I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 9

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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 009

“Investigation?”

Just from asking once, Rudian’s face was filled with irritation.

“Yes, I mean to investigate whether there are ghosts.”

I had hoped otherwise, but it was as expected.

Just how far… have the rumors spread?

More than that, why?

I inwardly tore at my hair and screamed. Bella, who had been watching anxiously, smiled brightly and clenched her fist.

It meant to cheer up and speak well.

But nothing would be solved just because I cheered up!

When no answer came back, Rudian grumbled while fluttering her fan.

“I’m not someone so idle that I’d come looking for you for two whole days like this. I’d appreciate a quick answer.”

She placed a white envelope she had brought from her bosom onto the table with a thud.

Her elegant, long fingers slid the envelope forward.

“Take it.”

“Pardon?”

Oh no.

I had asked back out of habit, but seeing Rudian’s face crumple, I shut my mouth. Her fanning became more vigorous.

But I need to know what it is before I can take it…

“Yesterday that maid told me. That you went to the Monteville Ducal Estate.”

I could feel Bella flinching at the edge of my vision. She was now standing far away in a demure posture.

“Who would have thought Duke Monteville would make the first move. They say he’s into mysticism, but I guess that’s all just an act too.”

Rudian snorted and sneered.

I stared down at the envelope she had pushed toward me.

“You probably already received enough money.”

“…”

She hit the mark.

I had planned to politely refuse, saying I couldn’t accept money, so I was flustered.

“Check it out.”

Her gesture toward the envelope felt like an urging to open it.

I hesitated before picking up the envelope. The sensation was completely different from the money bundle that had come with Harman’s letter.

But to call it a letter, what came out in my hand was just one very thin sheet of paper…

“It’s a contract.”

I was about to ask “What?” but hastily closed my mouth.

“You know well that Helkene is a family famous for trade.”

Of course I know.

I even knew that Rudian had completely revived the failing trade business of the Count Helkene Family.

“Whatever you want, I can give you everything. Items you’ve never seen in the Empire, even the Roses of Aldimos from the kingdom that fell 10 years ago.”

“…”

“How about it, are you a little tempted?”

I slowly raised my gaze. Just moments ago, Rudian had seemed quite delinquent.

Looking again, she was watching me with intelligent eyes. Her confident attitude and assured actions.

Rudian was proposing a deal to me.

‘…She’s worthy of being a Count.’

I was convinced.

Because I had become tempted, just as she said.

I thought for a moment, then asked carefully.

“Then, can you also bring in Rundane Magic Stones?”

“Of course. But why do you want those old-style magic stones? The recent magic stones have much better insulation and durability.”

“Ah, it’s not for me. Someone said they needed them.”

“Items needed at the Monteville Ducal Estate.”

As I remained still with my mouth slightly open, Rudian chuckled and rested her chin on the armrest.

I might have been mistaken, but there seemed to be bitterness in her laughter.

“I don’t understand why everyone is so obsessed with those old manors. My parents also said their manor was haunted by ghosts, but they absolutely refuse to abandon it.”

Ah, could it be.

“Then the manor you asked me to investigate is…”

“Right, it couldn’t be my manor.”

Rudian looked up at the air and frowned slightly.

It was clearly an expression recalling how much she had argued with her parents about the manor.

Then she waved her hand dismissively as if trying to erase the memory.

As I stared blankly at her waving hand, I suddenly felt her gaze fixed on me.

“Look after the manor where my parents currently live. That’s my request.”

Even while making a request, it was an imperious command tone. As if she firmly believed I would never refuse.

I felt a strange pressure from her red eyes. She seemed to know exactly what she wanted and what I wanted.

“Whatever you want, I can give it all to you.”

“…”

I slowly looked over the contract she handed me.

To summarize.

‘Siena’ will faithfully investigate one manor designated by ‘Rudian Helkene’.

‘Rudian Helkene’ will provide ‘Siena’ with one desired item.

That was all.

‘Huh?’

Provide one item?

‘…’

Ah, right. My eyes must be dry, so I misread it.

I rubbed my eyelids lightly and read through the contract several times. However, the words didn’t change.

I slowly raised my head to look at Rudian, who was looking down at me with a confident and arrogant smile.

‘…Could it be she’s giving me such an unfair contract because I’m a commoner?’

No, it might be more that she’s looking down on me.

I fixed my gaze on the contract again. After thinking for a long while, I finally made my decision.

And….

I met Rudian’s eyes.

