Date a Witch: Reborn as the Witch of Lust! (GL)
Chapter 45: Night Time is Witch Time! (featuring: A Scammed Skeleton)

Chapter 45: Night Time is Witch Time! (featuring: A Scammed Skeleton)

On the quiet night when the moon rose above the horizon, a tall, symmetrical building stood amongst the sea of buildings.

The walls were made of anti-magic, black carbon stones, and the windows plastered on each floor were etched with protective spells to prevent break-ins.

The headquarters of the Marrowgold Merchant Guild, situated in the Western District of the Capital, faced the Dwarven Ironed Kingdom. Its majesty was built by the ambition of a guildmaster and a certain Undead in disguise.

The Undead sat on a well-cushioned sofa in a carpeted room, his empty sockets, no longer disguised to appear human, watching the opposite seat with caution.

A lone catgirl was seated, hands folded in patience.

"Um..." Ed adjusted his sunglasses. "Miss Nyxia. It has been 20 minutes since the agreed-upon time of the meeting. Is your master-"

Then, the maid’s ears perked up. "Say again, and I’ll toss your bones into the <Hell Realm>."

The skeleton’s teeth clattered together. He had heard worse threats in war, but something about facing a mind manipulator promised a far crueler fate.

Soon, the door at the side clicked, sliding open to reveal a velvet-dressed Witch, her curved gaze full of ease as she stepped into the room.

As the maid stood and bowed, Mel patted the catgirl’s soft ears. "Good job, Nyxia. Just sit by and watch for now."

Purring against the touch, the catgirl mustered up the strength to nod, not before flashing a warning glare at Ed.

The merchant shuddered a little, gesturing towards the seat. "Miss Witch. I’m... very thankful for the <Prophecy> you delivered to me last time."

Ed’s voice was cautious with a hint of fear. He dared not use flowery language or cunning deception, or he would suffer greatly under the Witch’s mysterious Hypnosis spell again.

Mel chuckled as she plopped down in the chair. "Don’t worry. Let’s get to the point straight away."

She crossed her thighs and clasped her hands gently over them, casting a relaxed gaze at the Merchant. "There are three things I want from you. Don’t worry. I promise to make it as fair and equal as possible, within my capacity."

Fair and equal, right. Ed mocked as he glanced at the cat maid beside Mel, her eyes closed as if suppressing a beast’s bloodlust for her master’s sake.

As if ’unaware’, Mel held up a finger. "First. Information sharing. Specifically, you must bring me the information regarding the Witch’s Cult, Pride’s Familiars, Elven Wanderers, and the Dwarven Armies."

Ed’s spine shuddered. He knew from the start this Witch’s goal was not normal, but the factions involved were enough to hold his head on a pike a thousand times over.

His sunglasses drooped a little as he nodded. "Of course. I will also see if any information is worth your notice before bringing it to you."

"Very good." Mel’s lips curled up to a foxy smile. "Then, onto another matter."

She then slipped her hand into the <Inventory> before pulling out a vial. The liquid from within shimmered green, like nature’s promise contained within.

The Witch began to explain, dangling the vial between her fingers. "This is a new product that will earn us gold. Enough to make a profit and increase your Guild’s influence, not enough to disrupt the economy and challenge the Royals’ authority."

Pang. Mel set the vial on the table. "So I’ve come up with Sun Oil, a cheap, simple-to-make lotion that protects your skin from the sun. Situational, depending on where you head to, is perfect for a summer like right now."

For the Witch, the <Creation Series> allowed her to acquire alchemical tools easily. The rest involved remembering the ingredients, processing them, and gathering raw materials using the system’s guide.

A perfect first product for earning Ed’s trust, though she was unsure if Ed would take the bait next.

Mel’s golden eyes swept over Ed. Even through the loose sunglasses, she could observe his empty sockets staring, as if in disbelief.

After a few pauses, he uttered. "If that’s true... no, no Miss Witch wouldn’t have any reason to lie."

His mind stormed. The Kingdom’s summer has stayed for almost a month, and many consumers were bustling for the most expensive magical tools to keep their skin untanned and unburned.

That meant this is the perfect opportunity to introduce a cheap alternative!

The merchant coughed twice, calming his non-existent, bumping heart. "Miss Witch. If possible, I would like to learn the procurement method."

Mel chuckled. "Very good. Do go wild. I might, just might be able to compensate for any loss incurred with my Gold Coin <Creation>."

Yeah. I totally believe you. He almost said in jest before he stated. "70/30. Miss Witch could have 70, and we could have 30. You needn’t shoulder any cost or loss. Fair enough?"

The Witch pressed a finger to her cheek, her sleek smile spreading. "Nope. I want a hundred."

The Merchant jolted. He resisted the urge to bang on the table, the maid whose grey eyes were plastered on him, indifferent.

He took a deep breath. "Can I ask for the reason?"

Mel stretched her arms, unbothered by Ed’s turmoil. "For a Guild, especially a large one like yours, reputation is more profitable than the actual profits themselves."

Then, a serious glint crossed her golden eyes as she stared. "I’m no major in branding or finances, but even I know how much ’fame’ your guild will obtain for introducing a never-before-seen product into the beauty market. Asking for a hundred shares? That’s the most reasonable."

In truth, Mel initially considered obtaining money from seduced targets like Rosana, but something about buying gifts from your own pockets attracted Mel’s attention more.

Well, even if that came from an unfair dealings. Mel shrugged slightly as she watched Ed’s bony fingers run across his skull. Then he muttered. "90/10."

Mel’s ’kind’ smile widened. "98/2."

Kill me. The Undead gulped back the pressure to scream before huffing. "95/5."

"Very good!" The Witch’s face beamed as she clapped. "I hope for all the best in your venture, Mr Ed!"

The merchant sighed deeply, as if his eternal Undead lifespan was siphoned out. He wondered momentarily whether to write a resignation letter for his safety, but decided against it upon his undying love for the Guildmaster.

He calmed his ’expression’ before his fingers grasped each other, steadying his gaze on the Witch. "Then, the third deal?"

His brain scoured for possibilities. The first deal was more of an order. The second was mutually beneficial, albeit one-sided, but both remained extremely tame.

Then the last one must be truly ruthless. As expected of a Witch of Calamity, ready to deliver a fatal blow at the final moment.-

"So yeah, prepare some tea set and leaves from a specific location for me."

Ed shivered, the Witch’s final ’deal’ piercing through his imagination like a bursting bubble.

"Ha?" He gasped, for the very first time.

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

After confirming the date and time to receive the tea sets and leaves, Mel, in her <Human Form>, hummed on the street as she walked down the Merchant’s streets.

She wore a simple auburn dress, wrapped by a cute ribbon at the waist. Her heart lightened as she glanced around, taking in the vibrant night scene.

The Night Market bustled with activity. Contrary to the Southern District, the Western District was a crowded street full of merchants’ stalls and customers from nobility and Commoners.

Candles and luminous lanterns spread across the streets like fireflies, guiding the packed crowds through the night. As Mel weaved through bodies with practiced ease, she received a <Telepathy>.

Master. Someone is following you from behind.

The Witch’s eyes flickered with interest. Identity? Are they a key profile member I mentioned once to you by description?

No. But he seemed professional in his tailing, his steps too light and practiced for an amateur.

The Witch of Lust then wore a wicked smirk across her face.

Then it would be remiss of us not to greet them, wouldn’t it?

Mel didn’t glance over her shoulder. If they weren’t key figures yet still had reason to tail her, there was only one organization that fit the description.

Time for some cult-hunting. An excitement flared up in her chest as she prepared for her revenge against the Poisoning Incident against Lila’s sister.