Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: 4. How to Face the Foreseen End
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Time remaining until the apocalypse: 12 days.
The crazy woman in the abandoned house, the Young Lady of the abandoned house, the Star Candy Lady.
I had no idea I was being called by so many different nicknames. And I never imagined that embarrassing nickname, the Star Candy Lady, would follow me all the way here.
‘But what’s with “the crazy woman who lives in the abandoned house”?’
I thought it was the title of a horror movie.
“Focus.”
Just then, Knox warned me. I sighed and slammed my head onto the table.
I didn't know when Knox would leave, so I asked him to teach me first aid skills to make the most of his time here before he was gone.
So now, I was in the Brunel village clinic, receiving CPR training from Knox.
“Damn it. I hate studying so much.”
“That's not something the person who banged on the clinic door this morning begging to be taught should be saying. Get a grip.”
Knox pointed out the truth, calm and composed. It's not like I'm doing this because I want to.
‘The world will end in twelve days, and I'll have to survive on my own, so I have to work hard.’
*Hmph.*
I diligently performed CPR, pressing on the teddy bear's chest. The cute teddy bear's chest caved in.
I may have whined, but I followed Knox's instructions almost perfectly.
“To be honest, I didn't expect you to catch on so well.”
Knox also seemed a little surprised.
This was partly thanks to the memories of my past life. I vaguely remembered learning first aid during health class in school.
“But Miss Cherry, why are you doing this? I thought the reason you purchased this estate was for the Elpinus herbs, but it seems that wasn't the whole story.”
Why was Knox so obsessed with Elpinus herbs, anyway? The Elpinus herbs were just one part of my plan.
“It is partly because of the Elpinus herbs.”
When I gave that vague answer, Knox shook his head as if it wasn't good enough.
“Honestly, seeing you now, I can understand why Lancaster finds you suspicious.”
“I'm getting tired of hearing that.”
“That's what makes it interesting. Besides, you're the first woman I've met who hasn't fallen for my face.”
What was that, so random.
But Knox's gaze, as he stood opposite me, was utterly indifferent. His expression was so calm, you wouldn't think he'd just uttered a cheesy line from a third-rate drama like, ‘You're the first woman I've met who hasn't fallen for my face.’
Then, as our eyes met, a playful smile slowly spread across his lips. It was a charming smile, smooth and imbued with the relaxed confidence of a mature man.
I was almost captivated. He was indeed so handsome that you couldn't even criticize him for being narcissistic.
‘He just did that on purpose. He did it deliberately to charm me.’
Anyway, as I was admiring his looks, Knox suddenly stood up and brought over a life-sized mannequin.
“What's that?”
“I'll teach you how to administer first aid for serious injuries.”
Knox placed the mannequin on the operating table. I was the one who requested this lesson, but I wondered if I'd ever have a reason to use this knowledge.
“Please hold its leg.”
And at Knox's request, I lightly pulled on the mannequin's leg, and—
*Snap—*
The mannequin's leg broke off. I looked at Knox, holding one of the mannequin's legs. Knox stared back at me, a bewildered look on his face.
“Is it supposed to break this easily?”
“No. It's a sturdy item that doesn't break easily even if you drop it.”
“...Is it expensive?”
“It's quite pricey, but I have plenty of money, so don't worry.”
I glanced at the mannequin while holding the single leg, then looked at Knox with a crestfallen expression.
“I have a lot of money too. I'll buy you a new one. I'm sorry.”
Then I quietly placed the mannequin's leg on the operating table and prayed.
“I'm sorry, my friend. May you go to a better place.”
Knox looked at me as if I were a curious creature.
“I'd love to open up your head and see what's inside, Miss Cherry. So peculiar. So amusing.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Knox found me, as a person, very interesting.
It was as if he was observing me from the perspective of an audience member watching a clown. I don't know if I should be happy about that.
“Then let's go over how to use first-aid supplies first.”
Knox quickly returned to his professional demeanor and taught me how to use the first-aid supplies.
Of course, I was only able to leave the clinic after mastering the use of all the first-aid supplies and properly learning how to treat wounds on a new mannequin.
I think I've learned enough first aid for now.
‘Yep. This is perfect. Uh-huh.’
I practically fled the place, hypnotizing myself with those thoughts.
* * *
Enjoying the warm spring breeze, I sat on the restaurant terrace, sipping coffee and taking a break.
After an intense morning of studying with Knox, I desperately needed a rest.
‘This might be the last time I can relax like this.’
The thought made me incredibly gloomy. It was already the point where only twelve days remained until the apocalypse.
‘But... what will happen to the villagers when the world ends?’
There's a limit to how many people you can save. And trying to save others could mean I won't be able to fend for myself.
‘To think I'm casually having such thoughts after coming all this way to avoid the main characters.’
It was a bitter thought, but with such clear practical limitations, I decided to just think about myself for now.
With that resolve, I unfolded the newspaper I had brought from Kintne.
[Exclusive Report! Murder at the Marquess Casey Estate. The Entire Casey Family Annihilated...]
Marquess Casey was dead...!
The greatest villain of *Love in a Ruined World* and the root cause of the virus outbreak, Marquess Casey, was dead.
‘Damn it, has the day finally come?’
The annihilation of Marquess Casey's family was not something to be dismissed as a simple murder case. It could safely be seen as a sign that the virus monsters could no longer be controlled or hidden.
Which meant the virus would soon spread through the capital for real.
“Good morning.”
Just then, Ethan took a seat across from me. There were plenty of other tables, but this man always sat right in front of me. Too lazy to argue, I just sipped my coffee and gave a half-hearted reply.
“Yeah, yeah, good morning.”
Just then, a man who looked to be in his late forties opened the restaurant door and looked for me.
“Who is the owner of Happy House? I was told I could find them here.”
The restaurant was small to begin with, so everyone inside turned to look at him. I slowly rose from my seat.
“That's me. The owner of Happy House.”
“You're the one who visited the farm yesterday, right? There was no one at the estate.”
At his words, I looked at the man with a pleased expression. It was the owner of the farm I had visited in Kintne yesterday.
“But, by any chance, is there anyone strong around? One of my workers got hurt while moving the cargo...”
“I can help.”
Before the man could even finish, Ethan stood up from his seat. He walked over with crisp, measured movements and extended a hand to the man.
The man stared blankly at Ethan for a moment before taking his hand and greeting him.
Well, Ethan was strikingly handsome. A refined face in a stuffy, buttoned-up police uniform. Hmm, I'll give him that. Ethan had a charm that was the complete opposite of Knox's.
“Oh my, thank you.”
“By the way, what kind of cargo are you moving?”
As the man shook his hand, Ethan asked nonchalantly. His goal was surveillance, just as I'd thought.
The man from the farm glanced at me before answering cautiously.
“Chickens.”
“...What did you say? Chickens? You mean, live chickens?”
Ethan asked again, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
How embarrassing. They're very useful for survival, though. I rubbed a finger under my nose.