“Were there any instructions about thumping sounds in the manual?”
In response to Simone’s question, Grand Duke Illeston shook his head.
“It’s not in the guidelines. Maybe a new curse was born, or something happened that had nothing to do with us.”
Simone was lost in thought.
As expected, there is no content related to this in the guidelines.
So, is this really an incident brought in from outside?
The face of the ghost she saw in the village kept appearing in Simone's mind.
Please, I shouldn't have dragged you into it.
“Is there anything you can point out?”
“...Yes?"
How did you know?
When Simone asked in confusion, Illeston nodded with the same expressionless expression as always.
“Because your thoughts seem deep.”
“Oh, what are you doing?”
Simone vaguely spoke and laughed.
“Just whatever. It’s not that there isn’t something to point out. I’ll check it out and let you know when I’m sure.”
If it is really a ghost brought in from the village, life at Illeston Mansion has finally reached a stable stage, but isn't it likely to become harsh again?
“Anyway, I understand that it is not in the instructions. The employees are trembling with fear, so we will make it a priority to deal with it.”
"Yes."
“...What is the condition of the Grand Duchess and Prince Jace?”
“It’s not that good. I’ll let you know when I see progress.”
Simone nodded and stood up.
“As much as possible, don’t let Prince Jace lose his saint’s desires.”
No matter how capable a healer is, it is never easy to save someone who is almost a corpse. He has to rely on that magic stone for most of his recovery.
Simone gave Illestone advice and left the study.
And she laughed at the face of the person in front of her.
“Why did you come? I didn’t call you today.”
Louis was waiting for Simone with a grin.
“Oh my, how can I take it easy with the boss?”
"Well."
There are employees in the world who come to work without resting even when they are told to do so.
There is no promotion here. What a passion.
'I'm sure you came here to observe.'
Probably every single day, he would like to dig up and analyze the necromancer and the strange things that are quite similar to the secrets of the imperial family.
As Simone walked into the room, Louis naturally followed.
“I heard it from the servants, but they said they can still hear the sound of someone moving around making loud noises.”
“Yes, I think quite a few people heard it.”
“That’s a big deal. It will also affect your ability to work. Ah! Shall I watch it at night?”
Louis said in his characteristic sly tone as if she should only trust himself. Simone laughed and shook her head.
“And what if you meet?”
“If we meet, I will use this sword-”
“What if it’s not a person?”
“...Uh-huh.”
When Louis rolled his eyes and couldn't answer, Simone sighed.
“What happens in this mansion is usually not the work of humans.”
Louis thought for a moment and took out the paper from his pocket. It was an amulet given to him by Simone.
“How can this not work?”
"Hmm...”
I do not know. I've never met it in person.
However, if what entered the mansion was the same ghost that was seen in the village that day, the talisman would probably be of no use.
It looked like she died quite painfully. The resentment seemed that deep.
“Well, anyway, I’m going to check it out myself. Recently, it has been said that the sound is mainly heard underground, but the best way to find out what it is is to experience it firsthand.”
“Let’s do this together.”
Simone stopped walking and looked at Louis without expression.
"Why?"
"Yes?"
“I didn’t hire a bodyguard.”
From the beginning, Simone was convinced that this was not the work of humans.
In that case, Louis is of no practical help in encountering ghosts.
The reason she hired Louis was to help Simone do tasks that were difficult or took a long time, but in fact, she can take care of her own body well.
“Well, then what should I do?”
“It’s exactly what I said that day. Just wait.”
If her hunch was confirmed, there was something he had to do.
Simone took her gaze away from Louis and spoke to Anna.
“If there is an empty room in the basement, please arrange for me to stay there for a day. I’m going to sleep there today.”
“Yes, Simone!”
This time, she really just watched and listened.
Louis was lost in thought as he watched Simone give Anna various instructions.
'She is a stronger person than I thought.'
Simone looks carefree and peaceful, but she has recently faced several major problems.
There were times when her fingers were numb or the sword got stuck in her hand. But as soon as the treatment is over, she moves again to solve this strange problem.
She was definitely a great person with her behavioral skills and strong mental strength.
Louis asked.
“Are you going to move to the basement room right away?”
“As soon as it’s ready.”
“Then why don’t you meet the chef while your room is getting ready?”
“The chef?”
Louis nodded. If he's a chef, this is the first time he's heard a woman's voice.
“Before coming to Simone’s room, I heard the story from the employees. I heard that the chef has been talking less recently and seems somewhat scared. Isn’t that what happened in the meantime?”
“Oh, that’s right!”
Kaylee let out a loud exclamation.
“I didn’t tell Simone because it was the employees’ business. The chef’s complexion has recently worsened.”
“Just this morning, while we were talking about the thumping sound, he ran away and headed to the kitchen.”
Reports from servants continued. Simone heard everything they said and got up.
“Then I guess I should go take a look. If things are abnormal, it means there is something wrong. I already wanted to take a look.”
“I can accompany you there, right?”
In response to Louis' question, Simone motioned for him to follow.
"Sure."
Even if he doesn't know when to directly confront a ghost, isn't it natural to share information with employees?
It is always a good idea to collect information together, even if it means ordering work without much explanation later.
“Then we will hurry and prepare a room for you to stay for the day. I will send Anna when I’m ready.”
"Please."
Simone waved at Kaylee, who had become quite obedient these days and headed to the basement kitchen with Louis.
Louis asked while walking down the basement stairs and hallways.
“Do you have any thoughts about this?”
