The Quack Lady - Chapter 64

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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 64

“Huh?”

Why is he suddenly calling me teacher?

However, I couldn’t see his expression well because of the disheveled hair covering his face.

“Teacher…”

“Don’t do that and introduce yourselves to each other. You’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”

I quickly stood up from my seat to wrap up the situation.

“This is Eruten. He’s an old friend of mine.”

“He’s also Rtemeia’s guard.”

Eruten deliberately emphasized the word guard.

Anyone would think he’d been a guard since birth.

“By the way, Eruten. Did you have a good trip? What about the children?”

“Well…”

He trailed off. Just when I was wondering why he was acting like that, Eruten’s next words were quite shocking.

“…So you’re saying there wasn’t even a trace of the house?”

“Yeah. As if it had never been there from the beginning.”

“How does that make sense? It’s not like you were under some spell. You didn’t get the location wrong, did you?”

“No, it was definitely there. There were marks on the tree where Neujzen had been swinging his axe.”

“That means…”

“I suspect it was Pianess.”

“What?”

I waved my hands frantically, saying that was nonsense.

Pianess. The spirits of the Goddess Euphraesia who founded the Empire in the beginning.

It’s like a legend that’s passed down in the Lindhafen Empire, which has many butterflies.

“When Pianess runs out of divine power, they sometimes take the form of human children.”

“Come on, there’s no way such a thing could…”

“Mother told me about it. Besides, the Western Region is where the divine altar is located.”

My danger detection sensor activated.

I immediately nodded, agreeing that Eruten was right.

“Ah, I suppose it’s possible then.”

“Pfft.”

At that moment, Tenoa let out a small laugh.

Then he added in a quiet voice.

“The story of Pianess is true. If you saw them near Rocky Mountain, there’s a high chance it was Pianess.”

“What? Such transcendent beings really exist?”

After saying that, I sneakily glanced at Eruten.

Eruten smiled at me as if I was cute and patted my head.

“So what if you were briefly enchanted? It’s not like we did anything bad. As long as they returned safely.”

He was right.

If they really were spirits…

‘They probably returned safely, right?’

“That’s why I’m telling you not to worry too much. I came to deliver that message.”

“Ah, I see.”

As I nodded slightly, Eruten suddenly sat down on a chair placed in one corner of the room.

Sitting with the backrest facing forward, he was looking at Tenoa with a sideways glance.

‘Huh? Shouldn’t he be leaving now?’

Usually he would disappear after saying what he came to say, so I stared at Eruten in bewilderment as he didn’t leave.

Eruten seemed to notice my gaze and replied nonchalantly.

“I thought I’d rest here for a bit today. I’m tired from being out for so long.”

“Hmm…”

Since when did my research lab become a good place to rest?

I was still puzzled, but Eruten rested his face on top of the backrest and looked at both of us.

“Go ahead and research comfortably.”

Eruten’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled gently.

Why is he suddenly acting like that again?

* * *

When Rtemeia buried her head on the desk weakly, both men held their breath as if they had been waiting.

The sound of gentle breathing filled the research lab.

It was because of the research that had continued for several days.

‘What exactly is this guy doing?’

Tenoa glanced at Eruten, who was sitting in a slouched position with a flask in one hand.

His posture was utterly delinquent, but judging by his appearance alone, he seemed more aristocratic than most nobles.

When their eyes met, Eruten immediately kicked off from his seat and stood in front of Tenoa.

Then he whispered in a low voice that only Tenoa could hear.

“What’s your business here?”

It was a voice full of hostility. Tenoa unconsciously shrank back.

“…I’m trying to help with the research.”

“Then just help with the research. Don’t keep glancing at Rtemeia like you’re stealing looks at her.”

“…!”

At those words, Tenoa’s face flushed red.

It felt like something that shouldn’t have been discovered had been found out.

“It was strange from the beginning. Even if Rtemeia is skilled, there’s no reason for you to help this enthusiastically.”

Eruten glanced at the herbal extracts placed nearby.

Those herbal extracts were also something Tenoa had made day and night for Rtemeia.

