Whispering Verse

"The origin of the cards is somewhat inconvenient to reveal."

Shade said cautiously, and Mr. Mark also showed an apologetic expression. The middle-aged man is very good at eliminating embarrassment with a smile:

"It doesn't matter, after all, this is your secret too."

This is certainly not Shade's secret. Although he has many secrets, they do not include this. However, Shade didn't know where Detective Sparrow Hamilton got this card.

He only roughly understood why the detective specifically told Shade to keep this card in the last ten minutes before his death. Detective Sparrow is a true Rhodes enthusiast.

"A private detective who likes Rhodes cards and novels, has a good taste in black tea, possesses secrets, and is good at investigating extramarital affairs...What kind of person is Sparrow Hamilton?"

Shade thought to himself.

It took nearly two hours for the three appraisers to give a preliminary conclusion:

"This [Creation·Silver Moon] 'Sun 3' is most likely to be real."

The three old men looked as if they had gone through a long run. They were all very tired, but they were very confident in their conclusions.

Therefore, the Tobesk City Association is willing to give Shad an authentication certificate to prove that the cards in his hand are genuine. In those official organized Rhodes card competitions, such as this fall's "Big City Players", each special Rhodes card must hold an official certificate issued by the association before it can participate in the competition, in order to maintain the competition. of fairness.

But the appraisal did not end there, Mr. Mark told Shade very apologetically. Although the Tobesk City Branch believes that this card is the genuine Silver Moon of the founding series that has disappeared for a hundred years, according to the regulations of the association, the identification of this type of special series of cards issued a hundred years ago still requires [Prophet Association 】General Assembly, dispatched professional appraisers from Kasenlik in the south for further appraisal.

In other words, Shade can currently hold the appraisal certificate, but he must come here again in about a week for appraisal to be completely sure that this card is authentic.

"Of course that's no problem."

Shade accepted this arrangement. He had taken back his cards, his heart was full of excitement, and he had put aside all the resentment he 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. You'd better not use it in unofficial Rhodes matches unless necessary, after all... ..You understand."

Mr. Mark gave a kind reminder, and Shade nodded:

"I actually don't plan on playing any Rhodes tournaments at all."

He has always hated gambling. He didn't gamble in his hometown, and he didn't know how to gamble in the dangerous and weird steam age.

Even though the card in his hand could be called the official Rhodes cheating device, he had no intention of gambling on it:

"I don't know if the association is willing to acquire it, I mean after the appraisal in a week."

He shook the card in his hand to Mr. Mark, and the latter's eyes followed the card unconsciously. Due to the academic problems of the Ring Warlock, Shade is now in urgent need of gold pounds. He knows how valuable the things in his hands are, but he does not intend 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 era, it would be fun to travel around to collect Rhodes card decks, but Shade prefers mysterious power.

"You want to sell it? Selling the Founding Series cards?"

Mr. Mark seemed to have heard something incredible. He slightly stretched his head forward and explained:

"I'm sorry, because collectors who have held Founding Series cards in the past, those fanatical guys will not let go even if they die... Okay, I understand. But sorry, the association never will Acquire Rhodes Brand.”

"Why?"

Vice President Mark regretfully explained:

"To explain it in the words of gamblers, the association is a banker and cannot easily interfere with the circulation of Rhodes cards. Otherwise, even if I lose everything, I am willing to buy it in my own name."

"Then the association is willing to act as a broker and introduce buyers 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 unknown museums, Schade believes in such official organizations more.

"Of course, this is also one of the association's businesses. But you have to understand that it is impossible to easily find a buyer who can afford the money for a card like this. Of course, all this will have to be discussed after the appraisal in a week. You can think of a psychological price this week. By the way, this is the fee standard for the association to introduce buyers... You may not be a member of the association yet, but it doesn't matter. You are now and you don't have to pay for ten years. Dues.”

Mr. Mark took out a silver badge from his pocket and handed it to Shade. This was the symbol of the membership of the Prophet Association. But the badge is not the Ouroboros logo, but the image of a card. The Ouroboros emblem can only be used by internal members of the association.

The middle-aged man took out his small notepad again, hurriedly wrote down a number, tore off the page with a squeaking sound, and handed it to Sha De:

"If it is this Founding Silver Moon, this is the charging standard enjoyed by association members. Of course, we will only charge after the transaction is completed. You can rest assured."

Shade looked at the terrifying number written in pencil and took a breath unconsciously. I calculated how much this orange cat Mia was worth, and then found that the unit of measurement was too small, so I calculated that just the broker's commission would be enough for me to study the first grade of the Ring Warlock many times...

The woman in my heart laughed.

"Bah, how can you think of such an unlucky thing?"

So he nodded lightly:

"I understand, this commission is very reasonable."

"Then we'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 warned here.

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

With a sense of satisfaction in his heart, Shade put the appraisal certificate and playing 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, and even the residence that was finally obtained may contain dangers. But this Rhodes card was 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 this feeling of relief. Since he had nothing else to do, he planned to leave directly and planned to take Mia to a restaurant for a good meal at noon.

But in the lobby on the first floor, I met Mr. Lavender again, who I had just played cards with. As if he was waiting for Sha De, when he saw Sha De coming down from the stairs, he greeted him enthusiastically:

"Oh, Detective Hamilton, do you mind if I take you some time? I have a commission for you."

The middle-aged gentleman said while holding the gold-encrusted cane and looking at Shade expectantly. Shade subconsciously clamped his notebook and thought for a while:

"Of course. The detective agency is always open. Do you want to talk to me?"

No. 6 Saint Teresa 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. Please come over here. I have rented a reception room on the second floor of the association. We can talk here."

Mr. Lavender led the way, and Shade followed him toward the stairs again. Because the things I carried were too valuable, I couldn’t help but ask in my mind:

"Is there something wrong with this person? Are there traces of elements nearby? Are there any relics on him?"

[Follow closer...they are ordinary people. Sometimes you are just too cautious. 】

"Aha! How do you know the other person is an ordinary person?"

Shade asked immediately, and a whisper answered in his ear:

[Your soul is sensitive, I have already said this. 】

"It's always right to be cautious. After all, you know that I am a foreigner. I have encountered enough strange things in less than a week since I came here (note)."

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