Chapter 2
“Ghost-seeing Lady.”
That was the persistent label that clung to Isabel.
Though, these days, she was making a living off that damn ability.
Even now, seeing them with her own eyes, she still found it hard to believe ghosts actually existed.
Isabel straightened her hunched back and stared at the fully-formed blue glow before her.
‘Luckily, this one doesn’t seem troublesome.’
Usually, the color of the aura it radiated determined how dangerous a ghost was.
The brighter and clearer the light, the purer the soul. The darker and murkier, the filthier and more corrupt it was.
The ghost before her looked like it had been dead for quite some time, yet it appeared to be a clean, innocent soul.
‘Could it be the resident ghost of this mansion?’
A spark flashed in her pale violet eyes.
The soft glow in her gaze deepened, and the ghost’s figure became so vivid it felt she could reach out and touch it.
Buzz…
Suddenly, the floor trembled, and the lantern sitting atop the nightstand shattered into pieces.
Covering her ears against the ear-piercing screech, Isabel kept her eyes on the ghost as it darted rapidly around the bedroom.
Damn it. She took back what she said about it not being troublesome.
‘This could actually be dangerous.’
If this ghost was in the process of turning into an evil spirit, she had to act fast.
No matter how fearless she was, getting physically hurt still hurt just as much as it would for any ordinary person.
She was already barely scraping by to maintain her bankrupt family name—there was no way she could afford hospital bills.
A cold wind began to swirl through the room that had only just regained its silence.
The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed precariously, as though about to fall.
Taking a deep breath, Isabel reached toward the flickering blue glow and shouted—
“Stop!”
Clunk! Clatter!
The violent wind and trembling floor stilled in an instant, as if it had all been a lie.
‘Oh? That actually worked?’
Blinking in surprise, Isabel quickly straightened her posture.
This was no time to stand around in awe. She had to finish the job before it started acting up again.
From her coat, she took something out and reached forward with a solemn expression.
“Mr. Ghost, would you mind having a little chat?”
♧ There’s No Such Thing as a Ghost That Can’t Pass On ♧
Ghost Detective Agency – Director Isabel
(100% Full Refund If We Fail)
♥ We Serve with Love and Dedication ^^ ♥
The ghost, still drifting aimlessly through the bedroom, hesitated before timidly approaching Isabel.
As if ready to converse, its translucent body slowly took on a clearer shape.
This was always the most nerve-wracking moment.
Most ghosts appeared as they had just before dying—meaning sometimes you’d be unlucky enough to face something truly horrific.
Like someone with an axe lodged in their head… or their neck cleanly severed.
Last time, she had dealt with a ghost hit by a carriage, its brain exposed—what a hassle that had been.
‘Whatever it is, please let it be a gentle one.’
At last, a sweet, childlike voice drifted toward her.
「…Mama?」
What on earth? She hadn’t expected that.
Unable to hide her surprise, Isabel took a step back.
She had seen countless ghosts before, but this was a first.
Standing before her was a little girl—
She looked about five years old, with curly golden hair down to her waist, wearing a frilly dress, and sparkling emerald eyes brimming with tears.
Pitter-patter!
The child ghost ran straight toward Isabel.
「Waaah! Mama! I missed you so much!」
“W-wait a second!”
Isabel tried to pry the child from her leg, but the little one turned intangible, making it impossible to touch her.
Giving up, she rubbed her throbbing temple and looked down at the sniffling child.
‘So… she’s mistaking me for her mother.’
Judging by her neat appearance and age, she must have been the child of the baron couple who once lived here.
‘Which means… she’s the one from the rumors.’
Thirty years ago, this mansion—now in ruins—had been built by a baron and his wife for their terminally ill child.
At first, living amidst nature seemed to improve her condition…
But before long, the child passed away.
Overcome with grief, the baroness went mad, and the baron disappeared with his wife.
The child, unaware of this, lingered even after death, still waiting for her parents…
‘Well, this is a headache.’
Clicking her tongue, Isabel swept back her long, wine-colored hair.
She wanted to be blunt—tell the girl she wasn’t her mother, that her parents had long since gone far away, and ask her to leave.
That would end things quickly… but one look at the child’s innocent face, and the words wouldn’t come.
「Hehe!」
The girl had stopped crying and now rubbed her cheek against Isabel’s dress.
