My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 25

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

“Then by any chance, if that person isn’t here, will you leave?”

“Yes.”

“And if that person tells you to leave, you’ll go too?”

“Yes.”

The priest got goosebumps from the obedient responses. He thought he could finally breathe easy now that that damned painting had disappeared, but it turned out the blind devotion had simply shifted to a different target. The only fortunate thing was that now the object was a person who could communicate, not a piece of paper?

Moreover, seeing that a knight was attached to her, she seemed to be a guest of Sir Gabriel’s side, and Sir Gabriel was someone who would obey if the Bishop told him to.

The priest immediately went to Bishop Jabaniya and relayed the information. Upon hearing this, Bishop Jabaniya greatly praised the priest’s observational skills.

“It seems the goddess Rachel has rewarded your faith.”

“Not at all, Your Grace.”

He was quite satisfied that he could gain the Bishop’s favor with this. Bishop Jabaniya expressed gratitude to the useful priest and hurried to approach Evangeline naturally.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t thanked that young lady for extinguishing the fire yet.”

“Your Grace, I’ll handle the rest.”

The quick-witted priest immediately continued the conversation. Bishop Jabaniya left the remaining tasks to the priest and headed toward Evangeline. Just as the priest had said, people were indeed all looking at that young lady. It was strange that he hadn’t noticed those intense and fervent gazes until now.

Bishop Jabaniya found himself captivated by Evangeline’s gaze and realized the reason. It was all too natural for her to receive attention because of such a vivid presence. Looking at her was as natural and right as logic itself, which was why he had been so late to notice.

The Bishop smiled benevolently and bowed silently. Usually, someone of a Bishop’s rank rarely bows their head, but Bishop Jabaniya was someone who could bow his head anytime for his public image.

Beneath his composed face, he was calculating. What was her name again? Rafaela had said… That’s right. It was Rohanson.

“Lady Rohanson, thank you so much for saving our Temple’s knight. We will compensate you for the holy water you used to extinguish the flames.”

“I gratefully accept.”

The Rohanson Viscount’s family? It was a name he had never heard of before, only recently mentioned once in connection with Donau’s case. Was she the employer of the woman Donau Blue had kidnapped? But now she was involved with Donau’s painting again. There was even a fire this time, just like before.

Bishop Jabaniya brought up the main topic without showing the suspicion he felt.

“The other parishioners seem to be in shock, so we’re planning to escort them to a resting place.”

He deliberately spoke louder so that the people inside could hear. Evangeline nodded indifferently, as if she had no interest in why he was telling her this.

As soon as Evangeline’s permission was given, their footsteps began to move. People who hadn’t budged despite the Bishop’s earnest requests became docile sheep with just one nod from a mere Viscount’s daughter.

Bishop Jabaniya watched this scene with great interest, and Rafaela was the only one feeling uneasy about it.

‘How much has he figured out?’

When reporting about Donau’s death last time, I had submitted a report about Evangeline Rohanson as well. At least it was fortunate that I hadn’t revealed everything. The fact that Evangeline was the owner of the sorcery faction, the note found on Donau’s remains, and the rumors about Evangeline’s resurrection were known only to the Captain and Rafaela.

Bishop Jabaniya didn’t have much information. However, despite the lack of information, anyone could notice that Evangeline was not ordinary the moment they faced her. The Bishop also seemed to be planning to probe the connection between Evangeline and the incident, as he approached Rafaela and whispered quietly.

“Were all the paintings completely burned?”

“Yes. They were completely destroyed.”

“What was the reason for the paintings burning?”

As expected. Since both were fire incidents and the same people were involved again, he was definitely thinking it was suspicious.

“I have no idea. Surely those people couldn’t have set the fire.”

“What about Lady Rohanson?”

“She was with me.”

“Since it’s your word, I’ll gladly believe it.”

Is this old man thinking we conspired together? It’s a tone that says he knows I’m lying but will let it slide for now. He thinks there must be some connection with Evangeline Rohanson.

“The parishioners were also there, so you could just ask them.”

“Good. First, let’s hear what those people have to say. I’m curious how many useful stories they’ll have. Though I doubt they’ll tell the truth in that state.”

Well, people who had been obsessed with the painting like fanatics had now become Evangeline’s docile sheep, so he’d naturally be curious about what happened. Even if people told the truth, he probably wouldn’t believe it, thinking they’d lie to defend Evangeline. But really, Evangeline didn’t do anything.

“And Sir Michel arrived later than I did.”

It was a suggestion to exclude Michel from the interrogation. I didn’t want to make him suffer unnecessarily, and something… If he was still in the same state I saw just before he fainted, there would be nothing good about having him meet alone with Bishop Jabaniya. Michel would probably be no different from those people.

