I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 272
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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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Part 2
(Side Story)
Episode 30
I took a deep breath and guided Archbishop Luzef to the table, feigning composure as best I could.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid glanced at me. I nodded toward him, though I wasn’t certain he understood.
In any case, we found ourselves cramped around the table together.
A moment of silence descended.
Slurp—! Slurrrp—!
The sound of Archbishop Luzef drinking tea echoed through the space with an oddly frivolous quality.
What should I do? How should I…
“Archbishop.”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s voice, Archbishop Luzef lifted his head.
Now that I looked closer, he wasn’t actually drinking the tea—merely pretending to. It was a rather grotesque sight.
“That creature, the one that wasn’t human. I’d like to examine it. Could you guide us there?”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s question, Archbishop Luzef’s mouth stretched into a grin so wide it seemed to tear at the corners before dropping just as quickly. Then he regarded Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid with an expression of concern.
“Will you be alright?”
My hair stood on end. A chill ran down my spine.
Did he just… smile?
“We must assess the situation to prepare for danger. Whether we’re alright or not, we must verify.”
Archbishop Luzef—no, that thing seemed satisfied by Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s reasoning.
It continued to fidget in its seat before roughly setting down the teacup and rising. Then it gestured to both Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid and me.
“Follow me.”
It seemed delighted at the prospect of leading us outside. But then it paused as it reached for the door, staring quietly at the door handle. What was this?
Another suffocating silence fell.
Then the creature smiled thinly and asked Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid:
“Will you open the door and go first?”
And then it stared at him intently, pressing its face uncomfortably close.
I would have screamed, but Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid didn’t blink once, regarding Archbishop Luzef with utter indifference.
“The guide should go first.”
At Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s response, Archbishop Luzef seemed to realize something, straightening its posture.
“Ah, I see! You’re quite right.”
Suddenly adopting a robotic tone, it grasped the door handle with a mechanical creak and left.
Just as I thought Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid would follow it outside, he locked the door instead.
“No combat power, simple-minded. Does it resemble the Master it copied?”
He delivered this scathing critique without hesitation. If Archbishop Luzef had heard that, he would have wept.
“Did that strange creature copy the Archbishop? If so, the real Archbishop might be here too.”
“That’s possible, but proceeding outside based on mere speculation without certainty seems dangerous.”
Grrrrrowwwl—
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s stomach growled again. His expressionless face turned toward the potato sitting on the table with its moisture drained away.
I wondered if perhaps he wasn’t avoiding danger—but rather avoiding going out because he was hungry.
I checked the timer I’d set when entering the Camping Trailer.
Only two hours had passed. Since I’d set it for five hours, I still had plenty of time.
Of course, I had no intention of using all five hours. After eating, I’d prepare my climbing gear and escape this cursed Cave as quickly as possible.
“For now, since we still have some time, let’s fill our stomachs first and prepare thoroughly before we head out.”
At my words, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid nodded as if he’d been waiting and removed his Jacket.
Then he rolled up his Shirt sleeves, revealing thick forearms with veins bulging prominently, and asked me with a solemn expression.
“What would you like me to help with?”
At his question, I examined the four thin potato discs I’d shaped and the herb garlic paste I’d prepared.
“Hmm. Could you pour me a cup of Water? Just use that Water container over there.”
Meanwhile, I laid a potato disc on the cutting board like a pizza base and spread the herb garlic paste thinly over it.
Then I arranged finely chopped Mushrooms in a long line down the center.
It would have tasted better if I’d roasted the Mushrooms, but I couldn’t use Fire, so there was no choice.
Since I’d used Mushrooms that could be eaten raw, it should be fine.
I covered it with another potato disc on top, like a dumpling.
I pressed down on it with Cloth to shape it. What I call herb potato dumplings.
Since it looks like a dumpling, that’s what I’ll call it. It’s my decision.
I made two large herb potato dumplings that way and handed one to Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid.
“You can hold it like Bread and bite into it.”
