Chapter 63: Chapter 63

"It's all because of the recent hauntings. A lot of well-connected nobles and merchants are scrambling to get their hands on soul-calming charms and other occult items that can harm spiritual entities. Naturally, the prices have shot up."

The gaunt figure remarked nonchalantly.

Jenkins furrowed his brow. When had this started? He hadn't heard a thing about it. Still, crafting soul-calming charms wasn't particularly difficult. Maybe he could cash in on this opportunity?

"What's this business with the hauntings?"

He asked in a low voice. The man opposite him remained silent, simply extending his right hand and rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.

Jenkins snorted, but still pulled out ten shillings and handed them over.

"What am I, a beggar you're trying to get rid of?"

"That's all you're getting. If you don't want it, I'll save myself the cost of a few meals."

"Tch. Another rich cheapskate."

"I've got connections in the Church of Death and End. They've noticed that since the beginning of July, the number of reported hauntings in the city is up ten percent compared to previous years. The Orthodox Churches think it's tied to the strange astronomical signs lately. The spirits themselves are weak—pretty much any ability can disperse them—so for Enchanters like us, a few extra ghosts are nothing to worry about. But the nobles sleeping on their piles of gold pounds and the factory magnates getting rich off the backs of the poor? They see things differently."

His tone dripped with scorn. It was hard to tell if he simply hated the rich or if some bitter past experience fueled his words.

Jenkins nodded, then turned without a word and headed for the next pool of candlelight. He'd initially thought he could turn a profit, or that this might be connected to the incident in the castle the other day. It turned out to be nothing more than a minor uptick in spiritual activity.

His wanderings through the black market that day proved fruitless, a complete waste of time. There were countless fascinating items for sale, many of which tempted Jenkins to sell everything he owned just to purchase them, but he had to accept the hard reality of his empty pockets.

The next day, Jenkins checked with Papa Oliver about the increase in hauntings. The old man knew about it, but he agreed that the phenomenon was likely due to the celestial anomalies and had little to do with what they had encountered in the castle basement.

"So the stars can influence the world down here?"

Jenkins maintained his good habit of asking about anything he didn't understand.

"Remember that 'Astral Perception' ability I suggested you learn? The brilliant night sky we see above us, with the exception of our two moons, is entirely a projection of the astral plane onto the material world. Changes in the astral plane are often precursors to changes in our world. Skilled astrologers can trace the path of the future by observing these shifts in the stars."

His explanation was rather vague, but he did tell Jenkins that strange fluctuations in the astral plane had become increasingly frequent in recent years. The good news, however, was that no major, world-threatening disasters had occurred—at least not yet.

"What's the situation with that evil spirit at Nolan Public Hospital No. 5?"

Jenkins hadn't forgotten about it. He'd heard about the spirit right after he transmigrated, but the problem had dragged on, unresolved.

"The spirit's been temporarily quarantined. It can't leave a specific area of the hospital."

Papa Oliver shrugged, not seeming overly concerned. "Reinforcements from the capital have been sent out to sea to deal with that other... major problem. We got word a few days ago that the main combat forces of the major churches should be returning soon."

The hauntings didn't affect Jenkins personally, but he was still worried about his family. Since his older brother, Newman Williams, was away again on a study trip with his professor, Jenkins only asked Papa Oliver for three soul-calming charms.

Papa Oliver refused to take Jenkins's money. Perhaps the recent incident in the Mysterious Realm had earned him enough goodwill, or perhaps the charms were just genuinely cheap to make.

The Williams family were already devout followers of the Legacy Sage, so when Jenkins got home, he simply told them the charms were protective amulets from Bishop Parrold. The three of them were delighted and promised to wear them at all times. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

"Come to think of it, the Bishop is becoming a rather convenient, all-purpose excuse."

Jenkins quipped to himself.

A few days later, Professor Burns paid another visit to Pops Antique Shop. He came primarily to thank Jenkins for his help in the Mysterious Realm and Papa Oliver for guiding him to successfully become one of the church's Scribes.

"The one who guided you to become an Enchanter... in your dream..."

Jenkins asked as he used Papa Oliver's prized porcelain to pour tea for the three of them. The water was still scalding hot, so Jenkins curled his right index finger and flicked each of the cups in turn. In an instant, his ability adjusted the tea's temperature to a perfectly drinkable warmth.

Papa Oliver had temporarily closed the shop, and they were now gathered in the reception room on the second floor.

"The church investigated it. We even prayed for the Sage's attention. She informed us that the entity bears no malice, and I've been cleared of any suspicion."

The professor nodded, offering Jenkins his thanks.

"The Sage answered you?"

Jenkins was surprised. From what little he understood of theology, such great beings rarely communicated directly with fragile mortals.

A flicker of pride crossed the professor's face, but then he shrugged. "It seems it was through a special item. To be honest, the specific details of the event are already starting to fade."

Hearing this, Papa Oliver nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, then I understand. So the holy relic brought by the steam airship was left here. No wonder they didn't leave anyone behind to guard it..."

"Well, congratulations."

He changed the subject, making no further mention of what he'd just said. Jenkins and Professor Burns both had the good sense to act as if they hadn't heard a thing.

The professor hadn't made a special trip just to offer his thanks, of course. He made small talk with them for a while before finally steering the conversation to his real purpose.

"To be honest, I'm rather confused. What exactly is the Orthodox Church's stance on Enchanters who resist the Registration Act, or those who follow pseudo-gods?"

Papa Oliver just smiled and, without a word, gestured for Jenkins to answer.

"I only became a Scribe of the Sage a few weeks before you did, Professor. But my take on it is..."

He chose his words carefully:

"I'm not entirely sure myself. They don't oppose them, but they certainly don't support them either. I suppose that's the gist of it. You've been an unregistered Enchanter for a while now; I imagine that's been your experience as well."

"Indeed. It's very peculiar."

The professor murmured, his expression softening as some thought crossed his mind. He sighed and let the sensitive topic drop.