Killing the Possessor - Chapter 87

I looked up and saw the familiar black hair. The person I had only heard updates about through others since we met at the palace.

I was grateful that he had tried to stop my summons to the Public Security Bureau, but knowing he was still going on about a “second” made it hard to see him in a purely positive light.

I crossed my arms crookedly and replied,

“What are you planning to do?”

“…Camil.”

Startled by my cold tone, Prince Wyner ruffled his hair in frustration. With a sigh, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Let’s just get out of here first. We can talk outside.”

[Affinity: 88]

The moment he touched me, the message on my vision confirmed the hypothesis I had suspected. So, physical contact in the playfield does raise affection levels, huh?

I was secretly relieved that the affection level hadn’t changed from last time, but that didn’t mean I was inclined to be friendly with him.

“Will you let go?”

I shook my arm harshly to free his hand. It wasn’t just because I was offended by his rudeness; more than that, I was genuinely serious about rejecting him.

If we go outside here, my lifespan will start decreasing again—I couldn’t allow that!

“Camil…”

Wide-eyed, Wyner looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it. His expression was crushed, like he’d been stabbed in the back. He seemed deeply shocked that I had rejected him.

“Are you seriously going to throw yourself into the marriage market like this?”

“…Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?”

I frowned at his sudden conclusion.

Sure, it was true I was actively seeking a husband, but since I already had a nominee, it wasn’t exactly like I was diving into the market. Besides, no one else except Bali knew about that.

Even though it was a one-sided decision on my part, regardless of Priest Vice’s wishes.

“Why do you keep showing up at social events? I heard you even went to Lady Aidepen’s ball.”

“Do I have a reason not to?”

“They say you even danced— with a man.”

“…Then should I dance with a woman?”

I gave the prince a disdainful look for speaking nonsense in human language. How had Camilli managed to stay with such a guy for so long?

He still hadn’t gotten over being rejected with his ‘second’ talk and was obsessively clinging to me.

“Do you really think you won’t regret this?”

“Want to get slapped again?”

Without changing my expression, I said quietly, and his face stiffened like a statue. Seeing his reaction, I sighed inwardly.

I hadn’t meant to be this harsh. After all, he was the only one with an affection level as high as 88. I shouldn’t have completely cut him off, especially since he might help break through Priest Vice’s iron wall.

But judging by Camilli’s memories, there was no way a good reaction would come out. They say looking at a handsome face can soothe anger—but I guess that only works for the utterly hopeless.

“…You’ll regret it. We’ve known each other for so long.”

“Sorry, but you’re the one who threw all those years into the gutter.”

Wyner gave up on talking to me after that harsh remark.

With a scornful smirk, I nodded at the servant who was watching our tense exchange and signaled to lead me out.

“This way, please.”

Nervous and awkward, the servant told me to follow as he led me to a game room filled with many people.

The room’s walls were lined with ornately carved wooden furniture. The floor was covered entirely with a rich Lecceasan carpet. The complex wallpaper and velvet curtains combined to create an antique yet cozy atmosphere.

A billiard table made from fine mahogany and a candle chandelier emitting soft light added to the vintage feel. Antique clocks that looked over a hundred years old and jewel-encrusted trophies scattered around the room reflected the owner’s taste and wealth.

“So this is the place.”

Seeing the background from the game’s 2D screen so vividly in front of me was quite an experience, though not necessarily a pleasant one.

Since this was the playfield where the evil spirit resides and the main stage for the witch hunt, it was hard to enjoy the decor with a light heart. Especially since I had a mountain of things to do before the chapter’s events progressed.

“Well, who is this.”

Just then, Count Midas appeared, dressed in a strikingly vivid blue suit, and spoke to me. I recognized him immediately as the mansion’s owner because he was the most extravagantly dressed person there.

While most gentlemen wore dark jackets, he stood out alone in bright colors—and honestly, even the single red cravat made him impossible to miss.