“Your Grace, may I excuse myself first? I think it would be better to get Sir Michel to bed quickly. Sir Uriel must be tired too.”

Rafaela felt a piercing gaze and hastily cleared her throat to interrupt the conversation. Evangeline Rohanson was staring at them frighteningly.

“Oh my. I didn’t think of that. Leave the cleanup to me and go ahead. Lady Rohanson should receive the holy water, so she should come with me…”

“Ah. The young lady should come with us too. The Captain has something to discuss with her. I’ll prepare the holy water for her before she leaves. You don’t need to trouble yourself, Your Grace, so I’d appreciate it if you could just pass along the message in advance.”

This snake-like old man! What is he planning to whisper to Evangeline Rohanson by separating her alone?

At least it was reassuring that Evangeline wouldn’t fall for that man’s schemes. How many people have let their guard down because of that benevolent face and walked right into his mouth?

Fortunately, Evangeline’s escort decided to follow the Bishop.

“Then let’s go, my lady.”

Uriel carried Michel on his back. Rafaela looked at the unconscious Michel, lost in thought, then carefully spoke up.

“…I apologize for the late greeting. Thank you for saving Michel. He’s unconscious, but thanks to the holy water, he has no injuries. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Suspicious things are suspicious, but the fact that we received help is true. I don’t even know how many bottles of holy water were used. How much does that cost?

Evangeline looked puzzled as if she hadn’t expected to receive thanks. Creating a different reaction made me a bit excited. Rafaela, are you crazy? Getting this excited just because Evangeline Rohanson widened her eyes once?

Rafaela cleared her throat and changed the subject.

“But is it alright to send only Jelly alone?”

“Jelly is fine.”

“My lady, you did well to send Jel…, your escort instead. It’s better not to get too close to the Bishop. Despite how he appears, he has quite a nasty personality.”

Rafaela tried to calm her excited heart.

It didn’t take long to reach the Knight’s Hall. Uriel had enough stamina to run easily even while carrying a grown man on his back, so there was no need to deliberately slow down.

After entering the building, Uriel stopped in front of the stairs. While the drawing room required going upstairs, the infirmary was located on the 1st floor.

“Then I’ll leave Sir Michel in the infirmary and return.”

“Uriel…, please treat Michel like a person, not luggage.”

“Ah. I’ll escort him there and return.”

What am I going to do with him? Rafaela held her head as she watched Uriel leisurely disappear.

***

Finally, I arrived in front of the drawing room. Now Gabriel would come out as soon as I opened the door. I took deep breaths before entering.

I was hypnotizing myself. Alright, from now on, I’m a player.

I had to do my best to play Gabriel and retract the villainess image that Daisy had mentioned.

I had only thought about escaping being a villainess, but I never expected I’d end up playing games with men’s hearts. Let’s think positively. Can just anyone play such games? It’s what female protagonists do. I’ve also slightly deviated from the villainess’s fate. The genre is villainess possession, so it can’t be helped.

“Captain, I’ve brought Lady Rohanson.”

After Rafaela knocked, she opened the door. Inside, besides Gabriel, there were two knights and Kanna and Hena sitting.

“Lady Rohanson.”

“Miss!”

Gabriel stood up from his seat and greeted me with a silent bow, and behind him, Kanna jumped up and rushed into my arms. Wh-what a surprise.

“That’s dangerous.”

“I’m sorry…”

We almost fell backward together. I patted Kanna’s head as she became dejected after just one scolding.

But strangely, Hena, who would normally have stopped her, was quietly remaining silent. Hena had her hands placed on her knees, clenched tightly, with her head bowed.

“Hena?”

“Yes, my lady.”

She answered immediately when called, so she didn’t seem to be lost in other thoughts…? Did you two fight? When I looked at Kanna with curiosity, Kanna whispered quietly.

“Sister heard something strange earlier.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t hear it, but she’s been like this ever since hearing what someone named Daisy said.”

Daisy? Could it be the same Daisy I just met? Did Daisy say something to Hena besides Gabriel? Did she say something so shocking that it left the sharp-minded Hena in a daze?

I turned my gaze away from Hena to the side.

Gabriel had also heard from Daisy, but fortunately, he seemed fine. He must have heard about the villainess Evangeline from Daisy… Is he just not showing it?

Ah! I really didn’t expect an obstacle named Daisy to suddenly appear in my not-perfect-but-reasonably-well-rolling villainess escape plan. Wait, wait a minute. An obstacle? A suddenly appearing character? Then this is…

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