Chapter 20
Thump, thump.
What’s that sound?
It was the pitiful sound of Zeke’s incessant digging.
And as Zeke dug deeper, the system windows in front of me became more and more overwhelming, almost dizzying my vision.
[SYSTEM] The ancestor of House Ulmer, ‘Patrick Ulmer,’ is pointing at what he calls an abomination from nowhere!
[SYSTEM] The ancestor of House Ulmer, ‘Natalie Ulmer,’ is screeching, warning that she will not forgive anyone who touches my jewels!
But, is it the system causing me to see these ghosts?
I didn’t know why, but unlike me, Zeke, busy with his digging, seemed oblivious to the furious curses that the ghosts were throwing at him.
“What a monstrous display of power.”
Luckily for me, since I wasn’t digging, the spirits seemed to ignore me.
I felt a little guilty about disturbing their graves, but then again… they were ghosts. Ghosts don’t wear jewels, do they?
“Could you please give me a break, huh?”
After all, they were just ghosts from a game.
I lazily continued as I rubbed my tired eyes, which were growing stiff from the rapidly speeding system windows.
“Please, just let it slide this time, ancestors. And technically… these aren’t even my ancestors.”
I was adopted, after all.
And they were dead, so isn’t it only fair that the living get to keep living?
[SYSTEM] Even though you’re the most infamous villainess in the Bregenze Empire, your shameless words cause the ghosts to fall silent.
Infamy +10
Karma +10
Wait, so speaking the truth increases my karma?
…Guess I should just stay quiet.
Despite all the ghostly chaos around him, Zeke continued to dig in silence.
Now that he had dug up everything worth taking, he was busy covering up the graves he had disturbed.
Hmm, his speed seems to have slowed down.
“Hey, hurry up or the family’s soldiers will come.”
I teased him in a voice that sounded a lot like Young Master Yang’s, who had tormented me mercilessly.
Zeke quickly buried his head in the dirt.
“Uh, I’ll get it done fast. Huh, but why is the air so cold?”
Zeke rubbed his shoulders and, seeing the dawn approaching, sped up his digging.
So that’s why bosses were always on my case…
I realized this as I kept a close eye on Zeke’s work.
Before long…
[SYSTEM] Zeke Califer has successfully completed your command.
Sucker Score -10
Infamy +5
Karma +10
The system window displayed the message I’d been waiting for.
Yes, this was it. I had wondered if I could gain indirect benefits by hiring someone to do the dirty work.
It was just as I expected.
Now that all the tasks were completed at the perfect time, my Sucker Score had dropped by 10.
And that was enough to sell the mana crystals.
“Heh, heh, heh!”
Now, the Sucker Score problem was solved.
After finishing up the task and cleaning up so no one would catch on, I realized it had been quite some time, and the sun was slowly rising.
“Here, these are the collected items.”
Zeke spread out the loot, which, as expected, was worth a lot.
“Heh, nice…”
It was so good I had to whistle.
I gathered all the loot and then ripped up the Pardon that I had kept safe in my pocket.
Then…
[SYSTEM] You are using the ‘Pardon’ issued by the Patelles Temple. You can select its effects.
-
Karma -100
-
Defense against all curses for 24 hours
Naturally, I picked the second option.
As Zeke continued his digging, I finally got up, taking my butt off the ground, which I hadn’t moved from the entire time.
[SYSTEM] Using the ‘Pardon’ issued by Patelles Temple, you are now defended from all curses for the next 24 hours.
Time remaining: 23:59:59
Done. The grave robbery was finished, and the curses were blocked. All I had left to do now was sleep.
Wait. I still had to report that criminal Zeke Califer to the Bregenheim Guard.
How should I lure him in?
As I pondered how to handle Zeke, another system message popped up.
[SYSTEM] Your audacious actions have caused House Ulmer’s ancestors to become greatly enraged! The ghost’s curse, ‘Endless Bad Memories,’ has been cast upon you!
The effect of the Pardon from Patelles Temple has successfully blocked the curse.
Phew, that was close.
I thought I was done, but…
[SYSTEM] The ghostly curse ‘Endless Bad Memories’ cast by the Ulmer ancestors has now been placed on ‘Zeke Califer,’ the criminal you hired.
What? This was unexpected.
I had planned to avoid the curse, but now it was affecting Zeke instead.
But whatever my intentions, it seemed like the situation was already out of my hands.
“What the—?! Ughhh, ahhh!”
Suddenly, Zeke screamed, clutching his head, and threw his axe aside. He ran out of the estate, shrieking.
This situation… might actually work out for the best, huh?
I had been struggling with how to deal with Zeke, but now it seemed like he was handling it himself.
Feeling relieved, I bowed my head solemnly toward the graveyard.
“Well then, good luck to you.”
[SYSTEM] The ancestors of House Ulmer are grinding their teeth in anger, calling you the worst villain to ever exist.
Infamy +10
It even gave me more Infamy as a bonus at the end. How nice.
With that unexpected gift, I quickly made my way back to my room, ready to get the sleep I’d been missing. Heh heh heh.
Sophie, the lowest-ranking maid in the Ulmer family,
She thought she was certainly the most pitiful servant in this household.
Why? Because her master was that Adelheid.
In fact, not long ago, Sophie had no complaints about serving Adelheid. Although there were rumors that she was crazy, Sophie had been tortured by hysterical noblewomen in other houses before. Adelheid’s eccentricities were bearable by comparison.
But lately, Adelheid had become terrifying.
Despite being a personal maid, Sophie had endured every sort of humiliation. But recently, the severity of Adelheid’s behavior had taken a new level.
“Damn it, you XX! I’ll rip you apart and make you wish you were never born! Anyone who crosses me will get 100 lashes and a slap in the face!”
Adelheid would scream at the air, throw things, and destroy whatever was within reach—vases, ornaments, everything.
Sophie had to hold back the urge to say, “Are you out of your mind, lady?”
But now, Adelheid had gone beyond anything normal.
She would walk through dark alleys that no noble would dare tread, making shady deals and going out at night as if it was nothing.
(Sophie had to join her on those terrifying night outings too.)
Still, Sophie could almost rationalize it when they ended up digging a mountain with pickaxes.
But then—
“Sophie. Prepare a shovel and a lamp.”
“Y-yes, yes?! Again? What on earth are you using these for?”
“Curious? You really want to know?”
“No, no! I don’t want to know!”
That day, Sophie couldn’t pretend she didn’t know.
Why?
Because when Adelheid asked for the shovel and lamp again, Sophie couldn’t resist and secretly followed her…
And soon regretted it dearly.
