Chapter 726
Chapter 726
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 726
Chapter Title: The True Duty of a Virtuous Wife
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1.
The true duty of a virtuous wife is to follow and support her husband's will.
However, if that decision might put her lord in danger, she must dissuade him even if it means throwing herself in harm's way.
That was why Rinne had decided to accompany him to Logi's mansion—it seemed to her that his choice was reasonable.
Hexennacht was no longer a city that guaranteed safety if they only picked the secure options.
With every additional bit of manpower directly boosting their chances of escape, they had no choice but to accept some level of risk.
And in Rinne's eyes, his plan wasn't some wild, reckless scheme.
From observing her through repeated stealth and movement, Lydia wasn't mounting an active pursuit just yet.
But once time passed and the grand大会 ended, Lydia's net of pursuers would tighten into an inescapable noose.
If they were going to take any risks at all, there was no better moment than now.
Heading toward the 'Gate' and Fragrant Moon Tower from here was reverse psychology.
The limited manpower was likely concentrated on the routes leading to the lower towns.
Detouring to Logi's mansion could twist their escape path once, potentially avoiding an unlucky confrontation.
"Why did you kill Logi?"
Unable to use the elevator, they circled around via another route, and Rinne decided to ask the question that had been nagging at her.
"That is..."
"We're in the same boat now. Tell me honestly this time, without any excuses."
He wasn't sure if spilling every detail straight was the right move.
But Rinne had already sacrificed much to save Si-woo. Deceiving her again would sit poorly with him, so he told her the truth.
"...That's how it happened."
"......"
Rinne nodded.
At first, she'd thought Shin Si-woo was just like her—a true public servant type, pushing himself to the brink for strength.
But the gap between true nature and facade reveals itself over time.
She now understood the subtle discomfort she'd felt in how he treated her lord.
It was the same care for others that had made her abandon stepping onto a new stage for Si-woo's sake.
It was still a realm she couldn't easily grasp. But for some reason, she found that side of him appealing.
Gentle.
Kind.
Cool.
All the more so because it wasn't mere hypocrisy—it was genuine, even disregarding his own peril.
Rinne found herself staring at his profile.
"I see."
Si-woo was inwardly surprised by Rinne's straightforward reaction.
He hadn't expected praise, and he'd braced for criticism over his needless actions.
After all, wasn't it his rash outburst—without considering the full context—that led Rinne to raid Lydia's workshop?
"You did well. But next time, consider the situation more carefully."
Receiving encouragement along with advice made him wonder once again if something was wrong with him.
Come to think of it, Lydia had mentioned Rinne calling him her 'lord.' Was this related?
"Master. I heard something odd from the Gold Witch."
"What is it?"
"Don't take this the wrong way. Lydia said you were my lord or something..."
As Si-woo started to speak, Rinne's arm shot out, blocking his chest.
Her slightly pursed lips silently mouthed 'shh,' signaling to suppress their presence.
At the same time, she quietly drew her short sword.
Had the pursuers finally caught up?
Si-woo tensed, pressing flat against the wall and scanning the surroundings.
"......"
"......"
But after a long wait, nothing happened.
There was no way a witch could hide right in front of Si-woo without cover.
"Conversation ends here. Move quietly."
Si-woo didn't question Rinne's suspicious behavior much.
They'd been too noisy up to now, so she was probably just being cautious from here on.
The two took utmost care and successfully infiltrated Logi's mansion, securing Manya, Malisha, and Mama.
2.
Si-woo opened the concealed collection room in the workshop.
"W-We survived..."
"That crazy bitch..."
Contrary to his worries, Manya and Malisha were relatively unharmed.
Even a sadist like Logi apparently couldn't fully indulge her cruelty on Rinne's possessions.
"I'll repay this favor no matter what! Thank you for saving us!"
"Is Sis okay?"
They hugged Si-woo tight, tears of relief streaming down their faces, of course.
But the joyful mood didn't last.
Because Mama—the Black Witch—was there.
The unfortunate witch who had lost her apprentice without even realizing it.
"Thank you."
She quietly expressed her gratitude after donning the cloak Si-woo handed her.
Then she gently stroked her apprentice's cheek with the back of her hand, as the girl lay on the sofa.
