Chapter 58: New Commission

The main business of the Prophet Association was Tarot cards. The association itself did not open gambling games, but would hold tournaments to promote exchanges among Tarot card enthusiasts, so there would be reception rooms that could be rented.

The two sat down on the sofa. Xia De tucked the notebook into the inner pocket of his clothes, while Mr. Lavender put down his cane and reintroduced himself. The middle-aged man with a small mustache was actually not an ordinary citizen:

"I actually have a Baron title, but you also know that in a place like Tobesk City, nobles are actually worthless. This is not the countryside, not a place where a broken noble with no property can control a town. Although this statement is a bit exaggerated, in the street, shouting 'Baron' will definitely make more than one person turn their head."

He shrugged at Xia De, and Xia De also understood Baron Lavender's meaning. After all, this was the capital of the Deraerion Kingdom; Barons, especially Barons without any property, were not rare.

"Relatively speaking, I am not very wealthy, but playing Tarot cards has also allowed me to know some extraordinary people. This commission is related to Tarot cards.

The matter is like this. This Sunday night, I was invited to attend a banquet at the Lake View Manor belonging to Earl Crown outside the city. It is that kind of ordinary outdoor banquet, where many people will go: men hunting for beauty, noble ladies greedy for pleasure, idlers with nothing to do, or guys with other purposes... My friend, Baron Lu Anda, organized a Tarot card game at the banquet, a card game with a special card as a bet."

The middle-aged man with a small mustache looked at Xia De, weighing his expression. Xia De thought for a while and asked:

"So, you want that card?"

"Tarot cards are of course important, but I want to win against that guy even more. Do you know how he mocked me after I lost the special card of the fairy tale theme deck—Match Girl—last time? So, Detective Hamilton, I plan to find a few good card players in advance before the banquet to help me defeat him at the banquet."

The man with the small mustache nodded at Xia De:

"Detective Hamilton, are you willing to accept this commission?"

"Although I really want to accept it, I really don't know how to play cards."

Xia De shook his head repeatedly. Although he wanted to make money, he would not accept a commission beyond his ability.

"No no no, Tarot cards are actually a game that tests luck very much. You can get started if you know the rules."

The Baron also shook his head:

"Sometimes luck is even more important than technique. And we generally believe that the luck of novice players is always not bad. Just like you won against me just now."

"But that was just luck, and please don't be superstitious."

Xia De emphasized. He didn't want to cause trouble for himself because of the commission. Moreover, he successfully obtained the appraisal certificate for the Founding · Silver Moon. After the final appraisal result came out, it would be equivalent to immediate wealth. Although the detective's identity must continue to be maintained, there was no need to take risky commissions anymore.

"I not only found you, but also a few other gentlemen. If you help me win the competition, 1 pound, you only need to win one round, and I can give you a reward of 1 pound; even if you lose, I can also give you 10 shillings. And the cost of traveling to and from the manor is reimbursed, and you can also play at the banquet for free. If you are lucky, you can also encounter a beautiful girl."

Baron Lavender continued to increase the chips.

Xia De hesitated. The other party didn't mind if he lost, so the commission was actually acceptable. Earning at least half a pound in one night was better than some special professions.

Of course, he actually still had questions. Xia De had self-knowledge:

"Sorry, Baron. Do you think I can help you just because I won one round against you? I mean, we are only meeting for the first time."

"Actually, the initial idea was seeing the location of your detective agency, so I judged that you definitely wouldn't be simple. Just now, I noticed that you went to the third floor with Vice President Mark. I think even if you don't understand Tarot cards, you definitely wouldn't be an ordinary detective. The third floor of the Prophet Association is not so easy to go up to."

The man with the small mustache laughed, then took out his own deck of cards:

"Since that's the case, if you still don't agree, it shows that you are a very responsible detective. How about this, it's still drawing three cards. If it's less than or equal to 21 points, you accept my commission, how about it?"

Xia De also became interested. The risk of this commission was even smaller than that of Mr. Franklin, only second to finding Little Mia, a temporary member of the family:

"Of course."

He took the Baron's deck, shuffled the cards again, and then drew the top three cards.

This time it was not a coincidence number like twenty-one, but displayed the cards in his hand on the table one by one—

Star 1, Sun 2, Moon 3.

Baron Lavender and Xia De raised their eyebrows at the same time:

"Look, detective, I said the luck of a beginner must be quite good. Before Sunday, don't touch Tarot cards again; this will consume your luck."

This kind of statement was probably some common superstition like the "Law of Conservation of Luck."

Baron Lavender grabbed Xia De's hand:

"Detective, you must help me. Damn Lu Anda, this time, I will definitely win."

Strictly speaking, this should be considered the second commission Xia De had taken (Note). To be more formal, he asked for paper and pen, wrote a commission contract by hand, and after both sides checked it, signed it and kept one copy each.

Xia De thought that the rigorous habit of the previous Sparrow detective was very good, so he planned to continue using the account book, notebook, and file folder, and record any formal commission.

This was also convenient for paying taxes.

The invitation to the Lake View Manor night banquet would be mailed to No. 6 St. Deran Plaza by Baron Lavender a bit later. At the banquet, the two should not converge, but pretend to be friends who met by chance, and then go to play Tarot cards together.

Baron Lavender hoped to prove his luck to his friend Baron Lu Anda in this way.

Xia De expressed worry about Baron Lavender's idea, but what he wanted was only that half a pound, and winning or losing didn't actually matter to Xia De.

"However, I don't know if the food at the banquet can be taken away, and the clothing requirements at that time... I can ask the doctor on Saturday, he looks like a so-called upper-class person."

The luck this morning was really too good, making Xia De suspect whether he had really turned his luck around. After saying goodbye to Baron Lavender, Xia De did not go home immediately, but walked to the Old John Pawnshop where he had pawned his cane, and redeemed that expensive cane which was said to be made from the heart of a natural snow cedar from the Delado Mountains.

There was still only the shop owner in the store, and the pawnshop was a bit cool on this early summer noon, and the temperature was just right.

The shop owner, old John Jones, expressed regret at Xia De's decision and repeatedly emphasized that if Xia De was short of money, he could sell this cane to him. Compared to the pawn price, old John was willing to spend more money to acquire it completely.

"Then how much money are you willing to spend?"

Xia De did not refuse this proposal. If he wanted to use a cane, he could completely spend money to buy a cheaper one.

"Hmm... how about 7 pounds 6 shillings?"

The old man, who was still wearing a red wool vest on a summer noon, considered it and opened the price:

"This price is not low."

Fingers with age spots twisted slightly:

"Ten pounds."

Xia De immediately raised the price. The other party definitely wouldn't accept this price; he was waiting for the other party to bargain. According to the current purchasing power of the currency, ten pounds was even enough to dig up Detective Sparrow Hamilton and bury him magnificently; such a price was definitely not appropriate.

"Deal."

Old John agreed immediately. ===== CHAPTER 59 =====