The Whispering Verses
Chapter 65: Lakeview Manor

"The sole characteristic of this [relic] is that when touched with any finger of the right hand, it allows the holder to see the silver moon. The moon’s phase changes depending on its current phase. While this feature may not seem very practical, it does have its uses. For instance, if someone falls into an illusion, touching this relic might help them escape it, thanks to the symbolic meaning of the silver moon. 14 pounds—just 14 pounds, and it’s yours."

It was evident that the [relic] wasn’t particularly useful, which explained Old John’s relatively modest asking price.

"But what about its negative effects? And the containment method?" Shad asked, already inclined to make the purchase.

"Don’t touch it for extended periods; otherwise, you’ll start having strange dreams about the silver moon at night, eventually falling into eternal madness. The containment method is simple: immerse it in a colorless liquid for more than three seconds before midnight each day. If you fail to do so, it might interfere directly with the holder’s dreams."

The negative effects weren’t too severe, but Shad didn’t immediately agree. He feigned contemplation for a long moment before asking, "Can you make it cheaper?"

"This is already the discounted price, considering the cane," the old man shrugged. "I usually don’t offer discounts."

"5 pounds," Shad offered.

"That’s impossible. Is this how you usually bargain?"

"5 pounds and 1 penny? I learned my lesson from selling that cane last time."

"…Remember not to bargain like this with others. Not everyone has my patience. 13 pounds, 10 shillings," Old John said, shaking his head.

"6 pounds." Shad raised both hands, signaling the number six.

"12 pounds, 17 shillings. That’s my final offer, detective. I won’t go lower. But I can throw in a piece of information for you—how about that?"

The elderly shopkeeper seemed unwilling to negotiate further. Shad thought for a moment, then reluctantly agreed. "Fine, deal. But you’d better tell me what the information is first. I don’t want to hear about vegetable prices going up."

"Youngsters these days," the shopkeeper muttered, shaking his head. "Have you heard of [Blood of Mercury]?"

"Of course. News about them is everywhere." The Academy had even issued bounties to correspondence Ring Warlocks, indicating that the activities of [Blood of Mercury] in Tobesk were no secret.

"[Blood of Mercury] and a group of cultists seem to be up to something recently. That’s not the main point, though. My information is that [Blood of Mercury] has a rather impressive [relic] in their possession. As someone who deals in recovering relics and dangerous items, I’m sensitive to such news."

Given that the illicit organization was known to gather materials for synthesizing angel-grade (Grade 1) relics, they likely had many valuable [relics] in their possession.

"What specifically?" Shad asked.

The old man deflected. "If I were that well-informed, do you think I’d still be running a pawnshop? I’d be trading secrets on the black market by now. It’s a Secret-Keeper-grade (Grade 3) relic, but it’s actually a fragment of an angel-grade relic. Its properties have diminished after being split apart. It’s said to be linked to [Fate], making it very effective for finding lost items."

"Fate?" Shad raised an eyebrow. For some reason, he thought of the letter from the rat Peter, which mentioned that the [Blood Spirit School] had sent a Secret-Keeper-grade relic to the Old Continent for [Blood of Mercury]. Though the Silver-Eyed individuals were dissatisfied with the delay, it was obvious that the relic was extraordinary.

"But what could it be? Convenient for locating objects and connected to fate." Unable to deduce anything further, Shad paid for the relic.

The [Pearl of Moonlight] became the fourth relic in Shad’s possession. Like the [Dice of Twenty Fates] and the page from [Poet Cohen’s Manuscript], it didn’t enhance his combat abilities or survival but was more of an auxiliary tool. Shad resolved that once he had the means, he’d buy a powerful [relic] for self-defense.

With such pleasant thoughts, Shad boarded a carriage bound for Lakeview Manor. Located south of Tobesk and named for its proximity to Lake Schluch, the manor was one of Earl Crowen’s properties. The Earl held a high position in the Kingdom’s Army, making him a wealthy and influential noble. Tonight’s banquet was hosted by his second son, Young Crowen, as a summer evening pastime.

A smooth dirt road connected Tobesk to the manor. The carriage reached its destination as the evening sun sank below the horizon. Outside the city, the burning smell in the air dissipated. The fresh air reinvigorated the young detective, who had grown weary from the long ride.

Dressed in his finest black suit, Shad, hat in hand and cane at his side, stepped onto the manor’s stone-paved path, joining the guests gathering at the estate.

Night had only just begun, and the crowd was sparse. Guests mingled across the courtyard, the maze-like garden, the mansion, and other parts of the manor, chatting with acquaintances.

Summer brought a change in fashion, but in this relatively conservative era, certain views were still impossible. Of course, if Shad had access to certain salons and parties, he would undoubtedly find the activities of the nobility astonishing.

As he didn’t know anyone at the manor, Shad had arranged to meet Baron Lavender at a stone table beneath the grape trellis east of the fountain in the manor’s rear garden. The baron and his friends had planned to play Rhodes Cards there.

Since it wasn’t yet time, Shad wandered alone. He’d purposely eaten lightly at noon, anticipating the banquet. Instead, he had spent the afternoon feeding his cat.

Now, seeing the long tables set up in the courtyard from the manor’s main building to the gate, covered in pristine white cloth, glinting metal utensils, and illuminated by candlelight, Shad felt his stomach growl at the sight of the spread.

Being a man of decorum, Shad didn’t pile his plate but instead made multiple trips to different parts of the table, employing a strategy to maintain appearances.

While enjoying the food, he discreetly distributed his business cards to drum up work. He would wait for the right moment during conversations, introduce himself, and hand out cards bearing his St. Derain Square address. This made recipients believe he was a skilled detective, and no one refused his card.

Shad was increasingly determined to avoid moving out of his current apartment unless absolutely necessary.

Though he had few acquaintances in this world, as night fully descended after the last rays of sunset faded, Shad recognized a familiar figure—a black-haired maid, clearly dressed differently from the manor’s catering and reception staff.

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