My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 62

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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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“What?”

“Lady Rohanson just saved me, didn’t she? That’s why I revere her.”

Unlike what he thought about Michel being enchanted and unconditionally praising Evangeline, it was quite a worldly and understandable reason.

Come to think of it, Kanna was the same. She said Evangeline saved her when she was kidnapped by Donau Blue. Even Daisy, who was initially hostile to the young lady, was like that.

‘Then what about me?’

Gabriel had missed the timing to be saved. Even if Evangeline helped in dreams, the dead child wouldn’t come back to life and reality wouldn’t change.

Was that why Gabriel couldn’t accept Evangeline?

After a brief moment of contemplation, Gabriel forcibly shook off his thoughts. Even if a tsunami would eventually flood everything, now was the time to be wary of the beast before his eyes.

As they headed to Bishop Marik’s residence, the assistants following him welcomed Gabriel.

“Count Gabriel. The Bishop has been waiting for you. Please come inside.”

“Didn’t you call for Sir Michel?”

When Gabriel asked with a slight frown, the priest lowered his eyes at the intimidating presence. When the priest stammered without any excuse, another man beside him answered with flattery instead.

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. We did summon Sir Michel, but that’s for the post-incident inspection. That’s something we need to handle, not the Bishop.”

Michel realized the situation was taking a strange turn and watched Gabriel’s expression. To think he was only dragging down his respected superior’s feet – he truly was an outstanding subordinate, just as Rafaela had said.

“Haha. You know as well as anyone, Captain, that post-incident inspections must be conducted as a matter of protocol.”

“That’s right.”

The priest who had been frightened now regained his confidence and chimed in agreement.

It seemed a month had already passed since Nofedi’s painting burned. As the priest said, serious incidents typically underwent post-incident inspections after a month’s gap. It was Gabriel’s mistake for not recognizing the purpose behind Bishop Marik’s summons due to his dulled sense of time.

Bishop Marik calling Michel was bait.

Since Gabriel had postponed meetings with all sorts of excuses when Bishop Marik summoned him, this was an appeasement strategy. That’s probably why they didn’t reveal the reason for summoning Michel. If they said it was a post-incident inspection, Gabriel obviously wouldn’t accompany him.

And using this method, they could avoid criticism for summoning Gabriel without justification.

“Since you came together, how about having a conversation with the Bishop until Sir Michel’s investigation is finished?”

“It’s late at night, so I cannot commit such discourtesy.”

“Discourtesy? It’s my goodwill. Don’t you have something you’d like to hear from me as well, Captain?”

When Gabriel refused, another voice interrupted. Hearing the commotion outside, Bishop Marik himself came out. He was wearing a veil today as well.

“Don’t you have time to share tea and conversation with me? I always have tea before bed. It’s tea that’s very helpful for relieving fatigue and getting a good night’s sleep. The busy Captain also looks like he needs sleep, and the tea would help.”

It was a very gentle coercion. The priests beside him looked at Gabriel with great envy, as if he would enjoy the honor of sharing refreshments with the Bishop. Gabriel finally couldn’t overcome the persistent invitation and reluctantly agreed.

“I’m grateful for your kindness. I have indeed been accumulating fatigue lately.”

Gabriel exchanged glances with Michel as they parted. He had explained before how much to reveal to outsiders, so Michel wouldn’t have forgotten.

Rafaela said Michel’s brain had gone bad, but in Gabriel’s view, his object of blind faith had simply shifted from Lady Rahel to Evangeline. As could be seen from their earlier conversation, Michel was quite level-headed. So he would never say anything harmful to Evangeline. He could be trusted in that regard.

“It’s humble, but please come in.”

Gabriel entered the office.

As he said, the interior was modest for a respected bishop’s residence. Even Bishop Javanya’s office, known for being relatively austere, had several ornate decorations, but Bishop Marik’s office was quite barren. It felt exactly like being in a monastery.

Since Bishop Marik was originally a nun, it seemed to be a habit from those days. As they sat down, Bishop Marik personally brewed and poured the tea.

“This is the first time I’ve had a private conversation with the Captain like this.”

After filling his own cup, Bishop Marik sat across from Gabriel.

Bishop Marik slightly lifted his veil to drink tea. On the partially revealed lower face were burn scars where the flesh had melted.

“Unsightly, isn’t it?”

“Not at all.”

“You don’t need to say empty words. I myself cover it with cloth because I’m reluctant to see my own face.”

The fact that Bishop Marik covered his face due to burn injuries was quite well known among temple people. As was the fact that Bishop Marik was reluctant to show his face. That’s why Bishop Marik rarely dined with others.

