Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 28

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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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Chapter 28. A Chase Is Just Camping by Another Name
Before the wreckage of Rasputin’s escape carriage, the acrid stench of gunpowder and lingering magical residue swirled together in a dizzying haze.
Charred splinters of wood scattered across the ground, and strange violet runes were still smoldering on the pavement.
Kairik von Herzen dipped his finger into the soot on the ground and tasted it, then frowned as he spoke.
“Spatial displacement magic. He didn’t get far. The scent of blood leads northward. It seems he’s wounded and bleeding as he flees.”
Demian Lyart closed his eyes and opened his divine power to read the currents of the air.
“Northward… toward the Frozen Mountain Range. There are ruins there where ancient demons were once worshipped. It appears he’s trying to hide there and recover his strength. The murky aura of that place will aid his recovery.”
I unfolded a map. From the Capital to the northern mountain range would take a full three days by carriage. The treacherous mountain roads made it difficult to gain speed even by carriage. But we didn’t have that kind of time. If he recovered his strength, a far greater calamity would befall us.
I examined the map, folded it, and spoke with resolve.
“Carriages are too slow. We’ll ride horses instead. We need to catch up as quickly as possible. We can’t give him a moment to catch his breath.”
Kairik von Herzen whistled cheerfully as he spoke with delight.
“That’s my woman. Bold and decisive. I like your determination. But do you know how to ride?”
“No.”
I answered confidently. In my past life, I had a driver’s license, but I’d never learned to ride horses. In this life, I’d only ever traveled by carriage. What occasion would a noble lady have to gallop on horseback?
“That’s exactly why we need porters, isn’t it? Please do some driving for me too. You know my value is considerable, don’t you?”
I stared shamelessly at the two men. Kairik von Herzen and Demian Lyart exchanged glances. Invisible sparks flew between them. After a moment, following an intense silent battle of wills, a decision was made.
“Hold on tight. If you fall, you’ll bite your tongue.”
I was sitting in front of Kairik von Herzen’s horse, the black stallion Shadow. Interestingly, the name was the same as the informant’s, a fact that Kairik von Herzen greatly disliked, while the informant Shadow found it amusing and laughed about it.
Kairik von Herzen’s firm arms wrapped around my waist as he held the reins. His broad chest pressed against my back, and I could feel his heartbeat clearly. His solid muscles provided a reassuring support behind me.
“Why must I ride with Your Highness? Demian’s horse looks much gentler. This horse looks as fierce as Your Highness himself.”
As I grumbled, Kairik von Herzen whispered low near my ear. His warm breath tickled my ear.
“My horse is faster. And… I can’t bear to see you nestled in another man’s arms. Just imagining it makes me sick.”
Demian Lyart, riding a white horse beside us, interjected in a cold voice.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke, Violetta appears uncomfortable. Perhaps you should reduce your speed. This is Violetta’s first time riding.”
“I don’t want to. If you’re upset, try to keep up. Let me show you the mobility of the Northern Region. Hyah!”
As Kairik von Herzen spurred his horse, the black stallion surged forward with a mane like pitch-black silk. The landscape rushed backward in an instant. The wind didn’t merely strike my cheeks—it tore at them.
“Kyaaaah! Slow down! I’m getting dizzy! My hair is getting ruined!”
I screamed and gripped Kairik von Herzen’s clothes tightly. But my fear was short-lived; the wind brushing my cheeks and the exhilaration of the gallop made my heart race in a strangely thrilling way.
As the night deepened, we settled in a Forest Clearing. We tied the horses to trees and built a campfire. Chase or not, rest was essential. We couldn’t fight while exhausted.
Crackle, crackle. The sound of the campfire echoed through the quiet forest. The flickering flames cast a red glow across the three of our faces.
Demian Lyart pulled out dried rations and handed them to me with an apologetic expression.
“I apologize for the poor quality. I’m not sure if it will suit your palate, Countess. We left in such haste that I couldn’t prepare a proper meal.”
Hard jerky and withered bread. After eating nothing but fancy party food, the sight of this made me sigh involuntarily. My jaw ached just thinking about it.
“Sigh… My 100 billion gold. By now, I could be ordering room service at a luxury hotel. A steak and a glass of wine.”
As I grew despondent, Kairik von Herzen silently disappeared into the forest and returned shortly with two rabbits.
“Eat this instead. It’ll be better than jerky. It’s fresh—just caught.”
Kairik von Herzen skillfully dressed the rabbits and made skewers. As the smell of sizzling meat fat spread, my stomach growled. The savory aroma tickled my nose.
“…This smells delicious.”
