Date a Witch: Reborn as the Witch of Lust! (GL)
Chapter 37: ’Wrath’

Chapter 37: ’Wrath’

"Mel?"

[ ...Host. ]

Mel glanced at the dangling black sword at the woman’s waist, then at Lila again.

"Lila." She whispered softly. "How about you go back and rest without me now?"

"Huh? All of a sudden?" Lila hung her head, downcast. Disappointed, she overlooked the tremor in her lover’s voice.

Mel gently smiled. "Mm. I have some witchy stuff to do."

System?

[ ...Wrath currently held no hostility towards you or those around you. No worries, Mel. ]

Breathing out a sigh of relief, she put an index finger over her lips. "Come on now. Behave."

Lila’s eyes glimmered before nodding heavily. "Mm. You promise."

Mel loosened their hands with some regret. It’s not a perfect date, but she will ensure they will have no interruptions next time.

The Witch of Lust watched as Lila hesitantly turned away, her lover’s gaze turning back with slight worry.

Mel merely waved, her grin cheerful without a hint of fear. As she watched Lila’s back disappearing into the crowd, the loving sensation from their heated kiss subsided.

Her left palm smoothed the shoulder, chuckling before turning around.

Her smile remained undeterred, unbothered by the most dangerous existence in the World.

"Hello. Wrath." Mel called the Awakened Witch by her moniker, not her real name.

Wrath tilted her head, observing and examining, her hairlock brushing aside to reveal grey, monotone eyes, as if all colors of the World were burnt to a dull ash.

Her ashen eyes squinted, and without warning, her knees bucked into a ready stance, her palm hovering over the hilt of her black katana.

[ Stand. Very. Still. Host. ]

Mel, however, merely relaxed her stance, despite the drumming heartbeats in her chest.

Her instinct told her. This is not the Witch of Wrath in the Final Episode of the ’Witchunter’s Wrath’. This girl is someone very different from what she remembered.

Swish.

A flash of steel. A swing that was driven with immense strength and speed.

[ Ho

st? ]

The Witch of Lust shuddered, just a little.

In her vision, the System panel, the partner-in-crime that has accompanied her for almost ten years in her journey, was severed in a clean half.

She gazed back. Wrath, still in her ready stance, the blade slightly drawn from the sheath.

With a click, Wrath withdrew her blade.

No more sound. No more threats. Mel’s eyes darted around, gulping.

She couldn’t hear or see anything but was sure her connection with the System was lost thoroughly just now.

Gone. As if it never existed in the first place.

And then, the Swordsman muttered.

"Quieter now."

Mel’s smile strained as she glanced at Wrath standing up straight.

Unaware of the Swordsman’s presence, the crowd gradually scattered to leave behind the two.

Every one of them had a blank face with empty eyes, as if a greater force had puppeteered them.

Mel examined the suddenly empty environment. Was it Wrath’s doing again? Well, she could always ask ’her’ to confirm later.

"Quite a showoff you are." Mel pressed a finger to her cheek. "I’m impressed!"

Wrath remained expressionless at the tease, her eyes flickering from Mel’s face, down to her reddened shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt your date."

At Wrath’s apology, Mel’s eyes truly widened in surprise. She knew an <Awakened> Wrath as more uncontrollable and volatile, yet this Wrath was clearly more disciplined, docile, and even more polite.

In her amazement, she chuckled out loud. "I do mind a little. But no matter."

She puffed out her chest, her hands behind her back as the fabric revealed the curve of her breasts. "So, how do you plan to compensate, Wrath?"

Mel held back another chuckle as Wrath’s eyes darted down. Before snapping back up, her poker face remained intact, as if nothing was wrong.

The voice that carried a honed edge responded again. "You... I see. Perhaps you haven’t changed. That’s good."

The Witch of Lust blinked at the cryptic hint. Another mystery to crack? She would have thought the System’s poorly disguised identity was the last.

Unaware of her thoughts, Wrath continued. "That Saintess... you’re going to meet her, yes?"

At least she still talked a little like a robot. Cute.

Mel figured she had no reason to lie to her fellow Witch, so her eyes curved. "Is it now? How did you know?"

Wrath paused momentarily for the first time, contemplating whether to tell a secret.

Mel hunched her shoulders, still relaxed, still patient.

And at last, she heard something interesting.

"The Saintess." Wrath’s thumb glided over her Katana. "She’s not your enemy. But ours."

The Witch of Lust hummed, musing. The implication behind that sentence was not complicated, yet she felt an unspoken history was tied into the Saintess and this Wrath’s relationship.

She tested. "I dislike vague hints, you know?"

Wrath nodded. "I know."

Bingo. Mel’s eyes curved. "Oh. You know what again? Do pray tell."

From the start, this ’Wrath’ talked as if she knew Mel, when Mel herself had only met this ’Wrath’ for the first time.

As if already sensing Mel’s suspicion, Wrath’s lips shivered slightly.

Yet, Wrath’s steady voice remained unwavering. "Please. You may trust the Saintess. But never rely on her words."

With that, Wrath spun around and strode away.

Mel didn’t give chase, but merely watched her silhouette fade into the distance, the Swordsman’s shadow lingering, a willing solitude.

And she rushed, stepping into the shadow.

She was never one to wait. Never one to be in the action.

The silhouette returned to her gaze, Wrath’s shoulders trembling as if she could hear footsteps closing in behind her.

Mel’s hands stretched open, then embraced Wrath from behind tightly. The scent of ash clung to her senses, the linen fabric of the hood surprisingly smooth against her skin.

She found herself uttering. As if on autopilot. "Do make sure to answer my doubts one day, alright?"

Wrath didn’t answer. Didn’t react. A numb body encased her iron will, her skin a shield against the most potent and dangerous dreams.

Yet, the swordsman mumbled. "One day. Mel."

---------------

After Wrath is settled, Mel finally lets her leave in peace.

And with a peaceful yet muddled mind, the Witch of Lust glanced up at the moon. The serenity reminded her of that night, the night that welcomed her into this World of memories.

She has promised it, or rather ’her’, no turning back, not until the World is saved or every Witch is saved.

’Wrath’ included. Whether it is the current her or not, she will save her without a doubt.

"But do you truly think the same as me, partner?"

She stared off to a distance, to the North of the Southern District, where one humble chapel resided near the academy.

It is time to pay a visit.