From the Prophet Association, he took a carriage through the snow to Dawn Square. Even with the snow, Dawn Square was still bustling with people. A night of heavy snow had already covered the ground, and young Priests from the Church were clearing snow at the entrance with the help of willing believers, creating two large snowdrifts, over a meter high, on either side of the majestic Church steps.
Children accompanying their parents to the Church, wearing hats and scarves, happily grabbed snow and threw it at each other near the snowdrifts. Xia De, after getting out of the carriage, saw Mia looking very interested in the snowdrifts, so he gently placed the cat on one of them.
Of course, since he was unsure if the cat would “sink” into the snowdrift, Xia De did not completely let go.
When the curious cat's small paws fully touched the cold snow, it immediately meowed, signaling Xia De to pick it up. It wasn't that the cat was scared; it simply felt its paws were cold.
“Sir, what breed of cat is yours?”
Xia De smiled and placed Mia on his shoulder. Among the children playing in the snow, a bold Boy came over and politely asked. From their attire, it was clear they came from relatively wealthy middle-class families; children of poor believers wouldn't waste their daytime earning money.
“It's a Tobesk native cat.”
“Can it play with us for a while? Oh, Sir, we promise we won't let it run away.”
“That won't do; this cat is very timid.”
Xia De immediately shook his head. Although the children were disappointed, they quickly resumed playing around the snowdrifts. Xia De also casually grabbed a handful of snow, clenching his palm to feel the cold temperature.
“Are you reminiscing about your childhood?”
“She” asked softly in Xia De’s ear, quieter than the sound of snowflakes landing.
“Of course not.”
Feeling his hand was cold enough, Xia De shook off the snow and water, then placed his cold hand on Mia’s body:
“Meow~”
Amidst “her” laughter, Mia’s claws almost ruined Xia De’s coat.
This compensation negotiation was ostensibly between the Prophet Association and Xia De, but in reality, the Prophet Association was negotiating on behalf of the Church with Xia De.
The negotiation location being the Dawn Church was ostensibly to prevent the Prophet Association from “abusing its power,” so the Dawn Church proactively took on this matter, which was also considered special care from the Church for its core believers. However, in actuality, it was to prevent the disclosure of the 【wise man's stone】 matter; the Church’s protective measures were much stronger than those of the Prophet Association.
The meeting was held in an office on the east side of the Church. President Stan of the Prophet Association Tobesk branch attended with his secretary and Vice President Mr. Yudite, while Father Andrei represented the Dawn Church.
It is worth mentioning that Father Andrei is a Nine Ring Arcanist. Unlike the field team, this robust Old Father in a white robe is only responsible for the Church’s security and generally does not operate within the city.
Compensating Xia De for the mental distress caused by the “gas leak” was a simple matter. Xia De had no intention of “extorting” the Prophet Association, so both parties only discussed for about ten minutes before drafting an agreement for the Association to pay Xia De 60 pounds in cash as a one-time payment, in exchange for Xia De’s promise not to discuss the matter in any context.
Of course, the compensation issue was merely a reason for Xia De to participate in the negotiation, not the main point. Otherwise, it wouldn't have necessitated both the Church and the Association sending High-Ring Sorcerers to participate.
After the compensation plan was agreed upon, the real topic was formally introduced.
“It's like this, Mr. Hamilton, we heard you have a blue teardrop-shaped crystal in your possession?”
Mr. Yudite, Vice President of the Prophet Association, asked as he put away his pen after Xia De signed the document. This Vice President, who had some male pattern baldness, unlike Xia De’s friend, Vice President Mark, who was an ordinary person, was a Three-Ring Arcanist.
“Oh? How did you know? Miss Jialinna just gave it to me last night.”
Xia De asked, feigning surprise. Mr. Yudite nodded cautiously, glancing at President Stan and Father Andrei. Ostensibly, the Father was there for Xia De’s benefit, but in reality, everyone present was collaborating in a performance to make the “ordinary person” Xia De Hamilton voluntarily give up the 【wise man's stone】.
“We knew that gem was in Duchess Galina Cavendish’s hands before, but she wouldn't sell it to us.”
Mr. Yudite showed an embarrassed smile:
“This morning, when the Duchess was in town, she mentioned to Countess Orleans that the gem had been given to you, and that’s how we found out. Actually, that gem is a somewhat special mineral; it is inherently dangerous and needs to be stored in a special lead box. This gem has some historical connection to us; it is a relic left by a former President around common era 400. It can play a significant role in ancient mineral divination and also holds considerable commemorative significance for the Association.
Excuse my bluntness, but may I ask if you are willing to sell it to us?”
