Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 375 The Hermit Society’s Deal

The conversation with the school ended, and the five of them started talking about their own lives.

Dorothy was excited, urging everyone to subscribe to the Steam Bird Daily starting next week. Her detective novel was about to begin serialization. Unlike her previous works, which were published directly through a publisher, this was her first attempt at newspaper serialization.

If Shard remembered correctly, most of the editors at the Steam Bird Daily were students of Professor Luisa. Therefore, no matter the quality of the detective novel, she was likely to get a favorable amount of page space... it wouldn't surprise Shard at all if the serialized novel appeared right after the front-page news.

"Dorothy, even novels serialized in newspapers should have a name. What are you going to call your detective novel? Is it still 'Mystery of the Blood Letters'?"

Luviya asked curiously.

"No, I plan to write it as a long serialization story. Now, the name is 'Hamilton Detective Stories'."

"Hmm?"

Shard, who was about to sip his tea, choked.

"What's wrong?"

The blonde girl smiled at Shard:

"Using a real detective's name makes the story seem more authentic. If my novel becomes famous, Shard, it's also a way to drum up business for you. Besides, Hamilton isn't such an uncommon surname. It won't lead people back to you."

"Do you all have any plans for next week? Even though the summer exam week is over, I still have to remind you not to neglect your studies."

The doctor asked again.

"I plan to advance to Inner Ring by the end of the year. Now, the Sublimation Incantation is no problem at all."

She glanced at Shard.

"With the 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' as a substitute for the Ritual Core, I now just need to get those ritual materials that don't necessitate a relic substitute."

This was Dorothy's plan.

"Holy Prayer Day is over, and I don't have anything important for the rest of the year. Church work is quite leisurely, I've enrolled in a new elective and am studying the making of magic potions."

Priest Augustus said. Generally, a priest's life is the most relaxed.

"I've been very busy lately. In half a month, the Big City Player Roder Card tournament will start. The association is currently sending out invitations, and players from both the Old Continent and the New World are gathering here. I won't have much free time until probably before September."

Luviya said regretfully.

Finally, it was Shard's turn, and he thought:

"Lately, I've been helping a noble resolve a matter about fish. After I'm done with this next week, I'll probably handle two cases left by the former detective. Oh, and with the new school year starting, so many books to read—it'll take a long time to go through them all."

Then, he asked Priest Augustus:

"Does the Church's training of Circle Sorcerers also involve so much studying?"

It seemed Shard had never heard Iluna complain about having to study; she'd only mentioned her days training at the Papacy.

"Church Ring Sorcerers have a designated few years to learn knowledge at a safe location, much like school. After reaching the prescribed years and advancing to Second Ring, they are assigned to different parishes. Although there are learning tasks, it's less than what we have."

The priest replied. Though he wasn't a Church Ring Sorcerer, he was quite familiar with these affairs, while Shard imagined a much younger, sixteen-year-old Iluna, walking through the church school in her uniform.

"So, the Church's Circle Sorcerers aren't as... scholarly as us?"

That was the only way Shard could put it.

"The Church tends to focus on training practical and professional Circle Sorcerers, whereas the Three Great Magic Academies aim to pass on knowledge and train academic Circle Sorcerers, hence the difference."

Dr. Schneider added from the side and then concluded:

"It's hard to say which is better, but making the most of your youth to read more is never a bad thing."

With little to do this week, the doctor brought a bottle of red wine, and they all celebrated Shard advancing to the second year together. Everyone left individually just after four in the afternoon.

Dorothy had a lesson with Shard that evening, so she left with him. Although there were many books this time, Magic - [Toy Manufacturing] made renting a horse carriage unnecessary. Shard borrowed a large sheet from the doctor, turned the books into lighter toy dolls, and stuffed them into paper bags, which were even lighter to carry than Mia.

Once back home, the new books and the other hundred or so were temporarily stored in Shard's basement.

After a brief chat at home about the affairs at Coldwater Port, around five in the evening, Shard invited the blonde girl to dine out together. Of course, Mia tagged along, not minding stepping out for meals.

After the meal, Shard and Dorothy took a stroll along the University District's shaded paths, which meant Shard walking with Mia in his arms alongside Dorothy under the setting sun. As they discussed what Lecia was up to far away in Coldwater Port in the brilliant sunset afterglow, Shard was reaching for his keys to open his own front door when an urgent local letter from Professor Madison was timely delivered by the postman. Shard and Dorothy had mentioned being busy with the task for the second Time Key, so no further explanations were necessary.

