Chapter : 9 – I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living as an Exorcist!
“Inspect it?”
Just because I asked once, annoyance spread across Rudyan’s face.
“Yes. I’m asking you to check whether there are ghosts.”
I had a feeling… and as expected.
Just how far have the rumors spread?
More importantly, why?
Inside, I screamed while pulling at my hair. Bella, who had been watching nervously, smiled brightly and clenched her fist.
She was telling me to do my best and talk well.
But no matter how hard I try, nothing will be solved!
When no answer came, Rudyan waved her fan lightly and grumbled,
“I’m not someone with enough free time to come looking for you for two days like this. I’d appreciate it if you give me a clear answer quickly.”
She placed a white envelope on the table with a firm thud.
Her long, neat fingers pushed the envelope toward me.
“Take it.”
“Pardon?”
Ah, damn.
I asked back out of habit, then quickly shut my mouth when I saw her expression wrinkle in irritation. The fan moved more sharply.
But I need to know what it is before I take it…
“I heard from that maid yesterday. That you went to the Duke of Monteville’s residence.”
At the edge of my vision, I saw Bella flinch. She was already standing far away, properly composed.
“To think the Duke of Monteville would make the first move. So much for being mysterious—it must all be an act.”
Rudyan let out a mocking laugh.
I quietly looked down at the envelope she had pushed toward me.
“You must have already received enough money.”
“……”
That hit the mark.
I had planned to politely refuse, saying I couldn’t accept money, so I was caught off guard.
“Check it.”
Her gesture toward the envelope clearly meant for me to open it.
After hesitating, I picked it up. It felt completely different from the bundle of money that came with Harman’s letter.
Still, it didn’t feel like a letter either. Inside was a single, very thin sheet of paper.
“It’s a contract.”
I almost asked again, but quickly held myself back.
“You should already know that the Helkene family is famous for trade.”
Of course I did.
I even knew that Rudyan had completely revived the declining Helkene family’s trade business.
“I can give you anything you want. Even items never seen in the Empire—or even the roses of Aldimos, a country that fell ten years ago.”
“……”
“So? A bit tempting, isn’t it?”
I slowly raised my eyes.
Just a moment ago, Rudyan had seemed somewhat rude.
But now, she was looking at me with sharp intelligence. A confident attitude and decisive actions.
Rudyan was making me an offer.
“…She really deserves to be a count.”
I understood.
Because just as she said, I was tempted.
After thinking for a moment, I carefully asked,
“Then… can you also import Rundane mana stones?”
“Of course. But why would you want such an outdated mana stone? The ones produced nowadays have much better insulation and durability.”
“Oh, it’s not for me. Someone else needs it.”
“The Duke of Monteville’s household, I suppose.”
As I stood there slightly stunned, Rudyan smirked and rested her chin on her hand.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but her smile carried a hint of bitterness.
“I don’t understand why people are so obsessed with old mansions. Even my parents refuse to abandon theirs, saying it’s haunted.”
Ah… no way.
“Then the mansion you want me to inspect is…”
“Yes. It’s obviously not mine.”
Rudyan looked into the air and frowned slightly.
It was clear she was remembering how much she had argued with her parents about the mansion.
Then, as if to shake off the thought, she waved her hand dismissively.
As I blankly watched her hand move, I felt her gaze suddenly fix on me.
“Check the mansion where my parents are living. That’s my request.”
Even while calling it a request, her tone was like a command.
As if she firmly believed I would never refuse.
There was a strange pressure in her red eyes. She seemed to know exactly what she wanted—and what I wanted too.
“I can give you anything you want.”
“……”
I slowly read through the contract she handed me.
In summary:
“Sienna” will faithfully inspect one mansion designated by “Rudyan Helkene.”
“Rudyan Helkene” will provide “Sienna” with one desired item.
That was all.
“…Huh?”
One item?
“……”
Ah… right. My eyes must be tired.
I rubbed my eyelids and read the contract again and again.
But the words didn’t change.
I slowly looked up at Rudyan, who was staring down at me with a confident, arrogant smile.
“…Is she giving me such an unfair contract because I’m a commoner?”
Or maybe she was just underestimating me.
I looked back at the contract.
