The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 47

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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 47

 

‘It must be traces of being consumed by magic power.’

 

A man consumed by magic power.

 

The temporary gate the Emperor had mentioned.

 

To properly confirm those two matters, Lionel had come all the way to where the superior officers of the Westport lived.

 

Of course, since the Arviente Duchy was rather intimidating, he went to Viscount Edward’s mansion where First Officer Melvin, who was directly under the captain, lived.

 

The viscount had many children, and perhaps because he didn’t get along well with his older brothers, Melvin usually didn’t attend such events and stayed holed up in the estate… or so the rumors said, which was why he had come looking for him.

 

“…Ah, I see.”

 

Meanwhile, the butler’s tone and expression changed markedly after checking his identification.

 

In fact, since it was outside work hours, invoking his police officer status was clearly grounds for disciplinary action, which made him flinch, but Lionel decided to steel his resolve.

 

‘I have no choice.’

 

Suppose he reported that the man who jumped and the temporary gate seemed to be connected.

 

It was obvious what his superiors, who wouldn’t even properly deploy security due to lack of personnel, would say. Now that you know, go do your own job.

 

Thinking that far and sighing, Lionel opened his mouth.

 

“I’ve come to see Sir Melvin, that is, the fifth young master. Could I meet with him right now? It won’t be a long conversation, so I’d be grateful if you could call him to the main gate here.”

 

It wasn’t the kind of conversation to have inside the viscount’s mansion where there were many watching eyes.

 

The butler nodded at Lionel’s request and disappeared.

 

And before long, Melvin appeared.

 

Like a true gentleman of this era, Melvin had his bangs pulled up with a rabbit headband and was wearing a face pack.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

Lionel, who had been stunned by the unexpected appearance, cleared his throat with a cough and began his explanation.

 

“I’m Lionel Dapite from the Investigation Bureau Security Bureau. The thing is, since you’re a first officer of the Westport, I came looking for you…”

 

The temporary gate that Melvin would also know about, the suspicious man at the Rüpel River.

 

And…

 

“The Naval Base and Investigation Bureau have no connection, and as a regular officer, I don’t have the authority to access the Westport’s reports that would have already been sent to the Imperial Palace. So… I’d like to ask Sir Melvin about the date and location when you were attacked by demons while returning to the continent.”

 

Lionel had expected it. The eagle incident and the temporary gate were likely connected.

 

There was only one way to turn this expectation into certainty.

 

To confirm whether the date the eagle incident occurred and the date the temporary gate was created overlapped.

 

“…”

 

After Lionel’s explanation ended, Melvin’s face had turned coldly serious.

 

Soon after, Melvin slowly opened his mouth.

 

“So you want me to tell you exactly when the temporary gate is estimated to have been created, very precisely.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

“Do you think I remember every single detail like that?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…Hahahaha.”

 

“? Hahaha.”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Melvin, who had been laughing while facing Lionel, suddenly hardened his expression.

 

“If I had that level of intelligence, I would have become a minister of the Imperial Palace while being called the reincarnation of a sage from the scriptures. Instead of rolling around at sea.”

 

“…”

 

“Besides that, we don’t really look at calendars when we’re sailing. The return date isn’t set either, and when we kill all the demons and return to the capital, that becomes our return date. What’s the point of looking?”

 

“Th, then even a rough estimate would be fine. If it takes time for you to remember, I’ll wait as long as it takes! Or if you know someone else who might remember such things, I could go to them…”

 

Lionel, who had been speaking desperately, eventually trailed off with a mumble.

 

It seemed like Melvin had no intention of helping at all.

 

Feeling dejected, Lionel suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud.

 

“…Please, I beg you. There are many things I want to do, but I lack the means to do them.”

 

Melvin, who hadn’t expected him to go this far and widened his eyes, soon sighed lightly.

 

“Oh my, why are you going so far as to kneel?”

 

While saying this, he bent down to help Lionel up.

