The Villain Is Obsessed With His Fake Wife

Raymond huffed, covering the back of her head.

 

“What do you do when I suddenly hit you like this! And by moving the tree using magic!”

 

“The tree must have been moved by the wind.”

 

John answered, shrugging his shoulders.

 

“Don’t you know that you can’t use magic well in this forest of monsters in the first place?”

 

Right now, the wind was blowing hard around the monster forest.

 

The reason it was named Monster Forest was because the weather around it changed fluctuatingly, just like a place where monsters live. But Raymond looked at John with resentful eyes.

 

“Are you really not my lord? Could it be possible to suddenly get hit by a tree? …?”

 

“It seems like the tree knew about your sin.”

 

“How could you do that with your master!”

 

She kept talking to the tree.

 

-Can’t you hear me?

 

Even if other people didn’t know, it couldn’t fool her eyes. Suddenly the tree moved and hit Raymond.

 

‘No answer came back.’

 

Sometimes there were trees with which she could not communicate.

 

‘But it felt like he was sending me a warning.’

 

So, she immediately contacted the trees at the Grand Duke’s residence.

 

-Hey. Trees? I can’t talk to the monster forest trees at all?

 

But strangely, there was no answer from the trees at the Grand Duke’s residence. It’s somehow ominous.

 

‘What is the reason?’

 

Before entering the monster forest, she asked the trees about the monster forest.

 

-The trees there are different from us and are not cooperative. But there won’t be any difference.

 

-Really?

 

-Of course!

 

Having said that.

 

‘I can’t contact you!’

 

Since the trees’ information is something they do not directly experience, there are times when it is wrong. She felt his gaze on her for some reason, so she turned her head and saw John studying her complexion closely.

 

She blinked and laughed like a child caught doing something bad.

 

“Is there something on my face?”

 

“I feel like my complexion looks worse than it did this morning.”

 

There was no significant difference in her condition.

 

“Well, I’m not sure about that.”

 

“If you don’t know, it means you’re not feeling well, right?”

 

These days, John checked on her condition every time they made eye contact. At first he was worried about how to deal with it. But now she knew how to answer.

 

“But John, what do you mean you can’t use magic well in this forest of monsters?”

 

Just changing the topic!

 

“Well.”

 

Then, John automatically answered according to the new topic.

 

“In this monster forest, magical power is as unstable as the weather. So there are restrictions on using magic.”

 

“Even John?”

 

“If there is even the slightest error, the magic will fail. And if the spell fails, there will be a reaction. So, if possible, try not to use magic in this forest of monsters.”

 

In such a strange place, it would have been impossible to contact the trees at the Grand Duke’s residence. John pointed to his waist and raised his eyebrows.

 

“But don’t worry. Because I can definitely protect my wife.”

 

“Did you know how to use a sword?”

 

“There’s nothing I can’t do.”

 

It’s a really arrogant thing to say, but it’s John so she got his nod. But she was still worried so she asked.

 

“But wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous if the opponent were a monster?”

 

“Still the same.”

 

John slightly raised his eyebrows and asked the opposite question.

 

“Madam, how much does she know about monsters?”

 

“I know the type of monster and its general characteristics.”

 

Monsters were beings that go against God’s order. Monsters that originated from chaos were dangerous beings that ruined the world.

 

‘Now that I think about it, John’s black magic was also a force close to chaos.’

 

It was very surprising that someone like John could use both normal magic and black magic. John seemed quite surprised by her quick answer.

 

“Even the nobles in the capital don’t know much. My wife is very smart.”

 

“It’s because I live at home and only read books. Instead, I don’t know what everyone else knows.”

 

She felt embarrassed for no reason and smiled awkwardly.

 

“But it’s great that you know something.”

 

But she still felt good to hear the compliment.

 

‘Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m being recognized even if it’s fake.’

 

It seemed like there was a lot of desire for recognition inside her that she didn’t even know about. A friendly and calm conversation, a smile that sometimes comes out without her knowing, and warm skinship.

 

‘If all of this is a deception…’

 

She hoped this deception lasted as long as possible.

