I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 39

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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 39
Three weeks had passed since I awakened from my winter sleep, yet Angela still hadn’t made contact.
‘Why? Could it be because the Cabin’s location has changed?’
Even so, it was strange that she hadn’t come looking for me. Especially considering that Angela’s messenger bird, Dolph, possessed the ability to remember and track a recipient’s scent.
‘If she’d learned I’d disappeared, she would have surely sent Dolph to find me.’
I paced restlessly around the room, an ominous feeling gnawing at me.
‘Something must have happened. I need to visit Kenneth.’
I recalled the man with coarse black hair—a capable individual who’d secured the position of Information Department Branch Director at such a young age. He was the perfect connection to learn about Angela’s whereabouts.
‘Meeting Kenneth that day turned out to be fortunate after all.’
The moment I made my decision, I rose from my seat and grabbed my coat. This was different from those days when I could only languish in the Cabin, waiting for Angela.
As my world had expanded, I’d gradually acquired the wisdom to navigate it.
‘But should I tell someone before I leave?’
I paused mid-motion as I tucked my wallet into my pocket. Currently, I was under House Voltier’s protection by contract. I recalled Angela’s irritated expression when she’d scolded me for jeopardizing a protection mission through reckless client behavior.
‘Hmm, I should at least leave a note rather than explain everything in person.’
The Commercial District where the Information Broker Network operated wasn’t far from here. Since I’d been there once before, I might even return before the note was discovered.
‘That would be better than explaining everything in detail.’
If I went directly and announced my departure, the Raccoon Siblings would pester me with endless questions.
About Angela’s existence, the mercenary work, the Information Guild’s location—I still wasn’t confident whether it was appropriate to freely share others’ information.
‘It’s just a brief outing. It should be fine.’
I decided to trust in my own capabilities. After hastily scrawling a note and placing it carefully in front of the door, I headed toward the window.
Two hours later, when the Raccoon Siblings came to invite me for tea, they discovered the note and were thrown into a panic.
[I’m going to meet an acquaintance. I should be back before evening.]
* * *
I walked briskly through the streets. Having spent time only within the Mansion since awakening from my winter sleep, the fresh outdoor air felt refreshing, clearing my mind.
‘Even though I came to a fairly remote area, there are still quite a few people around. It was good that I prepared myself thoroughly before leaving.’
I hadn’t ventured out recklessly without precautions. I’d tied my hair back, wrapped it with a scarf, covered my face with a hood, and donned a robe. With my considerable height and the loose-fitting robe, my gender was nearly impossible to discern.
“Eek! I’m sorry for making eye contact!”
Another person caught sight of me, panicked, and fled. That made six.
‘How do people with such weak spirits manage to survive?’
Unaware that I was dressed like the very definition of an assassin, I shrugged my shoulders. As long as my identity remained hidden, everything would be fine.
“Claire…?”
But contrary to my expectations, there was someone who recognized me at a glance.
“Huh?”
“It really is you.”
As I turned my head with a creaking sound, I saw Kenneth standing there with a bewildered expression, his violet eyes wide open.
“What are you doing dressed like that?”
“How did you recognize me?”
“What? Well, uh…”
Kenneth couldn’t answer immediately. He’d come out earlier after receiving a report about a suspicious figure, presumably a fugitive, wandering the streets, and had decided to investigate out of curiosity.
‘Dressed so suspiciously yet walking around so openly—I thought they were some kind of lunatic.’
I approached with curiosity and confirmed the familiar gaze of this madman. On a whim, I called out his name—and it really was Kenneth.
“Just through information gathering….”
“As expected, a Branch Director operates on a different level.”
Kenneth’s eyes gleamed with genuine admiration. He then noticed the attention of those around us and regained his composure.
“Should we move somewhere more private?”
“Good idea. I was actually on my way to find you.”
“I thought as much.”
At those words, Kenneth nodded readily rather than expressing surprise.
“…You suspected it?”
He answered as he guided me deeper into the Alley.
“It’s about Angela, the mercenary, isn’t it?”
