The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 96

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 96

I couldn’t even lift my head and kept biting my lips nervously.

“I heard cries for help and rushed over in a hurry…”

Rihardt muttered in a low voice as he began to walk.

Where is he going?

I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head and only watched Rihardt’s legs moving.

Rihardt’s legs stopped where my mask had fallen.

He picked up my mask.

What is he planning to do with that…

“It seems this is your first time killing someone, Miss Shabrina.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. Actually, killing someone isn’t as big a deal as you think it is, Miss Shabrina.”

What kind of crazy talk is that?

In the first place, if you’re a normal person, you don’t kill people! You don’t even think about it!

I thought he might be trying to offer some twisted comfort, but knowing his personality, that probably wasn’t it.

“Don’t you need this?”

Rihardt held out the mask in front of me.

I unconsciously reached for the mask, but he immediately pulled it away.

“…What are you doing?”

“It looks like there’s blood on your face. Are you going to put the mask on like that?”

“…That’s none of your concern. Just give me the mask.”

However, Rihardt didn’t readily hand over the mask.

“Hey.”

When I called out to him impatiently, Rihardt finally spoke.

“I’m conflicted.”

“…About returning my mask?”

“That’s part of it, but I’m curious about Miss Shabrina’s face and wondering if I should just take a look right now.”

“…Stop talking nonsense and give me my mask.”

“…”

“Give it back!”

I shouted at him angrily.

Normally, I would have been able to handle this smoothly.

But with my current unstable mental state, it was difficult to deal with Rihardt.

In my mind, that moment when blood spurted from the knight’s neck kept replaying.

My stomach churned as if I was going to vomit.

“Please take it.”

Rihardt handed me the mask. He had also put a handkerchief inside it.

“It would be uncomfortable to put the mask on like that.”

“…”

“If I had my way, I’d like to wipe it for you, but I think you’d hate that.”

“…You know me well.”

I accepted the mask without saying thank you.

I also received the handkerchief, but I didn’t feel grateful.

I just thought this situation was a bit miserable.

I wiped the blood from my face with the handkerchief Rihardt had given me.

However, the blood didn’t come off easily.

A sticky residue remained on my face, and it had already hardened and felt dry and rough.

After wiping off only the wet parts, I put the mask back on.

“Let me help you up.”

“It’s fine.”

I can get up by myself. I’m not a child…

“Ugh.”

However, contrary to my thoughts, my whole body was trembling and it was hard to stand up properly.

In the end, Rihardt held me up.

It seems insisting on walking alone would be too much.

“Let me help you.”

Rihardt, who noticed my condition, smiled gently with his eyes crinkling.

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

In the end, I walked with Rihardt’s support.

“Miss Shabrina.”

“…What.”

“You smell like blood, Miss Shabrina.”

“…Because I got blood on me?”

“It’s strangely exciting.”

“…Are you perhaps insane?”

Rihardt laughed instead of answering.

“And I have something to tell Miss Shabrina…”

Rihardt slowly stroked the back of my hand with his finger as he murmured languidly.

“Never take off your mask in front of me.”

“…”

“My self-control is a bit weak.”

What on earth is he talking about?

No, am I really unaware?

He’s subtly whispering that he knows my identity, while also warning me not to let him discover my identity.

I didn’t respond to his words.

Like that, we left the forest.

As soon as we left the forest, people became visible.

Those who discovered me, covered in blood and being supported by Rihardt, looked shocked.

“Assistant, what on earth is this…!”

“What happened with the attack?”

“…It wasn’t an attack. It seems there was a problem on our side and we misunderstood.”

As expected.

My suspicion became certainty.

“Where is the Count?”

“The Count is… in his room.”

“I see.”

I’m relieved that Michelle is safe.

I surveyed the estate with a cold expression.

What should I do?

* * *

“That bitch Shabrina came back alive!”

The Count was disgusted with Gilbert, who only knew how to squeal like a pig.

To think the fate of the territory depends on such a bastard.

What a ridiculous situation.

“I’ll make sure to handle it properly next time, so don’t worry.”

“Do I look like I’m not worried right now? Both that bitch Shabrina and Michelle are perfectly fine!”

A few hours ago, just as I had informed Shabrina about the attack, I delivered the same message to Michelle that there was an attack and she needed to evacuate.

However, there was an unexpected situation.

