Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

In this city known as the Northern Pearl, perpetually shrouded in fog, numerous newspapers are published. The university district where we currently are not only gathers most of Tobesk City's higher education institutions but also a cluster of newspaper and publishing houses, so the journey here is actually not long.

The Roder Card given by Professor Manning had not been sold yet; thus, although Shard had found the detective's wallet, his options were still quite limited.

Subscribing to national newspapers like the "Tobesk City Morning Post," "Terael River Gazette," and "Kingdom Morning Post," like Detective Sparrow does, was certainly out of question for him.

Nevertheless, he took his business card to the newspaper offices to inquire and was frightened by the quote given by the accountant, which completely discouraged him.

"These are all nationally best-selling newspapers, and my business is only limited to Tobesk, so there's no need to advertise in such places."

He comforted himself with this thought and then felt that his reasoning was very sound, convincing himself.

In Tobesk local newspapers with reasonable circulation like "Threepenny Gazette" or "Draleon Business Daily," it was possible to secure a small square spot in the obituary section or between the seams of the paper to advertise amongst content like inventors seeking investment, factories hiring, or lost and found notices.

The newspaper offices were bustling, so when Shard visited them, his arrival did not attract much attention. Editors and reporters were constantly coming and going, and within the mere twenty minutes Shard spent in the smoky editorial department of the "Draleon Business Daily" on the second floor, three people burst in, waving their arms and yelling, "Big news!"

There was a new development in the local child abduction case, a royal family member unexpectedly showed up at an auction, someone died mysteriously in the streets of the northern district of Tobesk... Soon after, a group of people rushed out following the bearer of news, as this bustling Steam City never lacked fresh events.

Advertising in such newspapers was also not cheap and was charged per appearance. Considering the limited capacity of his office and his inability to host many clients, Shard only purchased an advertisement for this coming Sunday and the following Sunday, wanting to first observe the effects.

As for tabloids that published scandalous news, like "Weaving Daily" or "Tobesk City People's Newspaper," the advertising rates were lower. However, Shard was worried that advertising too frequently in such newspapers would typecast him as a specialist in affairs and mistress investigations, just like Sparrow Hamilton.

But he didn't have many options and could only pray that other commissions would come his way because of these tabloid advertisements.

The good news was, when Shard, with his business card, reached the office of the "Steam Bird Daily" on Saint George Street in Tobesk University District, which ranked fourth in the city's circulation, the middle-aged man in black formal attire who received Shard in the office looked at the business card placed on the impressive solid wood desk, put down his fountain pen, clasped his hands together, and inquired with curiosity from behind the desk:

"Sir, may I ask who gave you this card?"

"Miss Dorothy Luisa. A while ago, she came to me for some material for a new detective story she was writing. Later, when she heard I was looking to advertise in newspapers, she recommended me this place,"

Shard stated, half truthfully, as he had similar "legitimate" experiences with others in his team.

"Luisa, huh... No problem with the advertisement. At the bottom edge of the second page, next to the date, I can reserve a space for about thirty words for you. If you want a long-term advertisement, it can be cheaper... How about ten shillings a month? You can pay at the beginning of each month here or remit through the post office."

"Ten shillings?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Shard was startled, doubting if he had misheard or if the gentleman behind the desk had misspoken.

He had visited many places today and knew that for a large circulation newspaper like "Steam Bird Daily," which was published four times a week, even the last page slim ad space costing ten shillings was very cheap.

And for the advertising section at the bottom of the second page, ten shillings a month was virtually the same as giving it away for free.

"Miss Luisa referred you with her business card, so of course it can be a bit cheaper,"

explained the middle-aged man with a shrug.

"Does Miss Luisa supply articles for you?"

Shard knew the female writer also worked part-time as a journalist.

"She supplies articles, but more importantly... her father, Professor Scaven Luisa, is a shareholder of the newspaper. Most of the editors now are his former students. I too audited his classes during my student years. Since it was she who introduced you, it's only right that we give you a little discount,"

explained the middle-aged man, who also asked if Shard needed any tea.

"This..."

From how the female writer spoke, it was clear she came from a middle or even upper-class background, but Shard had not expected Miss Luisa's family to be so influential. Yesterday at Professor Manning's, he knew the professor was acquainted with Miss Luisa's father, but he had not imagined it to be to this extent.

"Is this really okay?"

Shard asked somewhat sheepishly.

"What's wrong with that? It's not like we're not charging you. Oh, sir, you are quite amusing. Are you worried that we might run at a loss?"

The middle-aged man said with a laugh, and Shard also laughed, shaking his head. As if fearing the other party might change their mind, he slapped ten shillings down on the table.

He planned to make sure to properly thank Miss Luisa next time. With the manuscript of "The Little Match Girl" and the advertisements, Shard found himself owing two favors.

Since he had to set aside 20 pounds for next month and the 10 pounds he owed Mia, Shard's available funds were not very substantial. The discounted advertisement in the "Steam Bird Daily" significantly reduced his projected expenses, giving the still-not-wealthy outlander a lot of hope for the future.

"Indeed, everything will turn out alright."

Having dealt with the advertisement issue, when he returned to Saint Delan Square at noon, he unexpectedly found a letter on the doormat. It turned out to be a reply from "that lady," asking Shard to meet her at the club in the evening.

"That lady" had helped a group of five escape from the incident at Lakeside Manor, and it certainly wasn't for free.

"But a magician of her level surely wouldn't need the power of a First Ring Sorcerer. Could it really be that, as a noble, she has tasks she prefers not to do herself?"

He certainly didn't believe nobles were law-abiding as described in books.

The letter he had asked the priest to pass on last time must have been written in haste at Lakeside Manor, hence the ordinary quality of the paper. This time "that lady" had used specialized high-quality stationery, though not edged in gold, but the whole sheet had a special fragrance. Mia was sensitive to this kind of scent, probably finding it pungent, but Shard rather liked it.

Of course, he wasn't about to start smelling the letter paper like some kind of weirdo.