"Find her at all costs. She must not have gone very far. The White Witch has lost a lot of her power by now because of our lady. We just need to catch her now and we can get our revenge."

Reeze Spencer pressed herself against the wall she was hiding behind as she leaned her tired body against it.

The war between the black witches and the white witches had been going on for a while, and the white witches had an advantage for a long time.

So, when the black witches had suddenly gained the upper hand, Reeze had tried her best to resist.

But the more powerful she got, the more powerful the other side got as well.

'Why-? What am I missing that the other side has? Where is the difference-?'

Reeze asked herself when she heard the black witches gossip.

"Did you hear? Miss Emma gifted that shopkeeper, her mysterious 'benefactor', a dire wolf?"

"A dire wolf? Aren't those things rarer than rare? Can anyone even handle them?"

"Eh, I would rather not risk keeping a dire wolf in my home because I know I cannot control it. But the shopkeeper must be different for Miss Emma to respect him and even declare his shop as neutral grounds."

"Unfortunately, none of us will ever get to visit the shopkeeper because she forbade that as well. We are stuck with the grunt work here."

The black witches spoke among each other, and Reeze suddenly understood why Emma Jones, the leader of the black witches, had gotten so strong all of a sudden.

It was all because of the shopkeeper and his powers. Emma was using him and asking for his help.

Reeze wanted to be bitter about this, but she felt like she could not be. After all, the shopkeeper was a neutral party and helped anyone who asked it of him.

'Emma must have visited a few times since she first received help. The only time I got the shopkeeper's help was when he treated me the first time. No wonder our side is losing so badly.'

That observation was clear to make, and she decided that it was time for her to go and meet the shopkeeper herself and ask for help.

After all, the survival of the white witches depended on her now, and pride no longer had a place at the table.

When she reached the shop, the same strong aura from before made her knees buckle, and she looked up in awe at the building.

She tried to open the door, but the door was locked.

'Tsk, I chose the wrong timing. Huh-! I see more people coming this way. I better hide for now and come back when the shopkeeper is back… also, doesn't this town feel weird…? I feel like a curse has started to brew around this place.'

Reeze was highly sensitive to magic and faith, so she could feel the faint traces of a curse forming underground.

She had heard of the followers of a god causing trouble here, but she had not realized that the situation had turned that dire.

'No wonder the shopkeeper decided to act on his own this time. The situation is not something ordinary people can handle.'

And because of that, the shopkeeper earned more of Reeze's respect.

For now, she chose to head to a small café not too far away from the shop, and she waited for the shopkeeper to return.

Once he did, she gave him some time to refresh himself. And after a long time of waiting, it was time for her to go ahead and take what she came here for—the much-needed help.

__________

Dusk had fallen around the town, and the bookstore was cozy.

The time for dinner had passed, and it was time for me to lock up the shop once more. That was what I stood up to do.

But as soon as I reached the front door, I felt the handle move a little, and I quickly yanked the door open to see who was on the other side.

My eyes fell on a familiar shade of blonde and blue. Reeze Spencer was here to meet me once more, and she looked startled at the fact that I had opened the door for her.

Her hand was still reached out to grab the handle, and she quickly pulled it back before she coughed and straightened her back.

"Ah, shopkeeper! It's nice to meet you once more. I am here to thank you because you saved my life last time. Also, I understand that my visit has not happened at the best time. I apologize for that."

The female told me as she bowed in front of me. She did look sorry, and I felt bad for her. Besides, it was not so dark that I could tell her to return tomorrow.

So, with a sigh and hoping that no one would notice her, I welcomed her in.

"Please come inside and make yourself at home. I will get us some tea and snacks."

I told my guest as I helped her settle in, and she quickly took her seat almost as if she belonged there.

As for myself? Well, I was not thrilled at the fact that I got visited by someone this late.

But the female who came to visit me looked intimidating and important enough for me to keep my mouth shut.

'Now that I think about it, most people that visit me seem like important people I cannot boss around much. I also have a feeling this will keep happening in the future as well. And with the increase in traffic and my responsibilities… should I get an assistant?'

It was something I needed to consider anyway.

For the first time in my life, I had the money to goof around as I pleased. So wasn't it time for me to retire and focus on myself and my faith points?

Anyway, that was a thing for a future me to worry about. I needed to attend to my guest for now.

When I came back, the blonde-haired female was in a staring contest with Fenrir, and neither seemed to want to yield.

"Fenrir, come here-! Let's not bother our guest like that."

I signaled for the puppy to come to me, and Fenrir quickly ran over to me. He settled behind my legs once I sat down and gave the female a small glare.

"I don't like her at all… just like I don't like the female who brought me here. They smell too strongly of magic. I like your scent better, Master. It's calmer and makes me feel safe."

Fenrir told me as he kept an eye out for things.

I wanted to pet Fenrir for his loyalty, but unfortunately, I had other matters to attend to. Namely, the female in front of me.

Once she drank the first sip of her tea, I felt confident to start asking her questions.

"So, would you mind telling me what brought you here, Miss Reeze Spencer? Has your body recovered enough to move around?"

I asked the female, and she put the cup down and gave me a nod as an answer.

"Thanks to you, I am totally fine now. And that's why I came here to repay you, shopkeeper."

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