"It's a little inconvenient to reveal the origin of the cards."
Xia De said cautiously, and Mr. Mark also showed an apologetic expression. The middle-aged man was very good at using a smile to eliminate embarrassment:
"It's okay. After all, this is your secret."
This was certainly not Shad's secret. Although he had many secrets, this was not one of them. However, Shad did not know where Detective Sparrow Hamilton got this card from.
He just roughly understood why the detective specifically told Shade to keep the card safe in the last ten minutes before his death. Detective Sparrow was a true Rhodes fan.
"A private detective who likes Rhodes and novels, has a good taste in black tea, has secrets, and is good at investigating extramarital affairs... What kind of person is Sparrow Hamilton?"
Xia De thought to himself.
It took nearly two hours for the three appraisers to come up with a preliminary conclusion:
"This picture of Genesis Silver Moon 'Sun 3' is most likely real."
The three old men looked as if they had just finished a long run and were very tired, but they were very confident in their conclusion.
Therefore, the Tobesk City Association is willing to give Shade an authentication certificate to prove that the cards in his hand are genuine. In those organized official Rhodes card competitions, such as the "Big City Players" this fall, each special Rhodes card must have an official certificate issued by the association before it can participate in the competition to maintain the fairness of the competition.
But the appraisal did not end there, Mr. Mark told Shade very apologetically. Although the Tobesk City Branch believed that this card was the genuine founding series Silver Moon that had disappeared for a hundred years, according to the association's regulations, the appraisal of this type of special series of cards issued a hundred years ago still required the Prophet Association to send professional appraisers from Carsenrick in the south for further appraisal.
In other words, Xia De can currently hold the authentication certificate, but he must come here again for authentication in about a week to be completely sure that the card is authentic.
"That's certainly no problem."
Shad accepted this arrangement. He had already taken back his cards and was filled with excitement. He had put aside any resentment he had had towards Sparrow Hamilton for not leaving his wallet.
"Of course, Mr. Hamilton, we must remind you that the value of this card is... immeasurable. Unless necessary, you'd better not use it in unofficial Rhodes card competitions. After all... you understand."
Mr. Mark gave a kind reminder, and Xia De nodded:
"I actually don't plan on playing in any Rhodes tournaments at all."
He has always hated gambling. He didn't gamble in his hometown, and he wouldn't gamble in the dangerous and strange steam age.
Even if the card in his hand could be called the official cheating device of Rhodes, he had no intention of gambling with it:
"I don't know if the association will be willing to buy it, I mean after the appraisal in a week."
He waved the card in his hand to Mr. Mark, who followed the card unconsciously. Because of the problem of the ring wizard's studies, Shade urgently needed gold pounds. He knew how valuable the things in his hand were, but he didn't plan to hold them for a long time.
Maybe it would be fun to have a special hand of Rhodes cards and defeat opponents in various card games. In this mysterious steam age, it would be fun to travel around to collect Rhodes card decks, but Shad prefers mysterious power.
"You're selling it? Selling the Genesis set cards?"
Mr. Mark seemed to have heard something incredible. He leaned forward slightly and explained:
"I'm sorry, because the collectors who used to hold the founding series cards, those fanatical guys would never let go even if they died... OK, I understand. But I'm sorry, the association will never purchase Rhodes cards."
"Why?"
Vice President Mark explained regretfully:
"To put it in the words of gamblers, the association is the dealer and cannot easily interfere with the circulation of Rhodes cards. Otherwise, even if it means losing everything, I am willing to use my personal name to purchase it."
"Then is the association willing to act as a broker and introduce a buyer to me?"
Shade asked again, in fact, the museum that Detective Sparrow mentioned before his death was probably also a sales channel. But compared to the unknown museum, Shade believed in such official organizations more.
"Of course, this is also one of the association's businesses. But you have to understand that it's not easy to find a buyer who can afford a card like this. Of course, all this will be discussed after the appraisal in a week. You can think of a psychological price during this week. By the way, this is the association's fee standard for introducing buyers... You may not be a member of the association yet, but it doesn't matter, you are one now, and you don't have to pay membership fees for ten years."
Mr. Mark took out a silver badge from his pocket and handed it to Shade. This was the badge of the Prophet Association members. But the badge was not the Ouroboros logo, but a card pattern. The Ouroboros logo was only for members of the association.
The middle-aged man took out his small notebook again, wrote down a number in a hurry, tore off the page with a swish sound, and handed it to Xia De:
"If it's the Founding Silver Moon, this is the fee standard for association members. Of course, we will only charge after the transaction is completed, so you can rest assured."
Looking at the scary number written in pencil, Shade took a deep breath unconsciously. He calculated how much the orange cat Mia was worth, and then found that the unit of measurement was too small, so he calculated how many times he could read the first grade of Ring Warlock just by taking the commission from the broker... ...
The woman in my heart laughed.
"Pah, how can you think of such an unlucky thing?"
So he nodded gently:
"I understand. This is a fair commission."
"Then I'll see you in a week, Mr. Hamilton. Please be careful not to use this card lightly... You probably know what I mean."
Vice President Mark gave this reminder.
"Yes, thank you, of course I understand."
With a heart filled with satisfaction, Xia De put the appraisal certificate and the cards in his diary and was sent to the stairs on the third floor of the association by Mr. Mark.
Since coming to this world, almost everything has gone wrong. Even the residence he finally got could be dangerous. But this Rhodes card is like a ray of light in the fog, giving Shade hope for a better life.
He returned to the first floor of the association with a feeling of relief. Since there was nothing else to do, he planned to leave directly and took Mia to a restaurant for a good meal at noon.
But in the lobby on the first floor, I ran into Mr. Lavender, who I had just played cards with. He seemed to be waiting for Shad, and when he saw Shad coming down from upstairs, he greeted him warmly:
"Oh, Detective Hamilton, do you mind if I take up some of your time? I have a commission for you."
The middle-aged gentleman said, holding the gold-studded cane, looking at Xia De expectantly. Xia De subconsciously clamped his notebook tightly and thought for a moment:
"Of course, the detective agency is always open. Do you want to come over to talk?"
Number 6 St. Teresa's Square is not far from here. Even if the cards in your hand are valuable, you can't do without other income.
"Oh, I don't think so. This way, please. I have rented a reception room on the second floor of the association. We can talk here."
Mr. Lavender led the way, and Shad followed him back to the stairs. Because the things he was carrying were too valuable, he couldn't help but ask in his heart:
"Is there something wrong with this person? Are there any traces of elements nearby? Does he have any relics?"
A little closer... ... is a normal person. Sometimes you are too cautious.
"Aha! How do you know the other person is an ordinary person?"
Xia De asked immediately, and the whispering voice answered in his ear:
You have a sensitive soul, I have already said that.
"It's always right to be cautious. After all, you know I'm a stranger. I've been here for less than a week (note), and I've already encountered enough strange things."
He replied in his mind, but all he got was the woman's laughter.