It happened to be lunchtime, so Grandma Cassandra invited Xia De to eat with her, wanting to chat with him about Miss Jialinna.
Xia De also needed to find a place to eat, so he agreed.
The two did not eat inside the auction house but at Wood Restaurant on Oak Street.
This was a high-end restaurant in the City center, and Grandma Cassandra, as a wealthy merchant, naturally received a warm welcome.
The unique feature of Wood Restaurant was that all its tableware, except for knives and forks, was made of Wood.
Of course, if customers requested, it could be replaced with metal or porcelain tableware.
As the oldest living Great Witch of the Witch Council, Grandma Cassandra knew many things.
It was only from her that Xia De learned that Miss Jialinna's teacher was also a member of the Royal Family, but not a direct descendant of the Cavendish Family; based on the bloodline at the time, her inheritance ranking might be fifteen or more.
Of course, this did not mean that the Cavendish Family had become an Arcanist family like the Aurora Family; before Miss Jialinna and her cousin, no Royal Family members had appeared among the Great Witch seats.
Grandma Cassandra was very talkative and even mentioned amusing anecdotes about Miss Jialinna's childhood to Xia De—the kind of anecdotes that, if Xia De dared to bring them up, he would likely be thrown out of the Witch Manor.
Not only that, but she even discussed Sister Devlin of the Spiritual Cultivation Order with Xia De.
Qi Na Cassandra, over a hundred years old, had known the Spiritual Cultivation Order since her youth and had witnessed the succession of three chief sisters of the Order.
Even the current leader, Sister Devlin, was discovered by Grandma Cassandra to be a talented individual.
"Devlin is truly talented, especially her eyes that can see through death; this is a very rare talent."
The Old Witch offered this evaluation, with a vegetable salad platter placed in front of her.
"Then why didn't you choose her as your successor?"
Xia De asked curiously, and the old woman across the table shook her head:
"I consulted my teacher, and she believed that Devlin was more suited to the Spiritual Cultivation Order than to the power of a Great Witch.
The Order she leads can exert more power for this world.
From the current situation, my teacher truly lives up to her name."
When Grandma Cassandra inherited her seat, the previous Great Witch unfortunately died young, so her teacher was another Ring Arcanist; Xia De had heard Sister Devlin and Miss Jialinna both mention this.
"Then your teacher is..."
Since the other party mentioned this, Xia De took the opportunity to ask curiously.
"Oh, I can't casually reveal my teacher's name.
However, my teacher happens to be in Middlesburg as well, preparing for a ritual that occurs every twenty-two years.
When the ritual takes place, I can introduce you two."
Grandma Cassandra said with a smile, and Xia De nodded, not pressing further.
However, combining the currently known information, Xia De strongly suspected that the teacher of this old woman was a Twelve Ring or even Thirteen Ring Sorcerer.
After all, her age was even greater than Grandma Cassandra's.
"Oh, speaking of which, are there any Ring Arcanists in Middlesburg who are particularly skilled in death power?
They don't have to be extremely strong, but they must be proficient.
I need help from such an Arcanist for some matters."
During the meal, Xia De casually inquired, and the Great Witch, who had already heard about the third Chosen One, naturally gave an answer:
"Jialinna asked you to help me?
No, young man, it's not needed; I will investigate this myself.
I know you are very capable, but do not easily interfere with matters related to the whispering chapters."
"I understand."
Xia De did not ask further to avoid arousing the Great Witch's suspicion.
He thought to himself that Sister Devlin also knew about the whispering chapters, so he couldn't ask the Spiritual Cultivation Order for help either.
After lunch, Xia De bid farewell to Grandma Cassandra and headed to Middirburg Mechanical College.
It's interesting to note that in the Old Era, after the true "Middlesburg"—the castle camp used for defense—was abandoned, it wasn't demolished but became the base for the later-established Middirburg Mechanical College.
The castle is located at the foot of Sicar Mountain, and its main body is shaped like the character "times" (return) from the Outsider's homeland.
The entire college, besides the castle itself and the large open space in the center of the castle, also includes parts separated by independent outer walls, as well as other teaching buildings later constructed next to the castle.
Compared to Saint Byron's Comprehensive College, which Xia De already knew covered an area larger than a City (Note), the Old Era brick and stone castle with even a spire, which he saw after getting off the carriage, truly matched his imagination of a "magic spell school."
Unfortunately, this was just a regular local institution of higher learning; no one would be flying on brooms here.
Unlike Tobesk's University District, which consists of several well-known Kingdom schools, Middlesburg only has two well-known schools.
The older Middirburg Mechanical College is directly connected to the steam factory area at the foot of the mountain, achieving an integration of industry, academia, and research.
Near the castle, countless towering chimneys spewing black smoke could be seen, and at the same time, carriages rushed through the streets, and merchants frequently moved about.
Compared to the City center, this area seemed much livelier.
The weather remained gloomy; it had even started to drizzle when Xia De got on the carriage, but the rain had stopped by the time he got off.
Xia De had never been here, so to find Professor John Dunn, he had to ask for directions.
As he looked around, a figure walking briskly from his left side suddenly met his gaze.
"Hmm?"
"Hmm?"
The man in the Royal Army uniform was none other than Captain Rades, the "Eight-Gun Captain," whom Xia De hadn't seen in over half a month.
And although Xia De was now wearing the eyeshadow given by the Great Witch and clothes he had never worn in Tobesk City, Captain Rades still recognized him:
"Mr. Hamilton?"
Of course, this burly officer was not entirely sure that the person he saw was Xia De Hamilton.
Tobesk and Middlesburg were too far apart, and due to the eyeshadow, Xia De indeed looked somewhat different from his original appearance.
Xia De's mind raced for a moment, but he finally nodded:
"It's me."
Since he had been recognized, pretending to be here on a business trip was fine, as long as he didn't appear in the Tobesk newspaper for any reason in the next two weeks, he wouldn't be exposed.
So he gestured for Captain Rades to go with him to a secluded spot under a willow tree by the wall.
Captain Rades was very excited to see Xia De in Middlesburg:
"Oh, Detective, how are you in Middlesburg?
Just now, I almost didn't recognize you."
He warmly shook Xia De's hand, genuinely treating Xia De as a friend.
"Because of a troublesome commission."
And the Detective from Tobesk put on a troubled expression:
"I only arrived here a few days ago.
A client from Tobesk asked me to come here to investigate something related to an illegitimate child.
The client's identity is sensitive, so I cannot reveal my purpose and must leave after the investigation is complete.
Captain, I am now using the alias John Watson, a Writer, so please address me by that name."
"John Watson?
Oh, I remember."
The Captain nodded, quite understanding of the reason Xia De gave:
"Matters like illegitimate children are indeed troublesome.
Is it a Great Noble?
Oh, I shouldn't ask.
But Mr. Watson, you could have refused this commission; after all, it takes a week to travel from Tobesk by train.
Is the other party very influential?"
Captain Rades thought he had found the answer and couldn't help but frown:
"Did they threaten you?"
"No, no, I know Duchess Jialinna; who would dare threaten me?
It's because they offered too much."
Xia De rubbed his fingers, and now, Captain Rades understood Xia De even better, the middle-aged man couldn't help but smile:
"So what are you doing now?
Do you need my help?
I am very familiar with this City."
"To investigate the illegitimate child matter, I used connections to get in touch with a local wealthy merchant.
But that wealthy merchant wants me to help him find a lost antique before he'll assist me.
Captain, do you know where the college's folklore professors usually are?"
PS: Mentioned by the doctor in Chapter 573; this is a reminder to prevent forgetting, not a sudden new setting.
