It’s Time to Stop Clinging to the Fake Guide - Chapter 185

Where did she go?

The gaunt woman was nowhere to be seen.

“Edwin’s mother! Countess!”

Lynette raised her voice and called out. Sillian, who had said that it might be a little more reassuring if a woman called rather than a man like him, quietly looked around the surroundings.

“Edwin is safe! Please come out now!”

Thinking she might be wary because they were strangers, Lynette shouted that Edwin was safe. How many times had she called like that? Just as Lynette was about to shout once more, Sillian lightly grabbed her shoulder.

“…She’s coming?”

“Yes.”

Even after he finished speaking, a little more time passed before the woman cautiously poked her head out. Her eyes had lost their vitality, but she still retained her wariness toward strangers.

“Hello.”

“Greetings.”

The two lowered their heads in greeting, but she only watched them with an anxious expression and did not come any closer.

Lynette stepped forward and spoke with a smile.

“We met briefly earlier. I had a reason to hide my identity for a moment. My real name is Lynette. And this person is Sillian.”

Just as Sillian had said, it seemed it would be more reassuring if a woman approached rather than a large man suddenly speaking to her, so she introduced him as well.

“You are Edwin’s mother, correct? I still don’t know your name.”

“…”

“Edwin is safe.”

Should she also say where he was?

She briefly glanced back. The man seemed to be leaving everything to Lynette, showing no particular opinion.

“Right now, Agnis is looking after Edwin.”

At those words, the woman’s eyes widened. She looked as though she had not expected to hear that name here.

“Both of them are in a safe place.”

Just in case, Lynette casually mentioned that Agnis was not in that house. This woman did not seem like she would take Nosh’s side, but it was better to prepare for any possibility.

Lynette waited calmly for a reply, and the woman moved her lips before answering in a very small voice.

“Julia.”

Since she had told them her name, that probably meant her wariness had lessened a little.

After feeling slightly relieved, Lynette was about to speak with her slowly when Sillian, who had come closer, whispered.

“Lynette, it would be best to hurry.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Since the woman left, she might have met Nosh outside. If he hears about the party, he will realize something is strange.”

Lynette nodded.

“Julia, let’s leave here first.”

At those words the woman flinched in surprise and stepped back hesitantly. Fear spread across her hollow cheeks.

“I-I can’t go out.”

Her voice was full of fear.

Lynette could easily imagine what Nosh had done to her. He must have done the same kinds of things to her that he had done to Edwin, without hesitation. At first she might have resisted, but when such things repeat, a person can only shrink further and further. They become afraid, and eventually they give up…

“It’s alright. I’ll make sure Nosh can never torment you again, Julia.”

Even at those words, Julia only shook her head with a deathly pale face. Seeing that, Lynette became a little anxious. Just as Sillian had said, if Nosh heard about the party invitation he might immediately realize that something was strange. If that happened, it would not take long for him to come to the mansion.

‘He won’t come alone.’

Since he would know that strangers had entered the mansion, he would surely bring his subordinates.

“Julia, we are trying to take back the Count’s residence.”

At those words the woman frowned slightly. Her expression showed that she did not understand what she meant.

“Nosh stole the title of Count. We are going to return it to Edwin.”

“…But that man…”

Murmuring in a trembling voice, Julia shook her head firmly.

“No.”

“It will work. I guarantee it will.”

Lynette spoke more firmly than necessary. If she showed even a little hesitation, she would seem that much less trustworthy, so she had to act as if she were stating a certain truth.

“That’s why we came here.”

It wasn’t a lie. They had indeed come to investigate Nosh’s matter. The timing and circumstances were only a little different from what they had expected. It was something they would have done anyway.

At those words, Julia’s eyes wavered greatly.

“How…?”

Instead of answering that question, Lynette held out her hand. She could not explain why they had come to investigate the affairs of this place, or what their plan had been. Besides, leaving this place immediately was the priority. Sillian was watching outside the window, but it would be better to move quickly.

‘And we also have to find the shop Eshar mentioned.’

To reassure Julia, Lynette tried to make her expression as gentle as possible.

“I know it’s not easy to believe, but please trust me.”

Her gaze fell on Lynette’s hand.

“At the very least, it will be better than being trapped by Nosh.”

At those words Julia clasped both hands tightly together and stepped out from the corner. Only then could they properly see her appearance.

She’s as thin as Edwin, wearing worn clothes. More precisely, they were clothes worn by maids. Even those had many torn parts, making her look even more miserable. Her dry hair had been roughly tied into one bundle, yet it looked as though it had not been brushed in a long time and was tangled in every direction. Her lips were parched and cracked. When she stepped a little closer, Lynette could see her hands as well. Perhaps because of hard labor, they too were chapped and split, with traces of blood faintly showing.