100CIM - Chapter 40




Simone grinned.

Unless she was looking for Simone after following her, there would be no one she was looking for in this mansion.

This ghost simply followed Simone, drawn by the powerful mana of death, just as a being of negative energy follows a person with positive energy.

Then who is she looking for?

'It was a good thing I sent the Crown Prince in advance.'

Probably that guy.

The man who butted heads with this woman in the village would be the most likely opponent.

Even if the person the ghost is looking for is not the man, Louis will probably be able to find out information about this woman through him.

Since she was at a loss, Simone told Louis to find the man in advance and investigate.

Of course, she didn't remember much, so she just told him that he was a middle-aged nobleman or wealthy person who had come down to the village that day and told her to look for him.

It was a fairly vague instruction, but based on his skill in finding the legendary saint's desire even in the vast sea, and the village's characteristics of gathering only those who need information, he will be able to fully carry out the instruction.

Thump, thump, thump, thump-

After a while, the woman started hitting her head on the floor again.

She was probably trying to pass by Simone and go to the next room and the room after that to see if the person he was looking for was there.

Simone said.

“Shall we find that person together?”

thud.

The woman's head stopped as blood splattered everywhere.

She looked back at Simone.

“...Wow.”

It's a visual that takes her breath away even when she sees it again.

Simone barely suppressed her screams and spoke again.

“I will find it for you. Are you looking for someone?”

She just looked at Simone without saying a word.

Simone seemed to agree with her words and continued speaking further.

“My staff is already looking for him. So until then, just quietly hold your breath and wait. Because he’s not here.”

If it's the type of ghost that only catches one person and kicks it, there's no need to be afraid unless you're that person.

As Simone looked at her sadly, desperately hoping that the ghost in front of her was a ghost that could communicate, the woman quickly closed her eyes and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

It seemed like she had accepted Simone's words.

...Surprisingly, it was a reasonable ghost.

Simone doesn't know if this makes sense.

"Haha... Ha...”

Simone illuminated the hallway with a lantern.

Until just now, there was strange liquid, flesh, and blood along the path that the female ghost had come from, but now it was nowhere to be seen.

It was so quiet and peaceful that she wondered if everything that had happened just a moment ago had been an illusion.

"Ha..."

The most bizarre-looking but most communicative ghost.

What happened to her that she is standing upside down and endlessly looking for someone?

At that time, someone's footsteps were heard from behind the central corner of the hallway.

Simone looked there.

What was visible in the light of the lantern was Grand Duke Illeston.

When Simone looked at him with an expression of bewilderment at the appearance of such an unexpected person, Archduke Illeston said awkwardly.

“I went to see Florier and Jace and was told by the servant in the room that you were alone in the basement facing a strange being.”

Once again, Simone never said she would fight back.

“I heard it was dangerous and no security was posted, so I came to see if something like the previous one would happen again.”

This is the fourth person. People are worried about people who cannot even protect themselves in front of ghosts all day long.

Simone asked.

“Did you see it?”

"I saw."

“I’m asking because I’m wondering if I’m mistaken, but you don’t know any ghosts, right?”

Illeston looked at Simone as if she was saying something meaningless.

Simone shrugged as if she didn't need to know and left the basement room, heading back to her original room.

“Now that I’m done with work, I’m going back to my room.”

The basement room was quite cozy, but it was still nice to see the sunlight pouring in when she opened her eyes in the morning.

She could feel Archduke Illeston following behind her, wary of the surroundings.

“Are the Grand Duchess and Master Jace okay now?”

“Florier regained consciousness. She is still in bed. Jace is unconscious, but they say he’s over his crisis.”

I'm glad. 

While Simone nodded that that was enough and continued walking, Archduke Illeston continued speaking after a short pause.

“Kelle’s memory seems to be gradually returning. It must be proof that the curse has been lifted, right?”

Simone smiled even though Archduke Illeston was not looking at her.

“Other people’s memories will soon return.”

She was really fortunate.

And now that there is progress in the condition of the Grand Duchess and Jace, this is the perfect opportunity to confess the truth of this incident.

“Grand Duke, I have something to tell you.”

"What?"

“Actually, it’s the ghost you just saw. As the Grand Duke said, it is not a ghostwritten in the instructions.”

