[Chapter 163: Summoning]
Anne Hathaway's expression tightened. She asked quickly, "What is it?"
Daniel said, "Your house has been cursed. Anyone who buys it, or even stays here for a few days, will be affected by the curse. The bruises on your body aren't a medical issue -- they're a sign of the curse manifesting. Over time, the bruises will spread until they cover your entire body..."
Daniel hadn't even finished his sentence.
But when Anne heard "cover your entire body," her face went deathly pale.
She couldn't imagine what she'd look like, bruised from head to toe.
She absolutely couldn't accept the thought.
Daniel's next words chilled her even more. "By that point, you'll become a Puppet. Whatever it wants, you will do."
A cold shiver ran down Anne's spine as the words sank in.
"Mr. Cross... can this really be fixed?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Daniel nodded. "I'll do my best."
Anne's eyes brightened with hope. "When do we start?"
Daniel glanced out the window. The sun was shining well today, and patches of sunlight hit the courtyard, but it gave off no warmth.
Suddenly, Anne gasped softly and turned her head toward the kitchen.
Daniel turned with her but saw nothing, only sensing lingering dark energy.
Anne grew paler still and instinctively leaned closer to Daniel, her lips trembling. "Mr. Cross, I just saw a maid in uniform walk out of the kitchen."
Daniel nodded gravely. "That's the ghost haunting your house."
Confirmed by Daniel, Anne's fear deepened. "Was she the one who cursed this place?"
Daniel shook his head. "She doesn't have that power. She's just one of the house's spirits."
"One of the house's spirits?"
Anne's wide eyes grew wider.
"You mean... there are other ghosts here?"
Daniel replied, "Yes. There are five ghosts in total."
Anne suddenly went weak, almost collapsing to the floor. Daniel caught her just in time.
Now terrified and confused, she couldn't believe the house she'd carefully chosen and bought was haunted by five ghosts.
She had no idea what unlucky fate she had stumbled into.
If she told anyone, they'd probably think she was hallucinating.
Urgently, Anne asked, "So, do we start now?"
Daniel shook his head. "This ghost is very powerful. It won't appear during the day if I try to summon it. Only at night, if I summon again, will it reveal itself naturally."
Anne clung to a glimmer of hope. "Mr. Cross, I'm counting on you."
Daniel said, "Let's get out of here first. The dark energy is too heavy, and staying too long isn't safe."
Anne readily agreed. She had been eager to leave.
...
They left the house without incident.
Daniel drove Anne to a nearby park.
Thanks to her role in The Princess Diaries, Anne Hathaway was popular -- she certainly didn't dare get out of the car easily, afraid of being mobbed.
Inside the car, they watched the leisurely crowd in the park.
Seeing people bask in the sunlight, Anne felt a little better.
Daniel asked, "How much did you pay for that house?"
Anne said, "After tax, over $1.5 million."
Daniel noted, "The market value is higher than that."
Anne looked embarrassed. "That's why I thought I got a bargain."
Daniel glanced at her. "Bargains aren't that easy to come by. Especially with the agencies -- they want every cent from you."
He added, "You should sue the real estate agency. They didn't disclose that someone died in the house."
Anne nodded, anger flickering in her eyes. "I will."
...
They stayed in the park until after six, then went to dinner.
Anne barely had an appetite and ordered a simple vegetable salad.
Daniel, however, chose an Angus steak.
The rich aroma and burst of spices pleased him greatly.
Though Daniel was now a Lesser Ascendant, and he could easily go without food for a month or two, he still preferred to eat three meals a day whenever possible. Food's satisfaction remained one of life's greatest pleasures he wasn't willing to give up.
"Do you usually eat so little?" Daniel asked, eyeing Anne's barely touched salad.
"No, usually I eat fine -- I just don't have much appetite right now," she replied.
Daniel said nothing, quietly finishing his meal while Anne paid the bill.
...
By the time they returned to Anne's house, it was almost 8 PM.
Many people were still awake, and making a ruckus would easily draw attention. But Anne's house was secluded, neighbors far enough away that light noise wouldn't draw too much scrutiny.
At night, the temperature inside was noticeably colder.
Stepping into the room felt like stepping out of a cold shower on a winter's day.
The lights were on and no part of the room was especially dark, yet the atmosphere felt unsettling.
As if something lurked just beyond the edges, waiting to strike.
Daniel waved his hand, conjuring a ritual table before him.
Incense, candles, bell, and other items were already arranged.
Anne's eyes widened as she watched him summon a table from thin air, her confidence in him growing.
Daniel flipped his hand and produced several Seals, handing them to her. "Take these and sit on the sofa over there. No matter what you see, don't leave my sight -- your life depends on it."
Anne paled and nodded. "Okay."
She took the Seals and sat obediently, nervous to the point that her lips were pale from being pressed tightly together.
The "Essentials of Exorcism Magic" recorded many spells for summoning ghosts. Daniel had used one before, but back then his exorcism level was lower and effects were weak. Now, as a Lesser Ascendant, he could summon with greater power.
Daniel tapped the table, and the candles and sanctified incense upon it sprang to life.
He reached forward and picked up a parchment bearing a single Prayer Seal, the Edict of Sealed Authority. Holding the edict aloft, Daniel stepped forward. A powerful wave of spiritual authority spread outward, enveloping the entire house.
He declared,
By sealed authority, let hidden command go forth in silence.
Warden of Seizure, traverse all bounds and leave no refuge.
From every quarter, let the unclean be named and brought to account.
Let the bell of judgment sound — no spirit may conceal itself.
By mandate, seize and present them. So ordered.
*****
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