I did not have the mining rights to phonographite.

So I was able to invent the phonograph.

-Thomas Edison-

A Study on Phonographite

| Sherlock Holmes |

| Cambridge University Department of Feng Shui Geology |

| Journal of Feng Shui Geology Studies, Vol. 81, No. 12, Total Issue No. 39 |

| 1872.6 | 74 Pages | Official Kung-Fu Academic Periodical Publication |

| The Royal Kung-Fu Citation Index |

| Number of Citations: 23 |

Issuing Institution: Great Britain Feng Shui Geology Society

Research Field: Natural Kung-Fu Feng Shui Geology

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…Omitting the preceding content…

To get straight to the point, as the fellow members of the Feng Shui Geology Society know well, Phonographite is a substance with a structure similar to graphite, held together by weak Van der Waals forces.

Briefly touching on graphite, this mineral was first discovered in Great Britain in the 15th century and was used as a writing instrument from the early days of its mining.

However, British graphite veins were quickly depleted, and currently, the high-quality graphite distributed in the British Empire is sourced from Madagascar, while lower-quality graphite comes from India.

Since the invention of the pencil, graphite has always had high demand, but since the French developed a method of mixing graphite powder with clay to bake pencil leads, shortages have become less frequent.

Meanwhile, various properties of graphite, such as heat resistance and high value as a conductor in Brain Stoppers, are also known to be shared by Phonographite.

Since other society members have already published multiple studies on the similarities between the two minerals, I intend to write about Phonographite’s characteristics from a different perspective.

A soft stone that looks like black graphite turned milky white and polished smooth like marble.

How Phonographite with such an ordinary appearance forms underground remains a mystery.

So far, Phonographite veins have only been found in a few Mediterranean coastal countries such as the Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of Greece, and some territories of the Ottoman Empire bordering the Red Sea.

According to the dominant hypothesis in the Feng Shui Geology community, Phonographite is created by the influence of abundant natural energy circulating in certain regions affecting the earth veins.

I have heard that in some regions where remnants of indigenous beliefs remain, Phonographite is also called Echostone, which stands for echoing stone.

I temporarily set aside the Feng Shui geological perspective and conducted a two-week field investigation into the origin of this name from a cultural anthropology viewpoint.

Based on contexts from ancient murals and records, it seems the name Echostone was inspired by the Greek mythological nymph named Echo, the origin of the word echo.

In mythology, Echo is a talkative mountain nymph who helped Zeus and was consequently cursed by his wife, the goddess Hera.

Echo, who could only repeat others’ words, loved the tragic handsome man Narcissus, known as the embodiment of self-love, but after being rejected, she hid deep in the forest.

The nymph began a form of penance in a cave, but her body and mind collapsed from heartbreak, and her bones and remains later weathered into stone.

Followers of local indigenous faiths claim that this stone is the very first Echostone, that is, Phonographite, to have appeared in the world.

Though I deny the occult, I recorded this because I found the attempt to explain why many Phonographite veins are found in Greece from the perspective of indigenous faiths interesting.

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…abridged…

Certainly, Phonographite shares countless properties with graphite, but it is impossible to acquire both minerals at the same price.

Phonographite is a name combining the Greek words ‘Phono’ (sound) and ‘Graphein’ (to write), and as the name suggests, it has the unique property of storing sound inside the ore.

Though Phonographite looks unremarkable on the surface, it is treated as a precious object for this reason, and the Zion Clan’s existence has greatly influenced its price surge since a certain period.

It is speculated that the Zion Clan began placing Phonographite statues recording hymn chants in monasteries, cathedrals, and churches to restore authority lost due to Martin Luther’s Reformation.

However, some experts point out that the amount of Phonographite the Vatican, the Zion Clan’s headquarters, purchases is dozens of times more than that used in the singing statues placed around.

Opinions remain divided on where the Zion Clan uses the leftover Phonographite after making statues—

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…abridged…

The oldest record of humanity discovering and using Phonographite’s power (regardless of factual verification) is presumed to be Exodus 31:18 and Deuteronomy 5:22 in the Old Testament.

I conducted Feng Shui geological surveys at two candidate sites of Mount Sinai, the holy place in Christianity and Islam, where Hebrew slaves led by Moses, the Hebrew-born Egyptian prince known for parting the Red Sea with powerful Kung-Fu, received the Ten Commandments.

As a result, I discovered small Phonographite veins underground in all three mountains: Jabal Musa of the Sinai Peninsula, Jabal Lawz, and Jabal Maqla in Midian.

I believe this discovery may one day be cited as evidence supporting the possibility that the tradition of the escaped Hebrew leader inscribing God’s commandments on Phonographite tablets at Mount Sinai is not mere fantasy.

The Old Testament does not specify what exactly happened immediately after Moses broke the tablets, presumed to be carved from Phonographite.

However, based on records that Moses and the Levite warriors purged about three thousand idolaters, I think it cannot be ruled out that the ‘voice of God’ recorded on the two Phonographite tablets was a lethal Lion Roar technique.

