After Yin Luna finished taking notes according to the standard procedure, she hesitated and didn't want to leave, but because she had no reason to stay, she was finally sent to the door by Xia De and the professor. But when saying goodbye, Xia De pretended to say casually:
"I have to go home at noon and take Mia to have lunch."
Yin Luna blinked, waved to him with a smile, and then walked briskly into the fog.
The professor did not understand the meaning of the conversation between Xia De and Yin Luna. After the door was closed again, he shook his head and sighed:
"Although Tobesk is the capital of the kingdom, the detection rate of this kind of theft is very low. I think instead of hoping that the police will find the thief, I should pay attention to the black market myself. Maybe I can buy the vase back as soon as possible."
"Professor, I heard that this is a serial theft case and the Redwich Field takes it very seriously."
"Oh, detective, paying attention doesn't help solve a case. The antique tapestry I reported lost ten years ago has never been found. I suspect that Redwich Court may not even have the file I reported it as."
Professor Manning said with dissatisfaction, and then looked at Xia De:
"Detective, how about I entrust this theft case to you? I heard that you are a very good detective and your commission completion rate is 100%."
"Where did you hear that? I don't remember bragging about myself in any of my advertisements in the Steambird Daily."
Xia De asked curiously, and Professor Manning called Xia De to the study to talk:
"That's what people say. I was at an academic conference yesterday and heard about your activities at the wedding reception of the Aspergers and the royal family on Tuesday... Penny Dreadful, right?"
Professor Manning laughed and joked:
"That's a really clever math problem. I was fooled at first. Oh, people in the club are now saying that Princess Margaret of Carsenrick has a very good impression of you. I guess this is not just a rumor, right?"
Although Tobesk is large, Tobesk's upper class is actually small.
Shade came to visit Professor Manning because of Professor Drake's matter in Huntington. Professor Manning had a good memory. Although he had not communicated with Professor Drake for many years, he still remembered the history professor:
"Kansas Drake is very talented in history and folklore. He can be considered an authority on the history of Carsonrick."
Professor Manning spoke highly of Professor Drake, which surprised Shad a little, as he thought Professor Drake was just an ordinary college professor.
"His gift is not only academic, but also ... acumen."
Professor Manning, who was sitting on the sofa in the study, frowned and tried to describe his thoughts:
"Detective, you should be able to understand that the word 'sensitivity' is not accurate. Let me think about it... He is always the first to notice details that others cannot find. He is always the first to point out the abnormalities that others cannot find at the excavation site... What word can I use to describe it?"
"Good luck?"
"No, no, that's not just luck, that's a talent."
Professor Manning frowned, trying to find a more appropriate adjective.
"A strong inspiration?"
Xia De said, and he was also surprised when he said it.
Professor Manning smiled and clapped his hands:
"Yes, yes. Professor Drake is a man of great inspiration. Sometimes I would write to him to ask him questions. It's a pity that after that accident, he never produced any academic results. I can understand that. After all, for a folklorist, it's impossible to produce any academic results just by sitting at home or in the office... Detective, did your writer friend in Huntington mention Professor Drake's physical condition?"
"He doesn't look very well and can only move around in a wheelchair. Professor Drake believes that he won't live much longer. I don't think this is an illusion. He is... old after all."
Xia De shook his head. Professor Manning was a little disappointed, but then he asked again:
"Is his story... similar to what I encountered with that pen?"
He knew that Xia De had extraordinary means.
"It's possible, but I'm still investigating. Professor, tell me more about Professor Drake's strong inspiration."
Professor Manning picked up his teacup and thought:
"We scholars who study history and folklore sometimes come across ancient murals or stone carvings, which is normal. When you stare at some strange ancient relics for a long time, you will feel dizzy... Drake is the kind of person who can quickly notice that something is wrong with those ancient relics, then understand the meaning and be the first to faint."
Xia De pursed his lips and nodded:
"Then I propose a hypothesis. If a photo contains an image of a terrifying monster, and the inspiration is too high... Never mind. This question is not important."
Shade shook his head. He was not sure what the "inspiration threshold" was that would trigger the photo curse. After all, his own inspiration for abnormal phenomena was far beyond that of ordinary people.
The two chatted about Professor Drake's past, and then Shade asked to look at the letters from more than ten years ago. These old professors are very careful in collecting letters. The academic letters that Professor Manning exchanged with his colleagues are arranged by date, so they are easy to find.
Before Professor Drake met with an accident, he had a lot of correspondence with Professor Manning. The professor gave all the letters to Shade and asked Shade to go back and read them slowly and return them after reading them. As a reward for lending Shade these letters, he wrote a letter to Professor Drake and asked Shade to pass it to Professor Drake through his "friend" in Huntington, trying to persuade the professor to love life more:
"I remember that Drake has children, but they probably don't live with him. He could actually develop some other hobbies, such as raising a cat like you, which would be very helpful in maintaining his passion for life."
Professor Manning sprinkled some molten wax on the envelope seal, then stamped his seal on it. He waited until the red lacquer solidified before handing it to Shade.
"A cat?"
Shad did not comment on this.
It was just past eleven when he said goodbye to Professor Manning. Before going home, Shade did some other things in the city.
On Tuesday night, he obtained the second spiritual rune of the fourth ring, Profane Thunder. He planned to go to the Black Raven Library to look for the magic related to this spiritual rune.
At present, he only mastered the Thunder Gun. There was also a weak paralysis spell related to thunder in the Pink Book that he could learn. Although Yin Luna promised to provide Xia De with some thunder-related magic, Xia De still planned to look for it in the library himself, maybe there would be unexpected gains.
The Black Raven Library is also located in the university district, very close to Cattail Lane where Professor Manning lives.
Xia De changed into a coat to disguise himself in the alley, put on a mask, and knocked on the side door of the library in the alley. The dripping steam pipe was still wasting hot water like in summer, but there was less garbage in the alley. I don't know if the people in the library couldn't stand it anymore.
Xia De would come here every now and then, so the gatekeeper, who had an anchor tattooed on his arm, let him in without asking too many questions.
Stepping on the wooden floor that was warped due to moisture, Xia De followed the man along the corridor in the dimly lit corridor to the room. On the way, he passed by a man in a black robe. According to the rules of the library, both of them deliberately avoided sight to avoid being suspected of peeping at other people's identities.
Margaret of Anjou.
"You can tell who the other person is just by passing by?"
Xia De asked in his mind in surprise, but did not turn his head.
The characteristics of the spirit, the characteristics of the soul, and the characteristics of the alchemical items and relics carried on the body. This is easy to distinguish.
"I see... It seems that your Highness's trip to Tobesk was not an easy one."