My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 82

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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 signaled to stop Toten Madam, who seemed to want to defend me. Since he was being so strict and sharp even with Gabriel, who had exceptional credibility, it seemed like Toten Madam, my chaperone, would be branded as an accomplice just by opening her mouth.

“Marquis Wujeta, the important thing is that regardless of whether there was a blade or not, I already gave the sword to His Highness as a gift. It already left my hands, so how could I stab His Highness with it?”

So I pointed out that the premise was fundamentally flawed from the beginning. Even if the murder weapon was really the sword I brought, that couldn’t be evidence that I was the culprit.

“Even so, instead of apologizing for daring to bring in a sword that could become a murder weapon, you’re being so brazen…!”

“Marquis Wujeta should calm his excitement.”

As Marquis Wujeta was shouting angrily, someone coldly interrupted, pouring cold water on the situation.

“Bishop Marik… Didn’t you return?”

What? Who? Bishop Marik? Could it be the exorcist bishop I’ve heard so much about?

But Gabriel clearly said that Bishop Marik had returned to the temple, so why did he come back!

“I felt an ominous presence and hurried back. Though I never dreamed such a horrific scene would be waiting.”

A benevolent voice lamented and prayed. A white veil was draped over neatly arranged priestly robes, so his face wasn’t visible. How did he sense an ominous presence! At this rate, I might not only be branded as the Crown Prince’s assassin but also as an evil spirit, facing both execution and torture at once.

“It’s quite unfortunate to meet under these circumstances. I am Marik, a servant of God.”

“I’m Evangeline Rohanson.”

Since Bishop Marik introduced himself, I reciprocated. I had vaguely imagined an exorcist to be sharp and fierce, but perhaps because of the veil, Bishop Marik seemed exactly like a nun. I could understand why Rafaela introduced Bishop Marik to the parishioners as a merciful person. But he probably won’t show me any mercy.

“This is the assassination of His Highness the Crown Prince that occurred in the Imperial Palace. Bishop Marik, this is not your concern, so please refrain from unnecessary interference.”

Marquis Wujeta showed considerable hostility toward Bishop Marik, though I don’t know what bad blood existed between them. Bishop Marik extended his finger to point at the sky. His hands were covered in scars, as if he had been burned.

“Not my concern? Marquis Wujeta, do you think human strength could hang His Highness from the ceiling?”

His finger changed direction to point at the floor.

“This is…”

I had been so distracted by the corpse hanging from the ceiling that I hadn’t noticed, but there was some kind of pattern drawn on the floor. As I stepped back to avoid the red traces, the pattern revealed its complete form.

“Since evil forces are involved, I may now intervene.”

What was drawn on the floor was definitely a summoning circle. No, my summoning circle! Who else copied it without permission!

“Isn’t that right, young lady?”

Bishop Marik asked for my opinion as if seeking agreement.

Evil forces? Bishop, that’s rather harsh. The spirits listening would be hurt. But considering that spirits aren’t well known in this world, I could understand treating supernatural phenomena as evil.

The fact that my summoning circle was drawn here meant that spirits were involved in both the sudden extinguishing of lights and the Crown Prince’s murder. No wonder they’re calling it evil. If you’re going to use spirits like that, give them to me!

But didn’t Gabriel say that since my spirit affinity was rock bottom, the summoning circle would be neutralized if I were nearby? Why did the summoning circle work this time? Could it be that my affinity is gradually developing? Can I summon spirits too? I got excited for a moment before deflating. What good would developing spirit affinity do now when I’m on the verge of losing my head!

“You’ll surely need help. So we at the temple will take custody of Miss Rohanson…”

“That’s impossible. She’s a suspect in His Highness the Crown Prince’s assassination, and you dare ask us to hand her over to the temple? Even if she were a demon or devil, punishment will be carried out by the Imperial Palace.”

Marquis Wujeta glared at Bishop Marik with bloodshot eyes. But I’m neither a demon nor a devil… I’m just a villainess trying to repent, you know? And I’m not even the culprit…

“You seem to be getting even sharper with me.”

“Yes. You observed well. Didn’t your temple consider His Highness a thorn in your side? You might even be toasting to His Highness’s death behind the scenes, so how could we trust you?”

The power struggle between the Imperial Palace and the temple must have been quite serious.

This battle of wills is no joke. Please don’t fight over me… I didn’t want to say this in such a situation. If anything, I hoped Marquis Wujeta would win. Being tortured by an exorcist seemed worse than dying quickly.

Perhaps my wish got through, as Bishop Marik backed down a step. It seemed that since the murdered person was the Crown Prince, Marquis Wujeta’s opinion carried more weight.

“Then escort Evangeline Rohanson to prison!”

“Yes!”

At Marquis Wujeta’s shout, the palace knights surrounded me in perfect formation.

Ah… They were fighting over my custody? Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes. Gabriel made such a dramatic entrance earlier like something out of a drama, so why is he nowhere to be seen now? Isn’t this a more urgent moment in terms of importance?

“Miss Rohanson!”

