I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 48

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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 48

 

After a bout of rain had passed, after the ailing Sionel had completely recovered, after Chad had left the forest and arrived at the village, after meeting Kustin and Albio and learning Ponia’s true identity—even after all that.

 

“I’m telling you it’s real! I saw it myself!”

 

Ron had finally returned to his village.

 

The very same fool who had entered the forest leading Billy, declaring he would become a knight.

 

Billy, who had returned alone, claimed that Ron was dead, but Ron, who had returned a few days ago with all his limbs intact, confessed to the villagers what he had experienced and witnessed.

 

That tremendous treasure was hidden in the forest where monsters lived. That the Unnamed Man was hoarding all those treasures for himself.

 

Of course, no one believed his words.

 

“It’s fortunate that you returned, but where would there be monsters in the Empire! Stop talking nonsense and prepare for knighthood.”

 

“I’m telling you it’s real! If we hire mercenaries and go, we could become rich!”

 

“I-I saw the monsters too.”

 

Unable to resist Ron’s half-threatening persistence, Billy also joined in supporting him. However, people were too busy preparing for work to properly listen to their words.

 

“All we need to do is bring back the treasure in the forest!”

 

“Hey, you there.”

 

Just then, someone tapped his shoulder. It was a group of outsiders who had entered the village today.

 

“Did you say treasure? Now that’s quite interesting.”

 

The eyes of the nobleman who introduced himself as a businessman gleamed.

 

* * *

 

It had been a week since Chad left the forest.

 

In the meantime, Ponia’s cold had completely healed. She had only run a slight fever to begin with and had no trouble moving around, but today was the first time she had a reason to go outside.

 

“Where are you going in that condition?”

 

Sionel openly displayed his displeasure.

 

“My body recovered long ago, you know?”

 

“Rest for just one more day.”

 

“You’ve been saying that for a week already.”

 

Sionel acted as if something terrible would happen if Ponia went outside. The only reason she could come out today was because she had accepted the condition he set.

 

“But you know.”

 

Ponia swiftly raised her left hand, which felt heavier than usual.

 

“Why do we have to walk holding hands? The fog has cleared too.”

 

“Because we never know when it might become dangerous. What if we lose each other like last time?”

 

“Who loses whom?”

 

“Me losing you. And you losing me.”

 

With an answer that came without a moment’s hesitation, he acted as if it were natural without his expression changing one bit. The grip on her hand tightened.

 

Seeing him prioritize safety to this extent, it was truly joyful that he had regained his will to live, but.

 

“So where are we going today?”

 

“Near the Forest Entrance. Except for the paths, there are no markers. Chad is also returning today, so I thought I’d go out to meet him while I’m at it.”

 

“Why should I care about that bastard?”

 

“Then why did you follow me out when I said I could do today’s patrol alone?”

 

Ponia looked at him with eyes that couldn’t understand at all.

 

Recently, not a single one of his words or actions made any proper sense to her.

 

Whether he knew or not that she found his inexplicably kind behavior uncomfortable and tried to push him away, Sionel acted close to her. So they just bickered and argued with each other, only wearing themselves out.

 

“We agreed to always patrol together.”

 

“I never said always.”

 

“I’m staying by your side until my wounds heal.”

 

“That means staying at the Cabin, not that I ever asked you to be by my side.”

 

“So.”

 

Sionel suddenly bent his waist. He brought his face level with her gaze.

 

“You’re going to leave me behind?”

 

Ponia’s eyes widened for a moment at the face she encountered right before her nose, then quickly calmed down.

 

Did he know how destructive his face was and act this way on purpose?

 

Recently, whenever Sionel approached without keeping his distance, Ponia had gradually grown accustomed to him. She had grown accustomed to his ruined personality too, but this kind of thing was just a whim.

 

“You’re using your face to push through right now.”

 

“Does it work though?”

 

“….”

 

Sionel deliberately moved away slowly. Ponia stared at him as if dumbfounded, then shifted her gaze to his abdomen.

 

“But is your body healing? When I saw you when I had a cold, it seemed like you had recovered quite a bit.”

 

“…Slowly. Why?”

 

“It’s one of the important conditions of our contract, so I should know. Let me take a look at your wound.”

 

“Here?”

 

“Yes.”

