After leaving the King's study, Shard did not immediately depart from Yordle Palace. Instead, he waited in the lounge until Director Anlos had finished his audience, and then the two of them had lunch at a club in the city.
Mr. Anlos, the MI6 director, acted with great caution. In the dim lights of this club, which on the surface appeared to be a laundromat, he emphasized the importance of this mission to Shard. The club's restaurant, consisting of widely spaced booths, was one of MI6's hidden spots in the city—a setting and atmosphere that perfectly matched the common citizens' imagination of a secret agent organization.
In fact, Shard's task was not that demanding. All he needed to do was monitor the Carsonrick's Princess at social events, observing as much as possible if she interacted with any special individuals. Generally speaking, the key was to present himself as a young gentleman attempting to establish friendly relations with a foreign princess.
Shard did not comment on the nature of the task, but he was curious about how Miss Galina viewed this mission. Director Anlos, who was also aligned with Miss Galina's camp, provided the answer in the club:
"The Duke also supports your execution of this mission. If you can achieve something, a little maneuvering by next spring could at least change your status within MI6, even if turning from Knight to Baron remains a challenge."
Interacting with Margaret Anjou was already part of Shard's plan. After all, he needed a suitable reason to get close to Mr. Lakin Prisia, who held the "Guiding Moon" Core Spirit Rune. Collecting the Spiritual Light of the target's Core Spirit Rune was not something that could be achieved by just shaking hands, so reaching "Guiding Moon" through the princess was the most appropriate approach.
However, since the visiting group had yet to arrive in Tobesk City, there was nothing Shard could do but wait patiently and carefully collect the reimbursement receipts. During this mission, his reimbursement limit was raised to 1000 pounds, and he could even apply for additional funding if needed.
That afternoon, after bidding farewell to Mr. Anlos, Shard lamented the end of his peaceful life. Instead of staying at home to read, he reluctantly took Mia, who did not wish to leave home, to Coldwater Port.
In the late autumn, Coldwater Port remained bustling and lively. When Shard confirmed the recovery of special coins at the Seven Brooms Tavern in the Dock Area, he heard people still chatting about the Midshire Fort incident.
A Divine Descent Event is such a significant matter that it only took a few days to spread across the material world. Three weeks later, Circle Sorcerers had another topic worthy of awe, leading them to speculate what was happening this year.
Throughout the history of the Sixth Era, it wasn't unusual for two Divine Descent Events to occur within a year, but they were usually related. Although an Old God, the Moon Goddess, appeared both in midsummer in Tobesk and late autumn in Midshire Fort, there seemed to be no direct connection between the two incidents.
Since there was a first and a second time, there could be a third. Even though only a few were aware of the Whispering Verses, Circle Sorcerers everywhere now felt the world's turmoil.
Shard might have been favored by an unknown goddess today. Not only did he get another well-paid job at noon, but his three-month-long acquisition request for special coins at the Seven Brooms Tavern in Coldwater Port had finally yielded a response.
Since Shard had paid a deposit in advance at the tavern, the burly bartender purchased the two coins directly for him. It was the Scribe Level Relic "Dandelion Coin" that Shard had seen before. Blowing gently on the coin could make it float, and using the coin could summon any type of wind possible within the local environment.
This type of coin had a pleasing light blue metallic sheen, roughly the size of a penny. Although it bore a dandelion pattern on both sides, only one side was inscribed with mysterious words, the language of the legendary elemental creatures, the Wind Spirits—
"May the wind carry all thoughts away."
The two coins cost Shard 124 pounds and 3 shillings. This Scribe Level Relic was relatively valuable because it could amplify any wind-related supernatural power. Otherwise, a typical Scribe Level Relic wouldn't be priced so high.
Last time Mia saw these coins and blew them away, she kept blowing at Shard since then. This time, Shard did not let the cat touch the coins again, but the cat still recognized this amusing toy.
In high spirits from acquiring the coins, Shard took a carriage to the old lighthouse outside the city, not expecting Mr. Edmund to also bring better news—more than one good piece of news, in fact.
"The special coin you wanted."
Just as Shard reached the sea cliff where the old lighthouse stood, Mr. Edmund, carrying a bucket and fishing rod, said from a nearby path.
Though this elderly man was officially the Tower Keeper of the old lighthouse, his daily work was quite leisurely. It seemed he spent more time as a black market dealer than maintaining the lighthouse.
"Special coin? How many?"
Shard asked with a smile, not expecting to find these coins so easily after the Chosen by Death incident. A few weeks ago, he had used up his last Blood Coin, which now seemed the right choice. Using Blood Coin to find Blood Coin would only entangle himself in the curse of the Blood Coin.
"One. Did you think specific relics were easy to find?"
Mr. Edmund said, handing the bucket to Shard and then opening the lighthouse door. A week ago, the Spiritual Practice Order had contacted this old man, and the Guiding Light Hermitage had provided valuable information to Sister Delphine and made a considerable profit, so he was now friendlier to Shard.
Holding Mia, Shard followed Mr. Edmund into the lighthouse's ground floor. The latter walked to a table, opened a drawer, and took out a small, worn, brown leather pouch tied with a hemp string, tossing it to Shard.
Opening the pouch, Shard found a sky-blue coin inside. Unlike the "Dandelion Coin," this blue color was clearly artificial:
"Poet-Level – Coin of Wisdom. Throw this coin into a glass of water and drink it to temporarily enhance your wisdom and improve certain talents. However, when the coin's effect wears off, there will be a slight decrease in intelligence, and frequent high usage can cause mental confusion. Interestingly, these coins are addictive."
The old gentleman remarked while preparing water with his back to Shard:
"Wisdom can be addictive, but who can resist the allure of extraordinary talent?"
Frequent, long-term use of the Coin of Wisdom will ultimately corrupt the user's soul, transforming it into a terrifying spiritual entity. This creature, harboring Whisper Elements and called the Wise Spirit, typically requires at least a Nine-Ring Sorcerer to combat it alone.
The coin was about the same size as the "Dandelion Coin." One side had the image of an old bearded man with the inscription—
"Blue is the color of wisdom."
And the other side had an ancient mathematical equation, "One plus one equals two," with the inscription—
"Wisdom holders do not fall into the river of desire."
Shard, holding the coin, looked at the cat in his one-handed embrace, thought for a moment, and decided not to use the coin to make Mia smarter.
She asked through the sea breeze at the tower door.
"Because this cat is already smart enough."