The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 79

—————
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 079
A month later.
“Tsk. Such stubbornness. And the man’s health isn’t even sound.”
“Youth, that’s what it is. That’s why he lacks flexibility.”
The elderly Southern nobility clicked their tongues. It had been about a month since they relocated to the Red Moon Palace.
Now was the time for second thoughts to creep in.
The carriage carrying Roana Bereidan and Hayden Bereidan had been found crashed off a cliff, completely burned to ash.
No bodies were discovered, but the prevailing opinion was that such an inferno would have incinerated them completely.
Yet the stubborn advisor had classified the Duchess and Hayden as missing rather than deceased.
‘Has anyone actually seen a corpse? Or are you all simply hoping they’re dead?’
At Borgus’s sarcasm, the old nobles could only clear their throats awkwardly.
‘Well, ahem. Still, it’s already been a month. Think about it. With no end to the war in sight, we lack someone to lead Bereidan. So we should appoint a regent for the Duke….’
‘That’s the point.’
Recalling that shameless lower nobleman made his chest tighten with frustration.
“How can the Southern Region function like this?”
“Well, let’s go discuss it. They’ll all be gathered, won’t they?”
Behind the hastening elderly nobles, a door opened. Borgus leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
The explosion that day had left its mark on Borgus as well—scarred, distorted skin running from his left cheek down to his neck.
The angry red wound, only now beginning to heal, throbbed painfully.
Borgus clenched his teeth.
“Filthy mongrel swine.”
Borgus muttered the curse and painfully swept his hair back. The moment he mentioned supplies while discussing a regent, the old nobles’ tails tucked between their legs.
‘Ahem. We’re refugees ourselves—what supplies are we talking about?’
‘The Imperial Court should provide support! Yes, you should go to the Capital yourself and have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor…!’
No matter how he thought about it, Roana’s choice had been right. Those beasts worse than animals would never have left young Hayden alone.
They would have pushed Roana aside by invoking Hejest and turned Hayden into a puppet.
Borgus clenched his teeth.
“Show some flexibility yourself.”
As Borgus turned with a cold gaze, Oliver, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, clicked his tongue.
Oliver’s betrayal had been truly surprising. The Duchess’s choice to reveal her destination to no one had also been correct.
It struck him anew that Roana had never made a wrong choice since arriving here.
Oliver didn’t flinch at Borgus’s piercing stare.
“How can you be so certain the Duchess and Hayden are alive?”
Oliver clicked his tongue. Even he, who had served the Bereidan Household for so long, had turned traitor—one could only guess how far the rot had spread.
“The Duke is alive, Oliver. He fights for us even now.”
“Then we must maintain the Southern Region well, mustn’t we?”
Oliver fixed Borgus with a sunken gaze.
“The world changes, time flows. No one knows how things will have changed by the time His Grace returns.”
A bat-like creature.
He meant he’d attach himself to Cherez when that time came.
“Yes, but I cannot guarantee the Butler’s stubborn life will persist until then.”
Borgus smirked and closed the Study door behind him. He had no desire to witness such filth any longer.
Borgus stared at the empty Study. He could trust no one. He could not afford to let anyone close.
He had to remind himself that today’s ally could become tomorrow’s enemy.
Borgus clenched his fist tightly.
His gaze was fixed upon a pink ribbon tied like an ornament to the Fireplace wall of the Study.
It was something he had found at the site where the Carriage had exploded.
‘I will surely leave a mark that you will recognize.’
Roana had kept her promise.
She had escaped this wretched place safely with Hayden. Hayden would grow up safe and peaceful.
Away from those who coveted the meager life of a small child.
Then Borgus had but one duty: to hold this position until his master returned.

* * *
Two months passed once more.
Cherez swept his hair back. The demonic beasts did not pour forth ceaselessly.
When the demonic beasts poured through, the spatial rift became worn. For the worn rift to recover, a certain period of rest was necessary, during which the beasts could not cross over.
This cycle differed each time the Red Moon rose, and this time the cycle was two weeks.
Once all the demonic beasts that had crossed over were slain, there came a moment to catch one’s breath.
Gathered in Cherez’s Military Barracks were Wills and others bearing titles. They all wore dark expressions.
“Supplies are running out, sir. We cannot starve those who fight with their lives on the line any longer.”
Everything they spoke of was heavy. And for good reason. The Imperial Court had cut off supplies, and the House of Maleight alone could only do so much to prepare provisions. Moreover, the ongoing war had stalled commerce as well.
Cherez clenched his teeth.
His eyes, bloodshot as he leaned upon the desk studying the map, were hollow with exhaustion.
“How much do we have left?”
“If we eat two meals a day, we won’t last a week. And medicine is running out too. There is no medicine left for the wounded.”
Cherez wiped his face.
“Reduce it to one meal a day.”
Cherez’s heart burned as he made this decision.
The letters he had left behind before his departure seemed to have become useless. The Southern Nobility was so thoroughly corrupt.
“I have no face to show.”
“That is not so, sir.”
Cherez bit the inside of his mouth.
“Scout the Farmland around here and find food. Take those with remaining strength and move quickly.”
“Yes, sir.”
They would have to enter the Forest and hunt. Cherez was about to suggest they raid empty Civilian Dwellings if necessary.
“Duke, sir! You must come out and see!”
It was a young Apprentice Knight. The breathless Knight continued.
“S-someone has come looking for you!”
Who on earth would seek him out and come all the way to the Battlefield?
My foolish mind was conjuring Roana in this moment—a person who absolutely should not be here.
Cherez let out a hollow laugh and stepped outside the barracks.
A waft of perfume struck him sharply. Cherez’s eyes snapped open.
The person before him was hardly a welcome sight. Everyone around him wore expressions identical to his own.
“Cherez, it’s been forever!”
Cherez released a stifled laugh.
“Chloe?”
Chloe, with whom contact had been lost, appeared before him in person. As always, her attire and timing were utterly mismatched to the circumstances.
“Have you been well? Goodness, look at your face. Gaunt as a rail. You haven’t been eating properly, have you?”
Chloe chattered away while shaking her head disapprovingly, pink ribbons cascading from her hat with every movement.
His mind was on the verge of complete confusion.
She thrust a rolled parchment toward him.
“Here, this is a gift from me.”
Chloe laughed, scrunching her nose—her expression unchanged from years past.
Cherez stared at the parchment bearing King Evelik’s seal as though it were incomprehensible. And the report that followed was equally unbelievable.
“Your Excellency, ten thousand knights from the Evelik Kingdom have arrived. The commander of Evelik wishes to see you.”

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