The Strongest Magician Can Only Love His Dead Wife — After I Reincarnated, My Cute Younger Husband Turned Yandere - Chapter 28

There was not a trace of hesitation in the Count’s eyes, they were brimming with murderous intent toward Arsenio.

If Arsenio came to rescue Rubia like this. Knowing him, he would surely come, he would be killed.

(If I’m only going to be a burden to Lord Arsenio, then I…!)

Rubia resolved to bite her tongue, but in that instant, her body stiffened like stone, and she couldn’t move even a finger.

Seeing Rubia immobilized, the Count gave a faint smile.

“Ah, I forgot to mention. While you were asleep, I took the liberty of casting a little spell on you. It’s a spell that prevents you from taking your own life. If you were to die before Arsenio arrives, there would be no point in having a hostage.”

His gaze shifted next to the ring Rubia was wearing. The protective ring Arsenio had given her, set with a blue stone.

“If the protection of that ring activates, that brat will surely come running. Normally, he wouldn’t foolishly fall into the trap I’ve set, but to save you, he will definitely come. So—”

Just as the Count said, “Please endure it a little longer,” the men behind him, all but one suddenly began to change form.

Their skeletons swelled rapidly before their very eyes, and in moments, their bodies were covered in black fur, transforming into wolf-like creatures.

(Humans into demon beasts!? How?!)

Earlier, the Count had said he’d been researching techniques to interfere with human souls.

If that were the case, it might not be so strange that he knew a way to turn humans into demon beasts.

“Now, go. Head outside and give Arsenio a warm welcome.”

At the Count’s command, the men who had turned into demon beasts scrambled out one after another.

Left behind were Rubia, the Count, and the one man among them who had retained his human form.

“Hurt that woman a little for me. But don’t injure her,” the Count ordered the remaining man.

The man slowly approached Rubia. Seeing the unmistakable excitement on his face, Rubia felt an instinctive fear.

His hands reached for Rubia’s chest and thighs with clear intent, about to violate her.

But before his hands could grope her bare skin, a piercing scream came from outside.

—Crack, snap… crunch.

With an ominous presence and sound, the door of the abandoned house creaked and groaned as it was forced open.

Even without the seeping aura of magical power, it was obvious who it was.

“Don’t come! It’s a trap!” Rubia shouted instinctively, but there was no way Arsenio would listen.

“Don’t touch my wife, you scum.”

As Arsenio, drenched in blood, spoke these words, the black mist enveloping him took the form of a dog and lunged at the man looming over Rubia.

“Eeeek! Stop, aaaah!!”

Amid the ugly screams, Arsenio knelt beside Rubia as if nothing else in the surroundings mattered.

“I came to save you. Are you hurt?”

With a pale face, Rubia nodded.

He shouldn’t have come. If this continues, Arsenio will be killed.

She wanted to tell him, but she was too terrified to open her mouth properly.

Seeing Rubia like this, Arsenio seemed to think something.

The black mist surrounding him swelled up abruptly.

“A-Ar…”

“It’s alright. You don’t need to worry about anything. Just keep your eyes on me—Rubia.”

As he said this to calm her and pulled her into an embrace, Rubia’s eyes caught sight of Count Fiero raising his hand to the void, preparing to cast a spell.

“Got you, Arsenio! This time, I’ll kill you!!”

“Dodge, Lord Arsenio! It’s a trap!!”

Startled, Rubia frantically tried to push Arsenio away. Even if she tried to weave a spell now, it would be too late to block the Count’s attack.

If only Arsenio would dodge, at least—

But he made no move to pull away from Rubia.

“Trap or not, it doesn’t matter. This time, I will protect you.”

That was the moment.

Countless arrows of magic, created by Count Fiero, pierced through Arsenio’s body.

“Guh…”

Splattering blood, Arsenio collapsed.

“Lord Arsenio!”

Rubia knelt beside his fallen form and hurriedly lifted his upper body.

The magical arrows were embedded all over Arsenio’s body, and from each wound, a tremendous amount of blood flowed.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

Arsenio smiled contentedly and touched Rubia’s cheek with his bloodstained hand.

His hand was already cold and clammy, telling her that he was gradually losing his body heat.

“No, how can this be…? No, no, Lord Arsenio…!”

With a pain in her chest as if it would tear apart, Rubia finally understood.

When he had lost himself before, it must have been just as painful. And now, she was the one about to be left behind in that loneliness.

“Don’t leave me, Lord Arsenio…!!”

Her face a mess of tears, Rubia desperately clasped her hands together.

Before she knew it, her lips were naturally weaving a spell directed at the light spirits.

“‘O spirits of light—in the name of Rufilia, the god of light who illuminates all things, save my husband!'”

“I won’t let you save him! If you interfere with my revenge, die together!”

The Count tried to launch another attack to stop Rubia’s spell, but the light spirits surrounding her would not allow it.

Rubia’s body was swiftly enveloped in light, repelling the Count’s evil magic and sending it flying far away, along with his soul.

Soon, droplets of light fell like rain, showering Arsenio’s body.

The magical arrows piercing him vanished in an instant, and his wounds closed just as quickly.

At this miraculous event, both Rubia and Arsenio were stunned.

“Was that… you?”

“I don’t know. I just prayed desperately.”

Supporting Arsenio as he stood up unharmed, Rubia reached out toward the fading particles of light.

With a warm sensation, the light disappeared without a trace.

(You heard my prayer. Thank you!)

Offering silent thanks to the god of light, Rubia checked Arsenio’s body.

“Are you in pain anywhere? Has the bleeding stopped? Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine, thanks to you, I’m completely well.”

“I’m so glad! Please, don’t push yourself like this ever again. I was so scared, thinking you might really die.”

Even though a miracle had occurred, the fact remained that Arsenio had nearly died.

As tears welled in her eyes, he soothed her with a remorseful expression.

“I’m sorry, Rubia. I thought as long as you were safe, it would be enough, but that was just my selfishness. I should have known well enough the pain of losing someone precious.”

Saying this, he stared intently in the direction where the Count had vanished.

The Count, too, had carried the pain of losing someone dear and had lived with it for many years. While she couldn’t help but feel pity for his circumstances, his actions were utterly unforgivable.

As she felt an indescribable loneliness, suddenly, the outside of the abandoned house grew noisy.

Exchanging a glance with Arsenio, she saw several men rush in through the door.

It seemed they were mages, apparently subordinates of Arsenio.

“Second Seat Mage Silva! Are you unharmed? We were ordered by Chief Mage Rosario and rushed here immediately!”

“Ah, so Jeremy sent you. I’ll leave the cleanup to you. Also, the woman lying over there is a victim. Treat her with due respect.”

“Yes, of course!”

Leaving Jimena, still unconscious in the corner of the abandoned house, to his subordinates, Arsenio tightly grasped Rubia’s hand.

“Shall we go home? To our home.”

So Rubia, in turn, squeezed his hand back with equal, if not greater, strength.

“Yes, Lord Arsenio!”