"That's a bit…"

What's wrong with demanding a reward for exorcising an evil spirit?

"Doesn't Sandor's shop own the surrounding land anyway? If you develop it, you'll make way more than just five gold coins — possibly a hundred, or even a thousand in profit! Besides, if you were to ask a priest to exorcise it, it would cost at least ten gold coins, right?"

"...Lord Saijal, you've got me. I'll settle for five gold coins. So please, take care of the evil spirit."

"Alright, deal. It's just a verbal contract, but if you break it, I'll put a curse on you, Sandor."

"I-I understand! Even if it's a verbal contract, I'll uphold it!"

The deal was made.

"Sandor, wait here. I'll go inside and identify the evil spirit."

"Be careful…"

Leaving Sandor by the fountain, we head towards the mansion entrance.

"It's an impressive door. You can tell a lot of money went into it."

"The grounds are vast, and the mansion itself is quite sizable. This design is on par with a duke's mansion," Pal commented.

Pal was right. This place certainly cost a fortune.

Using the key we got from Sandor, I unlocked the door and entered with Pal.

Since the shutters were closed, the spacious entrance hall was completely dark.

The door closed by itself, and lamps flickered to life.

Quite the eerie effect.

"So bitter…"

"So resentful…"

"Want to kill…"

"Where is my arm?"

Voices echoed from somewhere, sending a chill down my spine.

"Master, please step back."

"No, I'm fine."

Pal moved in front of me, drawing a dagger from the folds of her maid skirt.

Even now, I couldn’t help but notice her slender, smooth-looking thighs—a real sight for sore eyes.

"Alright then, shall we?"

"Do you have a plan, Master?"

"I wouldn't call it a plan exactly. Just watch."

The Enemy Search map clearly showed hostile entities.

Seven red dots—the same number as the members of the Manisears family who died in this mansion.

Area Sacred Barrier

I deployed a holy barrier that covered the entire estate.

Even though I don’t have innate magical talent, I could use spells through knowledge and experience from my past life. Though, admittedly, they weren’t very efficient.

However, with life magic, it’s a different story. My high aptitude allows me to activate and control such spells smoothly.

Move

Gradually, I narrowed the barrier's scope.

"Screeeeeech!"

"Aaaaaah!"

"Hssssss!"

"Screaaaam!"

What was believed to be evil spirits turned out to be high-level monsters—a High Ghost and its evolved form, a Lich.

A Lich is a pretty formidable creature; it’s understandable that even skilled priests failed to exorcise it.

Moreover, the fact that it’s bound to this mansion makes it far stronger within these grounds than a typical Lich or High Ghost.

The Area Sacred Barrier gradually shrank until it was about a three-meter square in front of me.

Inside that barrier, a single Lich and six High Ghosts stared at me with murderous intent.

"Out of here…"

The Lich was trying to break the barrier.

But I had the Goddess of Creation’s blessing, so I was well-suited to wielding holy power.

The Lich and the High Ghosts' attacks didn't even scratch my Area Sacred Barrier.

"I understand how you feel, but why don’t you move on to heaven?"

"Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate"

"I get it, but do you even know who killed you?"

"Kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill"

"Alright, do you know where they are?"

"Curse curse curse curse curse curse curse curse curse curse curse"

"If you don't know, there's nothing I can do."

"Groooaaar!"

"Why should I have to do that?"

"Master, it sounds as if… you're conversing with them?"

There stood Pal, looking skeptical.

"Somehow, I can understand what they’re saying. Maybe their intent is coming through the Area Sacred Barrier."

"Only you, Master, could communicate with a Lich. There’s likely no one else in the world who could."

Is that something to be happy about?

I could understand the Lich's anguish.

I, too, harbored resentment towards my stepmother and half-brother for the way they mistreated me, and my father for ignoring it.

The Lich wanted revenge on those who killed them.

But they didn’t know where these individuals were, or if they were even still alive.

"Grrrrrr!"

"What? You’d rather be tamed by me so I can help you find them and get your revenge? But… this incident happened 20 years ago. Their faces could have changed, or they might even be dead. There’s a high chance you’ll never find them."

"Guhhhhhh!"

"Even so? The pressure’s on me, you know."

Searching for some unknown person would be incredibly tough.

The Lich said they remembered the face, but faces can change. Plus, if they were criminals, they likely faced constant danger, so they could very well be dead by now.

If they’re alive and still causing trouble, it might not be hard to track them down. But otherwise, the odds aren’t great.

"Master, we can’t continuously search for their enemy. But, if they’re okay with that, perhaps you could tame the Lich?"

"It’s not that simple, you know."

"Even if they’re purified, I doubt the Lich and ghosts could go to heaven as things stand. So, Master, why not tame them to give them at least a small chance at peace? For their sake…"

"Pal…"

To go that far for their sake… though judging by her expression, she’s definitely up to something!

"Hehe, if the Lich becomes part of your retinue, Master, your status will certainly rise. Hehehe."

Was she really just thinking out loud?

Still, if it means giving the Lich a sliver of hope…

"Fine. I don’t know if you’ll get your revenge, but I’ll do everything I can. If you’re okay with that, I’ll tame you."

The Lich conveyed its approval.

I placed my hand on the Area Sacred Barrier.

Tame

"Aaaaah…"

The Area Sacred Barrier was filled with light.