Chapter 91: My Husband! (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: My Husband! (2)
“The Magic Tower… it’s the most rational choice for Resin. As long as she proves her worth, the Tower will keep them under its wing.”
Come to think of it, Narupa was the valedictorian of the Magic Tower, wasn’t she?
I’d forgotten for a moment because her persona as a magic-wielding businesswoman had been so prominent lately.
“How did you obtain this information?”
As Narupa stepped forward, Rune and I watched the situation unfold.
The old man did the same.
Since Narupa, one of the most intellectual among us along with Nasian, had taken the lead, there was no need for us to interfere.
Regardless, I kept my eyes fixed on Yarismal.
“The Magic Tower itself is classified as a dungeon, so they are obligated to report to the Adventurer Guild headquarters.”
Even as she answered, Yarismal wasn’t looking at Narupa; she was staring straight at me.
Her face was gradually turning red, giving me a strange sense of déjà vu.
“However, the report was brief, merely stating that two people were there. Since the Magic Tower is guaranteed independence, I suppose they want to handle the rest themselves.”
“I see. Thank you for the information. Rune, should we show our guest to a room?”
“I don’t know. This place isn’t exactly known for its hospitality. I’m not sure we have a room to spare.”
“Oh, that doesn’t matter at all!”
Despite the cold reception from the two, Yarismal beamed.
“Because I’ll be staying in the house where my dear husband resides!”
“Husband?”
Rune’s expression went blank at the sudden remark.
I felt the same way.
So there’s a man out there who can’t live without a woman even more ferocious than me, I thought.
Narupa asked, looking skeptical.
“So, Lady Yarismal has a lover?”
“Hehe, we’ve been promised to each other in marriage since we were very young.”
“And he’s here in Hus?”
“Exactly.”
Ho.
Whoever he is, I should try to get on his good terms.
If her lover is in Hus, he’ll be the only one capable of keeping a leash on Yarismal.
But then, Yarismal walked up to me and held out her hand.
“Now! Shall we go?”
“Huh?”
A strange sound escaped my lips.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know where your lover lives?”
“Regrettably, that is the case. I haven’t been in Hus for very long.”
“Tell me his name.”
“Mmm~? Uhuhuhuhu.”
What’s wrong with her?
I asked for the name so I could help her find him, but she just gave me this lingering, syrupy laugh.
“Alto. It’s Alto.”
“Ah, his name is Alto too? Old man, can we even find him if she just says ‘Alto’?”
“There are over twenty people named Alto in Dakuren City alone. It would be helpful if he had a nickname or a title.”
“You hear that?”
I looked at Yarismal, feeling troubled, only to find that not just her, but every woman in the meeting room had their eyes wide open.
What is this? I’m feeling a strange sense of pressure.
I looked at the old man, but he was scanning the room with the same confused expression as mine.
“Yarismal, they say it’s hard to find him if you just say Alto. Give me a nickname.”
“…Bertrand.”
“Huh? Oh… right. Well, I am called Alto Bertrand, but try not to call me that if you can help it. It’s not my real surname. So, what’s your Alto’s nickname?”
“Alto Bertrand.”
Her voice sounded stiff.
“No, I mean! Your lover Alto’s nickname…”
“She’s talking about you, Alto!”
Rune cut in with a shout.
Narupa also stood up and hugged me from behind along with Rune, glaring at the newcomer.
“Who gave you permission to call my husband your ‘dear husband’?”
“Husband? Lord Alto was promised to me in a lifelong pledge when I was a child. Of course he is my husband. You thieving cats. You clearly intend to seduce my tender-hearted husband, but I shall beat that twisted nature out of you in the name of the Lord. Step outside, shall we?”
Dropping the honorifics and growling, Yarismal radiated a fierce aura of her own.
“Wait a minute.”
The atmosphere was getting increasingly hostile, so I had no choice but to step in.
Actually, it didn’t seem like this would be resolved unless I did.
“When did I ever make a lifelong pledge to you when you were a child?”
“Even you, my husband, would say such a thing!”
The tall, pink-haired woman feigned shock at my words, her eyes welling with tears.
“Fine! I understand why you are acting this way. It is a sin deserving of a thousand deaths that the woman who was to be your wife was not by your side when you were suffering so much. But while I was searching for your whereabouts, I was also accumulating wealth so that I could support you at any time!”
“If that’s the case, then we are more than qualified to be Alto’s women!”
“What?!”
Man, Yarismal is scary when she screams shrilly with that intimidating height of hers.
But Rune didn’t back down either.
“When Alto fled those wretched women and came to Hus, I was the first woman to welcome him, the first woman he said he loved, and the first woman he slept with! Since I took all of Alto’s firsts, he is obviously my man, and the spot next to him belongs to me!”
