Chapter 68

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.ond 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?

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.