“The only characteristic of this relic is that when you touch it with any finger of your right hand, the toucher will see the Silver Moon, and its form will vary according to the moon phase. This characteristic actually has some use; if you touch it when you are caught in an illusion, you might be able to escape the illusion, as the Silver Moon itself has symbolic meaning… 14 pounds, you can take it for 14 pounds.”
Old John probably knew that this relic wasn’t very useful, so the price he offered wasn’t very high.
“But what about its negative effects? And how to contain it?”
Xia De asked, already planning to buy it.
“Do not continuously touch it for long periods, otherwise, you will dream at night, strange dreams about the Silver Moon, and then fall into eternal madness. The containment method is very simple: before midnight every day, immerse it in a colorless liquid for more than three seconds. If you fail to do so, it might directly interfere with the holder’s dreams.”
The negative effects weren’t very significant, but Xia De didn’t immediately say he wanted to buy it. Instead, he pretended to be thinking, and after a long while, he asked:
“Can it be cheaper?”
“This is already the discounted price, for that cane.”
The old man shrugged:
“I usually don’t give discounts.”
“5 pounds.”
“That’s impossible. Is that how you usually bargain?”
“5 pounds and 1 pence? I learned my lesson last time selling the cane.”
“...Remember not to bargain like this with others in the future. Not everyone is as good-tempered as I am. 13 pounds 10 shillings.”
Old John said, shaking his head.
“6 pounds.”
Xia De gestured the number six with both hands.
“12 pounds 17 shillings, that’s the lowest price. Detective, there’s no lower price. I can give you a piece of information as a bonus, would that be acceptable?”
The elderly shop owner said, seemingly unwilling to lower the price further.
So Xia De thought for a moment and made a reluctant expression of agreement:
“Alright then, it’s a deal. But you have to tell me what the information is first. I don’t want to hear about the price of vegetables going up recently.”
“Young people are always like this.”
The shop owner behind the counter shook his head:
“I’ve heard some news. Do you know about Mercury Blood?”
“Of course, I know. News about them has almost spread everywhere now.”
The academy has even issued bounties to Letter-based Ring術士, which means the matters concerning Mercury Blood in Tobesk do not need to be concealed at all.
“Mercury Blood and a group of Cultists seem to be busy with something recently. That’s not the main point. My information is that Mercury Blood has a very good relic in their possession. You know, since I deal in recycling relics and dangerous items, I’m very sensitive to this kind of news.”
However, that illegal organization has many good relics because they are raising materials to synthesize the Angel-level (Grade 1) relic, Mercury Blood.
“What specifically are you referring to?”
Xia De asked, and the old man replied perfunctorily:
“If my information was that well-informed, do you think I’d still be a pawnbroker? I’d have gone to the black market to trade information long ago. It’s a Secret Keeper Level (Grade 3) relic, but it’s actually part of an angel-level relic (Grade 1), and its characteristics have diminished after being separated… It’s believed to be related to fate and can conveniently help in finding lost items.”
“Fate?”
Xia De raised an eyebrow. For some reason, he thought of the letter from the short mouse Peter, which mentioned that the Blood Spirit School had sent a Secret Keeper Level (Grade 3) relic to the Old Continent for Mercury Blood. Although the Silver-Eyed One was dissatisfied that the other party hadn’t sent someone in time, it was clear that the Secret Keeper Level relic must be extraordinary.
“But what could it be? Convenient for finding items, and related to fate.”
He couldn’t figure it out. Seeing that Old John had no more information, he paid for the relic.
The Orb of Moonlight was Xia De's fourth relic, but just like the dice of destiny and the pages of Poet Cohen's Manuscript, it couldn't enhance Xia De's combat or survival abilities; it was merely an auxiliary item.
He didn't know if other Ring術士 possessed many relics, but he made up his mind that once he became wealthy, he would purchase a powerful relic for self-defense.
With this A beautiful vision in mind, Xia De boarded the carriage bound for Lakeview Manor. The manor was located outside Tobesk City, to the south of the City, named for its proximity to Schluch Lake.
This was one of Earl Krolun's properties. The Earl held a high position in the Kingdom's army and was a wealthy and powerful grand noble. This dinner party was hosted by the Earl's second son, Young Krolun, as a Summer evening pastime.
A flat dirt road led directly from Tobesk City to the manor. The carriage carrying Xia De arrived at its destination as the evening sunset appeared on the horizon. Leaving the urban area, the scorching smell in the air disappeared. The air outside the City was quite pleasant, and the young Detective, who was feeling tired from sitting in the carriage for too long, was invigorated by the fresh air.
He was wearing his best black formal suit, a hat, and carrying a cane as he stepped onto the stone path at the manor's entrance, entering the manor's courtyard with the other arriving guests.
The evening had just begun, and there weren't many guests. Everyone was scattered in the courtyard, the labyrinthine garden, the buildings, and various corners of the manor, chatting with familiar people.
The arrival of Summer also changed the way people dressed, but in this relatively conservative era, it was still impossible to see certain sights. Of course, if Xia De had connections to attend certain salons and parties, he would surely be surprised by the activities of the nobles.
The young Detective didn't know anyone here. He had arranged to meet Baron Lavende at the stone table under the grape arbor east of the fountain at the back of the manor, which was where the Baron and his friends played rhode cards.
But it wasn't time yet, so he could only wander around the manor alone. Knowing that the dinner party would serve dinner, Xia De hadn't eaten much at noon, mainly feeding the cat.
Now, seeing long tables set up in the courtyard from the manor house to the main gate, covered with white tablecloths, gleaming metal cutlery, and candelabras illuminating the surroundings and the delicious food on the tables, Xia De, who wasn't very hungry before, felt his stomach craving food.
He was also a person who cared about appearances, so he didn't grab food without regard for his image. Taking a little at a time, but being able to take multiple times from different positions on the long table, was Xia De's strategy.
Of course, while eating, he didn't forget to hand out his business cards to drum up business for himself. This required skill; Xia De would usually quietly approach people as they chatted, then seize the opportunity to say a few words.
When the time was right, he would introduce himself and hand over his business card. Because the address on the business card was Saint Delan Square in the City center, people who received it mistakenly thought Xia De was a very capable Detective, and no one would refuse such a business card.
Xia De became even more determined that he absolutely could not move out of his current apartment unless it was absolutely necessary.
Although he didn't know many acquaintances in this world, after the last ray of sunset disappeared and night fully descended, Xia De actually saw a familiar figure. It was a Black-haired maid, but her attire was clearly different from that of the maids responsible for meals and reception in the manor.