All these words, Miss Jialinna had already told Xia De last night, so before this negotiation began, everyone present already knew these lines.
Xia De rolled up the two copies of the contract and put them into his pocket, then stroked his cat, saying with some difficulty:
“Mr. Yudite, I have always had a good impression of the Prophet Association. Vice President Mark even joked that I visit the Association eight times a week. Since this is an important item that the Association once lost, I am also willing to return it to you, but…”
Mr. Yudite nodded understandingly and continued:
“Then please name your price.”
Xia De shook his head:
“But this really puts me in a difficult position. I really want to help the Association, but it is, after all, a gift from Duchess Galina Cavendish. I cannot easily sell it; that would be disrespectful to the Duchess.”
Although Xia De wanted to immediately state his conditions, he still had to maintain his persona as “Miss Jialinna’s lover.”
“I am not really short of money, and even if I were, I couldn't do such a thing. A knight selling a gift from a lady for money, oh, what kind of person would do that? Excuse me, this is a matter of honor.”
Xia De emphasized, carefully observing Mr. Yudite’s expression. The latter glanced at the Old Father sitting beside Xia De, then looked at President Stan.
Tobesk’s most excellent Diviner coughed:
“Mr. Hamilton, you are absolutely right. I understand your thoughts and commend your virtue.
How about this: you name a number, and I have an unregistered bank draft here that can be cashed at the Delarion Royal Bank two streets away. Moreover, we can sponsor you for a Summer trip next Summer to the capital of the Ragson Duchy, Le’en City, where our headquarters are located. We will cover the expenses for two people, so you can invite a female companion to go with you. I heard from Annette that you have always been very interested in the scenery of the southern kingdom.”
Xia De showed a moved expression, and amidst the laughter in his ear, he quickly shook his head again:
“No, no, I am very serious. This is a gift from Miss Jialinna; I cannot sell it.”
His expression was serious. President Stan nodded slightly. After a simple probing, he decided to throw out the real bargaining chip:
“Mr. Hamilton, I remember you mentioned a while ago that you wanted to purchase two Founding series rhode cards from the headquarters.”
Xia De had been controlling his expression, but upon hearing this, he finally couldn't help but look up with a surprised expression.
The thirteen all things are impermanent cards do not possess any extraordinary abilities and make people assume they are ordinary items. For the Prophet Association, 【Founding Knowledge】 and 【Founding Knowledge】 are indeed extremely valuable Association symbols and souvenirs, but they are not entirely untradeable.
It was not the Prophet Association that wanted the 【wise man's stone】 in Xia De’s hand, but the Five Gods Church. The Church simply had the Prophet Association purchase it from Xia De, and the Church would naturally compensate the purchase price. Coupled with Yiluna’s mention to Miss Green of Xia De’s desire for the 【Founding】 series divination cards, President Stan brought up this condition at this time.
“You want to exchange two cards for this gem? Is it that valuable?”
Xia De asked, feigning astonishment. President Stan immediately shook his head:
“No, no, just one card. You can choose one of the two Founding cards collected by the Association.”
“And exchange it for this teardrop-shaped crystal?”
President Stan shook his head regretfully again:
“It’s not an exchange. You choose one Founding card, and it will belong to you until your death. However, you cannot use it as a wager, collateral, or trade it to others in any other way. After your death, we will repurchase this card from your heirs. You must promise that we are the only ones who can retrieve this card.”
This was equivalent to exchanging the permanent ownership of the 【wise man's stone】 for the “ordinary person” Xia De Hamilton’s lifelong possession of a certain rhode cards.
President Stan looked at Xia De very seriously:
“Mr. Hamilton, although this means you cannot use that card as a family heirloom, you will still be a legend among rhode cards players. Silver Moon, Balance, death, and the fifth one you are about to acquire—since the rhode cards were issued, you are the first legendary player to simultaneously possess five Founding series cards.”
Xia De adopted an expression of careful consideration, and after a long while, he nodded slightly:
“pounds are indeed not important, but ‘legendary player’ is indeed very important.”
Father Andrei, who had been silent all along, now smiled and suggested:
“Mr. Hamilton, although this is a transaction between you and the Prophet Association, since it is being discussed in the Church, why don’t I draw up the contract for you? For the permanent transfer of that blue teardrop crystal, in exchange for ownership of the rhode cards until death. Besides that, I think the Prophet Association can give you some other compensation; people know that Prophets are quite wealthy.”
Ostensibly, he was helping Xia De bargain for other chips, but in reality, it implied Xia De’s agreement to the transaction. This not only pushed Xia De but also gave him an out, so Xia De could say that he didn’t actively agree to it.