 

“Actually… there is a place where the date might be recorded.”

 

“Yes, yes…? Where would that be?”

 

“The Westport’s captain’s quarters.”

 

Lionel’s eyes sparkled. Just the date would be enough.

 

“But there’s one problem.”

 

Then, Melvin said with a troubled expression, making a groaning sound.

 

“Usually at the Naval Base, unless it’s a frequently used ship like a reconnaissance vessel, they tie them all up and manage them. Among those, the Westport is under special management.”

 

“Ah, then when you sail next time, you could just quickly check the records…”

 

“Hmm, we probably won’t sail again until next year. Our colonel threw such a fit to the higher-ups that he won’t be leaving the capital for a while.”

 

“…”

 

Next year.

 

Wouldn’t the Empire already be devoured by demons by then?

 

Watching Lionel become dejected again, Melvin raised the corner of his mouth as if the real point was just beginning.

 

“So here’s the thing.”

 

He took off his headband and patted his bangs into place.

 

“Our officer here, you can handle yourself physically, right?”

 

I should have said I couldn’t.

 

“Huff…”

 

Lionel caught his breath while covering his mouth.

 

Late at night, Lionel and Melvin were inside the Westport.

 

Inside the eerie ship with its exterior blocked by fences and all lights turned off.

 

Lionel, who was already nervous since it was his first time at a Naval Base, had followed Melvin over the fence, climbed ropes, and thrown himself into the interior of the Westport.

 

‘Oh, Father in heaven… thank you.’

 

If other navy personnel had caught them in that state, they would have been dragged straight to prison.

 

‘Please continue to watch over us…’

 

Of course, he couldn’t feel safe even now. If they were caught on the way out, they were dead.

 

“Now, grab my hand… well, that’s a bit awkward, so grab my sleeve tightly.”

 

Unlike Lionel, Melvin seemed quite relaxed.

 

Melvin had lived on this ship for a year until just a few months ago. He was so familiar with it that he could run around with his eyes closed.

 

“Huff, huff… yes…”

 

Lionel made groaning sounds while grabbing Melvin’s sleeve with trembling hands.

 

Clinging to him like a lifeline and moving along, they arrived at the captain’s quarters in the blink of an eye.

 

“Hmm, it should be somewhere around here…”

 

Melvin, who had been feeling around the top of the drawer with his hand, soon brightened up.

 

There was a clicking sound, and the lighter in his hand flared up. The lamp lit up with a whoosh.

 

After that, everything proceeded smoothly. Melvin even hummed his own composition, “Don’t Join the Navy, That’s My Dying Wish,” while searching for the records.

 

“Here, this is what you were so desperately looking for.”

 

Before long, Melvin handed over a bundle of papers.

 

Lionel, who had been sitting quietly at the desk, carefully examined the documents from the first line, relying on the lamplight.

 

And, after reading through the Westport’s records to the last page…

 

“…”

 

Lionel’s eyes flashed.

 

It was the moment his expectation turned into certainty.

 

***

 

After wandering around the festival for over three hours, the conclusion was this:

 

The unidentified client had not participated in the Founding Festival.

 

In the end, I gave up and returned to the Rose Observation Tower. The closing ceremony was still remaining.

 

When I went up to the upper floor, I was able to meet Sophia.

 

“She was such a cute employee.”

 

I had been a bit worried, but hearing Sophia’s satisfied voice, I felt relieved.

 

She’s the youngest among the staff, but our Diana is indeed quite charming.

 

“By the way, where’s the child?”

 

“The child was too sleepy, so I sent her back to the Viscount’s Mansion first.”

 

Since it was close to midnight, Pipi had already fallen asleep in Ransel’s arms.

 

I had the sleeping child carried by Marsha, whom we met in front of the observation tower, and sent her off.

 

“Yes, you did well.”

 

Sophia replied plainly and gestured to the seat beside her.

 

I was about to sit in that spot when I hesitated.

 

‘Hmm…?’

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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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