Chapter 57: The Great Wealthy

“The origin of the card is somewhat inconvenient to disclose.”

Shade spoke cautiously. Mr. Mark also wore an apologetic expression; the middle-aged man was quite skilled at using a smile to dissolve awkwardness.

“It’s alright. After all, it is your secret.”

This was, of course, not Shade's secret. While he had many secrets, this was not one of them. However, Shade also didn't know exactly where Detective Spilo Hamilton had obtained this card.

He only understood roughly why, in the final ten minutes before the detective's death, he had specifically instructed Shade to guard this card with his life. Detective Spilo was a true enthusiast of Rode Cards.

*A private detective who loves Rode Cards and novels, has excellent taste in black tea, possesses secrets, and excels at investigating extramarital affairs... just what kind of person was Spilo Hamilton?* Shade thought to himself.

It took nearly two full hours before the three appraisers provided a preliminary conclusion

“This [Genesis · Silver Moon] 'Sun 3' is highly likely to be genuine.”

The three elderly men looked as though they had just finished a long-distance run, exhausted, yet they were extremely confident in their conclusion.

Consequently, the Tobesk City Association was willing to issue Shade an appraisal certificate to prove that the card in his possession was an authentic item. In organized, formal Rode Card competitions—such as this autumn's "Great City Player"—every special Rode Card must be accompanied by an official certificate issued by the Association to maintain the fairness of the competition.

However, the appraisal did not end there, as Mr. Mark apologetically informed Shade. Although the Tobesk City branch believed this card was a genuine Silver Moon from the lost Genesis series of a hundred years ago, according to Association regulations, the appraisal of such special series cards issued a century ago required further verification by professional appraisers dispatched from the Prophet Association headquarters in southern Carsonric.

In other words, Shade could currently hold the appraisal certificate, but he would have to return here in about a week for a follow-up appraisal to definitively confirm the card's authenticity.

“That is perfectly fine.”

Shade accepted the arrangement. Having reclaimed his card, his heart was filled with excitement; any lingering resentment toward Spilo Hamilton for not leaving him a wallet had completely vanished.

“Of course, Mr. Hamilton, we must remind you that the value of this card is... immeasurable. If it is not necessary, it would be best not to use it in unofficial Rode Card competitions. You understand, after all.”

Mr. Mark gave a well-meaning warning, and Shade nodded.

“Actually, I have no intention of participating in any Rode Card competitions at all.”

He had always loathed gambling. He didn't gamble in his hometown, and he wouldn't gamble here in this dangerous and eerie Steam Age.

Even if the card in his hand could be considered an official Rode Card cheat code, he had no intention of using it to gamble for money.

“I wonder if the Association would be willing to acquire it? I mean, after the appraisal in a week.”

Shade flicked the card in his hand toward Mr. Mark, whose eyes instinctively followed its movement. Due to his studies as a Circle Practitioner, Shade was in urgent need of gold pounds; he knew how valuable the item in his hand was, but he did not intend to hold onto it long-term.

Perhaps owning a special Rode Card and defeating opponents in various card games, traveling around this mysterious Steam Age to collect Rode Card decks, would be interesting—but Shade preferred mystical powers.

“You want to sell it? Sell a Genesis series card?”

Mr. Mark looked as if he had heard something incredible. He leaned forward slightly and explained, “Forgive me, but collectors who have held Genesis series cards in the past are the kind of fanatics who would never let go, even in death... Right, I understand. But I am sorry, the Association never acquires Rode Cards.”

“Why?”

Vice President Mark explained regretfully, “To put it in the terms of gamblers, the Association is the house; we cannot easily interfere with the circulation of Rode Cards. Otherwise, even if it meant bankruptcy, I would be willing to acquire it in my own name.”

“Then would the Association be willing to act as a broker and introduce me to buyers?” Shade asked. In truth, the museum mentioned by Detective Spilo before his death was likely another sales channel. But compared to an unknown museum, Shade trusted an official organization like this more.

“Of course, that is one of the Association's services. But you must understand, for a card like this, it is not easy to find a buyer who can afford it. Of course, all of this will be discussed after the appraisal in a week. You can think of a psychological price point during this week. By the way, these are the Association's commission rates for introducing buyers... You are likely not an Association member yet, but that doesn't matter; you are one now. You won't have to pay membership fees for ten years.”

Mr. Mark pulled a silver badge from his pocket and handed it to Shade. This was the mark of a Prophet Association member. However, the badge did not bear the Ouroboros symbol, but rather the pattern of a card. The Ouroboros seal was reserved for internal members only.

The middle-aged man then took out his small notebook, hurriedly scribbled a number, tore the page off with a *rip*, and handed it to Shade.

“If it is this Genesis · Silver Moon, this is the commission rate enjoyed by Association members. Of course, we will only charge you once the transaction is completed; you can rest assured on that point.”

Shade stared at the terrifying, cursive number written in pencil and involuntarily gasped. He calculated how many "Orange Cat Mia" this was worth, only to find the unit too small; he then calculated how many times he could study first-year Circle Practitioner curriculum with just this brokerage commission alone.

The woman in his heart laughed.

*Bah, bah! How can I think such unlucky thoughts?*

He nodded gently. “I understand. This commission is very reasonable.”

“Then we shall see you in a week, Mr. Hamilton. Please, be extremely careful not to use this card lightly... You probably understand what I mean.” Vice President Mark urged once more.

“Yes, thank you. I understand, of course.”

Filled with a sense of satisfaction, Shade tucked the appraisal certificate and the card into his diary and was escorted by Mr. Mark to the third-floor stairwell of the Association.

Since arriving in this world, almost nothing had gone smoothly. Even his hard-won residence could potentially harbor danger. But this Rode Card was like a ray of light in the fog, allowing Shade to see the hope of a beautiful life.

With this sense of relief, he returned to the first-floor lobby of the Association. Since he had nothing else to do, he intended to leave directly and planned to take Mia to a restaurant for a good meal at noon.

However, in the main hall, he ran into Mr. Lavender, who had been playing cards with him earlier. It seemed as though he had been waiting for Shade; seeing him descend from upstairs, he approached warmly.

“Oh, Detective Hamilton, would you mind if I took up some of your time? I have a commission I would like to offer you,” the middle-aged gentleman said, gesturing with his gold-inlaid cane, looking at Shade expectantly.

Shade instinctively tightened his grip on his notebook and thought for a moment. “Of course. The detective agency is always open. Would you like to talk at my place?”

No. 6 St. Dean's Square was not far from here. Even if the card in his hand was valuable, he could not afford to lack other sources of income.

“Oh, I don't think that will be necessary. This way, please. I have already rented a reception room on the second floor of the Association; we can talk here.”

Mr. Lavender led the way, and Shade followed him back toward the stairs. Because the items he was carrying were so valuable, he couldn't help but ask in his mind

*Is there something wrong with this man? Are there traces of elements nearby? Does he carry a relic?*

【Get a little closer... He is an ordinary person. Sometimes you are truly too cautious.】

“Aha! How do you know the other party is an ordinary person? Circle Practitioners do not display their abilities; we cannot easily identify one another!” Shade asked immediately.

The whisper answered in his ear: 【Your soul is sensitive; I have already told you this.】

“It is always better to be cautious. After all, as you know, I am a stranger. I have been here for less than a week, and I have already encountered enough strange occurrences,” he replied in his mind, but he received only the woman's laughter in return.