We took a carriage from the Prophets Association and headed to Dawn Square in the snow. Even in the snowy weather, there were still people coming and going in Dawn Square. The heavy snow overnight had covered the ground, and the young priests of the church were joining the believers who volunteered to help.
The snow was being removed at the door, so there were two large snowdrifts more than one meter high on the left and right sides under the church's grand steps.
The children who came to the church with their parents, wearing hats and scarves, happily grabbed the snow and threw it at each other beside the snowdrift. Shade got off the carriage and saw that little Mia was very interested in the snowdrift.
So he gently placed the cat on the snowdrift.
Of course, since it was unclear whether the cat would "sink" into the snowdrift, Shade didn't let go completely.
When the curious cat's little paws completely touched the cold snow, it immediately meowed for Shade to pick it up. It wasn't that the cat was frightened, it just felt that its paws were cold.
"Sir, what kind of cat is your cat?"
Shade smiled and put little Mia on his shoulders. Among the children playing in the snow, a bold boy came over and asked politely. Looking at their attire, it was clear that they all came from relatively wealthy middle-class families. Children of poor believers would not waste their days making money.
time.
"It's a Tobesk native cat."
"Can you let him play with us for a while? Oh, sir, we promise not to let him get lost."
"That's not okay. This cat is very timid."
Shade immediately shook his head. Although the children were disappointed, they soon started playing around the snowdrift again. Shade also grabbed a handful of snow and clenched his palms to feel the cold temperature.
【Are you recalling your childhood?】
"She" asked softly in Shade's ear, softer than the sound of snowflakes falling to the ground.
"of course not."
Feeling that his hands were cold enough, Shade shook off the snow and water, and then pressed his cold hands on Mia's body:
"Meow~"
Amidst "her" laughter, little Mia's claws almost destroyed Shade's coat.
On the surface, this compensation negotiation is between the Prophets Association and Shade, but in fact, the Prophets Association is negotiating with Shade on behalf of the church.
The reason why the negotiation venue was chosen as the Dawn Church was ostensibly to prevent the Prophet Association from "using its power to suppress others." Therefore, the Dawn Church took the initiative to take over this matter. This can be regarded as the church's special care for its core believers. But in fact, it is
In order to prevent the leakage of the [Wise Man's Pyroxene], the church's protective measures are much stronger than those of the Prophet's Association.
The meeting was held in an office on the east side of the church. President Stan of the Tobesk branch of the Prophets Association attended with his secretary and vice-president Mr. Judit, while the Dawn Church was represented by Father Andrei.
It is worth mentioning that Father Andre is a nine-ring warlock. Unlike the field team, this sturdy old man wearing a white robe is only responsible for the security of the church and generally does not move around the city.
It is very simple to compensate Sha De for the mental loss caused by the "gas leak". Sha De never thought of "blackmailing" the Prophet Association, so the two parties only discussed it for more than ten minutes and came up with a one-time payment from the Association.
Give Shade 60 pounds in cash in exchange for Shade's promise not to talk about this matter under any circumstances.
Of course, the compensation issue is only a reason for Shade to participate in the negotiation, and is not the key point. Otherwise, the church and association would not have sent high-level warlocks to participate.
After the compensation package was agreed upon, the real topic was officially introduced.
"That's right, Mr. Hamilton, we heard that you have a blue teardrop-shaped crystal in your hand?"
Mr. Judith, the vice-president of the Prophet Association, asked while putting away his pen after Shade signed the document. This somewhat Mediterranean bald vice-president and Shade's friend is just an ordinary person's Mark.
The vice president is different, he is a three-ring warlock.
"Oh? How do you know? Miss Carina just gave it to me last night."
Shade pretended to be surprised and asked. Mr. Judit nodded cautiously and glanced at President Stan and Father Andre. On the surface, the priest appeared for Shade's benefit. In fact, everyone here
They were all acting together, in order for "ordinary person" Shad Hamilton to voluntarily give up [Wise Man's Pyroxene].
"We knew before that the gem was in the possession of Duchess Carina, but she refused to sell it to us."
Mr. Judit showed an embarrassed smile:
"When the Duke was in the city this morning, he told the Countess of Orleans that the gem was given to you, and we learned about the news. In fact, the gem is a somewhat special mineral, which is dangerous in itself.
It needs to be stored in a special lead box. This gemstone has some origins with us. It is a relic left by a president around 400 years ago. It can play a great role in ancient ore divination.
It also has a very important commemorative significance for the association.
With all due respect, do you have any intention of selling it to us?"
