Chapter 43: Past Events at No. 6 St. Therese Square

“Regarding the matter of the abnormal prices, I didn't actually investigate it myself; it was Augustus who helped find the information within the Church.”

The doctor gestured for the gray-haired old priest to speak. The latter nodded, his gray hair appearing exceptionally withered under the dim glow of the gas lamp

“About 100 years ago, a horrific murder occurred at No. 6 St. Therese Square. According to Church records, it was actually two unidentified Ninth-Circle Wizards fighting there, dying almost simultaneously. Subsequent investigation reports showed that they lost control due to reading a vast amount of ancient books. Although the Church believes this won't affect the house itself, since then, most of the house's successive owners have died within its walls.”

*This sounds a bit like the beginning of a horror story...*

Shade thought to himself, and then realized something else

*Wait, am I the protagonist?*

The old priest paused before continuing

“The Church couldn't find any issues with the house either, so they could only buy it and seal it off about thirty years ago. It wasn't until they conducted repeated inspections two years ago that they sold the old house at a low price. However, wealthy people attempting to inquire about property prices in St. Therese Square are all very wary of such taboos; poor people who don't care about such things wouldn't be asking about property prices in St. Therese Square in the first place. In the end, somehow, it was bought by Spyro Hamilton.”

It sounded as if the former detective had picked up a great bargain, only to die.

“Did that detective know about the house?” Miss Louisa asked curiously; the writer lady was very interested in such matters.

“Of course he knew. The Church does not hide such things and informed him of the house's history at the time. For safety, before the detective bought it, they sealed off the first floor where the accident occurred a century ago, cut off the stairs to the third floor due to safety issues caused by long-term lack of maintenance, and locked Room No. 2 on the second floor, where a mass suicide had occurred seventy years ago. Unexpectedly, this current owner also died in that house.”

The old priest couldn't help but clutch the pendant on his chest, praying for Mr. Spyro Hamilton, wishing for his soul to rest in peace.

Shade, who considered himself to have an overactive imagination, was already feeling somewhat worried. As an outsider, he had seen many such stories

“So, I...”

“But I don't think Spyro Hamilton's death was due to a curse; this is different from before. Past owners all died suddenly within just a few months, with no discernible cause; whereas the detective's death occurred after living there for two years, and even the cause of death could be determined,” Dr. Schneider said, his blue eyes turning toward Shade. “Of course, if you find it uncomfortable to live there, you can sell the house, but because of Spyro Hamilton's death, the price will likely drop even further.”

His suggestion was quite practical.

“I don't plan to sell it for the time being. If the detective agency weren't located in the city center, no one would believe an obscure detective like me. Besides, even if I sold the house, I wouldn't be able to use that money to buy a better house in Tobesque. I read in the newspapers that there are low-priced houses for sale in the Tobesque University District, but the prices are even more despair-inducing than an uncontrolled Beyonder Relic.”

As he spoke, Miss Louisa immediately showed an expression of agreement; the blonde lady living alone was also paying attention to news in that regard.

Shade currently lacked the money to move, so he planned to live there for a few months to try it out, and if any problems arose, he would move out immediately.

According to the information provided by the priest, before the previous owners died suddenly, they had all heard strange noises and seen suspicious shadows in the house. Those who were alerted by this and moved away did not meet with any accidents; instead, it was those who stayed that all died.

*This is sounding even more like a cliché horror story, and I'm still the protagonist,* he thought, then asked

“Although the house belongs to Detective Spyro and I have the detective's will, I haven't seen the property and land ownership certificates.”

Hearing this, the old priest waved his hand with a relaxed expression

“Those documents are at the Dawn Church where I am located. The detective kept them there, as the Church also has its concerns. If you want to claim them, just come by with his last will and testament. The Dawn Church is in the central district of Tobesque, a half-hour walk from St. Therese Square. The tree-lined avenues near the church are very nice, and there are many public carriages.

But to prevent the Church from becoming suspicious of the detective's death—which might lead to a re-investigation of the house or even an investigation into you—I will help you obtain a death certificate for Spyro Hamilton stating he died of natural causes. This isn't about forging documents; what I get will definitely be real. Consider it a gift for joining us; I won't charge you for this help.”

Thus, the death of Detective Spyro Hamilton was completely settled. With sufficient documentation to deceive the orthodox Church, no one besides Shade and the doctor would ever know the secret regarding the detective's death.

Before ending today's meeting, Shade mentioned his Document-grade Relic, the [Vampire Ring]. Unfortunately, none of the three people present had ever encountered this [Relic]. However, the doctor stated that he could make an inquiry through the Academy Library using parchment, though it likely wouldn't yield results quickly.

Since Shade now possessed two [Relics], both of which were of relatively high danger levels, he could be considered a somewhat wealthy Circle Wizard. The doctor suggested that once he mastered one or two powerful miracles or incantations for self-defense, he could begin reading *The Mad Light-Chaser*.

“No one will supervise your self-study progress; you must be responsible for yourself.”

This was the advice the blue-eyed doctor gave Shade before they parted ways. But after leaving the clinic, the old priest Augustus told Shade not to mind the doctor's attitude

“Bill is always like that. Although he seems strict with people, he is actually kinder than anyone.”

He said this while filling his pipe with tobacco, looking as if he had been enduring the clinic for a long time.

“We have all experienced his admonishments. The more time you spend with him, the more you will understand,” Miss Louisa also said. She boarded a carriage at the clinic entrance and left directly, while the relatively less wealthy Shade and Priest Augustus both intended to leave on foot.

Shade needed to find a carriage in a moment to take his books back, but a regular hired carriage might not have enough space, so he intended to go to the nearest carriage company.

Shade noticed that Miss Louisa had been frequently trying to touch her earlobe today, yet the lady wore no ornaments on her ears. She hadn't made such strange movements the last time they met.

He informed the old priest, who was temporarily walking with him, of his discovery. When they parted at the next intersection, Priest Augustus told Shade not to worry

“It is normal for Circle Wizards to occasionally behave strangely due to the existence of the 'other me.' As long as they don't lose control through contact with Relics or ancient knowledge, there is no need to mind those oddities.”

The priest smiled, walking with Shade along Rinchen Avenue in the wealthy district. The people conducting business here were decently dressed; Shade and the priest's attire was barely acceptable.

“Starting from a year ago, Louisa would become a bit strange every few days. It's still considered normal now; last summer, we even suspected her body was being possessed by another soul while she was reading ancient fairy tales.”

Shade's expression stiffened, not daring to continue discussing the possibility of soul possession. But because of this, he also knew that even a seemingly normal Circle Wizard might have unknown, strange behaviors.

Circle Wizards were never a safe scholarly profession.