“Gah!”
Rune’s proud—or rather, shameless—declaration dealt massive damage to Narupa, who was standing right there.
Clutching their chests, both Yarismal and Narupa faltered.
“I-I am the daughter of Mirachi Bichante, one of the Four Heroes, the head of the training team at the Adventurer Guild headquarters, and the youngest elder of the Church’s Council of Elders. I can give my husband honor and a status befitting him!”
“Then I am the daughter of Vanguardier Dakuren, one of the Four Heroes, and the successor of Hus! Where else could you find something that guarantees as much honor and status as being the husband of a Great Overlord?”
“My dad is Bisharen Diberuper, too, but…”
“Urgh…!”
When Narupa raised her hand and countered, Yarismal bit her lip.
Taking a deep breath, Yarismal regained her composure and pointed at herself with her thumb.
“Honor alone cannot put food on the table three times a day! I hold positions in both the Adventurer Guild headquarters and the Church Council, so my income is double! Furthermore, I have inherited the shares of my father, the founder of the Adventurer Guild, so I can deck my husband out in the latest luxury brands every single day!”
Ugh, I hate luxury brands.
Just thinking about how I was backstabbed by Krima because of those damn luxury goods makes my skin crawl.
Diane was an accomplice too, but these days she works tirelessly and brings me the money she saves once it reaches a certain amount.
I’m accepting it for now, but I plan to give it back once she hits 40 million Dalk.
It wasn’t even my debt to begin with.
However, if I ever run into Krima, who fled Hus, things will be different.
I’m definitely getting that money back.
“I’m the head of the Diberum Group, a magitech corporation. If it’s money and gold you’re talking about, I have enough to build a castle with it.”
“And I receive the taxes that Diberum pays every month. The money paid by every corporation and person in Hus is probably more than your salary, don’t you think?”
“Ugh…!”
Yarismal was being pushed back.
The daughter of Bichante, who had dominated the atmosphere at the northern border of Lukart, was now just gaping, her strongest arguments completely dismantled.
“Mu… mu…”
“Why don’t you try saying something else? Yarismal Bichante?”
As Rune sneered, certain of her victory, the trembling Yarismal suddenly stomped her foot.
“You insolent things! How dare you try to lure my husband with something as trivial as wealth and glory?!”
“You’re the one who started it!”
“Rune, she’s lost it!”
“What matters is love! Love! Love and devotion!”
She fumbled around and pulled out a pair of knuckles, slipping them onto both hands. They were engraved with the words ‘Love’ and ‘Peace,’ respectively.
“In this harsh world, one cannot protect their husband without being strong—!!”
An amount of divine power far greater and rougher than Krima’s exploded outward, but Rune simply took a stance and beckoned with her finger.
“Bring it on. Now’s your chance.”
“……”
Narupa also began to draw her mana, her eyes glowing with iridescent light.
A sadistic smile spread across Yarismal’s lips, and just as she was about to lunge forward,
“That’s enough.”
I caught and pressed down the fist she was about to throw.
Her speed was incredible, though not quite on Diane’s level.
Perhaps it was because the indoor space limited her movement.
“Ngh…!”
Yarismal struggled to pull her fist back, but she couldn’t escape the pressure I was calmly applying.
“Yarismal. Airune Dakuren and Narupa Diberuper are my women. If you try to lay a hand on them, I will never forgive you.”
As I issued the warning, releasing a hint of bloodlust, Yarismal’s face grew increasingly red.
She was so terrified she couldn’t even breathe properly…
“Kyaaaaaaa—!!”
Huh?
“He touched my hand! He touched it! Haa…! Haa…! This is my first skinship with my beloved husband!”
Startled, I let go, only for her to clasp her fist and bring it to her nose, sniffing it frantically.
“Hehe… ehehehehe…! Haa, my hand is filled with my husband’s scent. I’m never going to wash it.”
“Hey…”
This is bad.
Her eyes have completely lost it.
“Rune, Narupa. Let’s wrap this up…”
I spoke to the two of them to settle the situation, but—
“Alto… so cool… as expected of my man…”
“Narupa Diberuper is Alto’s woman. Narupa Diberuper is Alto’s woman. Narupa Diberuper is…”
They were both dazed and swooning, their eyes just as gone as Yarismal’s.
“Bank Manager Nasian.”
“Yes, Branch Manager Karen?”
“I think I finally understand what true masculine charm is.”
“Hmm… well, you had your chance, Branch Manager Karen, but you know it’s too late now, right?”
“…Uuuugh.”
What are those two whispering about over there?