“The Sage-level relic [Gentleman Thief Jack] only appears in human settlements with a population exceeding thirty thousand. It appears mostly at night to commit irregular thefts; even if you encounter it, you will only succeed in making it flee faster. Under normal circumstances, it does not harm people. The items it steals always possess a special value, and it is a thief that grows stronger when facing stronger opponents. Even against a Ringmaster, if the home lacks special anti-theft measures, it will employ the methods of an ordinary person. However, if someone uses an Angel-level (Grade 1) anti-theft relic in an exaggerated manner to cover up a secret, then the [Sage-level (Grade 2)] Gentleman Thief Jack can exert eerie powers that surpass the Angel-level.”
Iluna explained
“‘Jack’ is not actually its name. It was given this title simply because Jack is a common male name, implying that this relic hides among countless ordinary people.”
“I see, much like how ‘Mary’ is one of the most common female names. That sounds interesting—growing stronger against the strong... Are there any other characteristics?”
Shad asked with great interest.
“Of course. The true negative trait is that the target robbed by [Gentleman Thief Jack] may undergo a slight change in personality. Initially, it manifests as annoyance over failing to guard one's property; subsequently, this annoyance ferments into regret over the loss, until it transforms into a desire to steal from others to compensate for the loss.”
“Assimilated by [Gentleman Thief Jack]?”
Shad asked. Iluna nodded cautiously
“It is not merely the bad habit of kleptomania; their internal physical structure also changes, and their entire soul is gradually permeated by Whisper elements. Gentleman Thief Jack itself is just a thief, but the relic derivatives infected by its kleptomania are all lunatics possessing mysticism.”
Seeing that Shad was listening intently, Iluna smiled bashfully
“The records actually explain it very clearly, but I couldn't memorize everything, so I can only explain this much.”
“This is already very detailed. I heard Miss Galina mention this during the Lakeview Manor banquet on Tuesday. So, Professor Manning has lost something?”
He asked again. The nominal police officer immediately nodded
“Three days ago, this past Monday, someone broke in here under the cover of night and stole an antique vase from Professor Tyris Manning's collection. Our squad received the mission to visit the victim of the theft and use divine items prepared by the Church to confirm whether the victim was affected and thus infected with kleptomania.”
Iluna showed Shad the iron ring worn on her finger; Shad's eyes could see the solar patterns on the ring's surface.
“Look, this is it. The first step is to make contact with the professor using this ring, and the second step is to judge the professor's psychological state through a few simple questions. Theft cases have been frequent in the city lately, so the captain put me in charge of visiting the victims in the university district.”
This kind of mission was of an appropriate difficulty for Iluna, and it could also train an immature girl like her. She took off the ring and handed it to Shad. As Shad slid it onto his finger, he couldn't help but lament Professor Manning's poor luck.
A carriage passed through the thick fog behind Iluna, the mist leaving them only able to see the carriage's dark silhouette. They temporarily stopped talking, remaining silent under the low sky. Shad tilted his head to look at the street scene of Cat's Tail Alley behind Iluna, while Iluna pretended to casually observe Shad.
“I already spoke with Luvia about the Lakeview Manor matter on Wednesday night. Is there any progress from the Church regarding the Trial of Venars?”
Once the carriage had passed, Shad brought up the subject again. Iluna nodded
“‘The Unseen Person’ could refer to many things, it might even be [Gentleman Thief Jack]; the Church is still investigating. The three great occult academies have already intervened in this matter, so the first trial will likely end soon. Even if they cannot see it, the Church, the academies, and even the Truth Society will find a way to locate it.”
“Luvia is still verifying the identity of the fourth Chosen. However, I am more concerned about the Apuna Library exchanging intelligence with the Truth Society. Has the Church of the True God not punished them?”
When Shad asked this, a look of dissatisfaction appeared on Iluna's face
“The Church of the True God and the Ringmaster groups, including the Seer Association, are merely collaborators, not in a superior-subordinate relationship. Generally, as long as they don't go too far and can compensate for their mistakes, the Church will not impose punishments or similar measures.”
“Did they go too far this time?”
“Yes, they held fragments of the Poetic Chapters but did not share them with the Church immediately. Oh, Shad, I'm not saying the Church is the most reliable, but sharing such things with the [Truth Society] clearly stems from their own selfish motives. After Tuesday night, the Apuna Library immediately admitted its mistake to the Church and handed over all the materials they had regarding the Poetic Chapter fragments, but we are still unsatisfied. There will be warning measures following this.”
“I don't understand. Why did the Apuna Library do this? Do they also want to invest in the Chosen?”
