I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 86

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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 86
“The monsters’ movements are abnormal.”
At the outpost located on the Border, Ludwig furrowed his brow as he examined five years’ worth of documents detailing monster occurrence patterns.
The monster invasions over the years had followed a certain pattern.
Monsters typically invaded the Mountain Range in packs during barren seasons like winter when prey was scarce.
“Yes, just when we think we’ve extinguished the immediate threat, another frenzied individual emerges not long after.”
In the past, even when monsters acted unpredictably, it was usually because they were forcibly driven across the Border by stronger packs.
But the last five years had been different.
Even from ordinary monster colonies, individuals had begun entering a state of sudden ‘frenzy’—creatures whose aggression and ferocity multiplied several times over compared to normal monsters. Packs containing such creatures became significantly more hostile and could not be underestimated.
‘Why are these variables appearing?’
I had requested an investigator from the Imperial Family, but the Convent was in such turmoil that dispatching one would take time.
‘Theodore, Claire.’
I recalled the two young people in the Convent. Successive acts of terror, increasingly savage monsters, and the dark deeds lurking beneath Umbra’s surface.
An ominous sense that something was hurtling toward its end refused to leave my mind.
‘I can only hope it’s merely an old man’s groundless worry.’
Leaving the outpost, Ludwig gazed up at the sky thick with dark clouds. The oppressive summer wind carried the scent of blood.
* * *
“Isn’t this a successful escape?”
As Claire spoke those words inside the moving Carriage, Rozina let out a hollow laugh.
“An escape?”
“Honestly, it wasn’t a pleasant place anyway.”
The luxurious Mansion was a sandcastle built on the sacrifices of a few. Knowing that my father’s blood, sweat, and tears were also part of it only made the feeling more unpleasant.
“You seem to really dislike your father—no, Count Hector, given that you’re fleeing like this.”
At Rozina’s words, I shrugged. The moment I learned what he had done to my father and what he had done to Rozina, he was finished in my eyes.
“There are reasons for that, but truthfully, I wanted to play together with you.”
“······What?”
It was a raw, blunt statement you wouldn’t find in High Society.
“It was simply too much fun.”
I said this with a shy smile.
The memory of playing with a same-aged female friend for the first time, Rozina’s light steps as she led me around and showed me things. Though the time was brief, for someone like me who had barely two years of social experience, it was a joy unlike anything else.
And the interesting part was that it was the same for Rozina.
‘An adopted child who makes a living with her abilities.’
Once that impression took root, the few people who had wanted to build a relationship with her quickly disappeared. Besides, under Hector’s surveillance, her free time was limited, making it a luxury to meet anyone at all.
But.
Working so hard to survive. Getting by however possible, taking care of what needs to be taken care of. Surely it’s okay to enjoy things a little?
Inside the Carriage was also a purse heavy with money. Thanks to Claire being with me, the amount was generous.
“Claire, do you like sweet things?”
At those words, I broke into a grin.
“The world of desserts is truly magnificent.”
Dozens of dessert plates covered the entire Dining Table. Each offered different flavors and designs, a colorful array of foods that delighted both eye and palate.
What particularly captivated Claire was a layered cake studded with honey and nuts, where the delightful crunch of nuts between the soft sponge created an exquisite texture.
“Please, eat as much as you’d like. This is an extraordinarily expensive establishment.”
Occupying the third floor of the Boutique as though they had rented it entirely, the two of them savored delicious food and the street views below, freed from the gaze of others.
A breeze drifting through the open window gently tousled Rozina’s golden hair. Her gaze lifted toward the sky.
“It’s a shame the day is overcast with those heavy clouds.”
“Yet we should appreciate that it’s considerably cooler, should we not?”
“That’s true.”
Spooning cool fruit sorbet, I gazed at the same sky Rozina was observing. Unlike our peaceful moment, the sky beyond the window bore a heavy, slate-gray hue as though rain might pour down at any moment.
‘Perhaps that sky color is closer to the truth of things.’
This was, in essence, the eve of a storm.
Before I drew closer to the truth of Umbra, before Rozina returned to her hellish exploitation.
Though nothing between us had truly been resolved, we both lifted our spoons to simply savor this moment. For now, it seemed that would be enough for each other.
“If you ever feel you cannot endure it, please tell me.”
At my words, Rozina, who had been cracking her crème brûlée, laughed softly with amusement.
“And what would you do?”
“I’ll help you escape. By any means necessary.”
“You jest.”
Rozina smiled silently. She could dimly sense that my words were not a jest—they were my clumsy consideration and genuine sincerity.
So Rozina slowly shook her head.
“Wouldn’t it be better to escape together rather than have you help me escape alone?”
The dreary sky finally began to rain. With the window closed, we finished the remaining desserts. No matter how turbulent the world outside became, the cake remained sweet.
* * *
“Filthy chain wretches.”
Marquis Temper hurled the whip he had been holding to the ground. A single Beastman lay there, bloodied and barely breathing in ragged gasps.
“Daring to bare their fangs like that.”
As a final outlet for his rage, he kicked the Beastman before settling onto a couch prepared in one corner of the Prison. His aged body heaving with rough breaths, the Marquis extended his hand into empty air, and the attendant waiting behind him promptly presented a lit cigar.
“Ahh.”
Drawing the smoke deep into his lungs, he gestured toward the Beastman with his chin.
“Drag it away and use it as material.”
“Yes, sir. And regarding the other specimens we captured this time······.”
As the Servant asked carefully, the Marquis twisted his face in annoyance at the troublesome question.
“Handle them as usual! The presentable ones for pets, the worthless ones for materials—it’s simple enough.”
He clicked his tongue loudly and rubbed his aching shoulders.
‘I can scarcely stomach this much longer.’
Born with a sadistic nature, he was the type who derived pleasure from wounding others and suffocating their breath.
Yet a high-ranking nobleman must always maintain dignity and could not be tainted by scandal. His parents had sought to contain his violent tendencies by restricting them to Beastmen—those creatures.
After all, it mattered little how many of these lowly chains perished. If tormenting animals could keep the heir appearing respectable, it was quite a profitable arrangement.
‘Even this caretaker’s existence grows tedious.’
But his aging body could no longer keep pace with his sadistic urges. As his flesh tired, the work of abusing Beastmen as a caretaker no longer brought him joy, yet he could not simply abandon it.
‘Bianca.’
It was a role the caretaker needed to fulfill for his only daughter.
‘Father, I will make my Aaron Emperor even if I must sacrifice thousands of those wretches!’
Despising life and treating it as a jest, yet cherishing only what was hers—Bianca was a beautiful child who bore a striking resemblance to her father.
‘The flaw in my grandson troubles me somewhat, but if it can be corrected by sacrificing a few Beastmen and several abilities from the dead, it would be worth the effort.’
What weighed upon the old fox of a man, worn by decades in the political arena, was Umbra’s growing power—increasingly slipping beyond their control.
‘After completely taking over the Market, they’ve become bold and secretive, as if our concealment is no longer necessary.’
Upon hearing that the Imperial Palace Ballroom had completely collapsed, the Marquis felt a chill run down his spine.
‘They acted without warning, and Bianca could have been hurt.’
If their increasingly arrogant behavior became a threat to Bianca and Temper, there would be no reason to cooperate with them any longer.
Once the hunt is finished, it is customary to boil the hunting dogs and eat them.
As Marquis Temper finished his thoughts, his eyes grew cold.

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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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