Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Shard had just stepped into the hall when someone grabbed his wrist.

The tall, thin middle-aged man in black leather shoes was almost face to face with Shard on his side, Mr. Cyndia Mark, Vice President of the Prophet's Society Tobesk Branch, but it really gave Shard a fright.

"Mr. Hamilton, you've finally arrived."

Mr. Mark's voice was hoarse today.

"Am I late?"

Shard asked hesitantly.

Mr. Mark released his hand, giving Shard the opportunity to reach for his pocket watch, but it was only nine-thirty in the morning.

"You are not late, it's me who is too early."

"Mr. Mark, what time have you been waiting here for me?"

Shard could imagine the middle-aged gentleman pacing back and forth in front of the society's door waiting for him.

"Nine o'clock. Mr. Hamilton, you don't understand how important today is for me."

Saying this, he led Shard towards the staircase leading to the second floor. A group of people standing at the staircase spontaneously made way for Mr. Mark and curiously sized up Shard.

"Important for you?"

Shard thought he had heard incorrectly.

"If your Roder Card is successfully identified, the Tobesk Branch will be the first in nearly thirty years to identify a card from the Genesis series. We will completely overshadow every society, including the headquarters in Lain City, and become the association of the year... Anyway, it's also a very important matter for us."

It was apparent that the Prophet's Society had really prepared meticulously, as the entire third floor of the society was closed to the public today. Compared to the last time Shard was here, the carpet had been replaced with a brand new one, and the paintings hanging on the walls were now antiques.

The gas lamps on the walls were cleaned meticulously, and even the room numbers had been replaced with new designs.

Shard estimated the cost of such renovations and then discovered it might even exceed the remuneration he had received the day before.

The society had opened its main conference room on the third floor, which was only used for important agendas, as the venue for today's identification.

The room had been re-cleaned and refurbished, and was divided into two sections: one part was the workspace for the gray-haired Roder Card master appraisers who had arrived early, each looking like an old professor from Tobesk City University District.

The other part was set aside for Shard to rest and casually discuss matters with the Prophet's Society. Enjoy more content from empire

The President of the Tobesk Branch was not present today; Vice-President Mark was hosting Shard. He introduced Mr. Lister Limo, who had rushed all the way from the capital of the Duchy of Lagerson in the central part of the United Kingdom of Carsonrick.

Mr. Limo was a middle-aged man without hair, whose head appeared rather large, but he was taller than Shard. He too was a Vice President, but for the entire Prophet's Society.

Everyone took their seats, and Shard pulled out his notebook, displaying the "Genesis: Silver Moon" card.

Mr. Limo and the gray-haired appraisers all showed expressions of astonishment:

"Incredible, just by looking at it, I feel as if I'm witnessing a miracle."

Mr. Limo said in an exaggerated tone, then summoned the society's secretary to record the upcoming conversation. This was a formal occasion, requiring the conversation to be recorded to form a report for the archives.

For this purpose, the Tobesk Branch had prepared three secretaries, two men and one woman. Shard recognized the slightly older brown-haired lady in the society's uniform with the Ouroboros pendant; it was indeed Miss Annette, a Three Ring Sorceress from his group.

"Wearing this uniform, the transformation in demeanor is really significant."

He mused internally.

The lady with beautiful purple eyes looked up at Shard and was very shocked, or rather, unusually shocked—it was like she had seen an Evil God appearing before her, not merely an acquaintance.

She sat behind Mr. Limo's sofa on a chair, ready to record. Thus, she could only control her expression and nodded at Shard as a greeting, but clearly had many questions she wanted to ask.

"Speaking of which, Dr. Schneider, Miss Luisa, and Priest Augustus all know I have this card, but I never mentioned it to Miss Annette... However, what did her look just now mean, wasn't it a bit exaggerated?"

He thought to himself and donned the white gloves prepared by the society, taking the "Genesis: Silver Moon" from the notebook and handing it to the old appraiser on his left. The Senior Appraiser looked as if he might faint from excitement.

The identification area was right next door, ensuring the card never left Shard's sight. While the appraisers worked, Mr. Limo and Mr. Mark engaged in a conversation with Shard.

Of course, the society did not have the right to interfere with the ownership of the card, but the Genesis series cards held significant importance for the society:

"Mr. Hamilton, I want to confirm once again, are you really thinking of letting the society help find a buyer to sell this card?"

Vice President Mark of the Tobesk Branch inquired, this time Shard gave a different response:

"Sorry, I no longer wish to sell it."

This was not just because he was not in urgent need of money, but also because cultivating a relationship with Duchess Galina Cavendish, a High Ring Sorcerer, would not only benefit his detective career but also his Sorcerer studies.

