"If you no longer need that thing, sell it to me. I can offer a very high price."
Seeing that Shade was still deep in thought, Old John made the suggestion, but Shade shook his head.
"Not for now. But Old Dad John, I know this metal block contains a great deal of information that must be triggered in specific ways. Is there any way to directly learn what it hides? Or even open it directly? Yes, there are other things inside."
"How interesting. Then I'd like to see whether the alchemy master who made this item was more skilled than I am."
The old man set down the newspaper in his hands and pulled out a suitcase from beneath the counter. Inside was a collection of crystal lenses of varying sizes and thicknesses.
Using those lenses and several metal components, Old John quickly assembled a brass-colored monocle with an extendable lens. After carefully putting it over his right eye, he lowered his head to inspect the Silver Cube.
Only after a long while did he shake his head and remove the monocle.
"Interesting. More interesting than I expected. This is almost solid Mithril, and it contains dozens of different pieces of information. But as long as you can make six of them appear, it will open and reveal the thing hidden at its center. Don't try to force it open, or you'll damage the item inside."
"What's inside? A key?"
Shade raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you guess it's a key?"
Old John asked curiously. Seeing that Shade did not wish to answer, he did not press the matter.
"I only saw its approximate shape. Though it was very blurry, I can say for certain that it definitely isn't a key. At least, not a normally shaped key."
Then