I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 269

It was a short while ago. Viego Windsor said to Anton Rolland that ‘Danaena Rolland’ would only have about sixty days to live after she awakened.

 

At that, Anton Rolland flew into a rage. It was no different from a one-sided betrayal from the Windsor family. The Daiana Church had broken its promise.

 

That b*stard. The condition for handing over my older brother’s corpse as an experimental subject was that the Rolland family would produce a saintess. And now you’re telling me Danaena only has sixty days left?

 

The saintess who purified the rotten land. Danae Windsor was recorded that way in the history books. The second saintess was supposed to be Danaena Rolland. Someday, if the rotten land erupted again, she would set out on a journey of purification. But after the Red Ship explosion, her body had become frail, shortening her lifespan. They said Danaena would soon die and be transferred into another body. And that wasn’t all. The girl’s body no longer carried the blood of the Rolland family.

 

That was why Viego Windsor had given him the holy water. It was practically compensation for breaking their original agreement.

 

But holy water alone isn’t enough.

 

Regaining his youth with holy water was one thing, but for Anton, his family’s glory was far more important. He had to elevate the family’s dignity, standing, and honor. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had spent his entire life obsessed with that goal.

 

If the Rolland family produced a saintess, the family’s honor would shine forever like the sun in the sky. Then what about Dana, the blood of that higher life-form? If Danaena bore a child, perhaps one of Rolland’s descendants would inherit the powers of a saintess. Yet all of those possibilities had vanished into thin air.

 

Just as his insides were rotting away with frustration… Rodrigo sent him a communication.

 

[If you bring Dana to me, I can extend her lifespan.]

 

“…You can extend Danaena’s lifespan?”

 

[And I can make her a member of the Rolland’s bloodline. Though in return, you’ll have to offer Rolland’s blood.]

 

Rolland blood? A name immediately came to mind. Adma Rolland. His useless nephew was still around.

 

[The choice is yours, Duke Rolland.]

 

Anton had already made his decision. “I’ll bring her to you soon, Rodrigo.” To Anton, it was the obvious choice.

 

[Come to my laboratory on Eldiva Island.]

 

Rodrigo, the leader of the anti-church leader faction within the Daiana Church, had been expelled from the sanctuary and established laboratories at several hidden bases. One of them was on Eldiva Island. That was why he had summoned Danaena here. Though he hadn’t expected Rumie to come as well… Still, as long as everything proceeded without Rumie finding out, it would be fine. Anton would have to deceive his grandson, but there was no helping it.

 

Anton Rolland let out a sigh and looked at the portrait resting on his desk. It was a painting of him together with his grandson. Even within the painting, Rumie’s beauty had lost none of its brilliance. Simply gazing at that face seemed to clear Anton’s eyes.

 

“I’m not betraying you.”

 

There was no other choice. Hadn’t Rumie once been so blinded by Danae Windsor that he abandoned a soldier’s honor? Back then, Anton had realized one thing with absolute certainty. Rumie’s weakness was women. Perhaps this time as well, he would throw away the family’s interests in order to protect Danaena. That was why he had to be excluded.

 

Suddenly, Anton recalled the first time he had met Rumie. A boy who had seemed to shine with a halo all by himself even in a filthy alleyway. In truth, Anton had planned to kill him. The boy’s biological father and his bloodline were both enormous problems.

 

I planned to bring Rumie home and quietly assassinate him afterward, making sure there would be no future problem. Yet the moment he saw the boy, every trace of murderous intent melted away like snow beneath the sun.

 

How powerful a force, how formidable a weapon, outward beauty is. The boy held that omnipotence in the palm of his hand. Moreover, Rumie possessed qualities that surpassed even his radiant appearance. Marksmanship, swordsmanship, tactics, he mastered everything taught to him. Above all, he displayed genius-level talent when it came to handling ships. Though in the end, he’d been dishonorably discharged for committing war crimes in violation of international treaties.

 

It was because of a treaty made after an atrocity committed by Carl Windsor. And his adopted son, Rumie, was the first to violate it.

