My Contract Husband Demands a Divorce - Chapter 82

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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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Before the demonic beast’s forepaw could graze them, the two of them dived beneath the Mother Monster’s Hide just in time.
“Growl. Hiss, hiss.”
She could feel the demonic beasts that had been lingering outside turn around and leave.
I threw my arms around Shan, burying myself in his chest.
He held me tightly in silence as I trembled uncontrollably.
After a moment, I pulled back to check him over for injuries. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any severe wounds.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I unfastened the bag I was carrying.
I pulled out bandages and medicine, beginning to treat those who were most critically injured first.
While major surgery was beyond my skills, I could manage basic first aid.
Shan picked up a roll of bandages.
“I will help.”
“No. Please rest. I’ll, *hic!* I’ll do it.”
Volkas sank to the ground, catching his breath as he spoke.
“What do we do now?”
“We have to go back.”
“Back there? We might have used a secret passage to get out, but how do you plan on getting back in? Huh?”
Once I finished treating the wounded, I pulled out my watch to check the time.
“If we can just hold out for about an hour, the troops from Kleins will be passing through here. We can join them and go together. We can’t move right now anyway because of the injured.”
* * *
The Kleinheits Mansion.
Three men sat before Papilion, who had returned after a long absence.
A man with a cold demeanor, whose hair was immaculately slicked back without a single stray strand, spoke up. It was Dietrich, his expression and tone perfectly matching his sharp appearance.
“Where is the Archduke?”
“He is still recuperating in the Capital.”
The elderly Head Butler, Klaus, adjusted his glasses, his face etched with worry.
“I have been so anxious since we haven’t seen him since the news of the ambush. How much longer does this old man have to live that he must keep worrying like this? Haha.”
His tone was gentle, yet it carried an underlying pressure that practically demanded a hint regarding Yulisian’s whereabouts.
Gunter, the Commander of the Order of Knights, who had cropped hair and dark skin, listened quietly before speaking bluntly.
“Only death.”
A cold sweat broke out down Papilion’s spine.
“His Grace explicitly ordered not to reveal his location until he roots out the traitor within.”
Of course, Yulisian had never actually said such a thing.
However, if it were Yulisian, he undoubtedly would have.
Feeling a sudden pang of guilt, Papilion cleared his throat and avoided Gunter’s gaze.
It was then.
Urgent footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Moments later, the door swung open after two short knocks.
The soldier who rushed into the room saluted before delivering his report.
“A signal fire warning of an enemy attack has risen from Barg Canyon. It is a signal fire requesting immediate reinforcements.”
Papilion bolted upright from his seat.
If it was Barg Canyon, that was exactly where the Baron and his wife would pass on their way down to the Southern Region.
Had they been ambushed there?
With the Archduke away, Gunter was the only one authorized to move the troops.
Papilion grabbed Gunter’s arm.
“You must go immediately.”
Gunter nodded and stood up without a word of complaint.
“Prepare for departure. Defense Knights. One battalion.”
The soldier bowed his head deeply and rushed out.
As a pale-faced Papilion attempted to follow, Gunter shoved him back into the room.
Then, without looking back, he immediately mounted his warhorse alongside the prepared soldiers.
Riding swiftly to the source, the signal fire keeper delivered the message upon their arrival.
The Huniswald Baron and Baroness were reportedly being held hostage in Glenmoor.
After reviewing the Imperial Decree, Gunter spurred his horse forward once more. However, he raised his hand to halt the line upon spotting the carcass of a creature he had never seen before.
The soldiers following behind came to a synchronized stop.
Gunter gave a hand signal, and the scouts scattered stealthily into the surroundings.
He soothed his agitated warhorse while surveying the area.
Turning his head, he could easily spot animal carcasses scattered everywhere. It looked as though they had been mauled out of sheer playfulness rather than for food.
Just then, a whistle echoed from the direction of the canyon.
Gunter urged his horse forward, and the soldiers followed. Eventually, Gunter came to a halt right in front of the canyon.
Though he had spent nearly his entire life drifting through battlefields, he had never witnessed such a sight.
He stared at the dozens of unidentified carcasses piled before him, then approached what looked like a twitching piece of leather.
Screeech.
It happened just as he drew his sword.
The hide parted, and a woman emerged.
Her light blue curly hair was matted with blood and sweat. Clad in luxurious-looking garments, she was tightly clutching a stone.
It was Amarynthis.
“You’ve come as reinforcements from Kleins. We have no time. We must move quickly.”
