Whispering Verse

Because the Astronomy College of St. Byrons will announce this year's event schedule to all students participating in this year's fall astrology event on Wednesday night, Luvia cannot accompany Shad to the finals of "Big City Players" on Wednesday night.

However, she did a divination for Shade and believed that the possibility of Shade losing the championship was lower than the possibility of Mia suddenly turning into a human tonight.

"What kind of metaphor is this?"

Shade asked curiously while touching the soft cat. The purple-eyed girl smiled and shook her head, probably teasing Shade.

Not only Luvia, but also Dorothy was not free tonight. So after thinking about it, Shade sent a letter to Miss Carina, thinking that maybe the witch might be interested.

But on Wednesday afternoon, when Shade was in front of the closet picking out clothes for the evening card game, it was not Miss Carina who knocked on the door downstairs, but Tifa.

She changed out of the black and white maid dress she usually wore and put on a red dress that was different from the last time she acted as a detective assistant. Not everyone is suitable for wearing such a brightly colored long dress, but girls with black hair happen to be very suitable.

The finals of the Ayutthaya players will be held on Wednesday evening. After the final winner is determined, the Prophet Association will hold a dinner within the association to celebrate the end of the game. Since I have to attend a banquet, I naturally have to wear formal attire. Miss Carina asked Tifa to come to Saint Teresa Square at noon, also to help Shade pack his clothes.

The Duchess seemed determined, and Shade had no intention of packing up her clothes.

The afternoon passed quickly by sorting out clothes and talking about interesting things among the big city players. But before the two set off for the Prophet's Association, which was just a street away, an unexpected guest knocked on the door downstairs.

It's Director Anlos, Shade's boss.

"Oh, Miss Servit, you look beautiful."

After the unremarkable-looking agent leader went upstairs, he first complimented Tifa on her outfit, and then hurriedly took Shade to the study to talk about things.

"Shad, the surveillance on Cameron Sewell has come to an end. If the intelligence is not wrong, then I am sure that the person who contacted him will show up tonight."

Director Anlos stood by the window of the study, leaning against the wall and looking at St. Teresa Square outside like a voyeur. The dusk sunlight shone on his face, making his face illuminated by light on one side and in shadow on the other. middle.

Shade sat at his desk and glanced at the three novels on the table that could serve as codebooks:

"It seems tonight is the key to capturing the other party."

"Yes, my people cannot enter the final venue. But it doesn't matter. I have already obtained the list of people who have received invitations. Agents from MI6 will also be monitoring the intersection of Silver Cross Avenue to count those who enter the Prophet's Association tonight. Suspicious person. Shade, what happened inside the final venue."

"I will handle it."

Shade said confidently. He heard the sound of Mia opening the door and then being picked up by the maid. The cat probably thought Shade was sneaking something good in the study:

"I can guarantee that as long as I keep my eyes open, no one will be able to secretly communicate with Virgil Cameron. I will keep an eye on him tonight."

Director Anlos smiled:

"That's good, don't be too nervous, just do what you should do. Tonight is indeed very important. The news we received even said that the person who will contact Cameron during the Big City Players period is the legendary Agent 'Grey Eagle'."

Shade looked up at Director Anlos by the window. The latter's face was half light and half shadow, while Shade at the table was completely in the shadow of the setting sun:

"I heard he was a very powerful man."

"Yes, even if it is our opponent, I admit that the opponent is very powerful. He is good at disguise and hiding. Sometimes I even suspect that the Gray Eagle is not a person, but a group of people."

The middle-aged man picked up his hat from the window sill and prepared to leave:

"The other party must have hidden it well. I think there is probably no chance to see him tonight, but even if there is a small clue, it can be considered a victory for us."

Then he looked at Shade and nodded to him:

"Although I may not have a chance to see the gray eagle, my carriage will be at your door at ten o'clock tonight, waiting for news from you. I wish you good luck with your card game and have a good time tonight."

The director of MI6 left Gray Eagle's home. Tifa was very curious about the strange expression on Shade's face after seeing off Director Anlos:

"Shall we set off too?"

He did not explain, but adjusted his mood and said to the maid. The latter hesitated for a moment, then approached Shade and kissed him on the face:

"Lucky kiss."

The brunette said with a smile.

Today, the Prophet's Association still maintains the appearance of being decorated with lights and decorations like a festival. When the lanterns come on, the entire association is lit up by bright yellow gas lamps.

Even when Shad and Tifa came side by side to the red-carpeted entrance of the association, they saw a glass sign taller than Shad standing on the side of the door. The glass sign is in the shape of the initials of the Society of Prophets, and inside is a segmented, lit gas lamp.

