Killing the Possessor - Chapter 71

“Nonsense. He’s just an annoying business partner.”

“……”

The man pouted his lips as she immediately dismissed that. I couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised.

Bali Aidepen—who is she?

A notorious socialite who believed there was no greater loss than throwing herself fully into one man. Naturally, she had plenty of lovers and countless impulsive one-night stands.

That she didn’t even acknowledge him as a ‘lover’ was a bit intriguing. He looked fine enough, and more importantly, he clearly desired her.

“Allow me to introduce myself formally, Josen Stein. Though not a possessor myself, I do my best to assist Hongik Ingan.”

It seemed that spilling wine and arranging my meeting with Bali was this man’s assigned task. It was quite surprising that someone neither a possessor nor a reincarnator had direct dealings with Hongik Ingan.

“He may seem clumsy, but he’s reasonably trustworthy.”

“Oh Bali, can’t you give him a little more credit?”

“More credit? Well, there is one thing I can overlook: he’s of the Trisha royal bloodline. If you ever need to go into exile, you can cling to him.”

“Ah, you’re so cold.”

Watching the man look at her with eyes dripping honey as if even those traits were adorable made my stomach turn.

Though their relationship wasn’t publicly acknowledged, I had seen Bali with men several times during our encounters. But mostly those were faces full of reverence for a highborn lady or eagerness to curry favor with someone holding great power. It was not the kind of cute, affectionate gaze I saw now.

I didn’t even know it was possible to see that woman as cute.

“Sorry for ruining your dress. But honestly, that dress didn’t suit you that well.”

“……”

“So, you’re going to report, right?”

That was about the time we entered what I guessed was her dressing room. Josen closed the door behind us, and Bali, as usual, settled into the most comfortable spot she could find.

I stared at the wine-colored velvet sofa she sat on and said,

“Ren Abyss suspects me.”

“So that’s why you wanted to meet on a different time?”

“Yes.”

The day after the investigation, Bali requested a meeting, but after going through an unusual questioning process myself, I judged it best to be cautious for the time being.

Besides, I had been visiting Rouge’s boutique too frequently lately, and if the Public Security Bureau was watching me, that would be a big problem. Bali was already flagged as a person of interest, and although I was sent back safely, I had no idea what conclusions they had drawn.

“Was there a reason for the suspicion?”

“I’m not exactly sure. But we’d been running into each other often lately, and I’d been involved with evil spirits…”

“A guy with a sixth sense like his probably picked up some clues somewhere.”

Bali, tousling her hair wildly, sighed and rested her neck against the back of the sofa.

Then Josen, who had been quietly listening, quickly moved behind the sofa and started massaging her neck and shoulders.

Bali didn’t resist. Of course, there was no sign of gratitude to be found anywhere.

Still, Josen acted as if he had no such expectations from the start, simply smirking and giving his best to the massage.

Watching Bali receive the care with her eyes closed, so natural it was almost ridiculous, I tilted my head in disbelief.

What on earth is the relationship between those two?

“As expected, he told me to try casting magic without the artifact. Somehow I managed to succeed with the barrier spell, but he caught wind of the ankle bracelet’s existence. Still, it was strange that he didn’t question me further and let me go.”

“Hmm.”

Bali made a thoughtful snort and slowly straightened her upper body. Her sharp red eyes shone brightly with a hint of suspicion.

“They might be trying to catch me through you.”

“Through me?”

She nodded with a rare seriousness.

“Since they’ve repeatedly failed to find concrete evidence that I directly aided the possessor, they might be setting a long-term trap with this opportunity.”

“So, should I… avoid meeting you for now?”

Twisting a strand of hair around her index finger, lost in thought, she soon got u[ from the sofa. Humming a tune, she walked into the room filled with built-in cabinets made of ornate mahogany.