BPFEHN - Chapter 2

A Princess who sees ghosts. This was the epithet that doggedly pursued me.

Even though now I was in a position where I had to make a living with that damned ability.

It was still hard to believe that ghosts existed, even though I was seeing them with my own two eyes.

I straightened my hunched back and looked into the fully formed blue light.

'Fortunately, he doesn't seem to be that picky.'

Usually, the level of danger from a ghost could be distinguished by the color of the aurora it emitted.

The brighter and more luminous it was, the purer the soul was: the darker and more impure it was, the uglier it was.

Even though the ghost in front of me now looked like it had been dead for quite some time, its true nature seemed to be a clear and pure soul.

'Is this the haunted house?'

Sparks flew from the eyes that were shining a pale purple color.

As the gentle gaze grew darker, the soul before my eyes became clearer, almost palpable.

Woohoo.

At that moment, the floor shook and the lamp on the table burst and shattered into pieces.

I covered my ears from the ear-splitting, sharp sound and followed the ghost flying around the bedroom at high speed with my eyes.

Damn it. I'm not a picky guy.

'This could be dangerous.'

If the ghost was in the process of turning into an evil spirit, it had to be done quickly.

Even though I was fearless, if I got physically hurt, it would hurt just like any other person.

I'm barely able to make ends meet while maintaining my already failing family. How can I afford to pay hospital bills? I can't even afford to die!

A cool breeze began to blow in the bedroom, which had briefly regained its silence.

The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed precariously as if it might fall at any moment.

Isabelle took a deep breath and shouted, reaching out towards the blue glow.

"Stop!"

Rattling. Rattling. 

The wind that had been blowing hard and the vibrations that had been shaking the floor suddenly died down as if it were a lie.

'Oh my. This works?"

I blinked my wide eyes in confusion and quickly straightened my posture.

This was not the time to be reveling in my good fortune. I had to resolve the matter before causing trouble again.

I reached out with a solemn expression, taking something out of my bosom.

"Ghost, can we talk for a moment?"

[No ghost in the world cannot attain Buddhahood Isabelle. Head of Ghost Detective Agency (100% full refund in case of failure) I will serve you with all my love and sincerity.]

The ghost, who had been flying around the bedroom in confusion, approached me hesitantly.

As if he had the will to talk, the translucent figure slowly took shape.

It was the most nerve-wracking moment.

Usually, ghosts maintain the appearance they had just before they died, so when you are unlucky, you may encounter a sight so horrifying that you cannot bear to look at it.

Like getting an axe stuck in your head or having your neck cut off.

The last request was quite difficult because it involved a ghost who was hit by a carriage and whose brain was exposed.

'Whatever it is, please be a gentle ghost.'

Soon, a ghostly, cuckoo-like voice was heard.

"...Mama?"

Oh my goodness. I never thought of this.

I took a step back, unable to hide my embarrassment.

I've seen countless ghosts, but this is a first.

So, a little child was standing in front of me.

She was about five years old. She was a pretty girl with curly blonde hair that reached down to her waist and wearing a frilly one-piece dress.

Her emerald eyes sparkled like they could burst into tears at any moment.

Oh my!

At that moment, a little ghost ran towards me.

"Ugh! Mom! I want to see you!" 

"Wait, wait a minute!"

I tried to get the child stuck to my leg away, but the child had turned transparent and I couldn't even touch it.

I gave up trying to tear her away and looked down at the sobbing child, my head still throbbing.

'So I think you mistook me for your mother.'

Judging by her neat appearance and age, she seemed to be the child of the Baron couple who lived here.

'So then this child is the subject of the rumor.'

This mansion, now a ruin, was built 30 years ago by a Baron couple for their terminally ill child.

At first, it seemed like the condition was gradually improving in nature.

But soon after, the child passed away.

After that, it is said that the Baroness went mad from grief over losing her child, and the Baron suddenly disappeared with her.

And the child who didn't know that fact couldn't leave the mansion even after death and continued to wait for her parents...?

'This is giving me a headache.'

I clicked my tongue and ran a hand through my long, wine-colored hair.

I just wanted to be honest and blow it off.

I'm not your mother. Your real mother and father are far away. So, will you please leave?

Then things would be easily resolved, but looking at that bright face, my mouth would not open as if I had been relieved.

"Hehe!"

The child, who had stopped crying, seemed to be in a good mood and rubbed her face against the hem of my dress.

I sighed softly and ran a hand through her curly hair.

The sensation at my fingertips was so soft and clear that I didn't think it was a ghost.

When I tried to take it off like that, you wouldn't even let me touch it, but now you're just sitting there.

'Haa... This is difficult.'

It was not something we could just go back to just like that, even though we felt sorry for the child.

The amount of money that was agreed upon in exchange for chasing away the ghost was a whopping 3.000 gold.

That amount of money could cover not only several months' worth of food but also pay Sophia's overdue wages as she took care of the household on her own.

