Chapter 427: A Witch's Little Trouble

Maya Hansen sensed that Solomon hadn't entirely returned to his usual self. She tried to wipe away the facade with her handkerchief, but the inhuman coldness within him was hidden too well. The world's various "anchors"—from the witches, Athena, and the Ancient One—continued to pull him back to reality, providing the warmth necessary for him to regain his humanity. Maya herself was one of these anchors.

With her help, Solomon staggered to his feet. He took the handkerchief from her and slowly cast a simple spell to clean off the dried, dark bloodstains from the cobalt-blue fabric. "I don't want you to leave me, Maya. You are the most critical part of my plan," he said softly. "If my dealings with the dark gods made you feel as if I didn't trust you, I sincerely apologize."

"Enough. No need to discuss this further," Maya responded coolly, supporting him as they left the chamber.

Mariana Stern, the high priestess of the Solar Red Grove, keenly sensed the change in Solomon. When his gaze casually fell upon her, she felt as though she were staring into a burning star. The sensation was overwhelming, but quickly dissipated as the metaphorical star became a distant, twinkling point of light in the sky. Yet despite its distance, the surrounding air felt like the freezing vacuum of space, as if all warmth had been sucked away.

"Mary," Solomon addressed her by her nickname. "Tomorrow, gather every member of the Solar Red Grove. I will begin teaching you all the most profound spells. Your only task is to assist Maya Hansen in her work. And perhaps… look after that damned goat that keeps trying to chew on my shoes?" He glanced at Maya, who nodded to confirm the goat's existence. Solomon sighed. "Right, of course. The goat."

"We will, my lord! Even the goat!" Mariana responded with enthusiasm. This was the day she had been waiting for. After faithfully executing Solomon's commands, the Solar Red Grove had finally earned his trust. Now, they would have access to the secrets of deep magic. Mariana trembled with excitement. For centuries, the power of the druids had waned, and as the high priestess, she now had the chance to restore the legacy of her order.

"Care for a stroll, Maya?" Solomon smiled, though fatigue pulled heavily at his eyelids. "Our destination is my office."

The witches were not at the apartment. Instead, a cat and a phoenix were the only residents waiting there. Maya accompanied Solomon, helping him settle in. Even after drinking two cups of espresso in his office, Solomon's fatigue only worsened. Reluctantly, he opened a portal to his bedroom and stumbled through it before collapsing into bed. Maya arranged for his absence from his studies.

Morton Academy required students to spend at least 40 hours per week on academic research. Given Solomon's intelligence and progress, his mentors readily approved his sick leave.

"Get into bed properly. Don't fall asleep on the couch," Maya urged, pushing him into the bedroom and coaxing him to change into more comfortable clothes. Once she ensured he was fully under the covers—without so much as a toe sticking out—she made a phone call. She also pried the Cheshire Cat off Solomon's face. However, she allowed the phoenix perched on the bed's edge to stay, finding it far more disciplined than the mischievous feline.

"Where are your girlfriends?" she asked, glancing around. "I couldn't reach them. When are they coming back?"

"Dragon's Triangle in Japan," Solomon mumbled through a yawn. This trip had nothing to do with Kamar-Taj's affairs but was instead linked to the contracts the Umbra witches had with certain abyssal demons. Much of the witches' power was derived from such contracts. Among the prominent figures they had pacts with were Lady Butterfly and Mistress Styx. One ancient witch named Himiko had managed to anchor her soul to the mortal realm, seeking resurrection, and the witches were tasked with preventing this—at least officially, to fulfill their demonic contract and send Himiko's soul back to the Abyss.

Of course, contracts were one thing, but real-life execution was another. Witches had their ways of "interpreting" agreements, often finding excuses like distance or timing to delay their duties. Still, Bayonetta and Jeanne decided to check out the situation personally. Solomon had prepared by purchasing a yacht and filling it with fuel before dropping them off at the Dragon's Triangle.

"Why are they there?" Maya asked.

"Probably to fight," Solomon replied with another yawn.

"Fine. I'll take care of you in the meantime," she sighed. "I called a doctor. You've lost too much blood, and I think you need professional care."

"No doctors. My DNA is the biggest secret. You know that." Solomon burrowed deeper into the blankets. "Don't worry. My caretakers are here."

"Where?"

"Master, I smell blood! What happened to you?!" Diana burst into the room, wearing a bright yellow off-shoulder summer dress and white shorts. Behind her, several other synthetic humans clad in power armor with metallic wings entered, their armored heels clacking loudly against the floor. Despite their intimidating appearance, they carried cold drinks in hand, an odd contrast to their military-like presence. Some appeared even more worried than Diana, crowding around the large four-poster bed. The most aggressive among them, like Catherine, was already gripping her sword, ready to attack anything suspicious.

The sudden invasion of armored synthetic humans startled Maya. While she was aware of Solomon's work with synthetic lifeforms, she had never paid much attention to their combat capabilities. These heavily armed women, except for Diana, were complete strangers to her.

Solomon wasted no time issuing orders. "Maya Hansen. Maximum protection level."

"Yes, Master," Diana nodded rapidly. "Anything else?"

"Notify the Ancient One. Let her know there's no need to worry."

"Understood."

"Also, inform Bayonetta and Jeanne. And Athena—I'll have to cancel our spear-throwing practice."

"I'll take care of it, Master!" Diana looked close to tears as the other synthetic humans surrounded Maya protectively. Their obedience and urgency were palpable. Orders from Solomon were executed without hesitation, driven by a soul-deep connection that bordered on fanaticism.

"Anything else, Master?"

"Yes…"

"?"

"I'm not on the verge of death. I just want to sleep. Do you all realize how much this scene resembles a group of greedy heirs waiting for an old nobleman to die and divide up the inheritance? Especially with this four-poster bed! Now get out—I'm going to sleep."

"I'm staying with you, Master!" Diana declared earnestly.

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