 

Talk, fight-

 

Small raindrops fell from the sky. Before she knew it, the sky had become dark.

 

‘If this continues, it will become difficult to travel by carriage.’

 

At that time, the group in front suddenly stopped walking. A strange feeling of anxiety spread.

 

“Lord, lord! We’re in big trouble!”

 

A scout on horseback came running and arrived in front of John. The scout’s face became thoughtful. John narrowed his eyebrows and asked.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“A group of crawlins suddenly appeared nearby. A whole group of people is gathering towards this place!”

 

“Crolin is coming in groups?”

 

John’s expression hardened.

 

“Didn’t you mistake it for another monster instead of Crolin? Crolin won’t live in a group.”

 

“No. Crolin is right. Although she came separately, she was coming toward the monster forest from multiple directions at the same time as if she were part of a group.”

 

The atmosphere became even darker. Crolin was a very dangerous monster that she knew.

 

‘It doesn’t work at all with magic and the blades don’t work well, so it’s difficult to handle.’

 

They all had different appearances, but they were all monsters named Calamity because they were completely impervious to magic. Instead, it had the weakness of falling asleep after only hunting its targeted prey.

 

“How long until they get here?”

 

“We will arrive in 30 minutes.”

 

John narrowed his eyes and asked the soldiers.

 

“Has there been a sudden swarm of monsters popping out like this recently?”

 

“That never happened. I’m always paying attention to the movements of monsters like Crowlin.”

 

John, who was silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

 

“Have you contacted the main office?”

 

“Yes. But we can’t communicate because there’s something wrong with the monster forest because of Crolin.”

 

“I get it. Now we are in a crisis situation where Crowlins are coming in droves. Divide into groups of five and head to the Great Siege to avoid the Crowlins.”

 

It was best to avoid Crolin, who could not use magic, rather than deal with him. When John gave the order, the soldiers moved in perfect order. The rain, which had been falling a few drops at a time, became increasingly heavier. A swarm of terrifying crawlins gather in the pouring rain. Even in this critical situation, John unwaveringly controlled and gave orders to his knights.

 

‘This is it.’

 

The noble Duke Blanchett, whom Libertan was so jealous of. She looked at the charismatic figure of John as if mesmerized. John’s eyes landed on her.

 

“I will travel separately with my wife.”

 

Raymond and other knights sternly placed their hands on the heart and immediately moved.

 

* * *

 

So she moved separately from John.

 

“Is it okay if it’s just the two of us like this?”

 

John said he didn’t want her to overdo it and even held her.

 

“It’s easier to be alone than to have someone bothering you.”

 

“But.”

 

The knights of the Blanchett family were elite soldiers. It would be helpful.

 

“On the contrary, it is dangerous if we gather together. It’s better to go separately. And it’s okay because I’m the strongest.”

 

She felt like her anxiety had subsided a little after hearing John’s words. But she knew how critical the situation was. Crolin was a monster so dangerous that it was called a disaster.

 

“John.”

 

She gave strength to his arm that hugged his shoulder.

 

“I guess everyone else will be safe too, right?”

 

“If they’re lucky.”

 

John did not force himself to comfort her. He was looking around with sharp eyes.

 

“If you’re lucky enough to avoid a swarm of crawlins, you’ll all be safe.”

 

“We’ll be okay too, right?”

 

“Don’t worry. I am right next to my wife.”

 

John, who was walking on level ground even in the steep forest, stopped for a moment. His face, which had a friendly smile on it, stiffened slightly.

 

“…Why did the crawlins suddenly change their location…?”

 

“Why?”

 

“No. I think we need to change direction.”

 

John picked her up and started running in the other direction.

 

‘There must be a problem.’

 

John’s attitude completely changed. Strangely enough, she was losing some sense of leisure. The surrounding trees shook as if screaming. Sudden rain and strong gusts of wind.

 

‘I keep feeling strange.’

 

Even as she was being held in his arms, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of anxiety that came over her. So she asked John.

 

“John. Something…”

 

Kwaduk… thud!

