Chapter 349: Because This is Certain (2)

"You can't leave?"

"That's right, I can't…. I don't plan to leave, either.... and this kid, he's not planning to let me out, either…. grrrr...."

Count Mowbray wore a grim expression.

Although he couldn't fully trust the words of the evil spirit, the claim that his son had no intention of driving out the spirit weighed heavily on his heart.

Was it true that his son no longer wished to return to normal because of him? Was it true that there was no way to remove this evil spirit from his son's body?

'Neither holy power nor magic could touch even a strand of this spirit's being. What on earth is it?'

Even after summoning various mages and trying every method, they had failed to solve the problem. The Count Mowbray had even brought in a dark mage captured from another territory to attempt treatment.

But even that dark mage was clueless about what kind of demon Edwin had made a pact with or the nature of his symptoms.

Summoning a priest was not an option. They would propose burning everything rather than exorcising the spirit. Calling them was useless. If it were a matter that priests could solve, it would have been resolved through divine healing at the initial stages of the symptoms.

Even the last-resort suggestion of offering him a new body was rejected. Edwin, as if uninterested in a new body, flicked his tongue and spoke.

"Let, me go. Then, I will, behave. How about it? This place, is too stifling, even your son, is uncomfortable, here."

"No, I cannot allow that."

"Grrr…. To dare, confine a great being, like me, in such a way….."

"You don't seem great at all; you look rather pathetic."

If it were truly a great being, it wouldn't remain confined like this. It would have destroyed the tower long ago by unleashing overwhelming demonic energy to escape.

Neither magic nor holy power had any effect, so it was impossible to identify what kind of entity it was.

The dark mage they had brought had speculated:

— Perhaps the soul itself is of a high rank but has lost its power in the human world. Its high rank might be the reason why nothing affects it.

Count Mowbray shook his head as he mulled over the dark mage's words. What use was such speculation now? They didn't know the cause of this situation, nor could they drive out the spirit.

Evil spirits don't possess just anyone. If it were easy, the world would be full of people like Edwin. The conditions for possession were extremely complicated and demanding, and it just so happened that his kind-hearted, weak son met those conditions.

"Watch him closely. Make sure he gets his meals on time."

Leaving those instructions with the soldier guarding the door, Count Mowbray turned to leave.

"Leaving already? After such a long time, why not, spend a bit more, time with your son?"

The Count left without a word, his face marked by anguish. There was no way to cure his son. All he could do was keep him alive while hiding the truth as best as he could to prevent rumors.

As he returned to his seat with a somber expression, a knight approached and delivered a report.

"A nobleman has come to see you, my lord."

"Who is it? Didn't I make it clear that I'm not meeting anyone?"

"He introduced himself as Baron Dougley from the East."

The Count Mowbray tilted his head at the unfamiliar name.

"From the East? Baron Dougley? I don't know such a person."

"He claims to be an exorcist."

"An exorcist?"

Exorcists, unlike priests, were often con artists. After all, the only true counter to dark magic was holy power. 

Occasionally, legitimate shamans existed in some regions, but exorcists were generally a concept only accepted among ignorant commoners.

"Yes. He said he came to resolve your troubles."

"My troubles?"

"Yes, he said he could cure Lord Edwin's…. mental illness."

The Count's expression hardened. Did that mean rumors had spread all the way to an eastern nobleman?

In this era, people often said that mental illnesses were caused by possession by evil spirits. Of course, if it were a true evil spirit, it wouldn't withstand holy power. Noblemen who could summon priests understood the difference.

"Hmm…. He claims to treat mental illnesses but calls himself an exorcist? Does he know something?"

The Count leaned his chin on his hand, lost in thought. Edwin's symptoms had been seen by many. While he had managed to contain the situation, it was possible the symptoms had been leaked, giving rise to rumors.

Mental illness as a rumor might be tolerated, but possession by an evil spirit? That was unacceptable. If such rumors had spread, all those who knew would have to be silenced.

"Let him in."

Shortly afterward, Ghislain and Arel entered. The Count's butler spoke gently beside him.