As Amarynthis stripped away the hide, two severely wounded men, two lightly injured men, and two exhausted-looking men were revealed.
Though the situation was suspicious, prioritizing the destination of the reinforcement request came first.
At Gunter’s gesture, the soldiers helped the wounded into the carriage.
Amarynthis gathered up the Mother Monster’s Hide, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
Gunter found it peculiar but left her be, assuming she intended to use it as a sleeping bag.
The Mercenary Captain boarded the carriage first, followed closely by Amarynthis. Yulisian paused, casting a brief glance at Gunter.
As their eyes met, Gunter’s brow furrowed tightly.
Gunter sheathed his sword and commanded his lieutenant.
“Keep them under surveillance.”
“Understood, Commander.”
The soldiers began to move once more.
Their pace was significantly faster now.
As the forest cleared out into an open plain, a castle built atop the highest hill of a small village came into view.
And so did the monster-like creatures surrounding it.
“What—what on earth are those!”
“They definitely said it was an enemy attack…”
Sensing a much larger presence of life, the demonic beasts turned around simultaneously.
As over a hundred crimson eyes locked onto them, a profound dread of the unknown entities washed over the soldiers.
Right then, the sound of a prayer echoed from inside the carriage that had been brought to transport the wounded.
Though the voice was gruff and chanted with a precarious strain, it was undeniably a prayer.
Gunter drew his sword, thrusting it toward the sky before pointing it forward.
“Charge.”
At his command, the soldiers expertly concealed their fear.
Hundreds of soldiers formed up, charging forward with a thunderous roar.
* * *
I peered out through the carriage window while offering up my prayers.
The Archduke’s Army was truly formidable.
They did not hesitate for a single second when it came to slashing through things that were not human.
The demonic beasts, which the entire village had barely managed to hold off with their combined strength, were cleared away in an instant.
The residents who had climbed atop the ramparts to watch the situation cheered in sheer relief, embracing one another and weeping tears of joy.
The Archduke’s Army quickly tended to the wounded and approached the castle, shoving aside the carcasses of the demonic beasts.
Seeing this, the residents lowered the bridge across the moat.
The battle near the castle must have been fierce as well, given the mountain of demonic beasts piled high inside the gates.
The moment we stepped down from the carriage, the mercenaries and the servants of the Huniswald Mansion rushed over, greeting us with tearful eyes.
The Landowner approached, bowing repeatedly from the waist.
“Thank you, Baron. Baroness. Thanks to you both, everyone managed to survive.”
The Landowner, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, also bowed deeply to the Archduke’s Knight Commander to express his gratitude.
The Knight Commander scanned the surroundings briefly before asking a single word.
“The enemy?”
“Pardon?”
“The enemy.”
Ah, he must be asking because of the signal fire.
“The demonic beasts we just disposed of were the enemy.”
“Demonic beasts, you say?”
“Yes.”
The Knight Commander nodded without any further comment.
It seemed to imply he understood.
‘He is an incredibly taciturn man.’
I turned my attention back to the Landowner.
“I will leave behind the relief goods, medicines, and jewels, so please use them for rebuilding the village, providing compensation, and treating the injured.”
“How—how can we ever repay this grace…”
Expressions of gratitude poured out from all sides.
Seeing my awkwardness, the Landowner waved his hands to the crowd.
“Everyone, back to your duties! Baron, Baroness, and Sir Knights. We shall prepare dinner, so please rest well today and depart tomorrow.”
As the crowd dispersed, the Monk came into view.
He was busy collecting scales and teeth from the demonic beasts.
When our eyes met, he came shuffling over toward us.
“I am glad you returned, *yawn*…”
“Safely, right? Thank you.”
“Ah… Ah? Did you bring the Mother Monster’s Hide with you?”
“Yes. The demonic beasts didn’t seem to attack this.”
“Just a little bit…”
When I nodded, he pulled out a pair of scissors and snip-snapped a piece off the edge.
Then, as if his business was concluded, he adjusted his hood and offered a blessing.
“Well then, may the paths of you two be filled with bl—bl—anyway, may blessings abound.”
The way he glossed over his words made him look like a complete fraud. Though, having witnessed the efficacy of his prayers firsthand, I couldn’t exactly doubt him.
As he turned to leave, Shan caught him by the shoulder.
“Wait.”
The Monk looked back.
“Please tell us your name at least.”
“Indeed. Meeting like this must be a twist of fate.”
The Monk turned his full body toward the two of us.
“My name is Karkov.”
It was the name of the saint who had held a stone for a hundred days.

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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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