TSOJI CH 15

Chapter 15

I Will Accept a Lifetime Contract (11)

“Was this also that witch’s doing?”

Lynette stared at her brother, Eclipse. She didn’t know why the witch had put him to sleep and then run away, but either way, she was grateful.

Normally, Eclipse forced himself to stay awake through endless nights of work. He rarely slept more than three hours a day.

‘At least now he’s sleeping properly, even if it took something like this…’

The person she thought was an assassin had ended up leaving behind a small gift instead.

Her feelings were complicated.

‘Am I supposed to be thankful for this, or not?’

She sighed, full of mixed emotions, and looked at the wide-open window.

“Either way, I still need to catch that witch.”

Clicking her tongue, Lynette turned around and headed out. The early morning chill seeped through her cloak, making her shiver as she reached the mansion gates.

Just then, two armed guards stepped in front of her.

“Saintess, where are you going at this hour?”
“It’s late, please return to your room.”

She didn’t have time to argue. Her target was a witch who could fly on a broom. If she wasted even a moment, she might lose her forever.

‘They won’t let me pass without a reason…’

After thinking quickly, Lynette stamped her feet in fake panic.

“Please help me. I think I’ve lost a holy relic.”

“What? A relic?!”
“Where did you lose it, Saintess?”

The guards were shocked. Lynette bit her nails, pretending to be anxious.

“Two days ago, I sneaked out of the mansion… maybe I lost it then.”

“What?! Two days ago?”

The guards exchanged worried looks.

“If my brother finds out, we’re all finished. Me, you, everyone. You understand, right?”

“……”

“So open the gate right now. I have to find it before it’s too late. Please.”

“B-but…”

Perfect. She could see them wavering.

“If you help me, we can all pretend none of this ever happened.”

“……!”

Their eyes went wide.

“Yes, that’s right. If you help me find the relic, then my sneaking out—and the fact you failed to stop me—will all disappear.”

Lynette gave them one last push.

“You know how strict the Archduke is. Do you really want him to find out his gatekeepers failed their duty?”

The guards paled, hesitating nervously. Lynette stared at their lips, waiting for the answer.

Good. Just a little longer. Three, two, one—

“…We’ll… follow you, Saintess!”
“What was that?”
“We’ll accompany you! Please lead the way!”

Finally! Lynette’s anxious expression lit up in triumph.

“There’s no time. We have to find it before sunrise. Hurry!”
“Yes, ma’am!”

Taking the nervous guards with her, Lynette ran through the dark streets.

When they reached a shadowy back alley, Lynette leaned against the wall, out of breath.

“Was this where you lost it, Saintess?”

She nodded vaguely, her chest heaving.

‘This won’t work. There’s no way I can catch her like this. I need a way to lure that witch back to me…’

The guards busied themselves searching every corner. Lynette noticed some rags lying on the ground and smirked.

‘Perfect. I’ll use those.’

She called out:

“Wait. Your armor is way too obvious. Cover yourselves with those rags.”

“What? Our armor?”

Though confused, the guards obeyed, draping rags over themselves. It didn’t hide them completely, but in the dark, it was enough.

‘Good. Now we won’t stand out too much.’

Pulling her hood down low to cover her face, Lynette turned to the guards.

“Listen carefully. From now on, you’re thugs who rule this alley.”

They blinked at her, baffled.

“And I’m just an innocent passerby who ran into you. Now, pick a fight with me.”

“W-what?!”
“Don’t call me Saintess. You’re thugs now!”

They hesitated, looking deeply uncomfortable. Lynette rolled her eyes.

“Fine. I’ll give you each a gold coin. Now hurry up and act!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

At the mention of gold, the guards straightened instantly.

Lynette began first, clutching her cloak and screaming:

“Kyaaah! Help me, someone!”

One guard raised his voice awkwardly.

“Uh… hand over your life and we’ll spare your belongings?”

“Idiot, that’s backwards!”
“Just say whatever! Wave your weapon around and try to sound scary!”

As they fumbled through their fake bandit act—

“Is anyone there? Please, help! Someone!”

Lynette poured her heart into her acting. And then—she saw it. A faintly glowing figure approaching from afar.

‘Could it be her?’

Her pulse raced. She cried even louder:

“Please… someone, anyone, help me!”

Peeking past the “thugs,” she saw her. A small figure with pink hair.

‘Yes, it’s her!’

Lynette called out excitedly:

“Ah, over there!”

The pink-haired witch flinched. She was small, half-hidden behind the large guards.

“Please, help me! These men are threatening to kill me!”

Lynette thought her acting was pretty convincing—and it worked.

The witch was now caught in the scene.

The only problem was that the poor guards almost got hurt for real.

“Run away while you can!”
“Help! Somebody save us!”

The two guards bolted down the alley. Lynette silently promised herself to repay them later.

‘I’m so sorry… I’ll give you thirty gold coins each!’

But for now, the priority was clear—catching the witch.

“Wait, please! Could I know your name?”

“…My name?”

“Yes. You saved my life. I must repay you properly.”

Up close, the witch looked even smaller than Lynette had imagined. Her own tall height only made the contrast sharper.

“…Elsie Bloomhire. The great witch of Wendelton 7th Street.”

The little witch smiled as she introduced herself.

And in that instant, Lynette’s heart pounded.

In her mind’s eye, white doves flew into the sky, and a choir in pure white robes sang hymns.

‘It’s her. Without a doubt—it’s her.’

The details could be sorted out later. Why Elsie had been in Eclipse’s office, what her intentions were… none of that mattered now.

What mattered was keeping her close.

“Elsie Bloomhire of Wendelton 7th Street…”

Without realizing it, Lynette grabbed both of Elsie’s hands tightly.

With this girl, everything Lynette had seen in her revelation would come true.

“Thank you, Elsie. I swear I’ll repay this debt.”

From that moment on, Elsie Bloomhire became Lynette’s guiding light.