 

She approached as if she would immediately put her hand inside his clothes. Sionel, who had been in an unguarded state, was startled by the soft touch against his skin and backed away.

 

“What are you doing!”

 

“If watching bothers you, I’ll just touch.”

 

“Stop it….”

 

Seeing Ponia grinning, Sionel’s face turned red as he firmly gripped his collar with his remaining hand. Ponia didn’t provoke him further either.

 

‘This should keep him from thinking about teasing me for a while.’

 

Ponia maintained just enough distance so their hands wouldn’t separate while looking at their bound hands.

 

Though they were connected now, it was a knot that would come undone quickly if either of them applied even a little force.

 

This distance is right for our relationship.

 

When they argued over Chad’s treatment, Ponia clearly recognized the line between her and him.

 

While they thought of each other as close, the moment that line was crossed, their shallow trust would shatter. Though Sionel seemed to think of her more closely lately, that too was only temporary.

 

‘I won’t get the wrong idea.’

 

The act of holding hands shouldn’t be interpreted too deeply either. Sionel was only acting for safety’s sake.

 

Just as Ponia expected nothing from Sionel, he too had no expectations of her. We would continue flowing along as we are now, each in our own place….

 

“Come here.”

 

“….”

 

“If we walk this far apart, there’s no point in holding hands.”

 

When Ponia showed no intention of moving, Sionel moved close to her. Their loose hands interlocked tightly without any gaps.

 

“Did you become a forest keeper because of debt?”

 

Why was this person asking her such questions? As if he was truly curious about her.

 

“Is this also related to your safety?”

 

“Safety? No.”

 

At the unexpected response, Sionel seemed to fall into thought as if trying to understand the intent behind the question, but unable to find an answer, he looked at her.

 

It was the moment Ponia was about to speak.

 

Along with a sharp sound cutting through the wind, a monster’s roar was heard nearby. It was a groan filled with pain.

 

If there was no opponent to fight, there would be no reason to make such sounds. How strange.

 

“Did Chad come? Let’s go toward where the sound came from!”

 

Sionel obediently followed her words. In less than a minute, they were able to find the monster not far from the entrance.

 

The bear-like monster had an unusually large number of teeth, and several arrows were embedded in its body.

 

“It must be Chad.”

 

“Do you want that repairman to come quickly?”

 

“Isn’t that obvious? With Chad here, we can fix the cabin, feel secure even when facing monsters, and most importantly….”

 

Ponia glanced at him, then quickly looked away.

 

“Why did you stop talking?”

 

“Will Chad come this way too?”

 

As Ponia played dumb, Sionel grabbed her. Ponia also refused to give in and applied force, causing them to fall together beside the thicket.

 

Suddenly, Ponia found herself settled on top of him with her hand on his chest.

 

‘This is exactly why I hate being alone with him.’

 

As she tried to quickly pull away, Sionel caught her hand.

 

“Me or that repairman.”

 

“What?”

 

“Choose, honestly.”

 

Her reflection appeared in his clear blue eyes. Then, as his eyes curved, she too wavered.

 

The way he looked at her had become gentler than before, so Ponia couldn’t look at him properly.

 

Thud. Thud.

 

Lost in thought for a moment, Ponia hurriedly pressed him down and got up.

 

“Ah!”

 

“Oh, sorry!”

 

Spotting a figure visible beyond the thicket, Ponia tried to wave her hand but froze in place.

 

What was coming toward them wasn’t Chad. Then the sound of several footsteps could be heard. There were also some familiar faces among them.

 

Among them was.

 

Though Sionel belatedly sat up, he couldn’t see anything. Ponia had covered his eyes.

 

“You can’t come out….”

 

She tried to stay calm, but couldn’t control her trembling voice. He noticed her unnatural reaction.

 

“What’s wrong.”

 

Sionel tried to lower her hands, but Ponia didn’t relax her grip. The warmth drained from her hands.

 

“Absolutely… absolutely don’t come out.”

 

“Ponia.”

 

“If you come out now, you’ll die…”

 

However, Sionel finally pulled her hand down, and soon confirmed the face of the person approaching them.

 

And an indescribable light of emotion arose on his face.

 

The person who had entered this forest now was.

 

Gideon Devonham.

 

Sionel’s uncle, and a traitor.

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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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