2. The Full Story of a Serial Killer's Arrest

2. The Full Story of a Serial Killer's Arrest

"Hilda: +ﾟ*(ﾟ ֊ ﾟ„)*ﾟ+ Chattering about what to eat on the trip......"

"Adrian: +ﾟ*(о❛ ֊ ❛о)*ﾟ+ Imagining what to do at night during the trip......"

The Kingdom of Ruboslo, located in the northwestern part of the continent, is a country that attracts tourists with its serene and subtle landscapes, in contrast to the neighboring country of Inos, famous for its beautiful springs. Among its regions, the Margia territory was a secret gem known only to insiders, free from the noisy visitors and dirty streets that often plague popular tourist destinations. Rumors circulated quietly among those in the know that wealthy nobles from around the world had already purchased villas here.

"It's foolish not to invest in Ruboslo, especially Margia, if you have money. No matter how rich you are, with such a backward sense, you'll end up ruining your family fortune in a generation without being able to read the flow of money."

"I've been seeing a lot of foreigners on the streets lately. They might not be just pure tourists."

"They're probably coming to look around before buying a house or land. I would do the same if I were them!"

"You don't have that kind of money. Stop talking nonsense and just drink your alcohol."

"I know! That's why I'm here dawdling with you like this. Oh, my miserable life......"

"Don't say that. It's also a blessing to live without getting involved in big affairs. Living a long, modest life is happiness."

"But sometimes I wish something big would happen. Everyday life with nothing happening is too boring. Dull......"

"Tsk, how carelessly peaceful you sound. Haven't you heard that words have power? Don't say such things recklessly."

"It will soon be like that, so don't worry."

In a tavern in the Margia territory, the laughter of those exchanging idle jokes over drinks suddenly stopped at an intruding voice. Doubting their ears in their drunken state, they searched for the owner of the voice with skeptical eyes, soon discovering a stranger at a nearby table. The mouth that was about to say, 'Hey, what are you talking about?' clamped shut upon seeing his face.

"Oh, sorry for butting into your conversation. I was drinking alone and couldn't help myself when I heard an interesting story."

"Ah, no. We were talking too loudly......"

The two men who had been boisterous just moments ago exchanged glances and scurried away as if on cue. It wasn't just because of the man's broad shoulders or the bulging muscles and veins. What truly frightened them was the chilling aura emanating from his eyes and the sword that seemed to have been used in numerous brutal acts. The man, 'Torek', caressed the hilt of the sword on his waist as if it were a beloved pet.

"Those guys are really lucky. I was planning to start my work right from today. But the taste of this alcohol is too good to spill."

"......"

"How many guests have I seen come and go today? Twelve already? Fourteen, including those old men who just ran away. Well, if I stay a bit longer, this place might go out of business. What do you think, Natia?"

Torek downed the drink in his glass and turned his gaze towards the woman standing motionless in one corner of the tavern. Natia noticeably flinched as she received his gaze, tightly grasping her trembling hands. Torek cackled out loud, seemingly enjoying the sight of others fearing him.

"Don't be so scared. I know how to enjoy the aroma of alcohol too. Hmm... no. Would it have been better to add the scent of blood to enhance the atmosphere? I'm feeling a bit regretful now."

"......"

"But a delicious feast will be served soon, so I shouldn't be disappointed. How many guests have booked rooms for today? Two, was it? When will they arrive?"

"I, I don't know the arrival time. We usually book by date... but yes, it's two people."

Natia stammered with a face so pale she looked about to faint. Her intense fear was unavoidable. Her interlocutor was the serial killer who had caused an uproar in this country just five years ago. A madman who killed indiscriminately - men, women, young, and old - and even displayed their corpses brazenly. A lunatic who burst into maniacal laughter when he was finally caught after claiming 24 victims, and when he was sentenced to life imprisonment on an island from which he was said to never be able to leave alive. Stories of how he had grabbed the prison warden by the collar or bitten off and chewed a guard's ear had been widely reported in the newspapers.

'Why on earth is such a madman in a rural tavern like this...'

Natia squeezed her eyes shut, recalling yesterday. Just as she was preparing to open the tavern and receive guests as usual, this vicious serial killer appeared before her. Though five years had passed, she recognized him immediately, his face having graced the newspapers daily. He seemed far more cruel and frightening than he had appeared in the newspapers, and she thought she was surely done for. However, all he demanded from Natia were just two things:

Alcohol, and the list of guests with reservations.

"I see you wondering why I need this."

How many guests could there be with reservations at a rural tavern? Natia, who had been reciting the modest list of two names, flinched.

"I hear a lot of foreigners have been visiting this village lately. The fireworks to announce the glorious return of this Torek can't be set off with just locals. Touching some foreigners, especially nobles of quite high status, who knows, it might even become an international issue. Then the name of this Torek would be known to the world. Maybe foreign police would even be dispatched. Heh, just imagining it excites me."

"Su-surely you don't mean to k-kill the guests visiting our establishment...?"

"That's right. Be grateful for your long lifeline. After all, I'll need your help to receive the guests."

Natia squeezed her eyes shut at Torek's words, accompanied by a sinister grin. She had always strived to ensure guests could enjoy a comfortable stay at this tavern and inn. But now, to think they would have to die just for choosing this place, that she would have to guide them to a murderer... What kind of hell was this?

Even if she wanted to ask for help, in such a rural area there were practically no permanent police officers, and it was impossible to call for help due to the sparse population. To think that the tavern she ran would become a murderer's den in an instant. In this hopeless situation where no help could be expected, Natia had to use all her strength to hold back her tears.

"So, you said today's guests are foreign nobles?"

"Ye-yes... probably. They paid a large deposit..."

She answered, recalling the telegram with the deposit sent a few days ago. The name was 'Hilda', wasn't it? Actually, with just the name written there, she couldn't be sure if it was a noble, but the amount of money sent was not something a commoner would pay, so she had made an educated guess. Torek said it would be even better if they were merchants or wealthy individuals, as he could then empty their pockets too.

Oh, God. Please don't let this guest visit. Please don't let this tavern I inherited from my grandmother be stained with blood.

Natia prayed and prayed with her cold hands, but the heavens were merciless and did not answer her prayer.

"Excuse me."

As the sun was setting, painting the sky red, a guest appeared. Natia immediately realized that this person was the guest named 'Hilda'.

She was wearing a lavender-colored outdoor dress, long in skirt length but more focused on mobility. At first glance, it looked simple and neat, but the fabric of the dress was of a very expensive material. Although nobles rarely visited this tavern, they were incomparable to this guest.

Why would someone like her come to a place like this...

"I made a reservation for two nights. Are you Natia?"

"Ye-yes, I'm Natia. If you could please give me your name..."

"Ah, I've come to the right place then. I'm Hilda. You should have received a telegram along with the deposit. I'm glad I could find this place easily since it's at the entrance of the village."

