He went down the mountain and arrived in the City smoothly. As autumn deepened, the temperature gradually dropped. Middlesburg today was still as prosperous as autumns of previous years, but whether the City could survive this autumn was still hard to say.
Since Miss Jialinna had already made an appointment for Xia De, he went directly to Cassandra Auction House. In the top-floor reception room of the auction house, Grandma Cassandra took the longsword Xia De handed her, carefully removed the cloth wrapped around it, and recognized it immediately after a glance.
Her appraisal speed was a bit too fast.
"Oh, I never thought I'd live to this age and still have the chance to see such a relic. Let's talk about the danger level first: Angel-level (Level 1)."
The Old Witch carefully placed the longsword back on the table.
This level was as Xia De expected; after all, the doctor also said this sword couldn't be lower than Sage-level.
"Its name, I remember, is...Pale Justice? No, no, not that one...Ashes? No, no, that sword is with Devlin...Yes, getting old really makes one forgetful."
The Old Witch shook her head self-deprecatingly:
"【My Heart is Clear, My Sword Slashes Demons】, this sword is the angel-level relic 【Night Watchman】. Those Demon Hunters of the third epoch sometimes called themselves 'night watchman' because, in the third epoch, night accounted for two-thirds of the day. In short, it's an angel-level relic, and the containment condition is that it must not be touched by those with evil intentions. As for this sword's characteristics, it doesn't get dusty, can attack spiritual bodies, is sharp, causes special damage to evil demons, negates the Undead resistance of Undead creatures, and automatically alerts you when evil demons appear. You can simply magnify the characteristics of the sword itself. As for noteworthy features—"
Grandma Cassandra thought for a moment:
"This sword automatically memorizes and retains the swordsmanship of its previous users. When you hold this sword, you may sometimes find it controlling your arm. Don't worry, just learn from it. Although the age of cold weapons has long passed, for a Ring術士, cold weapon combat is still a good choice."
"That sounds very good. Coincidentally, I also lack cold weapon combat experience. However, this is an Angel-level longsword; are these its only characteristics?"
Xia De asked curiously.
"No, no, of course not. If we summarize its unique characteristics, there are three points. The first is the ancient heroes' techniques passed down by this sword, and the second is its effect on demons. Simply put, you can consider 【Night Watchman】 a demon bane. If Xi Wei had this two months ago, she wouldn't have let Ivan Darkness escape at all."
Xia De had also seen this sword's special offensive power against demons on the doctor last night.
"So what's the last point? If it only inherited cold weapon combat experience and power against demons, it doesn't seem worthy of being called a sage-level relic."
"Don't rush. The last point is that this sword can also be regarded as an extremely excellent casting medium. Note, it's a casting medium, not a casting material—"
Seeing Xia De looking at her curiously, the Old Witch said helplessly:
"Well, it's like a magic staff from fairy tales and folk legends. Although it's a cold weapon, if you can find a way to involve this sword in your casting process, it can effectively enhance the power of rituals, incantations, and Miracles. For the Ring術士s of the sixth epoch, this is the most valuable aspect of this sword."
Xia De reached out and took the sword in his hand:
"Time Perception!"
The current time was the sixth epoch common era, 1853, autumn, wither ed leaf month, eighth day, Tuesday, 10:17:56 AM.
【Time Perception】 was not enhanced by Xia De holding this sword, either because the enhancement effect wasn't enough for Xia De to see the truth, or simply holding the sword didn't count as being involved in the casting process of the Miracle.
"Just holding it doesn't count as involving the sword in the casting process. However, everyone's Miracles are different; you can try to utilize this sword yourself."
The Old Witch suggested. Xia De nodded, gripping the hilt with his right hand and pressing his index finger against the blade:
"Silver Moon."
He whispered.
In an instant, brilliant silver Moonlight radiated from the blade. This time, the "Light Spell" was achieved by the longsword emitting light, and in the gradually dimming Moonlight, Grandma Cassandra nodded in satisfaction:
"Yes, that's it. This is how to make the sword a casting medium for Miracles. It seems you have understood my meaning."
"Grandma, how much do you think a relic like this would sell for?"
He inquired curiously again.
"That's hard to appraise. I've lived this long, and I've rarely heard of anyone selling an angel-level relic for money. Most people trade them, which is how the sword's value can be fully realized."
The Old Witch gave her answer, but then added:
"Young man, I remember Jialinna mentioned that you are Hamilton of Leijiede, the Knight? If you are a Knight, then naturally you should have your own sword. Keep this sword yourself; there will always be opportunities to use it in the future."
Of course, Xia De also didn't want to sell this hard-won silver sword:
"But unfortunately, this Angel-level longsword might become the key to sealing the Gap. I probably can't keep it forever."
"At least for now, you are its owner. Young man, while it's correct to look ahead, sometimes you also need to cherish the present."
The Old Witch said, then reminded him:
"However, except for specific occasions, you'd best not carry it around everywhere."
In the current steam age, walking around the street with a conspicuous longsword would make even patrolling police officers take an extra look at Xia De.
