Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1321: Chapter 48: Maria’s Magic House

When the Mage Corps headed to Britannia, to avoid drawing attention, the route was quite secretive, and naturally, the choice of transportation couldn’t be said to be very comfortable.

For these magicians, such a journey was naturally full of disdain—but returning was different, since the work was completed, they naturally wouldn’t choose those tools that were not only narrow but also very bumpy.

The Queen specifically chartered an entire airplane for them, and the person responsible for escorting them was Sir Bedivere, who had become the head of the Edinburgh Knight Organization just hours earlier.

He was chatting leisurely with Steward Aes in the car.

“Septcolor Geranium?”

Upon hearing this name, Steward Aes’s expression became somewhat unnatural—he frowned, musing as he said, “Sir Bedivere, why bring up this name suddenly?”

Bedivere was familiar with most of the esteemed magicians within Great Britain, but the pair he encountered during the previous night’s event were strangers to him… although they claimed to be Independent Magic Merchants.

Afterward, Bedivere suddenly recalled something: nobody knew the name of the mysterious youth who infused enormous magic power into the Composite Spells… it seemed as if nobody had ever considered this matter.

Septcolor Geranium was known only through Klein’s initial introduction—later, after a brief conversation with Klein, Bedivere realized that Klein was indeed meeting this pair for the first time.

“Well, I just happened to hear this name, so I’m a bit curious,” Bedivere said slowly, “Mr. Aes seems to know the owner of this name?”

Steward Aes shook his head skeptically and glanced at the new head of the Edinburgh Knight Organization, “As for the tales of Septcolor Geranium, there’s nothing much to hide; it’s quite easy to hear about it within the Magic Community… Have you heard of the title ‘Legendary Witch’?”

Bedivere was taken aback, “Are you saying Septcolor Geranium is the ‘Legendary Witch’? I’ve heard this legend before… one of the few top-tier Secret Medicine Practitioners in the world, and free to act as she pleases. It’s said that during her Secret Medicine Practitioner certification, she solved several century-old conundrums in the field within a day and successfully crafted a perfect Six-Star Potion, so she was granted the highest-level Secret Medicine Practitioner certification on the same day… Later, due to her erratic ways, she was named the ‘Legendary Witch’.”

“Most people know this, and the ‘Legendary Witch’ title spreads more widely than her original name.”

Steward Aes nodded, “But if you are a Secret Medicine Practitioner, you’d basically know the name Septcolor Geranium. However, she’s been missing for over thirty years, so it’s normal for you not to know, Sir Bedivere.”

Bedivere asked, “Mr. Aes, have you met this ‘Legendary Witch’?”

Steward Aes shook his head with a look of unspeakable expression, sighed, and said, “If possible, I’d rather have never met her, truly. Sir Bedivere, I advise you not to get involved with the ‘Legendary Witch,’ or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”

Bedivere couldn’t help frowning deeply.

But Steward Aes sighed, “Let me show you something.”

Saying this, Steward Aes slowly lifted his clothes, revealing part of his abdomen and chest… Bedivere’s face slightly changed, “Your body…”

As a surgeon, Bedivere found it hard to imagine the scene before him.

Because below Steward Aes’s neck, it couldn’t be called a human body… it was composed entirely of various instruments, engraved spells, artificial organs, and crystals—despite all the “parts” being arranged closely to mimic human internal organs…

“This is my current body,” Steward Aes smiled bitterly, “These organs and their annual maintenance costs are a huge consumption—and the reason my body became like this was solely because I once exchanged my body for a potion from the ‘Legendary Witch.’ Frankly, I’ve regretted my choice back then.”

“Why did she take your body?” Bedivere asked puzzledly.

Mr. Aes shook his head, “Rather than why she wanted my body, it would be better to say… in terms of the price for enlisting her help, this was the only thing I could offer. So, it’s best not to involve yourself with the ‘Legendary Witch,’ for you’ll inevitably succumb to the temptation she brings. Then, you’ll lose, and you’ll regret immensely.”

Bedivere suddenly asked, “What does this ‘Legendary Witch’ look like?”

Steward Aes gave him a strange look.

Bedivere carefully said, “Such a dangerous figure, not knowing her appearance would make one uneasy.”

“Nobody knows what she looks like,” Steward Aes said, “because she never shows her true face to anyone… So, during the thirty years of her disappearance, no one has been able to find her… Perhaps she’s right beside you or me, and we just never knew.”

Bedivere nodded but pondered other matters.

Simply by Klein’s account, one cannot prove that the ‘Septcolor Geranium’ he mentioned is indeed the legendary ‘Legendary Witch’… otherwise, having such a dangerous person within Britannia wouldn’t be a good thing.

Shortly after, the vehicle arrived at the airport. After personally escorting all members of the Mage Corps onto the airplane and watching it take off and disappear, Bedivere finally left the airport.

…

[Maria-Holic]

The name of the Magic House before them… somehow, evoked a feeling reminiscent of the initial encounter with a club—of course, naturally, the nature is entirely different.

The only similarity is perhaps that both are located on bustling streets—additionally, only Non-Humans can see through its surface disguise.

In fact, the entity itself is a laundry shop… situated in a relatively quiet spot amidst this bustling street.

Unlike the encounter last night, when Luo Qiu and the maid entered this laundry shop today, Lady Maria was holding a large pile of clothes ready for dry cleaning—while the self-service laundry area was occupied by a middle-aged woman sitting and reading a magazine, waiting to retrieve her clothes from the washing machine.