If what was recorded on the tablets was a miraculous Kung-Fu sound technique, then the moment it played back, it could have affected unbelievers fatally, which is understandable within the laws of Kung-Fu.

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…ending omitted…

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While silently appreciating Irene Adler’s subtle tricks, I did not lose focus and concealed the Phonographite from her sight, waiting for an opportunity.

In this world, there are various minerals I had never seen before in my previous life, and among them, Phonographite is a stone with quite useful powers.

When infused with essence, it records all surrounding sounds inside the ore; otherwise, it records only sounds imbued with internal energy, making it useful for catching others’ hints or collecting testimonies.

Since Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, fewer people have tried to use Phonographite for crime investigation or evidence gathering.

Recording sound techniques on Phonographite was the closest to the ancient usage I imagined during my time at Cambridge University.

“I just need to hold on for about ten more seconds.”

The small wounds kept increasing.

Through the refined circulation of essence, sharpened further by the opening of the minor meridians, I performed Poltergeist, plucking substance from empty air.

It was a tedious process of closing wounds and wiping blood from my face and body, hiding it at the carpet’s edge.

But through this, I continuously showed Irene Adler that I was not shaken at all by the ambush using the cold iron sand controlled by her sound technique.

-sssing

A sharp blade gradually cut my skin aiming for my eyes, threatening me, but I did not move a step and stared back at the singer, Irene Adler.

As long as she wants something from me, she won’t try to inflict a fatal wound.

This is merely revenge for the humiliation of being hit with a silver tray.

No matter how much she doesn’t intend to kill me, if I panic as she wants and get kicked out of the palace, I cannot achieve my goal.

Fortunately, Irene Adler has no idea what I am doing, so ultimately, I will win this match.

-Ziiiiing!

The next moment, the vibration from the Phonographite was fully transmitted to my palm.

“This should be enough.”

When I glanced at the Phonographite, as expected, the tip of the stone was tinged with two colors.

Since I did not infuse essence separately, only Irene Adler’s voice imbued with internal energy was recorded on the stone.

The two colors in the recorded part prove that her two types of voices produced by Overtone Singing were stored separately.

-Crack-

I broke off with my fingers the part where the stronger essence was felt, the part recording the voice controlling the cold iron powder, and crushed it finely.

I had calculated everything to prevent Watson from getting caught in the upcoming chaos.

Honestly, I was eager to see the outcome.

A few days ago, Irene Adler also triggered a Lion Roar recorded on Phonographite to escape from me. I wondered how it would feel to be humiliated in a similar way.

I smiled at Irene, who was reaching the last verse of her song—

“Encore.”

I scattered fragments of Phonographite infused with a bit of essence in all directions.

-Scratch!

Then countless cold iron powder particles focused on me began rampaging in the ballroom, responding to the sound technique’s command ringing everywhere.

“…The steps of burning love shall cease to turn.”

Irene Adler finished the song of Delilah seducing Samson with perfect skill and acting, but there was no applause.

-Scratch!

-Bang!

Invisible blades dancing to a melody inaudible to human ears pierced a lady’s dress strap, an old soldier’s prosthetic leg, and a master from abroad’s self-defense weapon, cutting their skin.

Since Irene’s technique was never intended to kill, those struck did not suffer fatal injuries.

“It’s an ambush!”

“An assassin at the royal ball!”

“Who is it!”

“Stop hiding cowardly and show yourself!”

However, the screams and spreading chaos throughout the ballroom were enough to shatter the pride of Europe’s greatest singer, who had never once ruined a stage.

“Silence!! Silence please!!!”

The royal valet who introduced Irene Adler hurriedly ran in and unleashed a Lion Roar, but under the bright lights, his belt was cut off, exposing his underwear and bare legs.

“Ugh!”

-Whizz whizz whizz!

A paralysis dart flew in and struck him before he could react.

The royal valet, with his pants down, collapsed and fell asleep.

The tragedy did not end there.

-Ding!

Among those attacked by the cold iron powder, anyone who broke discipline was targeted with poison needles and silver trays from the Special Maid Corps.

“Aah! Please don’t expel me from the palace!!”

Those who tried to flee in panic were caught in nets and inevitably dumped into the Thames River.

Irene Adler, looking around with startled eyes, began to show small wounds one by one on her exposed arms, shoulders, and luxurious dress.

“……”

Her mouth feigned calm, but her eyes blazed with the intent to kill me immediately.

That expression, as if tears would spill from broken pride, was very satisfying.

“This should be enough.”

Since no evidence remains, it should be fine to move soon.

I approached the flustered Watson and took her hand.

“Listen, Holmes… What on earth have you done?”

“What do you mean? I did nothing.”

“Then what is that chaos—”

“Well, I don’t really know, but it’s probably someone’s karma.”

Then, as a proper ballroom partner, I courteously escorted her.

With a leisurely pace, we passed through a path prepared to avoid the influence of sound techniques and cold iron powder, heading toward the tearoom where the next trial awaited.