Chapter 1251: Chapter 1251: Identity Investigation and Blood Test
"Shard, you can continue discussing this issue with Princess Margaret, and you might even mention that you’ve heard some insider details from Miss Galina, that’s all fine. Of course, if possible, ask her the specific date of the shipyard opening, I don’t think it will be delayed until spring."
Director Anlos said, because a new round of negotiations about the trade route surrounding the Pantanal Swamp and the boundary lines has been scheduled for April.
Shard nodded, then pretended to ask curiously:
"I heard Princess Margaret say that the Stonemason Guild has been causing trouble. Are any of our people involved in this?"
"Just fanning the flames."
Director Anlos spoke lightly, as if discussing a mischievous child knocking on a neighbor’s glass:
"We’ve provided them with some weapons or means of publicity, but we’re not directly involved, just kindly offering some assistance. Speaking of which, there’s an item of news you might not know, William Anjou was assassinated by someone claiming to be from the Stonemason Guild..."
Shard was indeed aware of this; it happened last Wednesday when he was at Mr. Granger’s party. Of course, what impressed him most at the time was how quickly the royal guards acted, not giving the assassin a chance to fire a second shot.
"It has nothing to do with us, the act was too foolish. But now, the emotions of the Stonemason Guild have clearly been pushed to the brink. I bet other organizations are also involved in this incident, we just don’t know who. Shard, the waters of Randall Valley City run deep. If the princess needs help, we can offer some assistance, as she is a rare Anjou descendent who has established a good relationship with us."
He instructed Shard, who nodded slightly. As for further information about the Stonemason Guild and the incident from twenty years ago, Director Anlos granted Shard permission to access the documents, allowing Shard to investigate on his own.
Today is not only Saturday but also February 1st of the Common Era Calendar of 1854, marking the first day of the Sparse Star Month. Every February is the time of year when stars are hardest to observe in the night sky, hence the name.
And since it’s the beginning of a new month, Shard spent the morning taking Mia around town to handle life’s mundane tasks. It’s noteworthy that the gas company sent Shard a letter a few days ago, informing him that starting in April, the gas fees in the Saint Delan Square District would be adjusted. Originally, tiered pricing based on usage, now they have subtly adjusted the rates for the second and third tiers.
For this, Shard specifically calculated whether his monthly expenses would decrease or increase; living alone is not easy, especially since Shard is reluctant to hire an accountant, as Lecia suggested.
Regarding the afternoon meeting at the doctor’s office, although Luviya still couldn’t attend, the doctor entrusted Shard to orally convey the meeting content to the diviner on a business trip in Randall Valley:
"The Academy’s new round of identity investigation for correspondence students has been scheduled. Because Sir Plisha from Xerxes Higher Medical Academy is Carsonrickian, this time we’re starting from the south."
He presented the Academy’s documents to the other three:
"It’s Tobesk Region’s turn, probably by March. Although there’s still some time, we need to be prepared. This time the investigation focuses on the social relations students had before joining the Academy; besides inquiries from professors, the Astronomy College has sent diviners to assist with the investigation."
The doctor looked at Shard, Priest Augustus, and Dorothy meaningfully, the last actually being Lecia, as today was the mandatory swapping day:
"We have all of February to prepare, don’t wait until finding any issues then. This is not a routine check, so previous experiences are not really useful. I must emphasize, for the next month, try not to contact people whose identities might lead to misunderstandings. Of course, if there are any difficulties, you can talk to me. I am the group leader, and as the student with the longest identity held... I am quite experienced in dealing with such investigations."
Priest Augustus and Lecia both nodded thoughtfully, while Shard stroked the cat and curiously asked:
"Since it’s an investigation of experiences before becoming Circle Sorcerers, is it possible to apply for a more detailed investigation? Ideally, tracing back eighteen generations of ancestry."
Seeing the doctor giving him a peculiar look, Shard explained further:
"Doctor, you know me, I have no memory of my life before becoming a Circle Sorcerer, so I’ve always been interested in my past. If I could learn more through this investigation, that would be wonderful. I want to walk in my hometown, even if the former family is gone, at least the land retains memories."
"Aren’t you familiar with the Academy’s librarian?"
The doctor suggested:
"Miss Danester, she should be quite willing to help you."
Shard nodded but actually had more things in mind.