“That’s…”

Come to think of it, it was strange. Why am I helping this child to this extent?

‘Because I’m grateful that she saved me?’

That seemed excessive for being conscious of Rtemeia. He couldn’t explain his gaze that kept following Rtemeia.

‘…’

When he couldn’t say anything, Eruten moved away from him.

Soon, he lifted one corner of his mouth and warned.

“If you’re going to help, help without any ulterior motives.”

The cold voice sent chills throughout his body.

“Living is like the Milky Way made of countless opportunities. So there’s no such thing as being too late.”

Suddenly remembering Rtemeia’s bright smile, Tenoa lifted his head that had been deeply bowed.

His gaze immediately turned toward Eruten.

“Then what about you?”

“What?”

“Are you without ulterior motives?”

Tenoa didn’t back down.

Through his disheveled hair, his emerald eyes stared at Eruten.

“I’ll give you some advice too. I also hate guys like you. Those who cut people down and hurt them without a care.”

“…What?”

Soon Tenoa provocatively gestured toward Eruten’s sword.

“Do you think you, who harms people, are qualified to stand beside Rtemeia?”

At those words, Eruten’s eyes wavered with shock.

Tenoa delivered a chilling warning in his characteristic low voice.

“She’s someone who can save many more people in the future.”

“…”

“As much as you’ve harmed people, Rtemeia will heal people.”

“….”

“So don’t hover around Rtemeia and trouble her.”

Tenoa nodded slightly, then walked past Eruten.

Then the anxiety that Eruten had kept buried in his heart began to make a loud noise.

“Don’t trouble Rtemeia.”

Those words created an indescribable pain as if he’d been cut by a blade.

The sword at his waist felt endlessly heavy today.

* * *

The chirping of birds could be heard.

Cool air circled around my nose along with the refreshing sound.

“Uwaaaah!”

I bolted upright as if struck by lightning.

The blanket covering my body fell helplessly to the floor.

“Are you awake?”

“Are you awake?”

Eruten and Tenoa asked simultaneously.

Then.

‘Huh? What’s this?’

The two men looked at each other and quickly turned their heads away.

Did they fight while I was sleeping?

Eruten dusted off the blanket that had fallen to the floor and said.

“Did you sleep well? You haven’t been asleep long, so you don’t need to be so surprised.”

At those words, I looked outside the window.

Indeed, not much time had passed as the sun outside was still bright.

“Phew….”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“You seem to have had a hard time these past few days. Are you feeling alright?”

Soon Eruten’s long, slender hand settled on my forehead.

I looked up at him.

‘What’s this?’

Perhaps because of his different atmosphere than usual, I obediently answered his question.

“Yeah, I’m fine… Huh? But where did you put your sword?”

Eruten’s sword, which he always wore, was nowhere to be seen.

He smiled faintly as usual.

“I left it to be sharpened. The blade had dulled.”

However, those words sounded somehow sad.

As I was looking up at him, not understanding why, Tenoa carefully spoke up.

“Rtemeia. It’s finished.”

“Gasp! Already?”

I quickly got up and rushed to Tenoa.

Soon, looking at the quietly sleeping mouse, I let out a cheer.

“Amazing! It’s anesthetized!”

I immediately stood on my tiptoes and patted Tenoa’s head.

“You’re amazing, really!”

“….”

At that moment, Tenoa’s ears turned bright red once again.

I was wondering if I had been too familiar when.

“Mia.”

Along with a gentle voice, a long hand caught my wrist.

“Huh? What? So suddenly?”

When I looked at Eruten who had caught my wrist, he seemed startled and hastily let go of my hand.

“Ah, well, just.”

“Huh?”

His usually relaxed face seemed strange somehow.

He seemed anxious about something….

“Eruten, what’s wrong with you….”

“Sorry. I’ll come next time.”

With those words, Eruten fled from the research lab as if escaping.

“What’s that about? Did you two fight?”

I had no choice but to ask Tenoa.

Tenoa smiled slightly and answered.

“As if.”

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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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