(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 77

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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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Chapter 77

“…It’s probably some kind of dark magic mutation. But there’s no way such a mutant would appear in Ruden.”

“Do other regions have mutants like that? Then why isn’t it in the newspapers?”

Felix hesitated, moving his lips as if unsure how to answer. He seemed to have some idea though.

“I heard from the Basar Merchant Guild employees that there’s a mutant called ‘monsterification.’ It usually only appears during combat.”

“Why?”

“They said you have to die once for monsterification to begin.”

“Ah…”

“They said it’s never appeared near Benu either. Even the merchant guild employees only heard about it through rumors. So don’t worry too much. We probably won’t see it again.”

Felix continued speaking hurriedly as if to reassure me. Though my worries didn’t completely disappear, my anxious feelings did settle down considerably.

I nodded and organized my thoughts before changing the subject.

“But you know… why did Axel help us?”

Felix shook his head as if he didn’t know. We both let out deep sighs simultaneously.

‘I’m sorry, Hazel. It’s all my fault, ugh.’

Axel hadn’t simply saved me.

While shielding me from that unidentified monster, he cried like a child and apologized.

I was about to tell Felix about Axel’s incomprehensible behavior but stopped myself.

While I was grateful that he helped me, he was as suspicious as he was helpful. The more I reflected on Axel’s past actions, the more I felt this way.

People don’t change easily. Especially the possibility of a scoundrel like Axel suddenly realizing his sins and reforming was extremely slim.

Of course, Felix had (probably) reformed, but he was naturally kind and gentle, so it was more like he’d been briefly possessed by an evil spirit before returning to his original self. He was fundamentally different from Axel.

After fidgeting with my hands for a while, Felix carefully spoke up.

“Axel says he’ll take responsibility for this situation and handle it. Since it involves the Lord, it would be better if we don’t get involved.”

“Do you believe what Axel says?”

“…”

Felix fell silent. He seemed as confused as I was.

He gently pushed my forehead to lay me down on the bed and silently covered me with a blanket. His touch was so warm it was hard to refuse.

“Don’t think about going to work today. Just rest.”

***

It was the night before.

“Kying, kking.”

A monster with glistening eyes cautiously approached me. I gently stroked the monster’s smooth forehead.

“You worked hard protecting Hazel.”

“Kuuuu.”

“You were scared too?”

“Kuu, kkukku!”

“Ah, you weren’t scared, but frustrated that you couldn’t protect her properly?”

“Kku.”

“No, you did enough. I’ll be counting on you in the future too.”

The monster blinked its gentle eyes and disappeared into the ground with a rustling sound.

By the way, I became friends with this young monster when I met it while digging caves, and since it wouldn’t listen when I told it to go to its mother, I sent it to guard Hazel.

Actually, the old monsters who consider the village their territory seem to have sensed the Shire family’s power and are protecting Hazel on their own, but since the world has become dangerous lately, it seemed good to have one more personal guard.

“Phew, let’s go to Hazel’s house.”

I carefully lifted the unconscious Hazel. I wanted to get out of the forest as quickly as possible.

“Wait!”

Axel, who had been lying collapsed, got up like a zombie and chased after us.

“Felix, don’t go. Talk to me for a bit, okay? You can hit me or curse at me…”

This damn bastard even grabbed my pants leg and wouldn’t let go.

“I’m sorry. I know I’ve committed a mortal sin. I understand how much you must hate me. But please listen to what I have to say right now.”

Axel Cromwell.

This rotten bastard, who wouldn’t be satisfied even if I sucked out his bone marrow, was my precious sister’s—

“Hm? Can’t you trust me just once?”

First husband.

To be precise, her husband from the first life after my regression.

The son of a bitch who used Hazel’s love to fill his own pockets and drove my sister to death.

“Lord Axel, I don’t understand why you’re acting this way. I’m grateful that you saved Hazel, but please don’t concern yourself with us anymore.”