While the other party was chattering cheerfully, Natia could feel Torek grinning without even turning her head. Thanks to being at the village entrance, the serial killer found it easily too... Suppressing the despair that made her want to burst into tears, she was trembling when the other party suddenly grasped her hand.

"Which way to the room... But why are your hands shaking so much? Are you feeling unwell?"

As warmth suddenly transferred to her cold hands, Natia looked up. She was startled by the gaze she met. Perhaps because she had only felt killing intent and fear from Torek, the green eyes staring intently at Natia seemed as warm and transparent as if they held spring itself.

On closer inspection, she had a pretty face with delicate features, but the reason why one's first thought upon seeing her wasn't about her beauty was due to the vitality she exuded. This vivid life force. She was so healthy and radiant like sunshine that Natia had the trivial thought that this person probably had never caught a cold in her entire life.

Besides, isn't it dirty? To hold a hand damp with cold sweat without caring, sharing warmth. Wearing such noble clothes...

"Hilda, whose hand are you holding like that?"

"Eek!"

Startled by the sudden grumpy, almost cold voice from the side, Natia unconsciously pulled her hand away and stepped back. Hilda called out "Ah, Adrian," but Natia was completely dazed. The person she saw when she turned her head was... a beauty beyond belief. The kind of beauty that captivates at first sight, makes your heart race at second glance, and inevitably makes you fall in love at third glance, to the point of seeming almost wicked. Natia stood with her mouth agape, all thought processes halted. She had never seen such a person in her life.

"This is the tavern owner. Here, use this handkerchief if you need it."

"Hilda, your hand..."

"It's a woman, what's the problem? Which room should we use?"

Natia unconsciously took the handkerchief Hilda offered and mumbled a reply. In fact, she was so mesmerized by Adrian that she couldn't even remember what she had said, but Hilda must have received a proper explanation as she smiled brightly, thanked her, and went up to the assigned room with Adrian.

Hilda seemed used to such reactions, having experienced them many times before, while Adrian didn't seem to even notice Natia, as if she were invisible. Yet it didn't feel rude at all, because he didn't seem like a fellow human being at all. Natia couldn't even grasp how to describe him. Even his voice calling "Hilda, Hilda" as he climbed the stairs sounded dreamlike.

"Are those the nobles?"

But the dream was short-lived. Torek's voice sent chills down her spine like the sound of a saw being scraped. When Natia froze in place, it seemed to serve as an answer, and he laughed menacingly. As Torek's gaze followed the stairs up which Hilda's party had ascended, as if licking them, Natia's head dropped lifelessly.

The handkerchief Hilda had given her was the only warmth she could cling to.

"Emily: ( ﾟ艸ﾟ；) Frantically searching for the missing Count and Countess......"

"Kazimir: ( ŏㅁŏ；) Also frantically searching......"

"Rosie: (ﾉ´✪▽✪`)ﾉ Decided to go find Hilda and packing bags......"

"Hans: ,,•﹏•,,* Mouthing words, wanting to follow Rosie......"

Torek was in high spirits. Escaping from prison by deceiving the guards and the warden. Crossing the sea, overcoming dozens of near-drowning experiences to reach this village. None of it had been easy, but when he thought about the great journey ahead, it felt more like a minor initiation rite.

Here's the English translation of the Korean novel chapter, following your guidelines:

Five years ago. How exhilarating it was when I made my name infamous across this continent. I killed and killed again. Killing was enjoyable and fun. Not stopping at murder, I tried to create an organization and build an impregnable kingdom that no one would dare touch, but I failed right at the very end.

When I was dragged to prison, I despaired, thinking I would never achieve greatness in this life. But all of that was just laying the groundwork for this day. It was God's will, giving me a great trial so that I could unfold an even grander ambition than before.

'Oh Lord. Forgive this lowly follower who failed to comprehend Your will.'

The first prey had arrived. Due to everyone fleeing at the sight of Torek, the tavern was already empty except for him and the foreign couple who had come as prey. The tavern mistress, who trembled at the mere sight of him, was irritating, but he decided not to mind her since there was no way to call the police here. It had been a while since he'd seen eyes filled with fear, so it felt fresh and even nostalgic. Besides, he planned to finish off that wench after dealing with his prey here anyway.

Torek filled a large cup with alcohol and carefully observed the foreign couple coming down from the third floor. He already knew their names from overhearing earlier, but not knowing their surnames, he couldn't tell their origins or social status. Though they had tried to dress as plainly as possible, every fabric and accessory was of incalculable value.

Especially the man – every movement exuded nobility, undoubtedly of aristocratic birth. Though Torek usually saw his prey as mere meat to be carved up, given their appearances, he couldn't help but notice. That pale face... the delicate features were quite displeasing. It was surprising how despite being stunningly beautiful, there was no doubt the person was male.

"Excuse me, how can we order a meal?"

"Oh, we only have one set menu, but we can prepare it if you'd like. Today we have pea soup with bread, and some simple meat and vegetables."

"Um... I'm sorry it's a bit late, but could we order for two? Adrian, is that alright with you?"

"Anything is fine with me."

After they placed their order, Natia scurried off to the kitchen to start preparing the meal, and the couple sat down not far from Torek. The woman, who had just taken in the tavern, spoke first.

"I'm glad we arrived on the day we planned when we set out. Wow, I'd heard stories, but this place is even more beautiful than I imagined. Adrian, have you been here before?"

"No, it's my first time too. Are your legs sore from walking? If you'll allow me, I can massage them for you."

"Not now. You must be tired too. Do it later when we go in."

The man looked ready to lift her legs and start massaging right away, but she wouldn't let him. From their accent in the common tongue, they could be from Inos. No, listening closely, that must be it. It would be perfect if killing them caused diplomatic trouble with the neighboring country.

As this was his first prey, Torek pondered how to deal with them. They seemed wealthy, so he wouldn't have to worry about money for a while. The dead have no need for clothes, so he'd strip and sell them. While Torek was engrossed in these grim calculations, the couple continued their conversation nonchalantly.

"It's our honeymoon after all. You should enjoy it more."

"We've traveled together so many times already, I'm not sure if we can really call this a honeymoon. But I'll enjoy it thoroughly since you prepared it."

"Every moment with you is a honeymoon, Hilda."

Damn it... Am I invisible?

Torek's face twisted in disgust as he inadvertently overheard their nauseating exchange. He'd thought they were newlyweds based on the honeymoon talk, but apparently this wasn't their first time. Even being generous, they both looked to be in their late 20s – how privileged must they be to have gone on multiple honeymoons? When common folk struggle to manage even one. Damn nobles.

"Hilda, shall I brew some tea for you? The thought of your throat being parched during our journey breaks my heart."

