When asking about the Rhodes card, the woman's voice became serious for the first time.
"Of course, it has been identified by the local Prophet Association. On Friday, which is tomorrow, people from the Association will come to Tobesk by steam locomotive to do the final round of identification."
The woman behind the door didn't say anything else, and the black-haired maid reappeared and left the room.
Then there was silence that lasted for an hour. The fat maid prepared more tea and snacks for Xia De, making him regret eating too much for breakfast.
There was only the intermittent sound of flipping books coming from behind the bookshelf door, until the black-haired maid hurried back, and the conversation could continue:
"I didn't expect that after a hundred years, Founder Silver Moon would appear here. But this is also good..."
There was some smile in the woman's words. Xia De noticed that the temperature in the study was more pleasant. He guessed that the other party was definitely more than ten rings:
"Would you like to buy it? I can give you a discount..."
He had already begun to imagine himself and Mia buying the entire Saint Teresa Square, and then living a rich life by collecting rent for the rest of his life. Although, deep down in his heart, he still had some desire to hold this card.
"Of course not, Detective. Although I have money, I won't waste so much to buy a Rhodes card. If this card is actually traded, the transaction amount will be huge even for me. I just said that I don't like the Rhodes card, I just want to win an important game. So, why don't I just hire the owner of the card? This is better than buying this card."
The maid came out and returned the three cards to Shade. Shade quietly asked the female voice in his head, trying to know whether the cards had been swapped, and successfully got the answer that they were still authentic.
Although the woman's voice in my head sometimes behaves strangely, I have to admit that it is very useful.
"Now that you've seen this card today, Detective, are you interested in playing a Rhodes game this weekend? Use this Founding Silver Moon, but don't worry about any trouble. I can declare to the public that you are mine. From now on, you can use this card at will without worrying about being coveted by others. In return, you will have to accept my commission and use this card to participate in Rhodes games. Of course, there will be a reward."
The other party's identity must be very extraordinary. Being able to get his protection will make your future life better.
"I'm not really good at playing Rhodes. Are you sure you want me to play for you?"
He shied away a little.
"As for the reward, the two special cards I collected belong to you. Detective, the Rhodes card is a stepping stone to the upper class. You hold a precious card, why not use it to improve your social skills? I hope you can keep it, I think there will be many such commissions in the future."
If Shad was an avid fan like Baron Lavender, he would probably have a cerebral hemorrhage when he heard that he got two special cards for nothing, but he was not.
But the second half of the other party's words really moved Xia De. If he could get to know more nobles, it would be of great benefit to his detective career and even his studies as a ring wizard. And with the card he got from the professor, even if he was really short of money and sold the three cards, it would be enough for him to not have to worry about spending for a long time.
"If you win, you can get a relic from me. You can describe your request. Also, I can introduce you to a job that pays you a fixed weekly salary, but doesn't require you to do anything, so you don't have to sell the cards. If you lose, you have to use this card to participate in three gambling games on the next day for free."
Xia De had no reason to refuse. The relic issue solved the source of the next drop of divinity, and the work issue provided him with the minimum living security without having to do any work.
While thinking about this, the other party thought he was still hesitating, so he continued to increase the stakes:
"30 pounds. Regardless of whether you win or not, this is my reward for hiring you to participate in the game on weekend nights. Founder Silver Moon, you are worth the price."
"No problem, ma'am!"
There is no need to think about it now. Besides, this is not gambling but a commission:
"Madam, may I know your identity? May I know who the other party to the gambling game is?"
He asked again tentatively, and then he seemed to hear a chuckle coming from behind the door:
"You won't feel at ease if you don't know my identity. Well, the other party in the game is old Duke Lucas. He and I have a long friendship. Let's use this card game to bet two places, two places for the Delarion Navy."
This was probably some kind of interest and political event among the nobles, but he did not ask more. No matter to outsiders or ordinary detectives in this world, nobles of this level were legendary figures.
"As for me, people usually call me Miss Carina. I think you probably understand that you can't tell your friends about my identity as a ring sorcerer, otherwise... But you can tell others that we know each other because of the Rhodes card."
Xia De didn't know who "Miss Carina" was. He probably understood that it was a respectful title, representing an important person. Unfortunately, he didn't have the common sense in this regard.
I thought to myself that I would ask someone about this later, and tried hard to look surprised, but in fact I was not surprised at all.
"As for what organization I belong to, I cannot tell you for now. But if you can show your worth, that is, win the game this weekend so that our cooperation can continue, you can naturally get the answer from me. Detective, I don't have any influence locally. I admire you very much, and I think you shouldn't mind working with a friendly high-level warlock.
Your background is clean enough, and you are a good ringmaster. What's more, I admire people like you who are capable but kind-hearted. I am willing to provide you with shelter. Just like what we said when we first met, everything has its rewards. "
"Yes, Miss Carina."
Xia De stood up and prepared to leave. He was very satisfied with this meeting with Miss Carina:
"Well, I'll go to the weekend match, but what's the exact time and location?"
"The bet will be on Sunday night. I will arrange for someone to find you during the day, prepare suitable clothes for you, and teach you some unimportant etiquette. I don't have the two special cards with me, and I will give them to you on Sunday. As for the reward, I haven't prepared it in advance... Tifa, take him to the club to get 30 pounds."
"Yes, ma'am."
This was the first time that Shade heard the black-haired maid speak clearly.
"I'll see you on Sunday, Detective. Good luck."
"Goodbye, Miss Carina."