Chapter 72: Cannot Trust Even a Punctuation Mark

"Lord Sherlock, you are saying that your friends are archaeologists and want to participate in the archaeology work?"

The Gnome shopkeeper hesitated for a while as his long green fingers tapped on the table.

"Yes, exploring the ruins carries certain risks like traps and Magical Beasts. Without experienced archaeologists, it's easy to have accidents. To gain access to the ruins requires professionals."

The Gnome nodded and said, "Unfortunately, this matter was already taken up by the Merchant Alliance."

"I understand, I have seen it on the small pamphlet. The Merchant Alliance is wary against superior Devils. If I recommend someone, the Merchant Alliance will most likely decline them. Why don't you handle the recommendation? As a Magical Item expert, a Merchant Alliance member, and even the discoverer of the Ancient Ruins Key, if you strongly recommend someone, they will agree."

Sherlock shrugged his shoulders and noticed the Gnome's awkward expression. He immediately said, "I know it's not easy for you to trust a Devil's recommendation. I won't make things difficult for you. I'll discuss your benefits. One, FeelAtHome Magical Item Shop will be Eternal Kingdom's collaborative merchant, and you will have priority in our collaboration. Two, I'm willing to share half of my loot in the exploration of the Ancient Ruins."

The Gnome stood up in astonishment. He pushed his monocle violently and then took it out impatiently. He looked in disbelief at Sherlock.

"Lord Sherlock? You've said that you're willing to share the loot from the exploration of the Ancient Ruins with me?"

"Correct, after the opening of the Ancient Ruins, I'm willing to share the loot with you. You may also explore the Ancient Ruins with me to ensure a fair and just distribution of the loot.

Sherlock patted his knees and casually said, "We can sign a contract. As long as you are willing to recommend that archaeologist."

The Gnome made gurgling sounds and paced worriedly before asking, "Does the archaeologist have a certificate?"

"Quality tertiary certification."

"Does the creature have archaeology experience?"

"Several Ancient Ruins archaeology experiences, guaranteed rich experiences."

The Gnome was deep in thought. Then he sat down and grabbed his forehead as he asked, "But why? Lord Sherlock, I don't understand why you are paying such a high price to recommend an archaeologist? Though you are willing to sign a contract to assure me, I still don't understand."

Sherlock spread out his hands and said, "Shopkeeper, I'm not in need of money, but I'm afraid of trouble. When I obtained the Ancient Ruins Key, I could have located the ruins by myself. However, because it's troublesome, I sold it. Don't be mistaken. I'm not in need of money, but I'm wary of trouble."

"As such, I'm a little interested but not into it. Actually... I'm interested in a female Devil. Though she's not a superior Devil, she's very bad. Smoking, drinking, tattoos, hair perming, abortion. Apologies, you might not be able to understand. Anyway, she's bad to the core. I feel I have to seize the opportunity and not let her slip by.

"This kind of girl is hard to woo. Coincidentally, she has just graduated from Archaeology College. I hope to attract her attention. If I give up half of the Ancient Ruins loot for an opportunity for her to owe me a favor, I think it's worth it.

"I know what you want to ask. Don't ask as I'm too smitten and rich."

Sherlock was rather convincing with his low-profile but classy appearance, his superior Devil and Dungeon Lord status, and his nonchalance when he sold the Ancient Ruins Key.

The Gnome shopkeeper believed him.

As long as the contract was signed, it didn't matter if Sherlock was lying, he would have half the loot!

Reneging on a contract had serious consequences.

The Gnome lifted up his head and said confidently, "Great! Deal. You have to sign the magical contract now and ensure that the recommended archaeologist is certified and highly professional. The most important thing is your promise."

"Don't worry, once the Ancient Ruins is opened, I'll share half of the loot with you, and it will be written in the contract."

Sherlock stood up and took out a contract document with the detailed terms written out.

The contract was obviously prepared beforehand.

The Gnome was stunned by the prepared contract. He examined it carefully and gave a weird laugh. He signed the contract and handed it back to Sherlock.

"Lord Sherlock, if there was no magical contract, I wouldn't dare make a deal with you. How did you figure out what terms I would be asking for in advance?"

"I only have an hour to be out. There's a large group of Goblins waiting for me to take care of them at home."

Sherlock casually signed his name and extended the hand that was holding the contract.

"Time is money." The Gnome shook hands with Sherlock, and the magical seal appeared on their hands before vanishing.

"Lord Sherlock, happy collaborating."

...

The Winterfell Sun simulator continued to give out heat. Even the crowd in front of the FeelAtHome Magical Items Shop were feeling hot and frustrated.

Perhaps the frustration was caused by their failure to clinch the Ancient Ruins exploration rights.

When the shop opened its door, Sherlock walked out gracefully with his cane.