"Oh come on, we didn't walk that far... Ah, is that Rubes Mountain tea leaves? Did you remember I said I liked the aroma and bring it all the way here?"

"For you, I could cultivate Rubes Mountain tea leaves right here."

"How romantic... But just brewing it is enough. Please."

"What an honor to be able to quench your thirst with tea I've brewed."

For fuck's sake...

Unintentionally eavesdropping on the couple's sickening display, Torek unconsciously tightened his grip on his cup. From their conversation, they didn't seem to be newlyweds, but their sickeningly sweet behavior suggested otherwise. Unless they were deliberately trying to make others uncomfortable before killing them.

Torek glared at the couple with an unusually fierce expression. Even if they had been pretending not to notice, glancing furtively, they should have sensed his gaze and presence by now. Strangely, the couple didn't spare him a single glance. It was as if they were completely separated from the world, living in their own realm. Or they were hopelessly oblivious and dull.

Then again, as with previous customers, Torek's bulk and presence alone usually drew unwanted attention, and his menacing aura made people flee. It was almost an animal instinct for survival.

But how were they acting now? Especially the husband, so engrossed in his wife that he didn't even think to look at Torek. No, even after the food arrived, he seemed desperate to wait on his wife.

"Oh, you're doing it again. I'll do it myself. You're not even used to it."

"Hilda, I can do anything for you."

"Look at this instead. This cup. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Nothing in the world is more beautiful than you."

"That's not true. You are."

Good grief...

This was too much. Listening quietly was making him nauseous to the point of feeling like he might turn into a chicken. Torek's face turned red as blood rushed to his head, and he slammed the table. These stupid prey... Cheerfully carrying on, oblivious to their impending doom. How can they be so pathetic and obtuse?

Should I just kill them? Forget about celebrating my escape, should I just kill them now?

Torek ground his teeth with a murderous aura, but the couple remained busy gazing at each other. If Natia hadn't been flinching in the corner every time he reacted like this, it would have been truly embarrassing. Just as he was thinking he should just kill them and was about to stand up, he unexpectedly made eye contact with the woman. He had barely registered the thought of her strikingly clear green eyes when suddenly a chill ran through him. As if an icy north wind had brushed the nape of his neck, goosebumps rose along his spine.

What is this?

It was a sensation he had never felt before upon making eye contact with someone. He froze unconsciously for a moment, and by the time he came to his senses, she had already averted her gaze.

He couldn't understand the cause at all. Surely this body of his hadn't felt fear just from looking at that woman...

Was he feeling unwell? Yes, that could be it. He had suffered while crossing the sea after his escape. A sudden chill was nothing compared to that. Or maybe he was in a foul mood from watching those lovebirds' disgusting display. It was understandable to be upset that his anticipated first prey turned out to be such people. He couldn't hunt his first prey in this state of mind.

Even as he calmly tried to pinpoint the cause, his bewilderment wouldn't subside. Normally, he would have overturned his cup and caused a scene, but somehow, ever since making eye contact with that woman, he didn't feel up to it. Perhaps that's why he found himself unconsciously sitting demurely in his seat, fiddling with his cup.

'Tonight's the night. I'll make thorough preparations and take care of them tonight.'

As he calmly recalled his plans for the night, the chills subsided and his mind gradually settled. Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed honeymooners finished their meal and went outside. It seemed they wanted to look around the area. Only after their shadows completely disappeared from view did he feel like he could breathe again.

"Damn it!"

Only then could Torek freely vent his frustration, taking it out on the terrified Natia by yelling at her. Even after making a fuss for quite a while, his anger wasn't fully appeased, and he stomped off like a moody teenager, slamming the door behind him.

Convincing himself that the chill he felt in that brief moment of eye contact with the woman was surely just his imagination.

[Emily: ( ﾟ艸ﾟ；) Even more surprised to learn that Rosie and Hans have disappeared...

Kazimir: ∑( ◦д⊙)‼ Also shocked to hear that Rosie and Hans have vanished...

Rosie: ･:*｡･:*三( o´✪▽✪`)o Following Hilda's trail...

Hans: ･:*｡･:*三( o* •﹏• *)o Following Rosie...]

"Hilda, is something bothering you?"

"Hm? Oh, no. It's nothing."

Hilda belatedly turned her gaze to Adrian, who was gently holding her hand and asking. Adrian glanced at the tavern she had been side-eyeing until just now and asked again.

"Are you sure you're okay with staying here tonight? We can still change accommodations if you'd like."

For a small village tavern, it was clean and well-kept, and the room they were given wasn't bad, but that was by commoners' standards. For the Count and Countess Palzgraf – members of a prestigious Inos family with a fortune second to none – it was naturally too humble.

With each step they took, the grass rustled softly beneath their feet. Hilda shook her head.

"No, it's fine. I chose this place. We agreed to have a quiet trip just the two of us, so this is perfect."

Even as she said this, she glanced back at the tavern as if something was still bothering her, but then looked straight ahead. Adrian escorted her with a gentle smile.

"Alright. If that's what you want."

Sunlight sparkled in the corners of his gently curved eyes, and the light platinum blonde hair fluttered in the breeze across his smooth forehead.

Hilda smiled back, taking a moment to admire Adrian standing in this foreign land. His long-sleeved shirt, neat trousers, and dark gray tail coat elegantly accentuated his perfect physique. She had been enchanted by the fairytale-like scenery of mountains and lakes as they rode in the carriage to the village entrance, but with Adrian blending into the colorful landscape, it became absolutely splendid.

"What is it, Hilda?"

Red and yellow autumn leaves showered down like rain. Amidst that colorful beauty, Adrian shone like a solitary white moon.

Truly, though she saw him every morning and evening, his face inspired new admiration each time. It was difficult to give an impression of both a pure, aristocratic beauty and a formidable presence, yet Adrian managed to achieve just that.

"You look happy, Hilda."

He gently removed a fallen leaf caught under Hilda's long braided hair and smiled softly. Such a pure smile was reserved only for Hilda.

"Of course I am. I'm traveling with you. I can't remember the last time we walked outside together, just the two of us. Since we snuck out, Emily and Kazimir must be worried sick by now, even though we sent someone belatedly..."

Here's the English translation of the continuation, following your guidelines:

The Palzgraf household was as renowned for their fuss as they were for their prestige. Every time the Count and Countess left the mansion, the staff and guards were frantic to assign even more people to accompany them. It only got worse after the pregnancy, and once everyone in the mansion knew, dozens would follow them even on short trips to nearby villages. Their procession often dominated the roads, sometimes to the point of embarrassment.

"Mmm, they're probably worried."

"What should we do then? Should we go back as soon as possible?"

"But they also know it's unnecessary worry. Let's enjoy this rare moment of peace, just the two of us, Hilda."

"I suppose you're right. It's rather absurd to think of guarding you in the first place."