Instead of Gabriel, Toten Madam blocked my path as if trying to protect me. I glanced at Marquis Wujeta and Bishop Marik, then grabbed her arm to calm her as if everything was fine, and made a request.

“Toten Madam. Please take care of my maid. I’m fine, so please take Hena out pretending she’s your maid.”

Since I’m a noble and haven’t been definitively proven guilty, I probably won’t face immediate execution. But Hena was different. They might take out their frustrations on Hena instead of me. It was fortunate that she came in the same carriage as Toten Madam when we came to the palace. If Toten Madam claims Hena is her maid, Hena should be able to return safely.

“Madam, please don’t think about defending me either. Since you have Rider, it would be best to keep yourself safe.”

There was a chance that getting caught by Bishop Marik could result in Melek being exorcised as a bonus.

“And you too.”

Finally, my eyes met with the blonde, handsome servant. When I similarly told him to behave quietly, his angelic expression crumpled. My gaze lingered long on the choker around his neck.

“Stay quiet until I call for you, Pudding.”

I don’t know why he infiltrated as a palace attendant, but the blonde beautiful boy was definitely Pudding. He was boldly wearing the necklace I embroidered, so there was no way I couldn’t recognize him.

“When will you call me?”

Pudding talked back with a thoroughly sulky face. Well, when would be good…

“When I crave jelly?”

***

Marquis Wujeta escorted me to the underground prison. I thought they might put handcuffs or chains on me, but perhaps because I was still just a suspect, they didn’t restrain me.

The prison was extremely narrow and desolate. At least it was fortunate that it was a solitary cell rather than being locked up with other criminals.

“Does Marquis Wujeta think I assassinated His Highness?”

Marquis Wujeta stopped locking the prison door and glared at me with fierce eyes. I feel like I’m being cut to pieces by his gaze…

“There’s blood on your dress, and you brought in the decisive murder weapon. There’s no one else that comes to mind when excluding Miss Rohanson. At most, yes… no, to tell the truth, I find Bishop Marik just as suspicious as you. However, when His Highness was murdered, Bishop Marik was outside the banquet hall, just like me.”

It seemed Marquis Wujeta suspected one more person. And that was Bishop Marik?

You must have read some mystery novels. Indeed, the person who seems least like the culprit is usually the culprit. The probability that Bishop Marik, who seemed to have a perfect alibi, was the culprit couldn’t be ignored.

Marquis Wujeta seemed to exclude Bishop Marik from suspicion because he was outside the banquet hall, but actually, regardless of where Bishop Marik was, he could have used the summoning circle to command spirits and cause the incident inside the banquet hall, so his alibi wouldn’t hold.

But since Marquis Wujeta didn’t know about the existence of spirits, it was difficult to explain. As I was pondering how to say it, Marquis Wujeta stood up.

“I don’t know why I’m even having this conversation. I hope there’s a plausible reason for Miss Rohanson’s confident behavior.”

With those words, Marquis Wujeta left the prison. So he thinks I’m acting confident because I’m innocent? It also sounded like he’d kill me if I were guilty.

Sigh… Right. Execution scenes are indeed a villainess’s fate. Then the male lead should also visit the imprisoned villainess…

As if clichés never fail, Gabriel came for a visit, though a step late.

“I’m sorry. I should have stayed with you the whole time…”

Feeling guilty that another major incident occurred while he was away, Gabriel looked down and pathetically caressed the bars, overflowing with regret. Yes, you were late. I thought you went to make clothes again. Gabriel saw my exposed shoulders and gave me his coat, telling me to cover up.

“I’m sorry that our agreement seems to have put you in a difficult situation.”

What agreement? Could it be the one about staying quiet and not acting like a villainess while you changed clothes and returned?

“If I had caused a commotion, it would have been even more suspicious.”

It would have been like turning myself in asking to be arrested. I’m currently a suspect, but if I had resisted, it might have led to immediate judgment. Quietly walking into prison on my own was the best method available. That’s why I can have this visit with Gabriel now.

“Have you heard how the situation is developing?”

“Yes. Toten Madam explained it to me. I told Marquis Wujeta about the blade, but he wouldn’t accept it. Moreover, the sword couldn’t be found among the gifts His Highness received.”

The sword embedded in the Crown Prince’s heart was definitely a properly sharpened weapon. So Gabriel and I concluded that there were two swords with identical handles.

It would have been good if both daggers remained in the banquet hall, but the situation wasn’t so accommodating. The sword I gave the Crown Prince as a gift seemed to have been removed immediately afterward. Well, they were thorough enough in their preparations to frame me.

Even if I didn’t kill the Crown Prince, they’re ready to charge me with bringing a weapon into the banquet hall. Bringing a sword was tantamount to openly expressing intent to assassinate the Crown Prince. I clearly gave a sword with only a handle, but the problem was that everyone who witnessed it was my close associate. Because of this, Gabriel was also under surveillance by palace knights, as Marquis Wujeta found him suspicious.

“Count Gabriel. You seem to be giving too much information to a criminal.”

One of the palace knights interrupted the conversation Gabriel and I were having.

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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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