Currently, the currencies used globally, besides the gold pounds of northern Delarion, include the crowns of the United Kingdoms of Southern Carsonric. However, the United Kingdoms were once composed of several different kingdoms; although they had formed a unified kingdom by the contemporary year of 1853, there were still several different currencies known as "crowns" within them.
The Carsonric Crown was the high-denomination currency used for official transactions. According to the current exchange rate, it took approximately 11 to 12 gold pounds to equal 1 Carsonric Crown.
"If it's in gold pounds, then it's roughly this amount."
As a local, Vice President Mark wrote another note, which bore the number "33." Although this sum was not as much as Miss Galina's commission from yesterday, Shade only needed to participate in the competition to get the money; it was practically like picking it up for free.
Even Franklin, the accountant who had previously commissioned Shade, only earned about 70 pounds a year, and his income barely placed him on the fringes of the middle class.
Now, Shade only needed to nod to receive half a year's income of a middle-class breadwinner. He had no reason to refuse
"I think I need a copy of the competition regulations."
Mr. Limo nodded
"If you require them, we can fetch the regulations in a moment. But do not worry, you only need to participate; there is no requirement regarding whether you win or lose. Here is an agreement."
Mr. Limo reached behind him, and the private secretary standing by the wall immediately stepped forward, handing over a dark brown kraft paper envelope. As for the remuneration, Shade would only receive it after the grand competition opened and he was seated at the card table.
Nothing unexpected happened during the trip to the Seer Association. Shade signed the participation contract for the "Great City Player" for this coming September, and at the same time, his [Founder · Silver Moon] card was, quite naturally, appraised as an authentic item.
Vice President Sindia Mark was even more excited than Mr. Limo, who had come from the main branch. She warmly invited Shade for a drink to celebrate today's events, but Shade declined, citing his busy personal schedule and matters to handle at his agency.
However, they would still see each other during the Rhode card matches on Sunday nights, so Mr. Mark did not mind.
After leaving the Seer Association, Shade went straight home. After waiting for only half an hour, Miss Annette arrived exactly as predicted.
Once the detective opened the doors to No. 6 St. Dean's Square, the purple-eyed Seer walked in without a word. She was momentarily stunned to see the first floor sealed off, but she still said nothing and followed the detective to Room No. 1 on the second floor.
"Something is very wrong here."
As she took her seat, Miss Annette said. She had just seen the condition of the first, second, and third floors
"It's just like the haunted houses in the rumors. Even if I didn't perform divination, I could tell something is wrong here."
"It is a haunted house. I've mentioned this to the doctor and the others; you happened to be away from Tobesk at the time. I will likely speak with Priest Augustus tomorrow to have the Church of Dawn send someone for a final inspection. I want to make full use of this house," Shade said, bringing a teacup to Miss Annette before sitting opposite the diviner.
He asked very seriously
"Before we formally begin our conversation, I want to ask a question. Miss Annette, on weekend nights, do you go to watch those Rhode card matches?"
This question was very important to him.
"Why would I go? I have an appointment to see an opera with Louisa that day, and my work at the Association has nothing to do with Rhode cards," Miss Annette said in surprise.
Only then did Shade nod with satisfaction and cut to the formal topic
"I was truly surprised to see you at the Seer Association just now. Aren't you a diviner of the Seer Association? How did you become a secretary this time?"
"The occasion was special today, and I happened to be curious about the matter of [Founder · Silver Moon], so I specifically applied to help. Detective, I am truly surprised. How could [Founder · Silver Moon] be in your hands? That shouldn't be possible."
Miss Annette frowned, but quickly raised an eyebrow again because of the black tea. This was their second private meeting since their carriage chat on Monday night.
"I haven't heard you mention [Founder · Silver Moon] before," she said softly while sipping the tea.
"Isn't it just an ordinary item? That's why I didn't say anything," Shade asked in surprise, taking the card out and placing it on the table. Seeing that Shade neither wore gloves nor showed any particular preciousness toward [Founder · Silver Moon], Miss Annette, who came from the Seer Association, felt a bit of a headache.
"Yes, Rhode cards are indeed ordinary items, but... how should I put it, I only heard some news from the Association's higher-ups by pure chance.
The original thirteen Rhode cards were not actually manufactured by the Seer Association. On the contrary, it should be said that the Rhode cards were manufactured based on these thirteen cards. Hundreds of years ago, the Association accidentally obtained two of them and discovered ancient资料 left by the ancient seers of the early Fifth Epoch regarding the thirteen cards—namely, the card faces and the gameplay. Although they didn't discover any power within them, the Rhode cards manufactured according to their design were unexpectedly a massive success. This brought staggering wealth to the Association."
"The Founder series Rhode cards are [Relics]?"
[Of course not, I don't feel any whispering elements.]
"Of course not. Rhode cards are just ordinary items, but the Founder series cards are very special. These cards might come from the Fifth Epoch, or even the more distant Fourth Epoch, or even the Third Epoch," Miss Annette said.
"You're saying these are thousands of years old antiques? Even though they are paper products, they can still be preserved so well?"
Shade gave [Founder · Silver Moon] a slight shake. Miss Annette shrugged
"At least, that is the information I have. According to the Association's knowledge, the thirteen cards of the Founder series possess no power, but they cannot be destroyed; any attempt to destroy them will result in a curse of misfortune. There is a saying that holders of the original thirteen cards will be extremely lucky when engaging in activities related to cards, dice, and such."
"Cards that can bring luck to the user?"
Shade looked at [Founder · Silver Moon] on the table. If this were true, then Miss Galina's weekend card game seemed to have a much higher chance of winning.
Miss Annette nodded
"The original thirteen Rhode cards choose their own masters. No one can possess them by force; only those who are meant to have them can possess them... I hope you understand what I mean. Because of this, very few people have been able to find traces of them throughout the long river of history. Even the Churches of the True Gods and the Academies may not necessarily know of the special nature of these cards.
The Association is also researching specifically what these cards can do, and they believe it is related to the secret of the fall of the original Ancient Gods."
"They choose their own holders? What exactly are they?"
The more Shade listened, the stranger it felt. Miss Annette shook her head
"These are not ordinary alchemical items, nor are they even [Relics]. Based on the ancient资料 left by the ancient seers discovered by the Association, these cards must be related to the thirteen Ancient Gods. Do you know of the Ancient Gods? Oh, it's good that you do. In past eras, people indeed discovered their peculiarities and believed these cards were both keys and weapons. From even older texts, the Association discovered their names."
"Special cards related to the Ancient Gods that possess no power... what names?"
Shade was quite curious.
Miss Annette hesitated for a moment
"The thirteen cards represent the original deities born alongside the world, representing the impermanent world. Therefore, they are called—All-Encompassing Impermanence."
***
PS: This has absolutely nothing to do with the "All-Encompassing Impermanence" cards from my previous book; the author just likes the name. The All-Encompassing Impermanence cards are also artifacts in the DND series, but of course, the setting of this novel has nothing to do with those; it's just because the author likes the name.
(End of Chapter)