OBS Chapter 4006 Ancient Alchemy: Soul Solvent
Chapter 4006 Ancient Alchemy: Soul Solvent
Chapter 4006 Ancient Alchemy: Soul Solvent
"I feel like there are more and more strange and disgusting things happening since I came to Arcadia. I would rather deal with mechanical issues than flesh-related anomalies and organizations. Even if the smell of machine oil and rust is awful, it's still better than this stuff."
Xia De complained inwardly, while "she" chuckled softly:
There will definitely be opportunities later.
"Yes, there's definitely a chance. What if we gave this skin the spark from the source of the spark? Oh, how can I think about such things? Forget it, forget it. I've been exposed to too many strange things, and even my way of thinking is starting to become strange."
In fact, outsiders are inherently intelligent and adept at association and creation; they simply hadn't encountered such strange objects and scenes in the past.
Xia De waited another ten minutes before Wei Ge returned, but she still looked unwell, though this time it certainly wasn't due to health issues.
"I told Eve to go and rest first."
She spoke to Shad, then looked at the box with an unreadable expression:
"Mr. Watson, you should go to the auction first. I'll continue the inspection myself."
Shad was very worried:
"The auction and the manuscript aren't actually that important, so I'll keep them."
But Vige shook her head, unusually refusing Xia De:
"I want to be alone and think about my mother."
Although he had originally planned to go see Mr. Copps as soon as possible tonight to inquire about the [active metal], Shad still said:
"Alright then, I'll be back as soon as I finish the auction."
Viggo nodded, walked up to Xia De, wrapped her arms around his neck, hugged him, and rested her head on his shoulder. After a long while, she released Xia De, gently kissed his cheek, and then instructed Miss Rowling to prepare a carriage for him to attend the auction.
The auction, held under the guise of a "literary salon," took place at the Nightingale Club in the Upper East Side. This club's members were mostly well-known local scholars, inventors, and artists, making it a place with a strong academic and artistic atmosphere.
Xia De had assumed that although the "literary salon" was just a pretext, there would be some symbolic salon-related activities before the auction, but in reality, there were none.
After showing his invitation to the club manager, he was led by the tall, thin middle-aged man to a small lecture hall on the second floor. Upon entering, Xia De saw rows of chairs neatly arranged in the middle and back of the room, while at the far end of the room, around the podium, the "stolen goods" to be auctioned off were on display.
"That's blatant."
Xia De thought to himself, but still went inside.
The room wasn't large; it had mostly served as a small lecture hall in the past, and even with chairs set up, it could only accommodate about thirty people. There were still more than ten minutes before the auction began, and the guests who had already arrived were holding champagne from the table on the right side of the room, chatting quietly with familiar friends, as if they were truly attending a formal auction.
Of course, there were also many people looking at the auction items. Shad's goal this time was very clear: the original design manuscript of the Mark I steam engine. So he went straight to the high platform after entering.
【Isn't there still the Rhodes card?】
She reminded him softly.
This time, there were no mistakes; the manuscript was indeed here, carefully placed in a glass display case. The yellowed paper featured faint ink lines and letters, and a signature was visible in the lower right corner. Below the manuscript was a plaque indicating the starting bid price.
100 kronor
Given the recent wildly fluctuating exchange rate, 100 kronor is at least equivalent to 1200 gold pounds, and at higher rates, it can even be equivalent to 1400 gold pounds. This staggering price is equivalent to one to two years' salary for a top lawyer or doctor, and roughly the total value of a villa with a garden in the suburbs of Tobeskoye.
But Shad wasn't particularly surprised. The Mark I steam engine was the most classic steam engine of the early steam age, and in most people's minds, it was the greatest invention that ushered in the steam age. This manuscript is a top-tier industrial artifact and a relic of a scientific luminary; it's normal for its auction value to far exceed that of ordinary literary or art collections.
In addition, the clear signature and date in the lower right corner of the drawing would probably have a starting bid of at least 140 crowns if it weren't now considered "stolen goods".
According to Xia De's prior estimate, assuming no malicious bidders, he should be able to purchase it for under 220 crowns. The other two manuscripts requested by Mr. Leberreich were essentially valued at the same price.
The Blue Ink Library's house and land are certainly not worth that much money. If the three manuscripts were auctioned at a proper auction house, the proceeds would be more than enough for Shad to buy a decent manor locally.
