Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 157 Grand Witch

last sunday night, a week ago, shard won the roder card duel around the same time with a splendid hand of cards. today, one week later, he added the [genesis: silver moon] to his deck and won an even more spectacular victory without even dragging the game into the third round.

last week's event was due to luck generated from a dice counter-script, while this week's success was probably due to the luck brought by [genesis: silver moon].

"genesis: silver moon!"

the crowd first murmured softly, then exploded into an astonishing roar, as if a steam bomb had detonated right there. people helped the smiling viscount ford to his feet, while many others pushed forward, ensuring their eyes hadn't deceived them.

amidst the successive waves of voices, vice-president mark loudly ordered people to step back. and duke lucas, sitting opposite shard with his hands pressed on the table and leaning forward, had an expression of surprise that was as if he had just discovered shard was disguised as miss galina.

vice-president mark, who had seen plenty of "big scenes," immediately announced that shard had won the first two rounds of the duel, thus winning the entire match.

it was not until then that shard's opponent, the old duke dressed in a red, old-fashioned army uniform, asked the young detective incredulously:

"the real thing?"

he still seemed unconvinced.

"yes, miss galina has seen it."

"for sale?"

before shard could shake his head, the black-haired maid behind him finally spoke. her voice was incredibly clear, just loud enough for everyone to hear:

"hamilton detective is a friend of miss galina, and that roder card is co-owned by miss galina and the detective."

of course, the card belonged entirely to shard; this was simply said to protect shard.

"i see, if it's galina's..."

the duke shook his head, somewhat regretfully gazing at the [genesis: silver moon] on the table, unwilling to avert his eyes for a long time. in contrast, losing the duel seemed to be the least of his concerns:

"what a pity."

he shook his head again, then stood up silently. he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something to the detective who was organizing his deck but ended up only offering congratulations:

"losing to [genesis: silver moon], i have no complaints, it truly was a fantastic game of cards, i haven't been this excited in a long time. hamilton detective, come with me."nôv(el)b\\jnn

their meetings seemed to always happen this way, and shard was used to it.

"detective, good evening, you did very well."

the high ring female sorcerer was in a very good mood:

"even better than i expected, inviting you to the card game was indeed the right choice."

"it's your good luck."

shard cautiously said, the decoration style inside the study was exceptionally solemn, and he could almost imagine duke lucas, on numerous nights, discussing politics and military affairs with guests who hurried over under the cover of night.

"it's also thanks to that genesis: silver moon card."

he added.

the conversation seemed to freeze for a second, and shard heard the sound of a teacup being placed down, followed by miss galina whispering in awe:

"it seems you've discovered the secret of the genesis card series."

"no, i just know that the impermanence card can bring good fortune."

shard said, and miss galina was not stingy with these secrets:

"the secret of the impermanence card is known only in part even by the witch council to which i belong. you possess it because it chose you. shard hamilton, you are really quite exceptional."

galina cavendish was effectively acknowledging that she, the king's aunt, was indeed a member of the witch council.

"i know what you're thinking, and yes, i am one of the thirteen grand witches of the council's round table, but don't worry. although some madmen from the council are wanted by the true god church, i haven't been listed on their bounty order. detective, would you like to know my circle sorcerer level?"

the woman's words held a hint of humor, and shard gauged her demeanor:

"of course."

"eleven rings."

the reply was concise and direct, and shard found himself not at all surprised; if anything, he felt the level was somewhat low.