Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 575 - The Finals

Chapter 575: Chapter 575: The Finals Chapter 575: Chapter 575: The Finals Because on Wednesday evening, Saint Byrons’s Astronomy College was set to announce this year’s event program to all students participating in the autumn Astrology event, Luviya couldn’t accompany Shard to the “Big City Player” finale on Wednesday night.

However, she did some Divination for Shard and believed that the likelihood of Shard losing the championship was even lower than Bimia suddenly turning into a human tonight.

“What kind of metaphor is that?”

Shard, touching the soft cat, curiously asked as the purple-eyed girl laughed and shook her head, probably teasing Shard.

It wasn’t just Luviya who was busy tonight; Dorothy also had no free time. After some thought, Shard sent a letter to Miss Galina, thinking that perhaps the Witch was interested.

But Wednesday afternoon, when Shard was picking out clothes for the evening’s card game in front of the wardrobe, it wasn’t Miss Galina who knocked on the front door downstairs, but Tifa.

She had changed out of her usual black and white Maid dress into a red dress, not quite the same as the one she wore last time as the Detective’s Assistant. Not everyone could pull off such a brightly colored gown, but the black-haired girl happened to be just the type who could.

The finale of the Big City Player was held on Wednesday evening, and after determining the final winner, the Prophet’s Society would hold a banquet within the society to celebrate the end of the competition. Because they were attending the banquet, formal attire was naturally required. Miss Galina had asked Tifa to come to Saint Delan Square at noon to help Shard tidy up his clothes.

The Duchess seemed quite certain that Shard had no intention of preparing his own attire.

Sorting out attire and talking about the fun in the Big City Player, the afternoon quickly passed by. But just before the two were about to leave for the Prophet’s Society located just one street away, an unexpected guest knocked on the front door downstairs.

It was Shard’s boss, Director Anlos.

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“Oh, Miss Servit, you look very beautiful.”

After climbing the stairs, this plain-looking Agent leader first complimented Tifa’s outfit, then hastily pulled Shard into the study to talk business.

“Shard, surveillance on Cameron Seville is coming to its end. If the intelligence is not wrong, I am certain that the person meeting with him will appear tonight.”

Director Anlos stood by the window in the study, peering out at Saint Delan Square against the wall as if he was peeking, the evening sun shining on his face, lighting one side and leaving the other in shadow.

Shard sat at the desk, glancing at the three novels on the table that could serve as codebooks:

“It seems that tonight is critical for catching the other side.”

“Yes, my people cannot enter the finale venue. But no worries, I’ve already gotten the list of invitees, and MI6 agents will also be monitoring from the corner of Silver Cross Avenue, keeping tabs on suspicious individuals entering the Prophet’s Society tonight. Shard, as for what happens inside the finale venue…”

“Leave it to me.”

Shard confidently said, hearing Mia scratching at the door, then being picked up by Miss Maid, the cat probably thinking Shard was sneaking some treat in the study:

“I can assure you, as long as my eyes are open, no one will be able to secretly meet with Mr. Vigil Cameron. Tonight, I will be keeping a close eye on him.”

Director Anlos showed a smile:

“That’s good, don’t be too tense; just do what you have to do. Tonight is indeed important. The information we’ve received even says that the person who will meet with Cameron during the Big City Player is the legendary Agent codenamed ‘Grey Eagle’.”

Shard looked up at Director Anlos by the window, his face half in light and half in shadow, while Shard at the desk was completely in the shadows of the setting sun:

“I’ve heard… that’s a very formidable person.”

“Yes, even as our adversary, I must admit they are formidable. Skilled in disguise, skilled in hiding. Sometimes I even wonder if Grey Eagle is not one person but a group.”

The middle-aged man picked up his hat from the windowsill, ready to leave:

“The opponent is definitely well-hidden, and I think tonight there’s probably no chance of seeing him, but even the smallest clue would be a victory for us.”

Then he looked at Shard once more, nodding at him:

“Though there might be no chance of seeing Grey Eagle, my carriage will be at your doorstep at ten o’clock tonight, waiting for your message. I wish you luck with the card game, and have fun tonight.”

The head of MI6 left the home of Grey Eagle. Tifa was very curious after Shard had seen off Director Anlos, about that odd expression on his face:

“Shall we head out too?”

He didn’t explain, but instead adjusted his mood and said to Miss Maid. She hesitated, moved closer to Shard, and kissed him on the face:

“A kiss for luck.”

The black-haired girl said with a smile.

The Prophet’s Society today still maintained a festive look, adorned with bright decorations, and as night fell, the entire society was illuminated by the bright yellow gas lamps.

Even when Shard and Tifa arrived side by side at the Society’s entrance, laid with a red carpet, they saw a glass sign taller than Shard erected beside the main entrance. The glass sign was shaped like the abbreviated letters of “Prophet’s Society,” with sections of gas lamps lit inside.

