Beast in the Woods, Deep in the Night - Chapter 40.1

Chapter 40.1

The reason why Christine couldn’t leave the Golden Horseshoe Guild.

Edgar had always wondered why a woman bold enough to enter the Black Fang Guild’s hideout without any fear and mingle with everyone would remain in the Golden Horseshoe Guild.

When he motioned with his chin as if to tell him to continue, Isaac opened his mouth, examining the change in his expression more carefully than usual.

“I bribed a longtime member of the Golden Horseshoe Guild. He had no integrity, so I offered him a large amount of money and he accepted right away.”

Of course, Isaac also knew that the amount he offered was equivalent to twenty years of income for ordinary people. But wasn’t it Edgar Richards who asked for information?

‘I also wondered what secrets Christine was hiding.’

Edgar’s order and his curiosity. With those two reasons, there was no reason to hesitate about spending money.

“Since the man had poor skills, he stayed at the guild hideout every day and was quite knowledgeable about the guild’s affairs. He had seen and heard things for a long time, so even if the guild master tried to hide it, there were many things he noticed.”

“What did he say?”

“He said that it was because of her mother’s illness that Christine couldn’t leave.”

Her mother’s illness?

That meant that Christine, who was busy enticing people with her soft voice, was making sacrifices for her family. Considering her usual easygoing appearance, it was surprising that she was taking responsibility for her mother, but on the other hand, he could understand.

‘Is that why she said such things with such a face?’

“I think about it sometimes. I think that the good memories that parents leave for their children are so powerful that they sometimes forget all the hurt and pain that arises from the relationship between each other.”

Christine was in pain at the same time as she showed affection for her parents. Considering her sick mother, it was natural.

“Does she have trouble moving or something?”

“I asked the same question, but he said that Mrs. Baines is not yet incapacitated. He also said he didn’t know the exact cause of her illness.”

“I hope you didn’t waste money.”

“He was a little vague, but he said that ‘Ariel is cursed, and the magical power of the necklace Guild Master Duff possesses can heal her.'”

“Magical power?”

Edgar nervously questioned the expression only fortune tellers would use. Isaac felt a cold sweat running down his back the moment the deep green eyes turned to him as if asking if he was joking.

Edgar wasn’t usually a friendly boss, but since today’s report was related to Christine, his reaction seemed particularly harsh.

“I thought that was vague too, so I questioned him a little more. He said that Mrs. Baines has some mage’s blood in her, and for some reason, she complains of pain if she is not regularly near the necklace Duff has.”

“It’s a symptom that not even pure-blooded mages have.”

“As you said, it’s a side effect that doesn’t occur even among powerful mages. Even after explaining that, the man said that the symptom was definitely related to mana.”

“If it’s related to mana… Is it possible that Mrs. Baines’ symptoms were passed down to her daughter as well?”

Edgar recalled the scene he had seen in the tediously repetitive dream.

The dying Christine, twisting her convulsing body. It was clear that she wasn’t dying from a regular illness. And the words she said amid all that…

“I’ve been through enough, so I want to live a normal life. Traveling like everyone else, falling in love… Is that such a big mistake?”

Edgar had always wondered why her words sounded like she was making excuses for sneaking into the Black Fang guild like a thief.

Why was that woman, Christine Baines, looking for the reason for her life in the guild’s hideout? Because she thought that something in the Black Fang Guild could make her happy.

As his thoughts reached that point, Edgar had a hunch.

“What is the probability that the jewel that the master of the Golden Horseshoe Guild has is a chimera’s tear?”

“…!”

Isaac was startled by the assumption he had never thought of.

“I don’t think it’s impossible. The chimera’s tears contain a supernatural power that is passed down on the Richard family, and that power is incomparably stronger than that of a mage, so it is possible that it could interact with the mother and daughter’s mana. We’ll have to check to see if it also affects the pain caused by it.”