Sunday, the 15th day of Harvest Moon, was also the last day of the Great City Player 1853 semifinal stage. That morning, Shade went to Tobesk's University District to take part in his final multiplayer card match.
After six matches over five days, Shade secured victory with 25, 25, 19, 25, 23, and 24 copper coins respectively. Six consecutive wins left him with a total of 91 copper coins in hand. (Note)
Shade was not certain that he could rank first, but he was certain that this was enough to get him into the final.
Thus, after having his copper coins counted at the Seer Association that noon, rather than waiting at the Association with the other players for the final results to be announced, he went to Coldwater Port to check on his commission to purchase special blood.
There was no news from Mr. Edmund, but someone at the Seven Broomsticks Tavern was indeed very interested in Shade's offer and had left relevant information. Still, Shade did not believe that the blood of magical animals such as the "Silver Blood Toad" or "Three-Headed Seahorse" would meet the God of Vampires' requirements.
In the Sixth Epoch, these creatures were already quite rare, but during the Fifth Epoch, they had been common animals.
After returning to Tobesk from Coldwater Port, however, Miss Galina sent someone with a letter saying that she had found suitable blood, provided by Miss Sivie Aurora. More specifically, it had been found by the deep-sea Mermaids affiliated with the Aurora Family.
It was the blood of a creature called the "Abyss-Eyed Dragon Squid." These creatures lived in the seabed abysses at the deepest depths of the waters between the Old Continent and the New Continent. Their name alone made it clear that they possessed dragon blood. Yet