The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 106

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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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The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 106
Seeing how he’s grinning, it seems he’s finally gotten a taste of the good life. He’s sampled the sweetness of money too.
“And… you treat us like actual people, my lady. Our lives are safer now. I’ve been thinking about it ever since I nearly died at Sesef’s hands. I realized it would be better to stay by your side.”
Part of it seemed to ring true.
“…Let’s finish what we were discussing. Have you learned anything about the assassins’ movements?”
“I thought it would be worth digging around Sesef’s side to see what I could uncover. Street vendors hear quite a lot, you know. They say more than ten have entered the Black Market, and most of them were searching for a guide to Carencia.”
I rested my chin on my arm, propped against the table. The mention of Carencia meant our location had been compromised.
News from the outside world had started reaching us, and with Cherez’s return, I’d already anticipated this place would be exposed eventually.
There’s no such thing as a permanent secret, they say.
Since Cherez had come anyway and I was planning to leave, being discovered didn’t bother me.
Still, I couldn’t allow assassins to swarm this place.
“The assassins’ attention is turning toward us. What should we do? I hear people from the North, Western Region, and Eastern Region are rushing here with their lives on the line for the bounty. They won’t be the only ones.”
Ryukan spoke with an anxious expression.
They were clearly staking everything on this. They’d decided to crush us with all their might. I couldn’t just sit back and take it.
“Ryukan.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Ryukan tensed visibly as he responded.
“Who did you say is controlling the Black Market right now?”
“S-Sesef. The Black Market still follows only his orders.”
“Is Sesef stronger than Dorphin?”
Ryukan’s eyes darted around.
“N-No. Dorphin would be stronger than any mercenary rabble in the Black Market.”
“Good.”
Our forces had been reinforced. With Cherez—the ultimate weapon. His martial prowess had been described multiple times in the original work. Hayden often spoke of wanting to be like his uncle too.
If that were the case, he could be considered the strongest in this world.
“Ryukan, you said you wanted to work for me. Are you sincere?”
“Yes! I want to do it for Sena’s sake as well.”
Ryukan answered with tension evident in his voice.
“I like capable people. And I want to buy your abilities. Could you take Sesef’s position?”
Ryukan’s eyes widened. He was a petty thief and a con artist. A position like Lord of Carencia didn’t suit him. The Black Market suited him far better.
After all, it’s easier for a needle thief to become a rope thief than to turn over a new leaf.
“Wh-What? I, I am…”
“I’ll handle the work myself, Ryukan. You just need to be capable of holding that position. Can you take his place? I want to get my hands on all the information flowing through the Black Market.”
The original novel had no significant information broker. Finding a trustworthy one is so difficult. This might be my chance to obtain one.
“This is the only path if you want to come with me, Ryukan.”
My subtle pressure made Ryukan gulp. Then he opened his eyes wide and answered.
“Y-Yes! I’ll work hard!”
“Good. Tomorrow, as soon as dawn breaks, go to the Black Market with Mila and Dorphin. I’ll send word ahead so you can take Sesef’s position.”
“Yes, my lady!”
His answer was filled with determination.
“And then there’s something I need you to do first, Ryukan. Sena is here—would it be alright if assassins came to this place?”
“No, absolutely not!”
Good. Discipline was being maintained.
“I thought so too. You mentioned finding guides who know Carencia, yes? I’d like us to secure those guides ourselves. Lead them where we want to go. Release those suitable to serve as guides, and exclude any who won’t listen to us. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I’ll do my best!”
I couldn’t allow assassins to destroy this place that Cherez had built and I had protected. I’d made preparations for a moment like this.
‘What if someone finds us? Would Dorphin and two others be enough? I’ve never even held a sword.’
‘My lady, this mountain truly has many places to hide. That means….’
‘What about setting traps?’
‘Traps?’
‘You know, like in that movie I watched—Home Alone. Setting booby traps all over the place.’
I’d watched that film dozens of times. Every year I saw it, I learned one thing: you inevitably fall into traps you never see coming.
So I’d set booby traps all around this place with Mila, Robin, and Dorphin.
I never thought I’d actually use them like this.
But they would help protect this place.

* * *
Jake had arrived at the valley first and claimed a spot. Toby, Luke, and Anna were with him.
Jake blinked when he saw Cherez.
“Who is this person?”
Jake asked while looking toward Mila. Before she could open her mouth, Hayden rushed forward and answered first.
“Uncle!”
“Uncle? What kind of uncle?”
Hayden puffed out his chest and spoke confidently.
“His house broke so he lives at our home!”
Mila turned her head away entirely at that moment. Her shoulders were trembling.
Cherez stood there looking deflated, then pressed his forehead as if unsure what to do. He thought dealing with Hayden might be harder than facing the Demon Lord inside the Gate of the Other Side.
“Uncle eats dinner at our home too! Every day!”
At Hayden’s additional testimony, Cherez’s ears turned even redder. Toby looked up at Cherez with a serious expression.
“Mister, do you really not have a home?”
“…I do.”
“Then why do you live at Hayden’s house?”
Children were a more difficult opponent than the Demon Lord. As Cherez stood unable to answer, Jake finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. Mila was laughing with tears streaming down her face.
When Jake laughed, the children laughed along. Even though they had no idea what was funny.
Cherez sighed and spoke.
“I’m Cherez. Just as Hayden said, I’m staying at the villa.”
Cherez clicked his tongue.
“I fish. I have to earn my keep, after all.”
Mila laughed, gasping for breath. I couldn’t tell whose side she was even on.
Cherez took the fishing rods Jake had brought, distributing them one by one. They were crude things with twine tied to branches and bent wire at the ends.
“I’ll teach you, mister! Jake taught me how!”
“Is that so? Then you should do well.”
Cherez’s broad back and Hayden’s small back settled side by side. Hayden held his breath and gripped Cherez’s shoulder. Cherez remained perfectly still, then suddenly snatched up the fishing rod.
Hayden’s eyes and nostrils widened simultaneously.
“Whoa!”
“Wow! Mister caught it! Our mister got one! We’re having fish at our home!”
Hayden cheered and jumped to his feet. As Cherez held up the fish, the children came rushing over.
Anna quietly walked over and sat on the opposite side of Cherez. The sight of him holding a fishing rod with a child tucked under each arm was quite a picture. The transformation from a homeless man to a beloved figure hadn’t taken long at all.
I heard Jake whispering to Mila beside him.
“He’s not a dangerous person, right? The world’s been so strange lately.”
“No, he’s not.”
“A merchant passed through again the other day, and he said the Duke of Bereidan has returned alive. Things should settle down soon, shouldn’t they? It’s such a relief that he’s come back alive.”
At those words that drifted past, Cherez’s lips curved upward in a subtle smile.
It seemed there were others who welcomed his return. That was truly heartening news.
“Who wants to see me catch more fish?”
“Me!”
“I do!”
“Me too!”
Sunlight sparkled brilliantly over Cherez’s head as he called out eagerly. This was the peace he had protected.

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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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