"Please introduce yourselves formally."

Arel, desperate to avoid repeating his blunders, quickly pulled out a note. The note was a guide written by Claude on how to introduce their lord when meeting the Count Mowbray.

When creating the fake identity, Claude had only been told that Ghislain would pose as an exorcist to treat a mental illness in the Count's household. Based on this, he had crafted an introduction.

After glancing at the note, Arel spoke.

"This, this person is a master of curing mental illnesses for the past 16 years…. the unrivaled expert of mental health, the 'Madness' Baron Dougley."

An awkward silence filled the room. Ghislain glanced at Arel and whispered.

"Who wrote that for you? Claude? Belinda?"

"The, the head butler….."

Ghislain closed his eyes briefly. Unlike others, this one wouldn't be deterred by a few beatings. His persistence was indeed remarkable. A subtle sense of competitiveness rose within him. He resolved to use a little more effort once they returned.

"Fine, I see."

Clicking his tongue, Ghislain stepped forward to introduce himself to Count Mowbray. Before he could question him further, he cut to the chase.

"I've heard rumors about the heir, Young Lord Edwin. I would like to attempt a treatment."

The Count Mowbray glared at him with a cold gaze and replied.

"Rumors…. I don't know where you might have heard such things, but why has an exorcist come? Do exorcists treat mental illnesses?"

"Yes, we do."

"And how would you treat it?"

"In many cases, the cause is possession by an evil spirit."

"What?"

As the Count frowned, the knights and guards around them reached for their weapons. Edwin's condition was a tightly kept secret, and any leaks were unacceptable. Mental illness was one thing. 

During the initial stages, many priests and servants had seen Edwin, so rumors were inevitable. But as his condition worsened, the Count had rigorously contained the spread of information.

Yet this visitor dared to speak of possession. It was clear that information had leaked.

As the Count slowly raised his hand, the soldiers began to close the distance. Arel, tense, reached for his sword, but only Ghislain maintained an air of calm confidence.

In a low voice, the Count asked.

"Where did you hear this?"

"That is not important."

"Then what is?"

"What matters is that I can treat him."

"You claim you can treat him? Do you possess holy power or magic?"

"No. But I am very familiar with his symptoms."

"Tell me."

"His eyes turn black, his behavior becomes like that of a mad beast, and he emits demonic energy. This is clear possession."

Count Mowbray and those around him widened their eyes. The description was too precise.

But what Ghislain said next shocked them even more.

"I've already driven out something like it before."

"Is that, is that true? Are you saying you've driven out such a thing before?"

"Yes. That's why I know the symptoms so well."

Count Mowbray asked, testing him slightly.

"Do you know what it is?"

Then Ghislain's eyes gleamed coldly as he replied.

"It is a being I have a deep grudge against. That's why I've tracked it all the way here. I can't tell you more than that. Decide now. If you don't want my help, I'll leave."

The Count Mowbray sank into deep thought, his expression serious. It was possible this man was a fraud, but he couldn't simply send him away either. 

The man had described the symptoms far too accurately, and his claim of tracking the evil spirit seemed plausible.

There was no other option left. He had even considered finding a saintess. Even if this man was a fraud, the Count had no choice but to take the chance. A father clutching at straws couldn't do otherwise. If the man failed, he would simply have to kill him to keep the rumors from spreading.

With murderous intent glinting in his eyes, the Count spoke.

"How long will it take?"

"It will take a few days. Exorcism rituals are incredibly grueling, dangerous, and difficult."

"What do you need?"

"Nothing more than the tools I brought with me."

This only deepened the Count's suspicions, but there was no way to verify the truth. In the end, he nodded.

"If you fail, I will not let you leave here alive, Baron."

"I can handle that."

"Very well. I'll leave it to you."

The Count immediately moved with Ghislain and Arel in tow. Soldiers from the Count's household followed close behind, as if to ensure they couldn't escape. Seeing this, Arel, tense with nerves, kept fiddling with his sword, his palms so sweaty the hilt slipped in his grip.

Stay calm. The lord will surely succeed.