"I know that, but in an adventure where danger is already known, isn't this a very interesting item?"
For example, in adventures like confronting the Silver-Eyed One and infiltrating the Darkness Domain, he could bring the sword along.
Grandma Cassandra smiled and said:
"I will prepare a decorative scabbard for you. You can hang this sword in your home. When something unclean appears in your home, it will give you a warning."
That was quite good; this way, he wouldn't have to worry about situations like the mirror ghost invading his home, as happened the week before last.
"Thank you very much, Grandma."
"No need to be so polite with me; I like helping young people."
The Old Witch with silver-white hair said again. Although her face was lined with wrinkles and her eyes showed signs of age, anyone could see the former grace of that face and person when she was young:
"Speaking of which, Xi Wei should arrive this afternoon, coming from Carson Rick by steam train."
The image of Miss Hivi Aurora, with her pretty brown wavy long hair, immediately jumped into Xia De's mind:
"Alright, I'll go to the Mi Fort train station..."
"She said we don't need to pick her up. She brought a caravan, and her excuse for coming to this City is to purchase some spare timber for the new shipyard in Coldwater Port."
Because it was backed by Sicar Mountain and the Rommel Mountains, Middlesburg was also a famous timber distribution center on the Old Continent.
"Then when can I see her?"
"Do you know about tonight's Fire Worship Festival charity banquet?"
Grandma Cassandra asked. Xia De nodded; Priest Augustus had mentioned it.
"Xi Wei and I will both attend that banquet. If you want to see her, then come to the banquet."
Saying that, she handed Xia De an invitation, clearly having prepared it in advance.
This time, Xia De did not refuse again as he had refused Priest Augustus. Miss Aurora had helped him so much; since she was in the City, it was impossible for him not to meet her.
"Also, the fact that little Jialinna, thousands of miles away in Tobesk, could suddenly mention the secret cave on the mountainside of Sicar Mountain, was that also something you discovered?"
The Old Witch brought this up again.
"Yes, this sword was found there."
Xia De replied with a smile, handing the old parchment that could open the cave entrance to the Old Witch; this parchment was useless to him now:
"I suggest you and Miss Aurora go and see the cave in the real world first, confirm the internal environment, and then find a way to enter the corresponding location in the Gap to determine if it is a seal."
"Jialinna praised you as very capable, and it seems she was indeed right."
The Old Witch praised, and Xia De took the opportunity to mention the relic 【Sin Manor】 he encountered in the mountains today, hoping the Old Witch could provide some information.
Grandma Cassandra, of course, would not refuse this request; the scabbard she helped prepare and the information about Sin Mansion would only be available to Xia De in the evening.
After all, even though the Old Witch was knowledgeable, she couldn't possibly know in advance what Xia De would need.
Bidding farewell to Grandma Cassandra and agreeing to meet again tonight at Middirburg Mechanical College, Xia De then took a carriage to the House of the Blind to meet with Sister Devlin, who had purchased the "Damaged Heart of the Flame Demon."
He was actually very curious why the Sister didn't meet him at the auction house with Grandma Cassandra. But when he got off the carriage in Lufu Lane, he realized that the Spiritual Cultivation Order was not, after all, a subordinate organization of the Witch Council, and the silver-haired Sister couldn't possibly expose all her secrets to Grandma Cassandra.
The House of the Blind, located at 15 Lufu Lane, was ostensibly a semi-profit organization serving the visually impaired in the City, even receiving allocations from the City Hall. On Tuesday morning, there were quite a few people in the House of the Blind. As Xia De was led to the third floor by a servant, he saw many people in wheelchairs or being supported, chatting with each other or quietly asking about things.
Most of them looked to be in dire straits, which was understandable. If a noble or a wealthy merchant had a visually impaired family member, they wouldn't need to seek help from welfare organizations like the House of the Blind.
"Sister Devlin, I've actually always been curious, where does the Spiritual Cultivation Order's income mainly come from?"
After sitting down opposite the Sister, who wore a silver eye patch and seemed to be sitting in the darkness of eternal sleep even in the sunlight, Xia De asked curiously.
Even Ring術士 organizations had their own sources of income and had to pay taxes. For example, the Prophet Association made a fortune from rhode cards, Mercury Blood relied on the patronage of a small number of nobles, the Five Gods Church relied on donations from believers, and the Three Great Arcane Academies relied on the operation of their own college cities and related industries.
As for the Spiritual Cultivation Order, Xia De had never understood where these Sisters and Priests, who seemed like ascetics, earned their money.
"It's simple. In the eastern part of the Old Continent, we have our own hospitals, mainly responsible for childbirth, gynecological diseases, and eye disease treatment for women."
The Sister did not shy away from the question:
"These hospitals all have different names and outwardly show no connection to us. But if you later see a private hospital in another place that is not well-known but has a good reputation, it is very likely related to us."
Now Xia De understood.