He stood on the high platform and surveyed the crowd before walking off.

Rowdiness erupted from the crowd again.

"Lord Sherlock, I have an important question." Bru's voice appeared in Sherlock's mind.

"Say it."

"Your decision was like driving a Go-Kart and negotiating a bend using the drains. Are you sure it won't flip?" Bru asked bewildered.

"I don't understand most of what you've said. You seem to doubt my decision. Do you think that I made a loss?"

Sherlock stood by the roadside and removed his white gloves. He released two buttons and removed his waistcoat.

He was a perfect gentleman previously, and now he looked like a rebellious rich kid.

"Lord Sherlock, what I'm going to say may not be appropriate. This Ancient Ruins opportunity could be our only chance to have an Open Beta. I'm saying it could be the best chance to level up the Dungeon Core." Bru's voice sounded lost.

"Who is the archaeologist who made you give up half of the Ancient Ruins loot? If that creature was your female schoolmate, or your childhood sweetheart, as your servant, I have to give you a suggestion."

"What suggestion?"

Sherlock put his white gloves into his pocket and flagged a Hades carriage. He said to the coachman, "Winterfell Old District No. 777 Black Shop Hotel, please."

With the crack of a whip, the carriage took off.

"Lord Sherlock, please have a clear mind. I know that times are now different. While I was asleep for 10,000 years, the superior Devils started to obey the laws and even became poor. This kind of dog licking behavior has to stop, otherwise, your future will be ruined! Are you meeting that female Devil at the hotel?"

Bru was agitated, and he said, "Even if you don't intend to adventure and find exploring the ruins troublesome, you could sell your exploration rights. There are many creatures fighting to buy exploration rights, and you could earn a few million Magic Stones. This is an Ancient Ruins! The Gnome only needed to recommend a female Devil and could obtain half the loot?"

"Your 'dog licking' description is filled with grievance." Sherlock was sitting in the swaying carriage as he said, "I can guess where you're coming from after listening to your gripes. Do you believe that I would share half my loot for a female Devil? Why do you have the wrong belief that I would be chummy with a female Devil?"

"What about the contract you signed just now..." Bru stopped talking as he pondered. He muttered, "Lord Sherlock, are you..."

"That's right, I'm forging a tertiary certificate in Archaeology." Sherlock nodded his head.

"But Sherlock, you've signed the magical contract. Even if you're a superior Devil, you can't renege on the contract? If you forge a tertiary certificate, you will have reneged on the contract!" Bru quickly reminded Sherlock.

"Renege on the magical contract? No, no, no, why would I? I'm a superior Devil with 90 years of compulsory education. Why do you think that my certificate is not substantial?" Sherlock smiled.

"Wait, Lord Sherlock, you... intend to disguise as the archaeologist? But why?" Bru went into deep thought and said, "I understand! Lord Sherlock, you... you are cunning."

Bru asked in a teasing voice, "Lord Sherlock, you told the shopkeeper that the archaeologist is a female Devil! But you're a male, Lord Sherlock?"

Sherlock said with an emotionless face, "Did the contract mention it's a female? No. Don't you know that with a Devil's words, even a punctuation mark isn't trustworthy if they aren't included in the contract? A trustworthy Devil like me would follow the contract to the dot!"

"I see, I see. I was worried just now, but it was unnecessary. Lord Sherlock, how did you know that the shopkeeper would be tempted? He possesses the Ancient Ruins Key and will have exploration rights. He could have explored the Ancient Ruins on his own."

"Do you think that a Gnome shopkeeper, a merchant under the Merchant Alliance, would become the sole owner of the key and the exploration rights?" Sherlock asked.

"At most, he would obtain the price of the key, some Magic Stones as a reward, and benefits from the system like reduced taxes. The Merchant Alliance is not a charity organization. He can't make decisions, so he can't and won't decline my proposal."

"Are you a Devil?"

"Yes, a superior Devil."

Half of Sherlock's face was in the shadows, and he smiled sinisterly.

"We've arrived, Devil Lord. Two Magic Stones," the Orc coachman turned his head and said as the Hades carriage came to a stop.

"That expensive? A price increase? Did you go on a detour?"

...

"Pa!"

The Hades carriage behind Sherlock left. Directly in front of him was the Black Shop Hotel, where he met Professor Bacon the first time.

The entrance was as quiet as the first time he came. The magical light from the signboard was a warm crimson color.

Sherlock adjusted his collar and placed his hands in his pockets as he walked to the hotel.

Sherlock stopped by the side of a stone wall where a green female Orc was leaning.

The female Orc noticed Sherlock and squinted her eyes. She shifted her heels and pushed her barrel hips, walking over alluringly.

She winked flirtatiously at Sherlock.

"Handsome guy, making your documents?"