Chapter 69 …
“…….”
There was nothing to be surprised about.
I had expected it to turn out this way.
The Parkai Church was a group that worshiped the three goddesses of the Trinity.
And Muriel was a purifier blessed with the special favor of those three goddesses.
How could the temple possibly go against the strong will of such a purifier?
So, while it wasn’t at all unexpected…
“…….”
Why did I feel like this?
Unpleasant, inexplicably stifling…
‘…Could it be that I’m disappointed?’
Nonsense.
Raul let out a hollow laugh.
He, too, had wanted the divorce from that woman.
‘Pull yourself together, Raul Winterberg.’
The nightmares and visions that tormented him weren’t real.
Sometimes he got lost in them as if they were reality, but in the end…
“…!”
It happened then.
Muriel’s vision appeared again.
As if mocking him for trying to separate nightmare from reality.
Raul froze like a statue, eyes wide open.
Whenever the vision wandered in front of him, for some reason, he couldn’t move.
Thump, thump—
His heart pounded as if it would burst, and a high-pitched ringing filled his ears.
“My lord…?”
The butler called anxiously, but Raul couldn’t respond at all.
As if cursed.
As if possessed by an evil spirit.
His bloodshot eyes moved tirelessly, chasing the vision.
“L-lord…”
Seeing his master in a state that looked completely deranged, the butler was suddenly terrified.
Muriel’s ghost, semi-transparent, danced and sang joyfully, then suddenly bled and died.
Forgetting even that it was just an illusion, Raul frantically ran forward, trying to hold her.
But Muriel’s afterimage scattered like dust the moment his hands reached out.
“…….”
Raul only regained his senses after a long while, still kneeling on the floor.
When he slowly stood, an oppressively grim aura emanated from him.
He wiped his face with both palms, then turned to the trembling butler in the corner and commanded:
“Call Michelle.”
“Y-Yes… right away!”
Six hours later.
An investigation team, personally led by Michelle Holten, secretly departed for the Terney estate, Rapienne.
To verify the truth of the story Muriel had revealed.
Eventually, the day had come.
Current Reputation: 1,500
You have gained all 1,500 reputation points needed to upgrade your living space to Level 2!
Even though I hadn’t really done much since returning to the farm, my reputation increased on its own!
It seemed that my name was spreading widely among the people.
‘The news that Raul was saved must have spread.’
I sighed deeply and muttered to myself.
“At this rate, I might actually become a lord…”
“Huh…? A lord…?”
The voice that suddenly interrupted was none other than Camilla.
Ever since she learned about my past, she had been unusually kind to me.
Not in a cheap, pitying way.
It was more like she consciously thought, “I should treat this person well.”
I gave an awkward laugh and spoke.
“Haha, it’s nothing… just a random mutter. I guess I’m getting a bit famous lately…”
Camilla’s black eyes sparkled as she eagerly agreed.
“It’s only natural for Muriel to become famous…! And if you were to receive a title from His Majesty the Emperor and become a lord, I would think that’s wonderful too…! Anyone who tries to block your path, I’ll cut them down with my axe…!”
“Th-thank you, Camilla.”
Grateful, but scary. And knowing Camilla, she could probably really cut them all down…
Then another voice joined in.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Ah, Lysiane! Perfect timing.”
Lysiane, returning from the forest, set down the large pile of firewood he had carried near the barn.
Come to think of it, the barn was a bit cramped. With a rabbit and two horses inside, there wasn’t much space left.
‘When I upgrade the house, the barn will probably get bigger too. The land I’ve purified so far should be enough.’
I grabbed a towel and water bottle and ran to Lysiane. Meanwhile, Ninabel had gone to the spring. She was training hard to get stronger… or something.
‘Even if the sprinkler gets stronger, I doubt it’ll be that powerful…’
Still, Ninabel was the only sprinkler on our farm… so good luck!
“It’s hot, isn’t it? The weather’s really warming up. May is just around the corner—it feels like time’s flying.”
I handed Lysiane the water bottle. He smiled faintly.
He drank half the water in one gulp, then tilted his head toward me, as if asking to be dried.
I chuckled and wiped his wet hair, face, and neck with the towel.
“Aren’t you hungry? Want something to eat?”
“Anything Muriel makes, I’ll like it.”
“Hm… There are some eggs and chicken left from the city, and still plenty of sausage. What should I make?”
As I pondered, Lysiane looked at me warmly.
Whenever he stared like that, I felt wrapped in a cozy atmosphere.
Then I would suddenly get shy and avert my gaze—it’s my usual pattern.
Even now, my cheeks felt warm, and I instinctively looked away.
If Lysiane tried to meet my gaze, I’d feel like a stone on a hot grill.
“Don’t… look at me like that…”
“Huh? How am I looking at you?”
“D-Don’t pretend you don’t know. Don’t act innocent when you know exactly what you’re doing.”
“I really don’t know. It’s not like there’s a mirror in front of me… Ah, maybe like this?”
Lysiane pressed his face close to mine, as if trying to reflect himself in my eyes.
“…!”
Our breaths brushed against each other at a distance so close our lips almost touched. I shivered and immediately stepped back.
But Lysiane wrapped one arm around my waist and drew even closer.
“Muriel, do you know that the more you run away, the more I want to chase you?”
“I-I’m not running away!”
I flinched inwardly but backed off anyway. Lysiane chuckled softly, tilted his head slightly, and stared at me.
“Well, that’s fine. We have plenty of time… we can take it slow, one bite at a time.”
“What kind of crazy thing is that…?”
Whether I was stunned or not, Lysiane smiled as refreshing as a summer sky, then lightly pressed his lips against the back of my hand.
“But, Muriel.”
“Hm…?”
“The magpie beastman has been staring at us for a while now.”
“…!”
Only then did I notice Camilla, my eyes widening as I froze.
My thoughts processed a beat behind.
‘Crazy… so embarrassing!’
I wanted to hide in a mouse hole. I buried my face in my hands, hearing Camilla’s dreamy voice.
“You two… always look newlywed-like… So nice to see… Not that I want to date too… But, like… ah, this is real love…? If it isn’t, maybe you shouldn’t even start…?”
…Camilla, please stop, I’m going to die of embarrassment.
A little later, I left the barn holding the rabbit. Lysiane and Camilla each led a horse out.
‘Better to move the animals since the barn might change when we upgrade the house.’
Yes. From now on, I planned to upgrade the house.
I explained everything to Camilla and Lysiane, and Ninabel… she’ll be surprised when she returns.
‘Status screen.’
I called it in my mind, and a bluish screen appeared in the air.
How can I assist you?
(ᐢ ‘ᵕ’ ᐢ )
It reacted like an AI.
Anyway, I spoke what I wanted in my mind.
‘I want to upgrade the house.’
The system responded like lightning.
From Level 2 onward, no materials other than reputation are required.
Spend 1,500 reputation to upgrade your living space to Level 2?
YES / NO
It was so convenient to expand the house using only reputation.
The reputation system… at first, I found it awkward.
‘But I have to admit, it’s useful.’
I pressed ‘YES,’ and a multicolored, opalescent ribbon wrapped around the building.
Tap tap♪♬ Tap tap♪♬
With lively hammering sounds, a brilliant light spread out, gradually revealing the new house.
Living space upgrade complete!
Obtained: “Decently Livable Two-Story House”
Now you can invite more guests!
And raise more animals ♡
Happy newlywed life~ ⌯˃ ᵕ ˂⌯
