The woman's voice turned serious for the first time when he asked about that Rhodes Card.
"Of course. It has already been appraised by the local Seer Association. On Friday, which is tomorrow, people from the headquarters will arrive in Tobesk by Steam Locomotive to conduct the final round of appraisal."
The woman behind the door said nothing more. The Black-Haired Maid appeared again, then left the room.
What followed was an hour-long silence. The fat maid brought Shade more black tea and pastries, making him regret eating such a filling breakfast.
Only the intermittent sound of pages turning came from behind the bookshelf door. The conversation did not continue until the Black-Haired Maid hurried back.
"I never expected Origin · Silver Moon to appear here after a century. But this is good too."
There was a hint of amusement in the woman's voice. Shade noticed that the temperature in the study had become even more pleasant, and guessed that she was definitely more than a ten-ring arcanist.
"Would you like to buy it? I can sell it to you more cheaply."
He was already imagining himself buying all of Saint Derain Square with Little Mia, then living a prosperous life off the rent for the rest of his days. Still, deep down, he did want to keep the card.
"Of course not, Detective. I may be wealthy, but I am not so extravagant as to spend that much on a Rhodes Card. If this card were actually traded, the sum involved would be considerable even to me. I told you just now that I do not like Rhodes Cards. I merely wish to win an important match. So why would I not simply hire the card's owner? That would be far better than buying the card outright."
The maid