Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"It was no coincidence, the Circle Sorcerer from the True God Church entrusted me to help her infiltrate this place,"

Having sensed Shard's use of Arcane Technique even from a floor away, Shard had no doubt that the other party was aware of Miss Beyas, and thus he saw no need for concealment.

"That Second Ring Sorceress from the Sun Church? Young people are always like that,"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Sure enough, Shard's suspicions were correct.

"Whatever you plan to do is none of my business, nor is whatever you and your friends did at Lakeside Manor. Detective, let's get back to the matter at hand, I only came to you today for a personal favor,"

"Please speak, I will do my best to accomplish it. I am very grateful for your help at Lakeside Manor, aiding me and my friends in our escape,"

Shard said cautiously.

"There's no need for thanks, that was a trifle. As for today's business, it is still related to the Blood of Mercury. Coincidentally, they happen to have another item of interest to me,"

Shard pursed his lips, wondering if he should spare a moment of silence for those unlucky fellows.

"This time it's just a Poet-Level Relic, no need for a snatch and grab, I have already negotiated with the other party. Tomorrow, which is Friday midnight, you will go and retrieve it for me,"

Shard hesitated before asking:

"Sorry, why me... No, I don't mean to shirk my duty, it's just that, I mean, for someone as distinguished as yourself, you must not lack for people capable of carrying out tasks,"

"I don't want the other party to know my true identity, and among the Circle Sorcerers I consider trustworthy, you have the least association with me. Moreover, you are reliable and highly capable... No, I know nothing of what happened at Lakeside Manor.

I was not watching the third floor the entire time, nor was I prepared to intervene should you fail, nor was I already on the third floor when you were thrown into the banquet hall. You do not need to doubt this,"

She even chuckled slightly as she spoke, clearly aware of what Shard had done that night.

"Hmm…"

Shard should have realized earlier that the strongest Circle Sorcerer present at the time was neither Lady Lassoya nor the Silver-Eyed One who arrived later. They and the people from Blood of Mercury did so much that night, all under this woman's watchful eye.

"Detective, your fee this time will be ten pounds, and I can also offer you some free information. Don't think it too little, considering the task is not particularly difficult,"

Shard didn't feel it was too little, he just sensed that her perception of money was very different from his own. The allowance sent by cat-loving Miss Mia for the care of little Mia was also only this amount.

He heard the sound of tea being poured from behind the door and guessed that the beautiful black-haired maid was also there this time.

"I accept the commission, I just hope there won't be any unexpected complications, given it is the Blood of Mercury."

"There won't be any complications. With the Silver-Eyed One severely injured and the entire organization being pursued by the True God Church, they wouldn't dare cause any more trouble. Moreover, summoning an Evil God within the city limits has made them universally detested. The Circle Sorcerers of Tobesk are not limited to the True God Church and the Academy's correspondence students,"

A woman's voice came from behind the door, followed by the sound of sipping tea, before the conversation continued.

"As for the free information, let me think...Do you know about the Blood Spirit School?"

"I've heard of it, seems to be a legacy organization pursuing the evolution of blood,"

This was information Shard had gathered from the doctors that Tuesday morning.

"The Blood Spirit School indeed has connections with the Blood of Mercury, but don't worry, they are currently preoccupied with a major matter in the New World. This time they only sent some minions. An Eight Rings Sorcerer was dispatched to Tobesk to aid Blood of Mercury after the incident at Lakeside Manor. The individual is probably still on route and seems to carry an extraordinary Relic.

Regarding the Blood Spirit School, it seems you already know quite a bit... They are very ancient, having been involved in some significant events in a distant Era, and are one of the few in this age who know of ancient secrets and are driven mad by them,"

"What ancient secrets? Oh, I know, you cannot tell me," Stay tuned with empire

Shard spoke, realizing he had misspoken.

"Why can't you tell me?"

The lady inside laughed and said,

"Both the higher-ups of the Academy and the Church know these secrets, and I admire you, so I believe you will find out sooner or later. This is related to the fall of the Old Gods at the end of the Third Era, which lasted until the Fifth Era, and the history of the Blood Spirit School is much longer than commonly believed.

But there are many things you cannot know because, after all, knowledge has weight."

"Thank you for your knowledge."

Shard said, his wariness of the Blood Spirit School increasing once again. He had not encountered them yet, but he understood how troublesome they could be.

Sure enough, it was the maid with black hair who came out and handed Shard, who was sitting on the sofa, an envelope containing specific information about the transaction the following night and a £10 note.

Shard glanced at it; the transaction location was on Disc Bridge in the city's downtown area. Disc Bridge, a cable-stayed tower bridge, spanned the Terael River that crossed Tobesk City and was a 30-minute walk from Saint Delan Square.

"May I know the specific details of the artifact to ensure what the other party gives is not a fake?"

He asked again.

"Poet-Level Artifact—Mary Jane's makeup box," she replied. "It can be used to mix any makeup the user has touched, but it's only for women. After you get the goods, go straight home. I'll send Tifa, my personal maid, to fetch it. I'm not often here; this place is just a stopover for me."

"Very well, ma'am."

Shard inwardly scoffed at the extravagant waste of wealthy aristocratic women but maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface.

"Ma'am, actually, I was hoping to inquire about Mr. Lawrence's disappearance... My companion came here for this matter, and I hope it hasn't offended you."

"It doesn't matter. This property isn't mine, so do as you please. As for the disappearances you mentioned, let me see...there are remnants of blood on the third room to the left of the staircase on the first floor, which your eyes can see.

It's your business to pursue the Blood of Mercury, but don't let it delay the transaction tomorrow night and don't, because of this, lead the Circle Sorcerers squad of the True God Church to ambush the trade."

"I'm a Circle Sorcerer trained by the Academy, and I wouldn't meddle in such matters lightly."

Shard said, standing up to take his leave, but "the lady" had more to say:

"Did you make an excuse to see me because you have three Roder Cards with special rules in hand?"

Her voice sounded lazy, unlike the rigid tone she used when discussing serious matters.

"Yes."

Shard replied quietly, not wanting to lie. Although Genesis: Silver Moon was expensive, based on his interactions with the lady behind the door, he didn't think she would rob him. Besides, a lie would have been easily exposed.

If this exchange had happened before the recent commission, he might have considered whether to reveal Genesis: Silver Moon. But this encounter reaffirmed for him that "the lady" was someone with principles.

As for whether the value of the cards could break those principles, Shard was unsure, but he didn't think she would suddenly resort to murder and robbery.

The lady from inside remained silent, and Miss Maid with the black hair came out. Shard handed her Ancient Fairy Tale: Match Girl, Northern City: Coldwater Harbor, and Genesis: Silver Moon. The black-haired maid was also startled when she saw the latter card; she looked up at Shard but said nothing before turning and going back into the small room inside the study.

"I don't like Roder Cards, and collecting special cards is just for..."

The lady casually spoke while waiting, but her speech stopped abruptly:

"Genesis? Is this... a genuine article?"