The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 123

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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 123
Ever since the children arrived, Hayden seemed to have shaken off the heaviness that had weighed upon him. Only after gathering the children who clamored to sleep together into one room could he finally catch his breath.
Jake and Gania would tend to a vegetable garden at the Bereidan Estate. Cherez had already granted his permission.
In the past, Yureain might have objected for the sake of the Duchy’s honor, but now she welcomed the children with open arms.
The children would feast on sunlight, learn the value of nature, and flourish into radiant beings who would never again be diminished by darkness.
As soon as morning broke, Jake and the children hurried to the garden.
And I met with Sir Borgus alone. Between us, something akin to camaraderie had blossomed.
“Duchess.”
Sir Borgus gazed at me with tender eyes. Within that tenderness lay the full weight of life’s sorrows.
“I have something to tell you, Duchess. I’ve been struggling with how to broach this very subject….”
Sir Borgus’s voice wavered as he rubbed his face, then gnawed at his lips. Though I had summoned him, it was clear he had far more to say than I did.
Seeing that Sir Borgus was on the verge of tears, I decided to hear him out first.
He hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
“As I’ve served the Duke closely all this time, I’ve come to realize….”
I could guess what he meant to say. Now that I looked at him, Sir Borgus’s face was gaunt.
Sir Borgus wiped at his eyes. Was he actually crying?
“The Duke….”
Good heavens. At this rate we’ll be here all night. Is it really so difficult to say?
“You’re concerned that Cherez seems strange? That he’s changed somehow, and perhaps—you fear he’s been infiltrated by demonic energy?”
“Duchess…! How did you—did you already know? I’ve been so frightened, so heartbroken, so pained….”
Sir Borgus broke into genuine tears. My own anguish mirrored his.
Yet watching him weep, my own tears seemed to recede. I was taken aback by the sight of a grown man sobbing so openly.
I offered him a handkerchief, and he buried his face in it, weeping still.
“You’ve…you’ve endured much hardship, Sir Borgus.”
“Th-thank you.”
Only after time had passed did Sir Borgus compose himself, and only then could we continue our conversation.
“I’m already investigating the matter. The knights seem to be keeping something hushed, but have you heard anything? From Wills, perhaps?”
Sir Borgus shook his head.
“I’ve only heard that the Duke sacrificed much and nearly perished.”
Even the Knight Commander was guarding his words—something serious had indeed occurred. How could anyone speak openly of the Duke being infiltrated by the Demon Lord? Nothing would shake the very foundation of Bereidan more than such knowledge.
“It seems we have much work ahead of us. But before that, Sir Borgus, I have a request.”
“Speak, my lady.”
Sir Borgus answered with reverence, though his eyes glistening with tears hardly conveyed any dignity. Life had clearly been cruel to him.
In truth, our purpose was the same.
The safety of Cherez and Bereidan.
“I need the records from every temple across the continent.”
Sir Borgus blinked.
“Every temple, you say….”
“The Southern Region, Central Region, North. All records held in temples throughout the continent. Particularly those concerning the Demon Lord—the Gate of the Other Side, demonic power, cases of infiltration by demonic essence, and any instances of purification or prevention. Everything.”
Sir Borgus’s expression shifted as he grasped my meaning. That he had already perceived Cherez’s transformation meant he likely had also noticed the anomaly that had befallen him.
Sir Borgus was an exceptionally perceptive and meticulous man. He bit his lip firmly.
Moreover, having served Cherez so closely, he could not help but notice far more than most. It was clear he was reluctant to speak of what he knew.
“I have already suspected as much, but… it will not be easy. Most Temple records are not made public. In particular, records related to demons can only be accessed by those of High Priest rank or above. Furthermore, the Temples in the Central and Northern Regions are beyond our reach.”
From the moment I harbored suspicion, Sir Borgus must have been moving as well. The way his answers flowed so readily confirmed it.
Sir Borgus also wanted to restore Cherez to his former self. To his original life.
“However.”
Sir Borgus straightened his back and continued.
“It is not to say it is impossible. The Southern Temple is vacant.”
“Is the High Priest position still unfilled?”
Sir Borgus nodded at my question.
“Indeed. I shall personally acquire the records from the Southern Temple. Since High Priest Cassian’s death, no successor has been appointed yet, so there should be a way to access the record warehouse. I intend to approach whoever is temporarily exercising authority. The Central and Northern Regions will take time, but the path is not entirely closed.”
Sir Borgus paused briefly.
“And Countess Malate’s family should have connections with the Central Temple. I have heard her sister devoted herself to the Religious Order. She has since become a High Priest. It would be wise for you to meet with Countess Malate.”
Countess Malate. So I would receive help this way as well.
“Thank you, Sir Borgus.”
“It is my duty, my lady.”
A deep sense of kinship bloomed between Sir Borgus and me. We were united toward a single purpose.
I would restore Cherez to his former self without fail. I would not leave him to bear the Demon Lord alone, in loneliness and suffering.
‘I love you, Roana.’
To preserve that voice—the only one that whispered love to me.
And… to protect the one I love.

* * *
I began moving immediately the next day.
I received full authority from Cherez over the restoration of the Southern Temple.
The Southern Temple was in disarray. After High Priest Cuspis died in an explosion accident, Cassian took over as acting High Priest, but Cassian himself committed suicide. Since then, the Temple had been left to decay.
Only the Bell of God remained fully restored and maintained. I wanted to verify this myself. The priests were still staying in the Grand Prayer Hall, so the Temple was empty.
Bereidan Knights stood guard, but none moved to stop me.
I carefully circled the Bell of God, holding the compass I had deliberately brought. I wondered if the compass might react to something.
“Hmm.”
The compass, now useless, still showed no response whatsoever.
It seemed the compass’s only purpose had been to guide the past Anna to me. I looked up at the Bell of God.
“What am I supposed to do now? You should tell me how to drive that creature out.”
The Bell of God rang softly, but that was all. I exhaled quietly. God offered no answer in the end.
“What are you asking of me? Is it your way to dump everything on my shoulders?”
A transparent membrane surrounded the surface of the Bell of God. I carefully touched it.
That was the moment. The compass in my hand began to scatter into light.
“What… what is this?”
I dropped the compass without thinking. It dissolved completely into light and vanished, as if it had finally completed its purpose.

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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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