Splash!
As Shade set the heavy bundle he had carried in his coat onto the table, everything wrapped inside was revealed. Gold and silver coins, rings and earrings, plates and cups, stone statues and gemstones—items of every kind gleamed with the luster of wealth beneath the warm yellow gas lamps of the resting room. For some reason, however, this priceless haul carried a strong smell of aquatic products.
It was seven o'clock on Wednesday evening, at Earl Granger's estate within the city, which Shade had visited before.
Gentle music drifted over from the banquet hall not far away, while beyond the curtained windows lay the quiet estate courtyard under the night sky.
"If I remember correctly, you said you were going to explore The Story of Randall River Valley today. This is...?"
Miss Benanis, who had claimed she would not attend the banquet, asked hesitantly. Margaret sat on the single sofa to the witch's right, curiously examining the pile.
"Look, there's even a piece of gold ore. That's quite rare, and it's a very large one. I've heard that some people specifically collect ores instead of extracting the gold from them. But does Randall River Valley have local gold mines?"
"I spent two hours at the bottom of the river this afternoon."
Shade complained softly.
"It was all to search for the rumored creatures that resemble aquatic monkeys. In the end, I didn't find any aquatic monkeys, but I found all this instead."
"The Ailong River has always been a commercial river channel. Especially in summer, ships travel back and forth constantly. It wouldn't even be surprising if you found Shipwreck Remains at the riverbed."
Benanis spoke as she sorted through the things Shade had found.
"I heard two years ago that gold mines had been discovered locally, but no