With a sigh, Isabel placed her hand gently atop the child’s fluffy hair.
It was so soft and vivid to the touch, it was hard to believe she was a ghost.
When Isabel had tried to push her away earlier, she couldn’t even touch her. Yet now the girl stayed still.
‘Haa… this is troublesome.’
Pity alone couldn’t justify leaving empty-handed.
She was promised 3,000 gold to exorcise the ghost—and that money could cover months of food as well as the back pay owed to Sophia, who managed the ducal household.
After a brief struggle between compassion and practicality, Isabel made up her mind and gently pulled the girl away.
“What’s your name?”
「Mama, you forgot? I’m Rosie!」
“Alright, Rosie. Don’t cry, and listen carefully to me.”
The girl pouted but slowly nodded.
“Just wondering… do you have any plans to leave this place?”
「Where would I go?」
“Uh… heaven, or hell, or something like that…”
Isabel trailed off, giving up on her awkward explanation.
She knew she wasn’t the best with words, but she hadn’t realized she was this bad.
The child frowned, giving her a look that said, Seriously?
“What’s with that face?”
「Mama, you’re weird! I’m staying here with you.」
With a helpless expression, Isabel turned the girl’s shoulders so their eyes met.
Time to use her last resort.
“Listen closely. I’m not your mama.”
「You’re… not?」
The girl studied her from head to toe, then sighed.
「Oh. You’re right. My mama’s prettier.」
‘…That’s oddly insulting.’
She felt like she’d lost to someone she’d never even met.
“Anyway, your parents aren’t here. Which means even if you wait a million years, you won’t see them.”
「…Gasp!」
“Don’t be shocked yet. Do you know you’re dead?”
「I… I’m dead?!」
Just as she thought. Isabel let out a quiet sigh and released the girl’s shoulders.
Sometimes, there were ghosts who didn’t even realize they’d died, mingling among the living.
‘So that’s why she appeared in front of Count Otaire.’
Of course, the count couldn’t see ghosts, so naturally, he had been terrified.
“You almost scared that ugly man to death.”
「But he keeps bringing strange women here! This is my house!」
“Women?”
「Yeah! He brings them here and takes off their clothes to play.”
“….”
‘That bastard… so that’s why he bought this mansion?’
She’d suspected his reason for buying it wasn’t normal, but to think it was for an affair.
And the man was publicly known as a devoted, loving husband—what a joke.
“Anyway, you can’t appear in front of people anymore. Even if that man deserves it, you’ll turn into an evil spirit if you keep it up.”
「…O-okay.」
“In return…”
After a brief pause, Isabel gently took the girl’s hand.
“Come with me. I’ll find your parents. But once you see them, you have to pass on peacefully. Understood?”
The child’s face brightened instantly.
If she were alive, her cheeks would have flushed pink. She jumped up and hugged Isabel’s neck.
「Okay!」
Rosie in her arms, Isabel nudged Count Otaire’s body with the tip of her pointed shoe.
The huge man flopped over limply.
‘So he fainted after all.’
Tch. Coward. With a click of her tongue, Isabel pressed her heel down hard on his pudgy hand.
“Ahh! Huh?!”
The count shot upright with a scream, glancing around groggily.
“Sleep well, did you? You were even drooling.”
“…Ahem. I-is it over?”
Rosie whispered in Isabel’s ear—
「He looks like a giant toad.」
“…Pfft.”
Isabel stifled a laugh, but the count’s expression darkened.
“Did you just laugh at me?”
“Of course not. My throat’s just sore from exorcising the ghost.”
She kept her composure—after all, she hadn’t been paid yet.
“So the ghost is gone now?”
“Of course. Who do you think I am?”
“That’s a relief. You’ve done well.”
The count smiled for the first time since entering the mansion and patted her shoulder.
‘Hands off, you old pervert.’
Keeping her saleswoman smile, Isabel swallowed her irritation.
“Just doing my job. For pay, of course.”
“Ah, right. Here’s your payment.”
“…Thank you?”
Her smile stiffened as she weighed the pouch in her hand.
‘Why does this feel… light?’
She had been promised 3,000 gold, but it felt like far less.
Maybe 1,300? No, even less.
“Haha! I was generous—1,230 gold!”
‘You seedless melon of a man…’
Biting back a curse, Isabel spoke evenly.