Those eyes, now darkened and devoid of hope, might have foreseen this end.
Without shedding a tear.
Without showing any emotion.
She simply embraced Pina's body tightly.
Even executing the culprit couldn't undo the tragedy that had already occurred.
Si-woo averted his eyes from the suffocating scene.
He could only futilely hope Logi's death brought her some small comfort.
Rinne already held the codes for Manya and Malisha, so they formally released them.
Mama's collar was removed with the Evil Eye's help, just like Si-woo's.
"......"
"Master?"
But the situation turned urgent without even giving them time to grieve.
Rinne's condition was off.
Her lips had turned blue.
Cold sweat beading on her forehead now dripped from her chin.
The tremors starting from her fingertips wouldn't subside.
This was a variable even Rinne hadn't anticipated.
She hadn't fully grasped what magic Lydia's 'Reaper' entailed.
But its effects were clear: during their roughly four-hour stealthy trek from Almak Town to Logi's mansion, Rinne's state had steadily worsened.
Now it was too obvious to hide.
"Are you okay?"
At this point, when they needed to move as one to the apothecary, any bravado could be disastrous.
So Rinne answered honestly.
"I'm not."
"Is it from earlier?"
"......"
Rinne nodded, swaying even from that slight motion.
Si-woo knew what kind of person she was.
Someone who, even with a broken bone in sparring, wouldn't complain of pain but smile and dive deeper in—a tank with grit rivaling armored troops.
Moreover, Rinne barely showed emotions, so if she was visibly suffering, this was serious.
"Let me see the wound."
"I'm fine. Escape comes first."
He couldn't do much immediately, but he wanted to at least gauge the injury's severity.
Si-woo grabbed Rinne's wrist as she turned away.
"No. Let me see the wound."
Her preferred dark training robe was one piece top and bottom, so he had no choice but to loosen the hem.
Rinne resisted as if trying to pull away.
Grabbing her sash to stop her, she went still and whispered softly.
"...Too many eyes. Show some restraint."
"Huh?"
"At least to another room..."
"...Sigh."
She must really be in pain.
For Rinne to spout such nonsense.
Looking closely, her eyes were half-lidded like when she'd been drunk before.
"Not that—I'll just check the wound."
Si-woo carefully untied the sash of her training robe.
Even just bringing his face near her skin, he felt boiling heat radiating off her.
Her wrist pulse was arrhythmic nonstop—barely human.
Avoiding her chest entirely, he lifted the fabric at her side.
A long gash etched above her slender waist came into view.
"......"
It looked more like a scar than a fresh wound.
Purple veins bulged around it, and goosebumps prickled her skin from the pain.
Neither Rinne nor Si-woo knew, but what Lydia summoned with gold was a death-sentencing Reaper.
An instant-death mechanic in game terms: offer set value to fulfill conditions and guide the target to death.
Even if the ritual was incomplete and Rinne dodged part of it, that massive scythe raking her side meant a slow death was approaching.
Thus, even as Si-woo examined her now, the injury was gradually worsening.
They had no choice but to get her to Yebin as soon as possible.
If he'd known it was this bad, he wouldn't have been so stubborn...
Judging by the wound's progression, it must have been severe midway to the mansion.
And she'd pushed her body this far for his request?
A growing sense of debt, coupled with Rinne's inexplicable devotion—he truly couldn't understand it anymore.
"Master, you should have told me if it was this bad."
"......"
As he refastened her hem and sash, Rinne leaned into his chest—more like collapsing, really.
Her feverish body heat and ragged breaths warmed his torso.
"A wise wife... devotes herself to her husband."
One might dismiss it as delirium from fever and pain.
But Si-woo felt like he'd been struck on the head.
Her words pierced through all the recent baffling actions that hadn't made sense.
With a mix of disbelief, he began confirming.
"Master."
"......"
"Am I... your husband???"
"......"
Light returned to Rinne's dazed eyes, focusing on him.
Her cheeks flushed red from the fever.
Her fine hair damp with sweat.
She cast her gaze downward quietly, lips trembling.
"Yes. I will serve you as my lord."
"......"
"So become my mate."
Si-woo gaped in shock at Rinne's unforeseen proposal at this impossible timing.