This is really a big deal. Although the glass making process has been continuously improved and perfected in recent years, gas lamps with this specification and level of sophistication are still not cheap.

Vice President Mark had already arranged for someone to wait for Shade at the entrance of the association. Seeing him coming, he immediately led him to the third floor.

Before the start of the finals, Vice President Mark informed Shard of the process of receiving awards after the competition. It’s not that the association thinks that Shade will definitely win. Mr. Cameron on the other side will also receive similar information to avoid surprises in the process of receiving the award.

"Shad, are you confident?"

Vice President Mark asked Xiang Shad in his office. Tifa went to the auditorium on the third floor first, where tonight's game and banquet were held.

"Of course I have confidence."

Shade straightened his tie and stood at the window looking out at the Silver Cross Avenue:

"I must win."

His tone was very firm.

"For that beautiful female companion?"

Mr. Mark joked, but Shade shook his head.

Of course he wanted to ensure that the gold pounds he had bet were not wasted.

At 5:50 in the evening, seeing that the time was almost up, Mr. Mark set off and led Shade to the competition venue.

Just as he walked down the stairs, he heard loud noises coming from the direction of the auditorium. As we walked along the red carpet towards the open door of the auditorium, we could already hear President Stan explaining the final rules.

The other vice president of the association was leading Mr. Cameron from the other side of the corridor. Shade nodded slightly to the foreign middle-aged man as a greeting. The other party looked at Xia De with bright eyes, still not giving up the idea of ​​​​talking to Xia De.

"Then let's invite the last players to enter! Virgil Cameron and Shad Hamilton!"

Amid applause and cheers, Mr. Shade and Mr. Cameron walked into the auditorium along the red carpet from both sides of the door. Inside the door, the two ladies who had been waiting for a long time followed them to the square card table covered with green tablecloth in the center of the auditorium.

Coming from the slightly dim corridor to the brightly lit association auditorium, Shade narrowed his eyes slightly. He saw the smooth floor, the magnificent crystal chandelier, the Ouroboros-shaped gas lamp on the wall, the long table filled with food in the auditorium, and the dressed-up people who looked even more excited than the poker players. guests in formal wear.

"1853 Ayutthaya Players Final"

The flashing lights that clicked disrupted Xia De's thoughts. Even a foreigner who claimed to have seen many big scenes could not help but feel a little excited and nervous at this moment.

He and Mr. Cameron, who was hesitant to speak, walked to the card table. It was a rectangular four-legged table made of solid wood. The legs were delicately made into the shape of a long snake coiling around it.

President Stan of the local association and Vice President Rick from the general association stood at the table:

"Please shake hands."

Shade turned around and shook Mr. Cameron's hand. But while shaking hands, he felt that the other party actually had a note hidden in his hand.

He shook his arm for a moment, but this time he chose to take the note. Mr. Cameron nodded slightly to Shade, looking a little nervous.

After the two people separated their hands, Vice President Rick announced:

"Please show the deck for inspection."

So Mr. Shade and Mr. Cameron handed their respective decks to the appraisers of the Prophet Association for final verification.

"Please show your belongings. After the card game starts, any items that are not displayed will not be allowed on the card table."

Shade took out the well-behaved Mia on his shoulder, the house keys and wallet from his pocket, and placed them on the table. As for the pile of small toys, they are now kept at Tifa's place.

Mr. Cameron also knew the rules for checking personal belongings in advance, so he also didn't have many things on him. Matches, cigarette box, two commemorative coins, wallet, keys.

When the two men raised their arms at the same time to let the staff wearing white gloves do a final inspection, Shade's eyes glanced at the two commemorative coins.

[Outlander, you have come into contact with whispers. 】

"What?"

His eyes widened slightly.

[The smaller silver coin is a relic, but its characteristics are not triggered. 】

"Special coin? I have such luck tonight?"

Shade kept a calm face and sat on the seat on the east side of the card table after checking. Tifa stood behind him, hesitated for a moment, then the maid lady bent slightly and leaned into his ear:

"Don't be nervous, you will definitely win."

She was encouraging Shade.

Shade turned around and looked back. Their faces were very close to each other:

"I'm actually not nervous at all."

He turned his head and put one hand on the table. Under his hand was the note that the other party had just handed him. The fingers of the other hand are constantly bending and straightening, as if moving the palm of the hand. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Mr. Virgil Cameron across the table. The middle-aged man was obviously absent-minded and barely smiled at him.

"I was just thinking that I finally figured out whether I should take the initiative to contact the other person."

The light from the crystal chandelier made Mr. Cameron's oiled hair shine. Shade covered his neck and turned his head, then smiled and said to the dealer beside him:

"Licensing."