Chapter 57 (1/2)

(TL: Here it is, after a bit of hiatus. It's unedited, btw.)

Plop.

The quill pen weakly fell after placing the last dot on the paper. The feathers on the quill scattered and fell. The only things remaining were a featherless quill pen and a piece of paper with all sorts of resentment and anger roughly scrabbled on it.

”Heeeeick?!”

Grace jumped up and hugged Samuel's neck, her complexion completely pale. Even he looked completely speechless at the moment. Everyone present quietly stared at the paper for a while.

A bout of sombre silence later, Ian opened his mouth.

”We'd been in a big trouble if we just entered, it seems.” (Ian)

Samuel began chewing his lips, hard. He thought this was a waste. It might not have been a royal tomb, but still, its size was several dozen times bigger than your average tombs. Not only the woman buried here was the last-born daughter of a famed household, she was even canonised as a saint, so the value of burial goods found within would be quite considerable.

However, Seol Ji-Hu had used that quill pen of flowing consciousness or something to create an evidence to back up his claim of ‘It's dangerous inside the tomb, so we should not enter it'. Of course, it wasn't as if there were no holes in that argument he could pick on, but the real issue here was that Ian's hypothesis, which was based on nothing more than the Sorcerer's intuition, had taken one step closer to becoming a reality.

”Hiya~. And I heard that when a girl bears a grudge, even snow will fall in the middle of a Summer!” (Samuel) (TL note at the end)

Samuel deliberately spoke up in a loud voice and picked the paper up off the ground. He then shook it around as if it meant nothing.

”Don't be too scared. It's nothing more than just an angry spirit, no? It can't possibly be stronger than a Lioner, am I right? I mean, one spell from Alex could end this, you know?” (Samuel)

He wasn't wrong about that. What Seol Ji-Hu had proved now was nothing than an existence of an enemy inside the tomb. Before fighting it, they had no clue how dangerous it could be. It'd be a d*mn funny joke if they backed off scared sh*tless when the enemy turned out to be a weakling.

”No, I do not agree.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu immediately disagreed. Samuel let out a sigh.

”Can you tell us your reason?” (Samuel)

”Before that, can I ask you a question?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Sure.” (Samuel)

”Dylan, Samuel. By any chance, did you see any traces of other lifeforms besides our team and that of Kahn's, near this tomb? Such as, monsters or wild animals.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”That is….” (Samuel)

Samuel blurred the ends of his sentence. When he went around the hill-like tomb, he didn't found anything of note.

”Indeed, you can certainly look at it that way.” (Dylan)

Dylan agreed, perhaps realising what Seol Ji-Hu was trying to say here.

”It's not only that.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu continued on.

”According to what Master Ian has told us, a famous Sage had apparently came to this place as well.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oho. An inverse calculation, is it? Indeed, we can deduct the strength of the vengeful spirit from the sheer scale of the defensive magic cast here.” (Ian)

Ian too nodded his head as if he could see the logic.

Samuel was at a loss as two of the core members of the expedition began showing signs of being swayed.

‘Seriously, just who is this guy?'

If it was the issue of morality and all that, Samuel might have understood it. Well, the youth was only a level 1, after all. The kid wouldn't have known much about how the Paradise operated yet. And, his baseless, ridiculous claim could easily be laughed out of the room, so to speak.

However, each one of the youth's words carried an undeniably sharp point. It was as if Samuel was looking at a seasoned Earthling who had partic.i.p.ated in a dozen-plus expeditions already.

”……I get what you're saying.” (Samuel)

Samuel licked his lips and opened his mouth.

”Seol, I admit that your claim make some sense. However, it's just an opinion based on an unproven hypothesis, isn't it?” (Samuel)

”Samuel.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What we know for certain right now is that, this tomb is where a woman of high status from the Empire is buried, and that there is an enemy inside. As long as we eliminate that enemy, we can take away all the burial goods found inside and return triumphantly to Haramark. We're talking about valuables from the ancient era Empire here.” (Samuel)

”………”

”Of course, you could be right. However, I still wish to enter the tomb even after considering that. This is my opinion as the leader of this expedition.” (Samuel)

An expedition would always be accompanied by danger. Seol Ji-Hu was now left speechless after this well-known fact was brought up. Only his innards were burning up, instead.

