The gardens of Illeston Manor.
It would normally be very quiet there at night.
The night is a time when curses are most active, and more than anything, a new curse has been activated.
He ordered the servants to return to their rooms earlier than usual, so there had to be even less noise.
But in the garden, there had been a lot of noise all along.
So it was natural that the Grand Duke of Illeston, who had been working, put down his work and looked down at the garden.
“...”
Grand Duke Illeston took in the sight without saying a word and asked Kelle.
“What is that kid doing out there at this hour?”
Then Kelle glanced at the situation outside the window and said.
“Isn’t it that she's lifting a curse? That child sometimes acts strangely when she encounters a curse.”
Even so, this is the first time he's seen someone running that hard.
Following Kelle's words, Grand Duke Illeston saw Simone running around the garden like crazy again.
Even though there is no one behind her, she looks as if she is being chased by someone.
He doesn't know the exact circumstances, but she's working on something related to curses.
“Shouldn’t we go help?”
Grand Duke Illeston placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
Illeston also knows that Simone struggles every time she lifts a curse, using up her mana and body.
In times like these, the lanky Crown Prince would normally have run or used his sword as an employee to help Simone with things she couldn't do physically.
There is no one to help her today.
The sight of Simone running from behind was quite overwhelming even at a glance.
So who can help that child in a situation like this?
“Cat Grave!”
“What? Ah.”
By the way, Simone, who stopped by the study earlier, did say something about cats.
The cat that came into the mansion last night died from a curse.
It was customary to bury the body of a cursed cat in the garden at the back of the mansion, but at Simone's request, it was buried in the garden as it was better not to take the body out until the curse was completely removed.
But why are you running to the cat's grave at this late hour of the night?
When the Grand Duke of Illeston was watching Simone's actions with suspicion.
"Hmm?"
Grand Duke Illeston frowned.
Something that had been unseen behind Simone suddenly appeared and was chasing her.
All black... No, is that crimson blood? Something was moving at an incredibly fast pace, leaving traces of blood.
A blood-soaked dress, stained hair, a smiling face hanging limply from the skin rather than the neck.
Something of such a horrible appearance followed Simone, appearing and disappearing repeatedly.
'Ghosts are not visible to the eye. They only show themselves to the living when there is strong obsession or resentment.'
It is for the same reason that the ghost attached to the shoulder of the Grand Duke of Illeston was invisible to him and the previous Dukes and that the ghost standing upside down was visible to everyone.
However, even if there is no strong obsession, grudge, or power, there are cases where ghosts are seen by ordinary people, such as when they possess objects such as dolls.
When a ghost possesses a living person, a corpse, or an object, you can see the ghost's actions and even talk to it.
Simone said that the doll's movement now is also a similar phenomenon.
'Then what about that?'
First of all, the moving doll is in Simone's arms, and what about that? That ghost that appears and disappears?
Grand Duke Illeston, who had been thinking quietly, soon realized the ghost's identity.
'That's a ghost possessing a doll.'
And now she holds a strong grudge against Simone.
So please keep showing up.
The Grand Duke of Illeston's gaze slowly moved towards Simone.
"Hmm?"
Simone is smiling. He couldn't tell before because he only saw the back of her head.
The sight of her occasionally looking back while running to see if a ghost was chasing her looked refreshing, like she was enjoying a walk for the first time in a long time, rather than feeling anxious.
Grand Duke Illeston realized that she was not constantly looking back to check if she had shaken off the ghost but rather to check if the ghost was following along.
It looked like she was in a desperate situation because her running form was sloppy, but it wasn't an emergency at all.
“I wonder what she’s up to again.”
Simone, who had been running hard, now falls to the ground as if she has fallen, and is digging the dirt like crazy.
'Are you looking for a cat corpse?'
Why is it like that...
It's an appearance that perfectly matches the image of an old necromancer.
In the old days, the necromancers of the Luan Empire were mainly associated with the image of stealing corpses from graves.
Kelle also noticed this and sighed deeply, shaking his head.
If only he had asked her more closely about her plans when she interfered with the disposal of the dead cat, he might have been a little less worried.
Even though they realized that she was relaxed, the two of them watched her with undiminished concern on their faces.
And at that moment, something exploded.
What exploded was the mana flowing out of Simone's body.
Simone poured all her mana into the cat she found in the dug-up grave.
'I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.'
She doesn't feel comfortable handling dead bodies or seeing dead animals, and rather she feels repulsed by them.
If Seo Hyun-Jung had continued to live as Seo Hyun-Jung, this would have been a terrible thing that she would never have experienced in her life.
But she gritted her teeth because it was something she had to do.
Because she must protect the people of this mansion. Because the curse must be removed.
This corpse had to be infused with mana until it was fully functional as a vessel to contain the soul.
She saw a ghost approaching her at a fast pace, then stopped and watched.
The appearance of the necromancer with the greatest mana of all time releasing all her power at once and absorbing it somewhere.
