Currently, the universally accepted currencies in the world, besides the pounds of northern Delarion, are the crowns of the southern Carson Rick United Kingdom. However, the United Kingdom was historically pieced together from several kingdoms. Although it had formed a unified kingdom by 1853, there were still several different currencies within it, all referred to as “crowns.”
The Carson Rick crown is a large denomination currency used in official transactions. According to the current exchange rate, approximately 11 to 12 pounds are equivalent to 1 Carson Rick crown.
“If it were pounds, then it would be roughly this amount.”
Vice President Mark, being a local, wrote another note with the number “33” on it. Although this sum was not as much as Miss Jialinna’s commission yesterday, Xia De could get the money just by participating, which felt like found money.
Franklin, the accountant who once commissioned Xia De, had an annual income of only about 70 pounds, and his income was already barely on the edge of being considered middle-class.
Now, Xia De only needed to nod to receive half a year’s income for the pillar of a middle-class family. He had no reason to refuse:
“I think I need a copy of the competition rules.”
Mr. Rimo nodded:
“If you need it, we can get the competition rules for you in a moment. But don’t worry, you only need to participate; winning is not a requirement. Here is an agreement.”
Mr. Rimo reached behind him, and the private secretary standing by the wall immediately came over and handed him a dark brown kraft paper bag. As for the remuneration, Xia De would only receive it after the grand competition began and he was seated at the card table.
Nothing unexpected happened during the trip to the Prophet Association. Xia De signed the “Great City Player” participation contract for September this year, and his Origin · Silver Moon card was, of course, authenticated as genuine.
Vice President Sindia Mark was even more excited than Mr. Rimo from the main association. He enthusiastically invited Xia De for a drink to celebrate today’s events. But Xia De declined, citing his busy personal affairs and matters to attend to at his office.
However, they would still see each other during the rhode cards game on Sunday evening, so Mr. Mark didn’t mind.
After leaving the Prophet Association, Xia De immediately returned home. After waiting for only half an hour, Miss Annette arrived as expected.
After the Detective opened the door of Saint Delan Square Six, the purple-eyed Prophet walked in without a word. She was also surprised to see the first floor sealed off, but still said nothing and followed the Detective to Room No. 1 on the second floor.
“Something is very wrong here.”
As she sat down, Miss Annette said, having seen the first, second, and third floors:
“It’s just like the haunted house in the rumors. Even without divining, I can tell something is amiss here.”
“It is a haunted house. I’ve talked about this with the doctor and them. You just happened not to be in Tobesk at the time. Tomorrow, I’ll probably talk to Priest Augustus again to have the Dawn Church send someone for a final inspection. I want to make full use of the house.”
Xia De said, bringing a teacup to Miss Annette, while he sat opposite the Diviner.
He asked very seriously:
“Before our conversation officially begins, I want to ask a question. Miss Annette, will you be spectating that rhode cards game on Saturday night?”
This question was very important to him.
“Why would I go? I have an appointment with Louisa to see an opera that day, and my work at the association has nothing to do with rhode cards.”
Miss Annette said in surprise.
Xia De nodded with satisfaction and then cut to the main topic:
“I was truly surprised to see you at the Prophet Association just now. Aren’t you a Fortune Teller at the Prophet Association? How did you become a secretary this time?”
“Today’s occasion is special, and I also happened to be curious about Origin · Silver Moon, so I specifically applied to help out. Detective, I’m truly surprised. How did Origin · Silver Moon end up in your hands? This… it shouldn’t be.”
Miss Annette frowned, but quickly raised her eyebrows again because of the black tea. This was their second private meeting after the carriage chat on Monday night.
“I’ve never heard you mention Origin · Silver Moon before.”
She said softly while sipping her black tea.
“Isn’t it an ordinary item? That’s why I didn’t mention it.”
Xia De asked in surprise, taking out the card and placing it on the table. Seeing that Xia De neither wore gloves nor showed any particular care for Origin · Silver Moon, Miss Annette, who came from the Prophet Association, felt a bit of a headache.
“Yes, rhode cards are indeed ordinary items, but… how to put it, I only heard some news from the association’s high-ranking members by chance.
The original thirteen rhode cards were not actually manufactured by the Prophet Association. On the contrary, it should be said that rhode cards were created based on these thirteen cards. The association accidentally acquired two of them centuries ago and discovered information about the thirteen cards, left by ancient Prophets from the early fifth epoch, which included the card faces and gameplay. Although they found no power in them, the rhode cards made based on their appearance unexpectedly achieved great success. This brought astonishing wealth to the association.”
“Are the Founding series of rhode cards relics?”
“Of course not. I don’t feel any whisper element.”
“Of course not, rhode cards are just ordinary items… but the Founding series cards are very special. These cards might come from the fifth epoch, or even the more distant fourth era, or even the third epoch.”
Miss Annette said.
“You’re saying these are thousands of years old antiques, and even though they’re made of paper, they’re still well-preserved?”
Xia De shook Origin · Silver Moon, and Miss Annette shrugged:
“At least that’s the information I know. According to the association’s understanding, the thirteen cards of the Founding series do not possess any power, but they cannot be destroyed, and any attempt to destroy them will suffer a curse of bad luck. There’s a saying that the holders of the Founding thirteen cards will be very lucky when engaging in activities related to cards, dice, and other such games.”
“Cards that can bring luck to the user?”
Xia De looked at Origin · Silver Moon on the table. If this was true, then Miss Jialinna’s weekend card game seemed to have a greater chance of winning.
Miss Annette nodded:
“The Founding thirteen rhode cards choose their own masters. No one can forcibly possess them; only those who are meant to possess them can… I hope you understand what I mean. Because of this, very few people have been able to discover them throughout history. Even the Orthodox Church and the Academy may not know that these cards are special.
The association is also researching what these cards can specifically do and believes this is related to the secret of the fall of the earliest Ancient Gods.”
“They choose their own holders? What exactly are these?”
The more Xia De listened, the stranger he felt. Miss Annette shook her head:
“These are not ordinary alchemy items, nor are they relics. From the information left by ancient Prophets discovered by the association, these cards must be related to the thirteen Ancient Gods. Do you know about the Ancient Gods? Oh, good that you do. In past eras, people indeed discovered their peculiarities and believed these cards were keys and also weapons. From older documents, the association discovered their names.”
“Special cards related to Ancient Gods that don’t possess power… What are their names?”
Xia De was quite curious.
Miss Annette hesitated for a moment:
“The thirteen cards represent the original deities born with the world, representing the impermanent world, and are therefore called—all things are impermanent.”