Once the youth shut his mouth, Ian sneakily took a step forward.

”So he says. But, what do you think?” (Ian)

”Pardon?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Samuel's stance is that, we should take the risk and defeat the vengeful spirit. However, if you're thinking of another, a different solution, then I'd like to hear it.” (Ian)

‘Is he trying to give me a chance?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

For some reason, it was as if Ian was agreeing with his opinion. Just that, he was doing it in a roundabout way in consideration of Samuel, who had invoked the authority of the leader.

‘D*mn it, it's still black colour, you know. If we enter it, we'll all die right away.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol had experienced the ‘Escape Immediately' only once, back in the Neutral Zone. Thinking about how close he was to dying back then still gave him a nasty case of chills.

If he stood around like this doing nothing, then without a doubt, he'd have to enter the tomb. No, hang on - entering the tomb was already set in stone. Now that Samuel had strongly expressed his determination to enter, Seol had no right to stop him anymore.

‘What do you want from me?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

As the last ditch attempt, he alone could resolutely refuse to enter, but then… Thinking about the aftermath, that also wasn't a very smart idea, either.

What should he do here, then?

The best thing would be them taking away the burial goods without incurring the wrath of the vengeful spirit. However, he couldn't think of a good way to achieve this.

‘A different solution, a solution….' (Seol Ji-Hu)

[”You see, women are creatures of emotions. See? They are different from us males.”]

‘What the h.e.l.l. Why am I suddenly recalling what Mister Hao Win said….?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

It was here that a certain possibility popped up in his head.

”I'd like to approach this problem from a different direction.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu's once tumultuous eyes became calm once more, Seeing this, Ian's own eyes began sparkling.

”She is someone who, never mind being sold off to a political marriage, got buried alive when she didn't do anything wrong. This is no longer on the level of us saying we're sympathetic or it's unfair.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Sure, most likely so.” (Ian)

”Not only that, she had been trapped in there for hundreds of years, so I can't even begin to imagine how strong her unresolved resentment is by now. If we enter the tomb like this, that resentment with no places to go would all be directed to us. It'd be like her trying to kill everyone, including herself.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Ho-oh. So?” (Ian)

Seol Ji-Hu swallowed his saliva.

Even he knew this was a laughable notion, a nonsensical thought. But, without it, he had nothing. He couldn't think of any other way.

However, his life was precious, and in order to survive, he'd clutch a straw if he must.

Now determined, Seol Ji-Hu carried on.

”So, rather than trying to fight the spirit, how about appeasing it, instead…..” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What? Whaaat?” (Samuel)

Samuel emitted a high-pitched shriek. Ian raised his hand and signalled him to be quiet.

”You want to appease the spirit? In other words, you want to obtain its consent, is that it?” (Ian)

”Something like that, yes. From the perspective of the woman, we're the grave robbers and tresspa.s.sers, after all.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Hmm, I wonder. Not sure the house owner would be so understanding when a bunch of thieves try to obtain her consent.” (Ian)

”Well, the woman is already dead, anyway. What I'm saying is, let us at least show her a minimum of sincerity.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Ian slowly stroked his beard. It looked like he needed a bit of time to organise his thoughts regarding this strange concept.

”Hmm. Appeasing the spirit, is it….” (Ian)

”Master Ian, I have heard of a similar story before.” (Dylan)

Surprisingly, Dylan came out in support of Seol Ji-Hu.

”I think, Seol is referring to an exorcism here. I've heard that, in reality, exorcists don't exterminate the soul during the exorcism ceremony, but most of the time, converse with the dead and resolve any lingering attachment they have with the world.” (Dylan)

”Right, I've heard of something like that, too.” (Hugo)

Hugo suddenly b.u.t.ted in as well.

”One of my friends specialise in robbing graves, you see.” (Hugo)

Cho Hong sn.i.g.g.e.red.