“...So is this a new curse?”

Simone said without looking at him.

"No. I guess I dragged her in the last time I went out to town.”

“...”

Stand tall.

Suddenly, the Archduke's footsteps were no longer heard. It seemed like he had stopped walking.

Simone pretended not to know this and said.

“So, you can stop looking through the instructions now.”

Perhaps the Archduke was still looking through the manual to figure out the identity of this strange phenomenon.

After finishing speaking, Simone walked a few more steps, but still could not hear the archduke's footsteps.

Finally, Simone reluctantly opened her mouth again.

"Sorry. But it’s okay because no one got hurt.”

It was a consequential statement based on extremely selfish rationalization.

She's sorry for bringing up the issue of being provided with room and board to lift the curse, but honestly, she didn't bring the ghost here because she wanted to.

It's okay to solve it herself, right?

A deep sigh was heard from behind. The sound of Grand Duke Illeston's footsteps was heard again.

“...Be careful. If there's anything I can help with, let me know."

Grand Duke Illeston spoke in passing and went up to his room.

***

The next morning, the warm sunlight warmed Simone’s body covered in a blanket.

Very pleasant weather. Simone smiled and opened her eyes.

It was her first time spending the night underground, and it was definitely cold there.

Of course, it was nothing compared to the orphanage she stayed at before coming to the mansion, but it seemed to be quite cool.

After that, she went about her daily life as usual.

After eating, Simone took a short walk.

Unless it's a ghost standing upside down, they won't be interfered with even if she doesn't have to break the curse for a few days thanks to saving Florier and Jace.

Besides, even if it was Louis, there was no way he would be able to quickly find someone whose appearance or name he didn't know.

'Um, can I see you for about a week?'

Simone was happy to have some free time after a long time.

***

... No.

It wasn't. Wren from the Adventurer's Guild was very good, even though his skills were good.

And he was so sincere.

He has already finished what he ordered yesterday and brought it today.

"Why. I showed off my skills to the best of my ability, but you look very disappointed?”

"What a great job."

Why are you coming so quickly? You don't even let me rest.

Louis said, willingly accepting Simone's reaction of swearing with her eyes.

“Fortunately, they said there was only one flashy-dressed man in the village that day who took information. He even says he’s quite a famous person.”

Even if it was the territory of a fallen nobleman, it would be rare for anyone to come dressed in such flashy and eye-catching clothes to a village where illegal activities were rampant.

Therefore, it was very easy to find out who he was.

“I gave the informant some money. I can request it from the Archduke, right? Customer information is worth three hundred times more.”

Simone flinched when she heard that it was a whopping 300 times, but quickly nodded.

In fact, it's not the price for the mansion's curse, so she's a bit sensitive, and she doesn't know if she has the financial power to provide 300 times the value of information to the Grand Duke.

Since there is no source of funds other than the Archduke, she cannot help but nod her head.

'When I think about it, that's right.'

It seemed that Simone's mana of death was a sweet temptation for the dead.

Considering that the orphanage was dangerously harassed by ghosts, there is a possibility that ghosts will be brought in from outside in the future.

“Hmm.”

Is there any place other than the Archduke that can receive funds?

She felt very uncomfortable using the Grand Duke's money to exorcise ghosts from places other than the mansion's curse.

While Simone was distracted for a moment, Louis held out the documents he had researched.

“Viscount Rotten Burrian. He was born into a merchant family but used his wealth to purchase the title of Viscount. He has one son and two daughters, and is quite wealthy.”

“Isn’t it someone named Choz Oliver?”

“Choz Oliver? ...If anyone is using that name, it's probably a pseudonym. There won’t be anyone who uses that kind of name, at least not among the people who stop by that village.”

“Well, it’s not from a nearby territory.”

“Yes, he is a noble of the Ruan Empire, but he is not very influential or well-known in the empire. They say he often stays outside the country for trade. The place of residence is the capital.”

While Simone read out the man's personal information, Louis gave her information that he had heard separately from an informant that was not included in the document.

“He was also said to be quite lecherous. A servant, a client's wife, and a libertine who messes with everyone as long as she looks good. Rumor has it that his wife died young due to the emotional distress caused by this.”


Previous            Next

Support Novellate!

        Buy Me A Coffee

Comments