I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 158

“I have no obligation to reveal who it is.”

 

“How laughable. It’s not that you won’t reveal it—there just isn’t anyone to name because that person doesn’t exist.” Raios sneered at her openly.

 

Was it that he didn’t want to believe her—or that he truly didn’t? Either way, his response was expected.

 

“Then I’ll undergo an examination.”

 

For a moment, Raios’s expression froze.

 

Dana firmly continued, “Please summon the female doctor.”

 

At her declaration, Pope Baor IV looked completely dumbfounded.

 

“I said I will undergo the examination.”

 

In this era, the most common way to confirm a woman’s chastity was through a virginity test. It was a time when they believed the hymen could only be broken through sexual intercourse.

 

The pope was visibly troubled but eventually nodded. “Very well. Proceed as her wish.”

 

At that, the chief judge stepped in hesitantly. “Then I’ll summon the female doctor.”

 

* * *

Shortly after, the doctor entered the Grand Cathedral. After performing the confidentiality ritual, she went into a private chamber with Dana.

 

I’m curious. Allice, waiting in the adjacent room, paced nervously. Could it really be true that sister lost her chastity? With whom? How could it be? It felt almost blasphemous.

 

Then the door opened, and footsteps indicated the examination had concluded.

 

“The examination is complete.” Faint voices followed.

 

Unable to contain her curiosity, Allice cracked the door slightly.

 

“Now, I’ll tell you the results of the examination.”

 

Through the gap, she saw Raios’s face—her fiancé, the picture of composure, listening intently. He seemed calm—if not for his tightly clenched fist, he might’ve truly looked at ease.

 

Suddenly, a memory from not long ago came to Allice’s mind.

 

“I forgive you.”

 

It was after the first holy trial when he had stroked her hair.

 

“I’ll forgive everything you did. So don’t cry, Allice.”

 

That memory washed away the resentment in her heart. Yes. He had forgiven her. Because…

 

“I love you, Allice.”

 

Because he loved her. Even though she had carried another man’s child, he never once got angry…

 

“According to the examination, Lady Dane Windsor is not a virgin.”

 

But then.

 

“It seems she lost her chastity just a few days ago.”

 

But then… Why does he have that look on his face now? Allice’s hand trembled.

 

Raios’s face contorted like a beast. Crack, snap, splinter—though the cathedral was silent, it sounded to her like the world was shattering. She heard the sound of collapse emanating from him.

 

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

 

A chill ran down Allice’s spine. It was the first time she heard such a rough voice from Raios.

 

“Danae Windsor. Did you bribe the doctor?”

 

Ha! That twisted sneer, that face of a man who had completely lost reason.

 

“Of course. You must have bribed her with all that money. You told them to lie about your chastity!”

 

Now, he was yelling like a common thug!

 

“I can’t believe this!”

 

Then the chief judge quietly spoke, “Your Highness, the doctor was selected by me at my discretion. Lady Danae Windsor didn’t choose her.”

 

“Really? Then it must be you who was bribed by Danae Windsor!”

 

“Yo-Your Highness. How could you say such a thing?”

 

“There’s no other explanation!”

 

Allice could watch no more. She closed the door and collapsed to the floor, stifling her mouth to suppress a sob. Tears streamed down her face. She wished she hadn’t seen it. She should have kept her eyes closed.

 

“Fine. Let’s say you truly lost your virginity.”

 

Raios’s calm tone flowed outside.

 

“I don’t care if you’re not a virgin.”

 

But each word he said was bizarre. He was clearly not in his right mind.

 

“Even if you’ve spread your legs for every man in this empire, I don’t care.”

 

Should Allice just cover her ears? But the moment she took her hand off her mouth, she felt like she would start crying. In the end, Allice couldn’t block her ears. And so, she heard it.

 

“Do you understand? I don’t care if you’re a wh*re.”

 

That dreadful sentence.

 

“Your Highness! Please refrain from making offensive remarks!”

 

“Have some dignity, Your Highness!”

 

The pope and cardinals shouted in dismay.

 

But to Allice, it didn’t sound like an insult at all. What’s so insulting about that… Rather, it was more intense than any sweet words he had ever thrown at her. To Allice’s ears, it was the most desperate, passionate confession of love.

 

* * *

He doesn’t care if I’m a wh*re? Crazy b*stard. Dana swallowed her curses. Just because her opponent was vulgar didn’t mean she would be.

 

Is my wealth that tempting to you? Her contempt for Raios only deepened.

 

“Your Highness, your words are excessive.” Pope Baor IV scolded him with a look of intense anger. “Apologize to Lady Danae Windsor. You were out of line.”

 

Raios closed his eyes and took a slow breath. When he opened them again, he seemed more composed. “No. I won’t apologize.”

 

It was a misconception.

 

“Danae Windsor. I don’t care about your chastity. This engagement won’t be broken just because you’re not a virgin.”

 

Then Cardinal Liber spoke uneasily, “Your Highness, the engagement contract clearly states that if either party loses their chastity, the engagement is automatically annulled.”

 

Cardinal Theo agreed, “Yes, Your Highness. If what Lady Danae Windsor says is true… then this engagement must be annulled.”

 

“Indeed,” Pope Baor IV also spoke decisively, as if he had made up his mind. “It’s time to issue the verdict.”

 

But Raios shook his head resolutely. “I will not accept the annulment.”

 

“Your Highness, an engagement is a sacred vow. It must be honored.”

 

“No. I refuse.”

 

What’s wrong with him…? Dana glared at him with contempt. “You’re acting like a rebellious teenager. Stop this childishness.”

 

Raios’s eyes flared with rage. “Don’t treat me like a child.”

 

But he’s acting like one… Dana’s head throbbed.

