Chapter 18
The Retired Saintess Raises House Prices Episode 18
Episode 18
“It hurts. Let go.”
I irritably shook off Lavel's hand.
With only a few days left until our return to the Temple, and Mikhail dragging his feet so lukewarmly, I was on edge—making it hard to keep up the mask of the pitiful, pitiable saintess in front of Lavel.
“You're even more aggressive than before. Something not going your way?”
“I have nothing to say to a pervert bathing naked in an open lake.”
“But you have something to say to that uptight Holy Knight Captain?”
“Pardon?”
For some reason, Lavel's mouth corner twitched up slightly in amusement.
“You lot only see evil spirits, so you must be clueless. Ghosts are swarming around you right now.”
“......Around me?”
I widened my eyes and looked around, but as expected, I saw nothing.
Could my prayer from moments ago have actually worked?
Amused by my dumbfounded expression, Lavel looked down at me with interest, crossed his arms, and said,
“What lewd wish did you make for the ghosts to lecture you so passionately about seducing men? And before that—is a saintess even allowed to like a Holy Knight?”
Lavel seemed intent on mocking me, but nothing mattered to me anymore.
I wasn't even curious why he was at the lake instead of heading back to Kinkrid Territory, or why he held a sword despite being stark naked.
I desperately wanted just one thing.
I grabbed Lavel's thick, crossed arm like I'd found my savior and cried out earnestly.
“Tell me what they're saying!”
“......What?”
“You can hear them! What are the ghosts saying?! Tell me!”
As Lavel hesitated, lips twitching, I blurted out whatever threats came to mind.
“If not, I'll spread rumors you're an outdoor exhibitionist!”
Lavel's brow furrowed deeply.
He looked terrifying.
His deeply creased brow and flashing red eyes radiated outright murderous intent.
I'd thought Lavel had a foul face before, but not to this extent.
‘Never seen a ghost since entering the Sword's Edge world.’
Here it was.
A physiognomy screaming for exorcism.
I nearly recited a purification prayer on reflex, but Lavel struck first.
Still wearing his demon-like scowl, he glared down at me as if ready to kill.
“Are you brainless? As I said before, I can just kill you.”
“Namu Amida Butsu, really? I don't think so.”
“What?”
I'd let slip a Korean purification chant.
Mistake.
“Try killing me. I'll haunt the afterlife spreading rumors. Lavel Winters is an outdoor exhibitionist who doesn't even wear underwear.”
“Hey.”
Lavel scoffed in disbelief and shot me a glare.
“You think you can become a ghost?”
He still hadn't dropped his suspicions.
That I was someone who regressed endlessly without dying, just like him.
I brazenly put hands on my hips and shoved my face toward Lavel.
“Maybe I can. Everyone turns into ghosts wandering around—why would a saintess be the exception? Go ahead and kill me. I'll become the most famous ghost in the country!”
Lavel stared at me silently for a moment.
I met his gaze with maximum audacity, chin thrust high.
The ferocious killing intent that had blanketed his face slowly ebbed.
In its place settled annoyance.
“......Misjudged you. Didn't think you'd be this crazy.”
He seemed irked by my clinging threats that weren't even credible.
Lavel swept back his wet black hair and turned away from me, as if about to leave.
But if what he'd said earlier was true, he was the only one who could see ordinary ghosts, not evil spirits.
Thus, to get help from these seduction-expert ghosts, I had to cling to this walking harbinger of doom.
I had zero desire to connect with Sword's Edge's male lead, but right now, no other options existed.
Capturing Mikhail's heart before returning to the Temple was more urgent.
I really didn't want to die again.
“Tell me. What are the ghosts around me saying?”
“Quit being a pain and scram. If you like that guy so much, just confess.”
Lavel walked away from me without a second thought.
Damn it! I was working hard to return to my real life! This is insane.
I couldn't just let him go. I grabbed Lavel's arm and begged desperately.
“Count Winters! Think about it! You called him an ‘uptight Holy Knight Captain’ yourself. What do you think would happen if I confessed to the Captain right now?”
“You'd get rejected.”
Lavel strode forward unfazed, even with me dangling from his left arm.
Strong guy.
I tried bracing my legs straight, but his forearm was thicker than my thigh.
Dangling from him, I was no different from a cicada on a dead tree.
My feet dragged along, and my earlier sprained ankle throbbed—not just aching, but threatening to fall off.
But compared to my whole body burning in flames, it was nothing.
To reiterate, I really didn't want to die again.
I practically hugged his arm and pleaded.
“I don't think it'd end with just rejection! With Mikhail's personality, he definitely wouldn't let me off easy!”
“True. That lunatic burned a saintess alive after branding her a witch for confessing to him before.”
I hadn't known that.
Mikhail Severino. Burning addict.
Then, as I clung to Lavel's arm, his sword brushed lightly against my body.
Even that slight touch made Lavel flinch violently and shove me away hard.
With just one swing of his arm, I tumbled like a hoop across the dirt ground and crashed.
Lavel glared as if he'd tear me apart and ground out,
“Don't touch it. Unless you want to die.”
“You'll kill me?”
“......This sword will—never mind. Scram.”
Finishing mid-sentence.
Rude bastard.
“Then help me.”
“What do you want? Me to play Cupid?”
“Not ongoing help. Just tell me what the ghosts beside me are saying right now. I don't want to get more tangled with you either, Count.”
Even covered in dirt from rolling on the ground, I stared straight at him without giving up.
“I won't tell anyone you see ghosts. Or that you're a pervert who enjoys outdoor exposure.”
A demon settled back on Lavel's face.
Finally, Lavel raised the white flag first.
“......Nothing special. Just smile when you make eye contact and react well, they say.”
“Smile how? Like this?”
I opened my eyes wide and beamed broadly.
Essential exorcism-face Lavel frowned again.
Looking ready to spit on my smiling face. Rude bastard.
“Why the stupid expression. Want to get chased out as an idiot?”
“I'd get kicked out if I'm stupid?”
“Do you want love or to leave the Temple?”
“Love.”
I perked up at the mention of expulsion. Lavel—who would've normally nitpicked—seemed eager to leave and answered without looking at me.
“Don't grin like an idiot every eye contact. Round your eyes, just lift the corners of your mouth slightly.”
“Ah, then say so from the start. I can't hear them! Anything else? No quick seduction tips?”
“No idea. Practice expressions yourself. I'm going.”
Fearing I'd grab him again, Lavel hurried off much faster than before.
What a weird, heartless guy.
