An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#85

If Gert appeared even slightly free from the shackles of the curse, the first thing that paranoid king would do is dig into Gert’s surroundings.

If that happened, he would learn that Gert had been spending time frequently with Orphea even after their recent divorce, and he might even come to realize that Orphea suppresses Gert’s madness.

Suppressing a god’s curse!

It was something no one could easily think of unless they had witnessed it directly like Tamar. Not even Orphea herself.

‘But if it’s the king, it’s entirely possible.’

That old man was so filled with paranoid delusions that he believed without doubt that Gert would turn on him like his father at any moment and grab him by the throat—he would easily think of all sorts of absurd possibilities.

Until now, the king had believed he was restraining Gert thanks to the god’s curse.

In such a situation, what if even the slightest possibility arose that Orphea might be able to alleviate Gert’s curse?

Given the king’s personality, he would immediately try to eliminate Orphea.

So Gert had no choice but to show his usual demeanor as much as possible.

“…As His Majesty commands.”

***

On the way out from the royal audience, Dietrich immediately followed Gert. After dismissing the people around them, Dietrich lowered his voice and asked in a whisper.

“What did the old man call you for?”

“A flock of bronze birds appeared in the Zilverthal region. He seemed eager for me to leave immediately.”

Dietrich’s face hardened at the mention of bronze birds. He too knew how dangerous those flocks were, so he grasped the severity of the situation.

“…It’s been quite a while since you went hunting, so it wouldn’t be strange to hear about monsters appearing here and there around this time, but the timing is suspicious. Just yesterday the king made contact with Eurich.”

Dietrich had been planning to inform Gert of that fact anyway, but he hadn’t expected the king to move this quickly. Dietrich clicked his tongue. Then he glanced at Gert, who was still walking with a frighteningly stern expression.

Even if they were bronze birds, his opponent was Gert. There was no way Gert would make such a terrifying expression over something this trivial. Dietrich asked casually.

“Are you worried about leaving Orphea behind?”

“…”

Gert looked down at Dietrich with a gaze that seemed to find his question pathetically obvious. Though Dietrich was slightly irritated by this, he knew that if he had heard news of that old fool targeting Tamar, he would have reacted even more strongly than Gert.

‘Acting like he doesn’t like Orphea when he’s like this—honestly, it’s ridiculous.’

In any case, Gert and Dietrich had been in the same boat for a long time. Dietrich readily offered.

“I’ll try to keep an eye on Orphea as much as possible.”

“…No. If you move, the king might pay even more attention to Orphea.”

Gert shook his head, then furrowed his brow as if something bothered him. Soon, Gert stopped his steady pace and turned to look at Dietrich before speaking.

“Could I ask you for a different favor?”

“Of course. Tell me anything.”

Naturally, there was no way Dietrich would refuse his close friend’s request. Dietrich nodded readily.

***

No matter how much I could control mice and birds for surveillance, the Royal Palace was a different story. Inside the Royal Palace, both mice and birds were eliminated on sight.

So I couldn’t know what conversations took place inside the Royal Palace, and had no choice but to wait desperately for Gert to return and tell me.

How long did I wait like that? After 24 hours that felt like 2 years, Gert came to see me the next day.

“What? Bronze bird hunting?”

“Yes. Both traveling to Zilverthal and catching the birds will take quite some time. I won’t be able to show my face for a while.”

I could see what the king and Eurich were aiming for as clearly as looking at my palm.

‘They’re planning to send Gert away first and then begin their operation.’

It was exactly what I wanted too. Perhaps I wanted it even more.

In the past, if I had heard that Gert was going hunting, I would have whined about losing opportunities to play music for him.

But now it was different.

Gert had to leave so Eurich would move quickly, and I could secure Eurich’s weakness as soon as possible.

Excited at the thought of screwing over Eurich, I asked with a bright smile.

“When are you leaving? Tomorrow? Or today?”

“…You seem happy about it somehow.”

“No way! Haha, there’s no reason for me to be happy about you leaving.”

“…Really?”

Gert’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t seem to believe my words much.

But soon, perhaps thinking it was meaningless to debate the truth of my words, instead of probing further, he gave me a warning with a sigh.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to return quickly, so you need to be careful during that time. Don’t go out even if someone calls you. Just stay in the manor.”

“You worry too much. This isn’t your first time going hunting, so don’t worry!”

I spoke nonchalantly. Of course, I didn’t agree with Gert’s request.

‘Of course not! I need to rush outside immediately so Eurich will make his move!’

Gert must have thought I lacked crisis awareness, because unable to contain his frustration, he continued nagging.

“Until now it was fine because you only stayed within Lübenhartz Castle… But just recently, as soon as I briefly left the capital, you almost got into big trouble because of that deer.”

“Haha! Surely something like that won’t happen again?”

“Orphea.”

Seeing that I was letting his words go in one ear and out the other, Gert raised his eyebrows and lowered his voice. Only then did I realize I had rubbed Gert the wrong way too much.

Since it would be troublesome if Gert got really angry, I immediately expressed my surrender.

“Okay, okay. I absolutely won’t move alone.”

But perhaps my attitude seemed half-hearted, because even though I had given a definite answer, Gert still looked suspicious.

Anyway, the king’s order had been given. No matter how much Gert didn’t trust me, he had no choice but to leave.

I faced Gert, who was looking at me with eyes full of distrust, and smiled brightly. As cheerfully as possible to reassure Gert.

***

Gert left without being able to hide his doubtful expression until the very end. After waving my hand to see Gert off, I immediately began surveillance on Eurich as soon as he left.

Since I couldn’t let it be discovered that the stealth potion had been compromised, I couldn’t approach too closely. So I couldn’t know the exact timing or methods of what Eurich was targeting.

But roughly, I could guess the big picture he was drawing.

‘…He’s going to lure me to a secluded place and then send assassins? But how exactly is he planning to lure me out?’

To find out that method, I had no choice but to wait for Eurich to make the first move. While disguising my usual daily routine and waiting for Eurich’s scheme, one day a visitor came.

“How have you been, Orphea!”

Along with hearty laughter and a rich lily fragrance, the person who appeared was none other than Zyla.

As the weather had gotten warmer, the lily flowers would have long since withered, but near the temple in Ceryneia Forest blessed by Artume, there was a place where lilies bloomed year-round. Lily flowers that didn’t wither in hot summer or snowy winter were extremely precious.

“Thank you as always. For something so precious.”

I offered my thanks as I received the flowers.

“It’s nothing, I’m at least in a position to give a few flowers to a friend. Our Artume also said that giving flowers and game to friends is always a good thing.”

Zyla said while heartily thumping her chest. Artume was a god who brought divine punishment to devotees who gave gifts to lovers, but was always generous to devotees’ friends.

“I should have come right after the deer incident, but I’m too late, aren’t I?”

“No, I heard you were busy handling the aftermath.”

I shook my head. I had already heard that she was busy with incident cleanup and getting thoroughly scolded by Gert.

Zyla still couldn’t hide her apologetic expression as she offered an apology.

“Still, the baby deer was safe thanks to you, so it’s ridiculous for my thanks to be this delayed.”

Zyla hesitated for a moment as if wondering whether to speak or not. But perhaps thinking it would be okay to give a little hint, she lowered her voice slightly and spoke.

“Actually, the Temple of Artume has prepared something as a token of gratitude for you. I was waiting for that to be completed, which is why I’m late. It’s almost finished now—when might you be able to visit Ceryneia Forest?”

‘…Ah, this is it!’

As soon as I heard Zyla’s words, I immediately realized how Eurich was planning to lure me out.

‘To think he would use the Temple of Artume.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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