To others, the sight looked like a huge, swirling typhoon.
In other words, it was reminiscent of a disaster.
'At this level, even a lump of stone can be turned into a magic stone?'
Of course, this is a bluff.
Since it is a corpse where a soul resides, it is more like what you think. Even if you pour mana into a hard lump of stone, it will just flow away.
Simone felt her mana and energy drain away, and she took her hands off the cat's corpse.
Then she slowly raised her head and smiled at the ghost.
Grand Duke Illeston frowned as he watched this scene.
'Eyes.'
A wicked smile and her eyes were glowing red.
Simone said, looking at the ghost that was frozen still as if nailed down even after the mana storm had stopped.
“I haven’t learned anything properly since I came here, so I don’t know how to confine the soul to another place.”
Because originally she planned to train slowly with El's help.
But the thing has already happened, and the opponent is not just a ghost, but an evil spirit whose solution cannot be delayed.
'Why of all things.'
But Simone changed her mind and decided to think positively while running here.
This is an opportunity.
A great opportunity to learn the essence of a necromancer through physical contact.
“So you have to be the test subject.”
What this means is this:
“Let’s repeat the destruction until it’s properly sealed.”
It's about understanding the simple yet complex principle of trapping your soul in another object and trying again and again until you get rid of it.
It would normally be very quiet there at night.
The night is a time when curses are most active, and more than anything, a new curse has been activated.
He ordered the servants to return to their rooms earlier than usual, so there had to be even less noise.
But in the garden, there had been a lot of noise all along.
So it was natural that the Grand Duke of Illeston, who had been working, put down his work and looked down at the garden.
“...”
Grand Duke Illeston took in the sight without saying a word and asked Kelle.
“What is that kid doing out there at this hour?”
Then Kelle glanced at the situation outside the window and said.
“Isn’t it that she's lifting a curse? That child sometimes acts strangely when she encounters a curse.”
Even so, this is the first time he's seen someone running that hard.
Following Kelle's words, Grand Duke Illeston saw Simone running around the garden like crazy again.
Even though there is no one behind her, she looks as if she is being chased by someone.
He doesn't know the exact circumstances, but she's working on something related to curses.
“Shouldn’t we go help?”
Grand Duke Illeston placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
Illeston also knows that Simone struggles every time she lifts a curse, using up her mana and body.
In times like these, the lanky Crown Prince would normally have run or used his sword as an employee to help Simone with things she couldn't do physically.
There is no one to help her today.
The sight of Simone running from behind was quite overwhelming even at a glance.
So who can help that child in a situation like this?
There are the knights of the mansion, but it would be more efficient for the Grand Duke of Illeston to step forward and help rather than calling them.
Kelle shook her head at Grand Duke Illeston's words.
“Master, that child may also have thoughts and be acting like that.”
If he steps forward to help her without any reason, her plans may be disrupted.
“I think it would be better to watch and help when it seems dangerous.”
“...You are right.”
It's already been more than half a year since Simone came to this mansion.
After going through many things, he was able to understand Simone's personality, which he had been unable to understand at first.
She was the type of person who didn't hide the things she couldn't handle on her own and asked for help.
Then, if Simone moves alone while panting, it must be because she has a plan.
Or maybe she's in a situation where she's suddenly in danger, but Grand Duke Illeston is here watching over her and can come to her rescue at any time.
“...”
But that child. Didn't you say that there is no way to remove the curse now?
A magic stone is needed to destroy it, but the magic stone has not been obtained yet.
Grand Duke Illeston asked without taking his hand off his sword.
“But where is Simone headed? Kelle, do you have any idea where she might be going?”
"Well..."
Kelle saw the end of the path Simone was heading towards.
She heads to the large tree in the mansion. There is only one tree, but there is nothing else...
Kelle shook her head at Grand Duke Illeston's words.
“Master, that child may also have thoughts and be acting like that.”
If he steps forward to help her without any reason, her plans may be disrupted.
“I think it would be better to watch and help when it seems dangerous.”
“...You are right.”
It's already been more than half a year since Simone came to this mansion.
After going through many things, he was able to understand Simone's personality, which he had been unable to understand at first.
She was the type of person who didn't hide the things she couldn't handle on her own and asked for help.
Then, if Simone moves alone while panting, it must be because she has a plan.
Or maybe she's in a situation where she's suddenly in danger, but Grand Duke Illeston is here watching over her and can come to her rescue at any time.
“...”
But that child. Didn't you say that there is no way to remove the curse now?
A magic stone is needed to destroy it, but the magic stone has not been obtained yet.
Grand Duke Illeston asked without taking his hand off his sword.
“But where is Simone headed? Kelle, do you have any idea where she might be going?”
"Well..."
Kelle saw the end of the path Simone was heading towards.
She heads to the large tree in the mansion. There is only one tree, but there is nothing else...
“Cat Grave!”
