Episode 67

A ghost appearing?

Looking at Alicia’s face, she seemed genuinely frightened.

Not just Alicia. Even Lord Goral was.

What on earth are these two talking about?

If it were a Ghost-type monster that would be one thing, but there’s no way actual ghosts exist.

Lord Goral cleared his throat and continued.

“As for this property, it seems there really is a ghost… the previous owner sold it because of that.”

“……”

He really seems to mean it.

Lord Goral’s serious demeanor didn’t fade.

“Long ago, a blacksmith supposedly died in the middle of his work… and his restless spirit still lingers… or something like that. In any case, I think it’s better to avoid that property.”

However, in reality, nothing usually happens.

Actually, I absolutely don’t think ghosts exist…

I’ve never seen such beings in my life.

“F-Father! Are you planning to prepare such a shop for Faik…!?”

Alicia narrowed her eyes sharply.

Seeing her reaction, Lord Goral answered, flustered.

“N-no, that’s why I’m proceeding on the assumption that that shop is off the table for now. But compared to the other candidate shops, it excels in every respect. I only put it forward as a candidate thinking we might take a look. I’m not recommending it either.”

I looked again at the paper Lord Goral had given me.

Five properties were listed, including the reputedly haunted one.

As expected, no matter how many times I look, the reputedly haunted property has the best conditions.

The price is low, the facilities are well-equipped, and the location is good.

It would be a shame to pass this up just because of ghosts or something.

Especially when we’re going to run a business… location is important.

It’s on the edge of Adventurer Street, on the way out of town.

If we can set up a shop here, there will likely be many opportunities for adventurers to stop by.

As Alicia’s husband, I want to be called the world’s greatest blacksmith. No, I believe I must become one.

I don’t know what constitutes the world’s best blacksmith, but at the very least, being the owner of a shop that sells nothing wouldn’t look good.

For that reason, I prefer this shop with as good a location as possible.

However, since the two of them seem genuinely frightened, I’ll avoid using definitive language for now.

“Yes. Including this shop, I think we’ll look at all of them once.”

“I-is that so… but it’s a ghost. It’s a scary thing, you know? Are you sure you’ll be all right?”

“If it were a Ghost-type monster, that would be another matter… but I think a ghost should be fine.”

I don’t believe in ghosts at all, but I can’t completely deny Lord Goral.

Ghost-type creatures and ghosts are entirely different things.

If I were to simply separate the two, Ghost-types can be defeated, whereas ghosts… can’t be defeated? Something like that. I often hear reports of ghost sightings, but none are very credible, so I don’t know the details.

Lord Goral folded his arms as if thinking, then nodded.

“Anyway. You should choose a shop from among them. I’ve spoken to each owner and borrowed the keys.”

When Lord Goral pointed to the table, there were indeed keys placed there.

When I stepped forward, Lord Goral handed the bunch of keys to me.

Normally, you can’t view properties this easily… but there must be something to his status as a noble.

It reminded me that I must not tarnish that name.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Well then, sorry for the short time. I’m off to work now. If there’s an emergency, send a letter to the usual address.”

Lord Goral looked at Alicia, and she nodded.

With that, Lord Goral picked up a bag and left the study. The servants approached him, took the luggage, and disappeared down the corridor.

“For now… what should we do?”

“Let’s see. I think we should go back to the room and check things calmly.”

There’s no point for us to stay here forever either.

We left the room and, after breakfast, gathered in my private room.

I laid out the documents on the table and examined the properties.

“For now, Lord Goral said as much, so shall we go take a look?”

“Yeah… but Faik, can I ask you one question?”

“What is it?”

“…Are we going to places where ghosts appear too?”

“I plan to go… but are you that scared?”

“I-it’s not like I’m scared.”

No, whatever way you look at it, her face is pale…

It’s impossible to deny that.

“Well, whether you’re scared or not isn’t really the point… For now, I think I’ll go take a look by myself at least.”

“…N-no. I’ll go too. I will help with the shop, after all.”

“…You’re still going to help?”

“Yes. I’m Faik’s wife, after all.”

W-we’re not married yet, though…

I thought that, but couldn’t say it out loud. I’ll have to work hard so I can introduce her as my wife to someone.

If we have a shop, I was still thinking about how Alicia would help with the work, but for now choosing the location comes first.

“Then, shall we go to the shop once?”

“Y-yeah… got it.”

Alicia nodded, and we began preparing to head out.