Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 301 The Old God of Space and Time

As per the agreement, after successfully receiving the inheritance, Mrs. Lemer was required to pay Shard 5 pounds in cash as a commission. This was one-tenth of the inheritance Mrs. Lemer received, which was definitely not a small sum for a middle-aged woman nowadays.

Of course, she did not regret it when it actually came time to pay. On one hand, she was indeed a kind woman; on the other hand, a slightly malnourished middle-aged woman in a cramped room would not want to anger a young and strong detective.

But as she was about to hand over the money to Shard, Shard waved his hand and refused:

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"I don't think we necessarily need to pay the commission fee in cash, I'd like these books."

He pointed to the pile of old books placed together with some old clothes:

"These old books are quite interesting. How about giving me the books to offset part of the commission fee? Of course, Mrs. Lemer, if you're worried that I won't give a fair price when estimating their value, you're also welcome to have someone appraise these old books."

"There's no need, Detective, I trust you—please feel free to take them."

The lawyer just now had already said that these old books were worthless, so the middle-aged woman did not suspect Shard's actions.

He pulled the box containing the old books towards him and then found the old books and diaries and stacked them together. Mrs. Lemer was not concerned about the notebooks either; perhaps, to her, a woman who could barely read, notebooks and books were the same.

"Seven in total, most of them are adventure novels, and there are a few navigation logs and diaries. Let's value them at... one shilling per book?"

Mrs. Lemer had never bought books but knew that the price wasn't too high, yet certainly not low. She probably took this as Shard looking out for her and said, somewhat embarrassed:

"No problem, Detective."

Thus, Shard obtained the diaries that recorded the sailors' secrets and over 4 pounds in commission. In return, he gave Mrs. Lemer the address of Old John's Pawnshop, suggesting that many items from the inheritance were difficult to find proper use for, and Old John happened to like such miscellaneous items, so selling to him was appropriate.@@@@

For seven shillings, Shard had snagged the diaries of the deceased Circle Sorcerer; he had gotten a bargain, so before leaving, he reminded Mrs. Lemer again that having suddenly come into such a sum of money, it would be best for her family to move to a safer place:

"Many of your neighbors saw me and Lawyer Laurel coming here today. You'd better come up with a plausible reason for our visit... How about the news of your missing husband's death?"

Shard suggested, as the stolid woman didn't know how to respond.

"Anyway, take the money and move out of this place as soon as you can. Most importantly, make sure you don't let anyone know you've received this sum of money—not even the children."

Actually, Mrs. Lemer should know these basic precautions, given she had managed to survive with her two children. Shard knew he was being repetitive, but he couldn't help but feel uneasy not saying it aloud.

"Besides, you know where to find me if you need help with anything else in the future. I offer discounts to my regular clients, and recently my detective agency has expanded quite a bit... I wish you a pleasant life."

"People's fate is indeed uncertain; the ups and downs I've experienced this year, have been more complicated than the first half of my life. Hamilton Detective, sometimes I wonder how fate truly views ordinary people like us."

"Captain, are you pondering philosophy?"

Shard asked with a smile. Different from the first time he accidentally met the captain at the club, now Captain Lades had drastically changed his spirits. He had completely emerged from the nickname of "Captain Eight-Guns" and was about to face a brand new life.

"No, this should be theology."

Captain Lades shook his head:

"Detective, would you like to play Roder Card? No betting, just a couple of rounds for fun, I know you're a good Roder Card player."

"Not tonight."

Shard regretfully shook his head:

"I have to step out in a while, and I have an important commission to carry out tonight, with a client who is a very dignified and remarkable person. Captain, let's play cards together some other time."

"Alright, since it's like this, I'll take my leave. Oh, do you know about last week's incident? The police chief of Riddlevitch Field was later killed by someone who broke into his house, and although the curfew has ended, it's still best not to wander around the city at night... If your client truly has an exceptional status, then ignore my words. I've heard Miss Galina..."

He stopped talking and dared not say more, apparently having heard some rumors.

Shard saw the captain off downstairs and watched him walk away from Saint Delan Square. Leaning on the door, he thought about how all the ordinary people he had encountered thus far, who had come into contact with Relics, either had their lives significantly affected like Professor Manning and Captain Lades or faced life-threatening dangers like the little girl's family and the group that encountered the Mermaid Statue.

This world was indeed not very kind to ordinary people, especially those who were unfortunate.

"After coming to this world, it was perhaps not Dr. Schneider's luck but mine that I was able to meet him immediately."

Sighing, he adjusted his mood, closed the front door, returned to the study, and once again went through the information about the Old Gods he had found. After eleven o'clock at night, he played with Mia for a while and planned to find time to give the cat a bath.

The past was very dangerous; this time he would not take Mia with him. After the midnight chimes sounded, Shard stood at the bedroom doorway, holding a briefcase with documents, and inserted the already damaged key into the keyhole:

"May the World Tree bless me through the endless reaches of time."

Click—a sound was heard as the lock turned, and Shard opened the door. Familiar white mist floated out like wisp of cotton, and Shard reached out trying to catch it, but the mist was not a tangible substance:

"Mia, wait for me three seconds."

The cat, accustomed to Shard's periodic entries through such doors, no longer felt curious. Lying lazily on the couch, it meowed in response, resting its head on its small paws, half-closing its eyes as if napping.

However, the cat could still see Shard; it watched him step through the door and then waited obediently for his return.