WTARS 63

Chapter 63 …

When Raul faltered, Siena wrapped her arms around his and guided him to the bed.

“I’ll go instead. You should rest. Your body’s been through a lot, so you need to take it easy for a while.”

“You’re going to go?”

“Hmm… or should I send the servants? I can have them check on Muriel to see how she’s doing.”

“….”

Raul raised both hands to his face, rubbed them dry, and sighed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed under Siena’s guidance, he wore a complicated expression.

Siena gazed at him quietly and asked softly,

“Does it bother you?”

“…It’s infuriating. The Terni family, and that woman too.”

If the one who saved him really was Muriel, he would naturally feel deeply disgusted.

‘Why did it have to be her?’

Muriel Terni was exactly the kind of person he never wanted to owe anything to in his life.

He felt no gratitude at all—not even for having his life saved.

Only unbearable humiliation.

“I’m curious too. How did Muriel even escape the Contaminated Zone? And with the Veratis Guild Master, no less.”

At Siena’s words, Raul replied with a trace of cynicism.

“The Terni family must have helped her.”

After exiling Muriel to the Contaminated Zone under the pretext that she had ‘repeatedly violated the laws of the Winterberg territory,’ he had sent an official letter to the Terni family.

It was an invitation for them to protest if they wished.

If they had demanded a divorce first, it would have been to his advantage.

The one who would get scolded by the king would be Duke Terni, not him.

Yet the Terni family didn’t protest at all.

Only an unpleasant, strange silence lingered.

It was still odd upon reflection.

Wasn’t Muriel supposed to be the cherished daughter the Duke had raised with utmost care?

And yet they didn’t respond at all?

‘If they had some hidden scheme behind it, I could understand.’

A cold sneer crossed Raul’s pale lips.

“As you said… the Terni family is probably the one who got Muriel out of the Contaminated Zone.”

Siena raised her eyebrows and said, frowning as she tilted her head.

“What on earth are they thinking? They didn’t file an official complaint or demand a divorce, yet…”

Raul laughed coldly.

“Who knows what dark motives those demons are hiding?”

“That’s true…”

Siena nodded in agreement, patting Raul’s shoulder.

“Sleep a little more, Raul. I’ll have the servants check the Contaminated Zone. Muriel’s probably not there anyway.”

Raul hesitated for a moment, then resigned himself and lay back down.

“…Alright. Thanks.”

Closing his eyes, the image of Muriel appeared like a phantom in the mist.

He clenched his teeth quietly and tried to shake off the visions.

There was no way she helped him out of goodwill.

She must have done it to make him indebted to her, for the Terni family’s benefit.

‘She’s just another one of Terni’s demons, after all.’

It was simple then.

Suppressing the odd discomfort and doubts that had sprouted in a corner of his heart.

The journey back to the farm went smoothly.

The weather was clear, the chill was fading, and it wasn’t cold anymore.

Most of all, the horse Dante had gifted was gentle and adorable.

“Do you want a carrot? Want to eat?”

“Hiiiing—”

Seemed like a yes.

“Here, eat slowly.”

When I held out a carrot, it grabbed it eagerly and gobbled it down.

I told it to eat slowly… maybe it was a bit greedy.

By the way, I had tamed this one too with my breeding skill.

〈Tamed Creatures List〉

1. Brown Forest Rabbit (Lv. 2) – A common brown rabbit living in the forest. Considers itself the strongest being in the universe.

2. Lissian ■■■■ ■■■■■ (Lv. ???) – ?? ??, Male. Your fate tied by a red thread. No matter what happens, this person is someone you can trust absolutely.

3. Nelly (Lv. 20) – A mare that provides a stable ride. Even fast. Gentle and gets along with everyone.

The name ‘Nelly’ was given by Dante. It suited her pretty appearance and soft beige coat perfectly.

‘Horses can be this beautiful…’

I admired Nelly while petting her when suddenly a chilling voice sounded.

“Something bad is going to happen…”

It was like a line from a horror movie. I startled and slowly turned around.

“Something bad… I feel it… Something’s going to happen…”

A small woman with white hair and black eyes.

She was a white-haired sparrow beastwoman, a combat member of the Veratis Guild.

Her name was Camilla Schneider.

She seemed nice, but as a Veratis Guild member, she had a peculiar personality.