【What about Shabrina?】

【We will safely escort the advisor as well. So please don’t worry and…】

【I’m not moving a single step until Shabrina comes.】

That damn stubborn personality caused problems even in this critical situation.

In the end, Michelle wouldn’t budge, and it became impossible to take her to the forest like Shabrina.

“This incident couldn’t be helped. There will be another opportunity…”

“Next time? Ha! It seems the Count thinks opportunities are given endlessly.”

“…”

“I can see clearly why the territory is in such a state.”

“What did you just say, Gilbert!”

“Why? Are you upset?”

“…”

The Count’s hands trembled with rage, but he endured it thinking of his territory.

After Gilbert left in a fury, the Count remained alone and let out a bitter laugh.

This situation was absurd and infuriating, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The starving residents of his territory.

The number of residents decreasing as they fled in the night, unable to endure any longer.

“Hah…”

The lord’s complexion darkened as he was reminded of the unresolved troubles.

Knock knock.

Just then, a knocking sound was heard.

“My lord, Advisor Shabrina has come asking to see you.”

…Shabrina?

Since the situation wasn’t good, her visit didn’t feel particularly positive.

“Bring her in.”

As soon as the order was given, Shabrina entered.

She swept her brown hair back and naturally sat down in a chair.

Unlike usual, her ornate mask not only gave a strong impression but also carried an intimidating presence.

“…I heard about what happened today. It was something a knight did on his own initiative. I want to say once again that this incident has nothing to do with the North.”

He was in a position where he had to bow his head to a mere advisor. However, he didn’t feel like his pride was being damaged.

It was unavoidable for the sake of his territory…

“I absolutely never sent that knight to the Count’s advisor. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and reveal the truth…”

“It’s fine, Count.”

“What do you mean it’s fine…”

As the Count looked at her with puzzlement, Shabrina smiled slightly.

“Before that, could you serve some tea?”

“…Tea?”

“Yes. I’m mentally and physically exhausted from today’s events, so I’d like to talk while drinking tea.”

“…Ah. Yes. I’ll have tea brought right away.”

The Count ordered a servant to bring tea immediately, and soon a teapot and teacups were placed on the table.

Shabrina drank the warmly steeped tea. Her manner was truly leisurely.

“Count, you probably can’t say that the North has absolutely no responsibility for this incident.”

“…”

“Since it happened in the North. How many times has this been now?”

“…”

“Count, do you know how my master Michelle led Seiblinn?”

Shabrina continued speaking slowly while drinking her tea.

“Enemies were everywhere. So we had to be suspicious first and see later. What I learned from going through those times…”

Shabrina’s pink eyes flashed with a reddish gleam. For a moment, it felt eerie.

“Three times.”

“What are you trying to say.”

“Whether it’s coincidence or mistake, if it’s three times, then it was intentional.”

The Count realized.

Shabrina was saying that she believed the Count had orchestrated this entire situation.

“From meeting Gilbert here, to the peanuts in the food, and finally the knight who tried to kill me without warning.”

The situation was flowing in a troublesome direction.

At this rate…

“Can all of this really be dismissed as mistakes and coincidences?”

I need to kill her here and now.

Now that she’s figured it out, if I let her go back alive, Seiblinn’s influence will crush the North.

“Since these incidents keep happening, even the Temple would understand if we broke the contract.”

The Count fingered the knife in his coat.

But then Shabrina’s pink eyes curved into circles.

“Still, one of our business principles was ‘generosity.'”

“What…”

“We don’t give opportunities to everyone, but sometimes we specially bestow opportunities.”

What is she talking about now?

“I’m saying I’ll give you an opportunity, Count.”

“Give me an opportunity?”

The Count snapped back to his senses. He mustn’t get drawn into this.

“Do you know what you’re saying right now? Stop this. No more rudeness…”

“I’m well aware of your situation, Count.”

Cutting off the Count’s words, Shabrina threw out her own.

“The North’s situation must be difficult, so you probably wanted to know the specialty crop cultivation method badly enough to sell your soul to Gilbert.”

“…”

“We at Seiblinn will teach you that specialty crop cultivation method.”

Shabrina’s red lips curved seductively like a devil’s.

“When you’re desperate, you want to grab even the devil’s hand, don’t you?”

“…”

“But you should grab that hand wisely, Count.”

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