Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Upon hearing Father Andre's suggestion to Shard, President Stan immediately said:

"I think there won't be any issue with the other compensations—200 pounds, plus a few other things. Let me think... Are you interested in the newly released 'Old Continent Minerals' series of Roder Cards?"

This was a hint for Shard, but he still hesitated. Of course, he wasn't disagreeing with the transaction or wanting more; it was purely to appear more reserved.

The president and vice president of the Prophet's Society, as well as the old priest from the Dawn Church, were very understanding of Shard's "hesitation," thus either sipping tea or organizing documents with their secretary.

The grand office suddenly quieted down, and Mia looked up at Shard. Shard glanced at the stained glass window and then reached out to slowly stroke the cat:

"I hope..."

Everyone looked at him:

"This transaction will not be known to others... In a few months, no, by the Year-End Festival, I will explain this to Miss Galina, hoping that she can forgive me."

He tried hard to show a guilty expression, while President Stan pushed his glasses back and Father Andre softly consoled:

"This doesn't tarnish your reputation, Mr. Hamilton. Admitting mistakes bravely allows for better compensation of irreversible errors."

"Lifetime ownership of a Genesis series card, 200 pounds cash, and an 'Old Continent Minerals: Kavel Gem Mine' card in exchange for the Tear Drop Crystal in your possession."

President Stan summed up:

"I think there's no issue, Mr. Hamilton. Which Genesis card would you like to choose?"

"Genesis: Knowledge."

Shard said without hesitation, suspecting that more events would occur in Tobesk if he chose "Genesis: Fate":

"Should I hand this Crystal over to you now?"

He pointed to the wooden box on the table.

President Stan glanced at Father Andre:

"No, no, keep the Crystal with you for now. We'll have someone retrieve it at an appropriate time, yes, at an appropriate time. However, please don't disclose anything about this Crystal to anyone; just store it in the box and keep it securely. Of course, don't be overly anxious; in fact, except for us at the Prophet's Society, it holds little value for others."

This top diviner of Tobesk lifted the lead box placed by his feet. Although the Sage's Glowstone isn't strictly a relic (note), it's not something that can be placed casually either:

"As for 'Genesis: Knowledge,' since that card is still at the Southern Headquarters of the society, it will take half a month to a month to be delivered to Tobesk, but I believe it will arrive before the end of the year. As you know, it's winter now, and heavy snow has made steam train transport exceptionally dangerous."

As President Stan spoke, Father Andre was asked to fetch paper and pen to draft the contract for this transaction with Shard and the ownership documents for 'Genesis: Knowledge.' During the renegotiation of the contract, Mr. Judith, the Vice President, went to the Prophet's Society to bring in the society's accountant and lawyer, and withdrew 200 pounds in cash from the finance department.

"And this."

Mr. Judith pushed a palm-sized flat wooden box to Shard, the back of the box showing the Roder card "Sun, Moon, and Stars" pattern, and the front bearing the Ouroboros emblem of the Prophet's Society. Such wooden boxes are professional Roder card cases sold by the Prophet's Society, but due to their exceedingly high prices, only a few particularly wealthy card players purchase them.

Now that box contained a brand new set of Roder cards, excluding the special rule card 'Old Continent Minerals: Kavel Gem Mine' agreed to Shard, and two other special cards from the 'Old Continent Minerals' series.

"You know, unless for festivals, commemorations, or events held jointly with major kingdoms, the Prophet's Society does not actively sell or gift any special rule cards; they are merely inserted among the decks for people to purchase. This is the society's rule to prevent manipulation of the flow of special rule cards."

This shrewd-looking middle-aged man said with a smile:

"Thus, we aren't violating rules by offering you a special card; we're simply giving you a card deck. As for the deck's content, that's up to your luck."

"I understand."

Shard fiddled with the exquisite card box and then inspected the new cards. The feel and smell of the new cards differed from the old ones. That distinctive ink scent, akin to fresh parchment, can indeed evoke a pleasant feeling.

Three cards with special faces depicted overhead views of mining areas, showcasing well-known minerals of the Old Continent on the small card surface. As for the 'Sun 13' suit 'Old Continent Minerals: Kavel Gem Mine,' its rule is quite interesting:

"If this card is drawn as the fourth card, its point value can be adjusted between 12 and 13."

