Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

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"The only trait of this Relic is that when touched with any finger of the right hand, the person touching it will see Silvermoon. Depending on the phase of the moon, the shape of the Silvermoon seen will also change. This trait might actually be somewhat useful.

If you touch it while lost in an illusion, you might be able to break free from the illusion, considering the symbolic significance of Silvermoon itself... 14 pounds, for 14 pounds you can take it away."

Probably knowing that this Relic wasn't very useful, Old John's asking price wasn't very high.

"But what are its negative effects? And the containment method?"

Shard asked, already planning to buy it.

"Do not touch it continuously over a long period, or you'll dream at night—bizarre dreams about Silvermoon, then fall into eternal madness. The containment method is quite simple, just submerge it in a colorless liquid for more than three seconds before midnight each day. If you fail to do so, it might directly interfere with the owner's dreams."

The negative effects weren't too severe, but Shard didn't immediately declare his intent to buy. Instead, he made a contemplative gesture, and after quite a while, he asked:

"Can it be cheaper?"

"This is already a discounted price, for that staff."

The old man shrugged:

"I usually don't give discounts."

"5 pounds."

"Impossible, do you always bargain like this?"

"5 pounds and a penny? Last time when I sold that staff, I learned my lesson."

"...Remember not to bargain with others like this in the future, not everyone is as good-tempered as me. 13 pounds and 10 shillings."

Old John said, shaking his head.

"6 pounds." Read new chapters at empire

Shard gestured with both hands the number six.

"12 pounds and 17 shillings, that's my final offer. Detective, there's no lower price. I can throw in a piece of information for you, will that suffice?"

The aged shopkeeper said, seeming unwilling to reduce the price further.

So Shard thought for a moment, then made an expression of reluctant agreement:

"Alright then, it's a deal. But you have to tell me what the information is first, I really don't want to hear about the recent rise in vegetable prices."

"Young people are always like this."

The shopkeeper behind the counter shook his head:

"I've got wind of some news, about Blood of Mercury, you know?"

"Of course I know, the news about them has almost spread everywhere now."

The Academy had even sent out Bounty Orders to all Correspondence Circle Mages, which meant that the matters regarding Blood of Mercury in Tobesk no longer needed to be concealed.

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"'Blood of Mercury' and a group of cultists seem to be up to something recently. That's not the important part, though. My intel is that 'Blood of Mercury' has a pretty decent Relic in their hands. You know, I'm sensitive to this kind of news since I deal with the recovery of Relics and hazardous items."

But that illegal organization, in order to gather materials for the synthesis of an Angel-Level (Level 1) Relic 'Blood of Mercury', has a lot of decent Relics in their possession.

"What exactly are you referring to?"

Shard asked, while the old man spoke evasively:

"If my information was that precise, do you think I'd still be a Pawnshop owner? I'd have gone to the black market to trade intel long ago. It's a Keeper of Secrets Level (Level 3) Relic, but it's actually part of an Angel-Level Relic (Level 1), whose traits have diminished after being separated... It's believed to be related to fate, capable of conveniently finding lost items."

"Fate?"

Shard raised his eyebrows slightly. For some reason, he thought of Dwarf Rat Peter's letter, which mentioned that the Blood Spirit School had sent a Keeper of Secrets Level (Level 3) Relic to the Old Continent for 'Blood of Mercury'. Although the Silver-Eyed One was dissatisfied with their delayed response, it was obvious that the Keeper of Secrets Level Relic they sent must be extraordinary.

"But what could it be? A convenient item finder, and it's related to fate?"

He couldn't figure it out, so, seeing that Old John had no more news to offer, he paid for the Relics he was purchasing.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The 'Orb of Moonlight' was now the fourth Relic Shard owned, but just like 'The Twenty-Sided Die of Destiny' and the page from 'Poet Cohen's Manuscript', it didn't enhance Shard's combat or survival abilities; it could only be considered an auxiliary tool.

He didn't know whether other Circle Sorcerers possessed many Relics, but he resolved to buy a powerful Relic for self-defense once he was wealthy enough.

With such grand aspirations, Shard boarded the carriage bound for Lakeside Manor. The manor was located outside of Tobesk City, to the south of the city, named for its proximity to Lake Schluch.

This was one of Earl of Crown's properties. The Earl held a high position in the Kingdom Army, belonging to the category of Grand Nobles with money and power. The banquet this time was hosted by the Earl's second son, Little Clown, as a summer night's entertainment.

A smooth dirt road led straight from Tobesk City to the manor, and the carriage carrying Shard reached its destination as the evening sun appeared on the horizon. Having left the city area, the scorched smell in the air disappeared.

The air outside the city was quite refreshing, and the young detective, who had felt lethargic after sitting in the carriage for too long, was invigorated by the fresh air.

He wore his best black suit, hat, and carried a cane as he stepped onto the stone pathway at the manor's entrance, joining the other guests arriving one after another into the estate's courtyard.

The night had just begun, and there weren't many guests. People were scattered in the courtyard, the maze-like garden, the buildings, and various corners of the estate, chatting with acquaintances.

The arrival of summer had also changed the way of dressing, but in this relatively conservative era, certain sceneries were still impossible to see. Of course, had Shard known the right circles to join certain salons and parties, he would surely have been surprised by the activities of the nobility.

The young detective didn't know anyone here, but he had arranged a meeting spot with Baron Lavende, which was at the stone table under the grape trellis on the east side of the fountain at the back of the manor, where the Baron and his friends played Roder Cards.

But it wasn't time yet, so he could only wander around the estate alone. Knowing that dinner would be served at the banquet, Shard hadn't eaten much at noon, mainly feeding the cat.

Now, seeing the long tables set out from the main estate building to the front gate of the manor, draped with pristine tablecloths, gleaming metal cutlery, and candlesticks illuminating the surroundings and the delicacies on the table, Shard, who wasn't particularly hungry, felt his stomach rumbling with desire.

He cared a great deal about his appearance, so he didn't grab food without regard for image. He only took a little at a time, but by visiting different parts of the long table, he could serve himself multiple times, which was Shard's strategy.

Of course, while eating, he didn't forget to distribute his business cards to drum up business for himself. It took skill; Shard usually approached people silently while they were talking, then took the opportunity to say a few words.

When the time was right, he introduced himself and handed out his card. Since the address on the card was Saint Delan Square in the city centre, those who received his cards all mistook Shard for a very capable detective, and no one would refuse such a business card.

Shard was more determined than ever not to move out of his current apartment unless absolutely necessary.

Although he didn't know many acquaintances in this world, as the last ray of the setting sun faded and night completely fell, Shard surprisingly saw a familiar figure. It was a black-haired Maid, but her attire was clearly different from those maids in charge of meals and reception in the manor.