A week ago, on Sunday night, Xia De, at about this time, won a rhode cards gamble with a brilliant card game. Today, a week later, he added the Origin · Silver Moon to his deck and won with an even more spectacular outcome, not even needing to drag the game to the third round.
Last week's events were attributed to the luck generated by the dice counterattack script, while this week's events were probably truly due to the luck brought by the Origin · Silver Moon.
“Origin · Silver Moon!”
The crowd first whispered softly, then burst into an astonishing wave of sound, as if a steam bomb had exploded there. People helped the smiling Viscount Ford to his feet, and even more people pushed forward, confirming that they weren't mistaken.
Amidst wave after wave of sound, Vice President Mark loudly told people to step back. And Duke Lucas, sitting opposite Xia De, with his hands on the table and leaning forward, had an expression of surprise on his face, as if he had discovered that Xia De was Galina disguised.
Vice President Mark, accustomed to “big scenes,” immediately announced that Xia De had won the first two rounds of the gamble, and thus won the entire match.
Only then did Xia De's opponent, the Old Duke in a red old-style army uniform, incredulously ask the young Detective:
“The real thing?”
He still seemed unconvinced.
“Yes, Miss Jialinna has seen it.”
“For sale?”
Before Xia De could shake his head, the Black-haired maid behind him finally spoke. Her voice was very clear and just loud enough for everyone to hear:
“Hamilton Detective is a friend of Miss Jialinna. That rhode cards is jointly owned by Miss Jialinna and the Detective.”
That card, of course, belonged entirely to Xia De; saying this was merely to protect Xia De.
“Oh, since it's Jialinna's...”
The Duke shook his head, looking at the Origin · Silver Moon on the table with some regret, his eyes unwilling to leave it for a long time. Compared to this, losing the gamble was not his primary concern:
“What a pity.”
He shook his head again, then stood up without a word. He opened his mouth as if to say something to the Detective who was reorganizing his deck, but in the end, he only offered congratulations:
“I have nothing to complain about, losing to the Origin · Silver Moon. It was truly a wonderful card game, I haven't been this excited in a long time. Hamilton Detective, come with me.”
Then he loudly called out to his guests:
“Gentlemen, there's nothing to be alarmed about, please make way.”
The Old Duke's voice rang out like thunder.
It was obviously impossible for him to say he had no regrets about losing, but he was very good at controlling his emotions; only the impatience in his voice clearly indicated his true thoughts.
The onlookers also noticed the Duke's displeasure, so they voluntarily cleared a path.
Xia De understood that this meant going to see Miss Jialinna, so he re-organized his deck and put it away, greeted the people around him who were thanking him, and then left the banquet hall with the maid and the Duke.
Many people asked Xia De to be sure to return later to continue participating in the salon, as most of the people there had not seen the Origin · Silver Moon clearly just now.
As he left, Xia De noticed that Miss Bei Ya Si was gone again, and he had no idea what she intended to do by disguising herself as a maid and sneaking in. But one thing was certain: the purple-eyed Diviner was definitely not there; she should be with Miss Louisa watching the opera now.
After leaving the banquet hall, Miss Jialinna was actually in the study, two doors away.
Even in his own home, Duke Lucas knocked before entering. Xia De thought he would finally get to see Miss Jialinna this time, but he didn't expect the study to also be of the two-story style.
The maid asked Xia De to wait on the sofa outside for a moment, then led Duke Lucas further inside. Xia De thus realized that even this Old Duke was very cautious towards the young Miss Jialinna.
“Galina Cavendish is the current King's aunt, is it because of this relationship?”
The relationship between the royal family and the nobility was something the Outsider had never encountered, and he could only infer it from the content of the vulgar novels he had read.
The soundproofing of the room was excellent, so Xia De could only vaguely hear the two Dukes of Delarion discussing the deployment of some naval officers for a brief ten minutes.
When Duke Lucas left, he seemed to be in good spirits, and he shook hands with Xia De again, wishing him a pleasant time at the reception later, but he did not mention the Origin · Silver Moon again.
“Hamilton Detective, will you participate in this autumn's Great City Player?”
The Duke asked cheerfully.
“Of course, the Prophet Association has already invited me.”
“Oh, this autumn, there's really something to look forward to.”
The Old Duke left the room enthusiastically. Xia De heard him loudly calling his butler in the hallway to retrieve wine from the cellar. The servant closed the door from outside, and then Miss Jialinna, separated by a door, spoke.
Their every meeting seemed to follow this conversational pattern, and Xia De had grown accustomed to it.
“Detective, good evening, you did very well.”
This high-Ring術士 Sorceress was in a very good mood:
“Even better than I expected. It seems inviting you to the card game was indeed the right choice.”
“It was your good luck.”
Xia De said cautiously. The decor of the study was exceptionally solemn; Xia De could almost imagine Duke Lucas secretly discussing political and military affairs with distinguished guests who rushed in during countless nights.
“And also the credit of that Origin · Silver Moon.”
He added.
The conversation seemed to pause for a second. Xia De heard the sound of a teacup being set down, and Miss Jialinna sighed softly:
“It seems you know the secret of the Founding series of cards.”
“No, I only know that all things are impermanent card can bring good luck.”
Xia De said, and Miss Jialinna did not hesitate to share these secrets:
“Even the Witch Council, to which I belong, only knows a small part of the secrets concerning all things are impermanent. You possess it because it chose you. Xia De Hamilton, you are truly excellent.”
Galina Cavendish thus formally admitted that, despite being the King's aunt, she was a member of the Witch Council.
“I know what you're thinking. Yes, I am one of the thirteen Great Witch of the Council's Round Table, but don't worry, although some lunatics in the Council are wanted by the Orthodox Church, I am not on the Church's bounty list. Detective, do you want to know my Ring術士 level?”
There was a smile in the woman's words. Xia De considered her attitude:
“Of course.”
“Eleven rings.”
The answer was concise and direct, and Xia De found himself not surprised at all; in fact, he felt the level was somewhat low.