Compared to other cards where the point value can be adjusted only if a specific number is rolled on a 20-sided die, this card's requirement is relatively simple. However, under the 21-point rule, drawing a fourth card with a '13' point value implies a high likelihood of a blowout. Thus, the adjustment between 13 and 12 isn't entirely useless, but its effect isn't substantial. It may take dozens of draws to genuinely have an impact once.

"What an intriguing rule."

Shard said with a smile, then continued to admire the two Special Cards.

The new contract and the ownership documents for the "Genesis: Knowledge" were quickly drafted. The Prophet's Society had actually prepared them beforehand, and it was just a matter of putting the prepared terms in writing.

President Stan handed the fountain pen to Shard and said earnestly:

"Mr. Hamilton, once you sign this name, the 'Genesis: Knowledge' will completely belong to you until your eternal rest."

"Yes, and this beautiful blue gemstone, you can take it anytime you want."

Shard nodded and wrote "Shard Suren Hamilton" at the end of both documents.

In the presence of the priest, the two hands shook. Although everyone felt satisfied with this transaction, Shard believed he was probably the most satisfied.

After the trade discussion, the gentlemen of the Prophet's Society needed to return to Silver Cross Avenue, while Shard chose not to leave immediately, intending to find Priest Augustus for a chat.

By coincidence, the priest wasn't in the church today. He was arranged by Bishop Owen to take the young priests of the church to the slums in the north of the city to deliver some goods but was expected to return within half an hour, so Shard wasn't in a hurry to leave either.

Seeing that Mia was still curious about the heavy snow outside, he took the cat outside once more. This time, he tried to let Mia run around, and this usually lazy cat surprisingly trotted around in the snow for a little while but quickly lost interest, meowing to have Shard pick it up again.

It's worth mentioning that Shard was curious if Mia would try to lick the snow, but the clever cat only sniffed it without any intention of sticking out her tongue.

In short, when Priest Augustus stepped off the carriage, he saw Shard standing by the marble column, watching the snow, on the church steps.

He didn't ask Shard the purpose of his visit and invited him into the church. The two chatted casually about the various upcoming events at the Dawn Chapel before the Year-End Festival next month. They started discussing important matters only when they reached Priest Augustus's own room.

"Wednesday's matter has been handled. The 'Sage's Glowstone' was used to trade with the Prophet's Society, and the target of the trade was the Roder Card 'Genesis: Knowledge.'

"I'm not surprised at all."

The Old Cleric said, holding a teacup. The room allocated to him in the church wasn't large, but its interior had a classical and religious flair.

"Speaking of which, I haven't asked yet. What did you want to do when you called me on Wednesday night?"

Asked Shard, who was holding the tired cat. He had no time to ask that night and had fallen asleep directly.

"This is a surprise."

The cleric smiled, stood up, opened a drawer on the side of the desk, and took out a white round badge:

"Look at this."

This was a bone product. The cleric had engraved the same skull pattern on both sides of the medallion himself.

"Outlander, you have come into contact with 'Miracle.'"

"Didn't you say that although you like conveniently carried badges, you already have one badge with you? Now, try stacking the two medallions together."

The old cleric said with a bit of pride. So Shard stacked the white bone medallion with the "Witch Detection Badge." The latter was a silver round badge with thorns, lion's head, and cuckoo flower patterns. It would automatically heat up when Shard encountered a witch. Shard never parted with this silver medallion except when traveling to the past for time adventures.

Upon contact, the bone medallion slowly "melted" onto the badge with the "Duchess of Saradiel" crest. The liquefied bones enveloped the silver badge, eventually forming a thin white bone border around the badge's perimeter.

Now the size of the "Witch Detection Badge" barely changed, only its weight increased slightly. The white bone border wrapped around the edge of the silver medallion was adorned with a dark elderflower pattern, making the badge look even more exquisite.

"This indeed makes it more convenient to carry, but, was this made from angel bones?"

Shard was surprised, and the priest nodded modestly:

"Yes, although I gather those bones, what I actually need is just the power within them. Missing some fragments doesn't affect it. I utilized that ancient knowledge and used angel bones as materials, adding some small techniques I learned at Saint Baylens, to create this badge. But I must warn you, once fused, only by destroying your original badge can you separate this bone medallion again."

Priest Augustus recognized the emblem on the pendant of the silver badge Shard wore, as the crest of that Duchess, but he did not point this out.

"That's alright. This kind of tool you made should count as a Divine Item, right? Truly remarkable."

Although having the materials, to actually create it also sufficiently demonstrated the old cleric's craftsmanship.