I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 30

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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 030

 

Baron Alderton completely covered the window with curtains as soon as the carriage departed.

 

He hastily pulled out what he had received from Duke Monteville just moments ago and held it up in front of his face.

 

“How, how brilliant!”

 

Though smaller than his palm, it was flawless and pristine.

 

A pure white, round jewel.

 

…Yes, it must be a jewel.

 

Though he had done quite a bit of trading business, he had never seen such a magic stone, and there was no way Duke Monteville would give a mere magic stone as a gift!

 

The Baron admired it as he turned the pure white jewel this way and that.

 

Every time it caught the sunlight, it seemed to take on a golden hue.

 

“How could it be so perfectly round without any rough edges-”

 

【Really? Thank you.】

 

A faint voice pierced through the Baron’s eardrums.

 

At the same time, blonde hair like freshly spun thread fell across his face before disappearing in an instant.

 

“…”

 

Baron Alderton froze completely, unable to even blink.

 

Even though it was so brief he couldn’t tell if it was reality or fantasy.

 

Thud. The gift from Duke Monteville fell to the carriage floor.

 

And then.

 

“Wh, what…! There’s a rock wall ahead!”

 

Starting with the guard knight’s voice penetrating through the tightly closed window.

 

With a thunderous crash, his vision completely flipped upside down.

 

* * *

 

“Lady Siena.”

 

“Yes, Duke.”

 

Harman’s voice seemed to tremble slightly for some reason.

 

‘Does he want the necklace that badly?’

 

Yes, that must be it.

 

Of course it would be…

 

As it turned out, there were three guard knights standing in front of the manor that Harman had brought with him.

 

You’re supposed to be a mysterious Duke.

 

Is it okay for someone mysterious to go around like this?

 

‘In the original story, he had no interest in Grace’s necklace!’

 

Not only that. He had no interest in Grace at all, let alone the necklace.

 

He was a madman who only focused on destroying the Empire—though not now.

 

‘What wind has blown through such a person to make him want to buy a necklace?’

 

Moreover, Harman had called my name but didn’t immediately get to the point.

 

The longer he delayed, the more my throat felt parched. The ticking of the wall clock’s second hand was loud and jarring.

 

I nervously fidgeted with my hands hidden under the table.

 

‘Just how much… is he planning to ask for?’

 

How much was my entire fortune again.

 

Of course, I had absolutely no intention of buying the necklace.

 

But if I let the necklace go to Harman like this, it would be complete ruin.

 

‘This wasn’t part of the plan at all.’

 

What if Harman buys the necklace and then decides to completely cover up this fact?

 

Then Grace and Marquis Fainen’s meeting could be greatly delayed.

 

In the worst case, they might never learn they’re connected by blood at all.

 

‘Wow, that’s really terrible.’

 

Just imagining it for a moment made my hands tremble.

 

No matter what, I was absolutely against the Female Lead’s life being ruined.

 

My gaze kept moving downward until it was finally buried in the table.

 

Soon, a hand wearing black gloves silently set down a teacup across from me.

 

“No matter how I think about it, my handling was insufficient. Indeed, if Baron Alderton invaded the estate without Lady Siena’s permission, he should be imprisoned in the underground prison according to Imperial Law.”

 

“Yes, that’s right… Wait, what?”

 

I answered reflexively and then belatedly raised my head.

 

It was completely different from what I expected, words I never even thought of hearing.

 

There was no way he’d suddenly joke around, but Harman’s expression was quite serious.

 

“It’s the same even for nobles.”

 

“…”

 

“If you choose me as a witness, I could probably ensure he receives even stronger punishment. Since I witnessed it directly.”

 

I awkwardly bowed my head.

 

“…Thank you so much, Duke.”

 

I see, so the conversation he had with the baron earlier was just polite courtesy.

 

“I’m sincere.”

 

Yes, I’m truly grateful that you’d think that far ahead.

 

‘Can’t you see the necklace’s owner fidgeting anxiously right next to us?’

 

It was quite similar to the situation earlier when Harman had Baron Alderton in front of him.

 

And completely ignored him.

 

When I glanced to the side, Grace was unnecessarily fiddling with her skirt hem.

 

She repeatedly opened and closed her mouth several times before finally speaking carefully.

 

“Duke, I’m sorry but what about the necklace…”

 

“Ah.”

 

Only then did Harman sigh. As if belatedly realizing something, he slowly covered his mouth.

 

His gaze turned to the empty teacup on the table.

 

Grace took the opportunity to rummage through her pocket and pulled out the necklace case.

 

White light leaked through the narrow gap of the case placed on the table.

 

“I brought it like this in case you might worry that I’m selling a counterfeit.”