From the sound of it, it was as if they were heading to face a demon. If he wanted to be of any help, he needed to stay focused.

As they reached the tower, the atmosphere grew ominous. The higher they climbed, the stronger the dark energy became.

Ghislain, wearing a serious expression, spoke to the Count.

"This treatment cannot be witnessed by anyone. If something goes wrong, Young Lord Edwin's life will be in danger."

"What do you mean by that?"

"This is an evil spirit that priests and mages couldn't expel. I need to perform a unique exorcism ritual. If something goes wrong, the spirit might transfer to someone else. That would lead to an even worse outcome, including the possible death of Young Lord Edwin."

Ghislain's words, which sounded almost like a threat, darkened everyone's expressions. Without hesitation, Ghislain continued.

"No one can remain in the tower. Only my apprentice and I will go in to exorcise the spirit."

"Then, what about meals?"

"My apprentice will come down to collect them, so prepare them below."

Count Mowbray hesitated for a moment but then nodded. He felt uneasy, but for now, he had no choice but to trust this man.

Ghislain turned to the Count's butler, who had followed them.

"Bring me my things."

"Do you really need them?"

"Yes, they are tools essential for my exorcism ritual."

When Ghislain came to the estate, he had brought a large bag containing several items. Naturally, during the inspection, he had to reveal what was inside. Knowing what the bag contained, the butler looked uneasy as he handed it over.

"Quickly. These are tools only I understand."

At Ghislain's urging, the butler reluctantly handed him the bag. Before leaving, the butler bowed slightly and said.

"My staff and I will wait below. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

"Understood."

Ghislain emphasized once more.

"Absolutely no one is allowed to enter the tower. Understand? If anyone does, the ritual will fail."

"Y-yes, I understand."

With that, all the soldiers and servants in the tower withdrew, leaving only Ghislain and Arel. Ghislain turned to Arel and said.

"Alright, let's go in. Whatever you see from now on, don't be surprised. Got it?"

"Understood."

Arel nodded resolutely. He had never fought supernatural beings before. Battling evil entities from the demon realm was the stuff of heroes and saintesses. The thought of standing alongside his lord in such an endeavor was an honor in itself.

Clang!

The heavy iron door opened, and Ghislain and Arel entered the room where Edwin was confined.

"Grrrr…."

Edwin growled menacingly the moment someone entered, and an intense, vile aura of demonic energy radiated from his body.

Clang!

Startled, Arel immediately drew his sword, but Ghislain raised a hand to stop him and said.

"Edwin."

Edwin, glaring at Ghislain, growled.

"Grrr, who are, you?"

"I've come to treat you."

"A priest? Holy power, does not work on, a great, being, like me."

"No, I'm not a priest."

"Yet, you claim you can treat me? Do you think, you can drive, me out?"

"Yes, because I know exactly how."

"Grrr…."

Edwin sneered like a wild beast. Did this man know what he was dealing with and still dare to say he could expel him? Ghislain, undeterred, set down his bag and stretched his neck side to side.

"Well then, shall we begin the ritual?"

"No matter, what ritual you perform….. you will not, expel me… Killing, this body, would be faster."

Edwin continued mocking Ghislain. The entity within him was not one that could be driven out by ordinary means. And killing this body? That wouldn't happen. 

This body was the sole heir of Count Mowbray, which was why they had chosen to confine him instead of taking more drastic measures.

As Edwin glared at him, Ghislain crouched down and began pulling tools out of his bag. Arel, tense and on high alert, kept his sword aimed at Edwin, ready for any sudden attack from the ominous demonic energy.

But then, glancing at what Ghislain was pulling from the bag, Arel was so shocked his mind went blank.

"What the…?"

From the bag came strange-looking objects one after another. Arel, forgetting the evil spirit for a moment, asked without thinking.

"My lord? What… what are those?"

"These? My exorcism tools."

"Those are… exorcism tools?"

Ghislain nodded nonchalantly.

"Yep. There's nothing more effective for an exorcism."

From the bag came hammers, clubs, and other items that looked perfect for hitting someone.

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