I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 82

Becoming a Squirrel to Save the Villain – Episode 82

The underground cloister of the Medest Estate.

Mariel, dressed in a subdued dress, stood as if rooted to the spot in front of a portrait.

“So, you’re here.”

Jayden had just found Mariel and come down to the underground cloister.

“Why are you here, of all places…”

“Ah.”

Mariel smiled and replied.

“I was just… thinking about Father.”

The place she was standing was none other than in front of Duke Medest’s portrait.

Oscar Medest.

Since Mariel had not yet inherited the title, and because he was still missing and not declared dead, he still held the position of Duke Medest.

Mariel’s face darkened as she turned her gaze back to the tiger painting beside the portrait.

She fiddled with the hem of her dress and murmured.

“Yurika was alive, so I was hoping that maybe Father is still alive too…”

Jayden couldn’t say anything, only moving his lips before finally sighing.

It felt like a cruel twist of fate that she had declared she would give up that hopeful thought in front of Yurika.

In fact, unlike Mariel, Jayden had some doubts that Yurika was his real niece.

It wasn’t because he didn’t care for Yurika.

But there was no clear evidence. Mariel’s claims were, when looked at coldly, just speculation.

Mariel had hidden the fact that Yurika was a sacred beast from Jayden. She and Yurika had agreed not to tell him from the start.

Therefore, she couldn’t tell him that she had secretly overheard Theodore and Libena’s conversation.

So, Jayden was in a situation where he was anxious and didn’t know the exact situation.

“What was Father like?”

Mariel, like Yurika, had no memories of her father.

“Well… Uncle always says Father was a great man… so I always felt pressured. I know very well that I’m not performing well as the head of the family.”

Jayden was startled.

It was true that he sincerely respected and liked his brother-in-law, Oscar.

But he was only now realizing that it had been a considerable burden for Mariel.

“W, well…”

Jayden replied with an awkward smile.

“He was similar to Yurika. Cold, calculating, and clever from a young age. And he was really like a beast.”

“…Pardon?”

“His sense of danger was incredibly developed, he was agile, and… he was very good at throwing spears. He was accurate every time. There’s a reason he was called the ace of the battlefield.”

“Um, Uncle. I didn’t bring this up to hear a story I’ve heard a hundred times.”

“Mariel, you’re a bit different these days. You’ve become like Yurika.”

Jayden scratched his chin lightly and continued.

“Ahem, but you know.”

“Yes.”

“He wasn’t perfect. Like everyone else.”

Mariel’s eyes widened.

Jayden, who had always praised Oscar, was saying something completely different.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Jayden began to speak ill of Oscar, something he had never done before.

“I’ve always said, if your brother-in-law had returned, you sisters wouldn’t have been able to marry. He would have personally eliminated any man who came near you.”

“Oh, Uncle. You’re joking…”

“Doesn’t sound like a joke, does it?”

Jayden chuckled and continued.

“Your father’s nickname was Tiger, Tiger. He was so fierce towards people he didn’t like.”

Despite the criticism, a deep longing began to fill his eyes.

“But he was like a puppy in front of your aunt. He probably would have been the same with you two.”

The contrast between a tiger and a puppy was too great. Mariel couldn’t help but smile.

“By the way, Yurika…”

Jayden stared at Oscar’s portrait and suddenly said.

“She’s coming back as soon as the temple ceremony is over, right? It’s frustrating that I can’t see her right away even after all this.”

“She’ll be back soon.”

Mariel blinked and replied.

“She’s been eager to do it, so I have a feeling she’ll come back with something amazing.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Jayden sighed.

“I’m worried that it might be dangerous. And I’m even more uneasy because she’s next to that sly wizard.”

Jayden was polite in front of Johann, but he didn’t forget to be wary and curse him behind his back.

To him, Johann was like a beast eyeing Yurika.

“So, I’m thinking of doing something I can do too. I don’t want Yurika to struggle alone.”

Mariel quietly added, looking at the portraits of the Medest family heads lined up in the cloister.

