I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living Through Exorcism! Episode 011

‘What on earth is going on?’

The carriage ran cheerfully, oblivious to my troubled state of mind.

I rested my chin on the carriage window frame and stared blankly outside.

As soon as I received Harman’s urgent letter saying ‘there’s a problem,’ a carriage arrived at my manor.

It meant I should come and investigate directly.

Right now, immediately.

‘Don’t tell me the manor suddenly collapsed during repairs?’

No way, that can’t be it.

If it was going to collapse, it would have collapsed much earlier. Why would it collapse now of all times?

Even if that happened, they wouldn’t call me but would call workers instead. It must definitely be a problem that specifically requires me.

‘So then, what kind of problem?’

Through the window with curtains half-drawn, the Monteville Ducal Estate was gradually approaching.

‘Of course it didn’t collapse,’

Though it was old and worn.

Inside the main gate, I could see a familiar silhouette.

But I couldn’t see his face. Harman was standing with his back to the main gate.

His figure became clearer as we got closer.

‘It must really be a serious situation.’

I could tell just from his rigid back. A gloomy aura was wafting all the way here.

I hid behind the curtains, covering my face while rolling my eyes as much as possible.

‘I think I might be able to see.’

If I just turned my head slightly, just a tiny bit, I think I could observe his expression-

“I’ll open the door.”

Ah! I didn’t expect we’d arrive so soon!

As soon as we arrived, the carriage door suddenly opened and I ended up falling in an awkward position.

No, just as I was about to.

“Lady Siena.”

Someone wrapped around my waist and helped me land safely on the ground.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

“Are you alright?”

Harman asked while examining my face.

…When did he get here?

He was just in front of the manor a moment ago, wasn’t he?

I looked at Harman with wide eyes.

Harman’s hand was quickly withdrawn. Instead, that hand was extended in front of my face.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

It meant he would escort me.

But his extended hand was trembling slightly. Now that I looked, his face seemed anxious too.

Something’s not like Harman.

He seemed like someone who would smile gently no matter what happened.

“…I greet Duke Monteville.”

“Would you follow me?”

He immediately led me inside.

Normally an explanation of the circumstances would come first, but there was absolutely no word.

Terrifying possibilities that hadn’t even occurred to me in the carriage were about to surface.

“Here it is.”

We arrived.

In front of the culprit that had made everyone so serious.

I was bewildered.

‘Wasn’t this something that happened inside the manor?’

The place Harman guided me to was the garden that appeared after just a short walk from the main gate.

He sighed and weakly pointed at something.

It was something sitting alone in the garden…

“This is a Rundane Magic Stone, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

“This is the problem?”

“Yes.”

I asked several times, hardly believing it.

But the answer that came back was firm.

I stared at the Rundane Magic Stone in bewilderment.

What’s the problem?

It’s just larger and sturdier than an adult man.

A magic stone that’s so pure it’s pitch black.

It doesn’t match the garden aesthetically, but… why is this?

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand.

“Oh my.”

I stopped mid-turn as I was about to turn my head to hear a proper explanation.

Because I heard a hearty voice from somewhere that didn’t suit the Monteville Ducal Estate at all.

A man with completely white hair appeared from behind the magic stone.

His face was covered with unidentifiable black marks, and his whole body was covered in dust.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had been rolling around somewhere.

“He’s a Magic Stone Craftsman.”

Harman quickly informed me of his identity.

The Craftsman brushed the dust off his entire body.

He left the marks on his face as they were, so nothing really changed.

As soon as he made eye contact with me, he smiled brightly and tapped the magic stone.

A dull thudding sound echoed.

“This is an extremely rare item! In the Empire, no. Among all the Rundane Magic Stones remaining on the entire continent, this is the largest and sturdiest!”

“Then… isn’t that good?”

Why would that be a problem?

“Of course, it’s good for me!”

The Craftsman shouted heartily, then belatedly glanced at Harman’s expression.

I also stole a glance at Harman, who stood motionless beside me.

A subtle smile. Was it just my imagination that he looked slightly displeased?