 

“Your Highness, I will discuss the final verdict with the cardinals now.” Apparently not wanting to waste more time, the pope took initiative.

 

Dana sighed in relief. She was worried they might indulge in Raios’s tantrum, but thankfully… Huh?

 

At that moment, Cardinal Felix, who had remained silent all along, suddenly staggered and clutched his forehead. Before anyone could react, he collapsed. Thud!

 

“Cardinal Felix!”

 

Dana was startled. It was because Cardinal Felix’s face, lying on the floor, was as white as a sheet of paper.

 

“Cardinal Felix!”

 

“Cardinal, come to your senses!”

 

Cardinal Felix was convulsing as if having a seizure, unable to open his eyes.

 

“What are the knights outside doing? Get in here immediately!” The pope shouted, and the knights burst in.

 

“Quickly, take Cardinal Felix! Take him to the doctor, hurry!”

 

As the knights carried Felix away, Dana stared blankly. What just happened? Did Cardinal Felix just collapse? That meant… The verdict will be delayed again! She clenched her fist in frustration.

 

For the verdict, a unanimous decision from the pope and the three cardinals is required. Not a single one can be absent!

 

“How unfortunate.” Raios sighed as if he truly regretted it. “We’ll have to delay the trial until the next opportunity, Danae Windsor.”

 

Dana stared at Raios. He had a look of regret on his face. But there was no sign of surprise, not even a little.

 

At that moment, a chill ran down her spine. Raios had known. He knew Felix would collapse. No—maybe that b*stard has sneakily made a move from behind in advance! So that’s why he stalled for time! Because Cardinal Felix was going to collapse. To wait for this moment.

 

“No.”

 

Dana stood up. She couldn’t let things go Raios’s way. If the trial stopped now, she’d forever be at his mercy.

 

“Please move aside.” She grabbed the shoulders of the knights supporting Cardinal Felix. “Please put Cardinal Felix down.”

 

“Pardon? But—”

 

“I think I can heal him.”

 

If this really was Raios’s doing, it wouldn’t be a simple poison. It’d be something more subtle, secretive, and terrifying, just like the barbarian shaman he sent to attack her and Ignis days before.

 

This must be that kind of sorcery. If it were poison, it would be impossible for her to cure, but if it were that kind of sorcery, she could purify it. So, this was a gamble.

 

Dana placed her hand on Cardinal Felix’s chest, closed her eyes, and summoned her power. Light burst forth, engulfing his body. At that moment, Dana was certain. It was dark magic cast by demon worshippers—the same kind used by the barbarian shamans. But it was being purified by her power.

 

Moments later, Cardinal Felix opened his eyes.

 

“…W-What happened?” He sat up with a cough.

 

Dana stepped back with a gentle smile. “You were under a spell. It’s the magic of demon worshippers, the barbarians.”

 

Cardinal Felix looked at her with a face that showed he didn’t understand.

 

“I can purify more than just the rotten land.” Dana continued calmly. “I can also purify dark magics, and I just broke the barbarian magic that was on you, Cardinal Felix. So you’ll be fine now.”

 

“Dark magic from the demon worshippers!”

 

“What do you mean? Who would dare do such a thing to Cardinal Felix?!”

 

The pope and cardinals shouted in shock. However, Dana firmly interrupted their shock.

 

“Let’s get the verdict first.”

 

Before there’s any more delay, quickly.

 

“Shouldn’t we finish this holy trial?”

 

At that, the pope and the three cardinals exchanged glances. Dana saw the swift exchange of opinions in their eyes.

 

Cardinal Felix spoke first. “With my authority as a cardinal, I agree to the annulment of the engagement between Lady Danae Windsor and Crown Prince Raios Geranze.”

 

Then, the pope exchanged looks with Cardinal Liber and Cardinal Theo. They seemed quite taken aback by the sudden situation, but they didn’t miss the chance to end this dragging holy trial.

 

“With my authority as a pope, I agree to the annulment.”

 

“With my authority as a cardinal, I agree to the annulment.”

 

“I also agree to the annulment with my authority as a cardinal.”

 

Their voices, the successive sentences of agreement, seemed to crash down Raios’s head like thunder. Perhaps because of the shock, he was holding his breath. Like a fish thrown out of water, he seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

 

“Your Highness, I hereby announce the annulment of your engagement with Lady Danae Windsor.” The pope, looking extremely apologetic, carefully declared. However, there was no hesitation in his words. “As of today, I declare in the name of god that your engagement is no longer valid.”

 

“…”

 

Raios said nothing. He looked like a man who had died.

 

Bang, bang, bang! Finally, the sound of a gavel broke the silence.

 

“I hereby announce the annulment of the engagement between Crown Prince Raios Geranze and Lady Danae Windsor!”

 

* * *

A moment later, Allice removed her hands from her ears. No sound could be heard. What just happened? She didn’t want to hear anything more, so she blocked it out, but now, there truly was nothing to hear. Had the trial ended?

 

Allice cautiously opened the door. Creak—the sound echoed through the now-empty cathedral. Dana, the pope, the three cardinals, and the chief judge were nowhere to be seen.

 

The holy trial had ended. But only one person remained. Raios was slumped in front of the Grand Cathedral, in front of the massive statue of the sun god Ramun, like a man deep in prayer.

 

Step, step. Allice carefully crossed the hallway and approached him.

 

Sunlight streamed down on his broad back through stained glass. What kind of prayer is he offering…? Not even a breath could be heard from Raios, making him seem like a dead man.

 

Allice hesitated, then gently placed her hand on his back. “Your Highness?” And as soon as she touched him, she recoiled. A shock hit her like a hammer. Her lips parted, and she almost screamed.

 

Raios wasn’t praying.

 

Why…?

 

He was crying silently, quietly.