novelonline Chapter 4026 The Visiting Witch
Chapter 4026 The Visiting Witch
Chapter 4026 The Visiting Witch
Old Mr. Leberi hadn't left his house this afternoon, and when he saw Shad rushing over with a briefcase, he had a vague suspicion. After Shad opened the briefcase with trembling hands and saw the three ancestral manuscripts he had so longed for, he was so excited that his face turned red.
"This...this...this really is..."
"Don't get so agitated!"
Xia Desheng was worried that the old man might faint due to high blood pressure or other problems, but fortunately the old man was still concerned about checking the specific details of these manuscripts.
He led Shad to his study, put on gloves, and took out a magnifying glass. After confirming that all three were genuine and not significantly damaged compared to when they were lost years ago, the old gentleman gave Shad a hug—a gesture not typically reserved for Carsenrick.
“Mr. Watson, I don’t know what to say. My God, I never thought I would see them return in my lifetime. Thank you, thank you so much. I really couldn’t have thought of a way to bring them back on my own!”
He also learned from the newspapers about the robbery at the auction, but he didn't ask about the specific origin of Shad's steam engine design manuscript at all. He even assured Shad that, at least before he passed away, no third person would know that the manuscript had returned to his hands.
Mr. Leber was a man of his word. Once he confirmed the return of the ancestral treasure, he immediately discussed the change of ownership of the "Blue Ink Library" with Shad, who was also willing to buy the other books in the library.
However, like White River Valley Vineyard in Huntington, Shad did not choose to own the library himself, but instead planned to put it under Vigo's name, which would avoid a lot of trouble.
The valuation of the other books in the library still needs to be done by professionals. After that, Miss Rowling will arrange for someone to liaise with Mr. Leberi, so there is no need for Shad to personally come forward.
Today is Friday, and the city hall civil servants don't work over the weekend, so the transfer of library ownership can only take place next week. Therefore, after discussing the general details of the transaction, Shad didn't stay at Mr. Leber's place for too long that afternoon.
However, he remembered that Miss Paavo had claimed the Truth Society was also interested in the original steam engine design manuscript, so before leaving she repeatedly reminded the old man not to reveal any information about the manuscript. The old man solemnly agreed, but only to prevent it from causing trouble for Shad.
Although there were some setbacks along the way, the task was completed in just over a week, and Shad was in a good mood.
"When I come to Arcadia next week, I can go straight out of the library through the main entrance. I want to put the Hamilton Detective Stories in the most prominent place in the library."
However, after leaving Mr. Leberi's house, Shad didn't immediately return to the Upper City. Instead, he went to the Gear Workshop in the Outer City and spoke with Mr. Finch about the [Church of Creation]. Mr. Finch also had his own information channels and was therefore aware of the "Construct Master's" betrayal.
"Nobody could have predicted this. The Church of Creation originally had five 13th-ring sorcerers, but now one has betrayed them, and the 'Sister of Sorrow' is seriously injured. Their combat strength has been reduced so much. They'll probably bring back one of the 'Iron Right Hand' and the 'Illusion Master' next."
Shad thought for a moment:
"But wouldn't this greatly reduce the Church of Creation's control over the Old World?"
"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, we need to know the attitudes of these two thirteen-ring members towards this matter, and they need to return to the Holy See to give their own account."
Mr. Finch saw it very clearly:
"If they can betray one Thirteen Ring, they can betray two. Even if the [Church of Creation] itself doesn't take action, other forces won't leave such a hidden danger. After all, no one can say for sure how the 'Construct Master' who is far away from the Holy See managed to connect so many people."
On the surface, only the three major academies and the other four churches are involved in this matter, but in reality, many other organizations are also involved behind the scenes. For example, the Witch Council and the Order of Light.
Ancient eschatologists actually had varying degrees of connection with the five major churches. According to Mr. Finch, the Secret Order and the "Church of Creation" were actually the closest in relationship.
“I will not get involved in this matter myself, but our chairman will come here this time to participate in some of the upcoming interrogations as a witness.”
Shad told Mr. Finch about his suspicions that the traitors were still hiding in the Arcadia region and that the AllSpark had been split. The old man didn't say anything, but after a slight sigh, he promised to inform Mr. Bernhardt of the news to prevent the vampires from running into a 13th-circle sorcerer while hunting in the sewers.
The two then exchanged some other information. Mr. Finch informed Shad that the [Holy Son Alliance] had reappeared in the area and had stolen an unknown relic in the outer city last night:
"Anyway, you should be careful. Right now, all the trouble is swirling around the 'fire seed' and the 'chosen one,' and we don't know what will happen next."