Though he didn’t know he’d be included among those rare companions. Gabriel followed Bishop Marik’s lead and brought the tea to his lips. It was lukewarm tea, not particularly hot.

“So what did you want to tell me?”

“One should have leisure in dealing with people.”

When Gabriel urged him on, Bishop Marik instructed him not to rush. Bishop Marik only brought up the main topic after drinking all his tea and covering himself with the veil again.

“Something congratulatory has happened to the Captain.”

“To me?”

“Haha. You look like you have no idea. Why, there’s been much talk about you being Lady Rohanson’s debutante partner.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

So he called Gabriel to get information about Evangeline? Gabriel nodded. Rumors had spread while obtaining invitations to the birthday banquet hosted by the Crown Prince.

“A debutante at twenty…”

“Since Lady Rohanson was sickly, I thought it would be good to do it now that her health has recovered, even if belatedly.”

“The Captain is being considerate for someone he admires? Well, Lady Rohanson has only the Captain to rely on.”

Bishop Marik seemed to praise Gabriel’s devotion, but was actually mocking Evangeline’s situation.

“Lady Rohanson has no mother, so she has no one to depend on. She had no interaction with other nobles at all, and cut ties with her maternal family too, right?”

That was also a famous rumor. Moreover, since even her father, Viscount Rohanson, made all sorts of excuses not to come home, even more rumors clung to Evangeline.

“I didn’t know Your Grace would lend an ear to circulating rumors.”

“When one’s eyes grow dim, one’s ears become sharp.”

Gabriel pretended to be composed while observing Bishop Marik. Since he was covered by a veil, his expression couldn’t be read.

“So that’s why Baroness Toten agreed to be the chaperone?”

The fact that Baroness Toten agreed to be the chaperone was something only the parties involved knew. Where had this information leaked from?

Dorine Ponor’s side was well silenced, and the story wouldn’t have leaked from the servants at Rohanson Estate. Did he attach more surveillance because he couldn’t trust only Bishop Javanya, whom he used like his hands and feet? He might have been watching the Rohanson Estate’s carriage. Or conversely, it might have leaked from the relatively loose Toten side.

“But it seems things have gone awry. Ever since the young lady visited the Viscount’s mansion, Baroness Toten has been staying shut in, hasn’t she? She’s not even coming to the temple, so she probably won’t take the Captain’s contact either.”

How much did he know? Could he possibly know about Gabriel and Baroness Toten’s deal? And what was his reason for deliberately revealing this to Gabriel?

“Shall I be that chaperone?”

Gabriel stopped moving in surprise. Bishop Marik sat upright in perfect posture. He had no particular habits, nor was he taking any unusual actions now, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“It’s just that I pity Lady Rohanson’s circumstances.”

Bishop Marik’s voice was very kind.

“Don’t you dislike going out into society, Your Grace? I cannot impose such trouble on you.”

“I’m suggesting it for my own purposes too. Since it’s a banquet by His Highness the Crown Prince, our future glory, shouldn’t the temple side also pay respects? I too received an invitation and decided to attend.”

Future glory indeed. Who among the empire’s citizens wouldn’t know that the Emperor was reluctant to pass the throne to his son and still remained in power? However, Bishop Marik had a talent for presenting falsehoods as truth.

“If not Baroness Toten, then I’ll take on the chaperone role.”

Gabriel thought the eyes hidden beneath the veil would be gleaming.

***

Gabriel sent an urgent message. Even if he’s a captain, making a knight deliver letters? That’s impressive.

Rafaela looked extremely tired from how fast she had rushed over. No wait. It was the horse that ran. By the way, the horse Rafaela rode was well taken care of by Melek and brought to the stables. He’s a cow beastman, so why is he closer to horses?

“Huff, gasp…”

“Sir Rafaela, please have some water.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

When Hena offered water, Rafaela gulped it down. Wow, how can someone drink water so deliciously? She could do a food broadcast.

While Rafaela was calming down, I finished reading the letter Gabriel sent. I was worried since we parted on bad terms last time, but if he’s looking out for me like this, Gabriel must like me quite a bit. Phew. Now I feel somewhat relieved.

I returned the letter to Rafaela after reading it. It’s scary to keep it, so handle it yourself.

“Is Bishop Marik a dangerous person?”

“He’s very kind to the believers, but naturally he’s dangerous to you, my lady.”

Could he be an exorcist? So if he finds out I’m a possessor, he’ll try to perform what’s written as exorcism but reads as torture? I really need to be careful. If my possession is discovered, I’m finished. Gabriel wasn’t making a fuss for nothing. But looking at the letter’s contents now… am I in big trouble?

“Such a person is going to be my chaperone?”

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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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