Hearing Father Andrei's suggestion to Xia De, President Stan immediately said, "I think other compensation is fine. 200 pounds, plus some other things... Let me think... Are you interested in the newly released rhode cards 'Old Continent Minerals' series?"
This was a hint to Xia De, but he was still hesitating. Of course, he wasn't disagreeing with the transaction or wanting more; he was simply trying to appear more reserved.
The President and Vice President of the Prophet Association, as well as the Old Father from the Dawn Church, were all very understanding of Xia De's "hesitation," so they either held cups and drank tea or organized documents with their secretaries.
The grand office suddenly quieted down, and Mia looked up at Xia De. Xia De looked at the stained glass window, then slowly stroked the cat.
"I hope..."
Everyone looked at him.
"This transaction isn't known to others... In a few months, no, by the Year-End Festival, I will explain this matter to Miss Jialinna, and I hope she can forgive me."
He tried his best to show a look of guilt. President Stan lowered his head and pushed up his glasses, and Father Andrei softly comforted him.
"This doesn't tarnish your reputation, Mr. Hamilton. Being brave enough to admit mistakes allows you to better make up for unchangeable errors."
"A lifetime ownership of a Founding series, 200 pounds in cash, plus an 【Old Continent Minerals · Caville Gem Mine】 to exchange for the teardrop crystal in your hand."
President Stan concluded, "I think this is fine, Mr. Hamilton. Which Founding card do you want to choose?"
"founding knowledge."
Xia De said without hesitation, suspecting that if he chose "Founding Fate," other things would happen in Tobesk.
"Should I give you this crystal now?"
He pointed to the wooden box on the table.
President Stan glanced at Father Andrei.
"No, no, this crystal will remain in your hands for now. We will send someone to retrieve it at an appropriate time, yes, at an appropriate time. However, please do not tell anyone about this crystal. Just keep it in this box and put it away. Of course, there's no need to be overly nervous; in fact, it has little value to anyone else except our Prophet Association."
This most outstanding Diviner in Tobesk picked up the lead box placed at his feet. Although the wise man's stone was not strictly speaking a relic (note), it could not be placed anywhere.
"As for 【Founding Knowledge】, because that card is still at the association's southern headquarters, it will take half a month to a month to be sent to Tobesk, but I think it will definitely be here before the end of this year. You know, it's winter now, and heavy snow makes steam train transportation extremely dangerous."
President Stan said, asking Father Andrei to fetch paper and pen to draft the contract for this transaction with Xia De, as well as the document regarding the ownership of 【Founding Knowledge】. While the contract was being redrafted, Mr. Yudite, the Vice President, went to the Prophet Association to invite the association's accountant and lawyer, and withdrew 200 pounds in cash from the financial department.
"And this."
Mr. Yudite pushed a palm-sized flat wooden box to Xia De. The back of the wooden box had the rhode cards "Sun, Moon, and Stars" back design, and the front had the Prophet Association's ouroboros symbol. This type of wooden box was a professional rhode cards deck box sold by the Prophet Association, but because it was extremely expensive, only a few particularly wealthy card players would purchase it.
Inside that box now was a brand new set of rhode cards. In addition to the special rule card 【Old Continent Minerals · Caville Gem Mine】 that was just promised to Xia De, there were also two special face cards from the same 【Old Continent Minerals】 series.
"You know, unless it's a celebration, commemoration, or an event jointly held with various kingdoms, the Prophet Association does not actively sell or give away any special rule cards. Instead, special rule cards are inserted into various decks, waiting for people to purchase them. This is the association's rule to prevent the association from arbitrarily manipulating the flow of special rule cards."
This seemingly shrewd middle-aged man said with a smile, "So, we are not violating the rules by providing you with a special card; we are just giving you a deck. As for the content of the deck, it depends on your own luck."
"I understand."
Xia De played with the exquisite card box and then examined the new cards. The feel and smell of the new cards were different from the old ones. That special ink smell, like brand new parchment, could really make one feel pleasant.
The three cards with special card faces depicted an aerial view of the corresponding mining areas, showcasing the appearance of famous Old Continent minerals on the small card faces. As for 【Old Continent Minerals · Caville Gem Mine】, with the suit "sun 13," its rule was also quite interesting:
"If this card is the fourth card drawn, the card's value can be adjusted between 12 and 13."
Compared to other cards that required a "20-point dice roll of a specific number" to adjust the card's value, this card's requirement was relatively simple. However, under the rules of 21 points, if the fourth card drawn had a value of "13 points," it meant a very high possibility of busting directly. Therefore, while the adjustment between 13 and 12 was not completely useless, its effect was not very significant. Perhaps it would only truly be useful once after dozens of draws.