I forced a smile and asked,

“What do you mean by ‘something bad,’ Camilla?”

“Exactly what it sounds like… I have a bad feeling…”

She hugged herself and shivered as if goosebumps had overtaken her.

Watching her, Lissian beside me sneered mockingly in an unpleasant tone.

“Then why don’t you just go back now? You’re not much help here anyway.”

Now I noticed—Lissian was merciless to almost everyone except me.

‘So you really are mean…’

“No! I can’t! Then I won’t get the bonus from the Guild Master! My 1,500 rubles…”

Camilla seemed reluctant to act as my bodyguard too, but she didn’t want to refuse the money.

1,500 rubles… fair enough. I nodded in understanding.

“Honestly, I’m feeling a bit uneasy too.”

“Gah…! Muriel too…?”

“There’s a reason.”

It wasn’t an empty statement. There was indeed one pressing concern.

Namely…

※ Raul Winterberg Relationship Index: 10.81%

This was it…

He saved my life, and the index rose by 10%!

‘Absolutely hate it!’

Why does Raul keep entangling himself in my life? I already cut the red thread!

‘I need a divorce immediately. Once I finish everything at the farm, I’ll storm Winterberg Castle.’

And get his signature. Surely he won’t start spouting nonsense about living a bit longer.

I took a deep breath and smiled faintly at my companions.

“Shall we head out again?”

So we mounted our horses again. Lissian and I rode Nelly, Camilla rode her horse, Apple Pie.

‘Why is the horse named Apple Pie…’

She didn’t seem to mind.

“Muriel, are we going to let that uninvited guest stay in the living room?”

“Hmm…”

Lissian asked quietly from behind. He held my waist with one arm and the reins with the other, resting his chin on my shoulder.

Annoying, like a leech, but I was used to it and answered calmly.

“We should, right? But… if we do it well, maybe we can expand the house.”

“Oh…?”

I summoned the system screen in front of me.

Current Fame: 1,390
Fame needed for Housing Upgrade Level 2: 1,390 / 1,500

As you can see…

Only 110 more to reach 1,500!

‘I hadn’t realized… it’s risen so much.’

Phew… the future’s scary.

Am I really going to become a lord?

‘Being a lord is bothersome…’

I like being a simple farmer. I’ll keep farming…

Then.

Ninabel’s whining voice in my head suddenly became urgent.

—Master! Something terrible! Some nasty people have invaded the farm~!

Frozen for a moment, I quickly asked.

‘What do they look like?’

—Ugly!

‘No, not that.’

—Three human men, ages… sorry! I’m a spirit, I don’t know human ages~! But from what I overheard, they seem to know you, Master!

‘Conversation? What are they saying?’

—Earlier, they mentioned your name, now they’re saying… “Is this the cabin? Are you sure? Where is that wicked woman?!” …

Ah.

I know exactly who they are.

‘Raul sent servants.’

I had suspected, but sending people to the Contaminated Zone rather than the Veratis Guild branch was unexpected.

Maybe they lost too much blood and couldn’t think straight?

Anyway, since uninvited guests have arrived, I need to go greet them properly.

‘Nini, protect the house. Don’t let them do anything.’

—Should I show myself, Master?

‘Yes, this is all or nothing.’

—Yesss~! Then leave it to me, Master!

After finishing with Ninabel, I turned to Camilla and Lissian, speaking seriously.

“We need to hurry. Uninvited guests have reached the farm.”

Lissian seemed to understand and urged Nelly without questioning further.

“Move!”

“Hiiing!”

We bolted ahead, and Camilla on Apple Pie followed suit.

‘Good, the farm isn’t far.’

About fifteen minutes later, we faced the three fools confronting Ninabel.

“Get lost, you squids! This is the Master’s precious home!”

“Wh-what is this? A spirit?”

“Why is there a spirit here…?!”

Because I’m its master.

“Hiiing!”

The three had been distracted by Ninabel and only noticed us when the horse’s whinny echoed.

Seeing me, their eyes widened.

Then they blurted out, panicked,

“Mu-Muriel Terni…?!”

“You’re really alive!”

“So the one who saved the lord really…”

I lifted my chin and glared coldly at them.

“How dare you barge in without permission? With no manners.”

Time to teach them a lesson.