Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 65
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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 65. The Shadow Keeper and the Unwelcome Invitation
The moment my command left my lips, Demian’s holy sword carved through the night air in a brilliant arc.
Pure radiance flooded the darkened chamber like midday sun, and Kairik launched himself at incomprehensible speed, his claws extended toward the Shadow Gentleman’s throat.
“How dare you flap your mouth before me!”
Kairik’s roar unleashed a devastating shockwave that shook the entire room. Yet to my astonishment, both his claws and Demian’s blade passed straight through the man’s form, embedding themselves in the wall beyond the bed.
Crash!
Even as the wall crumbled, the man remained suspended in the air with an elegant smile, his form dissolving into the darkness rather than standing upon it.
“An illusion? Or astral projection?”
I opened my Spirit Eyes wide, hammer in hand.
The man’s true body was nowhere to be found.
What materialized before me was a meticulously crafted mass of magical energy—a remote-controlled puppet. The man shrugged his shoulders and plucked a single raven feather from the floor.
“The Northern Region’s beast and the Empire’s holy sword—far more temperamental than the rumors suggested. Regrettably, I did not come to exchange blows with my guests.”
[Hehehehe! Idiots! Swinging at nothing!]
[That man’s shadow is absolutely brimming with delicious morsels!]
The raven spirits circling nearby cackled with contempt, spiraling around us in dizzying patterns. With each beat of their wings, repugnant magical dust settled upon my dress.
I irritably swung my hammer, splattering one of the nearby ravens with a satisfying crack.
“Stop laughing—it’s disgusting. And you, if you keep posturing without your true body present, I’ll level this entire Mansion from basement to rooftop. My energy is draining from this nauseating display, so either state your purpose or vanish.”
At my chilling words, the man’s eyes gleamed with intrigue.
“Indeed, you are truly exceptional, Countess. Should you wish to learn my identity, descend to the lowest depths of this Mansion. Before all ten ravens fall asleep, I shall have prepared a most exquisite entertainment for you.”
The man’s form dissipated like mist, and every candle in the room extinguished in unison. The suffocating silence lasted only moments before anguished screams—far more desperate and harrowing than before—erupted from the floor below.
“Kyaaaaa! Edward! My eyes! Brother, my eyes!”
“Someone help! The door won’t open!”
I exhaled deeply and pressed my palm to my forehead. My carefully planned vacation—sipping cocktails and gazing out at the scenery—had just evaporated into thin air.
“Honestly… watching them die one by one in sequence? I’m exhausted already.”
“Violetta, the spiritual energy on the lower floors is rapidly deteriorating. If we abandon them, the entire Castle will become a banquet hall for Greed Demons.”
Demian approached my side and gently enfolded my trembling hand in warmth. The pure energy radiating from his touch calmed my churning stomach. But Kairik was not about to let that peace persist.
“Hey, pretty boy! I told you to let go! Weakling, you too. Don’t fall for that phantom’s tricks and venture into the basement. I’ll tear the roof clean off this Mansion right now and let some light in—those shadow bastards will dissolve without a trace.”
“Your Highness, please stop saying such absurd things. They’ll charge us for damages, remember?”
I swatted both men’s arms away and stepped into the corridor. The Second Floor Corridor was already pandemonium. The family members who had been suspiciously pointing fingers at one another moments ago now fled across the hallway, pursued by formless shadow creatures.
My eyes perceived what others could not: shadowy hands clawing at their ankles as they ran, dragging them backward. These were no assassins sent by an external foe. They were manifestations of the families’ own inner demons—their jealousy, hatred, and greed given tangible form.
“Edward, stay still for a moment. I’ll remove what’s attached to your feet.”
I swung my hammer lightly, shattering the gaping shadow that had coiled around Edward’s legs.
[Shrieeeek!]
“Miss Violetta! Save me! I don’t care about the inheritance anymore, please!”
As Edward reached for my dress hem, both Demian and Kairik simultaneously kicked him away with force.
“Do not lay your hands upon the young lady, filth.”
“How dare you extend your filthy hands!”