Shad found this inconceivable; given the scale and organizational nature of the Apuna Library, they lacked such a capability.
“Of course they aren't investing in the Chosen; it's for the Secret Keepers.”
“Secret Keepers?”
Shad still didn't understand, so Iluna reminded him
“With the appearance of the Chosen, Secret Keepers will frequently appear by his or her side to provide tests and trials. Don't forget, one must not make any wishes to obtain the [Sage's Brilliance]; however, if one foregoes the Brilliance, those 'Secret Keepers'—whether they are relics or other entities—can realize 'wish-granting' functions to a certain extent. Especially wishes leaning toward wisdom and knowledge; those are what the Apuna Library wants.”
“So that's how it is.”
Shad nodded in realization, but then thought of the three "wishers" he had encountered in Huntington City. Professor Drake was forced to pursue past memories because of a wish; the poet gained luck but bore a heavy burden; only that old fisherman who loved fishing could open-mindedly accept his wish, feeling no regret even after his fishing rod broke
“The current Chosen seeking to obtain five pieces of Sage's Brilliance is itself a trial. But if one wants to rely on this opportunity to obtain infinite wishes... wishes come with a price. I hope everyone understands this.”
Although Iluna enjoyed standing on the street chatting quietly and alone with Shad, hoping Professor Manning would be a bit late, even a Chosen could not make Professor Manning late.
The old professor, who was in excellent spirits, returned to Cat's Tail Alley right on time. Although the seventeen-year-old girl was slightly disappointed, she knew work was important, so she stepped forward with Shad to greet him.
“It's been several weeks since we last met, Professor.”
Shad greeted him warmly and extended the hand wearing the ring. Professor Manning was also pleasantly surprised by Shad's appearance and naturally shook his hand.
The ring showed no reaction, meaning Professor Manning was most likely not affected by the relic. Even a relic like the [Joyful Dream Pen], which directly manipulates deep dreams, had failed to leave permanent sequelae on Professor Manning; Shad didn't believe [Gentleman Thief Jack] could do it. This weathered archaeologist and history professor possessed a remarkably resilient spirit.
The professor and Shad were close friends, so there was no need for excessive pleasantries. As for Iluna, because a scheduled appointment letter had been sent via the Ridwich Field in advance, there was no need to waste time at the door explaining the reason for the visit.
Shad inconspicuously returned the ring to Iluna, and Professor Manning invited the two of them inside. Upon learning that Shad and the nominal police officer were previously acquainted due to a detective commission, the professor visibly relaxed.
Clearly, a visit from the police in this era was not a good thing for anyone. Even though Professor Manning was the victim and the visiting officer was a lady, the professor was still somewhat uneasy.
Iluna was on "official business," so Shad let her handle the theft case first.
Although she was a police officer in name only, she had actually received police training. Thus, after entering, she professionally inquired about the details of Monday's case, inserting psychological questions into the interrogation. After confirming that no details were omitted during the report, Iluna invited Shad to inspect the scene with her.
The antique vase Professor Manning lost was not of high monetary value, but it was a retirement gift from his students and a piece he cherished deeply. The vase had originally been placed in a corner of the first-floor living room; Shad had seen it many times during his visits. Upon careful inspection, he indeed discovered extremely faint traces of Whisper elements.
Shad couldn't even use those elemental traces to track the thief.
Based on Iluna's professional judgment of the traces, the thief had opened the locked window in the dead of night, entered the room directly, and carried the vase away upon finding it. The entire process took no more than five minutes, appearing very professional.
“Look at this.”
Iluna, wearing white gloves, pointed to the street-facing window. The living room window of Professor Manning's house had a groove on the sill; pressing the latch down would lock the window tightly. On the edge of the window frame Iluna pointed to, there were clear marks of metal friction. Shad thought carefully
“A wire was inserted through the gap in the window, hooked the latch, and pulled it up?”
“Yes, Detective. It seems you are quite professional as well.”
Iluna nodded and recorded the detail. Shad once again experienced the meaning of "ordinary theft methods."
After confirming the method of intrusion, Iluna used a small knife to collect some rust from the window and placed it in a small paper bag. Professor Manning might not have understood this behavior, thinking it was an advanced detective technique, but Shad knew it was to provide the Church with materials for an accurate divination.
After inspecting the scene, Iluna coordinated with Shad to search the living room. The result, naturally, was nothing. Although famous thieves in the perception of outsiders liked to leave letters or emblems at the scene of the crime, [Gentleman Thief Jack] did not have such a ridiculous bad habit.