Soon Harman’s gaze reached me.

His pretty lips slowly parted.

“It’s too big.”

“…”

“And too hard.”

“Yes! Because it’s a Magic Stone.”

“…Extremely, excessively hard.”

“Ah.”

Only after Harman spoke with emphasis did I finally understand.

The Craftsman shuffled over.

Now roughly wiping the black marks on his face with the back of his hand.

“Yes, as the Duke says, it’s too hard to craft. It’s practically a work of art as it is, so I suppose that’s fortunate.”

Is that really something you should say in front of Harman right now?

I watched Harman’s reaction.

While the Craftsman couldn’t take his eyes off the Magic Stone, Harman’s face grew gloomy.

That…

Sigh.

“I’m sorry.”

There was no room for excuses. I bowed deeply toward Harman.

Suddenly, I recalled the contents of the letter Rudian had sent along with this Magic Stone.

[As you requested, I sent the largest and hardest remaining Rundane Magic Stone.

I have no idea what you plan to use this for.

Anyway, it won’t get so much as a scratch from ordinary means.

I guarantee it in Helkene’s name.]

I should have thought carefully about the letter’s contents.

No wonder she looked puzzled when I asked her to ‘send the largest and sturdiest one.’

‘It won’t get so much as a scratch from ordinary means.’

I should have been suspicious of at least that sentence.

‘I never thought it would mean it couldn’t even be crafted!’

It needs to be crafted and embedded in the wall, but what am I supposed to do if it won’t even scratch!

Calling it a surprise gift, I had essentially mocked Harman by offering him inedible rice cake.

But I felt wronged.

Father, now a stranger, Baron Alderton – I helped him with trade for several years following him around.

Back then, from what I heard, magic stones were all about being big and sturdy – that was the winning formula.

Size was directly linked to magic power output, and sturdiness to endurance.

‘Since it’s an old-style magic stone, I thought if I was going to use one anyway, I should use the sturdiest one available.’

But there are limits to how sturdy something should be! Is this even acceptable?!

It was just a sturdy white elephant.

I could feel Harman’s gaze pouring down on the top of my head.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to face it.

Harman paused for a moment before speaking.

“It’s fine. Even if it’s not a Rundane Magic Stone, we can substitute it with another magic stone.”

Then why did you call me here saying it was urgent… No, no.

The question suddenly surged up, but I pressed it down firmly.

Let me remember. I am the guilty one, the guilty one.

Then I opened my eyes slightly, just slightly.

I felt a black figure approaching over my tightly closed eyelids.

There was also the reason that Harman’s voice sounded too close.

In my downcast field of vision, I caught sight of neat shoe tips.

“Do you happen to have other plans today?”

“Pardon? No. Not really.”

I lifted my head slightly with a puzzled expression. Harman was standing closer than I had thought.

Close enough that if he bent his upper body just a little, our noses would touch.

“You came here urgently, so it wouldn’t be proper to send the Lady back like this.”

A hand wearing black gloves was extended toward me.

‘Does he mean he wants me to tour the estate since I’m here?’

I placed my hand on his as if enchanted. Then he smiled brightly.

“Would you like to visit the Greenhouse Garden? Anyone who sees it once can never forget it, they say.”

“Ah…”

“That place gathers flowers that inspire admiration by name alone.”

Did he think I was hesitating? I felt strength enter Harman’s hand.

The already close distance narrowed even more as he tilted his head at an angle.

“Would you grant me the privilege of having tea time with the Lady?”

“…”

Without realizing it, I traced Harman’s features one by one.

His blue eyes, half-covered by languid eyelids, were as clear as waves sparkling in sunlight.

How could his eyelashes be so long?

His slightly upturned lips were captivating, and even his voice was gentle.

“Of course.”

‘…’

What did I just answer?

I felt like I was under some kind of spell.

In the midst of all this, I was already being led by Harman’s hand toward the Greenhouse Garden.

I couldn’t even manage a bitter laugh at this absurd situation.

…Fine, let me admit it cleanly.

‘Harman’s face must be my type.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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