NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75
Even if they were incredibly skilled in life, now, in death, they were the kind of spirits one should fear and avoid at all costs.
‘While I wouldn’t mind if Zeno got dragged away, losing Derin or Ferrol would be a bit… unsettling.’
Camilla thought of how Zeno would likely explode with indignation if he heard that and turned her gaze back to Havel with newfound interest.
“Well, let’s hear it first.”
“……!”
Havel’s expression brightened for the first time, though it was clear he still didn’t fully grasp the situation.
***
“Mm… Mmh…”
Pat, pat.
A pair of hands gently patted the back of a child fussing in their sleep.
But these weren’t ordinary hands. Wrapped in soft fabric, they were thick and unmistakably the hands of a doll—a light brown teddy bear, to be precise.
Swoosh.
After tucking the blanket snugly around the child, the teddy bear leapt off the bed with a soft thud.
[…….]
With practiced ease, the bear moved about the room, tending to the children.
Five young children were fast asleep in their respective beds.
The bear pulled up the blankets on one child who had kicked them off, brushed back the messy hair of another whose face was half-covered, and repositioned a pillow that had nearly fallen off the bed.
It even tidied up a few scattered books, stacking them neatly on a small table.
Finally, after ensuring the children were comfortable, the teddy bear made its way out of the room, skillfully opening the door and closing it behind itself.
The bear shuffled to another room and repeated its tasks.
It checked each sleeping child carefully, making sure no one was uncomfortable or unwell.
As dawn broke and the deep blue of night began to fade, the bear hurried back to the first room.
Click.
It climbed onto the same bed it had left earlier, nestling into the arms of the sleeping child.
“Mmh…”
Pat, pat.
[…….]
The bear patted the child one last time before it went still, as though it had never moved.
***
“That’s the director?”
“Yes,” Havel confirmed.
Camilla recalled the child she’d seen at the orphanage earlier that day—a little girl clutching a large teddy bear as she ran around.
The girl had nearly lost her balance and fallen but had quickly regained it, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
Camilla had seen it clearly: the teddy bear had shifted slightly, subtly supporting the child before she could tumble.
At first, she’d thought she was imagining things. But upon closer observation, she’d known for certain that something had possessed the bear.
“And that’s supposed to be the orphanage’s director?”
Two months ago, the director of the orphanage had passed away at the age of 65. Her son, the rightful heir, had taken over the orphanage’s operations since.
“And what’s the problem?”
“The director refuses to leave.”
“And?”
There were countless ghosts in the world who clung to the living out of lingering attachment. That wasn’t exactly unique. Camilla herself was surrounded by such spirits.
“She’s been chosen to become a guardian spirit.”
“A guardian spirit?”
“Yes, one of the lower deities appointed to watch over children.”
“Humans can become gods?”
“It’s rare, but occasionally, individuals who’ve led exceptionally virtuous lives are appointed as lesser deities.”
Dorman chimed in, explaining Camilla’s confusion.
“So what’s the issue?”
“If she refuses to ascend, her appointment could be revoked.”
“Then just take her.”
Camilla gestured toward Havel, whose very presence had sent the spirits around her fleeing in terror. Most ghosts would avoid crossing paths with a grim reaper at all costs, knowing they could be forcibly dragged away against their will.
“We can’t force her,” Havel sighed.
“Why not?”
“A chosen one cannot be taken by force. I’ve tried persuading her multiple times, but she refuses to listen.”
The director insisted on staying by the children’s side.
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
“I’d like you to persuade her.”
“Me? Why?”
Camilla clicked her tongue in frustration.
“You know her better than I do. What makes you think she’d listen to me?”
“I wish I could handle it myself, but the location is the problem.”
“Location?”
Camilla frowned, puzzled.
“What’s wrong with the orphanage?”
“The children.”
Havel’s voice turned serious.
“Unlike adults, children are vulnerable to prolonged contact with reapers. It can have harmful effects.”
