An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 94

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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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#94

 

The believers felt no sense of unease at Hippolytus’s appearance. Fire devastates the forest and robs wild animals of their homes. So it was only natural that Hippolytus, the guardian of the forest, would have a dark expression.

 

One of the believers stepped forward to explain the situation.

 

“From what I’ve heard, the monster that appeared seems like a shadow of Typhon. A half-human, half-beast creature. Moreover, since Typhon breathes fire, that fire must have been created the same way. Really, to summon the shadow of an ancient god near the Sanctuary of Artemis without any fear…!”

 

It was tantamount to throwing down a gauntlet before Artume herself. Upon hearing the report, Hippolytus unconsciously let out a quiet sigh.

 

‘Eurich… To think he would reach for forbidden sorcery…’

 

Even in this brief moment, the fire continued to spread larger. Though it was still within the range that human hands could extinguish, if the fire spread any further, it would reach the Ceryneia Forest.

 

The divine protection would block invaders trying to infiltrate Keryneian, but there was nothing that could be done about the flames. They had to put out the fire quickly.

 

“Everyone, let’s prepare to extinguish the fire! And the remaining hunting priests…”

 

Hippolytus, who had been speaking without hesitation, paused for a moment.

 

Even if they put out the spreading fire, it would be meaningless unless they stopped Typhon’s shadow that was breathing out the flames. But since Hippolytus wasn’t a combat-type priest, he couldn’t stop Typhon’s shadow.

 

This kind of work was originally Zyla’s responsibility as the hunting instructor.

 

‘…But I sent Zyla far away.’

 

If Eurich learned that Hippolytus had called Zyla back to stop Typhon’s shadow, given Eurich’s nature, he might reveal Hippolytus’s secret and the circumstances of smuggling out the golden-horned fawn to Artume.

 

If that happened, he would truly be finished.

 

“The hunting instructor couldn’t have gone very far, so if you send a signal, she’ll return quickly. There shouldn’t be any need for Hippolytus, the guardian of the forest, to enter combat himself.”

 

While Hippolytus hesitated between his honor and Keryneian’s safety, one of the believers who usually followed Hippolytus well spoke casually. It seemed they misunderstood that Hippolytus was hesitating out of fear to face Typhon’s shadow directly.

 

Facing that innocent expression of someone who worried about him, the traitor, without knowing anything, Hippolytus unconsciously squeezed his eyes shut.

 

In the end, all of this had happened because he had lent a hand to Eurich. He shouldn’t have gotten involved with Eurich.

 

Where exactly had things gone wrong?

 

Was it when he fell for Eurich’s temptation and used a potion to pass the test of purity?

 

Or was it when he lost his virginity in a fit of rebellion against his mother, who said he must remain pure to become a high priest of Artume?

 

‘…That’s not what’s important.’

 

He couldn’t keep dwelling on the past and wasting time like this forever. He had to make a decision either way.

 

Hippolytus, having made up his mind, reached for the arrow at his waist. Drawing the arrow, Hippolytus shot it toward the sky without hesitation.

 

Whiiiiiing-

 

The arrow tip made of a whistle soared through the air. It was a whistling arrow for signaling that only high priests possessed.

 

Since he had called Zyla, she would return immediately. Hippolytus looked around at the other believers and shouted.

 

“And the remaining hunting priests, follow me to hunt Typhon’s shadow! The bard Orphea, who calmed the Golden-Horned Doe, is already holding back Typhon’s shadow, and we of Artume cannot just stand by and watch! Do not fear! The hunting instructor will join us shortly, so we just need to buy time until then!”

 

“Yes!”

 

Since Hippolytus stepped forward and declared he would go to battle, the morale of the other believers soared as well.

 

The eyes of Hippolytus, leaving Keryneian with the believers riding deer, were resolute.

 

The arrow had already been shot. Not dwelling on past arrows. This was what Artume had said countless times.

 

Perhaps because he hadn’t truly served Artume with sincerity, this realization came to him late.

 

But it wasn’t too late. At least he could ensure that his ending wouldn’t be manipulated by Eurich.

 

Being manipulated by Eurich up until now was enough.

 

Having made this decision, Hippolytus’s face showed no trace of regret, and even seemed relieved.

 

***

 

Screeech, thud!

 

Crash!

 

Even as the surrounding trees began to catch fire and fall one by one, we continued our desperate struggle.

 

“Damn it, the song seems like it might work but doesn’t quite work!”

 

Linos cursed in frustration. Since he said exactly what I wanted to say, I could keep my mouth shut.

 

I stared at the monster’s form beyond the acrid smoke, covered in what looked like rippling mist.

 

‘…Could it be that because it’s a shadow and not the real body, the song’s effect is also diminished?’