I took the skewer without any pretense and bit into it heartily. The taste of the wild. But it was delicious. The juices spread throughout my mouth.
“Oh, Your Highness. You’re quite skilled at cooking? Is this how everyone eats in the Northern Region? You could even become a chef.”
“On the battlefield, you do what you must to survive. I don’t mind that you’re enjoying the meal. It was worth catching.”
Kairik von Herzen rested his chin on his hand and gazed at me with satisfaction. Demian silently removed his cloak and draped it over my shoulders.
“The night air is cold. You’ll catch a chill. Taking care of your body is part of combat.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. It’s warm.”
A warm campfire, delicious meat, and two handsome men. Though we were camping, it wasn’t a bad night. I found myself curious and asked.
“Why are you both helping me?”
It couldn’t be simply because of the Imperial order—their devotion went far beyond that. Kairik von Herzen had left the Northern Region unattended, and Demian was breaking the Cult’s own rules to aid me.
Demian spoke softly, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames.
“At first, it was curiosity. A young lady who beats demons with a hammer? You were beyond my comprehension. But… your courage moved me. I felt your justice was more righteous than the will of God.”
His blue eyes turned toward me. They were as deep and serene as the ocean, yet burning with intensity.
“So I wanted to protect you. You as a person. Your path is my path.”
My face flushed at his earnest confession. At that moment, Kairik von Herzen let out a scoff and tossed another log into the fire.
“How grandiose. I’m simpler than that.”
Kairik von Herzen stared at me with eyes ablaze, his crimson gaze flickering like flames.
“You’re mine.”
“…What?”
“Anything that catches my eye is mine. I hate seeing you in danger, hate anyone else coveting you. So I’ll protect you. Even if you go to the very end of hell, I’ll find you and bring you back.”
Kairik von Herzen’s blunt words made my heart plummet. These men—why are they hitting so hard today? This is bad for my heart.
I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
“Ahem. You must all be tired. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we need to push harder. We need to catch Rasputin even in our dreams.”
I pulled the cloak over myself and pretended to sleep, turning away. But I couldn’t fall asleep easily because of the two men’s gazes burning into my back. It was a night hotter than the campfire itself.
The next day at noon, we finally arrived at the entrance to the Frozen Mountain Range.
A snow-covered mountain where icy winds howled. Blizzards obscured our vision. There stood an abandoned Ancient Temple, emanating an ominous aura. The temple, built of black stone, looked like the gaping maw of a monster.
“Found it.”
Kairik von Herzen pointed at the temple. A black magical circle was drawn at the entrance, and numerous undead soldiers stood guard around it. Corpses with pallid skin stumbled about, watching the perimeter.
“There are quite a few of them, aren’t there? They look much stronger than the ones in the garden yesterday. And they’re properly armed.”
I examined them with my spirit sight. Demian drew his sword with determination.
“Should we charge straight through? I’ll open a path for you.”
“No. If we fight all those creatures, we’ll just give Rasputin time to escape. It’s a waste of stamina.”
I pulled out my trump card from my bag. Dragon scale powder that I’d brought from the Imperial Treasury. Shimmering silver powder was contained in a vial.
“If we sprinkle this, the monsters will mistake us for their own kind for a while. We’re deceiving their sense of smell. We’ll infiltrate under cover.”
“Oh, deceiving their sense of smell? You’re clever. Your cunning really is unmatched.”
We sprinkled the powder on ourselves and carefully approached the temple. Every time we passed between the undead soldiers, tension coursed down my spine. The stench of rot was overwhelming, but I endured it. They stared blankly as we passed.
As we safely entered the temple interior, I saw Rasputin’s back standing before a massive altar. He was levitating a crimson magic stone in the air, chanting an incantation.
[Lord of Darkness… I offer you this sacrifice… descend upon us…!]
The offerings placed on the altar. They gleamed brilliantly under the ornate lighting. The moment I saw them, my eyes went wide. My reason snapped like a twig.
“That crazy old bastard!”
The offerings were none other than the “highest-grade diamond rough stones” I was supposed to receive from the Imperial Treasury. Dozens of top-quality diamonds, each the size of a fist, were piled on the altar. My bonus! My severance pay! My retirement fund!
“Stop! Don’t you dare touch my money!”
I forgot about concealment, pulled out my hammer, and shouted. Rasputin spun around in shock.
“V-Violetta?! How did you even get here…?!”
“I have a nose for the scent of my own money! You dare use my diamonds as a sacrifice? Have you lost your mind?”
I pushed off the ground and launched myself into the air. My hammer, seething with fury, came crashing down toward Rasputin’s skull.
“Round two of financial therapy, you thieving scoundrel! Now hand it over with interest!”

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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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