Chapter 15: [Relic] Level |
Even from across the room, Shade could feel the danger emanating from the item in the hands of the slumbering young man. It was as if the box itself didn’t belong to this world, exuding an aura of decay capable of bringing ruin to all things. This was a Relic. Having encountered one, Shade was certain he would never mistake it for anything else in the future.
Dr. Schneider surveyed the room and continued explaining:
“A Relic can be a tangible object, but it can also be an event, or even just a piece of information—a single sentence. The classification system used by the True God Churches for Relics has been accepted and endorsed by the academies. There are five levels:
- Poet-Grade (Level 5): The information can be sung by poets but is typically dismissed as rumors or folklore. A standard reference item is the Manuscript of Poet Cohen.
- Clerk-Grade (Level 4): These require detailed documentation and containment of their information, which must be restricted to paper and not easily circulated. A standard reference is the Paper of the Unknown.
- Secret-Keeper Grade (Level 3): Information of these requires specially trained Secret-Keepers to guard it. These items must be contained and used with extreme caution under exceptional circumstances. A standard reference is the Eye of the Secret Keeper.
- Sage-Grade (Level 2): Only grand sages are privy to the information and containment status of these items. If an uncontained item of this grade is discovered, both the academies and the True God Churches are obligated to notify each other immediately. A standard reference is the Philosopher’s Stone.
- Angel-Grade (Level 1): Extremely dangerous. The descent of an Evil God and the loss of control over an Angel-Grade Relic are considered events of equivalent severity. I’m just a fifth-year correspondence student; I’ll need to reach the next year to learn about the characteristics and containment methods of these items. A standard reference is the Heart of the Fallen Angel.”
“What are standard reference items?” Shade asked.
“Standard reference items are benchmarks used for classification. If a Relic’s danger exceeds that of the reference, it is immediately elevated to the next grade.”
Shade nodded in understanding but couldn’t help wondering—if even the highest Angel-Grade had a standard reference, did that imply...
He didn’t voice his thoughts, as Dr. Schneider likely wouldn’t know either. Lowering his voice, he hesitantly asked:
“So, what are we dealing with this time?”
Dr. Schneider instructed Shade to wait by the door as he stepped through the bloodied floor into the room and retrieved the box containing the Relic. Returning to Shade, he cautioned him to focus and not be swayed by the Relic’s power before opening the box.
As the box was unsealed, a stronger wave of the metallic scent of blood assaulted their senses. Inside was a container filled with blood. Draining it, a silver pocket watch fell into Dr. Schneider’s hand.
The doctor didn’t open the watch cover. From where Shade stood, he could see the grotesque skulls etched on both sides of the watch, surrounded by unfamiliar runic characters. Yet, as expected, Shade could decipher them:
“The price of life is the secret of flesh and blood.”
At that moment, he could taste blood in his mouth, as though he had bitten into raw meat. Shade gagged, but having skipped breakfast, he had nothing to throw up. Dr. Schneider quickly stowed the watch back in the box and placed it in his briefcase.
“This is what killed Sparrow Hamilton?” Shade muttered after regaining his composure. The detective had taken him in and left him all his belongings. Shade was glad to avenge him.
“Yes, this is it. Individuals under the countdown state are aware of their remaining lifespan but cannot share this information with anyone; doing so causes instant death. Although this Relic, originating from the Fifth Epoch, is dangerous to ordinary people, Ring Warlocks have many ways to counter its effects. That’s why it’s only classified as Poet-Grade.
“The Life Countdown effect is countered by several Miracle and Enlightenment elements, so its danger is relatively low, just a regular Poet-Grade Relic. Unfortunately, Sparrow Hamilton was just an ordinary man.”
Dr. Schneider shook his head regretfully:
“I’ve been tracking this Relic for months. That’s why I could identify your situation within one night. I managed to save a few victims but couldn’t reach Detective Hamilton in time. He seemed to have passed away early the morning we met. What a pity...”
The rest was straightforward. They searched the nearby rooms, with Dr. Schneider using Ring Warlock techniques to dispel the illusions caused by the Relic. They uncovered piles of remains and identified the culprit.
When Shade declined to commit murder, Dr. Schneider dealt with Bide Morode by ending his life in the dream realm. To Shade, the process took less than a second.
After completing the task, they left. Dr. Schneider had already written an anonymous letter and, through special channels, ensured its delivery to the Tobesk City police station by noon. The True God Churches would soon intervene, as the area fell under the jurisdiction of the Church of the Sun God.
“The Sun Church moves quickly, so we need to leave swiftly,” Dr. Schneider joked as they boarded the waiting carriage. But Shade wasn’t in the mood to reply.
Back in the city, they dined at a goose restaurant in Tobesk’s eastern district—Dr. Schneider’s treat. Shade ate little, as the bloody scene from the sanatorium lingered in his mind.
They later arrived at Dr. Schneider’s psychological clinic on Lunchen Avenue in Tobesk’s affluent east district. While less bustling than St. Derain Square, the neighborhood was charming.
Dr. Schneider’s clinic, a three-story building, housed the practice on the first two floors and his residence on the third. It had a large staff, including five doctors, receptionists, cleaners, and tea servers. The clinic exuded professionalism.
Shade was invited to the second-floor consultation room, a space reserved for significant cases. It resembled a study, with deep brown bookshelves lining the curved walls, packed with leather-bound volumes. A stately desk on a red carpet showcased the owner’s wealth through its pen rack alone.
“Thoughts on today’s events?” Dr. Schneider asked casually, reclining in a leather armchair, fingers on his chin. Shade sat on a fabric sofa, one typically used by the clinic’s “patients.”
“Thank you,” Shade said sincerely.
“For helping you resolve the danger?”
“Yes.”
Despite his gratitude, Shade remained troubled. The investigation had only avenged Sparrow, confirming that the detective’s death wasn’t linked to the tasks he’d entrusted to Shade. Yet, Sparrow Hamilton’s secret identity remained unresolved. Shade suspected it wasn’t related to the supernatural, as Sparrow hadn’t foreseen his death or acted to prevent it.
There was no need to share these thoughts with Dr. Schneider. While Shade had grown to trust him during their outing, he wasn’t ready to let his guard down completely.
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