Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Swamp Messenger
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A dank, stagnant, and utterly filthy swamp stretched before him.
Sticky, thick green marshes spread everywhere like a carpet of rot, lying in wait to swallow any creature that dared approach their depths.
One wrong step, and you would sink into the inescapable maw of quicksand... but for some reason, a man with a long spear slung over his shoulder crossed the treacherous swamp without a single care in the world.
Eventually, he reached the gaping mouth of a cave that looked just as damp and grimy as the swamp itself.
Letting out a long, weary sigh, the man grumbled as he stepped inside and shouted into the darkness.
"Hey! I know you are all lurking in here. Why don't you come out and face me already?"
No answer came from the void. Irritated by the silence, the man planted his spear shaft straight into the ground with a resounding, heavy thud.
The earth shook violently, as if an earthquake had suddenly struck the cavern. Moments later...
The cave wall split open to the left and right, revealing an old, ragged man cowering behind it.
"What do you think you are doing! If your mindless idiocy harms my precious test subjects, are you going to take responsibility? If you want to show off your strength, do it somewhere else, you blithering fool!"
The old man immediately unleashed a shrill and frantic tirade of abuse. The man fired right back without missing a single beat.
"Then come out when you are called! Or learn to file your reports on time! Pick one, you heartless old coot!"
"You little...!"
The old man trembled with impotent rage at the insult but could not muster a worthy retort.
It was not because he had nothing to say. It was because the man standing before him was overwhelmingly and terrifyingly stronger.
"Sigh. Whatever. So, have you found any clues on locating the 'Key'?"
"......None whatsoever."
"What? Then what the hell have you been doing with all the Empire's vast resources?"
"Quiet! How am I supposed to find something when I don't even know where it is or even what it looks like... Gah?!"
The old man's words were cut off abruptly and painfully.
A crushing, suffocating killing intent poured from the spearman, heavy enough to bear down on his very soul.
"Listen up. I will say this exactly once, so pay close attention. The organization funds your vile research only because they believe your talents will help locate the Key."
In other words, if he proved himself useless, the funding would dry up instantly—and he would pay dearly with his life for every coin wasted so far.
"You know the price of failure is your life, right? You are no fool. You get that much, don't you?"
"Y-yeah, I get it! I do, so please, I beg of you...!"
The moment the man withdrew his lethal intent, the old man collapsed to the floor, retching violently.
Gazing down at him as if he were so much filth, the man turned on his heel to leave.
"One last thing—Mother's message. Watch out for the Minister. Don't make a spectacle with your experiments like last time and draw his attention."
There were many called "Minister" in this world, but only one earned the title without any further qualifier.
Acherus Empire Intelligence Minister Erwin Barrmut.
To them, he was the ultimate threat—the highest-priority target to avoid at all costs.
"Hah... hah... I-I know..."
"Good. I'm off. Work hard. You don't have much time left."
With that, the man leaped lightly into the air and vanished in an instant.
Left alone, the old man ground his teeth until they drew blood, glaring in the direction the man had gone.
'Just you wait. The final results will show who truly has the last laugh!'
He staggered to his feet and shuffled deeper into the shadows of the cave.
The split wall sealed shut behind him with a final click.
As if nothing had ever happened there.
Celine tried to suppress her rising, joyous smile but could not quite manage it.
"Oh my, what a pretty bride and handsome husband! Newlyweds? How lovely!"
"This one's on the house! Just because the bride is so remarkably beautiful!"
"He even shops with her—what a devoted husband! I'm so jealous of her!"
She had been hearing variations of this ever since dragging the Minister to the market under the pretext of buying lunch ingredients. It wasn't really hurting her ears at all.
Quite the opposite—these were words she could listen to all day long. She had planned this outing precisely for that very reason.
'Do we really look like that to everyone...?'
Her face flushed so obviously that she ducked her head to hide it, stealing sidelong glances at the Minister silently carrying the heavy bags beside her.
He wasn't bothering to correct the merchants' assumption that he was her husband.
Celine knew his personality—or thought she did—so she figured he was just too lazy to deny it pointlessly.
Even so, the mere thought made her incredibly happy.
"A-ahem. Minister? Is there anything in particular you would like to eat?"
"Meat."
"You said meat earlier as well. What about vegetables or fruit?"
"Not necessary."
"It's not optional. Those are essential nutrients, you know?"
Even as they bantered like this, Celine's mood soared higher than ever before.
The conversation felt so domestic, so utterly like a newlywed couple's—nothing like their usual, professional exchanges.
'I'm so happy...!'
