Chapter 143: Arrested
Chapter 143: Arrested
Owen blew into the melodica, and started playing the instrument.
However, before he could fully immerse himself in the performance, the Dark Spiritualist had already revealed herself with arms crossed, staring down at the three of them.
"Is she here now?"
"This feels somewhat like a typical ghost-summoning in a specific location of an academy’s rumored horror story."
The Dark Spiritualist openly displayed discomfort in response to Aria and Eleanor's inquiries.
Although these two people couldn’t see her, Owen hoped they would tread carefully, as he knew how displeased the Dark Spiritualist was at the moment.
[So, why were you captured by them?]
To respond to the Dark Spiritualist’s question, Owen hurriedly let go of his melodica.
"Ah, well, actually..."
Owen began explaining the reason why he came here. Naturally, Aria and Eleanor, who were beside him were also listening; their expressions subtly changing.When Owen finished the story, Aria immediately turned to look at Eleanor with an expression of disgust.
"Hey, did you really…"
"I did not!"
Eleanor immediately refuted. However, Owen, the Dark Spiritualist, and Aria all looked suspiciously at her.
Eleanor, clever as she was, knew the quickest way to clear her name of the false accusation.
"I do not draw any man other than Deus! If I were making adult magazines, wouldn't I have to draw many men?"
"Ah, well, that's true."
Aria nodded in agreement.
Eleanor felt the urge to punch Aria in the face because although the latter knew everything, she still acted like that.
"Let’s say Eleanor is innocent for now. However, we still need to catch that bastard."
Aria crossed her arms, appearing to take the matter seriously. Eleanor also had a change in attitude as she solemnly nodded.
"That’s right! If he's not just circulating obscene materials but also producing them himself, there might be students who've been harmed!"
"As expected, you catch on quickly. It must be because you’re a princess; so wise."
If he produced his own material, it was natural to think that he might have involved people around him to create the obscene art.
Following that line of thought, there could be students who have been harmed.
Whether male or female students, if they found out their faces were illegally used in obscene materials, they'd likely be shocked.
[Hey, shouldn't we also apprehend them?]
A single remark from the Dark Spiritualist had accurately pierced through the brazen duo. Owen did think it was probably because these two had done something similar, which was why they could figure out such exploitation cases first. However…
I should tell the Soul Whisperer about this later.
Owen had resolved himself to survive this incident, and even if he died and became a spirit, he would definitely let that person know about this.
"Should we try searching in the art department, maybe like a club or something, to check if it's a student drawing?"
Suddenly, it felt like they were forming a patrol squad to conduct an investigation. Both girls, as well as Owen, felt a boost in their morale.
"Ah, I heard about something in the library. There's a certain book in there that you can use to leave letters or request notes."
"They accepting requests for drawing obscene materials through letters?"
"Why is it needlessly romantic?"
Despite complaining, Aria and Eleanor immediately moved their feet. Even though the library was probably closed since it was late at night, it didn’t stop them.
[...Owen, you should go with them too.]
"Ah, yes! Understood!"
Owen immediately followed the Dark Spiritualist's instructions. The Dark Spiritualist also followed suit with a subtle expression.
Then, they arrived at the library.
The door was locked, however, Aria swiftly picked it with a lockpick she pulled from her pocket, opening it in just 0.7 seconds.
"...Why do you even have that?"
"Of course, it's a basic necessity for adventures."
If this were a game, she would have already mastered the lockpicking skill, as showcased by her adept hand movements.
Although Aria had returned to being an ordinary female student, she hadn't completely forgotten what she had learned back then.
The library interior was dimly lit with natural light, filled only with silence.
Despite having seen various yokai, Owen still found the late-night library a bit scary.
"It feels like there might be a treasure chest here."
"It feels like the perfect spot for studying alone, don't you think? Should we ask someone in charge for a spare key later?"
Aria and Eleanor showed profound reactions. Especially Aria, whose eyes seemed to brighten as if she were exploring a dungeon. They made Owen, who was already scared of the library, even more afraid.
[What are you afraid of?]
The Dark Spiritualist entered the library while passing by Owen.
Well, what she said was true; the only thing that could come out of a place like this was ghosts, but wasn’t one already right next to him now?
After gaining courage from an unexpected source, Owen calmly took a breath and stepped inside.
"They say that if you put a letter in book 6661, they'll make a related book and put it next to it."
"That's quite a sense for picking numbers."