At my words, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid carefully held the herb potato dumpling and cautiously took a bite.
I’ve never seen a man who maintains such Dignity even while eating food with his hands.
As Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid chewed the herb potato dumpling, his eyes grew progressively wider.
No. This taste—!
This is the point where that line should come out of his mouth.
Unfortunately, since Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid is a refined man, he didn’t say such things, but his expression spoke volumes, so I decided to be satisfied.
[Target: Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid]
[Target’s Affection toward User: ▲59.3%]
No way. His affection jumped up by twenty percent just from one meal?
He said he was cursed to be unable to eat without Magic Power, so I really don’t understand why he can eat the food I made.
Anyway, at this rate, if I cook just one more meal, I could get a kiss?
As I gazed at him quietly and smiled, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid flinched and averted his gaze.
Is he embarrassed?
With his affection rising, I grew bold enough to entertain such brazen thoughts.
But the Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid of this world has lived a far more Hardcore life than my husband. Therefore, I expect his inner world to be quite complex. Let me stop getting ahead of myself and observe him carefully.
We finished our meal and took out the Equipment necessary for rock climbing, then put it on.
“We’re climbing that Cliff with this?”
“Yes. Climbing rock faces requires more than just strength alone.”
I unfolded the harness, the climbing waist belt.
“You’ve never seen something like this before, have you?”
At my question, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid nodded.
It made sense. There was no way Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid could have used modern rock climbing Equipment before.
“I’ll help you put it on.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid stares at me with a reluctant expression.
“If you don’t cooperate, I’m leaving you here.”
At my following words, he obeys quietly.
I kneel before Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid and pick up the harness.
“Put your feet through these loops one at a time. That’s right, your right foot… your left foot.”
For a moment, a menacing expression flashes across Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s face—or was that just my imagination?
In any case, I then pull the waist belt tight so it hugs his body snugly.
Phew. That took quite a bit of effort.
Focused on tightening the belt, I only belatedly realize how close I’m standing to him.
I lift my head and see Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s face so near to mine that I hold my breath for a moment.
His Golden Eyes meet my gaze. This man has been consistently composed and calm the entire time… wait?
He squeezes his eyes shut. Very irritably, at that.
No. Do I really have such an annoying face?
Embarrassed, I straighten my back and step away, creating distance between us.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid covers his face with one hand and takes a deep breath.
Only after a long moment does he lower his hand with a composed expression and ask me a question.
“What do you think of that ‘witch’s’ actions, madam? Do you believe she lived a life as she was meant to?”
A life as she was meant to live.
I understood Margaret Rose Flone’s feelings, but that didn’t mean I could understand the life she had lived, treating Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid like a slave.
“…No.”
My answer now is ‘no,’ but what would the past me have said?
If I had been Margaret Rose Flone, called the Villainess, wouldn’t I have answered yes?
“It seems you are certainly a different person from that ‘witch,’ madam. Is that correct?”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s continued questioning stirs many thoughts within me. My lips feel heavy as lead.
But I answer nonetheless.
“No. She is me as well.”
Just as Lee Jin-ju was me and I was Lee Jin-ju.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Certainly.”
Separate from his affirmative response, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s expression remains deeply contorted.
What on earth is he doing?
I consider asking the System, but decide it’s better to ask directly and open my mouth.
“What was your intention behind asking me such a question?”
“I almost forgot. What you did to me, madam. How much I despise you.”
So it wasn’t a question asked with positive intent.
However,
[Target: Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid]
[Target’s Favorability toward User: ▲69.3%]
Regardless of his words, his favorability had risen.
It was truly a strange occurrence.
But he said he hated me.
Yet his affection had risen by a full ten percent.
I should have been delighted, but my mind was tangled in confusion.
Was this the affection of the parallel world’s Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, or my husband’s?
I was bewildered.
‘No. Get a grip, Margaret. What matters now is recovering Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s soul fragment.’
Yes. Focus on that alone.
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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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