Faced with their impenetrable defense, Edward tumbled across the floor in tears. Watching the scene unfold, my longing for that cocktail intensified.
“Demian, Your Highness. Let’s gather these foolish humans in one place. If they scatter and die everywhere, the cleanup will become my burden.”
I stood in the center of the corridor and brought my hammer down against the floor with a resounding crash. A wave of azure mana rippled to the corridor’s end, temporarily driving back the lesser Greed Demons.
“Everyone, head down to the First Floor Living Room. If you insist on hiding in your chambers and ignoring me, becoming raven food is entirely your choice—but when that happens, don’t you dare call my name. I’ll crack your skulls open with a hammer myself.”
My cold threat sent the family scurrying downstairs like frightened mice. I leaned against the railing, watching their pathetic scramble, when my gaze drifted upward to the Fireplace.
Beside the statue shattered by Arthur’s earlier rampage, another raven sculpture lay split cleanly in half.
[Nine left… no, eight.]
A bizarre, haunting melody drifted through the air, scraping against my eardrums.
“Violetta, your complexion looks rather pallid. Perhaps I should escort you—if you’d just lean on my shoulder for a moment….”
Demian Lyart’s eyes filled with concern as he studied my face, carefully extending his arm. Under normal circumstances, I would have refused outright, but having just confronted that torrent of malevolent energy through my Spirit Eyes, I had to admit my strength was depleted. Before my hand could even touch his arm, however, Kairik von Herzen’s hand shot out and seized my waist, pulling me against his chest.
“Hey there, Holy Knight. Don’t get any ideas. Weakling, if you’re exhausted, lean on this solid chest of mine instead. What good is that scrawny shoulder of yours?”
“Scrawny?! A Holy Knight’s physique is forged through rigorous daily discipline…!”
“Shut it! Discipline or whatever—my muscles are far more battle-hardened!”
As the two men growled at each other above my head, launching into childish boasts about their physiques, my already throbbing head felt ready to explode. I drove my elbows into both their ribs with all my strength and wrenched myself free.
“Both of you, shut up and follow me. It’s not those shadow creatures draining my energy—it’s you two.”
Their petty rivalry continued even as we descended the Staircase to the Living Room.
Demian Lyart carefully monitored my dress hem with each step to prevent it from catching, while Kairik von Herzen planted himself firmly ahead of me, posturing as though ready to intercept anything that might emerge from the shadows.
The family gathered in the Living Room had already lost their minds.
Some muttered prayers in the corners, while others wielded broken bottles, slashing at empty air. The murky atmosphere they emanated caused the magical lamps to flicker with an ominous violet glow.
“Gods, the atmosphere here is absolutely dreadful. If I drank a cocktail in this place, it would turn to poison.”
I collapsed onto the plush single-seat sofa positioned in the center of the Living Room. Beyond the windows, a thick fog devoid of even moonlight consumed the Castle.
“All of you, go fetch more ice and sparkling water. And Demian Lyart, do something about this revolting stench. Rose fragrance, anything—just activate a purification barrier and make it thorough.”
My irritated command caused the two men to glare at each other momentarily before they moved to fulfill their respective tasks.
Kairik von Herzen grumbled as he headed toward the Kitchen to find the finest ice, while Demian Lyart planted his holy sword into the ground, closed his eyes, and began drawing forth his noble divine power.
“All ten have to die before the main body appears, huh? Persistent bastards.”
I curled my lip and took a long drink of the refreshing carbonated water Kairik von Herzen had brought, ice clinking softly. The crisp fizz sliding down my throat finally began to quell some of my mounting irritation.
“Violetta, I shall establish a powerful purification barrier around us. Please conserve your strength.”
“Weakling, you stay here and rest. When those raven bastards show up again, I’ll pluck every last feather from their hides.”
The two men settled into positions on either side of me, growling once more. The long night in the Emerald Hall had only just begun, and my patience was already wearing dangerously thin.
A dangerous thought flickered through my mind—perhaps I’d slit the throats of everyone in this Mansion before the ravens were even dead.
Of course, that was only if the bill didn’t become an issue.
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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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