The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 69

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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 069
I might actually be able to save Cherez! My heart felt as though it would burst from the thought.
The sacred relic was a bell. An enormous metal bell.
What would happen if hydrochloric acid were poured onto the sacred relic? The bell’s surface would corrode and lose its function.
This was the hidden truth concealed within the original work.
“It’s rather obvious where they intend to use it.”
At my words, Yureain turned to face me. I needed to maintain plausibility, Roana.
“The Liansherus Society continues to approach the Temple, and Count and Countess Bruate mentioned they would commit an act of terrorism against the sacred relic, didn’t they?”
Yureain’s eyes wavered at my words.
“Isn’t it obvious what they intend to do with the hydrochloric acid?”
“…Heavens. Such a terrible deed. Saint Urenis will never forgive them. They shall face divine retribution.”
Yureain’s voice had grown cold and rigid. I touched the bracelet on my wrist out of habit.
It’s alright. I already knew this would happen.
“I believe we can see what we must do. Don’t you agree, madam?”
Yureain nodded heavily.
“I think it would be best to inform Cherez and seek Sir Borgus’s assistance.”
“…Yes, madam.”

* * *
The carriage wheels ground loudly against the gravel in the Knight Order’s courtyard before coming to a halt.
I descended from the carriage as though leaping and stepped into the Knight Order compound. Though I maintained an outward composure, I was quite exhilarated by the fact that I had discovered the cause of the sacred relic’s destruction.
I might actually come back alive!
Such hope filled my chest completely.
At the same moment, my heart pounded unpleasantly. Not from fear, but from anger.
How many people were they willing to kill for their own greed?
Ignoring the gazes of those around me, I stood before Cherez’s study as Yureain had directed.
Two armed Knights stood with their spears crossed.
“The Duchess approaches. Open the door.”
The Knights bowed respectfully and stepped aside. Through the heavily opened door, Cherez came into view.
Cherez, dressed in his Knight’s uniform, emanated an atmosphere entirely different from his usual demeanor. He seemed more restrained than usual, as though suppressing something.
Goodness. He looks magnificent like that too.
It was yet another point that made my heart skip. Cherez contorted that admirable face and approached me.
“Roana. What’s the matter? Why do you look like that?”
Borgus was also staring at me with startled eyes. He never would have expected me to appear here. But when he hears what I’m about to say, he’ll be even more shocked. I’m certain of it.
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.
“We need military forces to protect the Temple.”
“…What’s happened? The Temple is located in the very center of the territory, safe from magical beasts. Yet you’re asking me to station troops there—something’s amiss. What’s going on?”
“There are creatures more terrifying than magical beasts coiled up in the territory.”
Cherez’s eyebrows twitched.
“This morning, Countess Yotlrey came to visit.”
Both men’s gazes fixed on my lips.
“And the day before that, I received a message from Count Bruarte. To cut to the chase—the Liansherus Society is currently planning to conduct a caustic acid terrorist attack on the Divine Bell. The date is three days after the red moon rises.”
The air in the study froze instantly. Even Cherez, who had spent his entire life rolling through blood-soaked battlefields, seemed at a loss for words.
Borgus’s face drained of color, and after a moment of swaying, he gripped the desk with trembling hands.
“If the metal on the bell’s surface melts away… the seal will collapse. Until the sacred relic is restored.”
Fortunately, once the sacred relic is restored, the seal will be too. It’s a divine artifact, after all. But the problem was that we had no way of knowing how long we’d have to endure until then.
This was the shocking backdrop to the original seven-year war. A perfect trap Petunia had devised to plunge the Southern Region into hell.
“Damn those bastards.”
A sinister curse leaked through Cherez’s teeth, as if spoken without conscious thought. The killing intent in the room was so thick that breathing became difficult.
“Your Excellency. I will cut off Lady Caslit’s head immediately.”
Borgus spoke grimly, but everyone here knew it was impossible. There wasn’t enough evidence.
“We don’t have time to uncover where the acid is or what route they plan to use for this.”
The day the red moon would rise was drawing near. Soon we would march to war. Right now, we could barely manage to worry about surviving until tomorrow.
The sharp tension within the Knight Order likely stemmed from this as well.
Just one week. That was all the time we had been given.
It was barely enough time to prepare for war.
Cherez spoke coldly. Once the red moon rises, he will head to the battlefield.
“After the red moon rises, clear the area around the Temple. Trust no one. We’ll set our own trap.”
There was a bloody edge to Cherez’s voice.
“Arrest them at the scene, and make sure no one escapes. Can you do it?”
“I will stake my life on it.”
Borgus spoke in a heavy voice.
With rough footsteps, Borgus left the room. I wished this would be enough. I wished this would allow Cherez to return alive.
Whether the seven years would shrink to one week, one month, or remain seven years as in the original—I didn’t know.
Yet we had managed to drill a single hole through the collapsed sky. My strength drained away, and I collapsed onto the sofa.
Cherez, kneeling before me, grasped my trembling fingertips.
“…Roana.”
In his gaze, leveled to meet mine, lay relief and affection directed toward me.
“Thank you. Without you, we would have been helpless.”
An ordinary person, someone with normal reasoning, would never have even considered tampering with a sacred relic.
I smiled faintly.
He slowly pressed his lips to the back of my hand. His cold, dry lips were surprisingly warm.
Without thinking, I reached out and stroked his hair.
“…Please come back safely, Cherez.”
Before the coming war, we had managed to drill a hole through the darkness. Now the rest was up to Cherez.

* * *
No reply had come from Chloe.
Everything felt inexplicably unsettling. The sky grew increasingly crimson with each passing moment. Even during what should have been daylight, night persisted instead of dawn, and darkness consumed the land.
“The red moon draws near, my lady.”
Yureain held the lamp aloft, her murmur tinged with concern. Her face bore the weight of deep worry as she exhaled slowly.
“The Duke has just returned home.”
Yureain’s eyes urged me forward. Was she suggesting I leave Hayden here and go see him?
“Cherez must be exhausted. Perhaps he should rest….”
“It will surely be a comfort to His Grace.”
Yureain smiled.
“Simply knowing that you have safely endured another day will be solace enough for him.”
Her words gave me courage. Truth be told, things between Cherez and me weren’t so bad, were they?
For a political marriage, this was quite acceptable.
“Do you think so?”
Yureain nodded in affirmation.
Encouraged by her support, I made my way toward Cherez’s Room.
The Castle Corridor was suffused with that same crimson hue.
“This is truly dreadful.”
It was as though blood pooled beneath my feet. An involuntary chill ran through me, and my body trembled.
Even the ancestral armor that Yureain treasured bore the shadow of that red tint. As I gazed upon it, a shadow fell across my head.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh.”
I turned around and bumped my nose against him.
Cherez stood directly behind me. When I lifted my head, I found him regarding me with narrowed eyes, his hair still damp and clinging to his shoulders.
His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, seemed particularly intense today.
“Cherez.”
I swallowed hard. Absolutely captivating.

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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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