 

Grace slowly opened the case.

 

In that moment, a sigh escaped me involuntarily.

 

Setting aside the diamond embedded in the center, the chain connected to it was as thin as thread.

 

‘To break the magic, I need to carefully apply the prepared materials to that chain one by one, right?’

 

This won’t be easy.

 

“…This necklace is a memento from my mother.”

 

Grace lowered her head and clenched both hands. Her voice trembled as if she was about to cry at any moment.

 

“…”

 

Not knowing what others are going through.

 

I, who was only thinking about breaking the magic, reflect on my actions.

 

My heart also felt heavy along with hers…

 

“Right before Mother passed away, she told me. She said to sell this necklace and definitely secure a house.”

 

She probably didn’t say that though.

 

“I’m truly sorry for making you both confused. But this necklace has my life hanging on it.”

 

“…”

 

“I will sell this necklace to whoever offers the higher amount.”

 

Grace lifted her head. Her eyes were completely red as she stared with wide eyes.

 

But sorry to say, you won’t be able to sell that necklace.

 

You’re going to become the Female Lead in a comfortable child-rearing story with a regretful male lead.

 

‘Then now, as planned, while pretending to examine the necklace by touching it…’

 

I traced the chain part of the necklace and subtly observed the two people’s reactions.

 

To think I have to act in front of them saying ‘Oh my, it suddenly changed into a pink diamond necklace!’

 

Sigh, no wonder things were going too smoothly.

 

My face felt like it would stiffen in this gloomy situation.

 

‘Still, I have to do what I can.’

 

Just as I was about to reach out toward the necklace.

 

“I would like to speak with Lady Siena alone.”

 

A low voice scattered the tension.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Yes? Me?”

 

Grace asked back with a flustered expression. And I as well.

 

“Since we’ll be discussing monetary matters, I think that would be more comfortable.”

 

“Ah, ah! That’s right. Then I’ll step out for a moment!”

 

…What? You’re convinced just like that?

 

‘Wait a minute, where are you going?’

 

I need to break the magic on the necklace right now though?

 

I reached out urgently, but only managed to brush Grace’s collar for an instant.

 

Even Bella swiftly led Grace outside. Without even being instructed to do so.

 

“…”

 

The door closed quickly. I glared at the innocent door and felt deflated.

 

‘Harman must really want this necklace.’

 

Right, that must be it. That’s why he came all the way here in person.

 

But this wasn’t part of my plan.

 

I had no intention of competing with money over a necklace.

 

Still… I should say something, right?

 

I turned my head with my eyes growing moist.

 

‘Huh?’

 

But Harman, who I thought would naturally be staring at the necklace, was looking straight at me.

 

Just like he had been doing all along.

 

‘Why is he looking at me?’

 

If he wanted the necklace that badly, shouldn’t he be looking at the necklace?

 

Well, it’s strange, but I can’t just stay silent forever.

 

“Duke, may I ask how much you bid for the necklace?”

 

Whatever amount he says, I absolutely won’t be flustered.

 

“I bid 1 billion francs.”

 

Failed.

 

1 billion francs? Really?

 

My eyes rolled around frantically.

 

I bought this manor for 100 million francs, and the fee I’m getting from Harman is 6 million francs, so then…

 

‘Let’s give up.’

 

Yeah, that’s right!

 

There’s nothing more to think about.

 

Plans and everything else – a clean conclusion has been reached.

 

If there’s such a thing as predetermined fate, wouldn’t it eventually be revealed that Grace is Marquis Fainen’s daughter?

 

After hearing about 1 billion francs, my confidence in undoing the magic while handling this thin chain disappeared.

 

What if I accidentally touch it wrong and drop it?

 

What if it gets scratched?

 

Right, this was never something I could handle in the first place!

 

“Haha, I think I was being presumptuous. As expected, Duke, you should have the necklace-”

 

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll give up the necklace.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

My voice, which had been casually sprawled across the chair, completely cracked.

 

“Instead, I have a condition.”

 

“Wh-what condition?”

 

“Lady was right. My manor is too old.”

 

Why is he suddenly bringing that up?

 

“So I need to bring in new things, and I’d like Lady to help me look at them.”

 

“What? Me?”

 

“Yes. Only Lady can see items that ghosts cannot hide in.”

 

No, that’s, why, me.

 

Even so, this is way too out of the blue.

 

My voice broke off in fragments like a broken doll. I couldn’t finish my words and ended up closing my mouth.

 

It felt like my thoughts had completely stopped.

 

Harman continued speaking calmly even while watching me, who had frozen beyond just being flustered.

 

“I’d like to meet somewhere outside, not at the Monteville Ducal Estate.”

 

This is…

 

Is this a date request?

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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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