Chapter 26
Chesha fixed her gaze on the man blocking her path.
She stared for a moment before smiling and retorting, “And?”
A flicker of unease crossed the man’s eyes.
He clearly hadn’t expected such a response.
And why would he?
In the underworld, mentioning the Master’s name was enough to make anyone fall in line.
Chesha might have considered stepping back, too.
“Pretty bold,” she said.
If only he hadn’t summoned her in such a condescending way.
The underworld’s residents, who had scrambled to safety at the sight of the enchantress, were now watching the scene from their hiding spots.
Lichesia’s return after such a long absence was thrilling enough, but the Master seeking her out?
For the sensation-hungry denizens of the underworld, this was a spectacle worth risking their necks for.
With all eyes on her, Chesha couldn’t afford to appear weak.
The moment she bowed her head meekly, her place in the hierarchy would be set.
In this world, the weak were devoured.
She had to project strength, even if it meant bluffing.
That’s why Chesha, a fairy, had chosen an axe as her weapon.
If she didn’t act ruthlessly, she’d be underestimated.
And with Hata’s captors unknown, she couldn’t afford to be seen as vulnerable.
Sweeping her hair back, Chesha said, “Do I have to go just because I’m summoned?”
The man tilted his head slightly.
At his gesture, black-clad figures appeared on the rooftops of the surrounding shops.
Dozens of them, identical to the man, wrapped head to toe in black cloth, each holding a crossbow.
The taut strings of their crossbows were all aimed at Chesha.
The man declared dryly, “If you don’t comply, we’ll take you by force.”
“By force…”
Chesha burst into laughter.
As if she’d heard the most amusing thing, she laughed heartily for a while.
“Haha… It’s been ages since someone said that to me. No one’s dared lately.”
Smiling softly at the man, she asked, “Know why?”
He took a slow step back.
It was an instinctive move, made before he could think.
Chesha approached him slowly.
Thorns sprouted among the flowers, snaring his ankles.
He flinched, trying to pull free, but he was already trapped.
A few butterflies, fluttering around, settled on his shoulders and head.
Frozen in place, he could only watch as Chesha drew closer.
Stopping right in front of him, she let her axe dangle low and placed a hand gently on his chest.
With a bright smile, she whispered, “Because I killed them all.”
The man’s bloodshot eyes widened.
Just as he opened his mouth to scream, sensing death—
“Hold on.”
A man in a sleek suit dropped from the sky.
He swung a whip from his waist, slicing through the thorny vines.
The trapped man scrambled away in a panic.
Chesha shot a sidelong glance at the newcomer.
The man, coiling his whip, had an unusual appearance.
Slender and tall, he wore his gray hair long and tied back, with a cloth adorned with intricate patterns covering his eyes.
Can he even see?
That was her first thought, but he seemed to manage just fine.
Looking directly at Chesha, he apologized, “I beg pardon for my subordinate’s rudeness. The orders were miscommunicated, leading to this offense.”
Chesha smiled without responding.
Miscommunicated orders? Unlikely.
They’d likely tested her to assert dominance, only to backpedal when she didn’t yield.
She stared at him knowingly, and he introduced himself.
“I am Jahan.”
“…”
Chesha’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
She knew the name Jahan.
He was the Master’s direct subordinate.
A man who showed no emotion, like a puppet, he was a symbol of misfortune in the underworld.
The reason was unclear, but likely because most who met him ended up dead.
Jahan made a polite request.
“The Master has ordered me to escort Lady Lichesia. May I guide you?”
“I lost my dog. Finding him comes first.”
“It’s related to that matter.”
Hata’s disappearance was connected?
Chesha, who had been about to dismiss him, gave Jahan her attention.
In a flat, unyielding tone, he continued, “It’s a grave matter, and the Master has exceptionally requested to meet you in person. Please, do come.”
Despite her long history in the underworld, Chesha had never met the Master.
Most underworld residents never did, not even until their dying day.
The infamous enchantress Lichesia was no exception.
Despite her notoriety, she’d never so much as glimpsed the Master’s shadow.
Why summon me now?
It was suspicious, but since Hata was involved, she couldn’t refuse.
Chesha recalled her flowers and butterflies.
The street, once brimming with vibrant blooms, reverted to dry earth, leaving only the lingering scent of flowers.
She let her axe dissolve into petals.
Nodding at Jahan, she said, “Fine. Lead the way.”
The Master’s residence wasn’t publicly known.
But among underworld residents, there was a place rumored to be his home.
In the barren, dusty land, it was the one spot lush with greenery.
A mansion owned by someone so wealthy they could afford the pointless task of hauling water to nurture plants.
No guards stood openly, but stray too close, and a crossbow bolt would land at your feet from nowhere.
Stories abounded of fools who’d tried to raid the mansion in groups, only to end up pierced like porcupines.
Underworld residents steered clear of it.
Chesha had only ever seen it from a distance, never this close.
Stepping through the main gate, she found an exotic garden unfolding before her.
Lanterns illuminated the dreamlike beauty, but Chesha felt a chill.
This is all money.
The cost of maintaining each plant was staggering.
Anyone entering would feel dwarfed by the opulence.
“This way,” Jahan said.
He led her to a quiet room.
A table held drinks and simple fare.
Chesha had no intention of touching them or sitting down.
Her gaze settled on the far end of the room.
A heavy black curtain hung there, obscuring even the silhouette of whoever was behind it.
“…”
In the silent room, a faint sound emerged.
The ticking of a clock’s second hand, somewhere, filled the stillness.
Chesha spoke flatly, “Where’s my dog?”
A chuckle came from beyond the curtain.
It was a magically altered voice, impossible to discern gender or age, calling her name.
“Enchantress Lichesia.”
Arms crossed, Chesha asked, “You’re the Master?”
“Indeed. And thanks to you, I’ve got quite the headache.”
The Master chuckled again, low and deliberate.
“Seeing you in person, I can understand why this mess happened.”
Like Jahan with his covered eyes, the Master seemed able to see through the curtain.
Either he employed mages, or he wielded magic himself.
Mages were rare enough on the continent to be traceable.
I could probably figure out who he is.
Keeping her thoughts hidden, Chesha snapped irritably, “What are you talking about? Cut the nonsense and get to the point.”
Her eyes blazed as she demanded, “Where’s my dog?”
If this was a stalling tactic, Master or not, she was ready to start swinging her axe.
“Calm down. That’s why I called you.”
“Spit it out!”
Despite Chesha’s readiness to brandish her axe, he began leisurely, “Let me ask one thing first.”
If he wasted her time with trivialities, she’d summon that axe.
Glaring daggers, Chesha braced for his question.
The Master, in a tone dripping with exasperation, asked, “Why are you having a lovers’ quarrel in the underworld?”
Chesha froze, then blurted out a dumbfounded, “…What?”
