Chapter 642: Killing Three Birds With One Stone
*A knight who knows Dragonese and even used it in the critical stage of
his growth... It's no wonder that the Psychology Alchemists wish to
obtain the notebook he left behind...* Audrey was enlightened as
she stopped her wandering thoughts. She happily and seriously discussed
the problem that stemmed from such grammatical habits with Michele
Deuth.
Soon, they concluded the discussion over the notebook as Michele began
introducing the other items.
Time passed as the tour slowly came to an end. Audrey had planned on
raising her request of purchasing the notebook to their next meeting in
order to make her goal less obvious. However, in a friendly atmosphere
and with the naturalness of their conversation, she sharply sensed that
it was an opportunity. Hence, with the powers of Lie, she made her
cheeks blush red.
"Mr. Deuth, that helmet from the Sauron royalty that originates from the
White Rose War is a keepsake of my ancestors. Pardon my presumptuous,
but can I buy it from you? Also, the notebook of the Twenty Year War.
I'm very impressed by the knight that stood firm for Sonia Island and
also wish to have it.
"I know it's not a polite request, but I wish that you can understand
how I feel. Of course, you have the right to decline."
Her eyes moved as she obviously darted them around, partially deliberate
and truthful to express her lack of confidence and embarrassment.
Michele subconsciously moved his gaze away as he said with a hoarse and
slow voice, "I'm a collector. I won't sell my collection."
*His tone and the words he used aren't firm enough... In the intel I
previously gathered, he's a gentleman who values his reputation greatly.
Using cash to purchase his collection is probably unacceptable... The
reason why the Psychology Alchemists didn't get someone else to complete
the mission is firstly because I have a way of earning contribution
points, and secondly, it probably took the Associate Professor's
attitude towards such matters in mind... I have to change my
approach.* Before the visit, Audrey had already carefully
decided of different tests according to the intel she received. After
some thought, she changed topics.
"Mr. Deuth, I heard that you're requesting Stoen University to build an
ancient relic research center?"
"Yes, that has been my goal for the past few years," Michele looked at
Audrey and answered frankly.
Audrey smiled faintly and said, "I'm very interested in the research in
this area. I also feel a deep respect for you and hope to see your wish
fulfilled.
"Well, I'm planning on donating 1,000 pounds, a nearby piece of land
spanning 2,000 ares[Author's Note: One are is 100 square meters. In the late Victorian era, land in the suburbs was approximately 100-130 pounds per acre. Converting to ares, it's about 2 pounds and 10 shillings to 3 pounds and 5 shillings per are. Well, that's excluding London. Of course, this might not be too accurate. I did an inference from the overall cost of the land purchase and building a house and subtracted the cost of building a house from the information from that era.], and a manor with rather good returns to the faculty
you are from at Stoen University. I hope to have a non-profit basic
relic search and preservation foundation set up. I know it's not a lot,
but I will drum up support from the ladies and gentlemen I know in order
to get them to make a certain amount of contributions.
"Mr. Deuth, I think you're the most professional relic collector and
researcher I know. I'm wondering if you're willing to be the
person-in-charge of this non-profit foundation?"
*2,000 ares of land near the university. That's worth about 6,000
pounds. Together with the manor and the cash, Miss Audrey would be
donating nearly 10,000 pounds... With such a non-profit relic search and
preservation foundation, the difficulties I would encounter to get my
research grants approved would be drastically lowered...*
Michele paused for a few seconds before revealing a sincere smile. He
bowed solemnly and said, "My honorable lady, the importance you place on
academia has left me touched. Its glow is enough to match your beauty
and upbringing. I believe I have no reason to reject your invitation.
"I've already recorded the contents of the notebook. I will send it and
the helmet to your residence tonight. Treat it as a gift from a sincere
friend."
Success! Audrey was delighted as she wished to praise herself.
However, she appeared reserved and indifferent. She didn't do anything
that was improper.
"It's my honor," she said earnestly.
Although the two items were definitely not worth 10,000 pounds, it
wouldn't result in any loss on her part.
In her plans, this suggestion contained three important goals which
yielded three returns!
The first goal was naturally to obtain the item and complete the
mission. She would then successfully obtain the Hypnotist potion formula
from the Psychology Alchemists.
The second goal was to enhance her prestige, standing, and image via
donating to academic research and the preservation of ancient relics.
This was something most nobles and tycoons needed to do. Even if the
donation wasn't today, Audrey would have to donate 3,000 pounds or more
to the various charitable organizations. Therefore, she believed that
her father, Earl Hall, wouldn't stop her from doing this with a few of
her properties.
The third goal was that by having a foundation that focused on the
search and preservation of ancient relics, it made it easier for her to
come into contact with historical records or mysterious items of value.
Audrey didn't need to personally do anything. All she needed to do was
sit at home to receive items that might be beneficial to her. It was
equivalent to using 10,000 pounds to produce even more money to
establish her own "faction."