"I thought you'd think that way; no one can refuse a Roder Card. There's a curious saying that each Roder Card chooses its master, Mr. Hamilton, and it was destined to be yours."

This was probably some kind of superstition surrounding bets, concocted by the Prophet's Society to drive Roder Card sales.

The bald Mr. Limo, not very fluent in Draleon language, spoke with a strange accent:

"Mr. Hamilton, sorry, but may I ask what your plans are for this card in the future? Purely personal collection, or will you let it appear in Roder Card competitions?"

"I might use it, but I won't gamble,"

Shard emphasized, and seeing the two vice-presidents exchange a glance, he added:

"I know the value of this card... but recently, I met a good person, just yesterday, Miss Galina Cavendish invited me to bring this card to a Roder Card game on Sunday evening, with... what was the name of that duke?"

"Duke Lucas?"

Mr. Mark ventured, seeing Shard nod, the gentleman showed a pleased smile:

"We have always advocated that Roder Cards should appear in competitions, not hidden away. Mr. Hamilton, I'm glad you made such a choice. Coincidentally, the Roder Card game this weekend, the Prophet's Society will be present to notarize."

"Isn't it a private game?"

Shard asked hesitantly, and the strangely accented Mr. Limo explained:

"I also know about the weekend's game, which is probably the most important Roder Card game in the Tobesk Region this month. Though Duke Lucas has publicly invited only acquaintances who are Roder Card enthusiasts to watch, even though it's just between two people, the Prophet's Society will also notarize it in the strictest manner.

Rather than a game, it's more of a salon for nobles and Roder Card enthusiasts. However, I didn't expect that the other participant facing Old Duke Lucas would be Miss Galina."

"You know Miss Galina?"

Shard asked curiously, as he still did not know what this lady looked like.

"Miss Galina seldom participates in social events, but this lady is quite famous. After all, she is an unmarried duchess..."

He winked at Shard:

"Social gatherings never lack discussions about her, Mr. Hamilton, you are really lucky to be favored by Miss Galina."

Speaking of luck, Shard was suddenly startled, realizing something:

"Speaking of which, I was also invited to a Roder Card game last Sunday evening, and then... this Sunday evening, it turns out to be the same kind of event again."

He decided he must ask about the whereabouts of his teammates on Saturday.

After beating around the bush for so long, Mr. Limo finally brought up the topic he wanted to ask:

"Since you don't mind using this Genesis Series card in a Roder Card game, would you be interested in participating in the 'Big City Player' Roder Card Championship held in Tobesk this fall?"

This was the reason Mr. Limo traveled all the way from the south to Tobesk, with the "Genesis Series" Roder Cards appearing in the competition as a draw, this year's "Big City Player" would surely attract more participants.

"Sorry, I don't gamble,"

Shard shook his head immediately.

Vice-President Mark immediately explained:

"But this isn't gambling, the Society never organizes gambling activities. It's just a Roder Card tournament, not betting against each other. After paying a small registration fee, participants can win prizes provided by the Society based on their standings, and through such tournaments, the Society can build its network and promote Roder Cards.

You will meet Roder Card experts from both the New World and the Old Continent."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"If that's the case..."

That would be fine, but Shard was waiting for the other party to make an offer. As expected, Mr. Mark immediately said with a smile:

"We could even offer a sum of money as an invitation fee..."

He made a pinching gesture with his fingers, but was immediately "chastised" by Mr. Limo, Vice-President of the Prophet's Society:

"There's no such rule. That won't do. Inviting Roder Card players with money would compromise the fairness of the competition."

Mr. Limo, the bald man, spoke sternly, but before Vice-President Mark could apologize, he said to Shard:

"If you participate, I think the Society can provide an additional amount to cover your absence from work, travel, meals, accommodations, and attire. Of course, this isn't to pay for your participation, but merely to compensate for your losses from joining the competition. The sum is completely justifiable."

This could probably explain why Mr. Limo is the Vice-President of the Prophet's Society and Mr. Mark is just the Vice-President of the Tobesk Branch.

"In that case."

Shard, Mr. Mark, and Mr. Limo leaned back in the sofa together, smiles appearing on all three men's faces:

"That would be perfectly fine."

Miss Annette recorded this, shaking her head with a smile.

The Southerner then leaned over the coffee table, wrote a number on a piece of paper, and handed it over:

"This is the compensation, Mr. Hamilton, you will probably be satisfied with it."

Shard squinted at the number:

"Let me confirm, is that in Gold Pounds or Carsonrick Crowns?"