Eleanor clicked her tongue at the number that was blatantly chosen. Aria quickly rushed to the bookshelf and returned with a book.
"Here."
As soon as they opened the book, letters poured out in a flurry.
Seeing the considerable amount, it seemed like the rumor was quite famous among students.
"Wow, what's this?"
"He’ll probably pick one from these and make a drawing, right?"
Aria and Eleanor each picked up a letter and unfolded it.
Sneaking a peek at someone else's sexual fantasy was more interesting than they thought.
[Hmm, Owen, do you feel it too?]
"Eek! Huh?"
Owen was also curious about the letters but he immediately snapped to attention at the Dark Spiritualist's sudden words.
[You still have a long way to go.]
Wondering what she meant by that, Owen tilted his head. At that moment, the two girls exchanged the letters they were reading.
"Hey, this is yours."
"Here, a gift."
Although they intended to playfully joke with each other, after exchanging counterpunches, the two girls were...
"What?"
"Me?"
Both were surprised and immediately read the letters. Indeed, they found their own names written there.
- Please draw Aria with dog ears and tail in a submissive pose.
- I request a drawing of Eleanor being treated like an assistant, with a collar and getting spanked!
"Which bastard...!"
"Who the hell dares to behave so insolently!"
Both of them were quite angry.
[Could this be considered as reaping what they sowed?]
"...I guess."
Although he didn’t know about the kind of drawing they made of Deus, at the very least, the two had also done something similar to this.
Nonetheless, after seeing the content of the drawing request, Owen felt that these people had crossed a line.
Even if the requester were anonymous and thus couldn’t be identified, it would be hard to overlook this matter when someone attempted to commission such drawings involving the Princess of the Kingdom.
At that moment, the Dark Spiritualist spoke to Owen again.
[You still don’t feel anything?]
"S-should I play a tune?"
[Hmm, no need. He’s finally appearing now.]
The Dark Spiritualist pointed to the distant darkness with her chin. There, a shabby man wearing glasses, holding paper and a pen, was trudging toward them.
"A ghost?"
The translucent figure was clearly a ghost.
[That man seems to be the author of the Forbidden Books.]
With arms folded, the Dark Spiritualist shrugged as if it were trivial—a brief amusement while Deus was absent.
[Sigh, it seems like he has some resentment remaining. Since handling him will be hard for you, I'll take him down for now. When that person returns later, he will put him to sleep.]
"Ah, yes! Understood!"
The Dark Spiritualist approached the man. And upon seeing the Dark Spiritualist, the man opened his mouth wide, drooling. He immediately began to draw something with enthusiasm.
[Y-you're a magnificent beauty! Please let me use you as a model...!]
Crash!
The Dark Spiritualist's mana wrapped around him like a coil, restraining him. Normally, she wouldn't have acted so aggressively. However…
[Don't seek mercy when he's not present. It will only sour my mood.]
After bluntly subduing the author of the Forbidden Books, the Dark Spiritualist briefly glanced at Owen before leaving.
Seeing the man writhing on the floor felt oddly pitiful.
"There is also someone who has requested a drawing of Professor! I'm definitely going to find that bitch!"
"Wow, is this the kind of thinking that comes from the heads of the academy students who are supported by the Royal Family? Should I report this to my brother and have their support cut off?"
The two clicked their tongues and expressed annoyance at the students' sexual creativity. Meanwhile, Owen still thought that the two weren't that different from the requestees, but he didn't bother mentioning it.
"Uh, well, the case has been resolved."
The two were surprised by Owen's words. When asked what he meant by that, Owen scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"It was a ghost who drew the Forbidden Books. The Dark Spiritualist caught and subdued him, so you no longer need to worry."
The two somehow felt disappointed that the incident ended in a rather anticlimactic way.
It was also quite disappointing that they couldn't deliver the blow themselves since the creator was a ghost.
However, perhaps now that they had captured the ghost, all the Forbidden Books he drew would also disappear.
But how deep is the resentment he harbors that ordinary people are able to see the Forbidden Books...
Owen clicked his tongue, sensing the obsession of the man who poured his sincerity into creating the Forbidden Books, enough for even ordinary students to see them.
A few days later…
While the case seemed to have ended without major issues, Aria Rias and Eleanor Luden Griffin received a notification after Deus Verdi returned.
- Bring all the drawings you have made so far and come to my laboratory now.
"Huaaah!"
"Arrghhh!"
It was Owen who cleanly apprehended the last /genesisforsaken