The most valuable promise Mr. Leberi made was, "If you want, I can sell you the books in the library at half price." Books are extremely valuable in this era.
"Hopefully, not many people will be bidding against me."
Xia De thought to himself that although he was not short of money now, he was not the kind of person who would squander it.
This manuscript was not the most valuable item in the auction, much less the highlight. The highlight was a portrait of the last queen from the Delineal era, currently displayed in the center of the booth, with a starting bid of 500 crowns.
"This queen seems to be the source of the suspected blood disease in the Vigo family."
Xia De thought to himself, but even locally, there weren't many people who could come up with 500 crowns at once and were willing to participate in a "stolen goods auction," so the competition for this item shouldn't be particularly fierce.
The most sought-after item in the collection is neither the portrait nor the design sketch, but a membership badge issued in the early days of the Candleburg Library. This badge, naturally dating back to the Old Drinor era, can almost be considered one of the first membership certificates issued by the Candleburg Library.
Although the badge wasn't in the best condition, the starting bid was still a hefty 20 crowns. While Shad didn't speak to anyone, he guessed that almost every local attending the auction would be interested in the badge.
The Rhodes card that Shad was somewhat interested in was placed at the edge of the exhibits. Judging from its position, Shad knew it was definitely not from the "Founding" series; otherwise, it would have been perfectly qualified to be placed in the center, and this auction would have attracted more than just these people.
Shad was not disappointed:
"If it's not the Founders series, then what series could it be? Angels, demons, holy swords, dragons, or legends?"
His thoughts were on the five original series of Rhodes cards, of which Shad already possessed the Angel, Demon, and Holy Sword. At the victory banquet after the Battle of the Snow Mountain, Shad had mentioned to Flora's apprentice, Miss Bell, that he wanted to see the remaining two series, and he thought the opportunity might be today.
Unfortunately, he guessed wrong this time.
There are three Rhodes cards in the display case awaiting auction. Two of them only have special card designs and no special rules. The only card with special rules depicts a huge, narrow-necked bottle filled with fluffy material, being embraced by a person dressed in a black robe.
【Ancient Alchemy - Soul Solvent】, Moon 6 of the suit. If you draw this card and your total points are 7, and you do not have any Sun suit cards in your hand, you win immediately.
"The Ancient Alchemy series, huh? This is indeed the oldest series of Rhodes cards. The rules are simple and clear. I remember the rules of my [Ancient Alchemy: Dragon Stone] card were even simpler: if the total points drawn are greater than 26, you win immediately. These early series really dared to write special rules."
The "Dragon Stone" is one of the three precious Rhodes Cards that Shad heard about and eventually obtained during his adventure in Moon Bay.
The Ancient Alchemy series, including the Philosopher's Stone, the Serpent Potion, the Elixir of Immortality, and the Universal Solvent, among others, can fetch at least £600 at auction if they appear in modern times. This is 10 times the price of a normal special rule Rhodes card.
Because the card is currently considered stolen, despite having a certificate of authenticity, the starting bid is only 20 crowns. However, Shad believes the final price will likely be lower than a normal auction price. Even though it's stolen and can't be easily used, there are ways to launder it; it's just a slightly more complicated matter.
So, do you want to buy this card?
"She" asked softly as Shad examined the cards, and Shad did not deny having such thoughts:
"The auction order for 【Ancient Alchemy - Soul Solvent】 is earlier than the manuscript I want to buy. If I have the chance, I will try to bid. I currently have 45 special rule cards, and I only need 9 more to complete the set. The Moon 6 suit is one that I don't have yet."
Shad wasn't the only one interested in this card; Rhodes Cards was a highly refined game in upper-class society, and special rule cards held extraordinary significance for every player. Besides opening card packs and gambling with others, auctions were the most common way to obtain special cards.
As Shad paused to examine the cards, more than one person also turned their gaze toward them, including some of Shad's "acquaintances".
"Madam, I want this card!"
"Okay, okay, my darling, I'll buy it for you. This little piece of paper is nothing compared to my jewelry."
The speakers were a voluptuous, heavily made-up woman and a young man wearing stockings and reeking of perfume; these were Mrs. Connaught and her young lover, whom Shad had met at last week's charity gala.