“There’s definitely a secret in our family. I need to find out what it is.”

* * *

Finally, the day of the temple’s victory ceremony arrived.

As promised, Johann skipped the visit to Daisy Village and headed straight to the temple.

Of course, I was in his pocket, holding my breath.

Libena and Theodore had already found out that I could turn into a squirrel, but they couldn’t reveal that fact carelessly.

Therefore, the remaining temple people wouldn’t suspect my existence either.

‘Even if there are any remaining underlings… they wouldn’t dare to search Johann’s body.’

Anyway, this time too, I was enjoying a comfortable ride with Johann.

‘Actually… I think it’s a little more comfortable being a squirrel now.’

In fact, it was entirely Johann’s fault.

‘Of course, I was the one who suggested kissing first, so I can’t say anything.’

Some time ago, when we went shopping on Olred Street, I suggested a light kiss, and the atmosphere became very strange.

Of course, I barely regained my senses in the middle and hurriedly tried to fix it, saying, ‘C, calmed down? I think this is enough!’

Since then, Johann had been treating me as usual.

Naturally, there was no time to talk about that strange atmosphere.

Anyway, searching the temple directly was something I had been anticipating and planning for a long time.

Besides, Johann was very busy interrogating the assassin who attacked me.

Nevertheless, the memory of that time remained strangely in my mind, making me feel embarrassed.

It’s not that I dislike it, but I keep feeling a tingling sensation in my body?

It was definitely a fundamentally different feeling from just putting my paws on him when I was just a squirrel.

‘I don’t know. I need to finish this quickly and return to the Medest Estate.’

I needed to stay away from Johann for a while.

Living together in the Hyrard Estate for the past few days seemed to have made our relationship more subtle.

Anyway, today is the day of the decisive battle.

I peeked my head out of Johann’s pocket to confirm that we were in front of the temple, and I secretly burned with enthusiasm.

“Ah, Duke Hyrard.”

Roymond, who had arrived earlier, waved his hand with a refreshing smile.

Seeing this, Johann greeted him with a blunt bow.

“Thank you for attending.”

When the temple side said that a member of the imperial family had to attend for procedural reasons, Johann immediately asked Roymond.

And Roymond immediately sent a letter saying he would.

“You’re a war hero, so of course, he’d accept. Honestly, the empire escaped the war thanks to you.”

When I saw the letter and proudly patted Johann’s shoulder, Johann shook his head.

“I don’t know. I think there’s another reason.”

And I could now see what that ‘other reason’ was.

“What are you thanking me for?”

Roymond winked and tried to act friendly with Johann.

“We’ll be family soon. I really want to be close to the Duke. Please put in a good word for me with Yurika again this time.”

Hmm. He’s just… a lover, so he’s being friendly to Johann.

Roymond even patted Johann on the back and continued.

“From my point of view, I’m always grateful to you for giving up your marriage with Mariel.”

While Johann remained silent without answering, Roymond widened his eyes and added.

“But why did you break off the engagement, saying you would never be with the Medest heiress? If you were going to date Yurika anyway?”

“…”

“Well, I guess you wanted to be with her out of pure love. I don’t think I could have done that, it’s a very noble decision. Thanks to you, I’ve completely shattered my prejudice against wizards.”

I couldn’t see Johann’s expression because I was in his pocket, but somehow Johann didn’t seem as happy as Roymond.

‘The two of them don’t get along very well…’

Contrary to Roymond’s wishes, it seemed difficult for Johann and him to get along.

“Both of you have arrived.”

At that time, an unfamiliar voice was heard. It was a tired voice that seemed to lack energy.

“I’m not sure if the preparations will be satisfactory because the temple is in disarray… but I sincerely welcome you.”

It doesn’t sound like they’re welcoming us at all.

Anyway, it seemed to be the voice of the ‘Acting Temple Representative’ who was in charge of this event.

“Please come in.”

Soon, Johann’s body began to move forward.