Chapter 9
It was an unusual occurrence. The people from the North rarely left their territories. The land of monsters at the northernmost edge of the Empire—the Dorkan Mountains.
The North faced that border directly.
“What could be going on? Even though Duke Lakies is close to our lord, he wouldn’t leave the North for something trivial.”
The Duke of Lakies had come to the main castle with only a small entourage. People whispered and speculated about the reason for his visit, but no one knew the full story.
“Anyway, judging by what the servants are saying, it seems he intends to stay for quite a while. The Grand Prince as well.”
Ah, so he was the Grand Prince.
The boy’s noble air was apparent at first glance. Calicia nodded slightly, thinking she had expected as much.
“But, miss, doesn’t this mean we really need to find someone else to negotiate?”
Isaac clicked his tongue. The Lakies family was not someone to be influenced by status or wealth. Besides, he had already refused a previous proposal.
“What can we do? We have to coax him gently.”
“How? With a beauty trap?”
“You’re hopeless if you think like that. To persuade someone, you need a proper plan, a proposal, maybe a few samples. Stop talking nonsense about beauty tricks.”
Calicia, giving him a look of exasperation, stood up.
“Watch closely. There’s always a way.”
Girls with neatly tied hair carried brooms and walked down the corridor. They were just finishing cleaning the guesthouse.
“Ugh, this is tiring.”
“Same here. Even though we clean every day, it feels like the work never ends.”
The maids tapped their shoulders and arms to shake off the fatigue. Each complained and shared their troubles.
“Hey, you girls…”
At that moment, one maid quietly changed the topic.
“Have you seen the prince from the North?”
The others looked embarrassed. They exchanged glances and hesitated to answer.
The head maid had explicitly forbidden discussing the guests.
“Come on, why worry so much? Can’t we even talk a little?”
The girl sighed in disappointment.
“…Well, I did sneak a peek. The Northern noble… might be handsome?”
“Maybe. I saw the Northern knights pass by the window earlier, and my heart was racing. Unlike the men from the West, there’s a certain wild charm to them.”
Once the conversation started, it flowed freely. The maids chattered about their curiosity regarding the North.
“Hey, do you girls know this rumor too?”
A plump-cheeked maid glanced around and stopped.
“What rumor?”
“…About the room where the prince is staying.”
A thin maid swallowed nervously and motioned for the others to come closer.
“…Some say they’ve seen a ghost there!”
There was a brief silence at the sudden remark.
“…Pfft! What are you saying?”
The maids exchanged glances and laughed, telling her not to spread such nonsense as they continued walking.
“It’s true!”
The girl puffed her cheeks and protested behind her friends. The others shook their heads, signaling to leave the strange talk behind and continue.
“It’s real… oh! Come on, let’s go together!”
Seeing her companions move ahead, the girl hurried after them.
“…Looks like a ghost tagged along already.”
From behind a pillar, a small head peeked out. Calicia had snuck into the guesthouse looking for Ian.
“Good thing I prepared the sample.”
She pulled out a small piece of paper from the envelope in her arms. A Talisman for Expelling Evil. A charm to drive away malevolent spirits.
“Miss, will that really work?”
Isaac looked unconvinced. Could such a scrap of paper, almost like a child’s doodle, really be that powerful?
“It may look shabby, but it works. I’ve used it myself.”
Calicia confidently led Isaac as they walked into the guesthouse, following the spiral staircase.
Ian’s bedroom was at the end of the corridor on this floor.
Knock, knock, knock.
Calicia lightly knocked on the door. Receiving no response, she pressed her ear against it.
“Isaac, go check inside.”
Isaac nodded and passed through the wall, silently entering the room.
“He’s inside.”
Peeking out from the door, Isaac shrugged.
“Then why isn’t he answering?”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Calicia pounded on the door with her fists. After a moment, the firmly closed door slowly opened.
“Who’s there?”
Ian, with sweat-soaked hair, spoke with a flat expression. His tired, darkened eyes seemed even sharper than usual.
“Before I say hi… you really brought a ghost with you this time.”
Calicia clicked her tongue at the spirit standing behind Ian. A man with half his head crushed, tears of blood streaming from his eyes.
“Your head is completely smashed… By the way, about what we talked—”
Before she could finish, the door slammed shut. Ian, remembering the intruder, had cast an Expulsion Spell.
“Wait, wait! Just take this! Only this!”
Calicia quickly shoved her foot into the door gap, shaking the envelope desperately.
“Get rid of it.”
Ian’s low, stern voice warned her as he yanked the door closed. Calicia jumped back just in time.
“You rude bastard!”
She held her foot, shouting curses at the closed door.
“Let’s see who wins!”
Her eyes blazed with determination.
“Miss! Over here!”
Outside the window, Isaac waved. Calicia, signaling she understood, set up a ladder against the guesthouse wall. She had borrowed some tools from the absent gardener.
“You really do everything yourself.”
Fortunately, no one in the household paid her much attention. Apart from the second wife, no one had shown up, even if she caused a scene.
Calicia, loosening her body, took off her shoes and climbed the ladder. If she climbed the wall, she could reach Ian’s room.
With the window open, the stage was set. She climbed carefully to the correct floor.
Thump, thump… Aaaah!
Calicia screamed, extending her arm to hand the envelope through the window.
“Ah! It’s falling! Quick! Hey, catch it!”
Flailing with all her strength, she caused a commotion.
Thump!
Ian, slightly annoyed, closed his book. Swallowing his irritation, he glanced at the window.
Eventually, Ian stood up and snatched the envelope, wanting to end the situation quickly.
“…”
He opened the thick envelope and skimmed the first page.
“The Ghost Counter’s Guide”
Tired of ghosts clinging to you at all hours?
Can only I see them?
Did you hear that?
I couldn’t sleep because of sleep paralysis.
Did I do that?
Sound familiar? Stop doubting your eyes and ears!
Find Calicia Valus at the Northern Castle now!
Ian crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.
“Hey! Throw away everything else, but don’t throw away the talisman!”
Calicia, peeking through the window, explained the talisman’s importance. Carry it, and you could sleep peacefully tonight, she said.
“Oh, and! Contract consultations available 24/7!”
Winking, Calicia called out with a cheeky grin.
