I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 177

“Yes.” The priest silently bowed his head. “The leader abolished many traditions. Not only sacred rituals, but also sacrificial ceremonies and marriage regulations were revised.”

 

“That’s why there’s a resistance, isn’t there?”

 

“Yes. Those hiding in Minadel are representative cases.” The priest let out a sigh. “They’re not ordinary residents. They’re all former paladins, magicians, or high priests.”

 

The more Rumie heard, the more irritated he felt. Why on earth would his younger sister be in a place like that?

 

“The truth is, Lady Danaena wasn’t simply missing. She was kidnapped.”

 

At the priest’s confession, Rumie raised his eyebrows. Kidnapped?

 

“That dissident abducted Lady Danaena Rolland.”

 

Rumie was dumbfounded. His younger sister was kidnapped? But his grandfather and his mother seemed completely unaware.

 

“If only the leader had acted directly back then, Lady Danaena wouldn’t have been taken…” The priest, saying this, seemed genuinely upset. “The leader pursues peace. That’s why he wishes to avoid violent conflict with those dissidents as much as possible.” But perhaps realizing this was not anger to be shown outwardly, the priest quickly calmed himself. “According to the leader, only you, Lord Rumie, can retrieve Lady Danaena without any conflict.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Because you were once that man’s adopted son.”

 

Rumie Rolland was at a loss for words. Had he heard wrong?

 

“The one who kidnapped Lady Danaena is Carl Windsor.” Priest Nilta spoke firmly. “And all the villagers are in cahoots with Carl Windsor.”

 

“…”

 

“They plan to use Danaena Rolland for a wicked ritual.”

 

The expression disappeared from Rumie’s face. His adoptive father had kidnapped his younger sister? And now, with the villagers, they were conspiring to use his sister?

 

“Please, retrieve her from Carl Windsor, Lord Rumie.”

 

* * *

“Wake up.”

 

There was a voice like cold moonlight.

 

“Wake up.”

 

It was a low, quiet, dawn-like voice.

 

“Wake up.”

 

It felt like she had heard it somewhere before. Dana thought that in her subconscious.

 

“Dana.”

 

The next moment, Dana’s eyes flew open. She hurriedly sat up straight. It looked like she had fallen asleep for a moment while nursing Carl. Dana hurried to check on Carl’s condition, but— Huh?

 

Carl was gone. The bed where he had lain was completely empty. His hand, which she had held tightly, was gone too.

 

What’s going on? Where did he go? Dana looked around, but Carl was nowhere to be seen. And, more than that… Just now, didn’t someone wake me? Was it just her imagination?

 

At that moment, Dana suddenly felt a chill and hunched her shoulders. It was because a breeze was coming from somewhere. She turned her head toward the source and was startled. The room had turned into a mess.

 

What’s going on?

 

It looked like a violent wind had swept through. Vases were shattered, and the furniture was toppled over, as if a fight had taken place…

 

No way.

 

Did someone fight with Carl? Did they beat up the gentle Carl and kidnap him?

 

“Lord Carl!” Dana, now worried, called out his name. “Lord Carl! Where are you!” She almost ran out, but changed her mind and turned back. There, she left a note.

 

[Lord Carl.]

 

It was just in case they missed each other on the way.

 

[You weren’t here when I woke up, so I’m going out to look for you.]

 

After hesitating, she added.

 

[I miss you.]

 

Why was that? For some reason, Dana felt that if she didn’t say it now, she wouldn’t get another chance, so she scribbled out words she didn’t really need to write.

 

[I don’t want to be apart from Lord Carl for even a moment. I want to be with you forever. I like you. I like you very, very much.]

 

For some reason, she felt like she might never have another chance to say it… It must be just my imagination. If she didn’t see him today, she could see him tomorrow. He lived right next door, and they were practically together all the time.

 

Yes. They’d see each other again. They’d always be together from now on.

 

* * *

Dana hurried toward the village.

 

“Is anyone there? Please help!”

 

But the village was empty.

 

“Lord Carl!”

 

No answer. There was no one. The eeriness made her shudder. How could this lively, bustling village become so silent at night? It felt like a ghost town…

 

Ah, the Soul Wedding Festival! It finally hit her. Come to think of it, everyone in the village said they’d be participating in the Soul Festival tonight! Maybe Lord Carl is there too. Dana ran towards the forest where Mirror Lake was.

 

Right, Carl might have gone there too. After a nap, maybe he’d feel completely better and didn’t want to wake her, so he left quietly. Or maybe, just maybe, he had a date. With Anna, the baker’s daughter.

 

“Miss Dana!”

 

She finally arrived at Mirror Lake. As expected, all the villagers were gathered there.

 

“Miss Dana is here!”

 

Dana flinched. It was because everyone was wearing the same clothes. Pure white clothes, with no patterns, not even a crease.

 

“Miss Dana has finally arrived!”

 

Dozens of people all turned to look at her at once. They cheered.

 

“You’re here, Miss Dana!”

 

“Welcome!”

 

A chill ran down her spine. Dana instinctively stopped in her tracks. Why were they welcoming her so much? Why were they all looking only at her?

 

“Miss Dana is here!”

 

“Come now, Miss Dana!”

 

“We’ve been waiting just for you!”

 

Dana instinctively took a step back. But Madam Liz came over and linked arms with her.

 

“Why are you so late? I sent someone because I thought you weren’t coming.”

 

Sent someone? Dana asked hesitantly. “Someone? To me?”

 

“Yes. Someone went to bring you here. Didn’t you meet them on the way?”

 

“…”

 

Why are they going this far? Did they plan to drag her here if she didn’t come…? No, surely not. Dana shook her head. Get a grip. It’s Madam Liz. She’s the flower shop owner…

 

“Um, Madam Liz?”

 

But why is she grabbing her so insistently?

 

Dana tried to pull her arm away from Madam Liz, but it wouldn’t budge. It felt like being bitten by an animal.

 

“Madam Liz? Please let go of me.”

 

“Come on, let’s go. You need to look into the lake!”

 

“No, I’m looking for Lord Carl…”

 

“Come, come now, Miss Dana. Don’t you want to see?”

 

Ignoring Dana’s words, Madam Liz dragged her toward the lake. It was overwhelming. Why were they being so forceful? And why was everyone else just smiling and watching?

 

“Wait, wait a minute!”

 

And then…

 

“Wait!”

 

How far were they going to drag her? Terrified, Dana tried to stop. Madam Liz was practically dragging her as if she meant to throw her into the lake.

 

“Ah!”

 

No, she really was about to throw her in!

 

Dana almost tumbled into the lake, so she quickly grabbed the person next to her. It was Gabs from the butcher shop!

 

“H-Help me!”

 

Hans looked at her with a puzzled face. Hadn’t he seen what just happened?

 

“Help me! Madam Liz is trying to throw me into the lake!”

 

Did he finally understand? Hans reached out and gripped her arm tightly. Relieved by his strength, Dana thought. I’m saved. Finally, someone’s helping—! But the next moment, Hans roughly threw her into the lake.