The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 217

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

Side Story Episode 7

 

Unable to contain my curiosity, I eventually opened the door and went out.

 

The cabin was softly lit by yellow candlelight. I met eyes with Rihardt, who was holding an artifact in his hand.

 

[We are only waiting for the Grand Master to return. Please, consider our wishes once more-]

 

With those words, the artifact went out. Rihardt had cut it off.

 

‘Should I not have come out?’

 

It felt like I had heard something I shouldn’t have.

 

“Rose, are you awake?”

 

Had Rihardt just woken up, or had he not slept yet?

 

“Rihardt, um… you’ve been in contact with the Knights…?”

 

I had no idea at all.

 

During the year and six months I’d spent with him, there hadn’t been the slightest sign of it.

 

“The contact was established recently.”

 

“Ah? It seems the Knights want you to return…”

 

Rihardt had nothing particular to say.

 

“…Will you return?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

Me…?

 

Would my thoughts matter regarding his return?

 

“Your opinion is the most important. But if you’re asking for my thoughts… we can’t hide for the rest of our lives.”

 

I looked at Rihardt. He remained silent.

 

Why… Had he been planning to hide for life…

 

Crackle, crackle.

 

A warm hearth fire was burning nearby.

 

“Rose, I’ve been happy living here with you.”

 

He began speaking in a quiet voice.

 

“Also, you seem to smile often… so this time feels very precious to me.”

 

He was right.

 

At first, I had found Rihardt terrifying.

 

But the time I actually spent with him… was the most peaceful time I’d had in This World.

 

I recalled the years I’d spent in Herthas. They were days filled with terrible depression.

 

“So I don’t want to break this happiness.”

 

“Your return wouldn’t shatter our happiness.”

 

“Rose, but-”

 

“I know, Rihardt.”

 

I know all too well.

 

And that we shouldn’t be consumed by tranquility.

 

When I lived in Herthas, I always prayed for one thing. To lose all my memories.

 

That’s how I became ‘Roji’ and started a new life in Evantes.

 

But running away and avoiding things didn’t end well.

 

I had only escaped temporarily; these were things I would have to face someday.

 

“You said there’s someone attacking groups of Knights to find you.”

 

“…How much did you hear?”

 

“From what I just mentioned. It seems the Knights need you?”

 

Even living confined here, I wasn’t completely unaware of the atmosphere within the Empire.

 

Rihardt was a Transcendent. He was one of the few such beings on the continent.

 

The world was moving very busily to find someone like him.

 

“Won’t you help them? They’re still your people, aren’t they?”

 

“Rose, I can’t leave you behind.”

 

“Rihardt…”

 

“Knights are originally accustomed to facing death. And I am no longer a Knight.”

 

I knew he would say that. Even if this man pretended to be gentle in front of me, his essence hadn’t changed.

 

Because he loved me so desperately.

 

So he was a man for whom a single thorn under my fingernail was more important than the entire world burning.

 

“But Rihardt, we won’t be together forever.”

 

At those words, Rihardt’s expression hardened.

 

“Rose.”

 

“It’s the truth, Rihardt.”

 

Someday, even these peaceful days would come to an end. They couldn’t last forever.

 

“…I was truly happy during the time I spent with you here.”

 

He reached out and desperately grasped my wrist.

 

“Was I the only one who felt that way?”

 

His gaze toward me was pleading. He waited earnestly for an answer.

 

But I said nothing.

 

That night’s conversation ended like that.

 

* * *

 

…It seemed like Rihardt was angry.

 

I looked at the green onions packed into the food. He hadn’t put in this much before…

 

“Enjoy your meal, Rose.”

 

He was smiling, but his eyes were cold.

 

‘…Huh.’

 

For the first time, I found Rihardt scary.

 

I couldn’t even taste the food with so many green onions in it.

 

It was because I ate while pretending not to notice the chilly atmosphere.

 

When I finished eating, Rihardt cleared the plates as always. He seemed about to do the dishes.

 

“Um, Rihardt… I’ll do it today.”

 

I really wanted to do it myself.

 

“It’s fine, Rose. I’ll do it.”

 

He smiled brightly, but it was cold. Still scary.

 

“No, no. Rihardt. Give it here.”

 

I tried to take the plate from Rihardt’s hand. But Rihardt simply raised his arm upward.

 

Following that direction, I also raised my hand up, but… it was too far.

 

It wasn’t surprising, but Rihardt was really tall. I faced his handsome face cast in shadow.

 

“If you really want to help me…”

 

Rihardt’s head turned to the side.

 

“Could you open the jam jar lid on that shelf? My hands are wet.”

 

Since I wanted to do something anyway, I confidently picked up the jar, thinking this was perfect.

 

“This much is nothing…”

 

The lid wouldn’t budge as if it had been welded shut.

 

I applied more force, but only my palms turned red.

 

When I started making struggling sounds, Rihardt clicked his tongue.

 

“Right. You were weak. I forgot.”

 

“No, no, wait a moment…”

 

Rihardt took the jar from my hands. Then the lid that absolutely wouldn’t open came off easily.

 

I stared at the jar in dismay.

 

“Then Rose, could you draw some water for washing the dishes? The pump is old and requires a bit of know-how…”

 

I confidently approached the pump.

 

The handle was a bit tightly closed, but this much was nothing. I had seen it in books.

 

“First, pour in the priming water…!”

 

I poured the water from the gourd into the pump opening and grabbed the handle, shaking it vigorously up and down.

 

But disappointingly, the pump only made hissing, deflating sounds without spitting out any water.

 

“…Huh? I definitely poured water in?”

 

Even shaking it until I was sweating was futile.

 

As I panted with my arms feeling like they’d fall off, Rihardt, who had been watching from behind, approached and placed his hands over mine. His firm chest touched my back.

 

“If you only use brute force like that, all the air will leak out.”

 

He began to move while holding my hands. When he pulled the handle firmly…

 

Gush gush gush!

 

Like magic, a refreshing stream of water poured out.

 

“As expected, Rose can’t even drink a sip of water without me.”

 

“…”

 

“Poor Rose, could you live alone without me?”

 

Rihardt spoke as if he pitied me. However, he wasn’t really feeling sorry for me.

 

‘This man…’

 

He’s definitely getting revenge for yesterday…

 

But since what he said is true, I can’t say anything back…

 

“Rose, how could I possibly leave you behind and go away?”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t you think so?”

 

Rihardt seemed to have gained momentum as he grinned widely.

 

“Rose, just sit down. I’ll do the dishes…”

 

“I can do that much too. I did work as a maid, you know.”

 

That’s where I met you.

 

“Ah right, that’s true.”

 

His response was bland.

 

…Even out of spite, I should learn housework.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Bang!

 

A loud roar came from outside, and the house shook.

 

I was so startled that my feet got tangled and I almost fell. Rihardt caught me.

 

“…What’s happening? Why so suddenly…”

 

“I’ll go check it out.”

 

“Let’s go together.”

 

Rihardt and I went outside.

 

And we were able to identify the source of the loud noise.

 

I cautiously looked at Rihardt.

 

“…Rihardt, you really need to leave your position, don’t you?”

 

The purified water artifact had broken down.

 

…If we don’t fix this, we won’t be able to use water from now on.

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