Hilda nodded. There was no being in the world that could threaten Adrian's safety, and even if there were, mere human guards would be no match. If anything, Adrian would be hindered by having to protect the guards while fighting.

Deciding to send another letter to Emily upon their return, Hilda enjoyed their rare vacation as Adrian suggested. They admired boats floating on the lake from afar, then strolled together along the well-maintained path between the mountains.

Though always together, their conversations never seemed to run dry. Sometimes they spoke of Adrian's past, sometimes of Hilda's, and sometimes they went even further back, but always ended up talking about their time together.

"Come to think of it, what should we name our baby?"

Hilda asked after chattering for a while. Adrian, who had been responding with attentive "mm-hmms," fell into brief contemplation. This topic made even Adrian cautious, and it was difficult to reach a conclusion. Hilda also pondered for a moment before breaking into a mischievous smile.

"How about Diablo? It is the child of Satan, after all. If they're twins, we could split it nicely into 'Dia' and 'Blo'. For triplets, 'Dia', 'Bl', 'Lo'..."

"..."

"No, wait, you said you were also an angel, so maybe 'Gabriel' would be good too. The first could be Diablo, the second Gabriel, and the third..."

"...Hilda."

"What? I think it's not bad."

"They actually exist. And you only suggest such names because you don't know what kind of characters they are."

Adrian gently took her hand and stopped her. She knew this was his way of expressing strong disapproval.

In fact, they had been discussing baby names throughout their carriage ride here, but couldn't reach a decision. So they decided to make lists of names they each wanted and eliminate the ones they didn't like one by one. But Adrian ended up striking out all the names Hilda had enthusiastically written down, saying they were inauspicious because they were all names demons had used for fun.

"How do demons use so many different names? Just use one. Daniel was fine for a boy's name, but you said it couldn't be used because of some Uriel or whatever, and Diana was out because Lilith used it."

"It's a being that's a mix of you and me. I want to give it a good name."

His eyes were infinitely warm, even though he meant 'I can't work like this!' Understanding his feelings, Hilda stopped grumbling. There was still time until the baby arrived, so perhaps there was some fun to be had in this back-and-forth process of choosing a name.

"Ah, there's a boat left over there! Adrian, let's hurry and ride it!"

After walking along the path for a while, a large lake greeted them, and Hilda excitedly found something to do. Adrian calmly held her waist, pulling her back to prevent her from overexerting herself.

"Are you sure? It might rock a lot and make you feel unwell."

"It's fine, it's fine! The baby wants to ride the boat too, hurry!"

As Hilda climbed onto the small boat first and beckoned, Adrian reluctantly followed. The large, colorfully tinted mountains were perfectly reflected in the clear water, and while they admired the magnificent view, Adrian was doing his best to keep the boat from rocking too much.

"Adrian. About this place. Let's come back here with the baby later."

Her sleeve was wet from playing with the water outside the boat. Adrian gently dried her wrist area perfectly while giving her a soft look.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, the scenery is so beautiful, and it's quiet and peaceful. You seem to like it quite a bit too."

Looking at her eyes sparkling like jewels, Adrian made a decision. He would secretly buy a villa nearby.

Since Hilda was so fond of this place, having a villa might encourage her to travel here together more often. The Palzgraf family already had villas scattered all over the world, and Hilda had declared they wouldn't add any more, but there were ways to buy one secretly. If she pressed him about what new villa this was, he could say they had just discovered land deeds hidden away by a previous head of the family. It wasn't as if there weren't undiscovered villas in their possession. Unaware that he had already completed all the plans in his head, Hilda was smiling brightly.

After becoming a Countess, Hilda worked even harder. In truth, a family like the Palzgrafs could probably live off their wealth for generations without working, but for some reason, she lived diligently. If it was purely about money, Adrian could have brought her the immensely valuable gold and jewels he had left behind in hell, but since that didn't seem to be what she wanted, he decided to give her handfuls at appropriate times later.

Sometimes he wondered if she was living unnecessarily busily, but when he saw Hilda excitedly chattering about her day's work when she came home at night, such complaints would dissipate like bubbles.

Hilda enjoyed being busy with various tasks, and Adrian enjoyed watching Hilda be happy doing what she liked. In truth, he liked everything about her.

As he looked around, his eyes suddenly met Hilda's. She was gazing at him with eyes sparkling like they held stars, and when she winked at him, he almost let go of the oar for a moment. He barely managed to compose his fluttering, trembling heart and pretended to row nonchalantly again. He deeply regretted that they were outdoors, and as if reading his mind perfectly, Hilda just grinned.

"By the way, I'm glad you're feeling better. Really, even for you, such a misunderstanding. It made me feel quite hurt."

Hilda spoke calmly amidst the gentle lapping of water. Realizing she was referring to the recent commotion, Adrian lowered his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Hilda. For doubting you, even if only for a moment."

"Well... if we're being fair, I'm at fault too for keeping secrets. It was wrong of me to make you feel anxious. I won't do it again."

"..."

"But I want you to know this. Before, and now, I'm happiest when I'm with you."

His hands gripped the oar tightly. How can you so easily make my heart both constrict and flutter?

If only I could love you in moderation. Then I wouldn't be anxious or afraid. Even knowing that you worry because of me, I can't stop, so I suppose I'll remain an eternal coward.

"It's okay. I like you that way too."

Hilda spoke kindly, as if she had directly heard his thoughts. At that moment, even the helplessness and the anxiety that caused fear melted away like snow, making his eyes sting. Adrian had to hold back and keep rowing to avoid being teased for crying.

Engrossed in sightseeing around the village and its surroundings, the two only returned to their room at the tavern late at night.

"..."

Hilda, who had been chattering non-stop outside, fell silent for some reason after coming back from washing up. Even as Adrian placed her legs on his lap and started massaging from the soles of her feet, she seemed deep in thought about something.

"You don't look well, Hilda. Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, it's not that..."

"Hmm, then what is it?"

"..."

Hilda trailed off and fell back into contemplation. Adrian said nothing more, just continued massaging her feet, which must have been tired from walking all day. Her skin was so fair. Then again, there wasn't a single part of Hilda from head to toe that wasn't beautiful.

As he firmly pressed her instep and sole, Adrian tried to engage her in conversation a few more times, but Hilda, seemingly lost in deep thought, didn't respond and remained preoccupied. Not long after, as if having finished her profound deliberation, Hilda suddenly spoke up.

"I just remembered I have an errand to run, so I'll step out for a bit. You must be tired, so if you want to sleep first... Eek!"

Her back, which she had straightened to get up, slid down at the sudden stimulation. Her eyes quickly turned a rosy red as she glared at the culprit.

"Adrian!"

"Ah... every time you call my name, I feel like I'm going crazy with excitement."

"Y-you're doing this on purpose... Ah!"

