Killing the Possessor - Chapter 92

He cast a smile more sinister than any evil spirit as he scanned the crowd.

“How about a little event to help our busy Public Security people today?”

The bold proposal was met with enthusiastic cheers. While many wished to quickly get rid of this uncomfortable and frightening possessor, the drunken whistles and laughter suggested some were more excited about the entertainment.

I glanced sideways at Ilui, who nervously fidgeted with her fingers. She looked quite anxious, as someone who had just said she was scared earlier.

Well, having endured the chaos at the palace, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to be scared of a possessor’s presence here. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an evil spirit, but for her, possessor and evil spirits were basically the same.

“Camilli, maybe we should leave? What if there really is a possessor?”

As expected, after some hesitation, she suggested we leave. But such an option wasn’t even on my list.

“Don’t worry, Ilui. This is a rare sight—we should watch and see how it unfolds.”

Though I despised treating this as mere dopamine stimulation, I had to speak as if I was one of those people. I sighed again, dreading what was to come—it was bound to be even worse.

“What’s the principle behind it?”

At that moment, a tall man wearing a monocle who stood near the orb spoke up. His question stirred others to murmur with curiosity.

I knew it was a scam, but I was curious on what basis they claimed the orb worked. The Count smiled broadly and explained.

“That’s a very good question. I verified it myself at the auction.”

“…”

“In Harent, everyone is required to undergo a holy power test at the temple before turning fifteen. You all remember that, right?”

This test determines whether one was born with holy power. Those who had it were required to undergo training at the temple and contribute to the nation for at least a thousand days.

Despite the obligation, most were content because of the privileges holy power granted. Those with it could become elite clergy, like high priests or paladins.

One of the main characters, Ren Abyss, manifested holy power during the test and joined the paladin—though he later switched careers and became an investigator.

“The holy power test doesn’t just check for holy power. More precisely, it examines the nature of magical energy inside a person. Holy power is only one type.”

“…”

“According to rumors among the clergy, the test can also reveal the soul’s wavelength. Each soul has a unique wavelength; none are alike. This orb detects that. If an evil spirit possesses someone, their wavelength would be entirely different from that recorded in the test.”

Was that part of the setting?

Whatever the case, it was likely false. If it were real, investigators wouldn’t painstakingly interrogate suspects one by one.

“Though many historical documents and test records were lost in the great fire twenty years ago, as I said, this orb was stolen before the fire at the Grand Temple. It contains embedded records, allowing identification of possessors over twenty years old.”

There really was a fire at the Grand Temple?

No one questioned it, so it must have been true.

Apparently, unless one is a reincarnator, studying daily is mandatory. I briefly chastised myself for neglecting study while practicing with magical artifacts recently.

“The orb’s durability isn’t great, so it can’t be used many times. But it should be enough for today’s event. What do you think?”

The Count asked with a smirk that looked downright cruel from a possessor’s perspective. Most guests cheered enthusiastically in agreement.

But there was a problem—the Count’s gaze was fixed squarely on me.

Just as a dark premonition crept over me, his lips curled, and my name slipped out.

“Miss Camilli, would you do us the honor of demonstrating?”