"Civilization?"
Shade pondered the meaning of the word as Old John said with a smile:
"Yes, it is very close to your answer. Every item here bears the marks of society and civilization, the traces of people from different classes. Every old object has experienced different stories at the side of different people. To me, that makes them the finest merchandise."
"Then you are proficient in Brass-Colored Enlightenment Elements?"
Shade asked with slight surprise.
According to what he knew about Ring Arcanists, although Enlightenment Elements originated from civilization, people preferred to acquire Enlightenment through books. For example, Miss Louisa's Ring Arcanist system leaned toward fairy tales, using a classic ancient fairy tale to link the first four rings and construct the Words of Sublimation. Its structure was clear and simple.
On the other hand, Ring Arcanists who approached Enlightenment Elements purely from the perspective of civilization itself were exceedingly rare.
That required immense talent, wisdom, perseverance, and a touch of unfathomable luck. It was not something ordinary people could accomplish. But generally speaking, Ring Arcanists who used civilization itself to enlighten themselves were also remarkably powerful, possessing countless unique Thaumaturgies that were difficult to imagine.
"Yes, Detective. For an old man like me, this sort of life is the finest. I can indulge my hobbies while continuously advancing along the path of a Ring Arcanist. What could be better?"
The old man spoke with contentment, then looked Shade over before he could ask anything further.
"By the way, Detective, have you heard about Lake View Manor?"
It seemed that all the Ring Arcanists in the city enjoyed discussing this matter.
"Of course I heard. I was even at Lake View Manor that day, playing Rhodes Cards with others."
There was no need to hide that.
"You were there too?"
Old