The hand that had been massaging her foot now slid up insistently from her heel to her ankle. The touch of his palm, free of any calluses, felt searing hot, making her skin tingle. As she unconsciously tensed and tried to bring her legs together, his eyes curved. Beneath his long eyelashes that could cast shadows, his glass bead-like eyes shone brightly.

"What's wrong, Hilda? Are you ticklish?"

"This... the walls here are thin. They might hear...!"

"We're the only ones on this floor. If you're really worried, you can bite on the edge of your clothes."

His caress on her ankle was persistent. In an instant, her body temperature rose, and the room felt hot. No, wait, just a moment. Even seeing her pupils quiver slightly in confusion, Adrian didn't stop. Instead, he lifted her ankle and started kissing various spots near her ankle bone. Unable to bear the ticklishness and the subtly rising heat, her toes curled.

"Hilda, my Hilda. Surely you weren't planning to leave me here alone?"

"No, I'll only be gone for a moment...!"

"If you must go out, take me with you. It's night. I'll be scared if I'm alone."

His downcast eyes were becoming moist, looking utterly pitiful and forlorn. Hilda almost believed him for a moment before barely coming to her senses.

"As if I'd fall for such a lie..."

"If you leave like this, I'll wait for you all night. I might even cry from loneliness."

"I told you I'll be right back, stop... it tickles!"

Here's the English translation of the continuation, following your guidelines:

"Ah, Hilda, will you no longer look at me? Have I been abandoned?"

With a face full of sorrow, he whined while rubbing his cheek against her instep. He looked so sad that anyone watching might think he'd been told to live in celibacy for a year.

This isn't good. I need to go out. But the gentle caresses on her sensitive spots and the teasing almost-kisses kept breaking down her resolve. As the strength left the arms barely supporting her, her legs draped over his shoulders. He had always been good at foreplay, but today it felt like her soul was being sucked out. Before she knew it, his shadow covered her, and he gently licked her reddened ear. Once he sensed that Hilda had given up, there was no stopping him. His hand, which had been pretending to be weak, pulled her down forcefully, and she couldn't resist the hand skillfully invading beneath her clothes.

"Don't abandon me, Hilda. You can't do that."

"That's not it... You know. I'm currently..."

"Yes, that's why I'll make you feel good. Won't that be good for the baby too?"

She wanted to say what nonsense that was, but his soft voice flowing into her ear melted her mind. Through the thin clothes, she could feel his sleek yet firm body.

He rubbed his cheek against hers slowly, as if being affectionate. Adrian's eyes became moist as if he really would have cried if left alone. It was a wheedling threat. Even knowing it was a deliberate act, just seeing that face and hearing that voice made her give in. And he seemed to be enjoying her troubled reactions to some extent. He appeared kind, but was subtly wicked.

I've trained him wrong. I should have corrected his behavior from the start... But the biggest problem was that even now, after falling for this many times, she still didn't feel resolved to correct his behavior.

Hilda grabbed Adrian's face with both hands and kissed him as if devouring him. A satisfied laugh escaped through their sliding lips. The blanket on the bed was pushed and pushed until it fell to the floor with a thud. Only each other could fill the tantalizing and yearning sensations.

[Emily: (;*´Д`)ﾉ Seeing off Kazimir as he leaves to search for Rosie and Hans...

Kazimir: ( ´罒`*)✧ Gritting his teeth thinking about what he'll do when he catches those two...

Rosie: (´✪▽✪`;)ゞ Looking around in confusion after losing track of Hilda's trail...

Hans: ( ,,•﹏• ,,*) Feeling shy on his first trip with Rosie...]

The warm late autumn sunlight, the picturesque scenery, the morning birdsong...

It was a morning that anyone would greet refreshed and in good spirits, except for one person: Torek. Having spent the entire night awake for unwanted reasons, he was grinding his teeth with sunken eyes. Why did I have to end up like this? The serial killer who once terrorized the world recalled the appalling previous night.

Even if they were just one of many sacrifices, there were still courtesies to be observed. When that damned couple returned, he went up to the floor where they were staying, carrying the tools he had prepared. He had no hesitation, having meticulously devised how to deal with them while they were out.

Before opening the door, he pressed his ear against it to check on their movements. But the sounds coming from inside were... sure enough, as expected of that damned couple, they were engaged in their damned activities. Good grief, at first he thought he had misheard. Perhaps because they were alone, it was even more explicit and lewd.

If I open the door now...!

When his thoughts reached that point, he completely lost the courage to deal with them tonight. Despite having jumped alone from the towering cliff of the prison into the sea, for some reason he felt daunted and quietly returned to his own room. Even for a murderer, he was quite vulnerable in this area, and the couple's uninhibited behavior made him feel embarrassed on their behalf.

Once back in his room, he felt exasperated and angry, but he couldn't bring himself to go back. Should I just go and kill them? No, I can't witness such damned acts again right before my eyes. But leaving things as they are hurts my pride. No, this is all for the great achievements to come. There's a matter of dignity too. Damn it, dignity my ass... As he asked himself questions and answered them, his anger rose and his mood worsened. Now he felt like he didn't care about plans or anything else.

"Um, excuse me. I've... brought your meal."

So, unlike his original plan, he felt it wouldn't matter if he dealt with this tavern owner woman who had just opened the door and entered first.

So he did it.

"Mmph, mmph, mmph..."

The woman kept struggling inside the sack. She was probably mumbling pleas to spare her life, saying she had elderly parents to care for, and so on. He liked the bloodstains seeping out of the sack. He dragged the sack containing the woman around, looking for a suitable workshop to hide her. Just then, he spotted a dilapidated stable behind the tavern that seemed to have been used long ago and then abandoned.

Torek tossed the sack inside, locked the door, and then laid out the tools he had brought on the floor. After dealing with this woman, it would be that creepy couple's turn. To make sure they remembered his presence, he planned to leave a mark each time he dealt with someone. A sharp spiral shape. From today on, not just this country but the entire continent would tremble in fear at the sight of the spiral mark.

"Sob, sob, sob..."

"Hey, are you scared? You don't have to cry like that. It'll be over quicker than you think."

He stroked her with a gentle touch, but the crying didn't subside, and her struggles only grew more intense as if trying to get as far away as possible. It was foolish, as nothing would change no matter what she did. Torek clicked his tongue and then suddenly felt cheerful, humming a tune. I should have done this from the start; I was the one being foolish.

Knock knock.

Just as he had chosen the tools to use for this job, there was an unexpected knocking on the stable door. Sensing someone's presence, Natia began to struggle, trying to call for help. He struck her hard once to quiet her and glared at the door with angry eyes. This was an abandoned stable, so who could it be? And how did they know someone was inside to knock? Could they be looking for this woman? How did they know she was here? No, more importantly, who?

"Excuse me, is someone in there? I'm coming in!"

Knock knock. The woman declared after knocking once more for formality. What nonsense, the door is locked...