 

More than ten years ago, when Carl Windsor was the army commander, a horrifying incident occurred in which the barbarian civilians of a tiny northern village were massacred. The only living things left in the village were sheep wandering an abandoned ranch. Men, women, the elderly, and children were all slaughtered.

 

The world was outraged, and as a result, the international peace treaty was born. Civilians were not to be killed, and surrendering enemy soldiers were to be guaranteed humane treatment.

 

Yet Rumie, Carl Windsor’s adopted son, had brazenly violated that very treaty openly. The only reason his punishment ended with a dishonorable discharge was because of the extraordinary military achievements he had accumulated. Even so, the navy was still filled with Rumie’s followers, and the Rolland family had no shortage of military vassals who had sworn loyalty to him.

 

Just as Anton had hoped, Rumie had become a proud heir who elevated the standing of the Rolland family. Surely, when he had children someday, they too would possess exceptional beauty and talent. And no matter what I do, he supports me in every possible way. There couldn’t be a finer heir than him.

 

Looking at the portrait, Anton smiled contentedly. Rumie was the greatest treasure of his entire life.

 

* * *

The following day, Dana headed straight for the Somora’s temple on Eldiva Island. She intended to declare that she would become a maiden of the Spring Water Ritual. Delighted by the news, Anton Rolland offered to accompany her.

 

For some reason, it feels unpleasant. Instead, Dana declared that she would go with Adma.

 

“Very well. But Adma… isn’t exactly respected by the people on this island, so things may be difficult. Besides, soldiers aren’t permitted inside the temple.”

 

Things may be difficult. Dana soon learned exactly what those words meant.

 

“Please wait a moment. The priests are all in prayer.”

 

Upon arriving at the Somora’s temple, the priests refused to meet her. In fact, using the excuse that she should wait, they left her carriage parked outside the entrance for several hours.

 

So Adma Rolland is looked down upon. Tch. She clicked her tongue.

 

Adma really must have been an utterly pathetic person. At the very least, Demian had never been looked down on by his subordinates.

 

“Oh my, you’re still here.”

 

Only at eight in the evening did a priest finally appear, looking genuinely surprised that she had remained.

 

“I heard you’ve applied to become a maiden of the Spring Water Ritual.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“I see. Then please come inside.” With a mocking expression, the priest stepped aside. “Lord Adma Rolland, please wait here.”

 

“But—”

 

As Demian tried to protest, Dana shot him a murderous glare.

 

“It’s fine. Don’t come unless I call for you, Adma.”

 

Shut up. Just keep your mouth shut. Don’t drag this out any longer!

 

Overwhelmed by the force of her gaze, Demian shrank back, lowered his shoulders, and nodded.

 

* * *

“You’re applying to become a maiden of the Spring Water Ritual?”

 

After meeting the priests, Dana became convinced once again. Eldiva Island truly was uncivilized and barbaric.

 

“Do you think she’s capable of doing it?”

 

“Well, I find it rather difficult to believe. The Rolland family has ignored this ritual all this time, yet now they suddenly wish to perform it.”

 

Even if this had once been an island of pirates, the priests themselves behaved like street thugs.

 

“And I hear you’re the younger sister of the heir, Rumie Rolland.”

 

They reeked of alcohol and smoked cigarettes constantly. But wait, weren’t they supposed to be priests? Were they really allowed to smoke inside a temple?

 

“You have such an illustrious older brother. Do you really think you can perform a religious ritual for a bunch of barbarians?”

 

More than anything… they seemed to genuinely hate Rumie. Perhaps that was why. As Rumie’s younger sister, she had become the perfect target for their ridicule.

 

“If you ask me, I think she’ll break down in tears halfway through the Spring Water Ritual because she won’t be able to go through with it.”

 

“Do you really think she’ll be able to offer prayers in the spring wearing nothing but a single thin ceremonial robe? I have a feeling she’ll burst into tears and run away”

 

“Wahahahaha!”