I who was momentarily conflicted between feeling sorry and reality, seemed determined and pushed the clinging child away.

"You. What's your name?"

"Mom. Did you forget my name? I'm Rosie!"

"Okay, Rosie, Don't cry and listen to me."

The child, who had been pouting as if he didn't like something, nodded slowly.

"I'm asking just in case, but are you thinking of leaving here?" 

"Where am I going?"

"Hell or heaven or something like that."

I, who had opened my mouth hastily, gave up on speaking and closed my mouth.

I knew I had no way of talking, but I never thought it would be this much of a mess.

As expected, the child frowned and looked at me pitifully as if asking what was going on.

"What's with that look?"

"Mom. That's weird! I'll be here with you."

Huh! 

I, who had been looking at the snorting child with an embarrassed expression, turned her small shoulders to meet my eye level.

Now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to use the last resort, even though I don't feel like It.

"Listen carefully. I am not your mother."

"You're not Mama?"

Only then did the child frown with her bright eyes and look me up and down.

"Oh. right. Our mom is prettier."

....I feel strangely uncomfortable.

Somehow I felt like I lost to someone I didn't even know.

"Anyway, your parents aren't here. That means you won't be able to meet them even if you wait here for a million years." 

"...Huh!"

"You shouldn't be shocked already. Do you know that you're dead?" 

"My, my, am I going to die?"

As expected. I let out a low breath and released the hand that was gripping her small shoulder.

There were occasional cases like that. Souls that lived among ordinary people without even knowing that they were dead.

'So that's why you appeared before Count Otaire.'

Count Otaire couldn't see ghosts, so he couldn't help but be surprised.

"Because of you, an ugly old man was so scared that he almost went to hell."

"But he keeps bringing strange women here. This is my house." 

"Women?"

"Yeah. Bring it here, take off her clothes, and play."

"..."

'That damn human. Is that why you bought this mansion?'

I expected the reason for buying this mansion to be something out of the ordinary, but I never thought it would be for an affair.

That alone is laughable, but it was even more shocking because the man was known to the world as a lovey-dovey couple.

"Anyway, you shouldn't show up in front of people anymore. Of course, that person is fine, but if you keep doing that, you might turn into an evil spirit."

... Woof.

"Instead..."

I paused for a moment as if I was hesitating to say my next words, and then gently grabbed her small hand.

"Come with me. I will find your parents. In return, when you meet them, you must quietly attain Buddhahood. Do you understand?"

The child's gloomy expression brightened in an instant.

The child, whose cheeks would have been flushed if he were alive, jumped up and hugged Isabelle's neck.

"Good!"

***

I holding the child in my arms, nudged Count Otaire, who was sprawled on the floor, with the toe of my pointed shoe.

The huge body hipped over powerlessly.

'I thought it was quiet for some reason, but he couldn't stand it anymore and passed out.'

Oh, you coward. 

I clicked my tongue slightly as if I had lost my mind and tapped his chubby hand with the heel of my shoe, which was not moving at all.

"Ugh! Huh?"

Count Otaire jumped up with a short scream and looked around with half-open eyes.

"You must have had a good sleep. I can even see you drooling."

"...Ahem. Uh, is it over?"

At that moment, Rosie, who was staring at the Count who was getting up awkwardly, whispered in my ear.

"It looks like a huge toad."

"...Phew."

Count Otaire's expression was crumpled by the sudden burst of laughter.

"Are you laughing at me just now?" 

"No way. Did I overwork myself chasing ghosts? My throat hurts."

I who had not yet received my fee, spoke calmly and cleared my throat.

"Anyway, there's no more ghosts now, right?" 

"Yes." 

"That's a relief. You've worked hard."

Count Otaire smiled brightly for the first time since entering the place and touched my shoulder.

'Where did this pervert old man touch me?'

Isabelle closed her eyes and smiled a salesman's smile.

I was really worried about pretending not to know about the affair and letting it slide, but I didn't want to get entangled in other people's family affairs and get in trouble.

"It's hard work. It's all done for money." 

"Oh, right. Here's the money we promised." 

"Thank you?"

My expression hardened as I received the purse.

I narrowed my eyes and flicked the purse in my hand.

'What is this lightness that makes me feel dirty?'

The commission fee must have been 3,000 gold, but the amount of money in this pocket seemed to be far less than that.

About 1,300 gold?

No, maybe even less.

"Haha! I took care of it for you, so take it. It's 1,230 gold."

'I'm going to eat these watermelon seeds....'

I barely swallowed the curse that was rising to the tip of my throat.

"Count Otaire. The fee must have been 3,000 gold."

"Oh, that? Come to think of it, I don't really feel like giving a woman a lot of money for something like this. In this day and age, it's disgusting for a woman to see a ghost, so you should be very grateful that you're writing something like this."

"..."

What kind of dog bone nonsense is this?

When you're so busy that you're crying and begging me to please save you, do you think you'll come out like this?

The last thread of reason I was barely holding on to snapped.

"Oh, ghost?