Yes. Celine was undeniably and profoundly happy.
But humans were notoriously insatiable creatures.
Once you grasp one long-coveted desire, another takes its place—that was the core of human nature.
Right now, Celine burned with the urge to take their relationship one step further.
Normally, she would proceed with the utmost caution, but lately, everything seemed to be falling into place. It finally felt possible.
And so, she blurted it out impulsively.
"Um, Minister... what if I said I wanted to go to your house and make dinner for you?"
"No need to go that far. I would decline."
A crisp, unwavering, and immediate refusal.
More stunned than dejected by the rejection, Celine soon began to berate herself internally.
'Idiot, idiot, idiot! I'm such an utter idiot! I was way too hasty!'
She fidgeted, worried she had shattered her carefully cultivated cool image. Meanwhile, the Minister surveyed the bags he carried and asked her a question.
"Are we finished with the market?"
"Y-yes?! Oh, yeah. I think so."
"Good. We will drop these at your place and then go for dinner."
"..................Pardon me?"
Celine's face twisted in shock, like a pigeon struck by a well-aimed slingshot.
Before being a Minister, I am a noble—the eldest son of a Duke's household, no less.
Which is why, embarrassing as it is to admit, I happen to know a few upscale spots in this city.
And as someone who values proper etiquette, I know better than to just accept favors without reciprocating in kind.
Celine insisted that the market run was enough, but letting it slide would tarnish the Barrmut name.
"Do you have any other errands?"
"No, no, no, no, no! None! I'm totally free!"
She whipped her head back and forth so fiercely that I half-expected her neck to snap from the effort.
Who knew she was such a massive fan of free meals.
"Then we will drop the bags and head out immediately."
"R-right now?! At least give me some time to prepare myself...!"
"It's just dinner. What kind of preparation do you need?"
Plus, I was starving and eager to eat sooner rather than later. After stashing the groceries at her place, we went straight to the restaurant I had reserved.
The Golden Griffin—a solid, reputable high-end spot in the capital.
It was pricey enough that treating her here would surely absolve my guilt over her lunches for months.
If the credit ran short, we could always return again.
"M-Minister...? This is the Golden Griffin, right...? The place even royals visit...?"
"You know the place well."
David adores their griffon dishes. Elis goes wild for the desserts over the mains, though.
"B-but Minister? I could never afford this on my salary...... especially dressed like this......"
Huh?
What kind of nonsense is that?
"I am paying for everything."
"B-but it's too much...... and in these casual clothes......"
She seemed poised for endless fidgeting, so I summoned a waiter and ordered a suitable course meal for two on my own.
"Eek?!"
"What is it now?"
I figured she was mad that I had ordered without asking her first, but no.
"Th-the price of that course you just ordered......"
"What exactly is wrong with it?"
"......It is absolutely outrageous."
"It's not."
Personally, I think it's an absolute steal for the quality they provide.
That said, it is awfully quiet in here today.
During peak dinner hour—every restaurant should be bustling, this one included. Yet it was eerily still.
Celine had noticed the silence too; she kept glancing around the empty hall.
"......Minister, did you... reserve the whole place for us...?"
I was about to ask what she was muttering when the waiter who had taken our order approached cautiously, bearing a bottle of wine.
"A humble gift from the house, to celebrate your special day."
Winosus, 25-year vintage. Not a bad choice at all.
Special day?
"Minister...?"
"Hold on. There is a misunderstanding here."
But my words fell on deaf ears as a heavy curtain parted across the restaurant, revealing a lavish orchestra.
Wait a minute.
Hold on.
For real—hold on, in every possible sense.
"We've even prepared a modest band to set the mood. Please enjoy the music with your meal."
"Modest? That is the Armstrong Mans!"
At Celine's cry—which was equal parts shock and thrill—the orchestra struck up the first notes.
This was bad. At this rate, I'd look like a creepy boss scheming to woo his subordinate with unauthorized frills.
And you, waiter—don't give me that knowing wink!
I desperately wanted to clear things up, but with the music starting and dishes arriving moments later, I lost my window.
"Minister! This is incredible!"
"......I'm glad you like it."
Hm.
Whatever happens, happens.
She is not the type to misread this, and seeing the ever-stoic workaholic so delighted... dousing it with excuses felt wrong.
In the end, I relaxed fully and enjoyed the wine, the food, and the music with her.
Not bad, every now and then.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered what her reaction would be if she saw this.
Jealous rage? A wry smile, claims of understanding, followed by deep sulking?
It was an answer I'd never know. I finished the meal, escorted Celine safely home, and returned alone in the quiet night.