In the five-person group, Dorothy is the only one suspected of being an academic spy. Therefore, after today’s meeting, Shard discussed this matter with Lecia, but Her Highness the Princess didn’t care at all.
On the contrary, she was more curious about how Shard and Luviya spent last night. So during dinner together, Shard recounted the story from yesterday. He even mentioned gifting unicorn hair to Luviya, to which Lecia simply sighed with a look of concern.
When mentioning the farewell to Miss Elf, Lecia curiously asked:
"So, did you really..."
"Of course not, we returned to the Abundant Land Inn."
"And then, did you leave only this morning?"
Shard hesitantly nodded while poking his fork into duck meat, the golden-haired girl gave a teasing smile:
"Watch your plate; your cat is about to stretch her paw into it."
She first reminded him, then said:
"Although I don’t receive very precious gifts, tonight I want Luviya’s treatment, which shouldn’t be too much to ask, right? Of course, we have to go through the lesson first—fairy tale ’Grey’s Crystal Shoes.’
Shard felt something brushing against his leg under the table. He then looked at Lecia, Her Highness the Princess’s white lips slightly curved, causing Dorothy’s face to form a very cute arc.
"But..."
He glanced around to make sure the table next to them was still empty, and spoke softly:
"Last night Luviya asked me to use... [Binding Light], to tie her hands behind her back..."
Even Her Highness the Princess, always bold, blushed at this comment:
"Your ’Book of Pink,’ really should include things like this."
Despite saying that, she didn’t object to Shard doing so during the passionate night that followed until the two of them and the cat left the restaurant.
(Mia running...)
Early Sunday morning, Shard arrived at the Cassandra Auction House in Midshire Fort holding Mia. As agreed, Grace and Helen had found a relic to identify bloodlines for Shard; this answer was crucial for him.
Even though he already knew it was a statue, actually seeing it still exceeded Shard’s expectations in size.
Scribe Level (Level 4) relic [Statue of the Sorrowful Nurse], the body is a nurse statue in a hooded robe, tilted head looking at the infant in her arms, made of marble. The statue itself, plus the base, is about the size of two people. If the statue were a life-size replica, the nurse’s height would be around two and a half meters.
Three lines of Fourth Era text are engraved on the square base:
[Tribute to Nurse Joan]
[10451 - 10499]
The first two lines are very neat lettering, while the last line is a cursive rune.
[Bloodline is just the starting point of life, sorry child, it is also the endpoint of life.]
"For this relic, you only need blood, but fresh blood works more accurately."
Helen, dressed in a black skirt, calmly said from the side; Shard noticed she was wearing white long socks today. As for the sister in white dress, Grace, she rolled up Shard’s sleeve:
"Nurse Joan can identify bloodlines, but she intensely hates creatures like demons or undead. Therefore, as a negative trait, offering blood of such origins to her will cause the statue to animate and indiscriminately massacre all flesh creatures around. Thankfully, controlling such an outburst is quite easy... might hurt a bit."
She tied her handkerchief on the upper part of Shard’s arm, applied disinfecting alcohol, and pierced Shard’s right arm skin with a metal needle, extracting some blood.
The red blood looked normal; Grace took the blood, dampened her handkerchief with it, and used the blood-stained handkerchief to redden the eyes of the baby in the nurse statue’s arms.
After doing all this, the Red Butterfly Maidens and Shard retreated slightly, watching the statue "come to life," the nurse statue moving its arms to lovingly embrace the baby entirely in her arms, lowering her head and closing her eyes.
After waiting for three minutes and twenty-one seconds, the statue raised its head again, returning to its pose of tilting its head while holding the baby, which at least indicated that Shard’s body did not have demon or undead type strange bloodline.
"Let me check the result."
Grace reached into the nurse’s robe sleeve—the design was hollow—and then pulled out a smooth pebble. After burning it with her fingertip flame, a character emerged on the pebble.
"Sir, it seems there is no problem."
Shard looked over; the character on the pebble meant [Human], indicating Shard’s body does not contain bloodlines of any exotic creature.
He let out a slight sigh of relief.
[What did you think it would be?]
"She" asked with a laugh.
Shard did not answer, and once again hugged the cat that had unknowingly jumped onto the base of the nurse statue:
"Grace, come, help me draw some of its blood."
Thus, the pitiable cat also had its blood drawn with a new needle, and after Mia’s blood was offered to the nurse statue, the result showed that it was not a purebred cat.