Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27. Catching a Fleeing Villain with Interest
Rasputin, who had been writhing on the floor spewing blood, staggered to his feet. Black smoke erupted explosively from his gaunt frame.
“You… insolent little rats!”
Rasputin swung his staff through the air, his voice dripping with malice as he roared.
“Did you think I would retreat so easily? Twenty years! Twenty years I have invested in devouring this Empire!”
Kairik von Herzen let out a derisive snort and cracked his knuckles.
“A tower built with care crumbles in an instant. If you’re bitter about it, you should have constructed it more solidly.”
Kairik von Herzen closed the distance in a single breath. His fist shot toward Rasputin’s solar plexus. But Rasputin’s body transformed into something fluid, like a writhing shadow.
Whoosh!
Kairik von Herzen’s fist tore through empty air. Rasputin, now a shadow seeping into the wall, released a grotesque laugh.
[Kekeke… This flesh is merely a shell. My true form is darkness itself!]
Every shadow in the chamber rose in unison, coalescing into the form of a colossal monstrosity. It was a hideous ‘shadow chimera’—a grotesque fusion of a black wolf, an eagle, and a serpent.
Demian Lyart retreated before the Emperor’s bed to shield him, crying out.
“Be careful, Your Majesty! Physical attacks are ineffective!”
[Die!]
The shadow chimera swung its massive claws. The marble floor tore apart like paper.
I hurriedly ducked behind the sofa and rummaged through my bag.
“Ugh, seriously! Can we just clock out? And without overtime pay, no less!”
All that remained in my bag were two bottles of holy water and a handful of purifying salt. It was woefully insufficient to defeat that enormous creature.
At that moment, Kairik von Herzen stepped in front of me and growled.
“Violetta, stay back. A thing like that just needs to be torn to shreds.”
A crimson aura exploded from Kairik von Herzen’s body.
He charged at the shadow chimera barehanded. Boom! Boom! Each punch and kick sent shockwaves rippling through the shadows. But the severed shadows reattached themselves almost instantly.
[Persistent, aren’t you!]
Rasputin’s voice echoed from the ceiling.
[It’s futile! As long as this chamber remains shrouded in darkness, I am immortal!]
The situation was dire. This chamber was Rasputin’s home ground—a sealed room devoid of light. But the answer was simple.
I rushed toward the window. Thick blackout curtains blocked the glass.
“Commander Demian! Tear those down!”
Understanding my intent, Demian Lyart drew his sword and hurled it. Swoosh! The blade, infused with light, cleaved through the air and severed the curtain cord.
Crash!
The massive curtain fell to the floor. Simultaneously, brilliant noonday sunlight poured through the expansive glass window, flooding the chamber.
[Aaaaargh!]
Rasputin’s scream tore through the air. The shadow chimera’s body began to dissolve in the intense sunlight. Darkness cannot overcome light. As the shadows thinned, Kairik von Herzen spotted his true form.
“Got you, you bastard.”
Kairik von Herzen seized the fleeing black smoke by the collar and slammed it to the ground.
Crash!
Rasputin reverted to human form and rolled across the floor. He scrambled backward, terror-stricken.
“L-let me go! I am an Archmage! How dare creatures like you—!”
I hurled the remaining pouch of salt directly at Rasputin’s face.
Thwack!
“Exorcisms are best finished with salt, after all.”
“Ahhh! My eyes!”
Rasputin writhed on the ground, clutching his eyes. I stepped forward and snapped his staff beneath my heel.
Crack.
As the source of his magic shattered, Rasputin went completely limp, all strength drained from him. I looked down at his fallen form and spoke coldly.
“A twenty-year plan? Wake up. From now on, you’ll be rotting in prison for two hundred years instead.”
Just then, a hoarse voice came from the direction of the bed.
“…Who are you?”
We both turned our heads simultaneously. The Emperor was rising from his bed. Though still gaunt, his eyes had regained their sharp clarity. The master of the Empire, whom I was finally meeting again—Emperor Ludwig III—appeared even more haggard and pallid than when I had first been granted an audience with him.
Demian immediately dropped to one knee in proper salute.
“Your Majesty! Holy Knights Order Commander Demian, paying respects to Your Majesty’s esteemed person.”
The Emperor gazed around the chamber in confusion. Shattered furniture, the melted remains of shadow creatures, and his closest confidant Rasputin sprawled across the floor.
“Rasputin… betrayed me….”
The Emperor touched his neck with trembling hands. He confirmed that the horrific necklace—newly restored during my brief absence to meet with Kairik—which had been strangling his mind was now gone, and he exhaled deeply.
