Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

That afternoon, Shard did not leave the estate. Miss Sylvia left the time to Shard and Princess Margaret. Margaret and Shard had a delightful conversation in the study, listening to the Outlander share his adventure stories, recount how he met Lecia, and talk more about his connections with the Grand Witches of the Witch Council.

Shard was surprised that Her Highness the Princess was not angry with him; of course, he wouldn't ask why she wasn't angry. The two agreed that Shard would find a way to Velindale City as soon as possible, and Shard didn't forget to mention the issue of the White Valley Vineyard in Huntington City.

"White Valley Vineyard? Is that where you came from?"

Her Highness thought for a moment before recalling the place, and she promised to promptly change it from royal property to her own. Of course, it would still be managed by Mr. Benhart, making it convenient for Shard to use at any time.

They chatted together in the study, strolled in the snow, and Shard even let Margaret sit on the swing, pushing her amidst her laughter. Before dinner in the evening, the princess hugged Shard on the sofa for a farewell kiss. Shard realized that Margaret was probably the most inexperienced at kissing among the girls he knew, but she gladly practiced more with Shard.

The fact proved that the "surprise training" by the three Grand Witches at noon was indeed effective. The young princess suppressed her body's instinctual reactions and did not do more with Shard. Unlike Lecia, who had more siblings and mature ideas, Margaret had more concerns due to her princess status, and Shard also respected the girl beside him.

However, before dinner, Shard gave Margaret a piece of [Ever-Youth Leaf] as a Year-End Festival gift. He had two leaves in his possession, giving one and still having one left.

The princess also knew about the special relic, and after solemnly accepting the leaf and realizing she hadn't prepared an appropriate gift for the Year-End Festival, she directly gave the White Valley Vineyard to Shard. Although it was still under her name, the property and land deed belonged to Shard.

Shard initially did not want to accept such an expensive gift. He could purchase it himself with money, but under Margaret's repeated insistence, he accepted it.

"Knight, don't underestimate the Kingdom Princess's savings. I may not be as wealthy as your Duchess, but such a small, non-profitable vineyard is nothing to me."

After dinner, Shard used [Blood Wine Brewing] to produce a large batch of wine for Margaret to take back to Velindale as gifts. And being very considerate, Her Highness the Princess left the last moments before her departure to Miss Sylvia, giving Shard and Miss Sylvia time to be alone.

"After returning to Velindale, I will try to sense whether there is a [Spatial Labyrinth] in the city and surrounding areas. Although I don't have your perceptiveness, since I have encountered one before, I think I should manage."

Darkness fell, and snowflakes still filled the sky. Shard strolled in the courtyard with the young witch with short black hair. The witch walked backward, smiling at Shard:

"I look forward to seeing you again."

"Me too."

Shard nodded, wanting to say something but felt too embarrassed to speak. Mia stood on his shoulder, curiously watching the snowflakes, with her amber eyes reflecting the moonlight.

Miss Sylvia stopped her backward steps and, as Shard approached, lightly kissed his cheek in the snow:

"I thought you would do something after stimulating you this afternoon, and after Margaret, that clueless girl, got close to you for a while."

Shard awkwardly shook his head:

"I'm not that sort of lustful ghoul, and my Great Sin series Spirit Runes don't include [seDesire]."

Miss Sylvia teased:

"I guess someone will definitely spend the night with you at your home tonight."

She let go of Shard and continued walking forward shoulder to shoulder with him:

"We Grand Witches have our concerns, Margaret has her own ideas, but I do envy the other princess around you, and that violet-eyed Diviner. Her eyes are truly beautiful, even making witches envious..."

She held Shard's hand, stopping together in the snow, looking up at the moon side by side:

"Be careful of everything, I know... you will definitely be drawn into greater danger again. Although I don't know what your ultimate goal is... be careful."

"Please rest assured, I'm not willing to die just yet."

Shard reached his free hand up to stroke the cat on his shoulder, whose little head raised slightly to look at the moon with them.

"Next time we meet, perhaps I'll have a surprise for you... regarding the investment we talked about."

Miss Sylvia mentioned the matter again. Shard hadn't forgotten either and reached into his pocket, taking out a bank draft he had entrusted Tifa to handle:

"I actually wanted to talk about this. I have £5000 here as initial investment."

This was half of his current savings, and although it wasn't much for Miss Sylvia, she accepted it, knowing Shard would not accept profit shares without reason:

"Alright then, your £5000 and your ideas will join our business as investments. I already have some thoughts on the chemical fibers you mentioned."

