My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 46

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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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Javanya searched through his memories. Though they had only exchanged brief words, the impression was deeply etched in his mind.

“If I may dare to say, she resembled a goddess.”

“Lady Rahel? She resembled Lady Rahel… So that’s why the Knight Captain fell so deeply for her.”

Marik did not rebuke the irreverent words. Instead, he gave Javanya an order.

“However, first impressions and true nature can be different. Since the Bishop thinks of the Knight Captain like his own child, I’m worried too. Shouldn’t we observe Lady Rohanson’s character with a parental heart?”

“I will definitely find out.”

Marik patted Javanya’s shoulder as if trusting his determination. Surely Javanya would do his best not to disappoint Marik.

In the basement where Marik and Javanya had disappeared, Gabriel entered Merai’s cell only after the presence of people had vanished.

A haggard woman who seemed drained of life raised her head at the sound of the door opening.

Her complexion was so pale she looked ready to die. Though she claimed to have lived together with the children locked in the basement, being confined alone in the basement seemed quite difficult for her.

Merai’s suffering was because childhood trauma had resurfaced. Before catching the director’s eye, Merai too would have been just another means to please the demon, same as the other children.

“Have you eaten?”

The question was too mundane for a greeting in prison, making Merai laugh bitterly.

“It was truly meager for a meal from the Grand Temple.”

A chunk of bread and a bowl of soup. Though she knew even this was more than enough for someone scheduled to die soon, sarcastic words came out naturally.

“You’ll be able to eat your fill of whatever you want for at least one meal.”

At those words, Merai realized what that one meal meant. He was talking about the special meal death row inmates eat before execution. Merai calmly accepted her treatment.

“Execution, then.”

“Yes. You’ll be handed over to the security force as soon as day breaks.”

There was less emotional turmoil than expected. Merai felt herself becoming calmer now that her death date was set.

“The children you sold will be brought back by Lady Rohanson.”

“Buying them back? She’s no different from me.”

“Completely different.”

Word of Merai and the priest’s arrest spread so quickly that dozens of contacts came in that short time. Some contacted them begging not to report to the Imperial Court, others said they would return the money and give back the children.

Though buying people wasn’t pleasant, Evangeline readily paid the money and took back the children.

Of course, far more people pretended not to know. They would make excuses that they hadn’t bought children but employed them, only paying introduction fees.

Those who had dealt with Merai long ago or were notorious for their cruelty remained silent as expected. The children were either already dead or in such bad condition they couldn’t be shown outside.

When Gabriel delivered this news, Daisy burst into tears.

“Stop crying. You haven’t forgotten what you asked me, have you?”

“Yes. I asked you to find the children.”

“Right. I promised to find them all instead of taking you.”

Evangeline Rohanson acted unlike herself. How much comfort those blunt words gave Daisy was obvious.

Daisy knelt down and begged in gratitude. She didn’t care at all that Gabriel was watching in front of her.

The person who had previously been terrified and condemned Evangeline as a demon was nowhere to be found – Daisy genuinely submitted. That sight reminded him of believers praying before Rahel’s statue.

The difference was that unlike Rahel, Evangeline Rohanson was someone who could respond to her believers.

A white hand was placed on top of Daisy’s head. Perhaps because she was someone who had never comforted others or needed to, the stroking gesture was very awkward.

Gabriel couldn’t take his eyes off the awkward hand movement. Were those hands comforting Daisy still cold?

Gabriel dismissed his thoughts and focused on Merai.

Evangeline had promised to bring back all the children. The ledger Merai had left behind was helpful in identifying the list of children.

“The ledger you left behind will be helpful.”

And the level of punishment would also increase. They hadn’t committed murder, and nobles couldn’t receive severe punishment just for buying a commoner orphan. At least thanks to the ledger that detailed dates, amounts, transaction locations, methods, and intermediaries, there was evidence to prove their crimes.

One of the traders, a priest, also didn’t just end with dismissal thanks to the ledger as solid evidence, but was concluded to be dispatched to a warring foreign country. It meant to go serve and die there, never to return.

“Why did you keep the ledger?”

Like someone with lingering attachments.

