Capítulo 1856: Chapter 1855: Men’s Idle Chat

Miss Danester’s delicate face showed a smile:

“I knew you must have something to say. Go ahead, about the news of the level 0 Relic, even if you want our principal to help you, he would consider agreeing.”

“It’s not that troublesome. I want to ask you to arrange a meeting with the believers of the Old God. I’m not interested in the Fate’s Pedestal, nor do I want to ask about the Relic. I just want to consult them about some questions regarding the Old God and the teachings.”

“No problem. The Prophet’s Society is actually hiding such an important matter. I thought they were genuinely preparing for that large ritual this weekend.”

Miss Danester said softly, then asked Shard a new question:

“Regarding the matter of Green Lake, combining your preliminary investigation and the information given by the church in these few days, Saint Byrons has almost figured it all out. Shard, do you think Laplace Klein Howard can truly become the Chosen of Space as he wishes?”

Shard was somewhat surprised she would ask him this question, but he immediately understood, so he answered half-truthfully:

“The Ancient God: Primordial Rift of Space, its symbolized concept is not only space but also separation and union. That Diviner only saw United as One, but didn’t realize, does the complete union truly align with the power of that Ancient God?”

Miss Danester was very satisfied with his answer:

“I understand. Then, when do you think the matter of Green Lake will be resolved?”

“One to two weeks, after the grand prophecy of the Prophet’s Society, it should be time to act.”

“Since you know quite a bit about this place, do you have any suggestions for the Academy’s recent actions?”

Shard thought for a moment:

“On both shores of Green Lake, recently, there will frequently appear location-type and event-type Relics. At the same time, the Tyranny Club and Dragon Feast Cult have hidden information concerning the two fifth-generation Edwards about their ancestor. I am almost certain that at least one of these two has been dissatisfied with their ancestor for a long time.”

Miss Danester knowingly nodded, and Shard added finally:

“Additionally, regarding the investigation into the Ritual Array of Sun, Moon, and Stars, I have a clue. I saw that symbol firsthand in a book beside Laplace Klein Howard. The letter in your hand from the third-generation Sloss Edwards is due to his investigation that caused Green Lake Central Island to become what it is today. I think he must have seen this pattern from that Diviner back then. Unfortunately, Sloss Edwards has now become a demon… We’ve already dealt with the demon problem, so no need to worry.”

The Female Sorcerer nodded, and she and Shard continued to gaze out at the distant island from the abandoned dock.

For a long time:

“Shard, you are truly remarkable.”

“Thank you… it is because of your excellent teaching. Contributing to the Academy is also my honor.”

Miss Danester glanced at him, feeling that she somewhat understood how he attracted so many Female Sorcerers around him.

Nothing else interesting happened this Tuesday. The dilapidated wooden boat Shard brought back was studied by Megan and Audrey, while Miss Benanis and Miss Sylvia on the other side of the lake were tasked, according to Luviya’s divination, with finding the descendants of the Mayor of Green Lake Town. The two Edwards who became Cultists are now the target of everyone, and the spirit of Elder Nicholas Green’s mother still wanders unknown.

At dinner that evening, Shard heard from the doctor and priest who returned from their “outing” that a giant creature resembling a centipede with at least a hundred legs appeared in the sparsely populated rural area on the south shore due to a space rift, which they personally witnessed as the church’s team fought against it. The serial murder news published in a corner of the evening paper was again a hunt by the Ghoul Lich three brothers targeting the descendants of Green Lake Town.

As for the discussion of the unusual phenomena in the night sky last night, it was only spread among a few citizens. Everything seemed peaceful, but to Shard, it was clearly the calm before the storm.

On Wednesday morning, waking up at home, Shard first looked at the cat sleeping peacefully beside his pillow, then got up to pull open the curtains at his bedroom window. The morning in Tobesk, with its pitter-patter of rain, appeared somewhat bleak. This weather wasn’t suitable for going out, but fortunately, most of Shard’s friends in Tobesk had already arrived at Green Lake, so he didn’t need to wander around the city.

Today, Green Lake City was still rainy, but it was the kind of drizzling rain where you might use an umbrella but wouldn’t need to. Shard didn’t eat at home, instead, he took Mia and some goat’s milk to Green Lake. Coming out from the backdoor of the inn, since it was still early, the boy John had not yet “woken up,” so Shard placed a few coins next to his “home” and then entered the inn through the front door.

