My Husband Lives in a Painting - Chapter 44

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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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My Husband Lives in a Painting Chapter 44
Etherion.
Located in a place far distant from the Edvart Empire, it was a sacred land inhabited solely by those who served God.
That land, thoroughly isolated under the Pope’s rule, was even regarded as a holy site by the Priests.
“But… surely that place—!”
“It’s already fallen.”
As the High Priest cut off someone’s words with a quiet murmur, the man nodded.
“You’re right. Thirty years ago, it was already destroyed in an attack by the Demon Asmodai.”
Yes.
The Sacred Realm of Etherion, praised as receiving God’s greatest favor, had vanished without trace, swept away by demonic fire.
The High Priest continued, his voice layered with conflicted emotion.
“…Though we defeated and executed Asmodai in that Holy War, Etherion disappeared into the shadows of history.”
“You certainly know your history well.”
“But that Holy War was thirty years ago. So why do you claim to be from Etherion?”
The High Priest’s gaze swept down the man’s entire frame.
He appeared to be no older than his early twenties—a youthful face.
As their eyes met, the man offered a smooth smile.
“Both my parents were High Priests of Etherion. Though I was not born there, I inherited their blood and was raised receiving Priest education.”
“Priest education?”
“The training required to become a Heretic Judge.”
The hall erupted once more into restless murmurs.
Then, Yoanna, who had maintained her silence, added her composed voice.
“During last month’s overseas training, I happened to encounter Basaria by chance. Given that he has been pursuing demons since childhood, he is truly an unparalleled expert in Demon Hunting. Surely you are already familiar with his reputation, Bardiel?”
“If you mean the Heretic Judges of Etherion—yes. They are masters of Demon Hunting.”
“That is why I took special care to bring him here respectfully. I’m confident he will be of great service to us.”
“……….”
Bardiel, the High Priest, stroked his chin as if in thought.
As his silence deepened, the Priests filling the hall began whispering cautiously among themselves, continuing their own discussion.
“A Heretic Judge? Isn’t that the same as the Empire’s Holy Knights? What’s so different about them?”
“Haven’t you heard? The Heretic Judges of Etherion hunt demons in a completely different way! They’re skilled not just in Swordsmanship, but also in Rhetoric, Politics, and Strategy. They’ve been raised from very childhood solely for Demon Hunting!”
“But whether this fellow’s words are truly factual remains to be seen……”
Some of the Priests cast admiring glances, while others could not hide their suspicious, disbelieving eyes.
“……….”
Yet Basaria consumed all these reactions, maintaining only an inscrutable smile.
Thump, thump.
“Silence! Everyone, hold your tongues.”
The High Priest’s sharp voice pierced toward Basaria.
After the silence, he began his statement heavily.
“…We have truly pursued the traces of demons for long ages. The remnants of Asmodai lurk within the Empire, and they continue to spawn numerous demon followers.”
“Yes.”
“To root out the remnants of demons from the Empire, we must find their true nature and destroy them. Do you understand what I mean?”
“High… High Priest! To entrust such a grave task to someone of unclear origins—!”
It was an unprecedented declaration to entrust this mission to Basaria.
Immediately, objecting voices erupted from various corners of the hall, but the High Priest appeared to have already made up his mind.
“There is no one more suitable in the Empire. To capture such a cunning demon, we must likewise make the appropriate moves.”
“But…!”
At that moment, Basaria placed one hand over his heart and bent one knee to the floor.
The gesture was so reverent that even those who had been heated fell silent in an instant.
His red lips parted slowly.
“Please entrust this to me.”
And as he lifted his head again, cool blue eyes that had swallowed the moonlight blazed with an icy light.
“If it concerns the way to oppose demons, I know it best.”
Chapter 8: Demons and the Heretic Judge
“How is it? Does it taste good?”
“Hmm……”
“Too sweet? Should I reduce the sugar?”
“Listen, Camille.”
“Yes, just say it. I’ll make whatever you want.”
“……….”
Camille, who had stacked fish-shaped bread on the plate until it overflowed, hurried back into the kitchen.
When I heard the clattering sound from inside again, I shook my head as if to say there was nothing I could do about it.
‘I never expected that “helping you get proper rest” would mean this.’
For several days now, Camille had been attending to me with genuine devotion.
She sought out tasks no one had asked of her, moving about with purposeful energy.
‘What can I say. I feel like I’m pregnant. And I don’t even have a husband.’
I sat deep into the sofa Camille had conjured above the flower bed, chewing on Fish-shaped bread, and cast a sidelong glance into the half-open cottage.
There she was, wearing a Lace Apron, absorbed intently in her cooking.
“…Then why did you take my soul in the first place?”
I had been the one to volunteer it first, but now that it had come to this, my feelings were curiously mixed.
After absorbing my soul, Camille’s horns had grown slightly longer, yet her personality seemed to have become far more emotional. I had begun to think that perhaps this version of her was more “human.”
Meanwhile, I myself had undergone no such visible change. Whether nothing had truly altered or whether I was simply too dull to notice, I couldn’t say.
Well. There was one thing, actually.
‘My heart had become oddly lighter.’
“Hmm… Why is that? Must be because I’m nearing the end.”
“Ooh! I brought Sweet Potato Soup and a Strawberry Bubble Tea Latte too. You said you wanted those, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
The trailing thread of my thoughts finally snapped as Camille set down a tray laden with food on the table beside the sofa.
Meanwhile, I found myself speechless once more at the sight of the foods from my past life rendered so perfectly before my eyes.
“How is it? Tasty?”
“…Yes. But this is more than enough, so please, stop now and sit beside me.”
“Is that so? I was hoping to be next to you anyway.”
Camille promptly settled into the spot beside me and rubbed her face against my shoulder.
Ever since the fireworks, the distance between us had closed entirely, and such closeness now felt perfectly natural.
“Good. To think I can be this near to you.”
“…Indeed.”
As the soft pink strands of hair swam into my field of vision, my hand reached out before I could stop it.
As I gently stroked his hair, I seemed to hear a low rumbling sound from somewhere. You know, that sound cats make when they’re content.
“By the way, where did that apron come from?”
“Oh, this? I thought you’d like it, so I put it on.”
“Is it one of those things—a woman’s fantasy or whatever?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“Well…”
As my words trailed off, Camille leaned back and smiled seductively, swishing his tail as if to make a point.
“Think about it carefully. Do you really not like it?”
My gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then slowly descended.
A certain image associated with the word “apron” had suddenly struck my mind.
But that was clearly my mistake.
“There. You just had an indecent thought, didn’t you.”
“…!”
I had momentarily forgotten how perceptive Camille was in this regard.
By the time I tried to recover, it was already too late.
“I didn’t.”
“Your face is completely red, so you did. If you’re innocent, look at me—don’t turn away.”
“I don’t want to. Go away.”
“Why not? Can’t you just look at me for a moment?”
I shook my head firmly while deliberately ignoring the fingers tapping against my shoulder.
And I should have continued pretending not to hear whatever he said next.
“Oh wait. Hold on. I’m bleeding.”
…That’s what I should have done.
“I must have cut myself while cooking. Ow…”
“You cut yourself?”
The moment I reflexively turned my head, our eyes met—and Camille was grinning widely.
He wiggled his unharmed fingers playfully and licked his lips mischievously.
“Fool.”
“You…!”
Before I could even voice my indignation, he snatched my right hand and brought it to his chest.
My eyes widened involuntarily, flooded with astonishment.

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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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