 

It was quite possible, but this wasn’t a situation where I could verify it. Castor had been unconscious for a while, and Pollux was also gasping for breath. Schneider went without saying. Everyone was enduring to their limits.

 

At least the flames hadn’t reached this far, but that didn’t mean there were no aftereffects.

 

The heat and smoke from the crackling, burning forest were rapidly draining our stamina. Perhaps due to lack of oxygen, my throat was parched and my eyes stung.

 

Even so, all I could do was continue singing endlessly.

 

Just as I was about to pluck the lyre strings to perform once more.

 

“Watch out, Orphea!”

 

Before I knew it, it had approached me, and a giant hand was falling from above my head.

 

‘…So close!’

 

As I stared blankly at the hand that had approached within arm’s reach with no time to dodge, Linos pushed me roughly.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Thud!

 

Though I rolled on the ground, thanks to him I was able to narrowly avoid the attack.

 

“Cough!”

 

But it seemed only I had dodged, as Linos, hit by the monster’s follow-up attack, coughed up blood and flew far away.

 

“Brother!”

 

I turned pale and rushed frantically toward Linos. Perhaps because my knee was scraped from falling, running wasn’t easy. After limping over to Linos, I quickly checked his pulse.

 

Fortunately, he was breathing normally.

 

I let out a sigh of relief and hugged Linos tightly.

 

‘Usually he acts cowardly, saying he hates dangerous things…’

 

It was always like this. He would let little me get chased by dogs, but when I actually tripped and fell, he would throw stones at the dog to draw its attention.

 

“Over here, you stupid dog!”

 

“Grrrrrowl, woof! Arrrwoof, woof! Woof!”

 

“Ah! This bastard! Ah!”

 

Only after Linos’s butt was thoroughly bitten could he finally come down from the tree when the neighbor, hearing Linos’s screams, appeared.

 

“You, even after your brother got his butt bitten like this instead of you, are you still going to sulk?”

 

“If you hadn’t suggested getting quinces, nothing would have happened. I was really scared.”

 

“But you also said you wanted to eat pickled quinces.”

 

The image of Linos pouting and grumbling was as clear as if it happened yesterday.

 

Honestly, Linos wasn’t a good brother, but still, in dangerous moments, he always stepped in front of me.

 

‘I’m glad he’s safe.’

 

But that didn’t mean I could relax yet. Though the monster had shrunk considerably compared to the beginning, it was still just as gigantic. This meant the monster still had plenty of strength left.

 

Moreover…

 

“It seems provocation with holy water alone doesn’t work properly anymore… You should be careful.”

 

Schneider stood in front of me in a disheveled state and spoke. When provocation with holy water worked, he stayed as far from me as possible, but as soon as it became ineffective, he blocked my path.

 

I tried to shout that it wasn’t necessary, but the monster’s attack toward Schneider came first.

 

Swish!

 

Clang!

 

Clang!

 

The close combat unfolding right before my eyes made me dizzy. Though Schneider was still perfectly blocking the monster’s attacks, his reaction speed was definitely slower than at the beginning. The wavering visibility due to the heat seemed to have a significant impact.

 

‘What should I do in this situation? In times like this…’

 

It felt like drowning. No matter how much I sang, there was only the helpless feeling of making bubbling sounds like someone drowning…

 

‘If songs don’t work, what can I do? What should I… Ah!’

 

At that moment, I realized.

 

‘If songs don’t work, that means enhancement effects from songs don’t work either!’

 

Ding, diring, ding—

 

I immediately began playing with the will to heal. Even if injuries couldn’t be healed, I should be able to somewhat restore depleted stamina temporarily.

 

Ding—

 

Perhaps because I used golden strings, the melody spread clearly even amid the chaos.

 

And before long, Schneider’s condition immediately improved.

 

On the other hand, the monster’s condition showed no particular change. It was as I had predicted.

 

“Good, at this rate we should be able to hold out a bit longer!”

 

“I’m here too!”

 

Pollux joined in. With two people holding the line in front of me, I finally had some breathing room to perform.

 

And so a tug-of-war continued, with my performance barely maintaining Pollux and Schneider’s stamina just as it was about to bottom out.

 

But this tug-of-war couldn’t continue forever. Above all, my performance had a critical weakness.

 

The fact that it had no effect whatsoever on the performer herself. I tried to hide my labored breathing and sang with feigned composure, but my stamina was gradually reaching its limit.

 

‘Please, anyone would be fine, if only reinforcements would come…!’

 

At that moment.

 

Thwack-!

 

Someone who suddenly appeared blocked Typhon’s hand.

 

Without any weapon, with just his bare body.

 

A massive frame cast its shadow in front of Schneider. Standing next to that monster made his bulk all the more tangible.

 

All I could see was his back, but that alone was enough to recognize him. Only then did I stop singing and let out a cry filled with relief and joy.

 

“Gert!”

 

***

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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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