“Athena and Ruth have been dealt with. As for Anna’s painting and the statue, neither will harm anyone. Just inform any new hires about them, and the gallery can resume normal operations.”
Lu Li turned off the oil lamp’s valve, and the flame extinguished as the remaining oxygen was depleted.
Bathed in the slightly dim light of dawn, Lu Li stood by the door and continued, “By the way, during the exorcism last night, the statue’s arm was broken. Please arrange to have it restored.”
“Of course, of course... Thank you so much, Exorcist. You’ve saved the future of Madame Anlef’s Art Gallery. I think your actions will make the gallery even more popular with the locals,” Benjamin said, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically.
“Now, let’s discuss the payment.”
“Uh...” Benjamin’s smile froze, and he quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t we take a look around the gallery first?”
“Fine.”
Lu Li nodded, not objecting to Benjamin’s insistence on inspecting the results. It made sense, after all.
Closing the door behind them, the two walked deeper into the gallery’s hallway.
“This painting is called *Pride of Heros*. It depicts the moment King Heros III was sent to the gallows by our ancestors.”
Benjamin seemed intent on introducing every piece in the gallery, pausing to explain each one as they passed.
Lu Li wasn’t interested and kept walking at a steady pace. Benjamin, dragging his portly body, had to hurry to keep up, skipping over several pieces he didn’t have time to describe.
It wasn’t until they passed Anna’s painting that Lu Li halted.
Benjamin’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly began explaining. “This painting is titled *Madame Anlef’s Daughter,* but we usually just call it *Anna.* It was painted by Madame Anlef herself, in her family estate, when Anna turned sixteen. Look at those artistic lines and colors! The darker tones give it a unique beauty, reflective of this era’s special charm...”
As Benjamin rambled on, Lu Li approached the painting.
He had never taken a close look at it before.
The painting depicted a scene in a manor garden, with dark green and pale pink flowerbeds lining a path and a grand estate forming the background.
Anna sat gracefully on a garden chair, her delicate hands lightly pressing her skirt. Dressed in an intricately detailed white gothic pleated gown, she looked like a porcelain doll. Her noble demeanor couldn’t fully hide the lively energy emanating from her.
The surface of the painting was speckled with fine particles, giving the canvas a slightly uneven texture. Perhaps due to the lack of protective measures, the pigments had oxidized, giving the painting a faded, muted appearance. However, as Benjamin had described, this worn, darkened quality added a unique patina to both the painting and Anna.
“Madame Anlef was a renowned painter in Schimfast. After she passed away from illness, her family entrusted this gallery to me. As an art dealer, I know Madame Anlef’s value, especially after her death... I mean, after she was no longer able to paint.”
“Many collectors would be interested in pieces like this one. If you can resolve the supernatural issues tied to it, I’m sure it would fetch a high price.”
Their conversation brought them to the statue. Unsurprisingly, Benjamin slowed his steps.
Ignoring him, Lu Li turned his attention to the statue and noticed something amiss—its severed arm was missing from where it had been placed.
“Where’s your arm?” he asked.
Benjamin held his breath and quietly backed away a few steps.
The statue didn’t respond. Perhaps it hadn’t awakened, or perhaps it was incapable of speech.
Glancing around the statue, Lu Li found no sign of the missing arm. He turned to Benjamin.
“If I find it, I’ll personally deliver it to your agency!” Benjamin hastily promised, speaking as though the statue already belonged to Lu Li.
Lu Li’s expression remained calm, but his tone carried a hint of sarcasm. “You’re selling two ghosts to an exorcist and even making him pay for them?”
Benjamin lowered his head in embarrassment.
“I’ll take these two. How much of the remaining fee will you pay?”
“250 shillings!” Benjamin blurted, raising his head.
Lu Li shook his head slightly. “300.”
Benjamin nodded quickly. “Deal.”
Lu Li continued, “But just in case, I should warn you: I can’t guarantee the statue will be willing to leave with me. If it sneaks back to the gallery at night, you’ll need to pay me for dealing with it again.”
“No problem!”
Perhaps aware of the unfairness of his actions, Benjamin agreed without hesitation.
In a way, this arrangement was mutually beneficial. Benjamin resolved his financial difficulties and ghostly troubles, while Lu Li acquired two ghosts who bore him goodwill for 700 shillings.
In the end, Benjamin didn’t cheap out entirely. He rented a carriage, had the statue packed into a wooden crate, and arranged for it to be delivered back to Lu Li’s detective agency.
When Lu Li returned to his quiet office with the long crate containing the statue and the covered painting, even he couldn’t help but feel a faint wave of confusion.
Why had an exorcism ended with him bringing two ghosts home?