Count Otaire's head turned from side to side like a bird at the eerie voice heard through the cold air.

"Who are you talking to right now? A ghost!"

Regardless, I continued my conversation with a serious face in the air.

"Ghost of the mansion, is it true that Count Otaire committed adultery?"

"What, what! How did you..." 

"Shhh!"

I made a surprised expression, thrusting my index finger in front of his grumpy face.

"Oh, my goodness. The Ghost is going to tell the Countess all about that?" 

"Oh, no! If my wife finds out, I'm finished. Is there still a ghost left? If so, exorcise it immediately!"

"Well, wouldn't it be better to find someone else rather than asking some sinister woman who sees ghosts?"

Count Otaire, startled, stopped me from leaving.

"Why, why are you doing that? Are you, are you doing this because of money? I will definitely give you my money..."

"It's prepaid."

"... Ugh."

"It's hard to believe someone who has a history of lying." 

"... How much do you want?"

The corners of my lips, which had been fixed in a straight line, slowly rose.

"You will give me 2.770 gold, which is the remaining amount of 1,770 gold, plus an additional allowance of 1.000 gold." 

"Oh, no. Look here. Where did you get that much money all of a sudden... "

"If you don't like it, I'll go. You can deal with the remaining ghosts as you wish."

I glanced at the Count with a fresh look, pulled my arm free, and turned around without any hesitation.

Counting slowly in my mind.

one. 

two.

three.

"Wait, wait! Just wait a minute."

Got caught.

I responded coldly, calming the corners of my lips.

"Do you still have something to say?"

"I'll give you the money. I'll give it to you, so please do something about the ghost. If my wife catches me this time, it's really the end for me!"

'Oh, this isn't your first time?'

It seems that the rumor about the lovebird couple was a lie spread by the wife to save face.

While I felt sorry for the Countess, Count Otaire began to take off the gold ornaments that covered his entire body.

As if that wasn't enough, he emptied his pockets, took out every gold coin he could find, and handed them to me.

"This should be about the amount you asked for. Now, get rid of the ghost. Please!"

"It's not an easy ghost, but since it's me, let's talk first."

I, who checked the weight of the gold and gold coins, smiled with satisfaction and muttered something to the air.

"Your Grace! Why don't you keep that outrageous fact a secret, even if it's just for the sake of your poor, ugly face?"

At my beckoning for him to agree, the Count repeatedly rubbed his hands together and pleaded with an earnest expression.

"Yes, yes. That's right. Please just look at this ugly, pitiful thing!"

I continued my performance, barely holding back my laughter.

"Oh my God. Is that true?"

"Isabelle. What did the Ghost say?" 

"Thank goodness he said he would keep it a secret. But he asked you not to cheat on your wife again. If you do it one more time, he won't let it go!" 

"Eek!"

"Do you understand?"

"Oh, I see. I'll keep that in mind."

In a threatening tone, Count Otaire nodded repeatedly with a face full of fear as he left the mansion.

Rosie, who had been watching the situation from the windowsill, asked as she fell into my arms.

"Why are you lying?" 

"Rosie. This is the world of adults. A guy like that deserves to be beaten."

Rosie thought as she watched Isabelle smiling wickedly while collecting her commission.

'Why do adults live such tiring lives?'

If that's the case for adults, I'd like to live my whole life as a child.

***

Caw, caw.

The cries of countless crows echoed through the dark forest.

I emerged from the bushes with an expressionless face and crossed the dry garden.

As the black mansion drew nearer, Rosie hugged my neck tightly and muttered.

"...Is this a haunted house?"

"What? It's clearly a place where people live."

What about a haunted house? It may look like this on the outside, but it's actually a cozy haven.

Well, it's definitely a little old.

I walked into the mansion which had an ominous air.

"Miss!"

As soon as I entered the mansion, Sophia came running out of breath.

She was a very capable girl who was the only employee of the Duke's household and worked as a maid, cook cleaner, gardener, and even a security guard.

Oh, and now he also works as a detective agency secretary.

"Sophia, why are you making such a fuss in the middle of the night?"

"You have a new request!"

Sophia followed me around, explaining why she was so excited.

"The fees are a bit high."

"How much is it?"

Sophia glanced around at the empty space and whispered softly in my ear.

"A whopping one million gold." 

"...What?"

I frowned and asked back.

Has my hearing gotten any worse? 

I'm hearing nonsense.

"A million gold! A million! Six zeros!"

Sophia held up six fingers.

As I stared blankly at her fingers, the lovely trumpet sound of a baby angel echoed in my head.

"A hundred... ten thousand?"

"Yes. This is really great. He is in the reception room now!"

"Sophia, let's go. We can't keep our precious customers waiting."

I turned and walked into the reception room without a moment's hesitation, my dress billowing.

A million gold. That amount of money would have been enough to bring back the balding Count Otaire.

I, who had reached the reception room in one stride, opened the reception room door with a very excited face.

Not knowing that the door was the gate to hell.

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