 

At that time, the large tree suddenly broke and fell. A strangely shaped monster was glaring at them, breaking a tree.

 

‘Is that Crolin?’

 

The Crolin in front of her looked like a mixture of several wild beasts. It had a lion’s face, a scorpion-like body, and a tail with snakes sticking out their tongues and wriggling. Crolin quickly rushed towards John. Even in the dark rain, Crolin’s sharp teeth glowed eerily. John cut Crolin to pieces with the sword at his waist. The monster’s black blood spread all over the floor. John’s face became even darker.

 

“Are we already here?”

 

A lot of strength went into the arms that wrapped around her. John was nervous.

 

Crrr…

 

Other crawlins gradually appeared. Crolin’s colorful eyes flashed in the darkness. He’s approaching slowly, probably because he’s wary of John, but he would probably be able to close the distance quickly if he puts his mind to it.

 

‘I see more crawlins in the distance.’

 

Instinctive fear rose through her body. No matter how John was, he couldn’t deal with all those scary monsters without magic. She slowly got down from John’s arms.

 

“Estelle, don’t be scared.”

 

John whispered to her with a relaxed smile.

 

“I can handle everything in no time.”

 

“There’s no need for that.”

 

She slowly shook her head and he stared blankly. The gaze was strangely focused.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“John go alone.”

 

John tilted his head with a smile on his lips. He reacted as if he heard something nonsense.

 

“You want me to go alone?”

 

“There are too many. If this continues, it’s dangerous for both of us.”

 

She looked at him quietly and said,

 

“If John is alone, he can run away.”

 

“No.”

 

John answered firmly.

 

“I can’t run away.”

 

“The answer is much faster than usual.”

 

The pouring rain drenched her body. She held John’s hands together without saying a word. Maybe John would stay and fight for her until the end.

 

‘That doesn’t guarantee that both of them will survive.’

 

But if that happened, John would die here in the monster forest before he could complete his revenge. Strangely, his heart felt very calm. When she thought about it, she thought a day like this would come someday. So, she thought she prepared her mind to some extent.

 

“John. I’m okay.”

 

It wasn’t necessarily a bad ending.

 

‘Because he didn’t die while being betrayed by John.’

 

If she did let him go first, her death would become a sacrifice.

 

“It’s hard for me to ignore such jokes in this situation.”

 

“I’m right that you can go to the castle right away by yourself.”

 

John didn’t answer, but looked down and looked at his clasped hands. Without realizing it, the fingertips holding him were trembling. He quickly removed his hand and smiled faintly. She guessed her body didn’t want to die yet.

 

‘You can’t survive by crying and throwing a tantrum.’

 

Sometimes, there were things you had to give up depending on the situation. As much as she tried to survive, she was so angry about this situation. But she knew that this situation wasn’t John’s fault, mine or anyone else’s. So she could speak with peace of mind. But John’s reaction was different from hers.

 

“So, are you going to leave me?”

 

“I’m not throwing you away.”

 

Luckily her voice was very calm.

 

“At least John would survive.”

 

“Ha!”

 

John burst out laughing.

 

“I don’t think you know what the situation is right now.”

 

John grabbed both of her shoulders in a low voice.

 

“You will die.”

 

“…”

 

“Because you would be eaten by a horde of monsters.”

 

“I said I’m fine.”

 

There was a slight crack in John’s expression.

 

“I don’t want to see John take risks just because of me.”

 

“Ma’am.”

 

“Don’t worry too much.”

 

She put her hand on his cheek.

 

“And don’t blame yourself. Because this isn’t your fault.”

 

John, who normally felt cool, strangely felt very hot.

 

“Even if I die, I will never blame you.”

 

John stared at her for a moment as if at a loss for words. Red eyes were colored with many emotions. She took his hand away from her shoulder and took a step back, putting her back to him.

 

 

This was the last time she would see John’s face.

 

“Go quickly.”

 

She looked at that face and put on the prettiest smile she could.

 

“To those waiting for John.”

 

One of the crawlin groups that had been motionless, as if wary of them, slowly moved. Eventually, John’s sharp eyes became distorted.

 

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Translator Note: