Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The Heart Lake Island in Pantanal Lake was still snowing; however, the island, covered in silver white, was riddled with dense vines and dead trees. These seem to have grown in just a few days, and all these peculiar plants have Element reactions and are special plants that can be used as Potion Ingredients—though due to the residual power of Evil Objects, using these plants to make Magic Potions would be quite dangerous.

Looking down from the front of the tower towards the small hill, it was possible to see what the Stonehenge Ruins looked like now. The bonfire had long been extinguished, battle scars remained on the ground, and the deep pit left by Lakin Prisia's single blow that destroyed the Dead Forest had been covered with snow.

Thirteen thick giant trees stood at the original site of the Stonehenge. This ancient Ritual Circle had completely lost its power due to being excessively used by Shard. Yet these giant trees would still guard the island, dispersing more Life with their own Life Force.

Their destination was the small dock below the Lighthouse. Along the way, the Nun told Shard more about the aftermath of the Battle of Pantanal, so Shard learned that Iluna was already on her way back, and the three Grand Witches had returned to Huntington City.

"Recovered the flame of the Fire of the Primordial from the Lighthouse and burned that huge Firewood. I can grant you more Power."

The Lighthouse was not far from the shore, a small path cut through the remnants of the Dead Forest on the eastern side of the Lighthouse leading to the shore. Seeing the Great Lake from afar, Shard was surprised that Pantanal Lake during the day was such a sight.

To be honest, although there was still miasma, and strange plant clusters grew on both sides of the lake shore, the scenery here was unexpectedly quite nice.

The Nun spoke to Shard softly, and while continuing to walk forward, Shard turned his head to look at her, a faint smile on her pale face beneath the silver eyepatch:

"No need to return to the Ritual Site, you can do it here."

They reached the shore, a thin mist hanging over the Great Lake, so they couldn't see the situation across the lake. The Church of Nature was currently still assembling teams to rush here, and henceforth, the Pantanal Swamp would be under the Church of Nature's guardianship. Of course, with responsibility came power, and this Great Swamp could truly be called a treasure trove.

Standing by the shore, the Nun slightly bent down, holding her hands together, displaying a rounded black Flame core and slender red flame flickering in her hands, the flame tail wavering in the winter chill:

"Hero of the Flame, please touch this distant flame."

As before, Shard kneeled on one knee in the snow by the shore, touching the Nun's palm with his hand.

Flowing red light entwined Shard's and Sister Delphine's arms, mottled cracks appearing on their bodies simultaneously. The flame streaming into the cracks in Shard's arm, the soaring flame making him seem as if he were entirely aflame.

The flame melted the snow, breaking through the mist with a faint glow, "She" whispered in Shard's ear:

[Outlander, the Fire of the Primordial within you has been further enhanced.]

[You can sense the embers of the Primal Fire over a larger range.]

[You have acquired the Sorcery - Flame Attachment, adding the power of the Primal Fire to your weapon.]

[When you ignite a bonfire, the rate of Stamina and Spirit recovery within the firelight is enhanced, and Resistance is increased.]

[Any powers related to flame have been further augmented.]

The flame gradually collected on the two of them, Sister Delphine used her slightly scorched hand to pull Shard up, her palm felt very warm:

"Using the Evil Creatures of Pantanal as Firewood, I passively gained some of the Evil Object's power relating to Decay plants, but this cannot be shared with you."

Shard laughed and shook his head:

"Nun, do I seem that greedy?"

The Nun lowered her head slightly, the gray braids at her back swaying in the wind, the silver eyepatch reflecting the non-blinding winter sunshine. She appeared shy, as if her true self remained, but her voice was as calm as ever:

"I gave some flame to Miss Annette, she can contact me anytime. She has already informed me about that arrow, regarding the ownership of the fourth qualification, you can decide for yourselves."

Shard gazed out at the lake water, as the Nun continued to speak:

"Though I am also The Chosen One, this qualification was initially granted by you. On any matters concerning The Chosen One, I align with your opinion."

Shard nodded, exhaling, as white smoke puffed out like a long dragon. The heat of the Fire of the Primordial spread from his heart throughout his body, and coupled with the blessing of that Old God of winter, winter no longer posed an unbearable season for him.

He happily took the pink Perfume Vial from his pocket and walked a few steps closer to the shore, with the Nun quietly following behind Shard. When his boots were slapped by the lake water, Shard looked at the calm water surface veiled in mist.