They might develop the ability to see spirits, as Camilla had, or their bodies could weaken from spiritual interference. Reapers, embodiments of death, were inherently disruptive to the spiritual stability of children.
“And the director’s spirit resides in a teddy bear the children constantly carry around. I can’t keep visiting without putting them at risk.”
Which was why Havel had come to Camilla. As someone who wasn’t a reaper but could still interact with spirits, she was the perfect intermediary.
“Is this really necessary?”
Camilla tilted her head, contemplating.
“What do you mean?”
“If she doesn’t want to go, why force her?”
Shouldn’t her own wishes take precedence?
“If she refuses the position entirely, she’ll be extinguished.”
“…What?”
“A chosen one who rejects their appointment is erased. It’s the only way to select a new candidate.”
Of course. What else could she expect from bureaucratic higher-ups?
“They just assign positions arbitrarily and then threaten to erase people if they refuse?”
“It’s not quite like that—”
“I don’t like it.”
Camilla’s face darkened, and Havel instinctively stepped back, wary of her shoes.
“But if she comes with me, she won’t face extinction. Once there, she’ll have other options.”
Havel hurriedly elaborated.
“But remaining here while rejecting the role leads to annihilation.”
“So she has to go with you, one way or another.”
“Exactly.”
Camilla let out a long sigh, sensing yet another hassle piling onto her plate.
***
“Wow.”
She’d spent a fortune.
“These clothes are amazing!”
A small fortune.
“These toys—they’re from the famous Shimon Workshop, aren’t they?”
Too much, probably. Damn it.
“Thank you so much, Lady Camilla!”
Loaded with gifts, Camilla returned to the orphanage alone.
She forced a bright smile as the staff showered her with gratitude. If she was going to spend this much money, she might as well earn some goodwill along the way.
“Can I spend some time with the children?”
“Of course!”
“They’ve been talking about you nonstop!”
“Thank you so much for your generosity!”
With their enthusiastic permission, Camilla approached the children, who were gleefully unwrapping the gifts.
‘There it is.’
Among them, she spotted her target—a little girl clutching the teddy bear tightly while eyeing the new toys with shining eyes.
“What’s your name?”
Camilla crouched beside her.
“Oh!”
The girl, who looked about six, initially widened her eyes in surprise before breaking into a bright smile.
“It’s the witch sister!”
“…Just call me Camilla.”
“Okay!”
Clearly, the girl had remembered her vividly from their last meeting.
“That’s a cute doll.”
“This is Bito.”
“Bito? Is that the teddy bear’s name?”
“Yes!”
“It’s so cute. Could I borrow it for a bit?”
“No.”
“…….”
The girl immediately hid the bear behind her back, her expression turning guarded in an instant.
“Friends aren’t for lending.”
…Smart kid.
“I want to be friends with Bito, too.”
“Hmm…”
“Why don’t you make a new friend in the meantime?”
Camilla picked up a ball-jointed doll the girl had been eyeing. Her face lit up instantly.
“Okay! Bito will like that I made a new friend!”
“That’s right.”
Camilla gently took the bear and handed the girl the doll.
“…….”
She noticed it then—the teddy bear subtly gripping the child’s arm, as if reluctant to let go.
“Looks like you’ve been replaced by the doll, Mr. Bear. Let’s go quietly.”
[…….]
The bear seemed to shudder slightly, but Camilla ignored it and headed outside.
“Let’s talk.”
Once they were far enough from the building, Camilla placed the bear on the ground.
Rather than collapse lifelessly, the bear stood upright, balancing like a person.
[…….]
“Playing dumb won’t solve anything.”
As the bear remained silent, Camilla sighed.
“They say it’s not good for the children to keep seeing a reaper come around…”
[…….]
“Should I call him back?”
Swoosh.
At that, the figure within the bear finally revealed itself.
[Haa…]
The spirit of a neatly dressed elderly woman emerged, sighing deeply.
Her gentle eyes and nearly wrinkle-free face radiated kindness. Anyone could see she was a kind soul.