Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 278
TL: Elphie / PR: Marm
Chomp-chomp froze as the maid spoke.
âYou said you saw a big worm around here?â
âYes⌠I wasnât sure whether to mention it, since none of the other maids saw it. But it was oddly thick and plump. Though, maybe⌠it was just a worm? Or perhaps a snakeâŚâ
Her voice trailed off.
âI just⌠I hope Iâm not bothering you with something trivial, Sir MichaelâŚâ
The fake Michael shook his head.
âNo, you did well to tell me.â
Michaelâs voice was calm, but his gaze sharpened as he scanned the undergrowth.
âWe still havenât figured out exactly what that creature was. Or how it managed to get close to Irene. In a situation like this, anything suspicious needs to be investigated.â
His eyes locked onto the bush where Chomp-chomp was hiding.
âA giant worm, huh? Weâll conduct a search.â
âWorm!? Whoâs a worm, you XX!?
Chomp-chomp glared at Michael before slowly inching behind a rock.
This wasnât running away. This was a strategic retreat.
Yeah. Thatâs right.
With that thought, Chomp-chomp stuck his tongue out at the so-called Michael of this world.
I really hate you! No matter what it takes, Iâm bringing His Majesty back here!
But that was easier said than done.
âI need Her Majestyâs helpâŚâ
But Majesty didnât even remember anything right now.
Chomp-chomp slithered further into the shadows. If it didnât have enough power, it would just have to borrow someone elseâs.
âArtifacts.â
Chomp-chomp thought of the artifacts within the Fortress.
Anything would do. It would cling to every single one of them and beg for help if necessary.
* * *
âIrene!â
âLady Irene!â
The moment Irene stepped into the archive, everyone inside rose to greet her.
âHow are you feeling?â
âYou werenât hurt by the monster, were you?â
Concern filled their eyes as they looked at her.
Irene let out a sheepish laugh.
âIâm really fine. I feel like Iâve said this a thousand times already. So please, donât worry too much.â
She answered even more cheerfully than usual before stepping toward one of the clerks to receive the latest report on this weekâs newly emerged dungeons.
âThere are fewer of them?â
âYes. Normally, this is the time of year when dungeons appear the most, but strangely, compared to last year, their numbers have decreased.â
The clerk handing over the documents glanced at Ireneâs hand and remarked:
âThatâs a ring I havenât seen before. Did you acquire a new artifact?â
âOh, thisâŚâ
Irene looked down at the ring with slightly clouded eyes before quickly taking the papers and waving her hand dismissively.
âOh no, I just remembered I had an appointment. Iâll come back later.â
âYouâre leaving already?â
The disappointment in their voices was clear, but Irene simply offered an apology before hastily stepping out of the archive.
Once outside, she glanced around, searching for the least crowded place before making her way to a secluded corner of the courtyard.
âPhewâŚâ
She breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down on a bench under the shade of a tree, away from prying eyes. It was as if being around all those people had been suffocating.
âSomething feels off.â
Irene set the papers she had brought beside her and fell into thought.
Everything was peaceful.
Their circle remained strong, and the people of the Fortress actively cooperated.
Even Princess Cecilia, who had persistently opposed Ireneâs circle, had finally lowered her head and changed her stance, admitting that she needed their help.
Dungeon subjugations continued without any major casualties.
The newly appointed purifiers were quickly learning how to wield their powers, and even the knights, who once looked down on lower-ranked members, no longer dared to oppress them carelessly.
A truly tranquil life. She should feel at ease, butâŚ
Irene gazed down at the ring on her finger.
Last night, she had tried over and over to remove it, but it clung to her skin as if it were fused with her body.
That alone made it clearâthis was an artifact, and a bound one at that.
âWhen did I even put this on?â
She had no memory of acquiring it. No recollection of where or when she had gotten it.
âIf I bring it to the Hand of Appraisal, it could tell me butâŚâ
The Fortress had granted Irene unlimited and cost-free access to the Hand of Appraisal.
This was because she had donated an artifact with defensive powers for the safety of the Fortress.
They had seen it as a necessary measure, taken to safeguard against the possible rampage of a high-tier dungeon. But still, the Fortress had received an artifact of immense value for free. It was only fair that they offered something in return.
She could use their services whenever she wished, without hesitation. And yetâŚ
Ireneâs gaze lingered on the ring before she lifted her other hand to cover it.
âThat monsterâŚâ
She still couldnât remember its face. Yet, she could recall its final act with perfect clarity.
It had pressed a kiss to this ring.
So carefully. As if it were handling something precious beyond measure.
But that wasnât why she hesitated to take it to the Hand of Appraisal. No, the reason was something else entirely.
âEver since Iâve had this on, my dreams have been strange.â
The moment she recalled last nightâs dream, Ireneâs face flushed a deep, burning red.
It had been a lustful, shamelessly debauched dream.
