Miss Sylvia also noticed Shad's interest, and a casual smile played on the witch's lips. Although Miss Galina had known Shad longer, it was clear that the witch, the thirteenth seat of the Council, had instantly grasped Shad's thoughts
"You can think it over first; just give me an answer before the visiting delegation leaves."
While they could still contact each other after the delegation departed, letting go now while setting a specific deadline would make Shad take the matter more seriously.
"This..."
It wasn't that Shad wanted to refuse, but rather he felt that if they cooperated this way, he would actually be taking advantage of the witch. Although Miss Sylvia wasn't exceptionally wealthy, the money she was putting into this investment amounted to six figures in gold pounds. Shad's meager savings were mere pocket change by comparison, and in his eyes, the "valuable suggestions" the witch mentioned were practically worthless.
"I will give it serious consideration."
Shad nodded cautiously. Recalling a recent chat with Miss Pavo, he asked
"Miss Sylvia, do you know about synthetic fibers?"
The witch looked at him with curiosity, and Shad proceeded to explain the difference between "synthetic fibers" and "biological fibers."
Of course, when he had discussed this with Miss Pavo last Friday, it was primarily to prevent her from delving into deeper topics. This time, however, it was to spark an idea, so Shad avoided mentioning topics like "transparency or elasticity of clothing."
"Sounds interesting. If it's non-toxic, the synthetic fibers you describe certainly have prospects for use. The problem is, while Ring Spellcasters know a bit of chemistry, how exactly is it produced? At the very least, I've never heard of anyone successfully synthesizing a filament that could be used for weaving clothes," Miss Sylvia said.
"Roughly a reaction between coal tar, water, and air... oh, sorry, I'm just proposing a conceptual direction."
Shad shook his head. He wasn't a professional, after all; even if he had heard of "nylon," he couldn't replicate it.
"I'll think more about the investment. Thank you for the invitation."
Miss Sylvia nodded. Just then, the maid outside pushed open the door to inform Shad that Princess Margaret's tea party had ended and the Princess was currently at the entrance of the manor seeing off the departing ladies. Shad stood up and bid farewell to Miss Sylvia.
"Coal tar, water, and air?"
The witch held her teacup, her left fingers gesturing in the air.
"If the viscous filaments are in a molten state, the trouble of tension could be solved with a needle-hole syringe... If this actually succeeds, it could be a landmark invention."
She sat up straight, feeling that she might actually be able to try it.
On the other side, Shad had already met with Princess Margaret. The servants, naturally, did not tell the Princess that Shad had been with Miss Sylvia the entire time. The Princess assumed Shad had been waiting in the lounge for over an hour and was therefore profoundly apologetic.
Naturally, she did not forget to express her gratitude for the previous night's events. Yesterday, Lacia had been able to learn from Dorothy that Shad was out of danger—and had even spent the entire night personally checking—but Princess Margaret did not know if Shad suffered any aftereffects from that stone statue.
"I'm perfectly fine, of course," Shad said with a smile.
The princess, with her pale gold long hair, pursed her lips. Her heart was filled with countless questions for the handsome knight before her, but she felt too shy to ask.
Though he was only a Fourth Ring, the Ring Spellcaster before her seemed to possess power similar to her own teacher. She remembered Shad hugging that terrifying relic from behind last night, and she remembered the brilliant silver shockwave under the moonlight that shattered the giant black dragon in the sky. Most of all, she remembered the sky full of red butterflies drifting like falling snow amidst the bard's music once everything had ended.
When the Church conducted its large-scale investigation afterward, they naturally didn't use the term "God-Caller," but that didn't stop the Princess from knowing the power of that evil spirit from the Third Epoch.
Seeing Shad again, she truly had many questions, but as the words reached her lips, they turned into another awkward question
"What is your relationship with Princess Lacia Cavendish?"
Shad also pursed his lips.
"She is my... I am her lover."
If he refused to admit even this relationship, Shad would consider himself a shameless man. Moreover, he was certain that Princess Margaret would not speak recklessly about this.
"I see..."
The Princess nodded, feeling somewhat awkward herself, and thus changed the subject.
"Sir Hamilton Shad, did you come to see me for a particular reason?"
Shad noticed the change in her form of address but didn't say much.
"I would like to know Sir Leggins Prisha's itinerary for the next few days. No, I don't want to know where he has been; I want to know which public events he will be attending."
Princess Margaret hesitated, her hands elegantly folded on her skirt.
"No problem. I will have someone organize the Sir's itinerary for the coming week and send it to you shortly. If he attends certain banquets, I will provide you with an anonymous invitation."
