I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 266

* * *

On the way to the castle in the carriage, Dana was greatly surprised by the scene outside the window.

 

“Respect God Somora!”

 

“A lord who doesn’t honor the god of the sea is no true lord!”

 

“We people of Eldiva worship Somora!”

 

Are they protesting?

 

A considerable crowd had gathered and was shouting. She had heard that Somora was the god of the sea worshipped by the native inhabitants of Eldiva Island. Somora is portrayed fairly positively even in the scriptures, so the Ramun Church probably isn’t hostile toward them. In other words, it was merely a small religion that didn’t warrant particular concern. But what do they mean by saying the lord doesn’t respect him?

 

“What is going on, Grandfather? Rumie asked.

 

As though he had been waiting for the question, Anton answered, “It is currently the season of the Spring Water Ritual. They’re making a fuss about offering a maiden at the sacred spring of Somora’s Grand Temple.”

 

“Huh?” Ingria asked in surprise. “D-Does that mean human sacrifice?”

 

“Of course not.” Sandra answered in his place. Speaking with mocking disbelief, she said, “It’s a ritual where a young woman from the ruling lord’s bloodline wears ceremonial robes that are little better than being naked and offers prayers in the spring.”

 

“S-So such a ritual existed.”

 

“When the pirate king ruled this island, they say his daughter or wife performed the ritual. Barbarians, every last one of them.” As she said, it was impossible to conduct such a ritual now. The island’s rulers had become the Rolland family, and all the women of the family were nobles.

 

At that moment, Ingria spoke worriedly. “What if the protests become more intense and turn into a riot? Even though the imperial navy was stationed here, another massacre… Oh god, I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

Apparently thinking that ‘massacre’ was an inappropriate word, Ingria quickly apologized to Rumie. “I’m sorry, Rumie. I didn’t mean it that way.”

 

“It’s alright.” Rumie replied with a refreshing smile. “It’s not exactly wrong.”

 

“The extermination campaign was a necessary process in suppressing the pirates.” Anton grasped Rumie by the shoulder proudly. “I’m simply proud that you possessed such boldness and decisiveness when you were only sixteen, during your student days.”

 

This time, Rumie said nothing. But Anton cheerfully continued.

 

“This works out perfectly, Rumie. All the natives of Eldiva fear you. If the protests become violent, suppress them for me.”

 

“Yes, Grandfather.”

 

Holding her breath, Dana listened to the entire conversation. She had only known it as an extermination campaign… A massacre? But then, they had been pirates. Occupying the island peacefully would have been impossible.

 

“Dana.”

 

At that moment, she flinched at the warmth lightly tapping the back of her hand. What? Anton, sitting opposite her, was smiling gently. Did he just touch my hand? Or not? Did we just brush against each other?

 

“As you know, the natives of Eldiva were once pirates. They are people who have enjoyed barbaric and uncivilized customs for countless years.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Culture cannot be changed overnight. Like a prophet, one must be patient.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Why am I getting goosebumps? Dana found that Anton’s gaze and voice went beyond kindness but were almost sickeningly sweet.

 

“By the way, I heard your eye color changed during the treatment. It truly has. They have the color of spring buds. Very beautiful.”

 

“Thank you for the compliment. Grandpa, you look much better now that you’ve regained your health as well…”

 

“…”

 

It wasn’t her imagination. Just now, Anton had stroked the back of her hand again.

 

What is this…? Is it because he’s young now? Is that why this feels so uncomfortable…?

 

* * *

“Now then, this is Adma’s room.”

 

They had finally arrived at the lord’s castle. Sandra led her to a room.

 

“There will be guards stationed outside the door, so call them if anything happens.”

 

“Yes, Mother.”

 

As Dana entered the room, she thought to herself. The young man who claimed to be her husband. Whether Adma Rolland was really Demian or not wasn’t important at all. She had come here because of the holy relic. But…

 

“Ho-Ho-Honey?”

 

The moment she opened the door and stepped inside, Dana knew.

 

“Dana. Honey. Is it really you, my love?”

 

That b*stard. It’s really that b*stard.

 

“Honey.”

 

A very tall man approached with tears shimmering in his eyes. He was definitely a man she’d never seen before. Brown hair and red eyes. He looked to be in his early twenties, a young man she had never met before. But…

 

“Aah, meeting you again feels like a dream.”

 

To Dana, he wasn’t unfamiliar in the slightest. He was so familiar that it made her nauseous.

 

“Really, I’ve missed you so much.”

 

Those eyes overflowing with burning love.

 

“Please allow me just once to embrace you.”

 

Those fingers twitching as though they couldn’t bear not touching her.

 

“You’re still so beautiful…. truly… my wife is, after all…”

 

And even what rose immediately beneath him the moment he saw her face.

 

Everything was exactly like Demian. The instant Dana thought that, rage and disgust surged up so fiercely that her head spun. Goosebumps broke out over her skin, and her stomach churned violently. Dana covered her mouth. She felt like throwing up. He’s exactly like that b*stard!

 

Demian Windsor. That b*stard who had controlled her for more than ten years in the name of love!

 

Dana immediately spun around and threw open the door. Then she said to the guard standing outside, “Would you step away?”

 

“Pardon? But…”

 

“Please step away. Unless you happen to enjoy voyeurism.” She deliberately spoke with a sexual implication.

 

Realizing her meaning, the guard’s face turned red. “U-Understood.”

 

After sending the guard away, Dana slammed the door shut again and turned around. Perhaps he had overheard her. The man’s lower body had swollen even more with anticipation, and his eyes flickered with affection.

 

“Honey, I am always— Ack!”

 

Crash! Dana didn’t listen. She simply reached out to the side and threw whatever she grabbed at Adma Rolland, at that man.

 

“Ack!”

 

It wasn’t a thought-out action. A primitive, instinctive violence had surged up inside her, and she simply couldn’t endure it.

 

“Ack! Ack! Honey!”

 

“Who the hell is your honey!”

 

Teacups, books, candlesticks, pocket watches. She threw everything she could get her hands on. And when there was nothing left to throw, Dana lunged at him like a wild beast. Delivering the most powerful attack she could.