But this crazy bastard’s attitude was very suspicious. The words coming out of his mouth didn’t make sense either.

Normally he should be looking at me mockingly and saying only things that would make me angry, but now while his mere existence was infuriating, his attitude was 180 degrees different from before.

It was similar to the first life when he followed me around calling me big brother.

The Axel from the first life was a much more decent human being than now.

It was the result of Hazel and me training the beast-like Axel from childhood.

So we trusted him, loved him, and got properly stabbed in the back.

I ground my teeth and turned my back on Axel. He rolled and jumped to block my path.

“How can I not be concerned? If we leave things as they are, Hazel will be in danger. I’ll somehow stop my father, but… there’s something even more dangerous.”

“I will protect Hazel from any danger that comes. It’s not something for you to worry about, Lord Axel.”

“You, you can’t protect her. You need greater power.”

Murderous intent flashed in my eyes as I glared at Axel. It wasn’t intentional—he had pressed my trigger button.

‘This time I will definitely protect her.’

Overwhelmed by my intensity, Axel unconsciously stepped back. Even his cowering, cautious expression was exactly like the first life.

He lowered his body and carefully continued speaking.

“L-listen carefully. You might think this is crazy talk, but…”

“…What is it.”

“I know the future. I’m living my second life.”

“…”

What crazy nonsense is this insane bastard spouting?

Even though I’m also repeating multiple lives, that’s possible because it’s me—it’s impossible for Axel.

Because Axel doesn’t have ‘that pocket watch.’

“I thought it was impossible at first too. But it’s real. Scenes I saw in dreams actually happened. Like the 1st Prince recapturing the capital, and Count Heidel coming to our castle… Ha, just believe me for now!”

I easily ignored his words and passed by him. That bastard has always spouted nonsense.

Thanks to observing Axel’s behavioral patterns for so long, acting like a scoundrel wasn’t difficult. I should be grateful for this, I suppose.

“Felix, I understand you see me as crazy, but I don’t say things like this to just anyone.”

“Don’t say it to me either.”

“Damn, what do I have to say for you to believe me?”

He huffed and puffed but didn’t give up, chasing after me. Even in the midst of this, his shameless mouth wouldn’t stop.

“Hazel has a mole below her left knee, right?”

“Anyone can have moles like that.”

“Not a regular mole, but a burn scar. She got burned by oil while playing hide-and-seek in the kitchen as a child. That scar that settled in like a mole.”

“…”

How does this bastard know that?

I had tried not to be flustered no matter what Axel said, but my surprised feet stopped on their own. Axel panted as he blocked my path.

“In my previous life, Hazel was my wife. That’s how I know.”

“…”

“Hazel Shire.”

“…!”

“That’s Hazel’s real name, isn’t it.”

Thump. Thump. Thump. My heart pounded violently. As if molten lava had been poured in, my head became hot and tangled.

‘How does Axel know Hazel’s name? I erased all traces… Does he really remember his past life?’

The first life after my regression.

Hazel and I revealed our family names from childhood and took refuge in Cromwell Castle.

Count Cromwell willingly hid us, the last descendants of the Ancient 7 Families.

Thanks to him, we spent a childhood lacking nothing, but I came to bitterly regret this choice. Hazel’s name and abilities were things that should never be known to the world.

‘Brother, I have something to discuss with you…’

‘What? Did Hazel reject you again? Give up on my sister. She grew up looking at me, so her standards aren’t ordinary.’

‘She didn’t reject me this time. Hehe. She said she’ll marry someone like me.’

‘What?’

‘When do you think would be good for the wedding? Hazel would suit spring when the flowers bloom, don’t you think?’

‘Shut up and come here.’

‘…Brother?’

‘I said come here.’

‘Wh-why are you glaring at me so frighteningly…’

‘I think I’ll feel better after beating you up a bit. Come here, let’s start with a beating.’

Hazel and Axel grew up as childhood friends and married after Axel’s long courtship.

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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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