“What? Ah.”
By the way, Simone, who stopped by the study earlier, did say something about cats.
The cat that came into the mansion last night died from a curse.
It was customary to bury the body of a cursed cat in the garden at the back of the mansion, but at Simone's request, it was buried in the garden as it was better not to take the body out until the curse was completely removed.
But why are you running to the cat's grave at this late hour of the night?
When the Grand Duke of Illeston was watching Simone's actions with suspicion.
"Hmm?"
Grand Duke Illeston frowned.
Something that had been unseen behind Simone suddenly appeared and was chasing her.
All black... No, is that crimson blood? Something was moving at an incredibly fast pace, leaving traces of blood.
A blood-soaked dress, stained hair, a smiling face hanging limply from the skin rather than the neck.
Something of such a horrible appearance followed Simone, appearing and disappearing repeatedly.
'Ghosts are not visible to the eye. They only show themselves to the living when there is strong obsession or resentment.'
It is for the same reason that the ghost attached to the shoulder of the Grand Duke of Illeston was invisible to him and the previous Dukes and that the ghost standing upside down was visible to everyone.
However, even if there is no strong obsession, grudge, or power, there are cases where ghosts are seen by ordinary people, such as when they possess objects such as dolls.
When a ghost possesses a living person, a corpse, or an object, you can see the ghost's actions and even talk to it.
Simone said that the doll's movement now is also a similar phenomenon.
'Then what about that?'
First of all, the moving doll is in Simone's arms, and what about that? That ghost that appears and disappears?
Grand Duke Illeston, who had been thinking quietly, soon realized the ghost's identity.
'That's a ghost possessing a doll.'
And now she holds a strong grudge against Simone.
So please keep showing up.
The Grand Duke of Illeston's gaze slowly moved towards Simone.
"Hmm?"
Simone is smiling. He couldn't tell before because he only saw the back of her head.
The sight of her occasionally looking back while running to see if a ghost was chasing her looked refreshing, like she was enjoying a walk for the first time in a long time, rather than feeling anxious.
Grand Duke Illeston realized that she was not constantly looking back to check if she had shaken off the ghost but rather to check if the ghost was following along.
It looked like she was in a desperate situation because her running form was sloppy, but it wasn't an emergency at all.
“I wonder what she’s up to again.”
Simone, who had been running hard, now falls to the ground as if she has fallen, and is digging the dirt like crazy.
'Are you looking for a cat corpse?'
Why is it like that...
It's an appearance that perfectly matches the image of an old necromancer.
In the old days, the necromancers of the Luan Empire were mainly associated with the image of stealing corpses from graves.
Kelle also noticed this and sighed deeply, shaking his head.
If only he had asked her more closely about her plans when she interfered with the disposal of the dead cat, he might have been a little less worried.
Even though they realized that she was relaxed, the two of them watched her with undiminished concern on their faces.
And at that moment, something exploded.
***
What exploded was the mana flowing out of Simone's body.
Simone poured all her mana into the cat she found in the dug-up grave.
'I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.'
She doesn't feel comfortable handling dead bodies or seeing dead animals, and rather she feels repulsed by them.
If Seo Hyun-Jung had continued to live as Seo Hyun-Jung, this would have been a terrible thing that she would never have experienced in her life.
But she gritted her teeth because it was something she had to do.
Because she must protect the people of this mansion. Because the curse must be removed.
This corpse had to be infused with mana until it was fully functional as a vessel to contain the soul.
She saw a ghost approaching her at a fast pace, then stopped and watched.
The appearance of the necromancer with the greatest mana of all time releasing all her power at once and absorbing it somewhere.
To others, the sight looked like a huge, swirling typhoon.
In other words, it was reminiscent of a disaster.
'At this level, even a lump of stone can be turned into a magic stone?'
Of course, this is a bluff.
Since it is a corpse where a soul resides, it is more like what you think. Even if you pour mana into a hard lump of stone, it will just flow away.
Simone felt her mana and energy drain away, and she took her hands off the cat's corpse.
Then she slowly raised her head and smiled at the ghost.
Grand Duke Illeston frowned as he watched this scene.
'Eyes.'
A wicked smile and her eyes were glowing red.
Simone said, looking at the ghost that was frozen still as if nailed down even after the mana storm had stopped.
“I haven’t learned anything properly since I came here, so I don’t know how to confine the soul to another place.”
Because originally she planned to train slowly with El's help.
But the thing has already happened, and the opponent is not just a ghost, but an evil spirit whose solution cannot be delayed.
'Why of all things.'
But Simone changed her mind and decided to think positively while running here.
This is an opportunity.
A great opportunity to learn the essence of a necromancer through physical contact.
“So you have to be the test subject.”
What this means is this:
“Let’s repeat the destruction until it’s properly sealed.”
It's about understanding the simple yet complex principle of trapping your soul in another object and trying again and again until you get rid of it.
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