The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 108

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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 108
Ryukan realized he had been vastly underestimating Mila all this time.
He had never properly conversed with her, which was why he hadn’t given much thought when she said she would accompany him to the Black Market today.
But that was merely his prejudice.
The moment he sensed Mila disappear from beside him, two mercenaries were already sprawled on the ground.
Ryukan stared at Mila with his mouth agape.
Mila turned her head, as if sensing his gaze.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no, nothing at all….”
Mila looked forward again.
Dorpin spoke to Mila in a low voice.
“How does it feel to move after so long? Doesn’t it bring back old memories?”
“Indeed. Fortunately, my body doesn’t seem to have rusted much.”
Mila answered matter-of-factly.
“Still, dealing with humans is better than facing Demons.”
“Right. At least we don’t have to worry about being eaten by those creatures.”
The corners of Dorpin’s mouth rose slightly.
“…You’re joking, right?”
Neither of the two answered Ryukan’s question. Mila merely glanced at him.
Before long, Dorpin and Mila, who had subdued all the guards, were opening the warehouse door.
Ryukan realized once more what kind of place he was living in. There were no ordinary people there.
Indeed, it was wise not to run away. Holding onto the Duchess’s coattails was the best decision he could have made.
Reaching Sesef was not difficult. The moment he opened the door to his room and stepped inside, Sesef’s rat-like face, sitting behind his desk, had turned deathly pale.
“Ry, Ryukan? What are you doing? I already apologized for what happened before!”
“The master is changing, Sesef.”
Ryukan shrugged his shoulders before Sesef, speaking with absolute confidence that Dorpin and Mila would protect him.
Sesef, now the weaker one unlike before, trembled.
Ryukan tapped the table lightly.
“Sesef, hand over everything you have to me and leave. Then I’ll let you live.”
“Wh, who do you have backing you up?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Sesef’s rat-like eyes darted between Dorpin and Mila. He lowered his head. This was a place ruled by the strong. No one would follow Sesef after his defeat. The real power of this place had already passed into Ryukan’s hands.
Thus, the Black Market’s control fell into Ryukan’s hands. Or more precisely, into Roana’s hands.

* * *
After settling accounts with the mercenaries loyal to Sesef and hiring new ones, Ryukan’s first priority—despite numerous minor matters demanding attention—was to summon those hailing from Carencia.
“Are assassins still searching for guides to lead them through Carencia?”
“That they are. But what are you doing here? Where’s Sesef?”
“Ah, can’t you read the room? This place is mine now.”
Ryukan crossed his legs and spoke with casual authority, then leaned back against the sofa with an arrogant smile. The single-seat armchair he occupied looked unusually plush.
Mila and Dorpin stood on either side of Ryukan with their hands clasped behind their backs. Those who had been summoned caught sight of them flanking him and instinctively shrank back. The changing of the Black Market’s leadership was hardly unprecedented.
Yet the fact remained that Sesef’s long tyranny made adaptation difficult.
The fact that they had overthrown Sesef meant these men were far more ruthless.
Those gathered wrung their hands and swallowed hard.
They were duckweed-like creatures who drifted with the currents of power.
“I hear you’ve already found a guide.”
Ryukan flinched. That was not what Roana desired. Absolutely not.
“…That person seems like they might need to suffer a little. We’d prefer to choose someone to take their place.”
“Why? Did you hide some treasure in Carencia? Why all this fuss?”
“You needn’t know the reason. The question is whether you can handle the job.”
Those gathered exchanged meaningful glances with one another.
“I need someone who will follow my orders. In return, I’ll compensate you generously. As long as you perform your role as guide well.”
A purse of money landed on the negotiation table. The eyes of those present gleamed at the sight. In the Black Market, strength was power, and money was justice. And since both power and justice belonged to Ryukan, there was nothing to hesitate about.
“Ah, I’d break that bastard’s legs myself to take that position! I’ll do it!”

* * *
One week later.
The journey back to the Lord’s Castle was expected to take a week.
The relocation had already begun. Personnel were divided by district and moved gradually. The administrators had left long ago, and Countess Malate departed this place for the first time as well. Sir Borgus was scheduled to leave last.
In the interim, those breaking away from the Liansherus Society came seeking out Sir Borgus in an endless stream.
Sir Borgus trusted none of them. He demanded information, yet had gained nothing substantial thus far.
He had obtained details about the financial flows of House of Caslit and letters from Count Sirion, but such things proved useless.
The night before Sir Borgus’s departure.
Knock, knock. Another knock sounded at the door, this time with less force than before.
When Sir Borgus opened the door, an old man stood before him. His hair was white, his back bent, and he leaned upon a walking stick.
It was Patrick. Among the nobility belonging to the Liansherus Society, he was the eldest. He had been in the Southern Region since long before Countess Caslit arrived—indeed, for a very long time.
Patrick removed his hat and held it in his hand.
“I know it is late in the evening, Sir Borgus. Still, there is something I must tell you.”
“Please, come in.”
The old man set his walking stick beside him and sat down slowly. Sir Borgus took a seat across from him.
Sir Borgus studied the old man. He had gathered some understanding of Patrick already.
The man met with few people and merely held a name in the Liansherus Society. He did not appear to possess great wealth. Even Countess Caslit seemed wary of Patrick.
Patrick steadied his breathing and spoke slowly.
“Sir Borgus.”
Patrick’s eyes were hazy, yet his gaze remained sharp and focused.
“Do you truly believe the successive deaths of the Dukes of Bereidan were mere coincidence?”
Every muscle in Borgus’s body went rigid.
“The Previous Duke fell in battle near the Gate of the Other Side. The Duke before him entered through the Gate of the Other Side and returned, only to die two months later. His Duchess at the time did not survive even ten days after his passing.”
It was a story known throughout the Southern Region—a tragedy and curse upon the Bereidan Family.
“Do you know when Petunia’s fortune began flowing into the Southern Region?”
“….”
“One year before the Duke before last fell in battle. *Cough.*”
Patrick covered his mouth as a violent cough seized him. When he withdrew his handkerchief, it was stained crimson with blood.
“Tuberculosis. I am dying, Sir Borgus. I have evaded the Liansherus Society’s surveillance all these years, but my time grows short.”
Patrick exhaled deeply, and the rasping wheeze that accompanied his breath revealed the nature of his affliction.
Borgus stared at Patrick with a glacial expression.
“…It was I who drew the North’s resources into this region during those times, Sir Borgus.”
A chill ran through Borgus’s entire frame.
“I am a living witness to all of that history. Sir Borgus, the bloodline of Bereidan was murdered. By the hands of the North.”
Borgus’s hands clenched into fists. His eyes burned with heat. The misfortune that had trampled the Bereidan Family for so long finally revealed its face.
“Why do you speak of such things?”
“…Because I have lived in the Southern Region all this time. Because I have witnessed what you all have protected. Because I watched my own granddaughter torn apart by Demons. Now I understand what I have done. *Cough.*”
Patrick spoke, rubbing the corner of his mouth.
“This is the divine punishment I receive. But surely I am not the only one who deserves to be punished.”

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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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