Whispering Verse

Thus, on this autumn night, after experiencing a wonderful card game, the stranger truly won the title of "King of Rhodes among Big City Players in 1853."

After the poker game, the formal award ceremony was held according to the procedure. Looking back later, Shade couldn't quite remember how many people he had shaken hands with. He only remembered that the people cheered and applauded him. He was holding a golden trophy with the words "1853 Big City Players' Rhodes King" in his hand, and The vice-president of the Prophet Association shook hands, and then received a money order for 3,000 pounds, as well as the special rules Rhodes card, 12 Stars [Big City Player·1853 Torbesk Champion].

For other rewards sponsored by local clubs and shops, Shade needs to come to the association to sign some documents within a week to receive them. As for the trophy, Shade plans to put it in his living room so that every guest and client who comes to visit can see it.

As for that special card, the rules of all "Big City Players Champion" series cards are the same. When you draw this card, you have the right to check a hidden card that your opponent has not revealed. This rule is jokingly called by the players. "The power of a champion".

Although it is not as good as the [Original] series, compared with other weird rules that Shade has seen, the rules of "Big City Players Champion" are really simple and useful.

And the significance of this card lies not only in value, but also in honor. And if Shade is willing to sell this card, the price will definitely be greater than the bonus.

After all, every Rhodes card in the [Big City Players Champion] series is a Rhodes card in the true sense that will never be reprinted and released.

The only surprise during the awarding process was that the association had to take a single photo of Shade as usual and hang it in a separate room of the General Assembly of the Prophet Association, together with other previous champions. Although Shade didn't want his appearance to be shown too much to strangers, he agreed after hearing that the photos would be placed in a separate room and would not be open to all visitors.

After all, this is a sense of ritual, and it can be regarded as the most profound trace left by outsiders in this world so far.

After the game ended, Shade, who was relieved, took the cat and the maid to attend the following dinner.

Although Tifa often accompanies Miss Carina to various banquets, most of the time she appears as a maid. Like now, there are not many opportunities to participate in banquets as a party participant.

They both enjoyed the party until the last dance before they left together.

Miss Carina arranged for the carriage to stop at St. Teresa's Square to pick Tifa back, so they walked to St. Teresa's Square together in the night.

But as soon as they entered the square, they saw two carriages parked at the door of Shade's house. The smoking coachmen were standing together chatting, while Shade's boss, Director Anlos, looked up at the lights on the buildings around Saint Teresa Square.

"Shad!"

He waved to Shade, and when the two approached, he greeted Tifa cautiously:

"Miss Servit, nice to see you here."

"Good evening, Sir Anroth."

Tifa responded politely and handed him the Shade coat draped over her shoulders. He blinked and kissed the side of the young detective's face:

"Have a great time tonight. Goodbye, Shade, and sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams!"

Shad and Tifa waved goodbye, and Tifa reached out to touch Mia on Shad's shoulder, but was blocked by Mia's little paws.

The maid lady got on the carriage, said goodbye to Shade again from the car window, and then the carriage drove her away from Saint Teresa Square. During this period, Director Dark Anlos stood quietly behind Shade without making any comments.

"I remember, your neighbor here is Mr. Smith?"

After Tifa left, the first words the gentleman spoke seemed like small talk.

"Yes, I remember he used to be the secretary of the kingdom's finance department."

Shade said, taking out the key and preparing to open the door, but was stopped by Director Anlos:

"I won't go up. Congratulations, Shade, the card game is very exciting."

He clearly didn't go to the Prophet's Association, but he seemed to know everything.

"Thanks."

"So, is there anything unusual about Virgil Cameron? He bought a train ticket for tomorrow morning and will return to the Principality of Set tomorrow. If there is no abnormality tonight, I'm afraid there will be no chance."

It was obviously a very critical issue, but Director Anlos was still able to mention it in a very calm tone.

The two stood between the carriage and the door. The shadow of the carriage obscured the two of them. Shade was very cautious:

"Virgil Cameron did not have any contact with anyone during the game except me. Of course, this is just my opinion. Maybe the other party has some special means."

He told the truth and then added:

"If the gray eagle really appeared, then the other party must have passed the information to Cameron when I closed my eyes."

"Close your eyes" is a metaphor here, meaning when Shade isn't paying attention.

"As expected, the other party is an ace spy after all."

Director Anlos said softly.

"However, it is not without gain."