"A very interesting rule."
Xia De said with a smile, then continued to admire the other two cards with special card faces.
The new contract and the document for the ownership of 【Founding Knowledge】 were quickly drafted. The Prophet Association was actually well-prepared, and at this moment, they were merely writing down the prepared clauses.
President Stan handed the fountain pen to Xia De and said very seriously, "Mr. Hamilton, once you sign this name, 【Founding Knowledge】 will be entirely yours until you rest in peace."
"Yes, and you can take this pretty blue gem whenever you want."
Xia De nodded and wrote "Xia De · Su Lun · Han Mi Er Dun" at the end of both documents.
Under the witness of the Priest, two hands clasped together. Although everyone felt satisfied with this transaction, Xia De believed he was probably the most satisfied one.
After discussing the transaction, the gentlemen from the Prophet Association still had to return to Silver Cross Avenue. Xia De did not leave immediately but thought about talking to Priest Augustus.
By coincidence, the Priest was not in the church today. He had been arranged by Bishop Owen to take the young Priests of the church to the slum in the north of the city to deliver some things, but he would be back within half an hour, so Xia De was not in a hurry to leave.
Seeing that Mia was still curious about the heavy snow outside, he took the cat outdoors again. This time, he tried to let Mia run around on her own. This usually lazy cat uncharacteristically walked around in the snow outside for a while but quickly lost interest and meowed for Xia De to pick her up.
It's worth mentioning that Xia De was very curious if Mia would try to lick the snow, but the clever cat only sniffed at it with her head down, showing no intention of sticking out her tongue.
In short, when Priest Augustus stepped out of the carriage, he happened to see Xia De standing by the marble pillar on the church steps, watching the snow.
He didn't ask Xia De the purpose of his visit and greeted Xia De, leading him into the church. The two chatted casually about the various activities of the Dawn Church before the Year-End Festival next month, and only began to discuss serious matters once they returned to Priest Augustus's own room.
"Wednesday's matter has been handled. The wise man's stone was used to make a transaction with the Prophet Association. The target of the transaction is the rhode cards 【Founding Knowledge】."
"I'm not surprised by that at all."
The Old Priest said, holding his teacup. The room allocated to him within the church was not large, but its interior decoration had a strong classical and religious feel.
"Speaking of which, I haven't asked, what did you want to see me for on Wednesday night?"
Xia De asked, holding the cat that had tired itself out. He had no time to ask that night and simply passed out directly.
"This is a surprise."
The Priest smiled, stood up, pulled open the side drawer of his desk, and took out a white circular badge.
"Look at this."
This was a bone artifact. The Priest himself had carved the same skull pattern on both sides of the circular badge.
"Outsider, you have touched a Miracle."
"Didn't you say that although you like portable badges, you already have one? Now, try to stack the two badges together."
The Old Priest said with a hint of pride. So Xia De overlapped this white bone circular badge with the "Witch Detection Badge." The latter was a silver circular badge with patterns of thorns, a lion's head, and azaleas. It would automatically heat up when Xia De encountered a witch. Aside from adventures into the past, Xia De never took this silver circular badge off.
When the two touched, the bone circular badge actually slowly "melted" onto the badge with the "Duchess of Saladill" emblem. The melted bone wrapped around the silver circular badge and finally formed a thin white bone edge on the outside of the circular badge.
At this point, the size of the "Witch Detection Badge" had hardly changed, only its weight had increased slightly. The thin white bone edge wrapped around the silver circular badge's rim was decorated with subtle elderflower patterns, making the badge look even more exquisite.
"This indeed makes it easier to carry, but is this made from an angel's skeleton?"
Xia De was surprised by this, and the Priest nodded reservedly.
"Yes, although I am collecting those skeletons, in reality, I only need the power of the skeletons. Missing a few fragments has no impact. I used ancient Knowledge, with angel skeletons as material, and added the small tricks I learned at Saint Byron's to make this badge. However, I must remind you that after fusion, you can only extract that bone circular badge again by destroying your original badge."
Priest Augustus recognized the emblem of that Duchess on the silver badge pendant Xia De always wore, but he did not point it out.
"That's fine. The item you made should be considered a divine artifact, right? That's truly remarkable."
Although he had the materials, being able to actually create it was enough to show the Old Priest's craftsmanship.
---Extraneous remarks---
PS: As mentioned before, the wise man's stone is a relic derivative. It can only be produced from relics or special existences related to the ancient god Secret Keeper.