Under the moonlight, she lightly embraced Shard:

"Since following my teacher, I never thought I would meet a man like you in my life."

A whisper sounded in his ear, making a promise:

"I will quickly figure out whether we can be with you... May the infinite space shelter you and me from afar, I will be thinking of you..."

She gently bit Shard's ear, whispering sweet nothings. Thus, the aftereffects of seeing [Desire] in the morning erupted again, and the shy, fragmented voice of the black-haired Grand Witch could only be heard by Shard and Mia.

At seven o'clock on Sunday evening, the convoy carrying the visiting group headed towards the train station. Shard didn't see them off but stood at the manor gate waving goodbye to the convoy. Farewells are always melancholic, but this one was exceptionally simple because the reunion should not be far away.

Before leaving, Margaret asked Shard to bring a letter to Lecia and instructed him not to open it. According to her, she wanted to ask Lecia if she wanted to engage in some "small business" together, which reminded Shard of Lecia always being involved in the arms trade.

Instead of leaving Huntington immediately, he made a final visit to Mr. Benhart, the Vampire Kind residing locally, under the cover of night.

Shard decided not to return to the area until after the Year-End Festival, thinking of wishing his friend a happy Year-End Festival and gifting a few bottles of wine as festival gifts.

But unfortunately, Mr. Benhart had already left the area. On Friday, Mr. Benhart urgently left Huntington City for Velindale due to excessive fright. Therefore, when Shard arrived at the Vampire Kind's manor, he only received the letter from the caretaker left there:

"I probably need a break. Since returning from Midshire Fort, I haven't been able to rest in Huntington."

The middle-aged Vampire Kind said so in the letter.

He anticipated Shard would visit again, so besides apologizing for the abrupt departure, he especially wished Shard a happy Year-End Festival and gave a rather exquisite silver candlestick as a festival gift.

The candlestick was decorated with a small bat, an ordinary item but sufficient as a festival gift.

Though regretting not meeting this gentleman, Shard still left behind nine bottles of wine, asking the caretaker to send them to Mr. Benhart in Velindale City. Naturally, he also obtained the address of the Vampire Viscount in Velindale from the caretaker, intending to visit if the opportunity arises.

"Well then, let's go home."

Holding Mia, Shard rode his horse into the night. The story of Huntington City and Midshire Fort finally came to an end here. Riding through the night, he felt a nameless sense of exhilaration:

"I must send a holiday card to Professor Drake, who is moving... In March, after spring arrives, Tobesk will hold a large, Royal Family-sponsored equestrian competition. Perhaps this time, I can participate with my own horsemanship."

The horse he was riding was borrowed from Mr. Benhart's manor, and the servants transporting goods to the White Valley Vineyard would return it later. The chestnut horse was quite steady, so much so that when it uncontrollably ran straight towards the lakeside embankment while turning on the country dirt road, Shard, lost in thought, did not react immediately.

"Is this horse crazy?"

He was about to leap off the horse with the cat tucked in his coat pocket when he suddenly felt familiar element traces.

Sure enough, the horse, upon reaching the unknown lake, ran along the ice towards the lake's center. Without a clear boundary, the surrounding scenery changed imperceptibly. Only after arriving on the Lake Cherub's Heart Island did Shard realize he was there again.

"Professor Drake's research states that you can only come here during the day. Turns out, that's not true..."

Lake Cherub at night was snowing just like Huntington City. But on the island, there were still grasslands, green trees, and blooming flowers.

Shard dismounted, placed the cat on his shoulder, and led the horse to the small lake at the center of the Heart Island. The lake's shore prohibited abilities like "Water Walking," and it wasn't frozen even in the harsh winter.

In the past, Shard always leapt to the lake's center directly, but this time, he pinched a small handful of bone powder and sprinkled it on the water. After the calm lake water bubbled, a small, somewhat rotted wooden boat floated up from below.

Leaving the horse to graze by the shore, Shard and Mia rowed together to the center of the Heart Lake Island's Central Lake, under the angular stone blocks. In the moonlight, the "Lake Goddess" holding a long staff awaited him. Shard disembarked from the boat and respectfully said:

"Good evening."

He was grateful to the Cherub for the crucial hints provided during the Pantanal battle.

"Good evening."

The angel nodded slightly and gave a gentle smile, glancing at the cat on the bow of the wooden boat behind Shard, which was curiously looking around:

"Follower of the Recorder, please safeguard the knowledge you have recorded. I know you will give it to the appropriate person."

"I will."

Shard nodded, and then the angel softly said:

"This time, I sought you out to ask—are you interested in knowing about the Hall of the Secret Keeper?"