Shade pretended to hesitate for a moment and then said:

"I got in touch with Virgil Cameron at the poker game, and when we chatted about Fort Midhill, he felt a little strange."

So Shade told the story he had made up, which was Mr. Cameron's abnormal behavior when he heard "Fort Midhill City".

Director Anlos frowned while listening, and finally nodded with squinted eyes:

"Fort Midhill? That city is very close to the Principality of Set. I understand. This is very useful."

He did not inform SHAD6 of its attitude towards this information:

"But you don't have to take such risks in the future. If something goes wrong with you, I won't be able to explain it to Miss Carina."

"Since I am a member of MI6, I naturally have to do things for MI6."

Shade said seriously. These words made Director Anlos smile:

"It would be great if all the people under me were like you."

"like me"

Although Shade's expression did not change, the woman in his ear had already chuckled.

"Okay, Shade, it's time for me to leave. Remember, this matter has nothing to do with you, so don't get involved."

Director Anlos patted Shade on the shoulder:

"As for your salary increase, someone will inform you in a few days. It's really good, the 1853 Ayutthaya Players' Champion."

He smiled and nodded, and then left Saint Teresa Square in a carriage.

Shade, carrying the cat with his hands behind his back, watched Director Anlos' carriage disappear from the square under the streetlight in front of his home.

Instead of going home immediately, he squinted his eyes and looked up at the moon above his head:

“Is my identity getting more complicated?”

[Outlander, when you wander this world and witness these stories, the direction of your destiny is your own choice. 】

"Yes."

Shade sniffed and noticed the cat on his shoulder patting his collar with its paws. Shade stretched out his hand in surprise and pulled out a long black hair from his collar. Shade only knew one black-haired girl, so this hair must be Tifa's.

After hesitantly sniffing it, it did smell like that special perfume "witch's smell".

"This action makes me look like a pervert, but it is indeed an interesting souvenir."

He shook his head and reached out to open the door.

Shade stuffed the hair and the 3,000 pound money order into a drawer in the study, put the trophy on the cabinet in the living room, and put the special coins "bought" from Mr. Cameron into a gift box in the basement. The pen will be delivered tomorrow.

After packing everything up, Shade stood in the living room and let out a sigh of relief. He planned to give himself a holiday tonight, instead of reading until the early hours of the morning, he would go to bed early. Wait until the sun rises again in the east to plan your schedule for the next half week.

He had a lot to do. The key to 3014 had been delayed for three days, and Priest Augustus should have arrived at Fort Midhill. He was still waiting to receive a postcard from the priest.

"Today, nothing will disturb my good mood."

While wearing pajamas and brushing his teeth in front of the mirror in the bathroom, Shade thought to himself that he was in a good mood.

【Yeah? 】

She sighed softly in his ear:

[Do you have the feeling that similar conversations have happened before? 】

Shade, who had a toothbrush stuffed in his mouth, looked at the mirror in front of him. In the mirror, there was no one behind him:

"Of course I remember that we had a similar conversation before [Lord of the Blood Feast] came for the second time. But it is impossible for the evil god to appear tonight, and there is no sign at all. So, even after falling asleep for a while, I did 'Xia Nightmares like "De died in a fight with Mia" can't affect my mood."

He thought happily.

After washing, I checked the doors and windows at home, turned off the gas light in the bedroom, tightened the curtains, and then climbed into the soft bed. Mia had already jumped on the bed and walked around the pillow, as if looking for the softest spot.

Shade sat on the bed and waved to the desk in the bedroom. A stack of 54 Rhodes cards placed on the corner of the table flew over one after another, and then lined up in four rows in front of Shade. There are 13 cards in each row, with the king and queen floating aside.

Mia, who was standing by the pillow, looked up at the floating cards. Shade's hand tapped each special card in turn:

"It's really good."

With a wave of his hand, the cards flew to the bedside table one by one, and were stacked in a pile on the cabinet. Shade got into bed, smiled and touched Mia beside the pillow, saying good night to the cat. Reaching out to extinguish the gas lamp on the bedside table, Shade patted the pillow, lay down and closed his eyes, and soon fell into a deep sleep in the darkness.

Consciousness falls into a trance, and in the safety of home, even the wary stranger can enjoy sleep. However, in the dream, the low and ethereal, illusory and hoarse voice was repeated again and again, and sounded bit by bit:

"Shad Hamilton, open your eyes quickly. I am Rat Augustus. These are my last words to you from the world of the dead."