Miss Carina told Shade the above words last night, so before this negotiation started, everyone here actually knew these lines.
Shade rolled up the two copies of the contract and put it in his pocket, touched his cat, and said with some embarrassment:
"Mr. Judit, I have always had a good impression of the Prophet Association. Vice President Mark even teased me by going to the Association eight times a week. Since this is an important item that the Association has lost, I also intend to return it.
To you, but”
Mr. Judit nodded with understanding and continued:
"Then please make an offer."
Shade shook his head:
"But it really makes me embarrassed. I want to help the association, but after all, it was a gift given to me by Duchess Carina Cavendish. I can't sell it easily. This is a disservice to the Duke."
respect."
Although Shade wanted to put forward his conditions immediately, he still wanted to maintain his character setting of "Miss Carina's lover" after all.
"I'm not short of money. Even if I am short of money, I can't do this kind of thing. The knight sells the gift given by the lady in exchange for money. Oh, what kind of person can do this? Sorry, this is a matter of reputation."
Shade emphasized, carefully observing Mr. Judith's expression. The latter glanced at the old priest sitting next to Shade, and then looked at President Stan.
The best fortune teller in the Tobesk region coughed:
"Mr. Hamilton, you are right. I understand your thoughts and appreciate your virtue.
Why don't you tell me a number and I have a bearer's draft that can be cashed at King's Bank of Delrayon two streets away. And we can sponsor you to go to Lago, where the General Assembly is located, next summer.
We are going on a summer trip to Laien City, the capital of the Principality of Sen. We will pay for the two of us, and you can invite a female companion to go with you. I heard from Anat that you have always been interested in the scenery of the southern country."
Shade showed an excited expression, and shook his head quickly amidst the laughter in his ears:
"No, no, I'm serious. This is a gift from Miss Carina. I can't sell it."
His expression was serious. President Stan nodded slightly. After a simple test, he decided to throw out the real weight:
"Mr. Hamilton, I remember you said some time ago that you wanted to buy the association's two founding series of Rhodes cards."
Shade was still controlling his expression at first, but when he heard this, he finally couldn't help but look up with an expression of surprise.
The thirteen [Impermanent Cards] do not have any extraordinary abilities, and will make people assume that they are ordinary items. For the Prophet Association, [Origination·Knowledge] and [Origination·Destiny] are indeed very precious symbols of the association.
and souvenirs, but they are not completely untradeable.
It is not the Prophet Association that wants to get the [Wise Man's Pyroxene] in Sha De's hands, but the Church of the Five Gods. The church just asks the Prophet Association to buy it from Sha De, and the church will naturally compensate for the purchase price. In addition, Yin Luna is under Miss Green's control.
As mentioned before, Shade's desire for the [Origin] series of divination cards is why President Stan proposed this condition at this time.
"You want to exchange two cards for this gem? Is it so valuable?"
Shade pretended to be stunned and asked. President Stan immediately shook his head:
"No, no, it's just a card. You can choose one of the two founding cards collected by the association."
"In exchange for this teardrop-shaped crystal?"
President Stan shook his head regretfully again:
"It is not an exchange. Pick a founding card. This card belongs to you before you die. But you cannot use it as a bet, collateral or trade it to others in other ways. After you die, we will
Repurchase this card from your heirs. You must promise that we are the only ones who can reclaim this card."
This is equivalent to the permanent ownership of [Wise Man's Pyroxene] in exchange for "ordinary person" Shad Hamilton holding a certain Rhodes card in his life.
President Stan looked at Shade seriously:
"Mr. Hamilton, although this means you can't keep that card as a family heirloom, you are still a legend among Rhodes players. Silver Moon, Balance, Darkness, Death, and the fifth card coming soon, since the release of Rhodes
Since then, you are the first legendary player to hold five Founding Series cards at the same time."
Shade made an expression of careful consideration, and after a long time he nodded slightly:
"The gold pound is indeed not important, but the 'legendary player' is indeed important."
Father Andre, who had been silent all this time, also smiled and suggested:
"Mr. Hamilton, although this is a deal between you and the Prophet Association, since it is discussed in the church, it is better for me to make a contract for you. I will permanently transfer the blue teardrop crystal in exchange for the Rhodes card before death.
Ownership. In addition, I think the Prophet Association can give you some other compensation. People know that the prophets are quite wealthy."
It seems that it is helping Sha De to obtain other bargaining chips, but in fact it is a tacit agreement that Sha De has agreed to the transaction. This not only gives Sha De a push, but also gives Sha De a step up, so that Sha De can say that it was not him who took the initiative.