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Chapter 13: Illness

When Anna left, the three were still arguing.

This was Anna’s second day at the Earl's mansion, and she was still learning new things. Aside from the times Parish specifically requested her, she didn't have to face the lord of the estate.

Perhaps due to the “bumping into” incidents, more people came to talk to Anna while she was working in the kitchen, probing into her relationship with Parish and their interactions.

Anna only clarified that she had no relationship with Parish and didn't say anything more.

On her third day at work, Anna noticed a sudden calm in the previously bustling atmosphere.

Through the kitchen maids, Anna learned that the constant attempts to “bump into” Parish had caught the attention of the mansion’s head butler, who was furious and gathered all the involved maids to reprimand them, docking half a month's salary from each.

Anna listened with her hand covering her mouth, acting completely innocent as if she had no idea what was happening. No one suspected she was the black hand behind it all.

Even Abigail and the others believed it was their own idea to attract Parish’s attention this way, never considering it was all Anna’s intentional guidance.

When Anna went to deliver breakfast to the demon for the third time, she couldn't help but think how lazy this demon was. It was already past eleven when vodo, the servant, came to get her to bring breakfast.

Anna only glanced briefly, not daring to look any longer. Today, the demon still looked as terrifying as ever.

The breakfast was as lavish as usual. Anna respectfully stood by while the demon ate everything.

Not wasting food seemed to be the demon's only good trait.

When the demon finished eating, Anna stepped forward to clear the table, but as she approached, she saw the demon clutch his stomach, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Anna was startled. Was the demon trying to frame her for poisoning him? Was he getting impatient and planning to throw her in jail, forcing her into a desperate contract to claim her soul?

A multitude of thoughts raced through her mind, making her break out in a cold sweat.

Vodo’s reaction was more straightforward. He supported Parish while moving towards the bedroom, shouting to Anna, “Go get Father Louis, quickly!”

Anna hurriedly responded and rushed out. The cold wind outside cleared her head, and she suddenly felt excited.

Maybe the powerful Father Louis could see the demon’s true form and destroy him! Even if the exorcism failed, the demon couldn't blame her. After all, from the demon’s perspective, she couldn't possibly know that there was a demon hiding in Parish’s body!

Anna was new and didn't know how to find the priest, so she returned to the kitchen first and found Rebecca. Without asking for more details, she hurried to find the head butler.

What happened next had little to do with Anna. The head butler urgently sent for Father Louis.

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When Father Louis arrived, Anna watched from a distance. He was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with thinning blond hair, proving even the divine couldn't save one from hair loss. His expression was compassionate, matching Anna’s expectations of a clergyman.

The priest rushed in, and Wilson, the Earl, was already there, anxiously standing by Parish's side. After all, Parish was his only heir.

Anna stood outside, straining to hear any sounds. But after a while, she heard nothing dramatic like “Demon, I will eliminate you in the name of the Goddess.” Everything seemed calm and quiet until Wilson, smiling, saw Father Louis off.

...That’s it?

Was the demon vanquished?

Considering that the demon had never displayed particularly powerful abilities, Anna optimistically thought that maybe it was a low-level demon, easily dealt with by the priest.

With this hopeful thought, Anna approached Vodo, expressing her desire to retrieve the dishes.

With Parish feeling better, Vodo was calmer and agreed, leading Anna upstairs.

“Is Parish alright now? I was so scared earlier,” Anna asked, feigning concern.

Waldo, also relieved, nodded. “Parish is fine now. Father Louis used Holy Healing to cure him, but he's still resting.”

Holy Healing! That sounded powerful and righteous, surely capable of vanquishing a demon, right?

Anna’s excitement grew, and she asked in a low voice, “What happened to Parish? I thought it was something wrong with the food, it really scared me.”

Vodo shook his head. “Father Louis said it had nothing to do with the food. It was the dark power within him acting up. He used Holy Healing to purge the dark power, and now Parish is fine.”

Dark power! Purged!

If Vodo weren’t right there, Anna would have burst into joy.

Suppressing her rising excitement, she asked worriedly, “Can I see Parish? Just from the door, I won't go in.”

Vodo initially wanted to refuse but, remembering how Parish always had Anna bring breakfast and had even proposed to her, he led her to the bedroom door.

From the doorway, Anna could see the bed where Parish lay, surrounded by sheer curtains, making it hard to see him clearly. But one look was enough for her soaring heart to crash.

She couldn’t see the person on the bed clearly, but the palpable dark aura still enshrouded him. Even through the sheer curtains, she could see it plainly.

The demon didn't seem weakened at all, not to mention vanquished!

Anna left the room in a foul mood, quickly tidying up and hurrying away.

Earlier, when she thought the demon might have been eradicated, Anna had considered that if the priest truly eliminated the demon, she might start believing in the Light Goddess.

But now, she was thoroughly disappointed!

The priest hadn't even detected the demon's presence.

Listening to Vodo's explanation about purging the dark power within Parish’s body... it sounded to her like Father Louis might have just performed an appendectomy with his Holy Healing!

Anna had hoped to seek help from the church, but today’s events had dashed those hopes.

Still, at least she learned that seeking help from the priest was futile. No more wishful thinking about the demon being destroyed by divine intervention.

As her predecessors had taught, there was no savior; she had to rely on herself.

The benefit of Father Louis treating Parish was that he ruled out food poisoning or poisoning by someone else, so Anna didn't have to worry about being accused.

With the demon now bedridden, Anna, who previously only had to deliver breakfast once a day, found herself tasked with delivering lunch and dinner as well.

While the kitchen was preparing lunch for Parish, Anna stepped outside for some air. As usual, Abigail and her two companions approached.

Anna noticed that the trio seemed inseparable, always showing up together.

They had already heard about Parish’s illness and, with worried expressions, asked Anna for updates.

Anna assured them that Parish was fine, which brought smiles to their faces.

Anna wanted to ask them more about the mage, but the kitchen finished preparing the lunch, and she had to postpone her inquiries.

As she passed through the small garden, she noticed someone there, a place usually quiet.

At first, she thought it might be the demon feeling better and taking a walk, but as she got closer, she realized it was an unfamiliar man with light golden hair. He was facing away from her, wearing a black robe with gold trim that nearly touched the ground.

Anna had never seen this man before, but his distinctive attire sparked a thought.

Could this be the four-star mage living in the Earl's residence? The young prodigy?