Then it was time to talk business. Sister Devlin intended to buy the "Damaged Heart of the Flame Demon" that Xia De had acquired with cash, and she was very generous. After first offering a price of 2000 crowns, Xia De hesitated and indicated he wanted a higher price, so the Sister offered 3000 crowns.
This speed of price increase was something Xia De hadn't expected. And three thousand crowns also met his psychological expectations, so he readily agreed. This way, counting the remaining portion of the 2000 crowns Gray Headed Eagle obtained by transmitting messages during his time as a Great City Player, the 200 crowns Xia De obtained by trading the "difference engine" data to the foreign princess, and the 1000 crowns yet to be collected at the Tobesk contact point, his total transferable assets had reached an astonishing 7000-plus crowns.
This was probably the wealthiest he had ever been.
Of course, Xia De was also curious about what Sister Devlin intended to do with the Flame Demon's heart. He kindly reminded the very agreeable Sister again that there wasn't much power left in the stone with residual warmth, but the Sister shook her head; she didn't mind this at all:
"I don't intend to use it as an alchemical material; I just want the Flame Demon's spark."
She also brought the heart she had obtained from the Witch Council. In front of Xia De, the Sister used her fair hands to break open the heart, which already had a hole from a sword thrust. As black ash fell, the Sister drew out tiny sparks from within the heart.
Even though most of its power had been absorbed by Doctor Schneider, this was still the Flame Demon's flame. But from Sister Devlin's appearance, she felt no burning pain at all.
Allowing the tiny sparks to adhere to her palm, the Sister, sitting on the sofa, then cupped her hands as if holding water. With a soft whoosh, a slender flame appeared from the Sister's palm. The core of the flame was a perfect circle, and the tail of the flame was long and slender, extending upwards.
【Outsider, you have touched a "whisper".】
This was the relic-level flame that Sister Devlin had demonstrated when helping Xia De open the door to the Gap. And with the appearance of this flame, the tiny sparks left by the Flame Demon were completely integrated into it.
The flame in the Sister's palm showed no change, at least Xia De thought so. She slightly closed her hands, the flame burning her skin, causing cracks that shimmered with sparks on the backs of her hands. But the Sister didn't care; she finally closed her hands completely, making the strange flame disappear again.
"This is... the Phoenix's flame?"
Because at the God's Wine Party, it was confirmed that the volcanic magma cluster blood given by the Sister contained components of Phoenix Blood, combined with the Phoenix Lamp Xia De saw in the Darkness Domain and the local Fire Worship Festival tradition, Xia De guessed that it was the Phoenix that sealed the mountain top passage, and the Spiritual Cultivation Order was connected to this Ancient One.
Sister Devlin first shook her head, then nodded:
"This flame can absorb any other flame. Its essence is not the Phoenix's fire, but now most of what it absorbs is the Phoenix's flame, so it's fine to temporarily consider it the Phoenix's fire."
"So, there really is a Phoenix here... Do you know that Ancient One?"
"Yes."
The Sister did not deny it:
"It is the Ancient One that sealed the mountain top passage, but it has gone mad."
"Mad?"
Xia De had never thought that a legendary creature like a Phoenix could go mad.
"Long years do not burden long-lived species, but the extreme proximity to the Land of death's oppression prevents even the Ancient One from maintaining normalcy indefinitely. The Phoenix's flame is what I absorbed from its spiritual body five years ago when I encountered it at the Sicar Mountain top lake. I can feel the flame's frenzy and chaos; its condition is not good, and it refuses anyone's help.
When you met me in the mountains at night a few days ago, I was leading the Order's Sisters to the mountain top to appease its restless emotions with a ritual. We have been doing this for five years, but I think with the major problem appearing in the Gap, this will also come to an end."
"I see."
Xia De hadn't expected to hear such news; he had originally thought that the Phoenix was behind the Spiritual Cultivation Order:
"But now that the Gap is unstable, have you tried to communicate with it?"
The Sister shook her head slightly:
"Although there are still moments of lucidity, that Ancient One is almost completely mad. Although it may be inappropriate to say so, treating it as an evil demon sealed by the Gap Between Life and Death also fits the current situation. I mentioned its matter in the intelligence I transmitted to the Church, hoping the Church has a way to solve it."
But the problem shouldn't be big. Currently, the Five Gods Church has gathered three Thirteen Ring Sorcerers in the Middirburg diocese, plus the ritual prepared a year in advance, which should be enough to suppress the Gap's restlessness—at least Xia De hoped so.
"Speaking of which, aren't you curious about my flame?"
The Sister suddenly said again. Xia De looked at her and saw that a smile had appeared at the corner of Sister Devlin's mouth, beneath the silver crown-shaped eye patch.
"Prying into other people's privacy is very impolite."
He said.
"It's alright, I can tell you the secret of this flame. This is an angel-level relic..."
This was the first time Xia De had encountered an angel-level relic twice in one day since coming to this world.
"...the Original Fire."
PS: Because this chapter has too much dialogue and seems to lack content, to prevent being considered padding, it's a 5K big chapter.