After thinking for a long time, I finally made a decision.
Then—
I met Rudyan’s eyes.
“Alright. Let’s sign the contract.”
“What?”
I had no intention of refusing at all.
Instead, Rudyan looked slightly surprised.
Just as I expected.
I had to try hard not to smile slyly.
“But I’d like to add two conditions.”
Rudyan, who had been observing my every move, tilted her head.
“What kind?”
I raised one finger.
“First, there may be times when I cannot respond to requests twice a week.”
“You must need to go to the Duke of Monteville’s residence.”
There was no need to explain.
Rudyan shrugged, took the contract, and quickly wrote something at the bottom.
I glanced at her, then raised another finger.
“Second, Sienna will also inspect the Helkene Count’s residence.”
Rudyan paused mid-writing.
Her narrowed eyes were clearly trying to read my intentions.
“…And why is that?”
“Wasn’t there a rumor that your mansion is also haunted?”
“……”
Rudyan slightly parted her lips, as if I had hit the mark.
That was right.
The Helkene residence couldn’t escape the rumors of being a “haunted mansion.”
Of course, someone like her—who only cared about business—wouldn’t normally pay attention to such things.
But servants leaving because of ghosts, and unsettling rumors spreading…
She couldn’t possibly be completely unaffected.
And judging by her silence, it seemed she did care, at least a little.
And honestly, this condition wasn’t bad for me at all.
More importantly—
“I can build a connection with Rudyan.”
Even though she had a bad reputation, judging by her business skills, she wasn’t a bad person—just cold.
That meant if I needed rare items again in the future, I could ask for her help.
“And if I ever need a job, I might even get a recommendation.”
I didn’t run away from home recklessly, but there’s nothing wrong with having a backup plan, right?
Then wasn’t this actually a good deal for me?
“…Fine. Let’s do it.”
Rudyan finally answered.
The contract she handed back now had the added clauses neatly written.
Her expression had returned to normal. Her usual confidence carried a strangely captivating force.
There was no need to think further.
I signed it.
“Done.”
Rudyan immediately stood up.
She looked completely relieved, as if all her business was finished.
I stood up as well to see her off.
She walked without hesitation, only stopping briefly when her guard opened the front gate.
“I’ll send a letter.”
Rudyan slightly turned her head, smiled faintly, and headed toward her carriage.
As she disappeared with her guard, her back looked as dignified as a hero returning from battle.
After she was completely out of sight, I carefully read the contract again.
“…Yes, as expected.”
This is a really good deal.
Inside the carriage, Rudyan quietly stared outside before drawing the curtain.
She let out a small laugh, remembering Sienna holding the contract tightly while bowing repeatedly.
Soon, she took out another sheet of paper she had carefully kept in her chest.
It was another contract—one that only had Rudyan’s signature, and had never been shown to Sienna.
“To think she’d be happy with just those conditions.”
Before coming to Sienna’s mansion, Rudyan had decided she would make sure the contract was accepted.
And she had confidence in that.
For that, she needed a more clever proposal.
The contract she first showed Sienna only stated: “One item will be provided.”
It was an absurd offer.
If Sienna had hesitated, Rudyan planned to present the second contract—the one she was holding now.
It stated:
“For one year, any items desired will be provided, without limit in number or type.”
Even someone who hesitated at the first offer would waver when given a much better one out of goodwill.
But instead—
“…She even asked to inspect my residence.”
Not only did she accept such conditions, she even requested to check the Helkene residence as well.
Rudyan was aware that strange rumors had been circulating about her mansion lately.
But only to that extent.
Ghosts… so what if they exist?
It wasn’t like they interfered with her business.
She still couldn’t understand why her parents were so anxious over something like that.
“…Well, if she’s going to check it, there’s no reason to refuse.”
She didn’t seem bold enough to steal anything from the mansion.
Besides, she would be receiving plenty of money from the Duke of Monteville anyway.
“Is she a fool… or does she have some hidden motive?”
Probably the former.
All Sienna was asking for was a Rundane mana stone.
An outdated mana stone that no one even uses anymore.
“……”
Rudyan glanced at the contract she hadn’t been able to show Sienna—
Then quietly put it back away.
