As for Shard's neighbor on the other side, that is, the neighbor at 7 St. Teresa's Square, unfortunately, he was not at home when Shard was about to visit him.
Shad had seen from the records left by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the neighbors of No. 5, and Detective Sparrow that the resident of No. 7 was a researcher at the Steam Machinery Equipment Research Institute of the Kingdom Army, and the house was inherited from a relative.
But because the old man was on business trips all year round, he would only come back to stay for a short time in the winter every year. Since he was not at home, Xia De did not need to ask for his opinion.
"My neighbors on both sides are a retired senior civil servant of the kingdom and a researcher who studies steam mechanical weapons... Detective Sparrow really knows how to find a place to live."
Although Sparrow Hamilton has been buried in a foreign land, this man's story still affects Shad.
On Tuesday, the maintenance work of 6 Saint Teresa Square officially began. Because the first and third floors needed to be renovated, it was difficult for Xia De to read at home because of the constant coming and going of people.
So he went out early in the morning, and of course he took the cat with him, as Xia De was worried about leaving it in its current home.
There are a lot of things to do today, the first stop is to visit Luvia at the Prophet's Association.
Luvia had been investigating the out-of-control darkness outside the city recently, and was probably very busy, so when she saw her, the purple-eyed girl looked sleepy.
"Good morning, Shade. I heard that your house is being renovated. Yesterday, the news that the furniture convoy almost blocked the east exit of St. Teresa's Square spread throughout the association. The receptionists on the first floor are all speculating that... Never mind, it's not a big deal. Is there anything going on today? If you want to ask about Darkness, I haven't heard about it yet. As for the angel-level relic that went out of control outside the city, I only found out that the specific name is the Dark Realm, but I already have a plan for further investigation."
"No, no, I want to ask you about a male prophet who lived in the Fifth Epoch."
Shad explained.
"The Fifth Era? Is this your time key?"
Luvia asked, shaking the spoon in the teacup.
"Yes. Although I'm not sure if he is from the Prophet's Association, I can only try my luck. He is a male, probably living around 1784 in the Fifth Era."
Luvia smiled:
"Look, your time adventure is really in trouble again. Shade, keep talking, this information is not enough."
"His hometown is in the Eastern Continent of the Fifth Epoch Material World. His name is Sledge Riddle, and the god he believes in, Mr. Huan, seems to be an ancient god as well."
"oh?"
The smile on Luvia's face disappeared, and turned into a look of surprise. Seeing her like this, Shade knew that Luvia knew this name.
Caressing Mia, who was beginning to feel sleepy after having a full breakfast, Xia De asked with a smile:
"You know? That's great. I thought I would have to search for a long time. Is this a former member of the Prophet Society?"
"Yes, of course he is a member of the Prophet's Society. Isn't that obvious? Shad, look, what is this?"
She pointed to her chest, and Shade looked at it carefully. No one spoke for a while, until Luvia suddenly blushed and asked:
"What are you looking at?"
"Hmm... the place you pointed to."
"I'm letting you see this!"
She patted the Ouroboros brooch on her chest, which only staff members of the Prophecy Association were qualified to wear.
"Shade, what is the pattern of the Creation and Destiny oil painting on the first floor? What is the pattern of this brooch? What is Mr. Huan?"
Xia De suddenly realized:
"The symbol of the Creation and Destiny is the Ouroboros, the symbol of the Prophet Association is the Ouroboros, and Mr. Tamaki is the Ouroboros! Are the fortune tellers of the Prophet Association believers of the ancient god of destiny, the Ouroboros?"
"No, no, only a small number of the association's ring sorcerers believe in that ancient god. The association is not a church... although we require every president to be a believer of that gentleman."
Luvia corrected, but didn't dwell on the topic:
"Let's go back to Mr. Riddle you met. This man is not only a member of the association, but also has some connection with you."
Luvia said cautiously.
"With me?"
"Shade, I mentioned him to you before, but I didn't tell you his name at that time. The secrets of this fortune teller from the Fifth Epoch are strictly kept by the Association. He has experienced many things and has directly influenced the development of the Sixth Epoch Prophecy Association."
"You mentioned him before? The one who influenced the development of the Sixth Epoch Association? Sorry, which one?"
Shade was a little curious, he didn't remember Luvia mentioning the male fortune teller from the Fifth Epoch.
"That conversation took place at your house, and I told you about the Vientiane card."
