Detective Agency of the Bizarre

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"Asina and Ruth have been dealt with. The remaining Anna painting and sculpture will not attack people, and professionals who join will be able to explain the situation. The gallery can resume normal business."

He turned off the gas valve to the oil lamp, and the flame died as the oxygen was depleted.

In the slightly desolate morning light, Lu Li stood by the door and continued, "By the way, one of the sculpture's arms broke off during the exorcisms yesterday. Please have someone restore it."

"Of course, of course... I can't thank you enough, Exorcist sir, for saving the future of Madam Anne's Art Gallery. I think your actions will certainly make our gallery even more popular with the local residents," Benjamin said excitedly, rubbing his palms together.

"So, it's time to talk about the payment."

"Um..." Benjamin's smile froze, and he shifted the topic, "Shall we go look at the gallery first?"

"Okay."

Lu Li nodded, not opposed to Benjamin's behavior as if inspecting, which was perfectly reasonable.

Closing the main door, Lu Li and Benjamin walked towards the depths of the corridor.

"This painting is called 'The Pride of Heros,' a scene from when Heros III was placed on the scaffold by our forebears."

Benjamin seemed eager to introduce each painting, making a point to explain each exhibit as they passed.

Lu Li was uninterested and maintained his pace. Benjamin had to follow with his bulky body, bypassing a few exhibits he didn't have time to explain.

Lu Li's steps only paused when they passed the portrait of Anna.

Benjamin's eyes brightened as he eagerly explained beside him, "This painting is called 'Madam Anne's Daughter,' but we usually just call it 'Anna.' It was painted by Madam Anne herself in her own manor when Anna was sixteen. You can see the artistic lines and colors, the slightly dark tones that give it a unique beauty of this era..."

In the midst of Benjamin's rambling, Lu Li approached the portrait.

He had yet to examine this portrait in detail.

The place depicted in the portrait was within the estate, with pale green and light pink flower beds lining the path and the mansion in the background.

Anna sat elegantly in the garden chair, gently pressing down on the hem of her dress, her white Gothic pleated long dress as exquisite as a doll's. The noble girl's pose could not conceal her vibrant spirit.

Some fine particles were scattered throughout the oil painting, making the canvas somewhat uneven. Perhaps due to a lack of protective measures, the paint had also oxidized, causing some discoloration and dullness. But as Benjamin described, this kind of discoloration and darkness added a special, mottled beauty to the painting and to Anna.

"Madam Anne was a famous painter in Himfast, and after she passed away from illness, her family entrusted me with this gallery. As an art dealer, I'm well aware of Madam Anne's value, especially after she uh... I mean, was unable to paint anymore."

"There are many collectors who would be interested in these works, like the one you're looking at. As long as you properly handle the derived supernatural issues, I'm sure you could sell it for a great price."

Through his incessant talks from the oil painting to Madam Anne, and from Madam Anne to value, Benjamin finally revealed part of his intention.

Lu Li withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Benjamin, his brow slightly furrowed, "What are you trying to say?"

Under that gaze, Benjamin felt a chill, but he forced himself to say through gritted teeth, "I would like to present this 'Anna' to you, to offset some of the commission fees."

He did this not just out of stinginess; the crucial point was: he was out of money.

It must be said that Belfast was utterly devoid of an artistic atmosphere. The air here was filled only with the pungent smoke and the lingering smell of fish, not at all a breeding ground for art.

Especially after the gallery's supernatural events became known.

The entire day's visitors yesterday totaled a mere fourteen, and with a ticket price of 5 shillings, the day's income was 70 shillings. Besides paying the wages of three staff members, he also had to bear the costly rent—

Benjamin had placed all his hopes on getting rid of the ghost problem.

But as Lu Li looked on with unemotional eyes and remained silent, Benjamin's mood began to sink deeper and deeper.

"Okay."

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Benjamin looked up in surprise, his eyes, which were normally squinted into a slit by his chubby cheeks, widened more than ever before. He saw Lu Li supporting the painting frame, intent on taking down the oil painting, and there was a hint of familiarity in his movements—as if Lu Li had watched Anna do so before.

Benjamin was smart; he turned and ran deeper into the corridor. Shortly after, faint noises could be heard from the second floor. Seconds later, he returned, out of breath, with a piece of white cloth in his hands.

Lu Li took it from him, just in time to cover the front and back of the portrait.

"Then, please, proceed," Benjamin huffed.

Lu Li gave Benjamin a long look, didn't say anything, and followed him forward.

His intentions having been seen through, Benjamin stopped trying to ineffectively introduce other artifacts—in truth, he really needed a moment to catch his breath.

"When did Anna die?"

Once Benjamin's breathing had calmed, Lu Li asked.

After a moment's thought, Benjamin answered, "About half a year ago."

"How old was she then?"

"Eighteen."

As they conversed and approached the sculpture, as expected, Benjamin deliberately slowed his pace.

Ignoring Benjamin, Lu Li looked at the sculpture and then noticed that the broken arm that should have been in the sculpture's embrace was missing.

"Where's your arm?"

Benjamin held his breath and quietly stepped back a few paces.

The sculpture didn't answer, perhaps because it hadn't woken up yet, or maybe it was unable to speak.

Lu Li looked around the sculpture, but finding no trace of the missing arm, turned to Benjamin.

"If I find the broken arm, I will surely deliver it to your Detective Agency!" Benjamin quickly promised, with a tone as if the sculpture already belonged to Lu Li.

Lu Li's expression remained calm, but his tone rose slightly, laden with irony, "So, you sold two spirits to an Exorcist and even had the Exorcist pay for them?"

Ashamed, Benjamin lowered his head.

"I'll take these two items; how much are you willing to pay as a reward?"

"250 Shillings!" Benjamin raised his head and replied promptly.

Lu Li shook his head slightly, "300."

Benjamin nodded and said, "Alright."

Lu Li went on, "However, just to be safe, there's something I need to inform you about. I'm not certain if the sculpture wishes to leave with me, so if it sneaks back to the gallery at night, I'll need you to pay the corresponding reward."

"No problem!"

Perhaps because he was keenly aware that his actions were truly wrong, Benjamin agreed readily.

In a way, it was a win-win situation. Benjamin resolved the twin problems of financial embarrassment and spectral hazards, while Lu Li traded 700 Shillings for two spirits that harbored goodwill and affection towards him.

In the end, Benjamin wasn't entirely stingy. He rented a carriage, secured the sculpture in a wooden crate, and had Lu Li transported all the way back to the Detective Agency.

As Lu Li returned to the desolate Detective Agency with the long case containing the sculpture and the oil painting, even he couldn't help but feel a trace of inexplicable bewilderment at the bottom of his heart.

He had set out to exorcise spirits, so why did it turn into bringing two spirits home...