Bang!

It was definitely... locked, but it opened. As he turned his head from the weakly opened door, he saw that woman. The green-eyed lady. How did she open it without a key?

"I was going to say I had the wrong room, but it seems I found the right place."

"...Who are you?"

"Excuse me, but is that person in the sack the tavern owner?"

The blood had seeped through to the surface of the sack, turning it red. By this point, she should have noticed the ominous situation and either become scared or run away, but the woman seemed strangely calm. Did she grow up so preciously attending tea parties that she can't grasp the situation? Or is she an idiot?

"Well, whether you're an idiot or whatever, it doesn't matter. You were next in line after this wench anyway."

The woman's eyes widened at Torek's words. She must be surprised. But once you've set foot in here, it'll be hard to leave alive.

"Ah... It's been so long I wasn't sure, but it seems it's real. What should I do about this."

"What are you talking about? Come here. If you come quietly, I'll end it quickly for you. Your husband will follow soon, so don't worry."

"Oh my, you were after my husband too? That's even more troublesome."

Torek was dumbfounded watching the woman pondering with her hand on her chin. Wasn't she scared of a man much larger than her wielding threatening weapons, with another woman bleeding in a sack? Well, it would be convenient for him if she wasn't scared.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but you'll have to die quietly too."

Torek picked up a huge axe from the floor with both hands, smiling maliciously.

"You may feel honored. You'll be Lord Torek's second sacrifice. Ah, you might even be the first if you die before that wench, so don't feel too disappointed."

"...Torek? The serial killer Torek? You're that person?"

The green eyes widened, and he became much more smug. That reaction when hearing his name. It would have been perfect if she had been a bit more frightened, but those were exactly the eyes he had been longing for all this time in prison. Thinking about how long he had waited for this moment almost made his nose tingle with emotion.

"That's right. I am that Torek. Even though you're a foreigner, you've heard of my infamous name, I see?"

"Of course... You were notorious as a crazy murderer..."

"If you know, then you should know what to do now."

He tightened his grip and twitched the corners of his mouth. Although her reaction wasn't entirely to his liking, once the blade sliced her skin, she would soon show the reaction he was expecting.

What he loved most were the eyes of a dying person. Because he could face all at once – the pain, fear, resignation, terror, hope, all of those things. What kind of eyes would this woman show? Just imagining it made her look delicious.

It was just as he was about to swing the axe to attack. Thwack! Along with a dull sound, his skull shook. As if he had taken some drug, the objects in front of him appeared in two or three layers, and his vision swayed, but even then, he couldn't comprehend what had just happened. When a tremendous impact is delivered, the pain comes belatedly. His abdomen began to scream with immense pain. A pain like something had burst inside his stomach washed over him.

"I didn't originally intend to use such a violent method."

"Ugh, ack..."

"Still, it's probably better that I caught you rather than him. ...Though you probably don't know that."

Clang! The axe fell from his weakened hands with a harsh metallic sound. Clutching his struck abdomen, he fell to his knees with a thud.

What kind of strength is this?

Having lived a rough life, he had been beaten up many times, but he had never felt pain like this. It was an unbelievable strength unless she was some kind of hidden master. He burst into a hollow laugh as he remembered the husband talking about her "delicate legs" in the hall yesterday. Delicate, my foot. Unless her legs were made of iron, this kind of strength...

"I was originally planning to stop by last night to check, but I fell for Adrian's tricks, sigh... When he sets his mind to seduce, there's no resisting."

"Ugh, kugh..."

"This is self-defense. You agree, right?"

Here's the English translation of the continuation, following your guidelines:

Hilda picked up the axe lying on the floor and asked. Even as he writhed in pain after being kicked once more, Torek's jaw dropped at the sight. He couldn't utter a word. That axe was so heavy that even he needed two hands to lift it.

"Ah, but no matter how I think about it, it's such a waste. In the old days, I would have sent you straight to a lunchbox without asking questions. What a waste, such a waste..."

Lunchbox? Is she talking about me?

"Come to think of it, your name was Natia, right?"

While Torek was curled up clutching his stomach, Hilda rescued the hostage who was trembling inside the sack. Bleeding from what seemed to be a head injury, Natia shivered, unable to grasp the situation as she saw the fallen Torek and Hilda holding the axe. Before any unnecessary misunderstanding could arise, Hilda firmly grasped her face and turned it towards herself.

"Don't misunderstand. I came to save you, and I know he's an escaped murderer. I'll need your help to capture this man, can you assist me?"

"Huh... sob, sob, ugh..."

"Natia, it's alright now. You're safe."

Tears flowed uncontrollably, perhaps from the overwhelming relief, and Hilda comforted her for a while. Though she still occasionally glanced fearfully at Torek, Hilda would beat him up each time, gradually calming Natia. As the trembling in her body subsided, the green-eyed savior grasped her shoulders and said:

"Can you stand? To send this person back where he belongs, we need to call someone, but I can't leave here. I need your help."

"The... the inspector... Should I call the inspector?"

There are no permanent police in this village. But having just escaped death, she was willing to run to another village to find and bring back a police officer.

"No. There's not enough time for that. It would be troublesome if Adrian noticed... Ah, please forget I just said that. Anyway, go to the house marked on this map and find a person named 'Jeffrey'. Give him a brief explanation of the situation. He'll take care of everything."

"Jeffrey..."

"Yes. He'll probably be fishing, so just grab him and bring him here."

Jeffrey, Jeffrey. She repeated the name several times, as if it could drive away the terrible memories. Clutching the map Hilda had given her as if it were a lifeline, Natia ran out in one breath. Though she couldn't understand why Hilda had asked for this Jeffrey person instead of the police, there was no time to question it.

"Well then, shall we wrap this up?"

Torek was dumbfounded by her cheerfulness, as if she were saying, "Now that I've finished cleaning the bathroom, it's time for the kitchen!" After being hit a few more times, he was dragged like a log and tightly bound to a pillar. All the while, the woman chattered energetically. Saying things like she'd seen many people like him before, that she had been unsure but her intuition was right, that it reminded her of her active days... incomprehensible things.

How could this noblewoman, who looked like she had been preciously raised in a flower garden all her life, claim to have seen many people like him?

"Let's see, this should be tight enough that you absolutely can't move, right?"

Even with his hands bound and tied tightly to the pillar, Torek couldn't move a finger.

This situation... what on earth is this? No matter how vicious a murderer he was, it felt like he was being handled too much like a doll. He felt empty and deflated, recalling all his struggles since escaping prison. Now, instead of his heroic tales, the world would gossip about how easily he was caught and imprisoned again. They'd probably add as a side note how many times he was kicked by those legs that her husband worried were too delicate. It was so pitiful it brought tears to his eyes.

