Because Saint Byron's Astronomical Academy was scheduled to announce this year's activity regulations to all students participating in the autumn astrology event on Wednesday evening, Luvia couldn't accompany Xia De to the Great City Player finals on Wednesday evening.
However, she divined for Xia De and believed that the probability of Xia De losing the championship in this match was even lower than the probability of Mia suddenly turning into a human tonight.
"What kind of analogy is that?"
Xia De asked curiously, stroking the soft cat, and the purple-eyed girl smiled and shook her head, seemingly teasing Xia De.
Not only Luvia, but Dorothy was also busy tonight. After much thought, Xia De sent a letter to Miss Jialinna, thinking that perhaps the Duchess would be interested.
But on Wednesday afternoon, as Xia De was picking out clothes for the evening card game in front of his wardrobe, it wasn't Miss Jialinna who knocked on the downstairs door, but Tifa.
She had changed out of her usual black and white maid dress and put on a red dress that was also different from the one she wore when she acted as a Detective's assistant last time. Not everyone is suited to wear such a vibrant color, but the black-haired girl was exactly the type who was.
The Great City Player finals were held on Wednesday evening, and after the final winner was decided, the Prophet Association would hold a banquet within the association to celebrate the end of the competition. Since they had to attend the banquet, they naturally had to wear formal attire. Miss Jialinna had Tifa come to Saint Delan Square at noon to help Xia De sort out his clothes.
The Duchess seemed certain that Xia De had no intention of tidying his own attire.
Sorting clothes and discussing interesting stories from the Great City Player, an afternoon quickly passed. But before the two set off for the Prophet Association, which was only a street away, an unexpected guest knocked on the downstairs door.
It was Xia De's Chief Anlos.
"Oh, Miss Servite, you look very pretty."
After the plain-looking Chief went upstairs, he first complimented Tifa's attire, then hurriedly pulled Xia De into the study to discuss matters.
"Xia De, the surveillance on Virgil Cameron has reached its final stage. If the intelligence isn't wrong, then I'm certain that the person meeting him will appear tonight."
Chief Anlos stood by the study window, leaning against the wall as if peeking out at Saint Delan Square. The twilight sun shone on his face, illuminating one side while the other remained in shadow.
Xia De sat at the desk, glancing at the three novels on the table that could serve as codebooks:
"It seems tonight is crucial for apprehending the target."
"Yes, my people cannot enter the final venue. But it doesn't matter, I've already obtained the list of invited guests, and MI6 agents will also be monitoring at the intersection of Silver Cross Avenue, counting suspicious individuals entering the Prophet Association tonight. Xia De, the matters inside the final venue..."
"Leave it to me."
Xia De said confidently. He heard Mia scratching at the door, then the sound of the maid picking her up. The cat probably thought Xia De was secretly eating something good in the study:
"I can guarantee that as long as my eyes are open, no one will be able to secretly meet with Virgil Cameron. I will keep a close eye on him tonight."
Chief Anlos smiled:
"That's good. Don't be too nervous; just do what you're supposed to do. Tonight is indeed very important. The information we received even suggests that the legendary agent, the Gray Headed Eagle, will be meeting Cameron during the Great City Player."
Xia De looked up at Chief Anlos by the window, whose face was half light and half shadow, while Xia De at the desk was completely in the shadow of the setting sun:
"I heard that's a very formidable person."
"Yes, even if they are our opponents, I admit they are very formidable. They are skilled at disguise and concealment. Sometimes I even suspect that the Gray Headed Eagle is not one person, but a group of people."
The middle-aged man picked up his hat from the windowsill, ready to leave:
"They must be very well hidden. I don't think we'll have a chance to see him tonight, but even a small clue would be a victory for us."
Then he looked at Xia De and nodded to him:
"Although there might not be a chance to see the Gray Headed Eagle, my carriage will be at your door at ten o'clock tonight, waiting for your news. I wish you a smooth card game and a pleasant evening."
The Chief of MI6 left the Gray Headed Eagle's home. Tifa was very curious about the strange expression on Xia De's face after he saw Chief Anlos off:
"Shall we leave too?"
He didn't explain, but adjusted his mood and said to the maid. The latter hesitated, then leaned close to Xia De and kissed him on the face:
"A kiss for good luck."
The black-haired girl said with a smile.
The Prophet Association today was still decorated as if it were a festival, with lanterns and streamers. When the lights first came on, the entire association was illuminated by bright yellow gas lamps.
Even when Xia De and Tifa walked side by side to the red-carpeted entrance of the association, they saw a glass sign taller than Xia De standing on the side of the main door. The glass sign was in the shape of the Prophet Association's acronym, and inside were segmented, lit gas lamps.
