Chapter 15

After meeting Yuma, I headed straight to a certain place.

Heading north from the church district, you can climb up to a highland that overlooks the capital. In that area, there are several mansions belonging to nobles, and I had business at one of them.

The mansion that Liza mentioned, where spirits were said to appear. Surrounded by a high wall, the building is old but well-constructed, and it doesn’t look particularly dilapidated.

It has eight rooms and a dining room on the first floor, and twelve rooms on the second floor, making it a large mansion. Since noble families often live together in groups of ten to twenty people, this mansion is one of the largest in the area.

This mansion is being sold for a thousand gold coins, an outrageously low price. The owner vacates the property within a week, and each time, the real estate agent collects a fee and the purchase price, making a tidy profit. While this is a suspicious aspect, the price is one-twentieth of the market rate, so it’s no wonder that there are always potential buyers.

However, even though it would be possible to tear down the mansion and rebuild it, why do the nobles who buy it give it up and avoid it? They must have had a terrifying experience.

"...But I don’t feel any presence of spirits at all."

I muttered to myself. Spirits can appear regardless of whether it’s day or night, but I don’t sense any evil aura from this house.

Ordinary people can’t distinguish between spirits and other types of ghosts, so even if the spirits are not evil, they can be just as threatening to those without knowledge, which might explain why they fled.

Or perhaps the spirits only gather at night, and that’s when the problems occur. To find out, I decided to call in a guild member who is responsible for gathering information in this area. I could investigate myself, but it would be better to handle this as a "request resolution." Fortunately, it seems I can take the form of a request from the Archbishop, Yuma’s father.

◆◇◆

---And two days later.

I instructed the guild member to provide the information about the "Silver Water Jug" to the Archbishop’s aide and to encourage the Archbishop to consider a request to our guild. The results came in quickly.

Not long after the evening shift began, a large man and a woman entered—both wearing cloaks, the color of which matched the day of the week, a dull yellow. The subdued colors are chosen to avoid standing out.

They approached Verlene at the counter. The large man kept his hood on, but his face looked to be around fifty. He was middle-aged, with a white beard, a tanned complexion, and sharp eyes. The woman, in contrast, looked like a child next to the large man—she was probably in her twenties. She had a well-featured face and a gentle smile.

There is someone who resembles this woman. Yuma—Yufiel Manafloze. She might be a relative, or perhaps...

"...I would like to order 'Milk.' Or, if you have a recommended drink that can only be had here."

"Understood. Would you like a 'house special blend'?"

"I said I want a drink, but due to my position, I cannot consume alcohol. I would like an 'original' drink without alcohol."

Knowing the password and saying it despite not being able to drink alcohol—this is when I realized who they were.

"Then I will prepare a non-alcoholic drink for you."

"I’m sorry, but neither my husband nor I can drink alcohol due to our profession... I apologize for the lack of sophistication."

It seems they are a married couple. The woman resembles Yuma—so it must be...

"My name is Grenadin Manafloze. I have come to consult with you about my daughter."

"My name is Fenna, Grenadin’s wife. We heard that this shop could provide a way to treat our daughter’s illness..."

I didn’t expect the Archbishop, Grenadin, and his wife, Fenna, to come in person. They must be very worried about their daughter. The Archbishop, with his large, muscular build, looks like a former monk-soldier. It seems Yuma takes after her mother.

"Since we have confirmed the password, let’s get to the main topic. You’re talking about Yufiel, one of the heroes who contributed to the defeat of the Demon King."

"Our daughter has a natural talent. In terms of guiding lost souls and purifying tainted lands, there is no one in this country—no, in the world—who can match her."

"Since childhood, she has been independent. After successfully defeating the Demon King and opening an orphanage, the operation has been going well... but recently, her appetite has been decreasing, and she has been sighing more. When I became worried, she suddenly collapsed... The doctor couldn’t determine the cause and only advised her to rest."

Fenna’s eyes were moist with tears, and she pressed a handkerchief to them. Grenadin, concerned for his wife, sipped the "Clear Water of the Sacred Pear" that Verlene served. As the name suggests, it is a drink made from pears and spring water from the mountain where the holy site of the Albein faith is located. It is particularly well-received by those associated with the church.

"Our daughter said her work was fulfilling, and she was striving to succeed me. For her to fall ill, it must be a disease that doctors cannot diagnose..."

"Please... save Yufiel, our daughter...!"