Professor Madison brought good news. A local sorcerer from the Guiding Light Hermitage agreed to meet and trade with Shard. The appointed location was at the White Swan Restaurant on Silver Cross Avenue, just one street away from Saint Delan Square.

It was a fancy restaurant... Shard was familiar with the place because the White Swan Restaurant was right across from the Prophet's Society and a half-street away from Yordle Palace.

"The other party is too cautious, aren't they?"

Dorothy was also surprised when she heard about the location:

"It's almost as if they are afraid you'll do something bad. Shard, do you really understand this organization?"

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Shard spoke and walked into the study to take out the map that Detective Sparrow had left behind, studying the terrain nearby:

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"Dorothy, you'll come with me in a bit. But you won't go into the restaurant, just stay outside. I will choose a seat by the window, and if you see me suddenly grabbing my hair forcefully, come over to help."

Actually, Shard didn't think the other party would do anything within the range of Tobesk City Area. Aside from the entrance of the True God Church, Silver Cross Avenue, where Yordle Palace is located, is absolutely the safest place.

As for why they didn't choose to meet right in front of the church, a normal Circle Sorcerer wouldn't think of that.

Once they had agreed on the plan, Shard left first, and Dorothy followed him to Silver Cross Avenue ten minutes later.

In early August's evening, the air was warm, and the dim sunset's residual glow penetrated the hazy mist, shining on the ground. After leaving Saint Delan Square, Shard crossed the straight Queen Catherine Walk outside the square and then entered Silver Cross Avenue.

In the evening, Silver Cross Avenue was bustling with pedestrians and carriages. Royal guards in uniform patrolled the street, and the entrance of the Prophet's Society was even more crowded. Although most people in this part of the world do not finish work at six in the evening, for those engaged in relatively decent jobs in the center of the Northern Pearl, six o'clock marked a successful end to the day's work.

Shard, dressed in a white shirt and black suit jacket and wearing a black hat, hurried along the edge of the street. He timed it well and arrived at the entrance of the White Swan Restaurant at six-nineteen.

At the restaurant's entrance, two young waiters in uniform, one on the left and one on the right, opened the doors for Shard. Soon after, a slightly overweight middle-aged man in a white shirt, black suit, and bow tie approached:

"Mr. Hamilton, how may I assist you?"

"You know me?"

Shard asked, surprised.

"I know all the local nobility,"

the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"I have arranged to dine here with a friend, please find me a table by the window. Also, please bring the menu once my friend arrives."

"Certainly, Mr. Hamilton, right this way."

This was probably the advantage of having a notable title.

He led Shard to a seat by a large round table by the window, which had a white tablecloth and a golden candelabra on it. Shard placed his hat on his right-hand side by the window and then took out a box of Roder Card matches from his pocket and placed it on his hat, which was the signal for the meeting.

Sure enough, not five minutes later, a middle-aged gentleman with neat black hair walked in.

Calling him middle-aged was a bit misleading, for he was probably over forty, but he looked very spry and energetic. Carrying a cane, he spoke briefly with a waiter at the restaurant's entrance and then, following the waiter's direction, looked toward Shard.

[Circle Sorcerer.]

A whispering voice echoed in his ear.

Shard stood up with a smile and greeted the man, who seemed very scholarly and also approached with a smile.

Shard extended his hand:

"Good evening, sir. I am Shard Hamilton, a detective from Saint Delan Square."

The middle-aged man did not hesitate and warmly shook Shard's hand:

"Good evening, Mr. Hamilton. I am Siver Rondale, working in the University District."

[Four Rings.]

The whispering voice continued softly, and Shard's smile deepened:

"Are you also a professor?"

"No, no, I do secretarial work at the University Federation, which is an administrative position,"

Mr. Rondale said, then sat down with Shard. So far, their meeting seemed like a normal encounter between friends with no trace of a secret deal.

The waiter quickly brought two menus, and Shard opened his and checked the prices first, feeling fortunate that he had eaten dinner already.

Using his habit of eating less in the evening as an excuse, he painfully ordered just a small fruit salad. Since Mr. Rondale also knew that this meeting was not for dining purposes, he similarly refrained from ordering too much, silently understanding Shard's cue.

"We need not overly indulge in pleasantries, Mr. Hamilton. What is it that you want from us, or should I say, it's not just you seeking us, but there is someone else behind you trying to reach us?"