Chapter 68
So Xenon, youre calling me stupid now, arent you? Why dont you go ahead and call me Little Ray.
I was presumptuous.
Still, dont be so discouraged at your accelerating age since Shh.
Click.
Raymond loaded the gun.
BANG!
The birds wings loudly flapped as they flew away. Thud. The prey fell. It was a huge stagits antlers were magnificent.
I missed. Im getting rusty.
But didnt you hit it?
It wasnt an instant death Now, its just unnecessarily in pain.
Itll die after youve shot it anyway. Why does that matter when itll eventually be meat that will be eaten?
Ive really gone rusty.
Raymond muttered to himself. He was preoccupied with thoughts other than the deer. Xenon could guess what it was.
Isnt this the first time youre seeing a proper woman, sir? Hehe, all the girls youve been stuck with until now, and then theres Lady Isella. Theyve all been no joke, really.
Proper woman?
Raymond repeated Xenons words.
Im talking about Lady Carynne.
Haha.
Raymond turned to face Xenon. He looked at the other man squarely in the eyes. Then, there was a smile on his marvelous features. Evidently, it was not the same bright smile that he would show to Carynne.
I-Is that not the case?
Did he make a mistake? Xenon broke out in cold sweat. He couldnt get a read on Raymondhe was always a decent superior, a decent aristocrat. But was that truly how he was?
If thats how you see it, well I guess youre right.
I apologize.
I didnt mean to be angry. Im just doing my best, is what Im saying. Her, too.
The two men approached the fallen deer. It was still breathing. The gasping deers big eyes was somehow burdening. Xenon took out a dagger.
I knew it, its still breathing.
Let me deal with it, sir.
No, let me. Its my fault.
Yes, sir.
Raymond approached the gasping dear and hugged its head. He held it close to his body, then he whispered.
Shh good boy.
Craaack.
With a deer that size, a large amount of force would have been needed to do it in, but it took little effort on Raymonds part to break the deers neck. The animals eyes rolled up, and after it convulsed for a few moments, it soon gradually settled down.
Its fur and antlers are in a pretty good condition. Its head could even be used as a decoration.
While appraising the deers antlers, Raymond asked.
Xenon, is a deer head a good gift?
Do you mean for Mister Verdic?
Raymond had already given that man so many things, so what else was he trying to give? Xenon felt disgusted just thinking about Verdics greedy smile.
These days, Verdic was obsessed with eating, and his personality was getting even filthier by the day. Xenon didnt want Raymond to bow to him. That man wasnt worth any respect.
The meat should be enough for him.
So was he saying that hes going to cut this deers head and present it to his frail fiance? Xenon shook his head. As expected, hes still young, so he didnt know the ways of the world.
I dont think thats a good idea. Fox fur might be a better gift.
The antlers are this huge though.
But its not fitting as a gift for a young lady. How about doing the same as you did before just like with Lady Isella? It would be enough to go to a jewelry store and choose the most expensive item there. Or if its the most popular design, just give a bouquet of flowers along with it, then itll be perfect.
Raymond tilted his head to the side. For some reason, he looked young at that very moment, so Xenon laughed. This clumsy side of him made him look a bit more human.
I thought shed like this kind of thing.
Please dont give that.
Hes been good at picking out presents and good at acting according to etiquette thus far, but why was he doing such things for Carynne? Could this kind of behavior also be attributed to him being in love? Xenon wasnt like this when he was younger. He scratched his head.
Seems like youve really fallen in love, sir.
It should be like that. So.
Laughing strangely, whispering to one another and allowing her to get hurt?
Xenon shook his head and erased the fleeting thought from his mind. A squire must not have any doubts about his master. And Raymond had never let him down before. Surely enough, hes thinking of everything.
Shall I send a telegram back to the estate? Once you get married, the Lady would no longer be part of the Evans household.
Mm Right. Thats bound to happen over time.
His Lordship the Baron is ill, so he would be looking forward to your marriage, Lord Raymond.
That person? Im not so sure about that.
Its because of your siblings, sir.
Awkwardly, Raymond swept a hand over his face. Then, he stroked his chin.
Goodness, sir, it really seems like youve truly fallen for her. But it's better to be more forthright with women, it wouldnt do you any good to wait or hesitate. If you act like a man
You said its better to be forthright.
Yes, sir.
As Raymond continued to contemplate, he also looked as if he was feeling a bit awkward, so Xenon turned his head to the side. Damn, he took it too far. As he looked away, he saw the horses tied to a tree some distance away. Its going to be troublesome to go back that way.
But sir, why did you come all the way out here to hunt? Weve gone a long way.
The hunting grounds they were in right now was quite far from the Evans familys villa. It was summer, so the deer were heavier these days. Even so, this place wasnt a particularly good spot compared to the hunting grounds near the villa.
Why on earth did he choose to come here? Raymond kept talking about incomprehensible things while Xenon over here thought that he was giving some love advice.
Tired of walking on eggshells, Xenon sighed and complained to Raymond.
Well have to lug this back such a long way ahead, but the amount of money its worth wouldnt cut it.
And, only one deer was caught. Xenon swallowed back these last words. Having only hunted this much, this was a disastrous turnout for Raymond. He woke up at the crack of dawn to go hunting today, and he went from this place to that place all day as well.
Theres something I need to confirm.
Raymond continued to walk through the woods, stepping on the grass as he carried his rifle with him. It seemed like he was looking for something, but he wouldnt say what it was.
Xenon agonized over the reason why he was here all day. Was this, too, something that happened when a man falls in love?
Is this related to the Lady? Huk.
Xenon stopped breathing.
As soon as the fishy smell in the air hit him, he saw it.
However, it wasnt a prey that Xenons master had caught beforehand. IT was a red-headed woman, lying on the ground.
Neither Xenon nor Raymond drew in closer than a certain distanceeven if they went closer, the woman was already far beyond saving. The smell of blood was strong, but the smell that permeated the air wasnt just its metallic smell. It smelled disgustingly rotten.
It was a dead body.
Urk.
It smells terrible. How long do you think its been?
At least three days, sir? A doctor should be consulted, but I believe it hasnt been more than three days.
I see.
Raymond approached the corpse cautiously, then using his gun, he flipped over the womans body.
Wriggle.
T-That
Calm down, Xenon.
The womans mouth was ripped open. This was obviously a case of murder. Her eyeballs were also gone. Her clothes were soaked entirely of blood. Of course, it was because her stomach was also completely torn open.
Wriggle.
The corpses mouth dragged open.
W-What?
Through the corpses mouth, a squeak could be heard, and a mouse popped right out.
Fwick.
Raymond picked up a rock and threw it at the mouse. The mouse screeched out as it died. It seemed to have devoured the womans tongue.
Xenons stomach turned.
Xenon, hand me your notebook.
The hell, this
Calm down. Its what weve always seen.
But that was.
That was on the battlefield, not here. This should be a peaceful place.
But the scariest thing was
Ah.
its as if Raymond already knew that the corpse was laying here.
Why the hell did the knight in front of him come to this place? What did he know?
Xenon, what was it that you said earlier?
P-Pardon me?
About Miss Carynne Evans.
Y-Yes.
Raymond slung his gun on his back again. This action alone made Xenon realize that Raymond was looking for this all along.
But then, the most unexpected words left Raymonds lips.
Seems like Im in love.
It, it seems so.
While packing up the deer, Raymond spoke to Xenon.
So, let me be forthright. Dont come anywhere near her.
Xenon might have joked and said, Will you be jealous, sir? but then the expression on the mans face would not have made it possible.
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