"Oh, dear. I forgot about the baby... I'm sorry, little one. I showed you something not good for prenatal care. But it should be fine, right? You're Adrian and my child, after all. This might even be good prenatal education, hmm..."

She seemed flustered as if she had completely forgotten, but as she went on, she seemed to convince herself, nodding. Damn, she was even pregnant?

"But the blood stains are problematic. He'll notice if he sees them."

Even through his tear-blurred vision, Torek could see the bloodstains on her sleeve. He couldn't tell if it was Natia's or his own from when he coughed up blood after being hit. After pondering for a while, Hilda glanced at Torek and then hurriedly left the stable. She had probably gone to her room to change clothes.

Leaving a murderer alone just to avoid showing bloodstains to her husband? That meant she was more concerned about her husband discovering the bloodstains than the possibility of him escaping and causing havoc. She must have also judged that even if he escaped, she could easily subdue him... Torek became even more depressed.

Does that delicate, pale husband of hers know his wife is such a monster? He could swear on the wooden plank that had been his lifeline crossing the sea that he absolutely did not. No sane person could say they loved such a woman.

And not long after, he got his answer to that question.

"Hilda?"

Shortly after the woman left, someone else came. Torek, who had been struggling to untie the ropes, jerked his head up. It was the wife earlier, and now the husband? He couldn't understand what gave this pale, frail-looking guy the guts to come here. Unless he had a death wish.

"Somehow, I can smell Hilda's scent here."

Platinum blonde hair and incredibly beautiful. Even the dim interior with barely any sunlight and the musty old smell couldn't cast a shadow on his beauty. He approached, looking around the stable with slow steps, and Torek glared at him as if ready to lunge and bite if he came any closer.

Then he suddenly changed his mind. He had to get him to come closer by any means. If he got close, Torek would kick him down, then wrap his legs around his neck and crush him. If the woman didn't work, he'd use this guy. As long as he had a hostage, even if she came back, she wouldn't be able to act rashly.

"Are you looking for your wife? She was here. Definitely."

The eyes that had been scanning the air as if Torek didn't exist suddenly turned to him. They were beautiful eyes, as if carved meticulously by a master craftsman. Eyes like clear blue water flowing calmly, but Torek hadn't yet sensed the eerie darkness lurking within them.

"Why was Hilda here?"

"You're asking because you don't know? She was loitering out front, so I dragged her in and had a taste. You should have seen how she writhed in pleasure."

"..."

"Want me to tell you more? Like what your wife's expression was when I lifted her skirt?"

Torek enthusiastically invented lewd tales, prepared to take a few hits from him. He described in detail how he had raped and violated the woman, adding exaggerations to his experiences. The man looked weak anyway, so a few hits would probably just tickle. The moment his opponent lost his reason would be the moment Torek was waiting for.

"..."

But unexpectedly, the other party remained calm. It was strange that he didn't say a word even after his wife was insulted so much. Or maybe he was just terrified. Just as Torek was about to spit out even harsher words in his foul mood, his lips froze. He had thought the man was a pale and weak young master, someone easy to knock down when he got close, but the moment their eyes met, he was enveloped by an enormous pressure.

"Haha."

A dark, massive vortex had suddenly appeared, swirling at his feet.

The dry laughter made Torek's ears bleed. It felt like facing a predator at the apex of the food chain. Torek was suddenly wetting himself and his legs were trembling violently.

"Hilda did come here. But nothing like the nonsense you spouted happened."

"Huk... heuk..."

"Your word play is quite ridiculous. But unpleasant things are still unpleasant."

The black shoe that had suddenly appeared before his eyes pressed down gently on his leg. It looked like he was barely applying any force, but Torek's leg bones were already crushed. Torek drooled, unable to even scream from the tremendous pain. Adrian's eyes narrowed and his mouth widened. An excited, detached smile.

"Are you scared? Afraid I might do something bad?"

"Heuk..."

"The real bad things haven't even begun in this world yet."

Certainly. Here's the continuation of the translation:

In contrast to his melting tone, the pressure on Torek's leg doubled. Even his well-trained body and solid muscles crumbled helplessly. Normally, he would have collapsed foaming at the mouth, but Torek couldn't. An invisible hand ruthlessly gripped his constantly fading consciousness, refusing to let go.

Torek was now in the sea. The hellish, nightmarish sea he had crossed holding onto a wooden plank after escaping prison. He had been swept away by waves and nearly drowned countless times. In this hallucination, Torek flailed about, experiencing the same pain as back then. He opened and closed his mouth like a carp, but couldn't breathe.

"You've finally quieted down."

Adrian smiled faintly.

"To think I was trying to keep something like this alive, I've really become careless. Only Hilda should be adorably careless."

"Ugh... urgh..."

"But we're out on a rare outing, and if this area gets noisy, Hilda might worry. If we're unlucky, she might suggest we handle it... And this outfit is for Hilda to see for the first time. It mustn't get dirty."

He spoke while tapping his shoes a few times as if they had gotten dirty from stepping on Torek's leg. In fact, Adrian had brought clothes he normally wouldn't wear, showcasing one each day. He hoped Hilda might look at him one more time if he did so. This time too, he had changed clothes with such expectations and went looking for Hilda when she was nowhere to be seen.

"But it seems the smell of this place has seeped in. Hilda might not look at me like this."

"Keurgh..."

"It's a shame, but I'll have to change into different clothes. She might even have trouble with morning sickness if I'm not careful..."

Suddenly, Adrian slightly sniffed his sleeve, frowned his beautiful forehead, and then left abruptly, completely forgetting Torek's existence. At the same time, the illusion he had cast dissipated, and Torek's breath exploded out. He coughed frantically, drooling and crying. When he looked around with his hazy mind, he was still in the stable.

What on earth is that guy, a magician? The magician seemed to know Torek's most terrible memory that he never wanted to experience again. The helplessness and chills that had dominated his entire body wouldn't go away.

"What... what the hell..."

He couldn't understand. He had only tried to start his work in this rural village, so why had he run into such people?

He had thought the green-eyed woman must have hidden her identity and married after thoroughly beating him up, that no one could love this woman if they knew her true nature, but he was completely wrong. The woman was crazy and the man was insane. Until yesterday, he had thought these damned people were well-matched, but now the meaning had completely changed.

Just wait until I get free. I'll take revenge on those bastards right away...

That's what he would have thought normally. But the woman possessed impossible strength, and the man was clearly a magician who had lost his mind, so he was too scared to mess with them.

"That's it... I've had enough."

Here's the English translation of the final part, following your guidelines:

As his coughing subsided, a voice of resignation flowed out naturally. He was exhausted. For now, at least, he wanted to warm himself by a cozy fire and have a hearty meal. Just as he lifted his head, wondering if there was any way to untie the ropes and free his body:

Creeeeak.

The sound of the door opening again filled the stable. This place, long abandoned as a ruin with no reason for the door to open, was bustling with activity today.