“I thought it might come in handy later. When I show the ledger and make requests, everyone listens.”

Though she said that, the traders seemed completely unaware of the ledger’s existence and acted like they learned of it for the first time.

“I see.”

However, Gabriel didn’t press for the truth. Since she said so herself, there was no particular reason to deny it. Even if Merai had kept the ledger out of faint guilt, it wouldn’t erase her crimes or overturn her sentence.

“There will be an investigator’s interrogation tomorrow.”

Instead, Gabriel revealed his purpose for visiting Merai.

“During the interrogation, the investigator will ask about Lady Rohanson.”

Gabriel told Merai what she should answer. If asked about Evangeline Rohanson, say she was someone who occasionally came to volunteer at the orphanage. He also told her to avoid mentioning Daisy since she must not be connected to this incident at all costs.

Hearing this, Merai laughed bitterly. Not only did she have to defend the angel who drove her to the edge of a cliff, but now she had to say she received support from a noble?

All the nobles who came to the orphanage were only there to buy children. If there had really been someone who supported them out of genuine goodwill, Merai wouldn’t have needed to sell the children.

“Are you threatening me to give false testimony? A knight is damn truly honest and magnificent.”

Even at Merai’s sarcastic words, Gabriel didn’t flinch. Unlike being known as faithful and righteous, Gabriel himself didn’t consider himself that innocent, so sharp words didn’t wound him.

“You think I’ll do as you say?”

“Yes. If you remember what Miss Daisy said.”

At those words, Merai’s body stiffened. When was it? Right. Gabriel had considerately given them time for a brief conversation, asking Daisy if she had any last words for Merai.

Daisy in his memory was saying something.

“Director. I could never even think of you as a mother.”

Of course. Merai wasn’t Daisy’s mother.

Daisy wasn’t a particularly important child to Merai either. She seemed to have heard criticism from her son and other children besides Daisy. But what particularly remained in memory were Daisy’s words.

“I truly loved you, at least for a time.”

Daisy couldn’t completely abandon her attachment and embraced Merai. Then she held Merai tightly and whispered in her ear.

“The Young Lady has agreed to take us in. So never talk about the Young Lady and demons. If you feel even a little guilt toward us, if you cared for us even a little bit once, never speak of it.”

Since Merai felt no guilt at all, Daisy’s words were completely useless.

“You heard that?”

“I have good hearing.”

After that, Merai kept her mouth shut. Though she didn’t say she would testify as Gabriel instructed, Gabriel left the prison as if his business was done.

The next day, as Gabriel had said, Merai was transferred to the execution ground.

Death row inmates with set execution dates would stay here until that day. As she had heard beforehand, there was also an interrogation. After finishing the interrogation, the investigator shuffled through papers and asked.

“Is there anything you want to eat before you die?”

A last supper.

“I don’t know why we’re providing food for people we’re going to kill. That money could go to my bonus instead… Just say something quickly.”

When Merai didn’t answer quickly, the investigator urged her response.

“I want soup. Soup made with mashed potatoes.”

“Potato soup? How modest… Well, fine.”

The investigator scribbled roughly with ink. Though the content wasn’t visible, it obviously said ‘Merai – potato soup.’

And before execution, Merai ate potato soup alone while other prisoners chewed wine and meat.

Potato soup was the most frequently served food at the orphanage. Once, a child about to be adopted said they would miss Merai’s cooking and asked for soup. After that, Merai always made soup before selling the children. She didn’t know why she did that.

“Did you enjoy your last supper?”

After finishing the meal, Merai was led away by a guard. A cloth was placed over her head and she sat down. The sound of a blade being sharpened could be heard from somewhere.

Merai closed her eyes.

It was a terribly, disgustingly tasteless meal.

***

“The weather is nice.”

“It really is. The breeze is so cool, it’s like flower fragrance is carried on the wind.”

At Evangeline’s words, Kanna opened the door. Unlike Kanna, Daisy caught a fishy scent in the floral fragrance that came through the window.

“It’s perfect weather for dying.”

Evangeline combed back the hair that the wind had clung to and disheveled with her hand.

Daisy knew very well who that death was referring to. Today was the day Merai would die.

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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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