Chapter 43

"I actually didn't investigate the abnormal price, it was Augustus who helped find the information at the church."

The doctor signaled the gray-haired old priest to speak, and the latter nodded. The gray-white hair looked particularly decayed under the dim luster of the gas lamp:

"About 100 years ago, a shocking murder case occurred at No. 6 St. Therese Square. According to the church's information, it was actually two Nine-Ring Shushi of unknown origin fighting there, and they died almost at the same time. Subsequent investigation reports showed that they lost control because they read a large number of ancient books. Although the church believes that this will not affect the house itself, since then, the successive owners of the house have mostly died in the house."

"This sounds like the beginning of a horror story..."

Xia De thought in his heart, and then realized one thing:

"Wait, the protagonist seems to be me?"

The old priest paused before continuing:

"The church couldn't check the problem with the house either, so they could only buy it and seal it about 30 years ago, until it was sold at a low price two years ago after repeated inspections. But rich people who tried to consult the housing prices of St. Therese Square were very concerned about such taboos; poor people who didn't care about such things wouldn't ask about the housing prices of St. Therese Square. Finally, somehow, it was bought by Sparrow Hamilton."

It sounds like the previous detective picked up a big bargain and then died.

"Did that detective know about the house?"

Miss Lu Yisha asked curiously. The writer lady was very interested in such things.

"Of course he knew. The church wouldn't hide such things. At that time, he was informed about the past of the house. For safety, the first floor where the accident occurred a hundred years ago was sealed, the stairs to the third floor, which had safety problems due to lack of maintenance for a long time, were cut off, and Room 2 on the second floor, where a collective suicide occurred seventy years ago, was locked... I didn't expect that this owner also died in that house."

The old priest couldn't help holding the pendant on his chest and prayed for Mr. Sparrow Hamilton, wishing his soul could rest in peace.

Xia De, who thought his imagination was too rich, was already worried. The outsider had seen many such stories:

"So, I..."

"But I think Sparrow Hamilton's death was not because of a curse. This is different from before. The previous owners of the house all died suddenly within a few months, and no reason could be found; while the detective's death was something that happened after living for two years, and even the cause of death could be found."

Dr. Schneider said, his blue eyes looking at Xia De:

"Of course, if you think it's uncomfortable to live in, you can also sell the house, but because of Sparrow Hamilton's death... the price will probably fall further."

His suggestion was quite pertinent.

"I don't intend to sell it for the time being. If the detective agency is not in the city center, no one will believe a detective without a reputation like me. And if I sell the house, I won't be able to buy a better house in Tobesk with that money... I know from the newspaper that there are low-priced houses for sale in the Tobesk university area, but the price is really more desperate than the relic's loss of control."

He said so, and Miss Lu Yisha immediately showed an agreeing expression. The blonde girl living alone was also paying attention to this news.

Xia De didn't have the money to move for the time being, so he planned to live there for a few months to try it out. If there were any problems, he would move out immediately.

Judging from the information given by the priest, before the previous owners died suddenly, they had heard strange sounds and seen suspicious shadows in the house. Those who were awakened by this and moved away were fine, but those who lived there all the time died.

"This is even more like a vulgar horror story, and the protagonist is still me."

He thought in his heart, and then asked:

"Although the house belongs to Detective Sparrow, and I also have the detective's will, I didn't see the property and land ownership certificates."

The old priest waved his hand when he heard this, and his face was relaxed:

"Those documents are in the Dawn Church where I am. The detective deposited them there. After all, the church also has concerns. If you want to ask for them back, just bring his will to the church. The Dawn Church is in the central city of Tobesk, half an hour's walk from St. Therese Square. The tree-lined path near the church is very good, and there are many public carriages."

"But in order not to let the church suspect the detective's death, and thus re-investigate the house and even investigate you, I will get you a death certificate of Sparrow Hamilton's illness... This is not making fake documents, the one I got is definitely true... Just treat it as a gift for you joining us, this help, I won't charge you."

Thus, the death of Detective Sparrow Hamilton was completely settled. With the proof document sufficient to deceive the Orthodox Church, except for Xia De and the doctor, no one else would know the secret of the detective's death.

Before ending the meeting today, Xia De mentioned his document-level relic 【Blood-Sucking Ring】. Unfortunately, none of the three people present had ever come into contact with this 【Relic】. But the doctor indicated that he could query the academy library through parchment, but this probably wouldn't have results very quickly.

Since Xia De now possesses two 【Relics】, and both are relics of higher danger levels, he can be considered a relatively wealthy Ringed Shushi. The doctor suggested that after he mastered one or two wonders and curses with relatively powerful power for self-defense, he could read "The Crazy Light Chaser."

"No one will supervise your self-study progress, you have to be responsible for yourself."

This was the doctor's suggestion to Xia De before parting. But after leaving the clinic, old Father Augustus let Xia De not care about the doctor's attitude:

"Bill is always like this. Although he looks strict with people, he is actually kinder than anyone else."

He said while filling his pipe with tobacco. It seemed he had endured it for a long time in the clinic.

"We have all experienced his admonitions. After spending more time with him, you will understand."

Miss Lu Yisha also said so. She boarded the carriage at the clinic door and left directly, while Xia De and Father Augustus, who were relatively not so wealthy, both planned to leave on foot.

Xia De had to find a carriage to take his books back in a while, but ordinary taxis might not have enough space, so he had to go to the nearest taxi company.

Xia De noticed that Miss Lu Yisha was frequently trying to touch her earlobe today, but there were no decorations on the lady's ears. When they met last time, she didn't have this strange action.

He informed the old priest who was temporarily on the same road of his discovery. When the two parted at the next intersection, Father Augustus let Xia De not care:

"It is normal for Ringed Shushi to behave strangely occasionally because of the existence of 'another me.' But as long as it is not losing control due to contact with relics and ancient knowledge, those strangeness don't need to be cared about."

The priest smiled and walked with Xia De on Rontgen Avenue in the rich area. People doing business here were dressed decently, and Xia De and the priest's attire were barely qualified:

"Starting a year ago, Lu Yisha would behave strangely every few days. It's normal now. Last summer, we even suspected that she was occupied by another soul when reading ancient fairy tales."

Xia De's face stiffened, and he didn't dare to continue discussing the possibility of souls occupying bodies. But because of this, he also knew that even seemingly normal Ringed Shushi might have unknown strange expressions.

Ringed Shushi has never been a safe scholar profession.