Mr. Finch then gave Shad a runestone, which glowed green to indicate that he was in the Mechanic Tower in the Upper City, in case Shad looked for him later and he wasn't in the Gear Workshop in the Outer City.
In addition, Mr. Finch has been providing logistical support for the vampires' hunts these past few days, and has also been probing the [Eye of the Vampires Club] to see what they are up to, even suspecting that they have direct connections with the traitors.
Unfortunately, there has been no progress so far. Xia De is very worried about the old man's safety, but the old man himself doesn't seem to care at all.
“I am already so old. If I can sacrifice myself for the cause of justice, my life will be quite fulfilled. I will take care of my safety, but even if I do meet with misfortune, it is not worth your tears. After all, all mortals must die.”
The current situation in Arcadia is quite interesting. Three illegal foreign organizations have gone into hiding deep within the city, and among the three largest neutral organizations in the area, the alchemists and the Eye Collectors are also suspected of having some illegitimate activities.
The largest local organization, the Church of Creation, had just experienced betrayal and division. As a result, Arcadia City, which had seemed quite safe, reliable, and orderly, had become far more dangerous than Moon Bay, a paradise for adventurers and ambitious people, just one week after the arrival of outsiders.
The stranger even wondered if he had brought the danger upon himself. But then he remembered that even without him, long-haired Luvia had experienced similar misfortunes, and he stopped overthinking it.
"I must let Luvia try out the new bed tonight. It's a new month now, and with her long hair, she should be able to give me some information."
Visiting the two elderly people took up most of the afternoon. By the time he said goodbye to Mr. Finch, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Shad thought he should go and sit with Viggo for a while longer; the fragile girl probably really wanted to see him. So he went home again and then headed to Finch's Residence.
However, upon arriving at the mansion's entrance, Xia De was surprised to find that the witch detection badge hanging on his chest was emitting an extremely strong heat.
Viggo always wears a limiter, so the badge is useless unless Shad gets close to her. This means there's a high probability that there's another witch in the mansion right now.
"Meghan, Bella, and Miss Isabella are coming to Arcadia today. Judging from the heat, there should only be one person. Who could it be?"
He hesitated for a moment, not bothering to sense anything carefully in case it was Adele. He stood at the door for a while, then finally knocked.
Is anyone up there?
After the maid opened the door, Shad asked in a low voice, and the maid hurriedly nodded:
"Yes, the master said that if you come back, please do not go upstairs for the time being, please come with me."
She led Shad to the dressing room on the first floor, the one with the indoor hot spring. Soon after, Miss Rowling arrived and apologetically informed Shad that a witch had come to visit and might stay overnight.
But she didn't say who it was, and to avoid revealing who the witch he knew was, Shad didn't ask.
"It's alright, I'll leave now. Tomorrow is Saturday, and I have some things to take care of. I'll come back on Sunday."
"No, no, I'm sorry, but I think Master would like to see you again today, since the next meeting isn't until the day after tomorrow. So, could you wait a little longer?"
She knew the request was a bit much, but aside from visiting Mr. Copps that evening, Shad had nothing else to do that day, so he nodded.
"Okay, I'll wait here."
Would you like to soak in the hot spring? I can arrange for a maid to help you.
"No need for that, I'll just sit on these benches by the hot spring and wait."
The housekeeper was still needed upstairs, so she hurriedly left again.
Xia De glanced at the sunlight streaming through the window, then sat down and took out a book to read. Vig didn't keep him waiting long; less than ten minutes after Miss Rowling left, she pushed open the door and came in.
"Sorry, cough cough."
She hugged Shad as she spoke, coughing because she had walked too fast downstairs:
"A witch has arrived, and two more will follow. They'll be staying until tomorrow afternoon. I originally thought they'd leave today."
"It's alright, it's alright. There are other witches here, so I won't worry even if I don't come on Saturday."
Shade comforted her, saying that the fact that the three great witches had come and stayed meant that the Witch Council had truly benefited from this incident, and that they hadn't simply provided information and then stayed out of the fray.
But Vige was still somewhat unhappy. She released Xia De and looked at him closely, as if trying to imprint him in her heart:
"Can you come again on Sunday? I miss you so much."
Shad smiled:
"Of course you can."
"Well, cough cough, see you on Sunday."
She gently kissed Shad on the cheek, then looked into his eyes. Just as Viggo was about to muster the courage for a true "farewell kiss"—
dong dong dong~