“Alright, let’s make a contract.”

“What?”

I had no intention of refusing at all. Rudian seemed genuinely flustered instead.

I knew it would be like this.

I had to make an effort not to smile wickedly.

“However, I’d like you to add two clauses.”

Rudian, who had been watching my every move as if dissecting it, tilted her head.

“What kind?”

I held up one finger straight.

“First, I may not be able to respond to calls twice a week.”

“You must have to go to the Monteville Ducal Estate.”

There was no need to explain the reason. Rudian shrugged and took the contract, then scribbled something at the bottom.

I glanced at her doing this, then held up another finger.

“Second, Siena will also investigate Count Helkene’s Estate.”

Rudian, who had been bringing her pen to the contract, flinched.

Her narrowed eyes were undoubtedly trying to gauge my true intentions.

“This is, why?”

“Weren’t there rumors that the Count’s manor was also haunted?”

“….”

Rudian slightly opened her mouth as if hit right on target.

That was right. Count Helkene’s Estate couldn’t escape the sinister rumors of being a ‘haunted manor’ either.

Ghosts or whatever, she who only thought about business wouldn’t care about such things.

But the servants left the manor saying they couldn’t stand it because of the ghosts, and ominous rumors kept spreading.

She’s human, so it wouldn’t be completely untroubling.

Moreover, seeing how she’s not saying anything, it seems like she was indeed bothered by it deep down.

And honestly, this condition had nothing bad for me at all.

Most importantly-

‘I’ll be able to build a friendship with Rudian.’

Though Rudian had a bad reputation, looking at her business acumen, she was just cold-hearted but not a bad person.

In other words, if problems arise later and I need rare items like this time, I could get help.

‘If I ever need a job, I might get an introduction too.’

Though I didn’t run away recklessly, there’s nothing wrong with having insurance, right?

Then, isn’t this rather a good proposal for me?

“Fine, let’s do that.”

Finally Rudian answered. The contract she handed back to me had the additional clauses written neatly.

Now her expression had returned to normal. Her characteristic confidence radiated an almost mesmerizing power.

There was nothing more to consider.

I completed the signature.

“That’s done.”

Then Rudian abruptly stood up.

She looked relieved, as if her business was completely finished.

I stood up as well to see her off.

She had been walking without hesitation, but paused briefly when the guard knight opened the main gate.

“I’ll send a letter.”

Rudian turned her head slightly, grinned, and headed toward the carriage.

Her retreating figure alongside the guard knight was as dignified as a hero just returning from battle.

After she completely disappeared from view, I carefully read through the contract once more.

‘Hmm, as expected.’

These really are good conditions.

* * *

After boarding the carriage, Rudian gazed outside blankly before drawing the curtains.

She let out a hollow laugh, remembering Siena waving enthusiastically until the end while clutching the contract tightly.

Soon, she pulled out a single sheet of paper she had carefully tucked away.

It was another contract bearing only Rudian’s signature—one she had never given to Siena.

“To think she’d be happy seeing just those conditions.”

Before coming to Siena’s manor, Rudian had resolved to make the contract happen no matter what.

She had confidence she could do it too.

To achieve that, she needed a slightly more cunning proposal.

The first contract she showed Siena stated ‘will provide one item.’

It was an utterly unreasonable proposal. If Siena found it troublesome, she planned to offer the contract she now held.

A contract with the groundbreaking clause: ‘will provide desired items for one year with no limits on quantity or type.’

Even someone who hesitated at the first proposal couldn’t help but waver when the other party showed goodwill and offered much better conditions.

But instead…

“To think she’d want to investigate my manor.”

Not only did she accept those ridiculous conditions, but she even asked to investigate Count Helkene’s Estate.

Rudian was aware that strange rumors had been circulating about her manor lately.

Of course, she was only vaguely aware.

So what if there were… ghosts or something?

It wasn’t interfering with business anyway.

She still didn’t understand why her parents were so anxious about mere ghosts.

“…Still, there’s no need to refuse when she’s offering to investigate.”

She didn’t seem bold enough to steal from the manor. Especially since she’d be receiving plenty of money from Duke Monteville anyway.

“Whether she’s a fool or has some ulterior motive.”

Probably the former.

All Siena was getting was a Rundane Magic Stone.

Old-Style Magic Stones that they wouldn’t use even if given to them.

“….”

Rudian glanced at the contract she hadn’t even been able to take out in front of Siena, then put it back in her coat.

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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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