“Count Otaire, I believe the agreed fee was 3,000 gold.”
“Oh, that? I decided I didn’t feel right giving such a large sum to a woman for something like this. Frankly, it’s unsettling for a woman to even see ghosts—consider yourself lucky I’m paying you at all.”
“….”
When he’d been crying and begging her to save him, he hadn’t said that.
The last thread of her patience snapped.
“Oh, spirits…”
The count whipped his head around.
“Wh-who are you talking to? Spirits?!”
Isabel ignored him, keeping a grave tone.
“Oh spirit of this house, is it true Count Otaire has been unfaithful?”
“W-what! How did you—!”
“Shh!”
She widened her eyes in mock surprise.
“Oh my. You’ll tell the countess everything?”
“No! If she finds out, I’m done for! The ghost is still here? Then hurry and exorcise it!”
“Well, perhaps you should find someone else—it’s unlucky to ask a woman who sees ghosts.”
The panicked count blocked her path.
“W-wait! Is this about money? I’ll pay—”
“In advance.”
“…Ugh.”
“Hard to trust someone who’s already lied.”
“…How much?”
A slow smile crept onto Isabel’s lips.
“The remaining 1,770 gold from before, plus a 1,000 gold bonus—2,770 in total.”
“Wha—but I don’t have that kind of money on me—”
“Then I’ll be on my way. Handle the ghost yourself.”
She slipped her arm free and walked away, counting in her head—
One.
Two.
Three.
“W-wait! Please, just hold on!”
Got him.
Turning back, Isabel asked coolly—
“Something else you wanted to say?”
“I’ll pay it! Just get rid of the ghost! If my wife catches me again, I’m finished!”
‘Again? So this isn’t his first time.’
As she pitied the countess, the count began stripping off his gold jewelry, emptying his pockets of every coin, and thrusting it all at Isabel.
“This should be about right—now please, get rid of the ghost!”
“Well, it’s not an easy ghost… but because it’s me, I’ll talk to it.”
Weighing the payment, Isabel smiled in satisfaction and spoke to thin air—
“Oh spirit, for the sake of this pitiful, ugly man, won’t you keep this shameful secret?”
At her glance, the count clasped his hands and begged—
“Yes, yes! Please forgive this ugly fool just once!”
Suppressing her laughter, Isabel continued—
“Oh my, really? …Count, the spirit says it’ll keep quiet—but if you cheat again, it won’t forgive you!”
“Eek!”
“Understand?”
“Y-yes, I’ll remember.”
Terrified, the count nodded and left the mansion.
From the window sill, Rosie leapt into Isabel’s arms.
「Why did you lie?」
“Rosie, that’s called the adult world. Men like that deserve it.”
Watching Isabel grin wickedly with her hard-earned payment, Rosie thought—
‘Why do adults live so complicated?’
If that was what it meant to be an adult, she’d rather stay a child forever.
Caw, caw—
Countless crows cawed through the dark forest.
Expressionless, Isabel pushed through the bushes, crossing the dry garden.
As the looming black mansion grew closer, Rosie clung tightly to her neck.
「…Is this a haunted house?」
“What? People live here, thank you very much.”
It might look creepy, but it was a cozy home—well, a bit old, admittedly.
Isabel stepped inside the ominous mansion.
“Miss!”
Before she could take another step, Sophia came running.
She was the duchy’s only servant—maid, cook, cleaner, gardener, guard, and now secretary for the detective agency.
“What’s the rush, Sophia?”
“We have a new client!”
Following close behind Isabel, Sophia explained breathlessly—
“And the fee is huge!”
“How huge?”
After glancing around to make sure they were alone, Sophia whispered in her ear—
“One million gold.”
“…What?”
Had her hearing gone bad? That sounded absurd.
“One million! Six zeroes!”
Sophia spread her fingers.
As Isabel stared at them, she could almost hear angelic trumpets in her head.
“One… million?”
“Yes! Isn’t it amazing? They’re in the parlor right now!”
“Sophia, let’s go. We can’t keep such an important client waiting.”
Without hesitation, Isabel swirled her dress and strode toward the parlor.
One million gold—why, even a bald Count Otaire could come back and she wouldn’t care.
Arriving in a single breath, Isabel opened the parlor door, face alight—
Unaware that what lay beyond was the gate to hell.
