Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

After the meeting concluded, everyone left, allowing Dr. Schneider to rest in bed—though he was rather reluctant to do so.

Shard gave the Female Diviner a meaningful glance, indicating his desire for a private conversation. Despite not understanding the doctor's complex hand gestures at Lakeside Manor, Miss Annette easily deciphered Shard's intended meaning this time.

Thus, Shard took a stroll near Rontgen Avenue. After standing on the street corner for a while, he saw a carriage pull up beside him, with Miss Annette beckoning him from the window to come aboard.

"Detective, what brings you here?"

Since both of their destinations were the city center, Shard boarded the carriage and it set off once again.

"This shouldn't count as taking advantage... Perhaps I should give Miss Annette half the carriage fare later?"

He thought to himself as he settled into his seat.

"I wanted your help with a Divination, to inquire about Detective Sparrow. Oh, that's the former Hamilton Detective."

Shard explained in detail his suspicions about Detective Sparrow and stressed that they were currently just that—suspicions:

"It's roughly like this, I suspect that Mr. Sparrow Hamilton is actually a senior spy from Carsonrick. Although he's dead, and it's highly unlikely that his identity would affect me, I'm still a bit uneasy, so I wanted your help to divine Mr. Sparrow's true identity."

The girl with the purple eyes listened patiently and her brow furrowed when she heard the word 'spy':

"While ordinary people have no access to Circle Sorcerers, departments like the Kingdom's Intelligence Department – for instance, Draleon's MI6 or the Grey Gloves of Carsonrick – would employ Circle Sorcerers to perform Anti-Divination, but they're typically not very powerful, since Diviners are quite rare."

Miss Annette spoke with some pride, then extended her hand to Shard:

"I can give it a try. Do you have a personal item of the detective's? No need for the body, just something he used frequently would suffice."

"I have something."

Shard took out the former detective's notebook, which contained daily entries of dubious authenticity, making it the most appropriate personal item.

"One moment, please."

Miss Annette undid the top button of her white blouse from under her coat and handed her butterfly-shaped hair ornament to Shard to hold for her. Once he touched it, a whisper at his ear immediately reminded him that it was a Relic.

"The Whisper Element of a Relic can influence the outcome of Divination, so it's generally advisable not to carry any Relics during the process," said the Diviner. She stretched her arms behind her head, quickly tidied her brown hair, and tied it with a bracelet adorned with small purple crystals.

She pushed her sleeves up slightly, exposing a part of her fair arms, and then placed the notebook on her lap, hidden by her skirt.

"Will it be troublesome?"

Shard inquired curiously.

"It's quite simple, just an ordinary person and a general inquiry into his past, so there's no need for tools like a Crystal Ball. Sparrow Hamilton was just an ordinary person, not someone outside of Fate like you. I am quite confident in divining such people."

With that, she closed her eyes solemnly, placing her hands together on the notebook. At one moment, Shard could clearly see her sitting before him, but then felt as if Miss Annette wasn't there at all. This illusion was followed not by any sound or light effects, but an indescribable change in the atmosphere around the Diviner Miss—it became more profound, mysterious, and composed.

She opened her eyes, and Shard glimpsed a flash of purple light in her eyes.

"Ordinary Diviners shouldn't have glowing eyes, should they?"

He thought in amazement but didn't ask further questions.

The Diviner said hesitantly,

"There is indeed a problem. First and for sure, this is a common person. His hometown is in the United Kingdom of Carsonrick. For the observation of a blurred past, most parts can be seen through the mist. However, for the years following his conscription into the military, no details can be seen.

It's a crude yet effective anti-divination technique, very much in the style of the Circle Sorcerers hired by the Grey Gloves."

MI6 is Draleon Kingdom's most mysterious intelligence department, but at the same time an organization well-known by ordinary folks in the streets and alleys.

The name 'Six' is quite similar to an institution in Shard's hometown, and their functions are comparable too—they are directly responsible to Cavendish Royalty of Draleon, in charge of infiltrating intelligence into Carsonrick and screening domestic spy organizations.

The similar intelligence agency of the United Kingdom of Carsonrick is called the "Grey Gloves," equally mysterious to the public, yet almost anyone who reads the newspapers has heard of them once or twice.

"What are the odds that Sparrow is a spy?"

Shard returned Miss Annette's butterfly hair accessory to her.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Over eighty percent. I've encountered similar situations before. Combined with your speculation, we can nearly confirm he is a spy."

Shard took a deep breath, the secret he had been holding onto was finally becoming clear.

Fortunately, Detective Sparrow had ample time before his death to deal with his affairs, presumably eliminating all threats related to his own identity, only needing to make one final contact with his handler.

Therefore, Shard needn't worry about the implications of an international spy's identity on himself. As long as he burned that letter in September, the secret would have nothing to do with him anymore.

"So he was a spy; that's how he could happen to buy a house in Saint Delan Square, which also explains everything. Detective, although we are Circle Sorcerers, we shouldn't underestimate an ordinary person with a gun. High Ring Sorcerers aren't afraid of bullets, but you definitely should be.

So, regarding Sparrow Hamilton's matters, you can continue to investigate; you might find something interesting, but make sure not to get too deeply involved in political issues..."

Miss Annette clicked her tongue,

"It's quite troublesome."

"I understand. I just want to know who he really was. After all, to me, he was also a benefactor."

Shard said, a mixture of melancholy and relief in his voice,

"Thank you for your help this time."

"It's no big deal. I can't divinate your matters, at least not without paying a price. Only a High Ring Sorcerer can see the fate of someone like you. But if it's just an ordinary person, it's a small matter. Speaking of which, are you heading home or do you want to check out the Black Raven Library first?"

Shard looked out the carriage window, noting the daylight still bright:

"Take me home first. I need to change my clothes and get a mask. As for the carriage fare..."

"Don't be so formal."

Miss Annette waved her hand, looking out together with Shard. Nearby, a road was under construction with carriages queuing to pass through the narrow work area. This seemed to be Tobesk Municipal Department's routine summer inspection and maintenance of the underground steam pipes.

The afternoon sun shone through the haze onto the face of the girl with violet eyes, who rested her cheek on her hand, tilting her head as she watched the busy street the carriages traversed:

"Compared to what we need to do, these are trivial matters."

After getting home and greeting the cat that seemed to have just finished a nap, he changed into very common clothes and found a mask to carry with him. There was no need for Shard to go out and buy disguise items because Detective Sparrow had kept a variety for such purposes in the second-floor room due to work.

The main entrance to the Black Raven Library was on the street-facing avenue. Ordinary guests would, of course, enter through the main entrance, but the address Miss Annette provided was for a side entrance.

The intersecting alleys near the side door had multiple exits. After arriving, Shard took a couple of laps to familiarize himself with the local layout. Only then did he duck into an alley, donned the mask, wore his coat inside out, put on a vest, and headed for the library's side door.