Chapter 101: Pianist Boy

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Numerous yokai chased us from behind the carriage.

However, as people around us were unaware of their existence, it seems that they were not strong enough to have a real presence.

For instance, Findenai was mumbling happily after getting free cigarettes, and Illuania, who was driving the carriage, didn't seem to be in a rush.

The problem lay on why they were causing such a fuss and running like this.

[Shall we respond?]

"Wait."

Although they looked quite sinister on the outside, they didn't feel particularly threatening.

In fact, I didn't even feel the slightest killing intent. Therefore, I wanted to see what their purpose was and decided to watch for now.

"Ugh, it's so noisy."

Findenai scratched her ear, feeling quite bothered about something; her beastly senses were indeed unmatched. This was until she finally realized that she had been missing out on the sound of the piano because of her uneasy intuition.

"Wow, doesn't it sound good?"

Unlike Findenai, Illuania was absorbed in the piano performance, humming while driving the carriage.

And soon, I realized that the horde of yokai catching up with the carriage was passing by us.

[It seems like they weren't after us?]

"...The yokai seem to have the same destination. You should go and follow them."

[But I don't want to...]

Even though the Dark Spiritualist grumbled, she eventually followed my words and went out of the carriage to follow the yokai.

The piano performance seemed to be coming from the city center, and the sound grew louder as we approached.

"They called this place the city of artists, right? It's totally not my thing."

Findenai clicked her tongue in irritation. However, Illuania retorted that it was good. Despite her complaint, I honestly agreed with Findenai.

I wasn't particularly interested in art either.

Generally, I'd always disliked art, such as music and fine crafts. As I had said before, that field was strangely associated with supernatural beings to an unusual degree.

Otherwise, I would naturally lose interest and get bored.

Anyway.

The place we arrived at was quite a lofty inn.

The sign read 'Leon', written in elegant calligraphy. And although the building itself was quite old, it still stood strong.

The basic construction seemed very sturdy and well done.

"This is certainly a place that evil spirits would love."

Aged and yet still sturdy with no worry of imminent collapse, this type of building was a favored haunt for evil spirits.

In fact, I could already hear screams echoing from inside the inn.

"Master Bastard. Look here, they're saying that they're not open for business."

Findenai, still wearing a nun's habit, tapped the wall poster attached to the inn door.

However, I passed her, grabbed the inn door, and pushed it straight ahead.

The door smoothly opened.

What I found inside wasn't the smell of accumulated dust, but rather the unique scent of a well-organized, clean inn.

It wouldn't be strange for this place to begin operating immediately.

The innkeeper's readiness was evident in how they kept it clean and ready for business.

"I put the notice that we're not open...!"

The middle-aged woman sitting at the counter was reading a newspaper, she abruptly got up nervously upon hearing the door open.

However, she couldn't continue speaking. She realized through her long experience and intuition that I wasn't an ordinary customer.

"Who are... you?"

She awkwardly tilted her head as I took a piece of paper from my pocket.

"Are you Serriford Phillen?"

"Y-yes, yes! I'm Serriford Phillen."

She was flustered that I knew her name. However, she squinted to see the document I had brought out.

Then, her pupils gradually widened. It was quite a familiar paper to her.

Tear stains were present, and the pen was pressed heavily onto the paper, causing the ink to smear and the words to blur.

It was a petition from Serriford Phillen to the Royal Palace and the Church, asking for help solving the bizarre events at her inn.

"I am Deus Verdi, the Soul Whisperer. I have come to resolve the strange events happening at this inn."

The moment she heard those words, Serriford covered her mouth, and then soon, tears started streaming down her face.

She didn't stop there, she immediately kneeled and banged her head on the floor.

"Aaaaah, finally! Finally! You've finally come! Finally!"

It was quite an intense reception.

It gave me a glimpse into how much she had emotionally suffered through the spiritual phenomenon she was experiencing.

However, she suddenly became frightened, raising her head as if something had occurred to her.

"B-but I've actually already called several priests to help resolve the situation."

"...."

"A-and, I don't have any money left now because I had to donate to them, u-under the guise of travel expenses at the time."

In case I might have reconsidered helping her because of this, she hurriedly blurted out.

"I'll prepare the money soon! As long as you stabilize the inn, I'll start working right away and somehow..."

"It is not necessary."

"....Pardon?"

It might sound peculiar, but how she was reacting was genuine confusion that reflected the current era.

It was an era where it had become commonplace for the king's envoys, a type of government official visiting citizens, to accept bribes.

For example, it had evolved into a cultural norm, with guards at the gates regularly receiving bribes from merchants.

However, I didn't come here for such reasons.

While altering the perception of Dark Mages was secondary, as a Necromancer, it was crucial for me to confront as many evil spirits as possible.

In particular, I had to show no weakness in the fight against the opposing Necromancers from Dante.

Even with Lemegeton, there still might be unforeseen situations.

