How To End This Marriage-Chapter 80: Desperate Pursuit

Duke Alexavier Agnes stood before the emperor and the court, his voice filled with desperation and anger as he demanded answers about his missing wife, Duchess Bernice Balliol Agnes.

"Tell me, Your Majesty! Where is my wife? If you don’t know, then I don’t know who might have information about this," Alexavier raised his voice, commanding the attention of the entire court.

The emperor, in his usual calm demeanor, replied, "As I said, I will find your wife."

Alexavier’s frustration boiled over as he retorted, "Yeah, you said the same thing about my parents too, but where is the criminal? The criminal is still nowhere to be found even after so many years. What did you do? Nothing? Are you going to do the same for my wife as well? No, I will not let it happen. Get my wife no matter what," he shouted, his anger palpable.

The emperor remained silent, his indifference unsettling. The courtiers exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to react to the escalating tension.

The crown prince attempted to console Alexavier, saying, "Alex, you are not in the right mind. Let’s calm down. She will be found in no time. I will help you too."

But Alexavier was resolute. "No, I will not calm down until she is found safe and sound," he declared and abruptly left the hall, determined to continue his search.

He mounted his horse and rode in the direction of the holy temple, suspecting that the Holy Empire might have had a hand in his wife’s disappearance due to their persistent attempts to recruit her as the holy knight.

"Holy priest, I swear, if you have a hand in my wife’s disappearance, I will not let you stand on your feet," he muttered to himself as he hastened toward the holy temple, unaware of the challenges that awaited him.

As Alexavier embarked on his journey, high above in the divine realm, God Lunar and Moiroi observed the unfolding events in the mortal world with growing concern.

"Moiroi, what is happening in the mortal world? Why is the Duke in such a panic?" God Lunar asked, his divine form radiating an otherworldly glow.

"That girl is missing," Moiroi stated, his voice devoid of emotion.

"That girl is missing, meaning Bernice Balliol Agnes is missing? Is that what you are trying to convey?" Lunar asked, genuine concern creeping into his voice.

"Yes, that girl is missing," Moiroi repeated. "The way her disappearance has caused chaos makes me imagine countless scenarios. My divine power can’t seem to touch her location, as if something is blocking my sight. Moreover, the Supreme God hasn’t called for us in a while, as if he has no need for us anymore. How can two such events occur simultaneously?" Moiroi pondered, his gaze fixed on Alexavier’s journey.

"You can’t reach her?" Lunar inquired, worry etched on his divine features.

"No, I can’t reach her. I’ve tried so hard, but the connection seems to break at a point, making me fail," Moiroi confessed.

"She might be in grave danger," Lunar stated, his voice filled with concern for the mortal girl.

"Now you are showing concern for her? I never thought I’d see this side of you," Moiroi chuckled, though his amusement was devoid of warmth.

"This is not the time for jests, Moiroi. We have to find her; otherwise, she will die," Lunar said, trying to move forward but then abruptly stopped.

"She will die! Isn’t that what we are assigned to do? To witness her demise? Then why are you panicking? When did you develop a soft corner for her? Why are you so drawn to that human girl despite hearing numerous hateful things about her?" Moiroi probed.

"Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her?" Moiroi taunted, causing Lunar’s divine eyes to widen.

"Moiroi, you are suggesting something absurd," Lunar dismissed his words, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his voice.

"It isn’t absurd at all. No matter how much I’ve tried to foresee, I cannot unsee how emotionally attached you are to that human girl. We gods are forbidden to show any signs of human feelings. Why are you risking your path, Lunar? Stop this now, or I will have to report this to the Supreme Lord," Moiroi warned, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Do whatever you want, but I have made up my mind. I won’t be doing this. I know there is a voice telling me what I am doing is wrong. This is not the path a god should take. We are here to save humans, not to harm them," Lunar declared firmly, his resolve unwavering as he walked away, leaving Moiroi behind.