”You should be sooo proud of yourself there, buddy.” (Cho Hong)

”Eii, come on now, listen till the end, will ya? In any case, before he digs into a grave, he always holds a little ceremony first.” (Hugo)

”A ceremony?” (Cho Hong)

”Yup. He offers up a couple of plates of food and some booze, and asks the owners of the graves to not get to angry and stuff. Tells the owners, he'd use the burial goods real well. And, once he's done, he even makes sure to put the burial mounds and whatever back to how they were, too. He says that's the only way the dead don't get angry or something.” (Hugo)

With Hugo following up after Dylan, Ian now displayed signs of being convinced. Seol Ji-Hu seized this opportunity.

”The quill pen can be used one more time. So, let us perform the repose of souls first, and then, find out what the woman's consciousness has to say.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Samuel stood there licking his lips for a while, before opening his mouth.

”How long will this repose of souls take?” (Samuel)

”If we perform a simple ceremony, ten minutes should be sufficient.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”….Okay. We'll do it this way.” (Samuel)

Samuel continued on.

”Let's do what you have proposed. Ten minutes, well, that's nothing at all. But, even if the end result isn't so good…. Then, I'd like you to follow my idea.” (Samuel)

That was how far Samuel would concede. Seol Ji-Hu didn't say anything else and stood back up.

”Okay, so. How do we do this repose of souls ceremony?” (Samuel)

”We're going to hold a ‘Jesa'.” (Seol Ji-Hu) (TL note at the end)

”A Jesa?”

”Yes. Alex? Can I borrow your altar for a little while? And, if you have any offerings on you, that as well.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Well, uh, I do have an altar, but….” (Alex)

Alex began mumbling something to himself. Actually, he was rather sceptical about this repose of souls thing. From his point of view, it'd be a terrible waste of offerings for something that wouldn't even work anyway.

”Of course, as I'm walking on the path to become a Chief Priest, I make sure to be ready all the time, but, what should I say here…. I'm still an Investigation Priest.” (Alex)

”Alex, just give it up, will you. Once the expedition is over, I'll pay you back.” (Samuel)

”G.o.d d*mn it. Fine.” (Alex)

Alex complained bitterly and took his bag from one of the porters before opening it.

”Do we really have to go this far?” (Klara)

Klara shot a pointed question, her voice full of dissatisfaction.

”What the h.e.l.l are we doing? Resolving attachments? Are you f*cking kidding me?” (Klara)

”Klara, please keep quiet.” (Samuel)

”Let me be. I still gotta say what needs to be said here. Hey, you. Do you know that once you use up the offerings, they lose all their value? Don't you have any sympathy for Alex? He even lost his important artefact too, you know?” (Klara)

”Klara!” (Samuel)

Samuel's voice became louder.

”If you come out that way, then Seol too lost his magic weapon. He even resorted to using that quill pen, too.” (Samuel)

”B-but, that….” (Klara)

”Stop whining like a baby. I have consented to this, don't forget.” (Samuel)

Samuel spoke decisively and turned to look at Seol Ji-Hu.

”My bad. Let me apologise on her behalf.” (Samuel)

At a casual glance, it might look like Samuel was taking Seo Ji-Hu's side, but actually, there was an ulterior motive for doing so. By conceding properly on things he had to concede, he'd get the other party to do the same, as well. If the ceremony worked, great. If not, Samuel would be able to silence the youth for good.

‘I only have to wait ten more minutes, anyway.' (Samuel)

That wasn't all, either. Both Cho Hong and Hugo were glaring with sharp eyes at the breathless Klara as she tried calm herself down. If Samuel didn't intervene, those two might have stepped forward, instead. As the leader of this expedition, he had to stay alert to division forming within his team.

And so, under Seol Ji-Hu's guidance, the preparation for this ‘Jesa' got under way. The altar was set before the tomb, and various offerings were placed on top. Not only that, food were placed neatly on top of each plate, and Hugo even pulled out the bottle of booze he had been saving for a rainy day.