I’m Hunting My Enemy - Chapter 32

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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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32. Absurd but Convincing (3)

 

The two people naturally focused on Glem’s concerns as he intended, falling deep into thought.

 

“You said Ohen ordered them to release you.”

 

“That was just for the paperwork.”

 

Catsy pointed out.

 

“As soon as you escaped, a priest named Benito came to catch you under Ohen’s orders.”

 

“It’s also unlikely that he just assigned a pursuer because it would look suspicious to others.”

 

Glem chimed in as well.

 

Bendam, who had been the main advocate for fabricating documents just moments before, felt embarrassed and added his words.

 

“Among all the priests I’ve seen, none were as careless as Benito. That alone shows Ohen sent Benito as an excuse after releasing you.”

 

“I’ve escaped often enough to know that the priests here aren’t active enough to require deliberate deception.”

 

They would punish strictly if caught, but they didn’t send people outside the temple.

 

It was due to lack of manpower.

 

Glem said.

 

“Ohen is the head of this temple. Why would he need to send Benito to make excuses to anyone?”

 

“Then does that mean there are factions within the temple?”

 

“Factions?”

 

“Not all priests can get promoted. The number of people who can renew their vows with Lord Rkultu and advance is limited.”

 

Catsy shuddered at Bendam’s words.

 

“I don’t know about such priest matters. We already have enough headaches with the swamp problem, do we need to worry about that too?”

 

“But it’s certainly something worth being cautious about. The young lady is already overflowing with people trying to get in her good graces, so there’s a high chance priests will approach her separately.”

 

Since Ryuie was a noble, she was naturally more familiar with such power struggles.

 

Bendam seemed relieved now that he had spoken properly, thinking it wasn’t a big deal after all.

 

“But even if there’s discord, it’s just a small temple like this. The young lady has navigated all sorts of battlefields even in the capital, so there’s no need to worry. Your matter was probably just part of that.”

 

Though he omitted the fact that most of those battlefields were self-inflicted, Bendam’s words were true.

 

Was Benito’s approach to Ryuie really just for that reason?

 

Suddenly feeling an itch in his arm and as if someone was pushing against his ribs, Glem hurriedly shut his mouth.

 

‘What kind of nonsense is this.’

 

Glem’s expression turned grim as he deliberately turned his thoughts elsewhere.

 

When Ryuie sent the ducal letter, Ohen seemed genuinely angry.

 

Even if he knew Glem had made a contract with Ryuie, he would have interfered, and if he didn’t know, there was no reason to release him.

 

Come to think of it.

 

“When I first came here, there was no priest named Benito at the temple.”

 

“So?”

 

“I’ve stayed here long enough to know most of the people living around here. But an unknown priest who isn’t even a villager deliberately came from far away to enter this shabby little temple?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Bendam and Catsy exchanged glances. It was definitely suspicious.

 

“Priests don’t change temples, right?”

 

“It’s rare unless it’s a case like the Saintess.”

 

“Then this priest Benito must have dropped out of nowhere.”

 

Glem trailed off meaningfully.

 

The two servants, feeling wary, would surely make sure Ryuie and Benito didn’t spend too much time together.

 

But even after going to such lengths, the two were still frequently spotted together.

 

Glem’s steps slowed when he discovered Ryuie sitting in the temple’s small banquet hall.

 

Since it was originally a passage for servants, he wasn’t visible to anyone in the banquet hall.

 

Ryuie, who had poured wine to overflowing in her glass, looked to be in a good mood.

 

“We’re going to subjugate the ‘Traveler’s Hunter’ too.”

 

Benito, who was nodding and listening attentively, was sitting not on a chair but on the dining table.

 

As expected, no matter how you looked at it, he wasn’t dignified enough to be a priest.

 

While Ryuie seemed to have lost interest in the meal, Benito kept cutting with his long fingers.

 

Though it was nothing special, Glem’s legs suddenly felt heavy.

 

“How do you plan to subjugate the monsters living in the swamp?”

 

“I’ve ordered harpoons as well.”

 

Ryuie seemed to be in a good mood as she emptied her wine glass in an instant.

 

“A generous twenty of them. It’s a creature that makes me wait even longer than nobles.”

 

“You like hunting.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Ryuie, whose cheeks had turned slightly red from the rising intoxication, answered obediently.

 

Of course, her upturned eyes were still sharp, but there was a hint of leisure to spare her opponent slightly.

 

‘Has she drunk a lot?’

 

Glem looked at the wine bottle that was more than half empty, but couldn’t be sure if this was the first bottle.

 

‘Was Ryuie strong with alcohol?’

 

He couldn’t tell. They had never drunk together before.