Lady Maria was dressed in a work apron today… an ordinary look, quite different from last night’s slightly dust-laden appearance, appearing somewhat younger… perhaps because the makeup used last night appeared more mature?

A world of difference.

“You are…” Maria, upon seeing Luo Qiu, was first stunned, then said, “Are you two here to do laundry?”

Luo Qiu felt somewhat strange—Maria seemed not to recognize him.

However, he did not recall erasing his existence from her perception… the ‘Elimination Spell’ rain before dawn shouldn’t have caused her to lose this part of her memory.

But the confusion lasted only a moment; Luo Qiu quickly smiled and said, “We are here to see Lady Maria, and if it’s convenient, could you ask her to come out… also, how should I address you.”

“Looking… for my sister?” The Maria before them frowned.

Luo Qiu took out a card.

After she took the card and glanced at it, she suddenly said, “Are you her guests? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“We just met, I guess,” Luo Qiu replied casually.

“So… are you two in a hurry? If not in a hurry…” She nodded, then her gaze fell on the woman in the self-service laundry area, and she said with some difficulty, “This lady is a regular customer here…”

“It’s fine.” Luo Qiu smiled.

“In that case, why don’t you two go inside and wait for a while?” She said, gesturing towards a door leading inside, indicating they could go straight in, “I’ll be there shortly.”

After a while, when the laundry customer took her clothes and left, she hung a ‘temporarily closed’ sign on the laundromat’s door and came over to Luo Qiu and the maid.

The laundromat and the living area are connected… probably half and half in space.

The living space seemed somewhat simple but was relatively clean—the maid appeared satisfied with the environment, rarely not wiping the chair clean before her master sat down.

“My sister just returned this morning and fell asleep, seems a bit exhausted. She didn’t tell me there would be new guests looking for her… maybe she forgot because she’s too tired?”

She served tea and quickly said, “Please wait, I’ll call her… she’ll wake up.”

Then came quite a magical scene.

Lady ‘Maria’ sat down, her head drooped suddenly—when she raised it again, she yawned and stretched lazily—the apron on her ample bosom created an impression full of vitality.

Then he showed a slightly flirtatious smile.

This was the witch Luo Qiu encountered, Maria.

“Sorry, sorry, when I got back this morning, I was too tired and fell right asleep, didn’t have time to inform her about your return…” Lady Maria appeared somewhat murmuring, “And little brother, you suddenly disappeared, made me think I was teased.”

Why does it suddenly feel like the air got colder…

Lady Maria shivered all of a sudden—but couldn’t find the source.

The two people in front… hm, still the boy with the healing smile, and the woman beside him had a kind look.

How strange?

Could someone secretly have cast some unpleasant curse… while pondering this, Luo Qiu suddenly asked curiously, “Lady Maria, are you sharing a body with your sister?”

“Due to certain reasons, I can only temporarily reside in Teresa’s body,” Maria said casually, “Oh, by the way, Teresa is this child’s name. Let’s not talk about this… Is this one the Legendary Witch, Septcolor Geranium?”

Legendary Witch?

Boss Luo looked at his maid and girlfriend and blinked.

The maid remained calm, “Probably some enthusiasts made it up out of boredom; I’ve never acknowledged it.”

“Feels like I’ve gotten to know you a bit more again.” Luo Qiu smiled.

The maid looked at him with softened gaze.

So dazzling…

Lady Maria felt an overwhelming sense of awe—she coughed lightly and said seriously, “Why don’t we relocate to my Magic House to talk? This place, after all, isn’t suitable for conversation.”

She tapped on the table, and a small wand resembling a conductor’s baton appeared in her palm, then tapped lightly on one wall.

The white wall painted with latex paint suddenly showed neat cracks—common herringbone pattern… then, the bricks on the wall began folding in order.

Eventually, an oval-shaped entrance appeared before them.

Maria went in first, “Please come in, welcome to Maria-Holic, guests!”

It was somewhat like entering a haunted house—but without any unpleasant odor; instead, a light lavender scent filled the air.

Not big, about sixty square meters… the surroundings were chaotic yet orderly, filled with various strange items… even creatures.

For example, a frog with slicked-back hair, puffing on a cigar?

The wall contained a long, embedded fish tank, where a purple An Kang fish swam leisurely, occasionally gulping down nearby microorganisms—to note, this An Kang fish emitted green light.

Like a visitor to an aquarium for the first time, Boss Luo spent some time carefully observing these wondrous things before sitting down.

While the maid meticulously explained the items here to her master—in such detail that Lady Maria, intending to demonstrate her Magic House merchant’s prowess, felt a sense of defeat.

“Now, let me formally introduce myself.”

Maria coughed softly, “I’m Maria, an independent magic merchant, pleased to meet you both… especially honored to meet the Legendary Witch, Septcolor Geranium.”

Though she spoke like this, the witch was quite nervous—after all, facing the Legendary Witch.

Hold it together, Maria! Must not let the Legendary Witch think less of you… the smile needs to be natural, natural, natural, don’t be nervous!

“Lady Maria, are you feeling hot?”

“Yes, feels suddenly a bit hot… so hot, don’t you think? Hahaha…” Maria laughed, fanning herself inside her collar.

The deep cleavage appeared once again.

Then this witch instantly felt a chill as though she entered the Antarctic, a coldness surged from the soles straight to the head, then back from head to toes, cycling multiple times.

Achoo—!!

The two people before… hm, still the boy with the healing smile, and next to him, the Legendary Witch still gazed kindly.

How strange?