CHAPTER 66………………………………………………………………
On second thought, it didn’t seem like the kind of room that would be okay to hand over to a patient.
“Others might have adapted, but I don’t know about outsiders.”
“Well? As long as no one says anything I don’t like, I’m fine.”
A small smile appeared on Ortega’s face.
It was a slightly more honest attitude than before.
It seemed like he had relaxed now that he had become somewhat familiar with the environment.
“There are plenty of empty rooms… so choose whichever one you like.”
After that, Laseil led Ortega around the manor, inspecting the rooms.
Ortega’s evaluation was always similar:
“This is fine. There’s enough ambient noise so it doesn’t feel lonely.”
“Is that so?”
Occasionally, a sound like someone whispering could be heard.
Along with it came the sound of raindrops hitting the window.
It wasn’t harmful, but if it bothered someone, it could easily be irritating.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Yes. After all, I’m the one who’s relying on you.”
Ortega ended up securing one of the empty guest rooms in the manor.
Yujire didn’t seem to pay much attention to that fact.
“Didn’t I tell you to go to Count Gilea?”
…Somehow, he muttered something that sounded significant.
Meanwhile, Laseil had been busy writing replies.
Recently, he had been receiving an unusual amount of messages.
Starting with the Count, then Alisa, Riella, and even members of the knight order.
It made sense, given the recent commotion in the capital.
It was about three days later that Laseil finally saw the Count again.
“Is what you wrote in the letter accurate?”
He had come abruptly, claiming he needed to check Ortega’s condition.
This time as well, he seemed to have forgotten to notify anyone in advance.
“Where is Ortega? Are you saying this isn’t the work of ghosts or demons?”
“He’s resting in his room.”
“Did you really check properly?”
“……”
At this point, Laseil started trying to find a reason to continue the conversation.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a satisfactory reason.
Fortunately, a reason to end the conversation arose on its own.
Bang!
One of the manor windows suddenly shattered.
Apparently, some ghost must have wanted to drive the Count away.
“Excuse me, Count. I need to fix the window for a moment.”
Laseil gave a half-hearted excuse and promptly left.
A proper conversation would only take place after nearly half a day had passed.
“I can’t trust this.”
…Even though Laseil still hadn’t found a reason to continue the conversation.
“Didn’t you assign me this task, Count?”
Laseil asked, wondering if he had misunderstood.
He had clearly been entrusted with this task without any objection.
And now he said he couldn’t trust it.
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t determine its credibility.”
‘Then maybe it wasn’t something I should have been entrusted with?’
Laseil quietly asked himself, then looked at the Count.
Seeing that he had come straight here and started with this, it seemed like he wanted something.
“How would you trust me, Count?”
“Well, wouldn’t it suffice if someone trustworthy could vouch for you?”
‘Maybe he just wants to nitpick.’
Laseil quietly studied the Count.
Apparently, something had annoyed him in the meantime.
Fortunately, a solution for this situation quickly came to mind.
‘Sir Sierren is here.’
He was the person who understood demons and curses the best.
Since he belonged to the royal household, it would be hard for the Count to object.
‘Whether he will come immediately is the question…’
But Laseil had a feeling he wouldn’t be refused.
He let out a quiet sigh and looked at the Count.
“If I bring someone else to verify, will you believe it?”
“It depends on who it is.”
The Count answered shortly, no longer hiding his hostility.
“Well, that works out. Can I call him right away?”
“The fact that he can come at this hour means he’s probably insignificant.”
‘By that logic, the most insignificant person must be…’
Could it be the Count, who had come all the way down to this estate at this hour?
Laseil thought that for a moment and quickly turned away.
If he continued the conversation, he might blurt out what he was thinking.
“Please wait a moment.”
He was a little concerned about leaving Ortega and the Count alone.
But since Yujire was nearby, he figured it would be okay.
‘Better to do this quickly.’
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Irenes.
Recently, it seemed he ran into her every time he went out.
‘Well, this works out.’
“Sir Sierren! I have a small favor to ask, is that alright?”
“Of course, I gladly accept any request from Sir Jaen.”
“…….”
These days, Irenes no longer hesitated to say things like that.
It was probably since they attended the festival together.
‘She doesn’t even ask what it’s about.’
On the other hand, he was a little worried.
Irenes had always had such a good personality.
It seemed likely she could get caught up in some troublesome situation.
…Which was why he had once mentioned it to her.
“You only do this for Sir Jaen.”
Her response was quite surprising.
Almost enough to make Laseil mistakenly think she liked him.
‘Anyway, that’s not important right now.’
Laseil quickly gathered his thoughts and looked at Irenes.
“I need to confirm something. Could you act as a witness?”
“As long as it’s something I can do, of course.”
After Laseil explained the situation, Irenes immediately nodded.
“Of course I should go. It’s my duty anyway.”
Thanks to that, returning to the manor didn’t take long.
The Count seemed very annoyed by this, but…
“This is Irenes Sierren, Captain of the Third Royal Knight Order.”
He didn’t seem able to voice any objections.
“Is there a proper way to verify this?”
He muttered in a dissatisfied voice.
“Of course. I’ll verify it myself.”
A faint divine power radiated from Irenes’ aura.
Weak as it was, it was enough to drive away demons and ghosts.
“Or do you need another witness?”
The Count shook his head, displeased.
After all, the other person belonged to the royal household and was even a Knight Captain.
If he acted rashly, it might seem like he bore resentment toward the royal family.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
A semi-transparent aura glowed at the tip of the dagger Irenes held.
She had deliberately controlled the killing intent, so ordinary people wouldn’t be harmed.
“Is this alright?”
Ortega’s fingertips touched the dagger’s handle.
Even though it made full contact with the aura, nothing happened.
He just seemed a little more relaxed than before.
“…Then I’ll proceed a little further.”
Seeing this, Irenes spoke again.
“Impure spirit, know your place. Under the protection of the Empire, there is no place for evil, and under the Empire’s blessing, there is no place for corruption. Depart, and never return.”
Though the sentence was in a formal, archaic tone, it was easy enough to interpret.
It was clear that divine power was imbued in those words.
Ortega, however, showed no reaction.
“Is this sufficient confirmation?”
Irenes asked.
It was more of a warning than a question—asking if he intended to raise further objections.
The Count ultimately couldn’t say anything and accepted the result.
“But I don’t understand.”
As soon as Irenes left, he brought it up again.
At this point, Laseil wondered if he should finally throw down the gauntlet.
Of course, duels were only requested when Yujire’s honor was insulted…
But couldn’t he request a duel if his own honor was affronted?
“Weren’t you feeling unwell? Why didn’t you mention this sooner?”
“I think you should ask Mr. Ortega, not me.”
“I don’t recall ever giving you that little trust. What on earth…”
‘Is he really asking because he doesn’t understand?’
Laseil was genuinely puzzled at what the Count was thinking at this point.
He had already destroyed all trust, yet was saying things like this.