“Something comes to mind. Not only does everything become clear when you check it yourself, but I don't really know how to solve it...”
It was a part that did not appear in the novel in the first place, and more importantly, Simone's prediction was that it was not a curse that originated within the mansion.
“First of all, I don’t know if it’s a curse.”
“...If it’s not a curse, what is it?”
“It could be a ghost I brought in from outside.”
Louis didn't understand Simone's words, but he put aside his curiosity and followed her.
Simone herself seemed not to have properly organized her thoughts about this matter. Perhaps, when the time comes, she will explain it to her.
***
As they entered the kitchen, the chef was busy alone in the heat, alternately stirring the boiling stews.
“Chef!”
He suddenly heard a voice calling him and turned around in shock.
His face, which had been flushed with heat, instantly turned pale, and it was only when he saw Simone and Louis that he finally regained his original color, as if relieved.
"what. Simone? No, you were surprised!”
Well, the chef certainly looks strange.
His face, which was always cheerful and passionate, suddenly became very nervous and his face was quite sensitive.
Simone pretended not to notice this and approached him, asking.
“Did we come when you were very busy? I came here because I wanted to talk to you. Should I wait?”
As soon as the chef heard Simone's words, he immediately took the pot out of the fire and placed it on a cold stone.
“No, I’m not busy.”
Actually, he was running out of time today because other thoughts couldn't leave hia mind. Food that suddenly cooled might taste a little less delicious, but that wasn't a problem right now.
He already wanted to meet Simone, but he was just a cook in the basement, so how could he meet the owner's guests without permission?
The chef wondered hundreds or thousands of times whether he would suffer alone like this and eventually die.
But Simone walked here herself! It would be a big deal if she got tired of waiting and went back!
Simone and Louis looked at the pot that had been put out.
“I guess you’re busy.”
“Oh, I’m not busy!”
“...Then what?”
It looks like the chef was also waiting for Simone, so let's hear the story first.
The chef asked, wiping away the heavy sweat with a towel.
“W-what brought you here?”
Fortunately, Simone took the initiative to say what the chef desperately wanted to share.
“I heard that your complexion is strangely bad these days. Did something happen? What did you hear again?”
"I heard!"
The chef spoke impatiently before Simone could even finish speaking.
The passionate and cheerful man spoke in anger with wide eyes that looked as if he was about to cry.
"...After all, that's a ghost, right? Ahhh! I listen to it every day, every day! I have no choice but to listen!”
The chef covered his face and screamed, but finally came to his senses and spoke with a serious face.
“It’s not just that.”
“...Sure?"
Simone, who was taken aback by the chef's energy and paused for a moment, asked carefully, and this time he spoke impatiently again.
“I saw it. I saw it.”
The chef covered his head with a face filled with fear.
Could it be that he was able to survive the encounter thanks to the amulet Simone gave him?
Fortunately, maybe he hasn't discovered it yet?
What happens when their eyes meet?
Early in the morning every day, he diligently came out earlier than any of his subordinate chefs to check the condition of the ingredients and boil the soup, so he inevitably encountered it as it wandered around every morning.
Just as he was the first to hear the voice among the users, he was also the first to encounter it.
The chef's hands, no, his whole body was shaking.
“Calm down.”
Louis calmed him down and asked him, who was so scared that he started talking gibberish.
“What do you mean you saw?”
Then the chef was shocked and began to tell everything he had seen and heard.
***
It was just a few days ago.
"What the. It's not like I don't know that something like that can happen in this mansion. Young people are weak and fall out.”
There is a widely spread story among users that something unknown is walking around making strong footsteps from night to dawn.
The youngest cook, who was so frightened, started crying and making a fuss, saying that he couldn't even prepare the ingredients in the morning, so he had no choice but to promise to join him.
Recently, after Simone entered the mansion, the mansion collapsed and the silent curses began to reveal their presence, so he was not unaware of the fear.
It's no one's business and everyone who uses it hears the thumping sound, so how scary can it be?
The head chef himself, understanding the child's fear, came out early in the morning...
“You bastard.”
The young chef didn't even come out. In the end, the youngest boy was afraid to even walk down the hallway and into the kitchen and didn't come out.
The chef sat on the wooden box and solemnly waited for the youngest child and eventually got up.
In fact, he could easily prepare the ingredients for the soup on his own, but he headed to the youngest's room to bring him in and give him some mental training because he had a completely wrong mindset.
Thump, thump, thump, thump-
Without noticing that the dull sound was heard again.
"What the. It's not like I don't know that something like that can happen in this mansion. Young people are weak and fall out.”
There is a widely spread story among users that something unknown is walking around making strong footsteps from night to dawn.
The youngest cook, who was so frightened, started crying and making a fuss, saying that he couldn't even prepare the ingredients in the morning, so he had no choice but to promise to join him.
Recently, after Simone entered the mansion, the mansion collapsed and the silent curses began to reveal their presence, so he was not unaware of the fear.
It's no one's business and everyone who uses it hears the thumping sound, so how scary can it be?
The head chef himself, understanding the child's fear, came out early in the morning...
“You bastard.”
The young chef didn't even come out. In the end, the youngest boy was afraid to even walk down the hallway and into the kitchen and didn't come out.
The chef sat on the wooden box and solemnly waited for the youngest child and eventually got up.
In fact, he could easily prepare the ingredients for the soup on his own, but he headed to the youngest's room to bring him in and give him some mental training because he had a completely wrong mindset.
Thump, thump, thump, thump-
Without noticing that the dull sound was heard again.
Comments
Post a Comment