This was truly a grand gesture. Although glass manufacturing techniques had been continuously improved and perfected in recent years, gas lamps of this size and intricacy were still not cheap.
Vice President Mark had already arranged for someone to wait for Xia De at the association's entrance. Seeing him arrive, he immediately led him to the third floor.
Before the final match began, Vice President Mark informed Xia De of the award collection process after the game. It wasn't that the association assumed Xia De would definitely win; Mr. Cameron on the other side would also receive similar information to prevent any mishaps during the award ceremony.
"Xia De, are you confident?"
Vice President Mark asked Xia De in his office. Tifa had already gone to the auditorium on the third floor, where tonight's match and banquet would be held.
"Of course, I'm confident."
Xia De straightened his tie, standing by the window and looking out at Silver Cross Avenue:
"I must win."
His tone was very firm.
"For that pretty female companion?"
Mr. Mark joked, but Xia De shook his head.
He was, of course, doing it so that the pounds he bet wouldn't go to waste.
At five fifty in the evening, seeing that it was almost time, Mr. Mark set off, leading Xia De towards the game venue.
As soon as they walked down the stairs, they heard the clamor coming from the direction of the auditorium. Walking along the red carpet towards the already open auditorium entrance, they could already hear President Stan giving the final explanation of the rules.
Another Vice President of the association, at this time, was leading Mr. Cameron from the other side of the corridor. Xia De nodded slightly to the foreign middle-aged man as a greeting. The other party, however, looked at Xia De intently, still not giving up the idea of wanting to talk to Xia De.
"Then, please welcome our final players! Virgil Cameron and Xia De Hamilton!"
Amidst applause and cheers, Xia De and Mr. Cameron entered the auditorium from opposite sides of the main door, walking along the red carpet. Inside the door, two ladies who had been waiting for a long time followed closely behind them, also walking towards the square card table covered with a green tablecloth in the center of the auditorium.
Coming from the slightly dim corridor into the brightly lit association auditorium, Xia De squinted slightly. He saw the polished floor, the magnificent crystal chandeliers, the ouroboros-patterned gas lamps on the walls, the long tables filled with food in the auditorium, and the guests in formal attire, whose expressions were even more excited than the players'.
"1853 Great City Player Finals"
The clicking of flashbulbs interrupted Xia De's thoughts. Even an Outsider who prided himself on having seen many grand occasions couldn't help but feel a little excited and nervous at this moment.
He and Mr. Cameron, who seemed to have something to say but hesitated, walked to the card table. It was a solid wood rectangular table with four legs, the legs exquisitely crafted into the shape of coiled snakes.
President Stan of the local association and Vice President Rick, who had come from the main association, stood by the table:
"Please shake hands."
Xia De turned and shook hands with Mr. Cameron. But as they shook hands, he felt that the other party had a note hidden in his palm.
His arm movement paused for a moment, but this time he chose to accept the note. Mr. Cameron nodded slightly to Xia De, looking a bit nervous.
After their hands separated, Vice President Rick announced:
"Please present your decks for inspection."
So Xia De and Mr. Cameron each handed their respective decks to the Prophet Association's appraisers for final verification.
"Please display your personal belongings. After the game begins, any un-displayed items are not allowed on the card table."
Xia De took out Mia, who was very well-behaved on his shoulder, and his house keys and wallet from his pocket, placing them on the table. As for the pile of small toys, they were currently with Tifa for safekeeping.
Mr. Cameron also knew the rule about checking personal belongings in advance, so he didn't have many items on him either. Matches, a cigarette case, two commemorative coins, a wallet, and keys.
As both of them raised their arms simultaneously for the white-gloved staff to conduct the final check, Xia De's eyes swept over the two commemorative coins.
【Outsider, you have encountered a whisper.】
"What?"
His eyes widened slightly.
【The smaller silver coin is a relic, but its properties have not been triggered.】
"Special coin? I actually have such luck tonight?"
Xia De maintained a calm expression. After the inspection, he sat down in the seat on the east side of the card table. Tifa stood behind him, hesitating for a moment, the maid bent down slightly and whispered into his ear:
"Don't be nervous, you will definitely win."
She was encouraging Xia De.
Xia De turned to look back, their faces very close:
"I'm not nervous at all, actually."
Turning his head, one hand pressed on the table, beneath it the note the other party had just handed him. The fingers of his other hand constantly bent and straightened, as if he were exercising his palm. He squinted slightly at Mr. Virgil Cameron across the table, the clearly distracted middle-aged man, who forced a smile at him.
"I was just thinking, I've finally figured out whether I should actively approach the other party."
The light from the crystal chandelier made Mr. Cameron's oiled hair shine. Xia De covered his neck and turned his head, then smiled and said to the dealer beside him:
"Deal."