"I do not want monetary compensation. I am simply here to help."

I secretly glanced at Findenai.

She stood with an indifferent expression with her hands on her hips as she leaned on one foot, almost as if she was saying, 'what do you want?'.

"While I handle the situation, Sister, you should obtain a list of the priests commissioned by this woman."

"....Ah?"

Once she understood my intentions, Findenai turned her head for a moment to chuckle before clasping her hands together to pretend to pray.

"According to God's will, it seems like you're thinking of screwing them all."

"....There is a need to verify how they received donations from this woman, how they were used, and the possibility of personal embezzlement."

"I'll make sure to inform you that my clasping hands are not just for praying."

And with both hands intertwined tightly together, Findenai swung them like an iron club. Despite her soft voice and expression, her words and actions were contradictory.

"Just investigate it. I am thinking of leaving the rest to the Saintess."

I didn't need to demand more from Findenai. It was enough for her to start investigating and give the priests some pressure.

Findenai shrugged in disappointment.

Serriford, who was still staring blankly at me, seemed unsure of what was happening.

However, it didn't matter.

"According to the contents of the petition, you said weeping sounds can be heard from each room."

"Y-yes!"

"Alright, let us resolve it. Bring the keys and follow me."

I calmly said as I headed straight to the rooms.

* * *

Eliminating the evil spirits that lingered in Leon was quite effortless.

In fact, there was no need to resort to using Lemegeton. It was simply about granting peaceful rest to the mourning souls of the dead, so there was no need to inflict any further suffering to them.

However, there was one bothersome aspect—it was the fact that all the ghosts seemed to be terrified of something.

It felt like the ghosts were stuck in this inn, not because they were particularly bound to it like haunting spirits, but because they feared going outside.

Perhaps it is because of the yokai outside.

For the time being, I decided to stay here, honoring the innkeeper's request to use the rooms freely during my stay in the city as a reward for resolving Leon's issues.

Since I hadn't booked an inn separately in advance, I graciously accepted her kindness.

The innkeeper couldn't wipe the smile off her face; she was excitedly anticipating the start of operations tomorrow.

Looking out the window, I realized it was already late at night.

However, it was still too early to go to sleep. So, I decided to take a stroll outside.

Findenai had gone with Illuania to the Church in the city and hadn't returned yet, apparently causing quite a stir there.

Well, she would manage just fine.

Illuania was good at containing Findenai's impulsive nature, and Findenai's acting skills as a nun were quite excellent.

"Hmm."

The phrase, 'the city of artists, Claren', suited this place perfectly as the streets were filled with diverse charm.

Even simple flower beds were artistically arranged, and every street corner was adorned with large and small paintings.

Even in the dark streets, lanterns were intentionally lit to create a subtle ambience.

It was an incredibly satisfying place to walk, but the most important thing was the music that could be heard from various parts of the city.

Upon hearing a piano, I recalled the Dark Spiritualist, whom I had forgotten for a moment.

I had sent the Dark Spiritualist to chase after the horde of yokai, but seeing that she hadn't returned yet, I wondered what might have happened.

Lost in thought, I found myself unconsciously drawn towards the music emanating from an old piano, which was positioned in front of a grand fountain at the city's center.

In most cities, one might expect numerous noise complaints, but Claren was different.

Arriving tourists were seated in front of the fountain, captivated by the pianist's performance.

It wasn't overly crowded; there was just enough space for passersby to linger and listen for a while.

Surprisingly, the remarkably skilled performer was a young boy.

If I were to compare, he was roughly the same age as Aria. Although he played the piano with great enthusiasm, his expression wasn't particularly bright.

Moreover, there was one more noticeable thing.

"Hmm."

The creepy audience surrounded the boy.

A crowd of yokai was gathered around the boy playing the piano, standing in a circle.

As the performance gradually reached its climax, the yokai remained silent, simply watching him.

The boy's face began to pale.

He was solely focused on the musical score and the keys, almost as if he had an obsessive compulsion to avoid looking elsewhere.

[Oh? You're here?]

At that moment, a familiar voice came from the audience section. The Dark Spiritualist, who had been enjoying the performance, naturally approached me.

"What were you doing?"

[I-I was investigating.]

"..."

I glanced at her for a moment, noticing that she seemed to be slacking off. Upon sensing my suspicion, the Dark Spiritualist quickly changed the subject.

[There's something more important. Look at that. It seems like that boy is the one who gathered all the yokai in the city.]

"I see. It does seem that way."

[I'm not certain, but in my opinion...]

The Dark Spiritualist hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously pointed towards my eyes.

[That boy seems to have eyes similar to yours.]

In other words...

"He can see the dead?"

At my words, the Dark Spiritualist nodded vigorously.

[That's right.]

I slowly turned my gaze to the boy.

He played the piano fervently as sweat trickled down his pale face. This had somehow piqued my interest a bit.