Of course, if Michele Deuth hadn't accepted this exchange, then she had
other plans. The kingdom's Higher Education Commission had someone from
the Hall family, as well as noble friends she knew. As long as the
Associate Professor had anything he needed, she was certain that she had
the means to satisfy him.
However, Audrey didn't like such methods. She had a nagging feeling that
it was shady and would harm the public interest.
After discussing the matter, Audrey stayed for a little longer and
chatted idly for about fifteen minutes. It made the wrapping up process
not as sharp and abrupt.
Following that, she first left Michele's house and rode her carriage
back to the Hall family's villa in Stoen City.
Past eight in the evening, she received the Sauron royalty's helmet and
the notebook from the Twenty Year War.
Audrey wore a pair of white-silk gloves and sat before her desk with
piqued interest. She placed the helmet to the side as she began flipping
through the content in the notebook.
She discovered that the records were sparse. The early records indicated
how the knight who was stationed in the ancient elven island had learned
how to brew Sonia blood wine, how he chased after women, how he spent
the boring days. In the later records, it entered the period of the
Twenty Year War. It mainly included his cursing of the people of Feysac,
his grumbling about his companions, and the consideration towards his
plans to stand fast. It also included the end of how the Sonia Island
was first lost.
*Apart from the grammatical habits being similar to Dragonese, there
aren't any serious problems. Nor can I find any hidden clues...*
Audrey frowned as she closed the notebook.
She had used methods derived from mysticism to do her checks, but they
were to no avail.
This made her unwilling to waste time as she planned to turn it in to
the Psychology Alchemists.
As her thoughts raced, she suddenly had a new idea.
*Mr. World and Mr. Hanged Man will often consider problems from
different angles to provide suggestions. Should I learn from
them?*
*Well... Viewing it from a different point of view, if the content of
the notebook isn't problematic, would the physical item actually be what
the Psychology Alchemists are after?*
*What's so special about it? I didn't discover anything... It belongs to
a knight who's accustomed to using Dragonese. That knight must've
experienced something... Divination! Yes, divination! Perhaps I can find
the knight's final location using divination with the help of the
notebook. And this might be related to a dragon!*
*Since it's a dragon, there's a high chance that it's a mind dragon, a
representative of the Spectator pathway. Clues involving it would indeed
be something the Psychology Alchemists will pay close attention
to...*
Audrey, that's some nice thinking!
Audrey's eyes turned crystal clear as it seemed to hide a clear
resplendence.
She couldn't help but turn her head and looked at the golden retriever
sitting by the side.
Susie glanced at her owner and barked.
"Audrey, do you want me to praise you?"
"No, there's no need..." Audrey turned her head back, feeling a little
embarrassed.
Then, she discovered an important question. She wasn't able to divine
things herself, or it could be said that the revelation that she
received from divination would be highly inaccurate!
*There's no way to confirm it... No, I can seek Mr. Fool's help! A
secret deed ritual? It can only be performed on my body and not towards
an external object... Artificial sleepwalking? It's similar to secret
deed rituals, so it wouldn't do as well... Sacrifice it to Mr. Fool and
get "Him" to do the divination before bestowing it back to me? No, that
won't work. It will appear rather disrespectful. "He" isn't my father or
teacher, but a real god. Using such a method is way too casual and
somewhat sacrilegious...* Audrey's thoughts slowly went from Mr.
Fool to divination.
Although she was rather incapable of divination, she had a certain level
of understanding in the corresponding knowledge. She soon locked onto a
particular method of divination.
It was to seek the help of a third party's strength---an unknown or
mysterious existence---via a certain ritual. The most classic example of
such a method was magic mirror divination!
*Yes... It's indeed very dangerous, but the danger stems from the
possibility that the target is filled with malice or one that can cause
a person to break down immediately. But I don't have such worries. I can
seek Mr. Fool's help!* Audrey blinked and held down her
agitation as she said to the golden retriever, "Susie, guard the door
outside. I will use a mysticism method to study this notebook."
"Didn't you use them before?" Susie asked, puzzled.
She's getting harder to fool... Audrey's eyes darted around as
she said confidently, "I plan on using magic mirror divination.
"Don't worry. I'll make the plea to a safe existence."
"Alright." Susie determined that Audrey was speaking the truth.
She took a few steps before turning around to exhort her.
"Audrey, you need to be careful about being possessed by a mysterious
existence."
"I know," Audrey replied without feeling worried at all.
From her point of view, if Mr. Fool really wanted to do something to
her, he had countless opportunities in the past. There was no reason for
him to wait until this day.
After Susie opened and closed the door by herself and went out, Audrey
sat in front of her desk and recited the honorific name of The Fool to
request the use of magic mirror divination.
After a while, Klein, who was on the Future, went to the bathroom and
headed above the gray fog. There, he heard Miss Justice's prayer.
*That can be done? That's right. As a mysterious and unknown existence,
I can be the third force in a magic mirror divination...* Klein
allowed it while feeling amused.
Audrey immediately picked up the notebook, sat in front of the dresser,
and lit a candle while facing the mirror.