The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 77

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 077
“Then I shall take my leave. If you’re heading to the Grand Prayer Hall, I’ll escort you.”
“No, no, that’s quite all right. I intend to finish tidying up before I depart.”
“I see. Very well then. I’ll be on my way. Should anything arise, do visit the Bereidan Duchy. Its doors are always open.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Cassian watched Borgus and the Knights disappear into the distance, then pressed a trembling hand to his racing heart and exhaled in ragged breaths.
“Hah… hah…”
Cassian stared at the closed door. He assured himself it would never open again, then bolted toward his chamber.
He had to inform them that Borgus had been here. If this revelation unraveled everything?
‘What becomes of Cuspis’s corpse then?’
The flawless scenario could not—must not—develop a single crack.
Cassian rushed into his chamber and yanked open a drawer. With trembling hands, he scrawled the message in frantic haste.
He folded the note densely covered in script into a small square, secured the Temple, and slipped outside.
Before returning to the Grand Prayer Hall, he intended to deliver the note to Countess Yotlrey, informing her that Borgus had visited.
Cassian walked quite a distance from the Temple to reach the Town. He moved swiftly, heedless of his fatigue, and turned into the Alley behind Bakery Street.
Cassian searched the Back Alley for a child suitable for an errand and pressed coins into small hands.
“Go to the House of Yotlrey.”
The child clutching the coins nodded. Cassian watched until the child departed toward the House of Yotlrey, then slipped away from the Back Alley.
Now everything had slipped from his grasp. Cassian squeezed his eyes shut and steadied his breathing. Beseeching divine protection.
‘Saint Urenis, watch over this foolish servant.’

* * *
Borgus smiled faintly.
The child, seized by the scruff of the neck by the Knight, kicked uselessly at the air.
“Don’t you dare let go!”
“Why handle the child so roughly?”
Borgus handed the child a sack bulging with bread. Then he smiled wickedly and spoke.
“I want what you’re carrying.”
The child breathed heavily.
“If you’ve received a gift, you should look inside to see what’s there.”
At Borgus’s words, the child peered into the bread sack. Hidden beneath the bread was a bundle of money.
“I’m not as stingy as that fellow was. A thousand Becks. That should be enough to rent a stall.”
The child lifted his head and stared at Borgus. His eyes had widened considerably.
“The Knight holding your scruff will help you. What do you say? Now this is a deal worth making.”
The child swallowed hard, then rummaged through his pocket and handed Borgus the note.
Borgus unfolded it and examined its contents.
“Where were you told to deliver this?”
“To the House of Yotlrey.”
The child answered readily. Borgus’s smile matched the crimson moonlight perfectly. The wretched creatures had huddled together like rats.

* * *
Southern Coastal Defense Line.
The sky above the horizon was tearing apart.
Light seeped from within the massive pupil—a rift in spacetime itself. Violet and black light churned and roiled, and a stench spread across the sea. The mingled reek of decay and brine hung thick and acrid. Breathing alone felt like scorching the throat.
Cherez pulled cloth up to cover his nose and mouth.
“Battle stations!”
The entire Coastal Defense Line stirred awake, torches igniting in succession. The clash of weapons rippled outward like waves.
“Grrrrrraaaaahhhhh!”
The beast’s cry echoed across the water. Enormous claws tore through the widening rift, rending it further open. The massive pupil expanded still more.
Tension rippled along the coastline. In that moment, a black mass burst through the fissure and plummeted into the sea. As it struck the surface, it rose from within the towering column of spray.
Its leather-like hide glistened, drenched in seawater. Six eyes fixed upon the shore, and from its gaping maw, three rows of teeth gleamed.
It exhaled steam.
From the widening rift, black masses identical to it rained down like a deluge. The entire surface of the water began to blacken with their numbers.
“Their numbers exceed our estimates, Your Excellency.”
At Wills’s whisper, Cherez’s lips curved upward.
“Are you afraid?”
….
Cherez’s black armor gleamed as it caught the crimson moonlight. From the blade he held, blue sword-light poured forth.
The first beast reached the shore, extending four legs across the sandy beach. Steam rose from its wet hide.
“Grrrraaaaaahhhhh!!”
It roared. The vibration pierced eardrums and burrowed into the mind, shaking the knights. But Cherez remained unbroken.
Cherez raised his blade. Its point aimed toward the crimson moon.
“The Southern Region stands behind us. Do not fear! What we must fear is not these creatures! Fear for my family, torn to shreds by their fangs!”
Cherez’s voice rang out across the coastline.
“Fear the blood of your families spreading beneath your feet! If you advance, I too shall not retreat! Bereidan shall stand before you!”
Bereidan—a name that had never once been broken.
A shield that had slain countless beasts and protected the Southern Region. That name kindled the spirits of the knights.
“All forces, advance!”
Cherez charged toward the first beast. The creature rushed at him, its four legs churning through sand.
Cherez’s blade rose diagonally. An upward slash from below tore into the beast’s jaw, cleaving its head. Black blood fountained forth, drenching Cherez’s armor.
The beast’s body convulsed past Cherez and collapsed upon the sand.
“Waaaahhhhh!”
Morale surged beneath the swelling crimson moon.

* * *
Three days since the war began.
The roar of beasts pierced the sky. I checked outside the window as I had grown accustomed to doing, then woke Hayden.
Hayden rubbed his eyes with a drowsy face. The outdoor clothes I had dressed him in beforehand were wrinkled.
“Hayden, it’s time to go.”
“Mm.”
I gave Hayden his pacifier and lifted him into my arms. The child clung tightly to my neck.
As I descended the stairs, I found Linnen waiting in the lobby with swollen eyes. She had cried all night.
It was understandable to be afraid.
I was terrified myself—how must she be feeling?
Linnen and I would travel in separate carriages. She would go to the Red Moon Palace, while I would go to Carencia.
Linnen bowed her head deeply.
“Take care of yourself, Linnen.”
Outside, a carriage awaited. Dorpin and Mila sat in the coachman’s seat, and Yureain stood in front of the carriage waiting. Inside the carriage, Robin sat with a tense expression, his shoulders hunched.
Yureain took Hayden into her arms.
Before boarding the carriage, I looked back at the mansion. Would I ever return here? It seemed I had grown attached to it during my time here, and my heart ached.
I bit my lips firmly and turned to board the carriage.
“Let’s depart.”
We joined the stream of refugees after leaving the Territory Center. Everyone moved in the same direction.
Our carriage merged into the middle of the procession. Hayden fell asleep in Yureain’s arms. It was still early morning, his usual sleep time.
I draped a blanket over Hayden and leaned back against the carriage wall.
The roar of beasts reached us even here. Just hearing their cries made it so difficult to breathe, yet Cherez was fighting against those creatures.
My heart pounded fiercely.
Please.
I touched the bracelet on my wrist.
I hope you come back safely.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————