Greeting Ms. Green at the reception, he handed the goat’s milk to the waiter to heat it. Shard instinctively yawned and picked up a newspaper from the reception that had not yet been delivered upstairs, sitting down on a seat by the wall.

Soon after, the doctor and priest also came downstairs and sat at the same table as Shard. The doctor was staying in the inn today to continue crafting the coin used to deceive the demon, while the priest, having gained a rough understanding of the area, planned to continue exploring the lakebank and also visit the Ghoul Nicholas Green Mr., whom Shard had mentioned.

Their conversation wasn’t hidden from Ms. Helena Green at the reception. Hearing Shard’s friends’ plans, she entrusted the priest to deliver a recent photograph taken to their father, and the priest gladly agreed.

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“Speaking of which, Bill, did you hear a strange noise last night? Around eleven o’clock. I was already asleep then, the rain was loud outside, was there an explosion in the city?”

While having breakfast, the priest asked the doctor, who nodded:

“I was going downstairs to get hot chocolate at the time, and I heard it too. It wasn’t the explosion of a steam bomb. I glanced out the window and it looked like something big had entered the city.”

The priest shook his head, as if lamenting how dangerous the city had become. Seeing Shard looking at the newspaper, he asked Shard:

“Detective, with the city like this now, is there really any need for the negotiations between the two countries to continue? I heard in Tobesk that the negotiations here have been quite rocky.”

Shard turned to the second page of the newspaper and showed it to them:

“The church thinks so too, but these negotiations aren’t something that can just stop on a whim. Look here—’King Larus III receives Carsonrick’s ambassador to Tobesk at Yordle Palace.’ The newspapers are currently laying the groundwork for a sudden pause in negotiations. On the Carsonrick side, they are using Princess Margaret and Duke Simir’s injuries to argue that this place is no longer safe, trying to halt the negotiations for this reason.”

“But if the negotiations end without any results, won’t that only escalate the tensions?”

The priest commented based on his life experience, and the doctor asked another question:

“Speaking of which, I’ve seen follow-up reports in the local newspapers lately about Princess Margaret of Carsonrick being assassinated, but hardly anyone discusses Detective’s mention of Duke Simir getting shot.”

“Even if a royal princess only catches whooping cough, it’s more newsworthy than a flood somewhere killing hundreds.”

Shard shrugged, then turned the newspaper another page:

“But saying the negotiations didn’t yield results isn’t accurate. At least both sides have reached an agreement on the issue of the northwest border of the Pantanal Swamp and incidentally resolved the potato import-export tariff issue that had been pending for over a decade.”

“If I remember correctly, isn’t the northwest side of the Pantanal border an actual swamp area that even people can’t traverse?”

The doctor asked in surprise, but Priest Augustus was intrigued by the topic of potatoes:

“The two countries have imposed tariffs on each other’s potatoes for more than a decade; who would’ve thought it could be resolved. Oh, if I get the chance, I must try Carsonrick’s baked sweet potatoes again. When I was young and went to Carsonrick on business, I always felt their potatoes were sweeter.”

“Sir, you’re referring to the potatoes produced in the southwest of Carsonrick. If you like, we can prepare some for you for dinner.”

The young attendant bringing them a new teapot said, and the priest thanked him politely.

When a yawning Dorothy came downstairs around nine o’clock, most of the guests having breakfast on the first floor had already left. Shard was still sitting by the wall, flipping through the newspaper, and Mia was still lying on his lap.

“Awake? Did you sleep late last night? Why are you just getting up?”

Shard waved to the attendant to bring the breakfast he had ordered for Dorothy, and the lazy golden-haired girl sat down opposite Shard:

“I slept well. It’s just that it’s such a rare opportunity to travel, why get up so early? And I’m a freelancer, I don’t need to wake up early. Besides, it’s raining outside, did you know? On a rainy day, the happiest thing is to stay in bed, wrapped in a blanket, and read.”

She was in a good mood, and Shard smiled too:

“Staying in the inn isn’t bad either; Lecia might look for you to help.”

This referred to swapping bodies, allowing Dorothy to handle things when Lecia is tired.

“I was just chatting with the priest and the doctor, but the priest has already left. Can you guess what we talked about?”

“Three men gathered together, and you’re all decent people. I’d guess you were talking about politics.”

She casually guessed the truth.

The attendant quickly brought Dorothy’s breakfast. The lazy girl didn’t have anything planned for today and didn’t intend to go out in the rain, so she ate unhurriedly, seemingly planning to sit there until lunchtime, then have lunch with Shard.

However, as she ate, she did mention something odd.