I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 17

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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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Chapter 17

“….”

The man kept staring intently at the cabin that was only visible as a silhouette.

“The left window, I think.”

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

Ponia, who had been walking ahead, came back. She seemed to have quickly noticed that the man wasn’t following. He turned around without hesitation and smiled awkwardly at Ponia.

“Haha, I suddenly wanted to look back.”

‘Strange. Really strange.’

Looking at the repairman who gave nothing but unusual answers, Ponia decided to stop trying to figure out this man.

“Don’t fall behind, hurry up. It’s dangerous if you don’t stick to the designated path.”

“Yes.”

Ponia and the repairman soon entered completely into the inner forest path.

“Wow, the forest is really beautiful!”

The man who had been following behind her had somehow gotten ahead of her.

“Since people don’t come and go here, everything is growing well.”

“Yes, it’s really beautiful.”

Though her voice carried no soul in it, the man was busy observing the forest.

Ponia looked around at the surrounding trees and said.

“Are you looking for a specific type of tree?”

“Well, the roof is the most urgent, right? For the roof, it would be good to use red cedar, which has relatively little expansion.”

“What are its characteristics?”

The repairman touched a nearby tree.

“The color is brown mixed with a bit of yellow? It also has a subtle, sweet fragrance.”

After finishing his explanation, he suddenly noticed Ponia staring at him silently and tilted his head.

“Is there some problem?”

“No, looking at it this way, you really do seem to be a repairman.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

Ponia looked at the map. Their current location was where she had come with Sionel last time. She couldn’t take the repairman to places she hadn’t been to before.

While Ponia was carefully examining the forest map, the man discovered something lying alone on the ground.

The sharp blade of a dagger glinted.

“….”

He slowly approached and picked up the dagger.

Part of the blade had dark red hardened liquid on it. He lightly tossed the dagger into the air.

The dagger spun round and round with a sharp sound before landing back in his hand.

Good grip, just the right length to inflict fatal wounds on a person, a sharp blade that seemed to have been used recently.

The man raised the corners of his mouth. Then, he slowly approached Ponia.

Until then, she was still focused on the map and hadn’t turned around.

One step. Then, another step.

Now he was right behind her. His smile grew deeper. He had already adjusted his grip on the dagger.

All that remained was action. He slowly raised the hand holding the dagger, and then, Ponia turned around.

“….”

What Ponia saw was the repairman standing unusually close and the dagger he was holding.

He held out the dagger’s handle toward her.

“It was lying on the ground. Is it yours by any chance?”

“Just now….”

Meeting his large eyes behind glasses that looked nothing but innocent, Ponia couldn’t ask what she wanted to ask.

Weren’t you about to do something with that dagger just now?

Her gaze moved downward. The leather-wrapped handle of the dagger and the blood-stained blade looked familiar.

It was what Sionel had thrown while running away from the bird monster.

“It’s mine. I had lost it.”

“There’s blood on it?”

“…We encountered a very dangerous wild animal.”

“Wow….”

“Anyway, let’s go deeper inside.”

Ponia put the dagger in her bag, worried he might ask more questions, and started walking quickly.

“By the way, what were those markings on the map earlier?”

“It marks the habitats of dangerous wild animals.”

“Ooh… Is this lavender scent also related to wild animals?”

The repairman raised both his arms and sniffed. He was referring to the perfume Ponia had sprayed on him before entering the forest.

“Yes, it’s a scent that wild animals dislike.”

“I never knew that.”

When he shook his clothes, the lavender scent became stronger.

“That’s a shame. I wanted to befriend the animals.”

“You might end up staying with them forever if you do that.”

“Haha! That’s quite a funny joke, isn’t it?”

‘It wasn’t a joke.’

Believe it or not, they arrived near the cave and were able to find the wood they wanted.

The man walked ahead of Ponia.

“Wow. This is really good wood, isn’t it?”

To Ponia’s eyes, all the trees looked similar.

“That’s fortunate. Well then, cut the wood here. I’ll go a bit deeper inside and come back.”

The man who had been looking at the tree up close looked away.

“Hmm… But it’s somewhat disappointing. The trees I saw when I was wandering through the forest on the first day were in much better condition.”

“I’m fine with it, so just pick any tree…”

“Ah! I should go over there. There’s bound to be good wood there.”

The impulsive action happened in an instant.

Suddenly, the man left the safe zone she had checked and went deeper inside.

“Hey there!”

Despite Ponia’s shout, the man quickly moved away.

Soon, even his form would be invisible. There was no time to think further.

Ponia followed him deeper into the forest.

* * *

Scratch scratch.

The steady sound of a pen tip moving was all the noise in the room.

The study at midday, with all the manor’s windows covered by curtains, was unusually dark. It indicated that the manor was by no means in a normal state.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

With permission, a young man entered.

The name of the young man standing before the desk was Roen Alb. He was an aide to the House of Devonham.

The person sitting at the desk asked.

“So, what about Sionel?”

“…We couldn’t find him.”

“…”

“There are no eyewitness accounts of seeing the young master in the capital or other regions.”

“…I see.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Roen’s expression hadn’t brightened recently. Today marked two weeks since Sionel, the heir to the ducal house, had gone missing.

Among the nobility, rumors were even circulating that he might really be dead this time.

Two days ago, there was even a false report that Sionel Devonham had died.

Gideon, who had served as the temporary head of the ducal house for over ten years, buried his face in his hands. His face was full of anguish.

“No… I was inadequate as the acting head. I should have stopped that child when he said he had urgent business and wanted to go out that day.”

“Was there anything strange about the day the young master disappeared?”

“Nothing except that he left in a hurry, saying he had caught the tail of an assassination force.”

Roen bowed his head with a stern expression.

“I will do everything in my power to find the young master.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

Roen finished his greeting and opened the door. Just then, the butler Adam was standing in front of it.

Roen gave him a light nod as he passed by.

When Adam reached the desk, Gideon, who had been burying his face, slowly raised his head.

All the worry and anguish that had been on his face had disappeared.

“What about Sionel?”

Gideon asked the same question as before. However, its meaning was completely different.

“There’s been no contact from the assassins yet.”

Gideon’s eyebrows twitched.

“You can’t reach him?”

“…It seems he went far away and it’s taking some time for him to return.”

“You seem to be getting better at making excuses by the day, don’t you?”

Gideon’s gaze fell on the wine glass on his desk before he picked it up. Then, he glanced at Adam.

Understanding the meaning, Adam drew in a breath.

“N-no, sir. I’ll do whatever it takes to establish contact as soon as possible.”

“How?”

“By sending a few more people…”

“Never mind.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve already taken measures.”

This was completely news to Adam. Instead of elaborating on the ‘measures,’ Gideon gently swirled his glass.

“What about Aren?”

“The young master hasn’t come out of his room.”

“I see.”

“Is it alright to leave the young master as he is?”

“Are you questioning my decision right now?”

“Not at all! I’m just worried…”

Gideon burst into laughter.

Aren was a child he had raised for over ten years, one way or another. He knew the boy’s heart better than anyone.

“It’s fine. That child would also prefer his brother not to return.”

Gideon downed his wine. The reddish wine was particularly appealing today.

My poor nephew. My son, Sionel.

Please die for our sake.

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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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