“I… must have been having a terrible nightmare.”
The Emperor’s gaze settled on me. From the haze in his eyes, it was clear that the brainwashing side effects from the necklace imbued with dark magic had completely erased his memories of our previous encounter. He looked at me—dressed in a black suit and kill heels, calculator in hand—as though I were a complete stranger, and asked.
“Did you awaken me?”
I adjusted my glasses and nodded with dignified confidence.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Violetta, head of the Eberhardt Family.”
“Eberhardt…? Ah, are you the daughter of that loyal Eberhardt?”
“I’m not sure about the loyalty part, but a chaotic household? That’s certainly accurate.”
At my response, the Emperor let out a short laugh.
“An amusing countess indeed. Since you have saved me, I am indebted to you with a life debt.”
The Emperor spoke with sincere eyes.
“Is there anything you desire? Tell me anything. I would give you half the Empire itself.”
Half the Empire. A typical romance novel heroine would have said, “Your Majesty’s well-being is sufficient.” But I was different. I stepped forward, tapping my calculator.
“I don’t need half. Just settle the invoice according to this bill.”
I handed the Emperor the same invoice I had thrust at Rasputin. The Emperor accepted the paper with trembling hands.
“…Medical treatment fees of 100 billion gold? Floor cleaning costs of 1 billion? Compensation for emotional distress…?”
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
“Heh… You certainly have audacity.”
“Service charges are included. Night shift premiums and hazard pay, you see.”
I smiled shamelessly. The Emperor sat in stunned silence for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! Excellent, absolutely excellent! I’ve only ever heard sycophantic flattery from flatterers, but this honest invoice is a first!”
The Emperor placed his hand on the invoice as though stamping it with his seal and declared.
“Approved. I shall have the Imperial Treasury process immediate payment.”
“Thank you, esteemed customer. Ah, Your Majesty.”
Hehe, payment confirmed! Fanfare erupted in my heart.
Just then, heavy footsteps thundered from outside the door. The Imperial Guard, belatedly understanding the situation, came rushing in.
“Your Majesty! Are you unharmed!”
“Seize the traitors!”
The Imperial Guard rushed in with spears leveled. Kairik von Herzen stepped forward with a yawn, as though mildly inconvenienced.
“Do I need to clean up again?”
But the Emperor raised his hand, staying them.
“Stop! They are my benefactors.”
At the Emperor’s sharp command, the guards froze. He pointed coldly at the fallen Rasputin and issued his decree.
“The traitor is that one. Imprison him immediately in the Underground Dungeon Lowest Level and seal his magical power. I shall interrogate him personally.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The guards dragged Rasputin away like a dog. Even as he was hauled off, he glared at me with venom, hurling curses.
“Mark my words, Violetta! Darkness does not fade! The Master will come… The Master will arrive!”
“The Master? More likely a debt collector.”
I snorted dismissively and waved him away. The situation was resolved. The Emperor had awakened, the mastermind was captured, and my coffers were overflowing with gold.
As I left the Imperial Palace, my steps felt light as clouds beneath my feet.
“Is it truly over now?”
Kairik von Herzen asked from beside me.
“I’m not entirely sure. This ‘Master’ that Rasputin mentioned troubles me somewhat…”
I shrugged.
“But I have money now. I’d like to rest for a while. Perhaps visit a resort and enjoy a mojito or two.”
Demian Lyart asked carefully.
“Will you be going alone?”
“Of course not. I’ll need porters.”
As I smiled at the two of them, their expressions brightened simultaneously. That was when my communication stone in my pocket began to ring insistently. It was Shadow.
―Countess, we have a problem. Rasputin… he escaped during transport to prison!
“…What?”
I stopped in my tracks.
―The transport carriage exploded. There’s no body, only magical runes left on the ground. It seems he used an escape spell he’d prepared in advance.
I pressed my fingers to my forehead. Of course. A final boss wouldn’t retire so easily. A fleeing villain must be caught with interest compounded. My vacation would have to wait.
I turned back to the two men and spoke.
“Pack your bags. The mojito is cancelled.”
Kairik von Herzen laughed and bumped his fist together.
“The hunt begins anew.”
Demian Lyart also adjusted his sword, his eyes burning with resolve.
“I will stand with you to the end.”
My eyes gleamed like a hunter’s, fixed upon prey.
“You dare flee? I will chase you to the ends of this world, and beyond to the depths of hell itself, to collect what you owe.”

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