"This path you are taking is dangerous, Lunar. Even though you may be right, you are also wrong. You are chasing after a married woman who is nothing but an illusion to you," Moiroi said before departing as well, leaving the divine realm in silence.

Meanwhile, Duke Alexavier Agnes had arrived at the entrance of the holy temple, determined to find any leads that might lead him to his missing wife, Duchess Bernice. Holy guards, dressed in pristine white uniforms and armed with polearms, blocked his path, ready to defend the sanctity of the temple.

"Release my way; I want to go inside," Alexavier declared, his voice commanding and filled with urgency.

"No! Return from where you came. You can’t enter the temple. We can sense that you are not a friendly presence to have within these sacred grounds. Maliciousness emanates from you," one of the guards stated firmly, refusing to yield.

"Yes, you have sensed correctly, and that’s why I am here. I have important matters to discuss with the temple. I want to find my wife, and I will do whatever it takes. So, release the entrance and let me pass, unless you want me to raise my sword and deal with you accordingly," Alex warned, his tone resolute. The guards hesitated but remained steadfast.

"In the name of the Emperor, release the entrance or face the consequences!" he shouted, his patience wearing thin.

In response to his threat, the high priest of the temple appeared, attempting to defuse the escalating situation.

"Duke, what on earth are you doing? This is a holy place, not a battlefield for your grievances. You are shedding blood everywhere," the high priest admonished, his robes flowing gracefully.

"I too was aware that this is a holy place, but now I no longer believe it is. This place is corrupted by bloody hands that have taken my wife in the name of holy deeds," Alex shouted, his anger palpable.

"What are you saying? We didn’t do anything to the Duchess," the priest stuttered, struggling to comprehend the accusations being hurled at him.

"You didn’t? Then where is my wife? Why can’t I find her anywhere? Aren’t you always proclaiming that she belongs to you? So give her back to me. Or I won’t spare anyone present in this temple, let alone allow any of you to leave," Alex threatened, his sword still raised menacingly.

"Spare us!" the temple inhabitants began to beg, their voices filled with fear and desperation.

"Spare us!" they pleaded, their cries echoing within the hallowed halls.

As the people of the temple begged for their lives, Alexavier’s sword finally came to a halt. He emerged from his intense trance, his eyes darkened from sleeplessness and worry. For three days, he had not rested, nor had he taken a single bite of food. His determination to find his wife drove him forward, despite his physical and mental exhaustion.

The knight who had been tasked with investigating Bernice’s disappearance approached him with a report. "No, my lord, we were unable to find the Duchess," he began.

Alexavier listened intently, his hope dwindling.

"Yes, my lord, I too didn’t find the Duchess. However, I believe someone knows where she is," another knight added.

Alexavier’s eyes sparked with renewed hope. "What do you mean, someone knows where the Duchess is?" he asked urgently.

"Yes, during my interrogation of the royal knights, I noticed a female knight who behaved strangely. No matter what I asked, she only nodded or shook her head, refusing to utter a single word. She didn’t even bother to lift her head, but kept playing with her trembling fingers. I suspect she might know something about this matter," the knight explained.

"Where is she? Take me to her; I will question her!" Alex said, his determination resolute.

"Okay, Duke, come with me. She was patrolling on the left side of the palace," the knight replied and led him to where the female knight was stationed.

As they approached the female knight, the atmosphere grew tense. Alexavier’s heart raced with anticipation as he prepared to confront the one person who might hold the key to his wife’s whereabouts.

"Hey, are you the one who was patrolling on the night when the Duchess went missing?" the knight asked the female knight, his voice firm.

"I don’t know anything," she stuttered, her eyes downcast.

"Don’t lie! Tell me what you were doing there that night. Did you see something? Did you see where the Duchess went?" the knight pressed angrily, repeatedly asking the same questions.

Alexavier watched closely, his patience wearing thin, as he hoped for any clue that would lead him to his beloved wife.