I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 51

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 51

 

Ponia blinked her eyes. Her clear eyes didn’t contain any emotion that could be easily defined, but somehow she looked dazed.

 

Chad waved his hand in front of her field of vision.

 

“What kind of expression is that? Do people usually react so calmly when they receive a confession?”

 

A confession? …Ah, right, Chad just did.

 

“I don’t know what to say. Did you just confess to me?”

 

“Family?”

 

“A close friend?”

 

“Then, a lover?”

 

“Close friend?”

 

“It would be a different kind of emotion, wouldn’t it?”

 

“Then, lovers?”

 

“I don’t have a lover, but the person I want to be with is right in front of me.”

 

Ponia, who had been nodding calmly, maintained silence for a moment before her eyes took on a look that was now almost hollow with disbelief.

 

“Why me?”

 

The question conveyed that she absolutely never thought he could like her.

 

Apparently, she had never once perceived him as a man. Briefly holding his head in bewilderment, he opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn’t continue his words.

 

This was because Ponia began speaking incoherently without waiting for his answer.

 

“Of course, she’s far too beautiful for just a forest keeper, and contrary to how she looks, she’s not picky at all—rather, she’s so easygoing that it only adds to her charm. It’s quite possible she might be the prettiest person of the opposite sex you’ve ever seen in the village.”

 

“Ah, I can’t compare to Chad, but I was quite the looker in town myself.”

 

Even as she rattled off words that would have made her cringe to say about herself, Ponia spoke with conviction as if it were only natural.

 

It might seem like arrogance, but Ponia thought she had judged herself quite objectively.

 

Even when she worked in the village pretending to be a commoner, there were quite a few village men who courted her because of her beauty.

 

After that, he even went around wearing a cloak.

 

Before long, she looked at him with a puzzled expression.

 

“But you don’t like me for those reasons, do you?”

 

“…Why don’t you think so? From what you’re saying, it sounds like there’s more than enough reason to like you.”

 

Chad barely managed to suppress his bursting laughter by looking away from her eyes and fixing his gaze on something farther away.

 

I was always good at reading the flow of conversation, saying what the other person wanted to hear, and naturally steering things at my own pace.

 

At some point, it became natural to be flustered and dragged around in front of this forest keeper.

 

“You’re not the type of person who would like someone based on their appearance alone.”

 

A resolve as firm as her words was deeply rooted within her.

 

“It doesn’t make sense that someone so perceptive and thoughtful about other people’s feelings would be swayed by just appearances.”

 

Ponia looked at each of his features one by one, barely avoiding falling into despair.

 

“And the reason you truly come to like someone is their inner self.”

 

Just as she had passionately adored the upright and gentle Sionel.

 

As if this were true of all love in the world, Ponia spoke with finality, as though stating an undeniable truth.

 

Should I call it the words of a sincere student who grew up being educated in moral concepts? Or should I say it’s the statement of a believer who has encountered the corruption of the world and come to understand everything?

 

“Ugh!”

 

Chad couldn’t hold back the laughter he had barely managed to suppress and burst out laughing.

 

Everyone says they know me, yet they don’t really know me at all. In fact, when wearing someone else’s mask, I often forgot who I was and what kind of person I am.

 

Maybe it’s already become ambiguous.

 

But Ponia discovers aspects that even I hadn’t thought of. She sees through him on his behalf.

 

‘Isn’t that enough then?’

 

“When I’m with Nia, I feel like I can truly be myself.”

 

He muttered to himself, and since he wasn’t expecting an answer, he quickly moved on to something else.

 

“If Nia ends up liking me, it won’t be because she fell for my face.”

 

“The person I like is perfect in every way. I might never find someone like them again.”

 

For a moment, Sionel came to Chad’s mind, but no matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t seem like him.

 

I may not have the looks, but don’t you think I’m better when it comes to personality?

 

“I won’t hear your answer right now. You haven’t had a proper chance to make your case yet.”

 

“…Do whatever you want.”

 

That’s enough for today.

 

“Oh, do you know where Shio is?”

 

“They didn’t say anything before leaving, but I have an idea where they might be. Why do you ask?”

 

“I have something to say. And if you’re thinking of going there later, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

 

“Why?”

