I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 158

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Chapter 158
Morcatus recognized at a glance that the black cat could become his host.
Their interests aligned perfectly at that moment.
‘Surrender your body to me. In return, I shall grant your wish.’
‘Meow…’
Nero had only one wish from the beginning.
To find his mother, who had been dragged away by cruel soldiers, and protect her safely.
Hearing the circumstances, Morcatus inwardly rejoiced—the woman was clearly already dead, making this a profitable exchange—and accepted the contract.
After all, there was no way to find a soul that had crossed beyond the cycle of rebirth.
But then something unexpected occurred.
That mad man Lombard didn’t merely ravage the Black Continent beyond the Northern Wall—he dug into the very heart of it and tore open a ‘door’ to another world.
Even demons have the concept of taboo.
Among these, the door was something that even Great Demons feared, never daring to approach.
Morcatus suppressed his instinctive terror and crossed the silent, lifeless land to stand before the door.
Beyond the dimensional rift, he sensed an alien presence.
Countless lives.
Countless possibilities.
Worlds fragmented like stars in an infinite night sky.
Yet nowhere in that vast current could he feel the soul of ‘Elze’.
And so Nero’s consciousness surrendered to resignation and slept, while Morcatus spent long centuries alone on the Black Continent, bearing a faint disquiet.
Then one day, the seal of the contract stirred to life.
‘Elze’s’ soul had been reborn in flesh.
Bound by the contract’s force, Nero awakened, and unable to resist her radiance, Morcatus stepped beyond the taboo for the first time.
“Nero?”
“Meow.”
At her voice, his consciousness returned naturally to the present.
Nero had seemed strange, standing there in a daze.
He rolled about, humming as though nothing were amiss.
When his mother departed for the Imperial Capital, no amount of effort could wash away the demonic taint, yet now it clung to him like paint, leaving traces wherever he went.
Then, Brother Vincent’s formidable Divine Power had remained; now, having received Matthew’s Divine Power long ago, that strength had scattered entirely.
But Nero, unaware of such complications, was simply content.
“Meow, meow!”
Rolling about in delight, Nero suddenly stilled and looked up at his mother.
Once she had been his mother alone, but now she had become the mother of the Northern Region’s people.
She had to care for them all to live happily, so she was often away from home.
‘I understand it in my head. But… I think I’m lonely.’
Even if he could no longer monopolize her time as he once did… he wished that in moments when they were alone together, she would love only him, completely.
Nero nestled into his mother’s arms, carrying this small, tender wish.
* * *
Edwin was conducting an inspection of the Northern Wall.
The defense of the Northern Wall was Duke Lombard’s most critical duty.
Moreover, having left Lombard unattended for an entire season while remaining at the Imperial Capital, this inspection was necessary to reassure the anxious citizens.
“The air today is as ominous as ever, sir.”
“Indeed, you speak truly.”
Despite summer’s height, the air near the Northern Wall was cold enough to send shivers down the spine.
The temperature itself wasn’t particularly freezing, yet a bone-chilling, unpleasant sensation crawled up the back, as though the very marrow ached.
Scattered conversation drifted among the knights, and Edwin did not particularly suppress it.
He understood it was their way of releasing the oppressive tension.
Just then, the reconnaissance unit sent out days before arrived at the garrison.
“The castle walls show no major abnormalities. However, several rifts have been discovered on the western side and require repair. The precise locations have been recorded on the map.”
“Defense weaponry and equipment inspections are complete. No issues reported.”
“Emergency supplies and military materiel have been inventoried. Similarly, no issues found.”
The knights’ reports were orderly and thorough.
They understood better than anyone that the security of the Northern Wall was bound to the security of Lombard itself.
But the truly important part was only beginning.
To prepare for the season when demon activity intensified, this inspection would extend beyond surveying the exterior of the Northern Wall to include a check of the interior as well.
They were to venture directly into the Black Continent, the demons’ native habitat.
“Reconnaissance unit—arm yourselves!”
At last the order to arm came down.
It was a mission fraught with the threat of death, yet the knights’ expressions showed not a flicker of hesitation.
He had observed beforehand that there were no Demons in the vicinity, but it was because each of them was an elite warrior skilled in Great Demon Subjugation.
Moreover, they carried a sense of duty—knowing that if those leading faltered, the younger knights following behind would be swept up in fear.
Just then, Edwin, who had been listening to the report, spoke with calm resolve.
“I’ll come with you.”
“My lord?!”
The astonished knights’ eyes went wide.
Venturing deep into the Black Continent was one thing, but a simple inspection of the area just inside the Northern Wall was hardly an unusual task for the knights.
They could not expose their lord to danger over something so trivial.
In terms of chess, Edwin was the king—a piece they could never afford to lose.
Yet he showed no sign of permitting any objection, swinging himself into the saddle and spurring his horse forward.
“Wait, please—just a moment, my lord!”
An urgent cry came from behind.
The flustered knights scrambled after him, mounting their horses in a rush.
‘Perhaps this is better.’
The reek of death hanging in the air all around and the bone-chilling atmosphere seemed to suit him as he was now.
Yes, in truth, Edwin was running away.
An inspection of the Northern Wall was necessary, but it didn’t have to be now. By Edwin’s memory, there had been no trouble at the Northern Wall at this point in time.
But he could not bring himself to face her.
To appease her confusion, he had put off their conversation with the excuse of going to see the Aurora, deferring it to autumn—but Edwin lacked even the courage to tell her the truth.
He had seen Elze’s ravaged corpse.
He could not help but know how terribly she must have suffered as she died.
‘No, no! Stop! Please!’
Her anguished screams as she tore at herself. Her wails mingled with agony.
He could not bring himself to reopen such old wounds before her.
That it had all been a misunderstanding. That at the time, he had been wandering at death’s door, infected by a Demon’s Demonic Energy, knowing nothing.
That when he finally regained consciousness after losing an arm, she was already gone from the world.
He could not defend himself so brazenly, as though he bore no guilt.
Before her, still tormented by such severe trauma, he had no face to accept absolution through such pitiful excuses.
How could he dare…….
“My lord!”
Then, the rapid sound of hoofbeats grew closer from behind.
It was Gareth.
From the way he had caught up to Edwin so quickly, it appeared he had been armed and ready beforehand.
The distant sound of other knights galloping could be heard, but it would take time for them to arrive.
Gareth, who had fallen naturally into place at Edwin’s side as though it were his rightful position, opened his mouth.
“My lord, might I ask you something?”
“What is it.”
“Since the wedding night, you seem to have much on your mind. And I’ve just become certain of this—have you done something to displease my lady?”
It was very much like Gareth.
He possessed a simple, straightforward manner of thinking, and had no hesitation in asking questions that others would never dare voice.
Perhaps that was why.
Edwin, regarding him with a bewildered look, found himself answering on impulse.
“I’ve wronged Elisia, and I can’t bear to face her.”
“Ah? I believed Lord Ramon had resolved that matter quite well.”
“…….”
He meant the functional aspect of things.
Edwin let out a dry laugh despite himself, yet answered his subordinate’s question earnestly.
Perhaps he had longed to unburden this terrible guilt to someone all along.
“I’ve committed a grave wrong against Elisia. But I’m hiding the truth from her even now.”
“…….”
As the conversation drifted into complicated territory, focus drained from Gareth’s eyes.
Paradoxically, this allowed Edwin to speak freely about what weighed on his heart.
“I can’t shake the thought that consummating our wedding night under the guise of being her husband, while concealing the truth, is a sin. I’m deceiving her—how can I have any right to swear my love to her?”
“Have you apologized to her, then?”
“What?”
“I said, have you apologized.”

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