A true display of extravagance, even though recent years had seen continuous improvements and perfection in glass-making techniques, this grade and level of detail in gas lamps were still not cheap.

Vice President Mark had already arranged for people at the Society’s entrance to wait for Shard, and as soon as he arrived, he was immediately led to the third floor.

Before the final game began, Vice President Mark informed Shard about the post-game award ceremony process. It wasn’t that the Society was convinced Shard would win, Mr. Cameron on the other side would receive similar information, to avoid any mishap during the awarding process.

“Shard, are you confident?”

Vice President Mark asked Shard in his office, as Tifa had already gone to the auditorium located on the third floor, where both the game and banquet were to take place tonight.

“Of course, I am confident,”

Shard Hamilton adjusted his tie, standing by the window looking out to Silver Cross Avenue:

“I must win.”

His tone was very determined.

“For that beautiful companion of yours?”

Mr. Mark joked, but Shard shook his head.

He was, of course, doing it for the Gold Pounds he had bet, so they wouldn’t go to waste.

At five minutes to six in the evening, seeing that it was about time, Mr. Mark set off, leading Shard toward the competition venue.

No sooner had they begun descending the stairs than they heard the noisy sounds coming from the direction of the auditorium. Walking along the red carpet toward the already open doors of the auditorium, they could hear President Stan explaining the final rules.

Another Vice President of the association, at this time, was leading Mr. Vigil Cameron from the other side of the corridor. Shard gave the foreign middle-aged man a slight nod in greeting, while the other man looked intently at Shard, still not giving up the idea of wanting to have a talk with him.

“Now, please welcome the final card players to the stage! Mr. Vigil Cameron and… Shard Hamilton!”

Amid applause and cheers, Shard and Mr. Cameron, each from their respective sides of the gate, walked along the red carpet into the auditorium. Inside the door, the two long-awaiting ladies took their positions after them, following the men towards the square card table in the center of the auditorium, covered with a green tablecloth.

Moving from the somewhat dim corridor to the brightly lit association auditorium, Shard squinted slightly. He saw the polished floor, the splendid crystal chandeliers, the gas lamps in the style of the Ouroboros on the walls, saw the long tables filled with food in the auditorium, and the guests in formal attire whose faces were even more excited than the card players.

“The 1853 Big City Player finals…”

The click-clack of flashbulbs disrupted Shard’s thoughts. Even as an Outlander who prided himself on having seen many grand occasions, he couldn’t help feeling a bit excited and nervous at this moment.

He and Mr. Cameron, who seemed on the verge of speaking, walked up to the card table. It was a hardwood rectangular four-legged table, its legs intricately made to resemble coiling, entwining serpents.

The local association’s President Stan and Vice President Rick from the headquarters stood by the table:

“Please shake hands.”

Shard turned and shook hands with Mr. Cameron. But as they shook hands, he felt the other man had hidden a piece of paper in the palm of his hand.

His arm movement paused, but this time he chose to accept the note. Mr. Cameron nodded slightly to Shard, looking a bit nervous.

After their hands parted, Vice President Rick announced:

“Please present your decks for inspection.”

Accordingly, Shard and Mr. Cameron handed their respective decks to the Prophets’ Society’s appraisers beside them for final verification.

“Please display your personal items, any items not displayed before the start of the game are not allowed on the card table.”

Shard took the very well-behaved Mia from his shoulder, the house keys, and wallet from his pocket, and placed them on the table. As for that pile of nifty toys, they were now being kept with Tifa.

Mr. Cameron too knew the rule to check personal items beforehand, so he didn’t carry much either. Matches, cigarette case, two commemorative coins, wallet, keys.

When both men raised their arms, allowing the white-gloved staff to perform the final checks, Shard’s eyes caught a glimpse of the two commemorative coins.

[Outlander, you have encountered Whisper.]

“What?”

His eyes widened slightly.

[The smaller Silver Coin is a Relic, but the Trait has not been triggered.]

“A Special Coin? I’m having such luck tonight?”

Shard maintained a calm demeanor as he sat down in the east-facing seat at the card table after the inspection. Tifa stood behind him, hesitant for a moment; Miss Maid bent over slightly, whispering into his ear:

“There’s no need to be nervous, you are sure to win.”

She was encouraging Shard.

Shard turned and looked back, their faces very close:

“I’m actually not nervous at all.”

Turning his head again, he placed one hand on the table, beneath which lay the note that had just been passed to him. His other hand’s fingers kept bending and straightening as if warming up his palm. He squinted slightly and looked across the table at Mr. Vigil Cameron, the obviously distracted middle-aged man, and managed a weak smile.

“I’m just wondering, whether I should finally make the active decision to approach.”

The light from the crystal chandeliers made Mr. Cameron’s greased hair shine. Shard rubbed his neck, turning his head, then, smiling, said to the dealer beside him:

“Deal the cards.”