 

Benito hadn’t touched any alcohol either. He was just sitting up on the table with the food.

 

Benito, who had been peering over the roasted quail, subtly suggested.

 

“Drinking only alcohol will make your stomach hurt.”

 

“I’ve never had that happen.”

 

Ryuie rolled her glass with one hand.

 

‘There’s absolutely no way that’s the first bottle.’

 

Glem thought bitterly.

 

Half a bottle of wine disappeared with one pour.

 

Ryuie gulped it down like water, as if she had no interest in the smell or taste.

 

‘Why is she drinking like that?’

 

Was it because this wasn’t a nobles’ banquet hall? Or because it was terrible wine? Or because she shouldn’t get drunk in this place?

 

Glem kept adding footnotes to Ryuie’s behavior.

 

Otherwise, it would just look like someone who was overly accustomed to alcohol.

 

His insides burned as if scratched.

 

Even though it was Ryuie who was actually drinking.

 

Alcohol is best when drunk in celebration.

 

Drinking when sad isn’t the worst either.

 

The most dangerous thing is drinking alcohol out of boredom.

 

Because you’re drinking without a reason to drink.

 

‘Stop drinking.’

 

Glem glared at Benito with a dark expression.

 

Even though the person was getting increasingly drunk to unconsciousness, Benito didn’t stop her.

 

Even if he himself seemed fine.

 

A normal person would have knocked that glass away to make her stop drinking.

 

‘Knock it away. Knock it away.’

 

Whether his earnest wish reached him or not, Benito suddenly said.

 

“The Duke’s daughter should sleep instead.”

 

“I’m not sleepy.”

 

Ryuie answered in a monotone voice and gestured with her chin.

 

“Change the rhythm.”

 

The minstrel who had been playing soft music changed the tune he was plucking on his lute. It was a dance tune used during village festivals.

 

“Let’s dance.”

 

“I want to stop dancing.”

 

Benito grumbled.

 

“You can’t even hold hands and dance properly anyway. Just keep time from the side.”

 

“If the Duke’s daughter can’t sleep, I could put you to sleep.”

 

“What? If you use a prayer of rest on me, I won’t let you…”

 

Ignoring Ryuie’s grumbling, Benito immediately began reciting a prayer.

 

It was a simple humming like a song, but it was enough to put one duke’s daughter who wanted to have an all-night party to sleep.

 

Clang!

 

“Ow.”

 

Of course, Ryuie didn’t fall asleep gracefully.

 

Before the prayer could take effect, in that brief moment, she had thrown her wine glass at Benito.

 

Benito rubbed his forehead.

 

The wine glass thrown from right in front of him bounced off with a clang and got dented, making him look even more foolish.

 

“You should fall asleep more gracefully.”

 

Ryuie, who had collapsed face-down on the dining table, still had her arm raised up.

 

The minstrel also stopped his music. As silence fell, Benito’s voice became even clearer.

 

“Where is the duke’s daughter’s room?”

 

“Well, I’m not sure either…”

 

“I’ll have to go ask.”

 

When Benito left the room, the minstrel, who had nothing left to do, soon departed as well.

 

Ryuie’s maids, who would be informed of the situation, would come in soon.

 

…They would come, but.

 

Glem carefully emerged from where he had been hiding and approached.

 

Ryuie, who had been affected by the priest’s prayer, was truly asleep.

 

Though she was frowning deeply, unlike someone who was sleeping.

 

Glem, who had unconsciously been about to bring his thumb to Ryuie’s furrowed brow, hesitated.

 

The engagement vow had belatedly come to mind.

 

‘I know the conditions for the vow to activate, but.’

 

After pondering for a moment, he looked for a different target instead of her sensitive skin.

 

Ryuie’s hair, as she lay face down, flowed abundantly like a valley down to her back.

 

Glem, finding himself having unnecessary thoughts, decided to be certain and wrapped a strand of Ryuie’s hair around his finger. There was absolutely no other reason. Because the curse activated before he could even feel the texture.

 

Sizzle!

 

“!”

 

Glem quickly pulled his hand away.

 

There was a very faint smell of burning hair, and Ryuie’s mark was branded on Glem’s finger.

 

Fortunately, it wasn’t a severe burn that would cause blisters, but it was sufficient as a warning.

 

‘It activated?’

 

Glem’s mind was instantly filled with confusion as he looked down at the red mark.

 

‘Really?’

 

Honestly, Glem could stake everything on saying he thought the curse wouldn’t activate.

 

If there was one person who absolutely wouldn’t be caught by Ryuie’s engagement vow, it should be me.

 

But when did it become like this?

 

“Will you take her there?”

 

“…!”

 

Startled, Glem turned his head.

 

It was Benito, who had returned.

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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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