Luvia prompted, and seeing Shade frowning in thought, she gave the answer:
"Sledge Riddle is an ancient prophet who lived in the early Fifth Epoch. The Association accidentally obtained a Vientiane Card hundreds of years ago. When searching for relevant records, they found another card in the deepest part of the file library, in the materials left by Mr. Riddle, as well as the description and playing rules of the Vientiane Card. The Association thus learned the secret of Vientiane. Mr. Rhodes, the then president of the Association, transformed and developed the current Rhodes card system based on these materials."
Xia De took a breath:
"So, without Mr. Riddle, there would be no Rhodes brand today?"
"You could say that."
Luvia nodded while holding the teacup. She was used to drinking an extra cup of morning tea after breakfast:
"Although Mr. Riddle was just an ordinary person, the manuscripts and materials he left behind before the death of all things had already played a big role in the association. This gentleman experienced countless things in his life, but he successfully escaped. Although he was an ordinary person, he studied demons, angels, evil spirits and relics. Although this inevitably made him insane in his later years and ended his life by suicide, his research results in philosophy and mysticism have influenced countless people in the association."
Luvia said to Shade with great emotion:
"Although some of the information has been lost due to the many changes in the association, if it is Mr. Riddle who lived around 1784 in the Fifth Epoch, then it can only be him. After all, there were not many outstanding men in the Fifth Epoch. I really envy you, Shade. Such an outstanding prophet. It would definitely be very beneficial for me if I could meet him."
"So, I can only know his information from the Prophet's Association?"
"Of course, outside the association, this gentleman was just an unknown man of that era."
Luvia was very sure.
"Then Luvia, can you help me retrieve the information? I need at least eight pieces of information about the dangers this gentleman has experienced or the great achievements he has made."
Luvia showed a somewhat embarrassed expression:
"Xia De, the information on that gentleman is top secret. With my authority... I will try to apply to the headquarters for access, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to give you an immediate reply. It may take a week or even half a month."
"It's okay, I can wait, as long as I have a direction."
Xia De didn't care about this. This investigation was at least smoother than the previous two.
He also added:
"If there's really nothing I can do, I'll think of another way. Anyway, you don't have to be too embarrassed."
"If I can help you, it won't be a problem."
She said softly, and then saw the expression on Xia De's face with satisfaction:
"It is a precious opportunity to meet a scholar from the Fifth Epoch. Before you time travel next time, you can think about asking that knowledgeable gentleman some questions. Perhaps, some of the answers you have been pursuing can be obtained by simply asking."
"I see."
Before the two parted, perhaps due to the influence of desire and flesh, Shade once again thought of the passionate kiss under the moonlight last night. But neither Shade nor Luvia took the initiative to talk about what happened under the moonlight.
This is a tacit understanding, a tacit understanding of vague feelings. Xia De is very clear about his own thoughts, especially after seeing the desire in the basement of Aurora Manor, he knows more clearly what he wants; and Luvia, who left as if running away last night, also knows what she wants.
They will keep going and that won't change, so that's enough, there's no need for any more doubt or certainty.
"Luvia, I'm going to Coldwater Harbor to buy some materials and try a ritual to enhance time perception. If there's any new information about Mr. Riddle's data, remember to tell me as soon as possible. Oh, you look exhausted, don't forget to rest."
Standing up, Shade prepared to leave.
"Compared to what you did in two weeks in Coldwater Harbor, this isn't exhausting."
She stood up and prepared to see Shad off.
"Oh, by the way, Luvia, what's your middle name?"
Xia De, who was about to leave, suddenly asked.
"Why do you suddenly think of asking this?"
The purple-eyed girl lifted the hair hanging by her ear, and her shoulder-length hair swayed slightly as she stood up.
"It just occurred to me that during exam week, I learned that your middle name is the letter F, but what exactly is it?"
The full name is only mentioned in very serious occasions and in very serious conversations, and asking for the middle name is a more private act in this era. Luvia blushed slightly and blinked:
"Fiocchi."
She spoke in standard Delarian Common, in an operatic tone:
"Luvia·Future·Anita."
Xia De nodded:
"I remember it. It's a good name."
"Thanks."
Standing on tiptoe, she kissed Xia De's cheek. The purple-eyed girl put her hands behind her back, smiled, and stepped back a few steps to stand in front of the window in the morning light:
"Go about your business. Oh, and don't forget your cat. If you leave it behind, I'll kidnap it."
"This is not my cat yet."
Shad emphasized again and waved to Mia. The orange cat nimbly jumped from the table to his palm, then moved along his arm to his shoulder.
"Good luck to you today, Luvia."
"Good luck to you today, Shade."