Chapter 78: Chapter 78

“Baron Leonard has never lived in this house. He's been renting it out for income.”

Miss Mikhail explained, “And lately, there have been rumors that it’s haunted.”

Jenkins noticed Papa Oliver, who was holding the teapot nearby, pause for a moment.

Jenkins furrowed his brow. “I don’t believe in supernatural phenomena outside of the gods, but if there are rumors like that...”

Miss Mikhail seemed unfazed by Jenkins’s cautious reaction. She chuckled softly before explaining, “I heard the rumors too, so I even took Hathaway and spent two nights there. Nothing happened. The so-called haunting is just that—a rumor.”

Her tone held a hint of disappointment. Papa Oliver was right; this girl’s audacity would be her undoing one day.

Jenkins didn’t answer right away, glancing at Papa Oliver out of the corner of his eye. The old man nodded.

Miss Mikhail seemed quite interested in playing the part of a go-between. That very afternoon, Jenkins met Baron Leonard at Papa Oliver’s shop.

He was a handsome, well-spoken man, not very old. Though he wore a proper white shirt and a black formal suit, the clothes looked a bit worn.

“He’s tight on cash,” Jenkins thought. “Even more broke than I am.”

He understood why the baron was in such a hurry to sell the house.

Papa Oliver was in a good mood today, so he closed up shop early and accompanied Jenkins and the baron to the house at 13 St. George Road. It was only three blocks from Pops Antique Shop.

This area, much like Maidenhaven Road, was a dedicated residential district, but the environment and the quality of the houses couldn’t compare.

The property for sale consisted of a two-story house, a small front yard, and a shed in the back. Jenkins inspected it from top to bottom. The house was clean and tidy, and fully furnished. Activating his Eye of Reality, he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Jenkins commented, glancing at Papa Oliver. The statement had a double meaning.

Papa Oliver agreed, and only then did Jenkins feel at ease.

“Good. The so-called haunting is just baseless gossip from the lower classes.”

Baron Leonard said, dabbing at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief from his breast pocket. He seemed very nervous.

“Since you like it, are you interested in buying? Miss Mikhail personally introduced you, so I can give you a very favorable price.”

“It certainly is a nice place.”

Jenkins said, and he truly meant it. But wasn’t it a bit rash to decide right now?

“I live alone. Isn’t this house a bit large for me?”

“You shouldn’t think of it that way.”

The baron countered, “Mr. Williams, you are of an age to marry. You’ll need a larger house sooner or later. Why waste gold pounds on another move when you can prepare for the future now?”

To Jenkins’s surprise, Papa Oliver nodded in agreement!

Jenkins murmured, running his hand over a nearby fabric sofa. The baron mentioned it had been imported from the Cheslan Kingdom.

“But... what’s your asking price in gold pounds?”

“I own the house and the land, which I can sell to you for 180 pounds. But the furniture is also quite valuable. Since it’s not new, I can offer it at a discount for 50 pounds, making it 230 pounds in total.”

Jenkins chuckled. “I don’t need the furniture. Papa Oliver has plenty of antique pieces. Why would I buy these, which have been used who knows how many times by who knows who?”

The baron looked troubled. He gritted his teeth and pressed on, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I certainly can’t move this furniture. Those damned dockworkers will charge a fortune for hauling it. Rather than let those commoners take our gold pounds, let’s each compromise. Everything for 200 pounds. If you can pay in cash today, it’s all yours.”

It was indeed a very reasonable price. The baron seemed desperate to sell. If he passed this up, Jenkins knew he’d never find a deal this good again.

But Baron Leonard’s attitude was strange. Why was he in such a rush to get rid of this place? Was there a catch?

Jenkins looked at Papa Oliver again. The old man opened his mouth and mouthed the word, “Accept.”

Then there was no problem. Buying this place for 200 pounds was a profitable deal even if he turned around and sold it immediately.

Deep down, Jenkins's past life as someone tormented by soaring property prices had instilled in him an instinctual desire for real estate that not even a new body could change.

“The paperwork for the land transfer...”

“Not a problem! Once the deal is done, leave everything to me!”

A hint of joy appeared on the baron’s face. He tipped his hat, signaling he would handle it all.

As evening fell, Jenkins and Papa Oliver returned to St. George Street by carriage. Jenkins pulled out the key, strung on a piece of red yarn, and the two of them stepped inside.

“I feel like I’m dreaming. I actually bought a whole house?”

“Are you surprised? It’s quite normal.”

Papa Oliver sat on the sofa, patting its arm with a sigh. “This is a high-end sofa, handmade by Master Brotor. This piece alone could sell for at least 50 pounds. That baron is throwing his life away!”

“Papa Oliver, are you sure there are no evil spirits here?”

“There was one before. The rumors of a haunting were likely true.”

Papa Oliver pointed upstairs. “It was around the second-floor bedroom, but the spiritual presence is very faint now. It must have been eliminated in the last few days. It probably ran into a passing Enchanter.”

“It must have been Hathaway.”

Jenkins guessed inwardly, realizing at the same time that Papa Oliver had a special ability to perceive spirits.

“So Baron Leonard was in a rush to sell because...”

Papa Oliver’s answer was simple and direct. “He lost a huge sum at the gambling tables and then took out a high-interest loan from a slum gang. He deliberately fanned the flames of the haunting rumors because he knew Briny Mikhail was interested in such things and hoped to sell it to her for some quick cash. But who would’ve thought she’d stay here for a few days, find no ghost, and lose interest? The nasty rumors just scared everyone else away...”

“So I got a huge bargain?”

“Yes, you were very lucky. I’ve noticed that since that Mysterious Realm in the old castle, your luck has taken a sudden turn for the better. Could it be some compensation from the Recluse of Fate for your earlier troubles?”