The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 61

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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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Episode 61

Who could the demon worshipper be?

Either a guest who visited the banquet, or a servant working in this manor.

After meeting the demon worshipper yesterday, I went to find the housekeeper who supposedly called for me.

As expected, she was bewildered, saying she had never called for me.

She truly seemed unaware.

Next, I went to find the maid who had relayed the message that the housekeeper was calling for me, but…

She said she had received that message from some servant working in this manor.

When I asked if she had seen their face, she said the maid was in a dark place when she received the message, and she was too busy to look at their face properly.

‘The fact that they came naturally to where the servants work probably means there’s a high chance they’re a servant.’

I want to investigate and find out myself, but I can’t.

That demon worshipper knows my identity, but I don’t know theirs.

Under such disadvantageous conditions, moving rashly wouldn’t be good.

So what should I do?

I turned my gaze outside the window. In the distance, I could see Rihardt’s spy, one of the workers assigned to the annex construction.

That man will identify the demon worshipper in my place.

I’m planning to inform the spy that a demon worshipper in this manor is targeting Rihardt.

‘But how should I convey this?’

I fell into contemplation again.

Then a long shadow stretched out in front of me.

“What are you doing there, sister?”

“…You startled me.”

Surprised, I turned around to see Yurta standing there with his handsome face frowning.

…I’m already troubled enough, and now this unhelpful guy shows up.

I sighed and looked up at the sky. A bird was flying through the air in the sky… Ah, that’s it.

“Yurta.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Can you catch that bird by any chance?”

“…You mean that bird?”

“Yes. Could you catch that bird for me?”

“…”

Yurta looked at me as if I was ridiculous, but soon quickly caught the bird and brought it back.

I didn’t have high expectations, but he actually caught a flying bird. I was so amazed that I unconsciously clapped for him.

“…Why did you ask me to catch the bird?”

“I want to raise it well.”

“You mean that dirty bird? If you wish, sister, I could get you a clean bird that nobles raise…”

“Never mind. What would a maid do raising a bird? Can’t I even joke?”

“…Then what are you planning to use that bird for?”

I smiled slyly and said.

“Yes, I’m going to eat it.”

Though it couldn’t possibly understand human speech, the bird cried out in terror.

I gently stroked the bird’s head and continued speaking.

“I heard bird meat is good for your health.”

“…”

Yurta was silently horrified.

* * *

The man was a spy who had infiltrated this place.

Today too, after silently finishing his assigned work, the man was given rest time.

The man sat leaning against a tree, looking at the annex under construction with sharp eyes.

Though the rumor hadn’t spread yet, that annex was actually a room prepared for the man called a monster in this manor – his master.

‘What exactly are they planning to do there?’

Finding that out was the man’s mission.

At the same time, the man was watching Count Arzen’s side.

His reasons for coming here were varied.

Rather than to rescue his master, his purpose was to gather information. That was also his master’s will.

Chirp chirp.

Then he heard bird sounds.

It was a small bird the man had been raising. The man got up from his seat and approached the bird.

Why isn’t it coming here and what is it doing over there?

The bird was startled when the man approached and closed its beak.

‘It seems like there’s something in its mouth.’

Worried that it might be eating something strange again, the man crouched down to meet the bird’s gaze and said.

“Spit it out.”

Chirp…

The bird that understood the man’s words shook its head and cried pitifully.

“Spit it out.”

Chirp chirp…

Realizing it was hopeless, the bird spat out what was in its beak.

The man was surprised the moment he confirmed what was in the bird’s mouth.

‘This fruit…’

He knows the situation from what he’s heard since entering this manor.

A maid named Mari tried to feed Rihardt a Plaret fruit.

Plaret fruit has no effect on small birds like this, but it’s poison to transcendents.

A mere maid wouldn’t have done such a thing alone, and the man was certain it was the work of demon worshippers.

Indeed, such attempts by demon worshippers had often occurred.

‘But why is my bird eating this?’

Plaret fruit doesn’t grow in this area.

It’s not like the fruit just fell from the sky.

The man’s eyes gleamed sharply.

There’s definitely a demon worshipper hiding in this manor. Or someone connected to them.

