The Prophet Association's main business was rhode cards. The Association itself didn't run gambling, but it organized competitions to promote communication among rhode cards enthusiasts, which is why there were meeting rooms available for rent.
The two sat down on the sofa. Xia De tucked his notebook into the inner pocket of his clothes, while Baron Lavende put down his cane and reintroduced himself. The middle-aged man with the mustache turned out not to be an ordinary citizen:
"I actually have a baronetcy, but as you know, in a place like Tobesk City, nobility isn't worth much. This isn't the countryside, where a penniless noble can control a village or town. Although that's a bit of an exaggeration, if you yell 'Baron' on the street, more than one person will turn around."
He shrugged at Xia De, who understood Baron Lavende's meaning. This was, after all, the capital of the Delarion Kingdom, and barons, especially those without much property, were not rare.
"Relatively speaking, I'm not very wealthy, but playing rhode cards has allowed me to meet some very remarkable people. This commission is related to rhode cards."
"It's like this: on Sunday evening, I'm invited to a banquet at Count Craun's Lakeview Manor outside the city. It's just a regular outdoor banquet, with many people attending: men looking for romance, Noblewomen seeking pleasure, idle people with nothing to do, or even those with ulterior motives... My friend, Baron Rwanda, organized a rhode cards game at the banquet, with a special card as the stake."
The mustached middle-aged man looked at Xia De, observing his expression. Xia De thought for a moment and asked:
"So, you want that card?"
"rhode cards are important, of course, but I want to beat that guy even more. Do you know how he mocked me last time after I lost the special card from my fairy tale-themed deck, the match girl? So, Hamilton Detective, I plan to find a few good card players before the banquet to help me defeat him."
Baron Lavende nodded at Xia De:
"Hamilton Detective, are you willing to accept this commission?"
"While I'd love to accept, I really don't know how to play cards."
Xia De quickly shook his head. Although he wanted to make money, he wouldn't accept commissions beyond his capabilities.
"No, no, no, rhode cards are actually a game that tests luck a lot. You can pick it up once you know the rules."
The Baron also shook his head:
"Sometimes luck is even more important than skill, and we generally believe that novice players always have good luck. Just like you beat me just now."
"But that was just luck, and please don't be superstitious."
Xia De emphasized, not wanting to get into trouble because of a commission. Moreover, he had successfully obtained the appraisal certificate for founding · silver moon, and once the final appraisal result came out, he would instantly become rich. While he would certainly continue as a Detective, he no longer needed to take on risky commissions.
"I didn't just find you; I also found a few other gentlemen. If you help me win the game, 1 pound. You only need to win one round, and I can give you one pound as compensation; even if you lose, I can give you 10 shillings. Plus, I'll cover your travel expenses to and from the Manor, and you can enjoy the banquet for free. If you're lucky, you might even meet a pretty lady."
Baron Lavende continued to raise the stakes.
Now Xia De hesitated. If the other party didn't mind him losing, the commission was actually acceptable. He could earn at least half a pound in one evening, which was more than some special professions could make.
Of course, he still had a question. Xia De was very self-aware:
"Excuse me, Baron. Do you really think I can help you just because I won one round against you? I mean, this is our first time meeting."
"Actually, my initial thought was based on the location of your Detective office, which led me to believe you must be extraordinary. Just now, I noticed you went to the third floor with Vice President Mark. I thought that even if you don't understand rhode cards, you certainly wouldn't be an ordinary Detective. The third floor of the Prophet Association is not that easy to get to."
The mustached man chuckled, then took out his own deck of cards:
"Since you won't agree even with that, it shows you're a very responsible Detective. How about this: still draw three cards. If the total is less than or equal to 21, you accept my commission, how about that?"
Now Xia De was also interested. The risk of this commission was even smaller than Mr. Franklin's, second only to finding Mia, a temporary member of his household:
"Of course."
He took the Baron's deck, reshuffled it, and then drew the top three cards.
This time, it wasn't a coincidental number like twenty-one. He displayed the cards in his hand on the table one by one—
star 1, Sun 2, Moon 3.
Baron Lavende and Xia De both raised an eyebrow at the same time:
"See, Detective, I told you beginners always have good luck. Don't touch rhode cards again before Sunday; it will consume your luck."
This saying was probably a common superstition, like the "Law of Conservation of Luck."
Baron Lavende grabbed Xia De's hand:
"Detective, you must help me. That hateful Rwanda, this time, I'm sure to win."
Strictly speaking, this should be considered the second commission Xia De accepted (Note). To make it more official, he asked for paper and a pen and handwritten a commission contract. After both parties checked and signed it, two copies were kept.
Xia De thought Sparrow Detective's previous meticulous habits were good, so he planned to continue using the ledger, notebook, and file binder, recording any formal commission.
This also made it easier to pay taxes.
Baron Lavende would send the invitation to the Lakeview Manor evening banquet to Saint Delan Square Six a little later. At the banquet, the two were not to meet up but to pretend to be friends who met by chance, then go play rhode cards together.
Baron Lavende hoped to prove his luck to his friend, Baron Rwanda, in this way.
Xia De expressed concern about Baron Lavende's idea, but all he wanted was that half a pound. Winning or losing was actually not important to Xia De.
"However, I wonder if the banquet food can be taken out, and what the dress code will be... I can ask the doctor on Saturday; he looks like one of the so-called upper-class people."
His luck that morning was so good that Xia De even wondered if he had truly turned his luck around. After bidding farewell to Baron Lavende, Xia De didn't go home immediately. Instead, he walked to Old John's Pawnshop, where he had pawned his cane, and redeemed the expensive cane from the shop owner, which was said to be made from the heartwood of natural cedar from the Delarion Mountains.
The shop still only had the owner. The pawnshop was a bit cool on this early Summer afternoon, and the temperature was just right.
Old John, the shop owner John Jones, expressed regret at Xia De's decision and repeatedly emphasized that if Xia De needed money, he could sell the cane to him. Old John was willing to pay more than the pawn price to buy it outright.
"So, how much are you willing to pay?"
Xia De didn't refuse the offer. If he wanted to use a cane, he could easily buy a cheaper one.
"Hmm... how about 7 pounds and 6 shillings?"
The old man, still wearing a red wool vest in the Summer afternoon, considered for a moment and made an offer.
His age-spotted fingers twirled slightly:
"This price is not low."
"Ten pounds."
Xia De immediately raised the price. The other party would certainly not accept this price; he was waiting for the other party to bargain. According to the current purchasing power of money, ten pounds would even be enough to exhume Sparrow Hamilton Detective for a grand burial. Such a price was definitely not appropriate.
"Deal."
Old John immediately agreed.