Chapter 2057: Chapter 2057: Spider Hostel
"I really didn’t expect to run into you again. It’s as surprising as when you suddenly appeared at the White Valley Vineyard last winter."
The Spider Hostel is very small, and the interior is quite simple. Due to poor lighting, oil lamps are lit even during the day. The wooden walls have a distinct sense of age and antiquity, and upon entering, there are four tables in a narrow space. You can go to the second floor by walking forward, and through the door to the right front, you can enter the first-floor "hall" with seven or eight tables, and the counter is also located there.
Mr. Benhart spoke as he sat down with Shard at a table by the wall inside. Shard noticed two men at a nearby table playing Roder Cards, both wearing police uniforms, which explained why no one was guarding the morgue here.
"I was also surprised. Last winter, you went to Velindale City to recuperate. I thought I would have to wait until the autumn grape harvest season to meet you again in Huntington City. Oh, I received your year-end festival card and gift, much appreciated."
"The steward also sent me your year-end festival gift, which was quite nice too."
The waiter brought their barley wine, and the long-separated friends had a lot to talk about.
"Speaking of the usual harvest, it’s going to be quite difficult this year."
When this topic came up, the viscount, who had a vineyard of his own, shook his head with some distress. Shard knew he was referring to the weather:
"That’s something unavoidable. I imagine the White Valley Vineyard is in the same situation. The other day, that highness wrote to me, telling me that this autumn I probably won’t be able to enjoy quality red wine from the White Valley Vineyard."
After the Pantanal incident, the White Valley Vineyard, with its hidden passage in the cellar, had actually fallen into Shard’s hands. But since he’s a foreigner, the nominal control was in Margaret’s hands.
Mr. Benhart smiled and said:
"You don’t have to worry about that. If that highness wanted to send you red wine, there are plenty of ways to get it to you. Besides, the wine you make yourself is better than anything else."
The two of them then raised their wooden cups and clinked them together, and Shard began to talk about his purpose:
"I’ve come here this time in search of a relic."
He gestured a "0," and Viscount Benhart showed a look of reverence:
"You’re always doing such dangerous things. Speaking of which, for the past few months, you’ve been active around the Green Lake region, haven’t you?"
Shard nodded, and the expression on the other’s face grew more reverent:
"I haven’t had such exciting and dangerous adventures. This time coming to Moon Bay, I’m probably going to stay for a month or two. I’ve been working with friends in Velindale, doing some business related to the New World, and there are some miscellaneous matters I need to handle in Moon Bay. If you need any help, just tell me. Our friendship has continued since Milestone... "
After speaking, he looked around and then lowered his voice to ask the young man across the table:
"Speaking of which, there shouldn’t be any sealed ancient evil entities, attempted descents of bygone great ones, or rebellious members of the Church’s Prophet’s Society here in Moon Bay, right?"
After asking, he looked at Shard with both concern and worry. Shard thought for a moment... Actually, he just arrived:
"No, at least I haven’t found anything for now. But I’ll probably be active locally for a while, so maybe I’ll uncover something."
Shard replied honestly. He remembered reading in Laplace Howard’s book that there seemed to be a history of Godfall in the Moon Bay region. Although he didn’t expect to gain divinity from it, it would be necessary to investigate since he was in the area:
"However, I’ve discovered traces of dragons being active in Moon Bay during the Fifth Era."
"Dragons? That’s a minor matter compared to other things."
Mr. Benhart nodded cautiously.
The two then talked about their respective interesting stories from the past half-year. Mr. Benhart already knew while in Milestone that "John Watson" was indeed "Shard Hamilton," so he didn’t forget to congratulate Shard on winning the 1853 Tobesk City Equestrian Championship.
He talked about his experiences in Velindale City during the winter and spring, trying to describe that city in detail to Shard, and thanked Princess Margaret for the conveniences she provided to his family’s business.
Shard, in turn, showed the viscount his newly acquired "Genesis: Knowledge," "Genesis: Earth," and "Genesis: Space." Along with "Genesis: Silver Moon," "Genesis: Balance," "Genesis: Darkness," and "Genesis: Death," a total of seven Genesis Series cards were taken out by Shard. The viscount respectfully put on gloves before receiving them from Shard:
"Enjoying these cards in such a shabby place is truly a crime, they’re so beautiful... The Big City Player competition is held every three years, and now it has been a year since the one in 1853. If you can gather a complete set of ’Genesis’ to participate in the 1856 competition in two years, then that tournament will surely be more exciting."