The man pondered while placing the small bird on his palm.

Was eating this fruit really a coincidence?

Did it eat a fallen fruit, or did someone feed it…

If it was intentional, then the demon worshipper knows his identity.

‘I need to find out who it is.’

The man put the bird in his chest and moved.

* * *

“…Why didn’t you come?”

Rihardt, drenched in cold sweat, exhaled hot breath as he asked.

He seemed to barely be sitting up.

Crescent-like silver hair clung to his pale cheeks. The man’s patience seemed nearly broken as his blue eyes revealed deep thirst.

‘I didn’t know he’d become like this just from me not coming for one day.’

Yesterday, I went out to gather herbs for Arzen.

So another maid took over Rihardt’s meals in my place.

More precisely, the housekeeper forced a maid who looked like she was dying to do it.

“…Are you in a lot of pain?”

I set down the meal and knelt closer to Rihardt.

“…Fragrance.”

“…”

“You smell wonderful.”

Rihardt pulled me close and buried his head against my neck. I flinched at the ticklish sensation but pretended to remain calm.

“Just in case, I brought a towel today.”

I brushed back his silver hair that was plastered to his forehead with sweat.

“Let me go for a moment. The towel…”

Rihardt didn’t answer and held my body tightly. It was a sign of refusal.

Damn it.

I didn’t have particularly good feelings toward this man, but when he acted like this, I felt a little sorry for him.

It was no different from being born with an illness.

‘…I think I knew someone like this before.’

Someone who was born with an illness and made life difficult for me.

‘Who was it.’

Despite the question, no memories came to mind at all.

I think I used to be soft with patients because of that person…

Then Rihardt called out to me.

“But Miss Maid.”

“Yes?”

“Are you also planning to put something strange in my food?”

Having apparently regained his senses, the sweat-soaked Rihardt looked up at me with hazy eyes and asked.

“It seems you’ve changed your mind, Miss Maid.”

“…”

“You said we should run away together.”

I was flustered because there were many things that hit close to home, but I didn’t show it and made an expression of not knowing.

“Actually, there are moments when I want to poison you, but today isn’t one of them, so don’t worry.”

I tried to brush it off by pretending not to know, but somehow a pouch containing berries was already in Rihardt’s hand.

That was definitely in my pocket – when did he take it?

I hurriedly tried to snatch the pouch back, but Rihardt didn’t readily hand it over.

He looked at me as if demanding an explanation.

“Don’t misunderstand. There were circumstances.”

I tried to evade the question because it was difficult to mention demon worshippers and such, but Rihardt didn’t seem inclined to let it slide easily.

“Miss Maid, we agreed to run away together. So why are you carrying something like this around?”

Rihardt said this while firmly grasping my hand.

As his thumb slowly stroked the back of my hand, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“But you should explain why you’re carrying these berries around. Don’t you think?”

“There’s nothing particular to explain. I really have no intention of using them on anyone.”

Except for that bird earlier. Of course, to the bird they were no different from ordinary berries, so I fed them without worry.

“Then why do you have them?”

His lips still curved in a smile, but his eyes were sharp.

It seemed it would be difficult to hide this any longer.

I didn’t want to say anything because I was worried this fact might reach the ears of Rihardt’s spy…

Should I take comfort in the fact that we couldn’t communicate with each other in this tightly closed space?

‘No, wait.’

Maybe this could be an opportunity.

It wouldn’t be bad to casually mention the existence of demon worshippers to Rihardt and let it reach the spy’s ears.

Of course, this was only possible under the assumption that the spy and Rihardt could communicate.

“I’ll tell you honestly, so you have to believe me. Do you remember the maid who put poison in your food before?”

“Hmm. Who was that?”

“It’s about you, yet you’re really not interested. Anyway, it seems I’ve taken over that maid’s job.”

“So now you’re going to mix berries into my meals?”

“Haven’t you been listening to what I’ve been saying?”

Why is this guy, who’s smart, pretending to lack comprehension?

“I was threatened that they’d kill me if I didn’t put poison in your food. Instead, I get paid if I mix in berries.”

“And so?”

“I wisely chose the money.”

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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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