People who serve the gods are seeking help from this run-down guild. But it’s because they’ve heard that this guild can accomplish any request.

Both of them must have come here, grasping at straws. And I want to help Yuma without her knowing I was involved. Our goals align with those of Yuma’s parents.

"Understood. There is nothing impossible for this guild. We will identify the cause of Yufiel’s illness and ensure her recovery."

"...Thank you. It is shameful that we, who can use the healing magic of the gods, cannot help our own daughter. But we do not want to lose her."

This is not a serious problem—the cause is known, and I can restore Yuma’s health immediately.

To do that, I need Yuma and her friends to visit the mansion where the spirits are said to appear. Since Yuma cannot leave the orphanage, I will have her parents persuade her to take a break.

In fact, I have already purchased the mansion for a thousand gold coins. No one will complain if we enter, and once we purify it, the guild will gain a new property. I consider this to be the reward.

"I understand your concern for your daughter. But please rest assured. Yufiel will stay out for one or two days, but her health will improve."

"Hmm... Yufiel is very dedicated to her work. I’m not sure if she will accept leaving the children..."

"I will talk to Yufiel. Would you like to decide where she goes...?"

"Since it’s within the capital, if you are worried, we can ensure that she can be contacted at any time."

I’m not lying, but if I tell them about the haunted mansion, it might worry them more. However, if the spirits do appear, Yuma will surely regain her former vitality.

As the "Silent Exorcist," she has an incredibly powerful purification ability, which I expect to see again.

Regarding the reward, I only received the advance payment for the accommodation expenses, and the remaining payment will be discussed later. When I considered the reward from the Archbishop, nothing came to mind at the moment.

After the Archbishop and his wife left, I called Miralca and Aileen, who were drinking at another table. They sat at the counter and listened to Verlene’s explanation.

"So... Yuma is that ill. She seemed energetic the last time I saw her, but now that you mention it, her cheeks did look a bit thinner."

"Hmm, we should do something to help her..."

"Yes. I have a request for you two. Can you stay overnight with Yufiel at a certain place?"

"Stay overnight...? With Yuma, Aileen, and me?"

"Oh, right. When people are tired from work, they often go to a hot spring to rest. Yuma must be tired, so why don’t we take her somewhere? Yeah, that’s a good idea! Another drink, please!"

Aileen seemed excited and ordered another drink. I sipped my ale and nibbled on roasted "wisdom beans." I was content to leave the rest to Miralca and the others, but...

Miralca had already stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"What’s this drunkard doing, looking so detached?"

"Well... ladies, it sounds like a fun trip for friends. Enjoy yourselves without worrying about me..."

"Oh... right, you’re a customer now. Well, 'customer,' drinking at a bar is nice, but sometimes changing the place can be even better."

"I, I find this place the most relaxing..."

"Ah, you’ve got me thinking. You don’t have to push yourself so hard. We’ll welcome you anytime. But, 'customer,' that’s probably not what you want to hear, right? Ahaha☆"

She was practically inviting me, but I had to pretend I didn’t notice. However, Miralca’s hand remained on my shoulder.

"Shall we discuss the details of the overnight stay after the shop closes... drunkard?"

"I will handle the explanation. Of course, 'master' will be present, so you don’t need to worry. For now, enjoy your drink."

Verlene served Miralca a blended drink. She had become quite fond of the blend I made, though she never said so outright.

"Mm... delicious."

"Miralca, this will be our first trip together. I’m so excited!"

"...Yes. Perhaps a relaxing trip would have been a good idea. In that sense, you’re quite considerate."

The mansion where the spirits are said to appear shouldn’t be scary for Miralca and Aileen.

---Actually, it would be a problem if the spirits didn’t appear. I didn’t want to leave Yuma alone, so I gathered her friends and the strongest members, but how it will turn out is uncertain.

If they accidentally destroy the mansion, it would be a problem, so I should secretly watch over them.

I hope a firefly that sneaks into the mansion won’t be exterminated. As a phantom fourth member, I will infiltrate the overnight stay at the haunted mansion—though I might be killed if I’m discovered. If they are the same uncontrollable group as before, a supervisor is necessary, and I’m the only one who can do it.

"Wait, it’s not a hot spring? A mansion on the northwest highland? Hmm... does it have a large bath? Is there plenty of alcohol?"

"...I’m a bit concerned, but it’s fine. As long as you take responsibility."

Miralca said, glancing at me. I didn’t say, "I’ll take responsibility," and instead poured the still cold ale down my throat.