[Emily: (っ﹏-) .｡o Waiting for news from Kazimir...

Kazimir: ( ´罒`*)✧ Gritting his teeth while chasing...

Rosie: (´✪▽✪`)? Following Hilda's trail but who's this strange guy? Feeling annoyed...

Hans: (」ﾟﾛﾟ)」 That's the escaped serial killer from the news! Shocked...]

"Is that the serial killer?"

"Y-y-yes! I saw him in the newspaper! He e-escaped from that infamous prison!"

"Hmm."

The reactions of the two children who suddenly barged in were contrasting. The boy turned pale as if about to faint upon recognizing Torek, while the girl was disappointingly indifferent. At the same time, they were looking around as if searching for someone.

It's them! I might be able to use them to escape from here. Torek tried his best to calm his rough breathing and coax the children.

"Children. This uncle isn't that kind of person. I've heard I look similar, but it's a misunderstanding. I've never harmed a hair on anyone's head."

"R-really?"

"Of course. Why would that escaped serial killer be tied up in a rural place like this? Such an ambitious person, right? So, come here and help me out, will you?"

"But..."

Despite his best efforts to put on a kind smile and speak gently, the suspicion didn't leave the boy's face. The girl who seemed completely uninterested in his words worried him, but these two were Torek's only hope. If he could just get free from the ropes, he could handle the rest somehow.

"How can we b-believe that? You're tied up because you did bad things, right?"

"Oh, that's a big misunderstanding. If you just untie me, I'll explain everything in detail. Come on, come here and..."

Bang!

At that moment, a gunshot rang out, deafening his ears, and warm blood trickled down his cheek and ear. When he came to his senses, the gun barrel was already filling his mouth. Click. Along with the sound of the hammer being cocked, a cold voice echoed in his ear.

"You dare lurk around a place where Lady Hilda stayed? Speak. Where is she?"

"Ugh... keurgh..."

"Answer."

There was no hesitation in the voice, as if ready to pull the trigger at any moment. W-what? This girl. Suddenly pointing a gun and... Moreover, with the gun barrel filling his mouth, he couldn't answer even if he wanted to. The boy accompanying her was just trembling behind her. Hey, come quickly and stop this girl!

"Rosie... you're amazing, acting so bravely without panic even in front of a murderer."

Ah, he was trembling not from fear but from admiration. These lunatics. Not a single person related to this Hilda woman, adult or child, was in their right mind. It was so bad that he, once feared by the whole world, felt like the most normal one.

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmmph!"

Just as he was about to writhe violently in frustration and try to spit out the gun barrel, Creeeeak. The door opened once more.

"Found you, you brats!"

"Aaaagh!"

At the scream as if they'd seen a ghost, even the unwavering gun barrel visibly flinched.

[Emily: ❀.(*´◡`*)❀. Relieved after receiving Hilda's letter belatedly...

Kazimir: ( º言º) Found you, you brats! Shouting...

Rosie: Σ( ▽ )ﻌﻌﻌﻌ✪ ✪ Surprised along with Hans's surprise...

Hans: Σ( Д )ﻌﻌﻌﻌ⊙ ⊙ Surprised at seeing Kazimir...]

"Well, well. It seems I can't rest easy even after leaving active duty. The situation... I can guess without explanation."

Jeffrey looked around the stable with a troubled face.

The murderer who had escaped from the sea prison said to be inescapable was now beaten to a pulp, his legs crushed, and the stable was riddled with bullet holes. In fact, when Rosie first pointed the gun, it wasn't this bad, but when Kazimir discovered the children and the murderer, he started beating Torek to death, yelling, "Did you lure our kids?!" Then Rosie, angered and shouting, "Whose kids are we?!", started shooting, resulting in the stable walls being perforated. The battered Torek was handed over to Jeffrey who appeared shortly after.

Natia, who had dragged Jeffrey here as Hilda instructed, also looked dumbfounded.

"Sigh... I'll take responsibility for cleaning up here, so don't worry and get your wounds treated first. You must have been very shocked."

"But, will you be alright? Alone..."

"Yes. Actually, I used to be with the Metropolitan Police. Now... I'm on a temporary leave. I know people at the Met, so this will be handled smoothly."

"Oh my! So you were a police officer!"

Natia covered her mouth in surprise. Jeffrey scratched his forehead, somewhat embarrassed.

"Yes. To be precise, I was a sergeant. I'm not sure how Lady Hilda... I mean, the Countess knew my whereabouts, but it seems she's been keeping an eye on me, perhaps due to some past connection."

He had been ill for a long time after his long-time partner Harrison met such an end. It was shocking that he hadn't noticed any signs while Harrison was committing numerous crimes right under his nose. He was angry at the criminal acts Harrison had committed, and he blamed himself for not being able to share his partner's anguish. Even after burying Harrison alone, the sense of frustration and painful skepticism didn't fade. So he had submitted a leave of absence and holed up in this countryside, thinking it wouldn't be bad to live like this, just fishing for the rest of his life, when he was dragged here like this.

"At this rate, it seems things will turn out exactly as the Countess wishes."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing. Please tell the Countess that I will handle this man. Given the situation, I won't be able to greet her in person, so please convey my message."

There was a bitter taste in his quietly uttered words. Hilda had probably been worried that Jeffrey might seclude himself forever, and that's why she had Natia call him when this incident occurred. And as Hilda thought, Jeffrey couldn't ignore a bleeding citizen and a criminal hiding in the countryside.

"If I return to the Met, I'll be teased for having the shortest leave ever."

"Oh my, there must be some mischievous people there."

"Yes. There was someone who always took the lead in teasing about such things. He's not there anymore... but I miss him and resent him at the same time."

With a bitter smile, he took out the handcuffs he always carried in his pocket. This time when he goes back, he should bring flowers. Harrison would probably yell from his grave about what kind of flowers they were, making his skin crawl, but Jeffrey felt he could now laugh and say, "What are you going to do? No one but me knows this is your grave." Now he could.

[Hilda: o(*≧□≦)o Oh my! Cheering at how handsome her husband looks in his new clothes...

Adrian: ♪( 'ω' و)و Showing off while attracting Hilda's attention...

Kazimir: ヽ(｀Д´#)ﾉ Let's go home quickly! Fuming...

Hans: ｡ﾟ(ﾟ⊃ω⊂ﾟ)ﾟ｡ Sad that his first trip with Rosie is ending like this...

Rosie: (* ✪︿✪) Grumbling about why she has to be dragged along too...

Jeffrey: (￣^￣゜) Suddenly remembering Harrison and feeling sad...

Natia: (*´▽`*)ﾉ Seeing Jeffrey off, thanking him for his help...

Torek: *(:3｣∠)* Please let me have just one meal... Being dragged back to prison...]

series info // discord // previous // next