons why everyone was afraid of him. It was also why the nickname 'Monster of Malakai' stuck to him.

How many bodies will fall today? she wondered.

Thinking about how the world saw Damian made her feel weird. Because after living with him for some time, she actually started seeing Damian as a big, tamed bear. It was a little strange to imagine the big bear hugging her while they slept together as a cold-blood killer outside of the residence. When people saw Damian as intimidating and scary, she could only picture his soft and gentle gaze.

No. I must not forget that he is still the Monster from the North, she thought to herself. And that I am the Ugly Witch from the South.

She stared intently at the warden. The warden understood that she wanted to be left alone.

"Eh? You're sure, Duchess?" The warden again glanced at the detained. "That guy's pretty savage ... Duke had a hard time catching him."

"If there's anything happening, I'll scream."

"But–"

Carmine used her intimidating gaze. With the red color of her eyes and the dark atmosphere of the dungeon, the effect multiplied many times over. The warden finally nodded and backed off, returning to his place at the entrance of the dungeon.