An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 86

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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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#86

I clicked my tongue. If I hadn’t known about Eurich’s ulterior motives, I really would have headed to Keryneian without any suspicion.

Moving a temple is no easy task. Moreover, Eurich didn’t seem to have any particular connections with the Artume Temple…

I had to admit that Eurich certainly had many hidden cards up his sleeve.

‘Come to think of it, Eurich being able to kidnap the Golden-Horned Doe’s cub and using Artume’s invisibility potion were all connected… How on earth did he win over the Artume Temple?’

From what I could see, Zyla hadn’t noticed anything at all.

The possibility that Zyla had sided with Eurich wasn’t even worth considering. That would be as absurd as Gert helping Eurich.

There must be someone among the other followers of Artume who was under Eurich’s influence.

Completely unaware that there was a conspiracy beneath her proposal, Zyla continued speaking with an excited expression, as if she was more thrilled about giving the gift than the recipient.

“I can’t wait to show you. When the followers were wondering what you’d like, I gave my input. I know your tastes a little, you know. It’s definitely something you’ll love.”

“What is it?”

“Curious?”

“Of course!”

When I jumped up indignantly, Zyla giggled. Then she smiled mischievously.

“I can’t tell you right away.”

“That’s unfair. Making me so curious like this.”

“Well, if you’re curious, just come to Keryneian. You can visit anytime you’re free.”

Seeing Zyla say this much, I thought the gift she wanted to give me might have divine blessing.

It was proper etiquette to go to where the temple was located to receive gifts bestowed by a god.

‘…Then the person who joined hands with Eurich might be in a higher position than I thought.’

Though Zyla said she gave her input, she couldn’t have pushed it through alone. It was likely someone with enough influence to fan the flames beside Zyla and appropriately support her so that her opinion would pass.

‘To openly lure me in like this.’

It was actually fortunate. Honestly, the worst-case scenario I had imagined was different.

For example, setting our house on fire, then trying to eliminate me when I escaped outside during the chaos of the blaze…

Just thinking about it made me shudder.

Of course, I wasn’t worried about that method because I feared fire itself.

‘It would be troublesome if this house I received as divorce settlement from Gert collapsed completely!’

Of course, knowing Gert as I do, he would offer to give me a new house, but I still didn’t want to cause him property damage if possible.

So I was actually pleased with Eurich’s attempt to lure me into a trap.

Seeing that he wanted to bring me near Ceryneia Forest, I could almost guess what method Eurich would use.

Having no reason to refuse in many ways, I smiled brightly and grabbed Zyla’s hands.

“Great! I’ll come as soon as possible!”

***

As soon as Zyla returned to Ceryneia Forest where Artume’s main temple was located, followers flocked to her.

“Hunting Instructor, will Lady Orphea accept our gift?”

“Of course! Why? Were you worried Orphea wouldn’t accept the gift?”

At Zyla’s laughing question, one of the sworn followers answered with an embarrassed smile.

“Hehe, there’s that too, but… We’re curious about the song Lady Orphea sang when she calmed the Golden-Horned Doe. It wouldn’t be rude to ask for a performance when Lady Orphea comes, would it?”

“You rascals. So giving a gift wasn’t the purpose – I see now you’re only interested in something else entirely?”

As soon as Zyla said this, the followers burst into laughter.

Only those who had taken vows of purity for more than five years could serve the god at Kerineia Temple, the main temple of Artume.

Since they had all abandoned worldly pleasures and devoted themselves to the god, they had no interest in bards or such people from the outside world.

Seeing such followers anticipating Orphea’s song was quite unusual.

‘But Orphea’s song is definitely worth anticipating.’

Feeling proud as if she had been praised herself, Zyla giggled and added.

“After receiving the gift, she’ll be in such a good mood that she’ll offer to do it without us even asking.”

She could clearly picture Orphea being eager to try out the gift immediately after receiving it. Zyla looked around at the other followers and clapped her hands.

“Now, hurry back and get to work! Have you finished shooting 100 arrows?”

“…We’ll do it now!”

At Zyla’s command, the followers dispersed as quickly as they had gathered. Watching the followers scatter with laughter, Zyla sighed, and a faint smile crossed her lips.

Someone approached Zyla and spoke to her.

“You work so hard, Hunting Instructor Zyla.”

A handsome man with long, silvery hair that looked almost sacred. It was Hippolytus, the Forest Guardian among the high priests serving Artume.

“You’re the one working hard, Forest Guardian. This incident must have caused you the most worry.”

“But didn’t the Hunting Instructor take care of all the aftermath? When you think about it, this all happened because of my mistake.”

The Forest Guardian was responsible for protecting Artume’s sacred ground, Ceryneia Forest, and caring for the divine beast, the Golden-Horned Doe. So the kidnapping of the doe’s cub was serious enough to warrant the Forest Guardian’s dismissal.

Still, considering Hippolytus’s devoted service to Artume, it was settled with fasting three days every week for a year while offering prayers to Artume for forgiveness.

“If it hadn’t been for Lady Orphea, it wouldn’t have been strange if I had received excommunication rather than fasting. I’d really like to express my gratitude if Lady Orphea comes.”

“Haha, when Orphea comes, I’ll definitely arrange for you to meet her.”

Zyla readily agreed. Hippolytus, who seemed only curious about Orphea’s visit to Keryneian, soon nodded, bowed silently, and left.

Soon Hippolytus disappeared too, leaving only Zyla alone in the temple corridor. As if her hearty laughter from moments before was a lie, a chill as cold as a sharpened arrowhead settled over Zyla’s face.

***

Contrary to my cheerful promise to Zyla that I would go to Keryneian as soon as possible, reality wasn’t so easy.

“What nonsense is this!”

As soon as I mentioned going to Ceryneia Forest, Berta jumped up in fierce opposition. She jumped so high that her round glasses tilted slightly askew.

“You promised His Grace the Grand Duke that you would stay home!”

“I told Gert I wouldn’t move alone, not that I wouldn’t move at all.”

So I hadn’t exactly lied to Gert. I replied nonchalantly.

Berta opened her mouth to persuade me further, but when she met my gaze looking straight at her, she let out a deep sigh.

She seemed to realize that I hadn’t decided on this trip to Keryneian in a fit of anger.

“…You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you.”

Since I had to walk into Eurich’s trap from now on, I needed to prepare thoroughly. And it was nearly impossible to prepare for all of this while keeping everything secret from Berta, who was responsible for my entire daily life.

“Actually…”

I honestly confessed about the current situation. That Eurich had been continuously trying to assassinate me, and that the Golden-Horned Doe incident was also because of Eurich.

Saying that this trip to Keryneian was surely also Eurich’s scheme, and that I had to seize this opportunity to catch evidence of Eurich’s movements, I finally added.

“I know Gert worries about me. But this time, I absolutely must go.”

“…”

Berta’s mouth fell open. Soon she shook her head like a kingfisher drinking water and shaking its head, then sighed once more.

Berta pushed her tilted glasses back up and spoke as if she had no choice.

“Fine. My master is Lady Orphea, not His Grace the Grand Duke.”

“Thank you for understanding, Berta!”

When I smiled brightly and hugged Berta’s waist, she shook her head as if I was hopeless.

“But! You must take people with you. Take the gatekeeper too, and also…”

“Don’t worry. I have someone in mind too. I told you, didn’t I? I promised Gert I wouldn’t move alone.”

I smiled reassuringly to put Berta at ease. Knowing that Eurich had set a trap, I had absolutely no intention of moving alone either.

***

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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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