The next day, in the afternoon.
Sebastian had found a property in a prime location, but it turned out to be problematic.
It was a solid stone building that was 50 years old.
Renovations and rebuilding were allowed, the land area was large, and the price was reasonable for the capital.
“When it was put up for sale just earlier, I believe there’s a 99% chance the next customer will buy it if we miss this opportunity.”
Sebastian, after checking the exterior of the building, had been troubled by this sales pitch.
Then the next customer arrived and said that if they weren’t going to buy it, they would.
The more they listened, the more it seemed like a setup.
Sebastian, in a rush to make a decision, hastily signed the contract, but it turned out that the building was actually 150 years old. The number “1” was obscured by a previous digit, making it hard to read.
Moreover, while the exterior looked nice, the interior was in terrible condition, and rebuilding would be extremely costly due to the surrounding buildings.
Additionally, it was a cursed property, and when Ryu and Leanne accompanied Sebastian to verify it, they discovered that the land itself was under a strong curse.
It was clearly the work of a fraudulent dealer.
Even if the interior was somewhat acceptable, a 150-year-old building’s durability was questionable, and the curse was a major issue.
Work on the property was impossible, and staying there posed a risk of falling under the curse.
So, the only options were to abandon it or sell it.
However, since it was a cursed property, it wouldn’t sell easily.
During ownership, only maintenance costs would be incurred, and it would result in a loss.
They had to sell it as cheaply as possible, but it seemed the fraudulent dealer would buy it at a bargain price and repeat the same scam.
Unfortunately, the contract had no apparent flaws or irregularities, and complaining to the dealer now would only result in being met with guards.
“I’m sorry, young master Ryu… It was completely my mistake…”
Sebastian, feeling responsible and clearly depressed, was a sight Ryu had never seen before.
“No, Sebastian. You made a good purchase. It’s not every day you get a prime location this close to a main street at such a price.”
Ryu, after glancing at the building, nodded.
“However, that’s because of the curse…”
“Ha ha ha…! Sebastian, have you forgotten we have an amazing sister?”
“Lady Hanna? …Ah!”
“You noticed? Oh, and before that, we don’t need the building on this land.”
Ryu said this and then stored the large three-story stone building into a magical storage.
Passersby walking along the road did a double-take at the suddenly vanished building and checked the spot where it had been. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief, but Ryu paid them no mind.
“Now we just need to call Hanna.”
With that, Ryu returned to the inn, and promptly used the Dimension Corridor to move to Landmark Territory, where he explained the situation to his mother, Cecile, who was teaching Hanna at the time.
“Well, I might be able to lift the curse myself, but… this time Hanna might be more reliable.”
They decided to interrupt Hanna’s lesson and head to the capital.
Sebastian, guided by Ryu, brought Cecile and Hanna to the property Sebastian had purchased.
“Indeed, this place is under a strong curse… It looks like it would be difficult even for me to lift it… Hanna, could you come here for a moment?”
Cecile called Hanna, who was talking with Leanne.
“What is it, Mom?”
“Do you remember the spell I taught you for breaking curses?”
“Yes, of course! I just need to get rid of this foggy stuff, right?”
It seemed Hanna could see the curse.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Got it! Then I’ll do it. ‘Great Purification!’”
Without any preliminary actions, Hanna cast the great spell said to be learned by sages and saints.
A dazzling light from the heavens poured down onto the cursed land, and a black mist was lifted from the earth and dragged upwards.
The black shadow, believed to be the source of the curse, screamed as it was summoned to the heavens. Cecile, the healer; Leanne, the forest priestess; Hanna, the sage; and Ryu, who had basic healing skills, all saw it.
Sebastian, with his years of experience, seemed to have sensed that the tainted land had been purified.
“Now, we can be at ease, right?”
He confirmed with Cecile.
“Yes, thank you for your hard work, Sebastian. Now, Ryu and Leanne will handle the construction, so please gather some craftsmen and bring them here when you return. Doors, windows, and roofs need specialists.”
“Understood.”
Sebastian nodded and went back to the inn with Ryu.
“Well then, Hanna. How about we go shopping in the capital now?”
Cecile said to her daughter.
“Yay! I want to look at more clothes!”
Hanna, delighted, took Cecile’s hand, and they boarded a carriage, heading to the sewing district.
