As Xia De saw Mr. Asmont, the other party also saw him and recognized this old acquaintance from Coldwater Port.
So he walked over:
"I didn't expect to meet you again here. Reconnecting with different people in different places during a journey always makes one marvel at the wonder of fate."
The man in the brown robe sat opposite Xia De, and they shook hands over the table. The waiter then came over again, allowing Mr. Asmont to order. After the waiter left, the long-faced man looked at Xia De and said:
"Oh, Mr. Watson, I later saw the Great City Player news in the newspaper and heard about Xia De Hamilton, which was when I finally knew who you really were."
He must have noticed the Demon card in the champion deck.
"Sorry, I'm actually a Detective. Two months ago, I accepted a tricky commission and had to operate under the alias John Watson in Coldwater Port. This time, too, I came to Middlesburg for another tricky commission."
Xia De briefly explained his whereabouts, then leaned forward slightly and asked with great interest:
"Mr. Asmont, did you finally find the demon in Coldwater Port?"
The surrounding area was bustling with noise, but no one noticed what the two people by the wall were discussing.
"Of course not, there were only the rumored stinky mermaids there."
This Demon Scholar's delarion was very distinctive; it wasn't inaccurate, but had a strange accent that didn't hinder understanding. Under the yellowish light of the kerosene lamp on the wall, half of his long face was obscured in darkness:
"But later, I learned interesting things from folklorists in Coldwater Port, which is why I traveled all this way here."
"So, there are demons in Middlesburg?"
Xia De asked, and Mr. Asmont let out a long "Hmm~" from his nose, nodding slightly:
"Yes, it's said to be a demon related to fire. I've already found out that Sicar Mountain is an extinct volcano, and the local area has a tradition of fire worship and many interesting rumors, such as Evil Spirits in fires, Original Fire, Phoenix, old news about the Fire Worship Festival, and so on. So I think, perhaps the demon is on this mountain."
He probably got the target wrong again. The origin of the local fire worship tradition is actually the Phoenix, not some demon.
"That sounds interesting. Well, I wish you a smooth journey this time."
"You are too kind, Mr. Watson. So why are you here on this mountain? Is it a commission related to Red Water Camp?"
Mr. Asmont rested his right arm on his right leg, leaning slightly forward as he asked.
"No, no, I have a Captain friend here. I happened to come to this City and wanted to visit him."
Xia De pointed in the direction of the nearby barracks, then, while eating, told Mr. Asmont about the murder case at Middirburg Mechanical College a few days ago. Of course, the protagonist of the story changed from a Detective who could see bloodstains to a very wise Captain.
Although this Demon Scholar had been staying in the inn at the Windy Path traveler's camp, he knew about the serial murder case in the City through the newspaper. He was indeed attracted by Xia De's story, listening and offering his opinions.
Regarding the "mystical" Knowledge that ordinary people perceive, Mr. Asmont, who studies demonology, has a lot of authority to speak. Even when Xia De mentioned the bronze pot and the disgusting things being boiled inside, Mr. Asmont could eloquently explain that similar practices exist in rituals for summoning demons.
After finishing the meal, Captain Rades still hadn't appeared. Mr. Asmont also didn't leave; instead, he invited Xia De to play rhode cards again, and continue telling his story about the demon. This time he had no special cards, but Xia De didn't mind passing the time by playing cards.
However, before the two of them had even finished shuffling their respective decks, another stranger approached.
It was a young man who looked travel-worn but was still decently dressed, though his yellow short hair was a bit messy, probably because he hadn't washed it in a long time. He was probably three or four years older than Xia De's current body, wearing a pair of leather boots and a shirt and black leather jacket that allowed for easy movement.
He pulled his chair to the table and asked the two:
"Are you two planning to play rhode cards?"
From his accent, he should be from Carson Rick.
"Yes, sir, is there something?"
Xia De asked. Seeing that Xia De didn't mind his approach, the travel-worn traveler introduced himself:
"I am William Shelley, a Poet from Carson Rick. I plan to walk from the southernmost tip of the Old Continent to the northernmost tip of the Old Continent, but unfortunately, there was a problem with my travel expenses."
He placed the chair at the table facing the wall, then sat down.
"You want to play rhode cards with us to earn some money? Oh, sir, I'm sorry, we don't intend to gamble."
Xia De shook his head, actually worried that he would win away the Poet's last meal money.
"No, gambling is boring. Interested in betting a special card?"
He asked very earnestly, then looked at the young Detective and Mr. Asmont with the sallow, long face. Seeing that both of them looked very interested, he reached into his pocket and took out his deck, then showed the top card to the two of them:
【Brave Saga: Bard Fletcher】, Suit: Flowers Nine.
