Chapter 58: A New Commission

The Prophet Association's primary business is Rhode cards. The association itself does not host gambling dens, but it does organize major tournaments to facilitate exchange among Rhode card enthusiasts, which is why they maintain guest rooms available for rent.

The two men took their seats on the sofa. Shade tucked his notebook into his inner breast pocket, while Mr. Lavender set down his cane and reintroduced himself. The mustachioed middle-aged man was not a common citizen after all

"I actually hold a baronetcy, but as you know, in a place like Tobesk City, nobility isn't worth much. This isn't the countryside, where a destitute aristocrat can control a village or a town. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, if you were to shout 'Baron!' in the street, I guarantee more than one person would turn around."

He gave Shade a shrug, and Shade understood Baron Lavender's meaning. This was, after all, the capital of the Delarian Kingdom; a baron, especially one without significant property, was hardly a rarity.

"Relatively speaking, I am not particularly wealthy, but playing Rhode cards has allowed me to meet some quite remarkable people. This commission is related to Rhode cards.

It goes like this: this coming Sunday night, I have been invited to a banquet at Count Claun's lakeside manor outside the city. It's just one of those typical open-air garden parties—there will be many attendees: men looking for romance, socialite ladies seeking pleasure, idle bystanders, or perhaps those with ulterior motives. My friend, Baron Rwanda, is organizing a Rhode card game at the banquet, with a special card as the stake."

The mustachioed man looked at Shade, studying his expression. After a moment of thought, Shade asked

"So, you want that card?"

"The Rhode cards are important, of course, but I want to beat that fellow even more. Do you know how he mocked me after I lost my special fairy-tale themed card—the Little Match Girl—last time? So, Detective Hamilton, I intend to find several skilled players before the banquet to help me defeat him."

Baron Lavender nodded toward Shade.

"Detective Hamilton, are you willing to accept this commission?"

"As much as I would like to, I truly do not know how to play cards."

Shade shook his head quickly. Although he wanted to earn money, he would not accept commissions beyond his capabilities.

"No, no, no. Rhode cards are actually a game that tests luck more than anything; as long as you know the rules, you can play."

The Baron also shook his head.

"Sometimes luck is even more important than skill, and we generally believe that beginners always have good luck. Just like how you just beat me."

"That was merely luck, and please, let's not be superstitious," Shade emphasized. He did not want to invite trouble upon himself because of a commission. Moreover, he had successfully obtained the authentication certificate for *Founder: Silver Moon*, and the final appraisal result was equivalent to an instant windfall. While he certainly needed to maintain his identity as a detective, he no longer needed to take on high-risk commissions.

"I haven't just come to you; I've approached several other gentlemen as well. If you help me win the match, I will give you one pound—just for winning a single round. Even if you lose, I will give you ten shillings. I will also reimburse your travel expenses to the manor, and you can enjoy the banquet for free. If luck is on your side, you might even encounter a beautiful lady."

Baron Lavender continued to raise the stakes.

Now Shade hesitated. Since the other party didn't mind if he lost, the commission was actually acceptable. Earning at least half a pound in one night was more than what some specialized professions could offer.

Of course, he still had a doubt, and Shade possessed great self-awareness

"Forgive me, Baron. Do you believe I can help you simply because I won a single round against you? I mean, this is only our first meeting."

"Actually, my initial thought was triggered by seeing the location of your detective agency; I judged that you couldn't be a simple man. Just now, I noticed you went up to the third floor with Vice President Mark. I suspect that even if you don't understand Rhode cards, you certainly aren't an ordinary detective. The third floor of the Prophet Association is not easily accessible."

The mustachioed man smiled, then produced a deck of cards

"Since you are still refusing, it shows you are a very responsible detective. How about this: we draw three cards again. If the total is less than or equal to 21, you accept my commission. How does that sound?"

Shade became interested. The risk of this commission was even lower than Mr. Franklin's, second only to finding the temporary member of his household, Mia

"Of course."

He took the Baron's deck, reshuffled it, and drew the top three cards.

This time, it wasn't a coincidental number like twenty-one. He laid the cards on the table one by one

Star 1, Sun 2, Moon 3.

Both Baron Lavender and Shade raised their eyebrows simultaneously.

"See, Detective? I told you a beginner's luck is bound to be good. Do not touch Rhode cards again before Sunday; it will consume your luck."

Such a saying was likely a common superstition, similar to the "Law of Conservation of Luck."

Baron Lavender grabbed Shade's hand.

"Detective, you must help me. That wretched Rwanda—this time, I am certain to win."

Strictly speaking, this should be considered Shade's second commission (Note). To be formal, he requested paper and a pen and handwrote a commission contract. After both parties inspected it, they signed it, and two copies were kept for their records.

Shade believed that the rigorous habits of the former Detective Spylo were excellent, so he intended to continue using ledgers, notebooks, and file folders, recording every formal commission.

This also made paying taxes easier.

The invitation to the lakeside manor banquet would be sent to No. 6 St. Dean's Square later. At the banquet, the two were not to meet up; instead, they were to pretend to be friends who had met by chance and then go play Rhode cards together.

Baron Lavender hoped to prove his luck to his friend, Baron Rwanda, through this method.

Shade felt concerned about Baron Lavender's plan, but all he wanted was that half-pound; winning or losing didn't actually matter to him.

"However, I wonder if the banquet food can be taken to go, and I'll have to ask the Doctor on Saturday about the dress code. He clearly looks like a member of the so-called upper class."

The luck this morning had been so good that Shade even began to doubt if his fortune had truly turned. After bidding farewell to Baron Lavender, Shade did not go home immediately. Instead, he walked to Old John's Pawnshop, where he had pawned his cane, to redeem the expensive walking stick that was said to be made from the heartwood of natural cedar from the Drado Mountains.

The shop was still occupied only by the owner. The pawnshop was somewhat cool in the early summer midday, and the temperature was just right.

The shopkeeper, old man John Jones, expressed regret at Shade's decision and repeatedly emphasized that if Shade ever lacked money, he could sell the cane to him. Rather than the pawn price, Old John was willing to pay more to acquire it outright.

"Then how much are you willing to pay?"

Shade did not reject the proposal. If he wanted to use a cane, he could easily spend money to buy a cheaper one.

"Hmm, how about 7 pounds and 6 shillings?"

The old man, wearing a red wool vest in the summer midday, considered it and made his offer.

His fingers, marked with age spots, twitched slightly.

"That is not a low price."

"Ten pounds."

Shade immediately raised the price. The other party would certainly not accept this; he was waiting for the man to haggle. Given the current purchasing power of the currency, ten pounds would even be enough to dig up Detective Spylo Hamilton for a grand funeral; such a price was certainly inappropriate.

"Deal."

Old John agreed immediately.

***

PS: The first formal commission was finding little Franklin at the club. Tracking Mr. Lawrence's mistress and the orange cat Mia was Spylo's commission, so it doesn't count.

Also, do not think a 1-pound commission fee is low; 1 pound has quite good purchasing power in the Victorian era. Moreover, this commission only requires Shade to play cards—there is no danger, travel expenses are covered, and he gets to enjoy a trip to a noble's manor banquet along the way, so the price is very reasonable.

(End of Chapter)