He returned the deck to Shard, resting one arm on the table, and smiled while offering new information:
"You know, the champion of the Big City Player 1850 has settled in Moon Bay City. Viscount Bell Gra, he’s quite a celebrity among the local Roder Card players. During the two weeks I’ve been here in Moon Bay City, I often hear his name mentioned while playing cards with friends at the club. He has many Special Rule Cards and welcomes others to gamble cards with him using their own Special Rule Cards, but everyone can only gamble with him once."
The Vampire Viscount used his gaze to inquire if Shard was interested in this, genuinely anticipating a clash between two Big City Player champions.
Shard thought for a moment, then smiled and asked:
"Does he have any Genesis Series cards?"
"Probably not."
"Then I’d better focus on my business first. You know, the thing I’m looking for won’t reveal itself easily."
"That’s really a pity... If you want to play cards with that Viscount, I can help introduce you. He truly has quite a few good cards."
When Mr. Ptolemy Albert arrived at the tavern to find the two of them, Shard was playing cards with Mr. Benhart using a regular deck, and the topic had already shifted to Miss Sylvia’s business.
Officially, the business belonged to Margaret’s estate, with Miss Sylvia managing it as the princess’s math teacher and personal doctor.
The new fabric had already appeared in the hands of Noble Ladies in Velindale before it went on sale, causing a craze. Calculating the time, it should be hitting the stores soon, and even the distant Moon Bay City will quickly see this product, while Tobesk City in the Northern Country would likely be later.
Regardless, in the Velindale club where Mr. Benhart saw the fabric, he believed the business would achieve great success. Although the fabric on the ladies’ legs isn’t something to be discussed loudly in public, Princess Margaret has truly struck gold this time:
"Mr. Watson, if given the chance, you must see this fabric. Neither men nor women would refuse such a beautiful and intimate product, even if you’re worldly, you couldn’t imagine how it looks on the girls’ legs. I have some magazines, you can take a look... Don’t misunderstand, they’re gifts from friends. I fold on this card. Listen to me, Princess Margaret’s gold mine could be remembered as the most significant thing of 1854."
"What gold mine? Are you talking about the one in the southeast forest of Moon Bay? Due to the discovery at Randall Valley Gold Mine, it has dropped from sixth to seventh position in Carson’s reserves."
The coroner sat beside Mr. Benhart and called for the waiter to bring him a drink. He seemed like a regular, familiar with both the innkeeper and waiter.
With Mr. Benhart’s endorsement, confirming Shard wasn’t a bad person, Mr. Albert also offered some intelligence to Shard.
The location and access method to the local black market need not be elaborated. What matters is the Diviner Shard is seeking. Although Mr. Albert had lived locally for years, he only moved to an apartment near Herring Street in the past six months. After thinking carefully, he couldn’t recall anyone meeting Shard’s requirements.
However, mentioning "Diviner," the gentleman watched his two friends play cards while providing Shard additional clues:
"There’s a very skilled Diviner in the Moon Bay area, someone who seems not to be a member of the Prophet’s Society."
He described to Shard and Mr. Benhart:
"She’s a lady of high rank. Occasionally, she sends someone to the black market to bring people with special fates to her for divination. Though it sounds odd, her divination techniques are highly advanced, a very professional diviner."
"Then how do you know she’s not a Diviner from the Prophet’s Society?"
Mr. Benhart shuffled the cards curiously and the coroner explained:
"That lady calls herself ’Lady Amethyst,’ and whenever she divines for others, she mocks the Prophet’s Society, claiming their diviners are... not very useful."
"Peers are the greatest enemies, that’s easy to comprehend. Perhaps she had conflicts with the Prophet’s Society in the past."
Shard speculated while Mr. Albert nodded. Although "coroner" isn’t a glamorous profession, Mr. Albert possessed an intriguing scholarly air:
"Most people think so. So Mr. Watson, if you can’t find the Diviner you’re looking for in the Lower District, you might try your luck with ’Lady Amethyst’ and see if she would divine for you. Even if she can’t locate the person you’re searching for, her local connections could potentially assist you."
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