 

“There are too many watching eyes. Even if I’m fine, Nia will get caught.”

 

Though Ponia was reluctant, she told him the location. They passed the tent and stood with their backs to the campfire.

 

“I’ll probably be going in a bit late, so go ahead first…”

 

Chad, who was about to leave, stopped speaking when he saw her face silhouetted against the light.

 

He gazed intently at Ponia’s cheek, then smiled with a satisfied expression.

 

He had thought she was surprisingly strong in this area since she responded so calmly to his confession.

 

“It wasn’t because of the fire after all.”

 

Like her crimson hair that stood out even in the darkness, her cheeks were flushed red.

 

Those persistent eyes that had observed people to wear masks at any time were now fixed on one woman among the knights and servants passing by the barracks.

 

For this night’s memory that only he would possess, with no need to show it to anyone else.

 

“Nia.”

 

As Ponia was about to go to the knights, Chad unconsciously grabbed her.

 

His lips moved, but that single short word got stuck in his throat and wouldn’t come out.

 

“…Have a good night.”

 

“Chad too.”

 

Watching her walk away, he offered a belated apology.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

‘You killed them directly?’

 

‘Yes.’

 

‘Then, show me that child’s body.’

 

Because it seems like Ponia will have to make a rather cruel choice.

 

As Ponia had expected, Sionel was in the cave where she had spent the night with her.

 

He slumped against the cave wall as if about to collapse, breathing heavily and irregularly.

 

Gideon Debenham is here.

 

The uncle who had appeared before him in dreams and fantasies came to find him, looking exactly the same as he had always known him to be.

 

You’re determined to kill me with your own hands.

 

And I couldn’t help but recognize the person who followed behind.

 

“…Aren.”

 

In the end, you’re abandoning me completely.

 

‘Don’t think about it.’

 

He clutched his head in his hands.

 

I need to regain my composure. There’s nothing to be gained from acting like this alone.

 

I was the only one who found Gideon. There was nothing that could make him certain of my condition.

 

This is not the ducal house. The one who used to be caught off guard and just take hits is no more.

 

He’s the one who has the upper hand right now. I need to think rationally and consider what to do next….

 

‘You shouldn’t have trusted anyone in the first place.’

 

“Damn it!”

 

However, the despair and helplessness that had already taken deep root within him once before pulled him downward.

 

Once the tunnel path was carved out, traces remained in the earth, and consciousness sank into the deep darkness.

 

I need to shake it off. I need to overcome it. But I don’t know how.

 

Footsteps could be heard from beyond the thicket. Sionel looked up.

 

“Ponia?”

 

Just by saying the name, the tormenting thoughts that had been plaguing him like they would kill him begin to fade.

 

He doesn’t want to meet her in this broken state. But now, he lacks the confidence to go back to how he was before meeting Ponia.

 

But the person he was waiting for never appeared. A man wearing ridiculous glasses stood in front of the cave.

 

“Chad Moro.”

 

Sionel struggled to his feet.

 

“…When did you get back?”

 

Chad didn’t answer and carefully examined his condition. Instead, he brought up something else.

 

“Sionel Debenham.”

 

The light voice that always deliberately ended on an upward note had sunk into something heavy.

 

At the same time, the light in Sionel’s blue eyes also faded as their saturation dimmed. Chad smiled broadly.

 

“Wow, seeing how you’re not surprised, you really never trusted me for even a single moment.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

There was only one reason he had stayed still.

 

That repairman’s target was only him. Since he showed no signs of harming Ponia otherwise, he simply hadn’t intervened further.

 

“Well then, Sionel.”

 

Wearing black gloves, Chad pulled out a long needle from his back pocket. It was probably coated with poison.

 

“Will you die for me now?”

 

Watching Chad walk deeper into the cave, Sionel also drew his dagger.

 

It was a meaningless struggle. That assassin wouldn’t let his guard down or make any mistakes.

 

But even if it was a meaningless struggle… Ponia Harbel had already saved him countless times.

 

She had told him it wasn’t a meaningless struggle, that he should live until the end.

 

However, in the next moment, Sionel couldn’t do anything.

 

“If you stay alive, Nia will die.”

 

Because of that single sentence Chad Moreau had uttered.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————