Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 148: Chapter 147: Wraith Host: Emily

”I see...”

After learning from Jon about everything that had transpired outside while he was trapped, the already haggard Viscount Paris looked even more somber.

”Restorationists... I’ve heard rumors of their activities before, but I never imagined they would come to Heta County, much less collude with the Eternal Frost Cultists to scheme against my White Birch Fief...”

”Their target isn’t just White Birch Fief. I’m afraid their minimum goal is an entire county.”

Jon tapped on the table, reminding him.

”Before we set out to rescue you, we’d already received reports that other viscounties in Heta County were under attack. We just couldn’t confirm the details of the situation at the time.”

”But given their complete disregard for law and order, I suspect the losses won’t be small.”

The Viscount heaved a long sigh.

”Alas...”

With his political acumen, how could he not understand the implications behind this turmoil?

He was renowned throughout the Empire for his wealth, but his actual political standing wasn’t particularly high. He was powerless to interfere in these higher-level political games.

Seeing that the Viscount didn’t wish to dwell on the topic, Jon didn’t press the matter.

’I’ve conveyed the situation, and that’s enough. Right now, we need to figure out how to get out of this town.’

So, he changed the subject.

”By the way, Viscount Paris, I heard from the mole planted in the Lord’s Mansion that you came to Meis Town in search of your daughter. I was wondering...”

”Ah...”

Lost in thought, Paris was taken aback for a moment before giving a bitter smile.

”Forgive me... It’s true... She’s my only daughter. I spoiled her, doted on her so much that she let her guard down. That’s what led to this awful predicament...”

”But even though we’ve found her, she’s been unconscious ever since. She won’t wake up, and I’m at my wit’s end...”

”Unconscious?”

Jon raised an eyebrow and glanced at the sisters, Xia and Xina. They were sitting to the side, listening intently to his conversation with Paris and learning about the ”ways of the world.”

”These two young believers are true Sun Monks. Why not let them take a look at your daughter’s condition?”

It was only then that it dawned on Paris, and a look of sheer joy spread across his face.

He wasn’t a believer in the deities, but who hadn’t heard of the pious and pure Sun Monks?

”Wonderful! Please, come with me!”

...

Paris practically jogged as he led the sisters, Xina and Xia, to an inner chamber deep within the mansion.

A young woman with a face as pale as paper lay wrapped in a thick fur cloak. It was Emily Manola.

She lay quietly on the bed, her breathing so faint it was nearly imperceptible. If not for the barely visible rise and fall of her chest, one might have mistaken her for dead.

A lingering, sinister chill filled the room, one that even the weak flames in the fireplace couldn’t dispel.

Xina stepped forward. She didn’t act at once, but closed her eyes and focused, folding her hands before her chest.

A soft, warm golden light flowed from her palms, gently blanketing Emily like ripples on water.

The Holy Radiance made contact, but instead of bringing warmth and life as it normally would, it was like plunging into an icy abyss. As the light flowed over the young woman’s body, faint, twisted wisps of gray-white chill seeped out, silently clashing with the Holy Radiance, both energies canceling each other out.

Xina’s brow furrowed ever tighter.

She lightly touched her fingertips to Emily’s forehead and chest, and the Holy Radiance seeped in after them.

Time trickled by in the oppressive silence, punctuated only by the occasional CRACKLE from the fireplace.

Paris stared nervously at Xina’s face, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Finally, Xina slowly withdrew the Holy Radiance. Her expression was more solemn than ever before.

She turned to Paris, her normally placid golden eyes now filled with a complex mixture of pity and gravity.

”Viscount Paris... Miss Emily’s condition is... extremely complex. And also... dire.”

Paris’s heart sank. An ominous premonition seized him.

”Dire? What do you mean? Miss, please, speak plainly!”

Just then, the impatient Xia couldn’t hold back any longer. She stepped forward and, mimicking her sister, performed a quick examination.

Unlike Xina, Xia had no taste for subtlety. Upon sensing the abnormally stubborn, cold malice inside Emily—a force that clashed violently with the Holy Light—she gasped in shock and blurted out.

”Gods! She’s been possessed by a vengeful spirit! And it’s not a simple case of possession, it’s... it’s a deep-seated infestation!”

”Her very soul is being consumed!”

”The Blizzard surrounding the town is undoubtedly linked to the vengeful spirit inside her! If we don’t completely Purify the Negative Energy in her body, the storm outside will never cease!”

”Purification?!”

Paris looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. His face went deathly pale, and he swayed so violently that Notary had to rush to support him.

He whipped his head toward Xia, his eyes filled with despair and horrified disbelief.

”No! You can’t! Complete Purification? What would happen to my Emily... to my daughter?!”

He practically roared the words, his voice echoing in the small room, thick with a father’s desperation and helplessness.

He broke free from Notary’s grasp and staggered to the bedside, clutching Emily’s icy hand as if he could warm her with his own body heat.

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes darting between Xina and Xia as he pleaded with them, clinging to one last, desperate shred of hope.

”There has to be another way! Right?!”

”You’re Envoys of the Sun God! You must have a way to cast out this evil without harming her, right?! I’m begging you! I’ll pay any price!”

The air in the room seemed to solidify.

The guards looked on with pity, lowering their heads, unable to bear watching their Lord’s grief-stricken expression.

Xia, who clearly hadn’t expected such a vehement reaction from Paris, was startled. Her lips parted as if to speak, but a single glance from Xina stopped her.

After silencing her tactless sister with a look, Xina turned back to Paris. Her eyes were filled with deep sympathy, but also the heavy burden of powerlessness.

She shook her head gently, her voice low and clear.

”Viscount Paris, we... are truly sorry. The vengeful spirit is inextricably entangled with the very core of Miss Emily’s soul.”

”We can perform the ritual of Purification, but... the flames of the Sun that burn away filth can also...”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear: to forcibly Purify her would be a death sentence for Emily.

The last glimmer of hope in Paris’s eyes died. As if all strength had been drained from him in an instant, his tall frame slumped forward. He pressed his forehead against the back of his daughter’s cold hand, his shoulders wracked with silent, violent sobs.

A muffled, desperate sob escaped from deep in his throat.

Notary and the other Knights’ eyes grew red. They clenched their fists, unsure how to offer any comfort.

After searching for days, this was the cruel, impossible choice they faced.

Just as the suffocating despair threatened to drown everyone in the room, a calm voice broke the silence.

”Perhaps... there’s another way.”