* * *
“Make yourself comfortable. What kind of tea would you like?”
“Skip the tea—I want to hear about Angela first.”
Kenneth’s Office, which I was visiting after a long absence. I removed my hood and pressed for answers as we sat across from each other at the table.
“Well, there’s actually been a problem with her. I wish I could have informed you sooner, but there was no way to contact you.”
“Since when? What kind of problem? You said a few months ago it wasn’t a dangerous mission.”
Unable to hide my anxiety, I asked. Kenneth retrieved a glass bottle of fruit juice from a storage cabinet, slid it toward me, and began to speak.
“A month and a half ago. The mission should have concluded normally, but suddenly the mission rank increased, and at some point contact with headquarters was lost.”
A month and a half ago. That was when I was still in my winter sleep.
“Four mercenaries, including Angela, were conducting a merchant escort mission, but I can’t reach any of them now. Even the tracking carrier pigeons have lost their trail from the last known location.”
At those words, my lips went dry. After hesitating for a moment, I asked weakly.
“…Are they all dead?”
“Not all of them.”
Kenneth spoke with certainty, as if to reassure me.
“Guild mercenaries have their contracts bound by the Guild Master’s authority. So the registry shows whether they’re alive or dead.”
Red for the deceased, blue for the living—their names were marked accordingly. Fortunately, Angela’s mark was blue.
“Then there’s a reason they haven’t returned.”
“That’s right.”
Kenneth watched me quietly, my expression still troubled despite the relief, and let out a soft cough.
“Ahem. Claire, I suspected you’d be worried, so I actually conducted some personal investigations.”
“Investigations?”
“Yes. About the Northern Plains where they disappeared. It seems there have been others who vanished in similar locations besides this merchant expedition. Their fates are unclear, but what’s certain is that some have returned.”
The Laten Plain Triangle Zone. In the vast plains stretching beneath the Girten Mountain Range, there was a legend passed down through generations.
‘When the full moon rises, the fairies dwelling in the Mountain Range descend to the Plains and abduct humans.’
It was a folk tale born from people and livestock disappearing whenever fierce winds swept down from the Mountain Range to the Plains.
“Most of the people who returned couldn’t remember when they were missing, but fortunately, none of them suffered any physical ailments.”
“Then if we find them in time, they could return safely?”
My eyes brightened.
“Can you get me the exact location?”
“You’re going to find her yourself?”
“Of course.”
Angela was the only adult who had cared for Claire when she was left alone in this world. As long as she lived, I was confident I could traverse any treacherous path to reach her.
Kenneth gazed at my eyes, darkened with unwavering resolve, as if admiring a work of art. Claire truly resembled Veronica. Especially in that particular gleam when swearing to save someone—it was identical.
“Then I should tell you. But I have one proposal.”
When Claire nodded as if to say go ahead, he narrowed his eyes with a smile and leaned his body close against the table.
Just as I thought his breath might reach me, Kenneth spoke.
“Take me with you.”
“What?”
“Rather than waiting for you to use the gold badge I gave you, going directly seems like a faster way to repay my debt.”
“But that debt—”
“Ah, you mean the favor Veronica bestowed? But it’s my freedom to choose who I repay it to. If I go with you, having connections to the Guild and its network, finding Angela would be much easier, wouldn’t it?”
As if telling me to think carefully and choose, he fell silent with a leisurely smile. My deliberation was brief. Releasing a long sigh, I surrendered quickly.
“Do as you please.”
“Great! Then shall we depart in four days? Both of us will need time to settle various matters.”
I nodded and rose from my seat. The thought of persuading the Raccoon Siblings gave me a headache. Kenneth, with his cheerful expression, saw me off.
“Oh, but next time, just wearing a robe should be enough.”
“Why is that?”
“Bundling up like that only makes you look more suspicious.”
As Kenneth followed me out of the Hideout and into the Alley, tugging at my hood to explain, it happened.
“Claire?”
“…Theodore?”
Standing alone outside the Alley was Theodore, his expression wounded.

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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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