Chapter 171
There was a sense that he needed to say something important to her but couldnt, and he appeared indecisive. Anyone whod watch him like this would feel increasingly uneasy.
Hm, ahem.
Carynne cleared her throat. However, Raymond continued his hesitant steps without stopping. He seemed deeply lost in thought.
Sir Raymond.
Carynne, are you awake?
He halted his steps, but his expression was awkward, and his fingers fidgeted.
Did you manage to ruin dinner, or did you tear my clothes again?
No.
Then why do you look so distracted? Your buttons are even misaligned.
He grumbled.
Well, there are only two of us anyway I apologize.
As she beckoned Raymond to come, he approached the bench. She sat up straight and unbuttoned and rebuttoned his shirt.
I can do it.
Your mind seems too scattered right now. Whats going on?
Something has come up that I cant postpone any longer.
What could it be?
Carynne sensed a slight tremor of curiosity. Procrastinating, anxious. It was something rarely seen in Raymond.
Why dont you just say it instead of being so indecisive? Just tell me.
When she looked at him, he answered with a slight frown. It seemed like he didnt like saying these words.
Carynne, how well can you handle a gun?
It was an unexpected question. She was slightly taken aback but replied.
Just I know at least how to put bullets into the barrel of a pistol to load it.
Ill give you a rifle. Can you snipe a persons head from the third floor of the mansion to the garden?
Is that even possible for me?
Carynne looked at him with a bewildered expression, but he remained serious. He rubbed his chin and asked again.
Then lets assume you have an axe.
I dont have one.
But he continued speaking while drawing a long axe in the air with his hand.
Assuming you have an axe, well, not to that extent, but someone like Xenon If a regular adult man were to charge at you, could you strike his neck with an axe?
If someone else restrained or drugged the man to make him unable to move properly, then I could do it.
How did you kill Crown Prince Gueuze?
Watching Raymond put on an expression like, You can do it! she jabbed her finger into his chest to snap him out of it.
Donna helped me. And hitting someone from behind while theyre distracted with other things is completely different from confronting someone whos rushing straight at me. Why are you asking this? You know better.
He pressed his forehead with his hand.
He realized he had been saying a series of foolish things.
Its easy to throw a hand grenade.
It seemed he still hadnt fully grasped it.
Carynne stared at him, getting too exasperated to continue speaking. As silence lingered, Raymond finally bowed his head, intertwining his fingers together. His expression was grim.
Im getting old. I think Im going senile.
No, its a relief, Sir Raymond. But why are you acting like this?
Because I think you should stay alone, Carynne.
Time had passed without her noticing. She had finally understood why he was acting so strangely. It was time for her to be alone in this mansion. That time had come. Three months had passed.
It was the day Raymond had to leave for work.
* * *
Raymond held a grenade in his hand and enthusiastically explained. In summary, all she had to do was pull the pin and throw it. Then, he handed her a decorative item of similar weight.
Lets start by testing throwing this. Its dangerous inside the house.
Carynne stared at it silently.
What if I throw a grenade and it causes a wildfire? Whos going to put it out?
I will
Despite answering like that, he soon realized it was impossible and fell silent.
In the end, the only thing she could handle was a pistol similar to the one he used. He gave her the pistol with a not-so-pleased expression.
I guess Im still uneasy about this. If bandits or wild animals attack, youll be defenseless.
Thats why I said we shouldnt be without servants.
How can we trust the servants?
In life, there are things that cannot be avoided no matter how hard one tries. He was no exception to this. The butterfly effects that had accumulated before the repetition created the events of the present. Raymond had no choice but to leave Carynne at this moment. Just as he had no choice but to report for duty when Crown Prince Gueuze had approached her.
She had listened to him for a long time about how to effectively wield a hand axe and how to load a rifle and advance in a firing position, but in her eyes, it seemed like an impossible task.
Youre leaving in a few days, so how effective is all of this now? Why didnt you say anything until now?
I thought Id be able to come back in just one day.
But has the plan changed?
Yes, the target is in a different location than before.
I see.
After struggling in the garden and the hall for a while, they both decided to have a cup of tea in the drawing-room.
I even considered taking you with me, but that seemed more dangerous.
Me?
Raymond shrugged casually, saying it was just a hypothetical situation.
Carynne thought about arguing with him as he was talking nonsense, but she just sipped her tea quietly though it was too hot. She was too tired, and she couldnt even taste the flavor of the tea.
If you at least had the physique and strength like Xenon, I would take you with me.
Raymond, Xenon is stronger than most men, isnt he?
Its a meaningless assumption. Besides, even if you gained weight, you wouldnt grow taller.
He sighed and said, making a face that looked like he was wishing things were different.
Ah I remember that too
Just forget about it.
Carynne blushed, thinking about a time when she had gained weight but wasnt satisfied with her appearance.
By the way, why didnt you try to build muscle? Its better to have a strong body than a weak one. It might be a bit challenging in just a year, but how about seriously training your body later? Ill help you.
Hearing him say that, she couldnt help but imagine how her thin arms would be if theyd become the same size as her waist.
I dont want to, she replied firmly.
Think about it, Carynne. If you have a strong physique, no one will underestimate you wherever you go. It would certainly be convenient.
Thats because youre a man. What use do I have for getting stronger? And I cant suddenly become as tall or muscular as you.
It would reduce the chances of you dying.
Raymond, stop it with the unfunny jokes.
Im being serious though.
Stop.
When Carynne pinched Raymonds side hard, he made a sound like ouch and finally stopped. Then, he chuckled to himself, as if he realized how impractical it all sounded. He sighed.
Its certainly making me feel uneasy. Youve never been in danger in this iteration.
Well, most of what I did was just work. Back then I guess I moved a bit aggressively because of the backlash.
Carynne had always been scheduled to die in a years time, but she hadnt died before that designated time. Even when faced with life-threatening situations, she wouldnt die.
However, after 117 years, this unspoken rule changed, allowing her to die before the designated time. But still, if she wouldnt push herself too hard, she felt like she would live reasonably well until a year passed.
Nothing major will happen.
In reality, even if she died and started over, it wasnt as terrifying anymore. It was because Raymond remembers.
She didnt have to be scared about starting all over again, because even if she would, theres someone who could remember her.
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m fre𝒆webnov(e)l.com