When this card is drawn, if it is the first card, there is no effect. If it is not the first card, and the previous card is a Flower suit and the number is plural, this card can be adjusted between the numbers 9 and 10.
The card face depicted a long-eared Poet wearing a hat decorated with long feathers and holding a seven-stringed zither with a wood grain, likely intending to portray a legendary elf. But Xia De, who was quite proficient in elf Knowledge, could point out at least five details on the card face that contradicted elf customs. However, considering it was just a rhode cards face, there was no need to be so particular.
"Let's play cards together. If I win, each of you gives me five pounds. If I lose, then you can choose to buy this card for 30 pounds. Either way, I can get my travel expenses."
The young Poet suggested.
"Are you sure this card is genuine?"
The price of this card should be above 60 pounds. The Brave Saga series of cards includes fifteen different professional Braves (thirteen points and King, Queen) from ancient stories. This set of cards was issued about 90 years ago and has been reissued twice. The one in the Poet's hand, judging by the Texture on the card's edge, is a first edition.
"Of course, I won this in Mordy City in Carson Rick before entering the mountains, and I also have a certificate of authenticity in my room."
The Poet said with certainty.
"You've come all this way by playing rhode cards?"
Xia De asked curiously.
"Sometimes I have bad luck and lose, but I can earn money by singing and playing in taverns. I'm quite confident in my voice."
Xia De nodded, then glanced at Mr. Asmont, the Demon Scholar sitting opposite him, whose black eyes seemed to be constantly watching Xia De:
"Well, Mr. Watson, I won't participate. Although I like playing cards, I can't take out that much cash all at once."
"One last question, this place is only a day's journey from Middlesburg, why not sell this card in the City? The Prophet Association will not lack buyers."
Xia De asked again.
"I never sell rhode cards. I'm a rhode cards Player, not a merchant."
The Poet said as a matter of course, and Xia De nodded in agreement:
"Alright, I'll play cards with you. However, I was just discussing the legend of the demon with Mr. Sean Asmont. You wouldn't mind if I talk to Mr. Asmont while we play, would you?"
"Of course not, I'm also very interested in your story."
The Poet nodded, but then asked curiously:
"I see this gentleman is well-dressed and speaks extraordinarily. May I ask what your professions are?"
He must have noticed Xia De had money, which is why he came over to suggest playing cards.
"I am John Watson, a Writer who came here for material, and this is Sean Asmont, a Demon Scholar who seeks demon Knowledge."
Xia De introduced. The young Poet enthusiastically nodded to Mr. Asmont:
"How interesting. Is a Demon Scholar considered a folklorist? Perhaps your stories can give me more poetic inspiration."
"Probably."
Xia De said, while the long-faced man sitting opposite him was already ready to tell his story. This was a continuation of the story told last time in Coldwater Port City, about the demon born from disaster, which, on the premise of fulfilling human wishes, takes everything from humans.
And the card game between Xia De and the young traveling Poet, Mr. Shelley, proceeded with the basic rules of simple draws not counting and best two out of three rounds.
"I don't know how to refer to that demon who fulfills people's wishes."
The Demon Scholar's voice was hoarse but powerful. When mentioning the demon, his black eyes narrowed slightly, and a chilling smile curled at the corners of his mouth. Sean Asmont was the kind of person who could easily scare small children at night.
Xia De and the young Poet had already started the first round. Xia De hadn't added any special cards to his deck, but he still wasn't very worried about the outcome of the game.
Xia De's first face-down card was star 13, while Mr. Shelley, the Poet, carefully flipped over his card to check the number, and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"It once experienced failure, because it met a person with no wishes. But the demon, unwilling to fail, hid in that person's soul, spreading its malice and lies with him."
"That sounds terrifying."
The Poet commented simply.
"Aren't all those ancient Evil Spirits in stories like that?"
Xia De said, and then both drew their second cards. Xia De had Sun 6, totaling 19 points. He thought for a moment, then tapped the table to indicate he was staying. Poet Shelley had Moon 3, and he continued to draw a third card:
"Mr. Watson, your luck is really good."
"That demon and the wishless person traveled a long way. Malice, lies, war, plague, these accompanied them. The wishless person was treated as the embodiment of disaster by his companions, driven away by everyone he met, even his blood relatives. But he didn't care at all, just kept walking forward, walking forward."
"Perhaps he realized he was possessed by a demon."
Xia De said. The young Poet sighed deeply, then revealed his third card, Moon 11. Unfortunately, his face-down card was Flowers 10, so 10+3+11 = 24 points; he busted. Xia De, meanwhile, won the first round.
