Chapter 19

"Found it!"

Manaka finally pulled out the talisman.

He held it high and shouted, "Lord Akaso, save me!"

As his voice fell, the talisman instantly flew up and slapped onto the longsword in the armor's hand.

The longsword jolted violently, suddenly slipped from the armor's hand, and flew out toward the hall.

The heavy longsword, with a blade a meter long, just flew away like that.

Manaka froze, and Ochiai froze as well.

The two stared at each other, watching the longsword disappear into the distance.

Manaka was still holding his right hand high.

Only the talisman in his hand was gone.

"Why aren't you leaving yet?"

A voice suddenly rang in Curator Ochiai’s ear.

He understood instantly.

This couldn't be done.

He could only turn and flee. ===== CHAPTER 53 =====

In the hall, Akaso Kaze was admiring paintings with Ran.

He used his hand of thought to take the longsword, flew it out through a window he had specifically opened, and placed it under the chassis of his sports car.

The situation with this longsword was a bit special; it couldn't be put into the soul space, so he could only retrieve it when he left.

"This 'Leisurely Sky' is a work by Picasso. Although it’s not very famous, I really like his warm brushwork and the sense of transparency it presents..."

Akaso Kaze was introducing the famous painting to Ran.

"Wow, Akaso-san, you know so much!"

Ran’s eyes were full of admiration.

Conan, standing nearby, had a head full of black lines.

Although he knew this guy was showing off, it did sound impressively profound.

The problem was that he, a famous detective, didn't understand art, so he couldn't even interject.

"Lord Akaso, Lord Akaso!"

Mr. Manaka came running out, stumbling.

"What you said really came true, there really is a curse. I almost died just now, thanks to your talisman."

Manaka stammered as he recounted what had happened.

"Wow, there really is a curse?"

"What a terrifying curse, it can make armor move on its own and even kill people."

"It’s lucky the Onmyoji was there, otherwise Mr. Manaka would have been done for."

"This Onmyoji is too amazing, he was actually able to break the curse."

"Did you hear what he said? A longsword over a meter long, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye."

The crowd nearby all exclaimed in wonder.

Ran’s eyes also sparkled, her heart fluttering.

Hearing such a thing was truly exciting.

"That doesn't seem right." Conan looked at Akaso Kaze with suspicious eyes.

"If the talisman really worked, why would Mr. Manaka be injured?"

The crowd was stunned upon hearing this.

"That’s right, why would he be injured?"

"Is this Onmyoji’s magic power limited? Can't he handle such a powerful curse?"

"He is young, after all; his magic power must be insufficient."

Manaka frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Akaso Kaze didn't argue, but gave a cold smile.

He took the check out of his pocket.

"It seems Mr. Manaka feels that a life isn't worth this price."

"Since that’s the case, please take it back."

"Consider that life-saving talisman from earlier a gift."

Looking at the check in Akaso Kaze’s hand, Manaka suddenly understood.

He hurriedly bowed and apologized repeatedly.

"No, no, no, it’s all my fault. Lord Akaso said at the time that the amount of money depended on how much my life was worth."

"It was my greed that led me to give too little. Getting stabbed was my own fault."

"I am willing to pay the full price for the talisman..."

"I really don't have much cash on hand. This art museum is worth one hundred million; consider it my payment for saving my life."

"Please, Lord Akaso, you must accept it."

Akaso Kaze was overjoyed.

He had originally only intended to collect materials for a magic tool, but who knew he would end up earning an art museum.

This was a huge profit.

The crowd nearby heard Manaka’s explanation and suddenly realized.

"So that’s how it is. A life is indeed worth a lot of money."

"If it could save my life, one hundred million... I really couldn't afford it."

"But that’s a life, after all. If I had one hundred million, I’d be willing to buy it too."

"Ten million, from losing one's life to just being injured, it doesn't seem unacceptable."

Listening to the surrounding discussion, Conan couldn't help but furrow his brows.

He looked at Akaso Kaze, feeling suspicious.

Could this guy have staged this play just to become famous?

But looking at the bleeding wound on Manaka’s back, he felt it didn't seem like it.

Who would have nothing better to do than cooperate with him in such a performance, getting injured, paying money, and even giving away an art museum in the end?

Curator Ochiai stood in the distance, watching everything that was happening.

His heart was heavy.

Is the owner changing again?

Replaced by a strong young man, and an Onmyoji with powerful magic at that.

It seems there is no hope for the future of the art museum.

The transaction procedures were completed that same day, and Akaso Kaze obtained the art museum without spending a cent.

He felt very guilty, so he took out another crumpled piece of yellow paper, drew three lines on it, and handed it to Manaka.

"I’m not taking the art museum for free; this is for you..."

"I understand, I understand."

Manaka’s mouth stretched from ear to ear.

"I have three lives now, I can die three times!"

He waved the yellow paper, almost dancing.

The surrounding crowd all looked at him with envy.

Damn, I want one too, that’s three lives!

But the Onmyoji’s talisman is definitely precise to the person.

If one were to try and snatch it, it might even bring down the Onmyoji’s curse.

If it were to invite the retaliation of a shikigami...

How terrifying!

Those with bad intentions immediately calmed down. ===== CHAPTER 54 =====