Shad smiled.
"That would be better. Oh, Your Highness, I can guarantee that I harbor no ill will toward the Sir."
He simply wanted the doctor to take a look at the desires hidden in the Sir's heart.
Shad then asked, "Then, Your Highness, is there anything you need my help with?"
Shad was merely being polite, but to his surprise, the Princess hesitated again and then nodded.
"There is indeed one matter that is inconvenient for others to investigate. If it's convenient, could you help me find someone? Actually, two people."
"Finding people again?"
Shad grumbled inwardly but still nodded.
"No problem."
Since he certainly couldn't find the "female spellcaster living in St. Delan Square," he would do whatever it took to help find the second person.
"Who is it that needs to be found?"
"A former maid of mine, but eight years ago, because of... an accident, she was forced to leave my side, and subsequently disappeared in a great fire."
The smile on her face was strained.
"I have a photo of her here; I'll have someone fetch it."
After instructing her personal maid, she spoke to Shad with a forced smile.
"In the autumn of 1845, shortly after she was forced to resign as a maid, her house in Willowdale caught fire. For eight years, I believed she had passed away. To be honest, her resignation was largely due to me. But not long ago in Tobesk, I thought I saw her through a carriage window. I wasn't entirely sure, so I wish to commission you to investigate."
Shad had heard this story before (Chapter 863); specifically, it was the story of "The Princess, the Maid, the Red Cabbage, and the Spy." To "avenge" Princess Margaret for occupying her date time, Lacia had specifically had Shad deliver a note during the farewell banquet in Huntington.
"You don't need to approach her. Just confirming whether I saw the wrong person is enough."
The maid brought a yellowed black-and-white photograph; it was a group photo. A young Margaret of Anjou sat on a swing in a midsummer garden, flanked by several maids in matching uniforms.
Seeing Shad staring at her in the photo, the Princess subtly pressed her finger against her cheek.
"The second one from the left is her, Joya Nicklaus."
She handed the photo to Shad.
"Take this photo to search for her. If you can't find her, remember to return the photo to me. I will reimburse all expenses incurred during the investigation."
"No problem, Your Highness."
Shad nodded, but a doubt arose in his mind.
For relocated spies, MI6 usually arranged for them to live in remote cities or even the countryside. Even if MI6 continued to provide employment, it would be absolutely impossible for Princess Margaret to see her, unless Director Anlos had truly become so senile that he forgot the past.
Finding Miss "Joya Nicklaus" would be easy for Shad; he could simply ask Miss Galina, who had told Lacia about this three years ago. The witch would certainly have the answer. The problem was, he strongly suspected that Joya Nicklaus's reappearance was also a plan by MI6.
That plan was likely intended to lure out the "Grey Falcon" who had left a note last week and disrupted the bombing attack.
"Did you find the person who left the note last week?"
Thinking of this, Shad suddenly asked an abrupt question. Princess Margaret looked at him in surprise, then shook her head slightly.
"Oh, you still remember that. No, we haven't found that kind-hearted person. I mean, neither we nor your police have found him."
Shad nodded slowly. He felt that he had accidentally stumbled into some trouble once again.
Princess Margaret kept Shad for a while longer. By the time Shad left Canary Manor, it was already five in the afternoon.
Luvia had invited Shad to dinner tonight, but Shad didn't go home immediately. Instead, he first visited Old John's pawnshop. The alchemical crossbow he had ordered at the high price of over a hundred pounds (Chapter 1004) should be finished. Only after getting that weapon in hand would he have the confidence to deal with the series of upcoming events.
The heavy snow that had lasted all day still hadn't stopped, which resulted in the pawnshop having no customers despite it being the afternoon.
The small crossbow had been completed. Because Shad had paid a high price, Old John had specifically placed it in an exquisite-looking box.
"I won't ask you what exactly you intend to fire with this, but I must warn you: if it's used in conjunction with a miracle or relic that requires a specific bow or crossbow to function, it will break quickly, no matter how good the materials I used are."
"I intend to fire a relic arrow. As long as it can guarantee a single shot, that's enough."
Shad carefully examined the small crossbow. Compared to a bow and arrow, a crossbow was much easier for a layman like him to use.
"A relic arrow? Truly remarkable. Is it the [Underworld Ambusher]? [Aikenora's Arrow of Knowledge]? [The Wind King's Invisible Arrow]? [The Radiance of Stars]? Surely it's not a [Chaos Shard]?"
Old John asked casually while flipping through a newspaper. The paper was still filled with follow-up reports on the attack on Princess Margaret from last week; it was the hottest news of the past few days.
(End of Chapter)