The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me Chapter 218 - Side Story Chapter 8

Fortunately, even in the barren Cursed Territory, groundwater still existed.

However, that water was full of toxins, so we had been using an artifact to purify it before drinking.

But now, the artifact that purified the groundwater had broken.

The only thing left was the water stored in the tank that had been purified beforehand.

“The remaining reserve in the water tank… should last about fifteen days.”

Fortunately, the amount of water left was quite generous. But the biggest problem was…

That such a high-grade artifact could not be obtained in Piet Territory. We would probably have to go all the way to the capital.

We had essentially been forced into an apocalypse.

“It seems I’ll have to leave for about fifteen days.”

In the end, Richard took back what he had said before.

“You’ll have to go far… can you make it back within fifteen days?”

It normally took about a month from here to reach the capital.

“I’ll reduce my rest time.”

Translated, that meant he planned to not sleep at all for fifteen days.

Transcendents are really…

After saying that, Richard seemed to think about something for a moment before speaking again.

“You should come with me too, Rose.”

“Richard, sorry, but my body can’t handle that kind of forced march…”

“If we allow enough time, we can make the trip a month and a half.”

Hmm. What should I do?

I crossed my arms and thought it over. The journey to the capital would be dangerous. But the bigger problem was…

I stared at the small vegetable garden beside us.

“I can’t leave the potatoes behind.”

If I left too, the potato farm would be ruined.

“…Did you just choose potatoes over me?”

Richard looked at me in disbelief.

“Well, it’s not exactly like that…”

“Don’t you think it’s a little late to explain?”

“…Hmm.”

I avoided his gaze.

And so it was decided that Richard would go to the capital alone.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

After the purification artifact broke, I suddenly had a lot more to do.

The reason was…

“Rose, if you pump like that, the water won’t come out.”

“Huff… huff…”

I had to learn as much housework as possible from Richard as quickly as I could.

Because I had already realized that without Richard, my survival ability was basically zero.

“Adding a lot of firewood isn’t always good. You have to leave space for air.”

The temperature in the Cursed Land dropped sharply at night, so I also had to learn how to light the stove.

Richard demonstrated.

He stacked the firewood neatly in the shape of the character, and when he lit it, the smoke flowed smoothly up the chimney while only warmth filled the room.

But when I tried it…

The entire room turned into a smoke-gas training field.

“…Rose, pardon me, but how did you manage to get hired by a marquis family?”

“That’s rude.”

“……”

I had worked a lot in Evantes too, but I had never done things like this.

The only work I had done were simple chores that required no special skill.

So I went through several harsh days.

But Richard still looked uneasy.

“Are the potatoes really more important than me?”

“Yes, huff, whee…?”

“Rose, are you serious?”

I was so exhausted that I could barely hear what Richard was saying.

…Three days passed quickly and slowly at the same time.

During that time, I learned many things from Richard.

“…At this point, I think I can manage even without you, Richard. So don’t worry anymore.”

“……”

“Richard?”

“…Yes, Rose.”

For some reason, he still looked troubled.

 

 

****

 

 

Richard left.

<I’ll return within ten days.>

For some reason, he insisted he would come back even faster.

But wait, is it even possible to travel that distance in that time?

Richard left after giving me a communication artifact.

After that, I spent quiet days.

Specifically…

I spent the whole day binge-reading the novels Marta had secretly supplied me with.

It was freedom I had never experienced while Richard was around.

[Rose, are you doing well?]

Of course, whether he was monitoring me or simply had separation anxiety, Richard contacted me through the artifact from time to time.

[Have you eaten?]

“Yes, I’ve been eating well.”

I hadn’t eaten anything since last night because I was too lazy to cook, but I answered confidently.

[Are you sleeping well? Your voice sounds tired…]

“I’m just not fully awake yet. Richard, more importantly, you are sleeping while traveling to the capital, right…?”

I had stayed up all night reading forbidden novels, but I asked as if nothing was wrong.

[I’m fine. But… I’m worried about you. Are you having any difficulties living alone?]

“Hmm. Lighting the stove was a bit difficult, but I think I’m getting used to it.”

That really was the only difficult thing.

Because that was the only thing I had actually been doing…

Despite the three days of training, I hadn’t done any housework at all.

[Hmm… I see.]

A doubtful sound came from the artifact.

[…Anyway, I’m glad you seem to be doing well.]

Hearing his relieved sigh, I thought to myself that I should at least clean the messy room before Richard came back.

[I miss you, Rose.]

“……”

[I love you.]

He said it every time before ending the call.

But I still couldn’t give him any answer.

After the connection ended, I felt strangely restless.

Lately, it had been like that more often.

Richard loved me.

Was it really okay for me to keep living like this while pretending not to notice his feelings?

Of course not.

When I first settled here, I never expected to stay with him this long.

At most, I thought it would be a few months.

Back then, I believed I would eventually leave his side.

There was a time when only my own feelings mattered.

The loss I felt after falling into this world was so overwhelming that I couldn’t see anything else.

But that was no longer the case.

Now I could see things I hadn’t noticed before.

I couldn’t ignore them anymore.

When Richard returned…

I thought I should talk with him again.

Even though I could already guess how he might react.

With a sigh, I reached for the newspaper on the table.

Living here made it impossible to know what was happening in the world, so whenever we visited Piet Territory, I made sure to bring one back.

****

[Dylan Hertas wins great victory… Hertas family granted the title of Marquis in honor of his achievements]

I unknowingly held my breath when I saw the headline on the front page.

The newspaper was filled with stories about Dylan.

It seemed he had recently returned victorious from war.

My heart dropped at the thought that Dylan might have been in danger.

Suddenly, I remembered something from two years ago.

<I can’t live without you, Rose…>

He had begged me desperately while holding onto me.

But in the end, he helped me return.

So I only wished for Dylan to live well.

Because as long as the curse remained, being near him would cause him terrible suffering.

[Mysterious relic discovered on the outskirts of the capital]

[The missing Savior… where has she gone?]

[Saeblin Merchant Guild gains attention supplying war materials]

There was also news about Michelle in the paper.

During the year and a half I had lived here, I had occasionally heard about her.

I’m glad, Michelle. You’re doing well.

I felt relieved as I read the newspaper.

…I only hoped everyone was living well.

An unusual silence hung over the gate of Piet Territory.

Under the cloudy sky, dust carried by the wind drifted low across the ground, making people’s footsteps feel heavier.

Even the soldiers standing guard straightened their posture for no reason.

The air felt different than usual.

In the middle of it all, a man wearing a black robe stood before the gate.

“Name.”

The gatekeeper of Piet Territory asked dryly.

“Yurtha Hertas.”

It was a short answer.

Hertas…

It sounded like a name he had heard somewhere before.

The gatekeeper casually took the identification badge.

But the moment he confirmed the name, he swallowed hard.

His fingertips trembled slightly.

Hertas…

Wasn’t that the famous family?

The very name that had been filling the newspapers recently with news of victory after victory.