An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 87

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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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#87

Chapter 06. Sleep, Within My Song

Time passed like that, and before we knew it, the day to depart for Ceryneia Forest had arrived.

Schneider the gatekeeper, who had heard the story from Berta, sat on the driver’s seat with a gloomy expression.

“…You do realize this would be really serious trouble if His Grace found out, right?”

“I know. That’s why we have to make sure he doesn’t find out.”

I smiled brightly and patted Schneider’s slender back. Then, someone who had been sitting on the driver’s seat early suddenly interjected into the conversation.

“I like it, having a secret between just the two of us that Gert doesn’t know about.”

It was Pollux, one of the twins.

Hearing Pollux’s words, Schneider pouted his lips in a way that didn’t match his age and muttered.

“What do you mean ‘just the two of us,’ talking nonsense…”

“What did you just say?”

“No, nothing!”

Schneider jumped up and waved his hands frantically. Pollux didn’t seem inclined to pursue it either, just smiling cheerfully.

Schneider still seemed anxious about this situation as he tugged at his sideburns.

“If Lord Gert finds out, there’ll really be hell to pay…”

“Think positively. This is all for Gert’s sake, you know? We need to catch evidence of Eurich here so Gert can be at ease. Gert will be happy when he finds out later too.”

“Happy? As if! Evidence or whatever, if something happens to Lady Orphea, Lord Gert will definitely hold me responsible.”

“With me protecting her, how could Orphea get hurt? Besides, Gert isn’t cruel enough to hold a mere gatekeeper like you responsible. If he’s going to blame anyone, it would be me.”

Pollux, who had been listening, interjected sarcastically.

Berta had earnestly begged me to take Schneider along, so I was bringing him, but I wondered if it was right to force someone who was this worried to come.

‘Come to think of it, Schneider is just an ordinary gatekeeper, so if he’s suddenly told he has to go to a place where assassins are lurking, it’s understandable he’d be nervous.’

Moreover, it seemed like Berta had earnestly asked him about my safety, so he probably felt all sorts of responsibility.

I didn’t know why Berta told me to bring Schneider, but since Pollux was here too, wouldn’t it be okay if Schneider stayed behind?

“Should Schneider just stay behind? If I say I secretly ran away while you were away from your post, neither Berta nor Gert will say anything.”

“No! What are you talking about? I’m definitely going with you! It’s just that, well, I think the personnel accompanying us is too small compared to the danger. We should at least bring a few more people…”

“To lure out Eurich, it would be troublesome if we had too many people. We need to look like we’re heading to Keryneian without a care. But if we look too unprepared, that could make him suspicious instead, so we need to show that a famous hero that anyone would recognize is with us.”

“…Then wouldn’t any other hero work just as well? Does it have to be this lord specifically?”

No sooner had Schneider whispered his complaint to me than Pollux retorted.

“Haha, since you’re a servant sent by Gert, I suppose no one seems trustworthy unless they’re at Gert’s level? Seeing how I don’t measure up in your eyes either.”

Pollux’s eyes curved as his smile deepened. At first glance he seemed unbothered, but when Pollux smiled like that, it meant he was in a very bad mood!

“Rather, I’m wondering what a gatekeeper who’s old enough to have back pain can even do… Wouldn’t you just get in the way? If you’re really worried, why don’t you stay behind like Orphea suggested?”

His bright yellow eyes flashed between his fox-like narrowed lids. From his sarcasm, it was clear his pride was quite hurt by Schneider’s distrust.

But Schneider, completely oblivious to such signs, jumped up.

“Of course I have to go too! What am I supposed to trust about you to let you go alone with Lady Orphea?”

Worried about Schneider in this volatile situation, I hastily tried to defend Pollux and calm things down.

“Um, Schneider. Pollux is a famous and skilled hero…”

But Schneider, completely oblivious to my feelings, launched into a passionate speech.

“Of course I know he’s an outstanding hero! Who doesn’t know how amazing the Tindarga twins are? What I’m worried about is his intentions! His intentions are impure!”

“Aha?”

“He’s been constantly hitting on Lady Orphea since earlier—is this someone who came to help an acquaintance? He came to seduce Lady Orphea! How can I trust someone like that? In a moment of crisis, I think he’s only thinking about saving Lady Orphea to score points!”

Wouldn’t it be good if he’s only thinking about saving her?

But Schneider didn’t seem to think so, his face all scrunched up.

I glanced at Pollux, who had heard Schneider’s harsh criticism. Pollux had erased his earlier sharp look and shrugged as if meekly admitting it.

“Well… I can’t help being suspected of that. You certainly have reason not to trust me.”

‘So he’s offended by having his skills doubted but admits to his reputation with women…’

As if his murderous aura from moments before was a lie, Pollux friendly patted Schneider’s shoulder and shook his head.

“Of course Orphea could ask other heroes for help too, but there’s a reason it has to be me. So don’t be so stubborn and trouble Orphea too much.”

“I wasn’t troubling her…!”

Schneider bristled and tried to retort, then seeing me smiling awkwardly, he sighed and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. I overstepped my bounds with my meddling.”

“No, no. Schneider has reason to worry.”

I waved my hands dismissively. Honestly, the schedule had been set up so hastily that I hadn’t been able to explain many details to Schneider.

Schneider put his hands on his hips and earnestly insisted.

“Anyway, problems for Lady Orphea include not just injuries but also that man’s advances! So don’t even dream of leaving me behind! Understood?”

“Ah, understood.”

I hadn’t planned to leave Schneider behind anyway. I had just said that because Schneider seemed overly worried, but now I felt like I’d just gotten scolded for nothing.

Still, it wasn’t unpleasant to be worried about.

Meanwhile, it was time to depart. I did a final check of what we needed to bring.

“Did you hang Artume’s banner on the carriage?”

“Yes, I hung it in a clearly visible spot.”

Not just anyone could enter Ceryneia Forest. Since only those with permission could set foot there, we needed an item imbued with Artume’s aura.

Then our preparations were complete. Since we had to keep to schedule, there was no more time to spare. I immediately entered the carriage and shouted.

“Then let’s depart now!”

***

The Boundary Forest, the final area one must pass through to reach Ceryneia Forest from Petalien.

Since there was no choice but to pass through here to enter Ceryneia Forest, it was the perfect place to set a trap to assassinate Orphea.

Moreover, no matter how much they stayed on guard, once they reached this place, they would let their guard down thinking their destination was right ahead.

That moment was exactly what Eurich was aiming for.

Eurich smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the perfectly prepared trap.

“News has arrived from Zelsegur.”

Just then, the assassin the king had provided approached Eurich and handed him a small letter. After checking the letter, Eurich quietly stroked his chin.

“A carriage carrying a coachman, one of the Tindar twins, and Orphea has departed from the capital…”

To think they’d bring along one of the Tindar twins. It seemed they were being cautious since they had a long journey ahead, but from Eurich’s perspective, it was just laughable.

Even if both twins were present, it would be difficult to fend off all the assassins while protecting Orphea, and with only one of them there.

“Can one twin really stop all these assassins?”

It was strange that only one twin had come, but the twins weren’t always together. When it came to romantic matters, they often acted separately.

‘It seems one of the twins is courting Orphea.’

That woman had an uncanny ability to entice people, so it wasn’t strange.

Even during the expedition, many heroes had been enchanted by that woman. Even the foreign princess, Tamar.

The only ones who hadn’t fallen under that woman’s spell were Eurich himself, and at most Dietrich, the expedition leader.

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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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