Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"The origins of the card are somewhat inconvenient to disclose."

Shard spoke cautiously, and Mr. Mark also showed a look of regret, the middle-aged man knew how to use a smile to defuse awkwardness:

"No problem, after all, it's your secret."

Of course, it wasn't Shard's secret; although he had many secrets, this wasn't one of them. However, Shard also didn't know where Detective Sparrow Hamilton had obtained this card from.

He just roughly understood why, in the last ten minutes before the detective's death, he had made a point of insisting that Shard must safeguard this card. Detective Sparrow was a true Roder Card enthusiast.

"A private detective who likes Roder Cards and novels, has a very good taste in black tea, owns secrets, and specializes in investigating extramarital affairs... exactly what kind of person was Sparrow Hamilton?"

Shard pondered in his heart.

It took nearly two hours for the three appraisers to give their initial conclusion:

"This 'Sun 3' from Genesis: Silver Moon is very likely to be genuine."

The three elderly men looked as if they had just run a marathon, quite exhausted, but they were very confident in their conclusions.

As a result, the Tobesk City Association was willing to give Shard an authentication certificate, confirming that the card he held was authentic. In organized official Roder Card competitions, such as this autumn's "Big City Player," each special Roder Card was required to have an official certificate issued by the association to participate, to ensure the fairness of the competition.

However, the appraisal wasn't over yet, Mr. Mark apologetically informed Shard.

Although the Tobesk City branch believed the card to be a genuine Genesis Series Silvermoon that had disappeared a hundred years ago, according to the association's regulations, the appraisal of such special series cards issued a century ago still required an expert appraiser dispatched from the Prophet's Society's headquarters in the southern Carsonrick for further validation.

In other words, Shard could currently hold the authentication certificate, but he must return here in about a week for another appraisal to completely confirm the authenticity of the card.

"Of course, that's no problem."

Shard accepted this arrangement. He had already retrieved his card, his heart swirling with excitement, and any slight resentment he had felt towards Sparrow Hamilton for not leaving behind a wallet was now entirely let go.

"Of course, Mr. Hamilton, we must remind you that the value of this card... is immeasurable. If it's not absolutely necessary, you'd better not use it in unofficial Roder Card competitions, after all... you understand."

Mr. Mark gave a friendly reminder, and Shard nodded:

"Actually, I have no intention of participating in any Roder Card competitions."

He had always detested gambling—did not wager in his hometown, and would not gamble in the perilous and strange Steam Age either.

Even if the card in his hands was tantamount to an official Roder Card cheating device, he had no intention of using it to gamble:

"I wonder if the association would be interested in purchasing it after the appraisal in a week's time?"

He waved his card slightly in front of Mr. Mark, whose gaze unintentionally followed the movement of the card. Shard was in urgent need of Gold Pounds due to his Circle Sorcerer Studies, aware of the value of what he held but without the intention to keep it long term.

Perhaps owning a special Roder Card, beating opponents in various games of cards, and traveling around collecting Roder Card decks in this mysterious Steam Age would be interesting, but Shard had a greater interest in mystical powers.

"You want to sell it? Sell a Genesis Series card?"

Mr. Mark seemed to hear something unbelievable, he leaned forward slightly and explained:

"Sorry, but collectors who have owned Genesis Series cards in the past, those fanatical guys, would not let go even in death... I see now. But sorry, the association never purchases Roder Cards."

"Why?"

Vice-President Mark regretfully explained:

"To put it in gamblers' terms, the association is the dealer and cannot easily intervene in the circulation of Roder Cards. Otherwise, I'd be willing to purchase it in my own name, even if it meant bankruptcy."

"Then would the association be willing to act as a broker for me, to introduce a buyer?"

Shard asked again, the museum mentioned by Detective Sparrow Hamilton before his death was probably also a channel for selling. But compared to an obscure museum, Shard trusted such official organizations more.

"Of course, this is one of the services offered by the association. However, you must understand that for cards like this, it's not easy to find a buyer willing to pay the right price. Of course, all this should be discussed after the appraisal in a week. You can take this week to think about your target price. By the way, this is the association's fee standard for introducing buyers...

You are probably not a member of the association, but no worries, you are now, and you won't need to pay any membership fees for ten years."

Mr. Mark reached into his pocket and handed an silver badge to Shard, the symbol of membership to the Prophet's Society. However, the badge did not bear the Ouroboros symbol, instead, it depicted a card. The Ouroboros seal was only for use internally by association members.

The middle-aged man took out his notebook, hurriedly wrote down a number, and with a rasping sound, tore out the sheet and handed it to Shard:

"If it's this 'Genesis: Silver Moon', this is the preferential rate for association members. Of course, we will only charge a fee upon the completion of the trade, please be assured of that."

Shard looked at the number written in pencil in fancy script and unconsciously took a deep breath. He calculated how many orange cats Mia this would be worth, then realized this unit of measure was too minor, so he calculated how many times he could afford to enrol in the Circle Sorcerer Studies first year just from the broker's commission from this deal...

The woman in his heart laughed out loud.

"Tsk, tsk, how can I think of such unlucky things?"

Then, he nodded slightly:

"I understand, the commission is quite reasonable."

"Then we will meet in a week, Mr. Hamilton. Please make sure not to use this card lightly... You probably understand what I mean."

Vice President Mark cautioned him.

"Yes, thank you, of course I understand."

Filled with a sense of satisfaction, Shard placed the appraisal certificate and the card in his diary and was escorted by Mr. Mark to the staircase on the third floor of the association.

Since coming to this world, nearly everything had gone against his desires, even the hard-earned dwelling he had might harbor danger. Yet, this Roder Card seemed like a ray of light through the fog, giving Shard hope for a better life.

With a sense of relief, he returned to the first floor of the association, planning to leave directly as he had nothing else to do and was planning to take Mia for a nice meal at a restaurant at noon.

But in the hall on the first floor, he ran into Mr. Lavende again, who had played cards with him earlier. It seemed like he was waiting for Shard, coming up enthusiastically as he saw Shard descending the stairs:

"Oh, Hamilton Detective, would you mind if I took a bit of your time? I have a commission I'd like to offer you."

The middle-aged gentleman spoke, holding his gold-inlaid cane, his eyes full of anticipation looking at Shard. Shard instinctively tightened his grip on his notebook and thought:

"Of course, the Detective Agency is always open. Shall we go to my office to discuss it?"

No. 6, Saint Delan Square was not far from here, and even if the card in his hand was valuable, he still needed other sources of income.

"Oh, I don't think that'll be necessary. This way, please, I've already rented a reception room on the second floor of the association, we can talk there."

Mr. Lavende led the way, and Shard followed him back upstairs. Because he was carrying something so valuable, he couldn't help but question in his mind:

"Is there something wrong with this man? Are there traces of elements around? Does he have a Relic on him?"

"Get a bit closer... He's an ordinary person. Sometimes you're really too cautious,"

"Aha! How do you know the other person is ordinary? A Circle Sorcerer can't easily identify each other without displaying power!"

Shard immediately asked, with a whisper answering in his ear:

"Your soul sensitivity, I've mentioned that before."

"Being cautious is always good, especially since you know, I'm an Outlander, and in less than a week's time here (note), I've already encountered plenty of strange incidents."

He replied in his mind, but all he got back was the woman's laughter.