After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 142
The valley, hidden in darkness, held no wild animals. The only sounds were the cold water vanishing into thin air and the careful steps of people as they placed their feet on the cliffs.
“The days are getting shorter.”
The boundary between morning and dawn had become increasingly blurred. Dehart lifted his cool gaze and scanned his surroundings. The new laborers, brought in by Eli, were huddled in the opposite tent, starting a fire.
“Still, it seems like we’re nearing the end.”
Eli said, nodding toward the workers climbing up from the precipice. For the past few days, they had been throwing stones down into the darkness below, hanging from ropes, with no sight of what lay ahead. Today, however, the sound of a stone bouncing on the ground could be heard.
“We’ll have to make up for the time we’ve lost with more manpower. Get all the herbalists you brought ready.”
As Dehart said, he turned his back. As he did, a red butterfly, which had been hidden in his shadow, fluttered out like a flame. Eli, startled by the sight, instinctively stepped back.
[I told you not to be surprised.]
“Ummm…”
[It seems it’s time for me to start playing my part. Right?]
“Well, I suppose.”
Eli took a step back awkwardly, and the red butterfly followed him, flapping gently.
* * *
The quiet study was filled with the sound of pages turning. Sebelia glanced at Claude, who was sitting across from her, before turning her gaze to the window. The red evening sun was slowly sinking into the sky.
It had been ten days since Dehart left, and still, there was no news from him.
“We’ll have a simple test tomorrow.”
Sebelia suddenly turned her head and jumped. Claude had put down the book and was now pouring hot tea, watching her. Caught in her thoughts, Sebelia hesitated before accepting the cup he extended to her. Warmth spread from her fingertips as she held the cup.
“Are you asking me to disguise myself using a vision?”
Sebelia asked, recalling the homework Claude had given her before. He had instructed her to create various visions, hoping to understand her potential.
Before, Sebelia had felt a sense of excitement, thinking she might be highly skilled. But it didn’t take long for her to realize that this was arrogance.
In illusion magic, there was a technique like Claude’s, which completely covered one’s face and built to create a disguise. Sebelia, however, was terrible at it.
That’s when I realized I’m not great at everything.
When Sebelia asked while pouting, Claude widened his eyes in surprise. Realizing what she was worried about, he shook his head and spoke in a gentle tone.
“No, no. I just had you try different kinds of illusion magic to understand your aptitude. The test tomorrow is a basic one.”
“May I ask what it’s about?”
“Of course. It’s simple. It’s about your familiar…”
As Claude was speaking, he suddenly grabbed his chest, gasping for breath. Sebelia froze in place, alarmed.
“Mr. Claude?”
When Sebelia called out to him, Claude had regained his composure.
“Ha… huh… Damn, that scared me.”
“I’ll go get Dr. Watts.”
“No, no, that’s not necessary.”
Claude wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and took a deep breath. Sebelia was about to leave the room but stopped and walked over to him. She took out a handkerchief and offered it to him, and Claude accepted without hesitation.
“Ha.”
“Could it be that you also have a chronic illness, Mr. Claude?”
Come to think of it, she had never asked him how he knew Watts. Sebelia’s blue eyes darkened with worry. Seeing her expression, Claude gave a small smile.
“No, it’s nothing like that. I’m healthy every minute, every second.”
“But just a moment ago, you couldn’t breathe.”
“Oh, that’s not an illness… damn.”
Claude clenched his teeth as if remembering something he’d forgotten. His wide eyes, filled with a new intensity, shot out sparks of emotion, something Sebelia hadn’t seen before.
“I’m sorry. I’ll explain later. But right now, I need to go to the valley.”
“What?”
Claude staggered to his feet. Sebelia moved to follow him immediately, determined not to let him go without a proper explanation.
In the end, Claude had to explain himself while placing his hand on the door handle.
“Alos’s condition is strange.”
Sebelia’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at him.
“Alos, Mr. Claude’s familiar?”
“Yes. For some reason, the connection has been unstable. This doesn’t usually happen… I must go. Please stay here, Miss Bella.”
Claude said this quickly before opening the door. He looked ready to rush off, and Sebelia was alarmed. Seeing Claude like this, so rattled, was the first time since Dehart had been ill.
Without thinking, Sebelia stepped in front of him.
“Mr. Claude, calm down. You can’t go alone without any preparation. I’ve heard the valley is dangerous. You yourself tried to stop Dehart from going there.”
“That’s why I have no choice but to go.”
His slow words carried a heavy weight. His unusual demeanor made Sebelia hold her breath. The backlit gold eyes were glowing with a chilling intensity.
“He’s never one to find me, so I have to go.”
Sebelia clenched her trembling hands. He wasn’t in his right mind.