Suddenly, a large shadow flickered beneath the distant lake surface, just seeing the general outline of that shadow made Shard feel like his heart skipped a beat for a second.

The Whisper Element spread through the fog, a woman's laughter echoed from all directions. The sound of paddling grew nearer, with a string of bubbles emerging from under the surface near the shore.

Suddenly, a small black shadow appeared from below the bubbles, then a beautiful woman's head emerged from the water, black long hair soaked, clinging to her cheeks, water droplets trickling from her fair face to the water surface.

She was very close to the shore, and the lake water was clear enough, yet Shard could still not see below her shoulders under the lake surface. He cautiously stepped back, then bent down to place the Perfume Bottle on the water surface:

"I brought what you wanted."

The perfume bottle was half-submerged in the lake, drifting crookedly towards the beautiful woman's head, her purple eyes filled with a playful smile as she looked at Shard.

With the water disturbed, a sleek, water-dappled arm extended from beneath the surface, the pearly sheen tempting Shard to take a bite.

"Very nice."

The arm picked up the vial, and then another pale arm dripped with water emerged from the lake, pulling the stopper off. Yet, from any angle, Shard could not see that head and those two arms as a harmonious part of a complete body.

The winter sunlight pierced the mist, illuminating the raised bottle. The pink bottle and pearl-like arm seemed to glow.

The arm held the bottle above the woman's head, and her lips, coated in lipstick and wet, parted slightly. Her pink tongue softly licked her lips. The bottle tilted slightly, and the pink translucent liquid with an unusual aroma oozed from it like some kind of gel, pouring into her mouth.

"Hmm~"

An enticing moan escaped the head floating above the water, leaving Shard feeling overwhelmed while watching the scene. He bit the inside of his mouth to calm himself, and the spirit who drank the pink essential oil, known as "Desire," smiled and commented:

"A truly exquisite work of art, such an extraordinary desire. Unfortunately, it is only in the epics of The Chosen One that such quality can be found."

The beautiful purple eyes glanced at Shard, water droplets glistening on the eyelashes:

"Better than I thought."

"I didn't do anything."

"But you've already done everything."

She bit her lip playfully as she spoke, her tongue gently licking her lips again:

"The desire of a Demigod Witch isn't easily gathered even in the Fifth Era... So, should I give you some... extra reward?"

Shard's lips twitched slightly, striving to remain clear-headed. Compared to seeing Desire at night, the face seen clearly in the daytime was more impactful:

"You let us pass over the lake, and I gave you what you wanted. We're even."

Saying this, he began to retreat. The woman's head did not stop him but instead pushed the now empty pink vial gently back onto the water, sending it drifting towards Shard's feet, bumping against his boot:

"Here, take it. You can leave it be and let someone else find it; that would be interesting too."

Shard had no choice but to bend down and pick it up, deciding to put it into the "God's Gift Box," vowing not to take it out easily.

"Interesting soul, if you ever need to see me, liquefy the Crystal of Desire and put it in the bottle, then throw it into the water while calling my name."

The "Mermaid" of "Desire" raised her head, retreating into the lake, creating layered ripples. The massive shadow flashed once more beneath the water as the Whisper Element began to fade:

"Looking forward to our next meeting. You need to understand that when the final day arrives, power knows no morality."

The head glided through the water into the distant fog, slowly disappearing from sight.

Shard tightly gripped the pink perfume vial, sighed deeply and closed his eyes before finally turning to Sister Delphine:

"I... might have lost my composure just now..."

Even though his back faced the nun, Sister Delphine would still see Shard's expression, as she does not rely on her eyes to perceive the world.

"It's an Unclassified Level Relic, more potent than any ancient book's account."

Despite saying this, the nun's expression appeared unchanged.

"But luckily, it seems she isn't interested in you."

Shard said thankfully, placing the pink perfume vial into his pocket. No sooner had he spoken than a shy, girlish voice arose from the lake, accompanied by silver-bell-like laughter:

"Why would I be interested in a block of wood?"

Sister Delphine remained expressionless.

"Especially one that's burnt."

Shard turned to the lake in shock, but the mist had long since concealed any trace of "Desire." Sister Delphine retained her stoic demeanor, and Shard admired the nun's composure.