Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"This is truly a surprising gift."

As Shard spoke, he took out the tie, the Red-Haired Witch with a faint smile:

"Additionally, there's one more thing—after the Year-End Festival, Tifa and I will be returning to the County of Saradiel for a visit."

Shard quickly lifted his head, looking at her in surprise, Miss Galina explained:

"After all, we have been staying in Tobesk for half a year. Although the County of Saradiel is managed by lady officers I trust very much, and documents have been constantly sent over, I haven't been there in person. Actually, if it weren't for the matter in the Pantanal, I planned to return for the Year-End Festival..."

"About how long will you be back?"

Shard asked, trying his best not to show an overly regretful expression.

"About one or two months."

She mentioned a span that was somewhat lengthy, but Shard could understand. Although the County of Saradiel is still nominally a part of the Kingdom and not an independent Duchy, due to Miss Galina's methods and the history of the County of Saradiel, the tax and army management there have essentially achieved semi-independence.

Therefore, when addressing Miss Galina, the more common title is "Grand Duchess." If it weren't for the Steam Age enhancing economic exchange throughout the Kingdom, the County of Saradiel might have already become an independent Duchy.

The current King has no objections to this, naturally not just because Miss Galina is his aunt, but also because it was something the former King had agreed to long ago.

Lecia's unfriendly attitude towards Miss Galina is because Miss Galina is attempting to "split the Kingdom."

"Come back soon... I will miss you."

Shard said, putting down the tie, suppressing the unruly cat, pressed his lips then asked:

"Around what time will you set off?"

"Tomorrow night, I will attend a royal banquet at Yordle Palace, and on Wednesday, the first day of the year, I will accompany Queen Diana to attend an event. On Thursday and Friday, I will pack a bit. On Saturday, we will take the steam train; the travel time is not long."

Miss Galina looked at Shard:

"While I'm away from Tobesk, you are the only legal owner of that manor in the area. You've met the housekeeper, you can go to her if anything comes up. Also, if you urgently need to reach me, besides heading to Milestone to find Granny Cassandra, I've left you an alchemical item for instant communication..."

It was a pair of notebooks with red covers, anything written in one book would appear in the other. Of course, this too was just an alchemical item and not a relic, so during its use, both parties need to be in a relatively stable elemental environment, and it can only transmit simple messages, not substances.

"By the time we return, it should be spring."

Miss Galina softly sighed and then asked Shard:

"Do you know what my dream truly is?"

"To become the Witch Empress of the Sixth Era."

Shard replied without hesitation, the Red-Haired Witch looked surprised:

"I never mentioned that to you."

"But I can feel it. Your own territory, the power of a demigod. I think you even want to make the County of Saradiel the official residence of the Witch Council, making the Council a truly significant transcendent group in the Sixth Era, and having the followers of the witches unite."

Shard said, and Galina Cavendish looked at him dazedly, only after a while saying:

"An interesting ambition, isn't it?"

"Not only interesting but also admirable and worthy of respect. I can somewhat understand why Lecia despises you... But the material world of the Sixth Era, a brand new Witch Kingdom... it will be difficult, if you wish to pursue this, I will assist you in every area except the division of Draleon."

"See, Rejed's Hamilton indeed has the power of the 'Enchantress.'"

She deliberately avoided Shard's eyes, turned slightly to speak to Tifa beside her. Then she stood up and sat beside Shard:

"Anything else today?"

"Iluna is coming back tonight, probably to see me."

"Then accompany me into the city this afternoon, and let's have dinner together."

Looking closely at Miss Galina, her stunningly beautiful face was truly breathtaking.

"Consider it as a farewell for me and Tifa... Speaking of which, do you know who did something naughty in my bed during my 'bed rest'? I've heard some interesting rumors from those young maids."

She suddenly asked, Tifa immediately turned towards the kitchen to check why the other two maids hadn't brought the hot tea yet. Shard's face immediately turned red, and Miss Galina smiled with satisfaction, leaning her body towards Shard, and resting her head on his shoulder.

By the time the carriage sent Shard back, it was already seven in the evening. This afternoon, accompanying Miss Galina, he truly experienced the festive enthusiasm brewing throughout the city.

After Shard got off the carriage, the Duchess said goodbye to him through the window with a kiss and arranged to see him on Saturday for her send-off.

Shard took out his key to open the door, only to find that the lights were on inside the house. Ascending the stairs, he saw Luviya holding Mia by the window:

"I saw you two kissing just now."

She said with a smile, then gestured for Shard to check the study:

"Something in your drawer has been glowing for the past half hour, but I didn't touch it."

"In the drawer? Oh, it's the page of the manuscript!"

He hurried to the study and discovered a message on the page. Miss Danester had returned directly to Saint Byrons after the battle in Pantanal. She originally intended to discuss the "Yellow Moon Relic" with Shard tonight, but upon realizing he was not home, she asked him to contact her after the Year-End Festival.

Miss Danester would likely be very busy lately. Although the Pantanal battle didn't become the foretold "Beginning of the Apocalypse," the ripple effects of Shard's actions were still spreading. Not to mention, as the most important librarian at the Saint Byrons Integrated Academy after the Dean, she couldn't miss attending its Year-End Festival celebrations.

So Shard respectfully wrote a reply, indirectly mentioning he'd found the relic, the [Source of Chaos], and was ready to attempt opening the Black Book again at any time.

He wasn't worried about the [Source of Chaos] being recognized. The round, bright yellow Treasure Bead had made a public appearance only once in the Pantanal Region, and Miss Orland had enlarged it beyond the size of the Moon. The elemental fluctuations at the time were completely different from a true relic.

While Shard wrote, Luviya watched quietly from the side. After he finished, she asked:

"Do you think you can find the [Silvermoon Library]? That library, reputed to contain records of everything past, would definitely greatly aid our endeavors if we could enter it freely."

"This time, we might truly find it, but I bet searching for information in that library will definitely require a corresponding price."

At nine that night, Iluna, weary from travel, knocked on the door of No. 6, Saint Delan Square. Despite having traveled a long way and reporting her itinerary at the Sun Cathedral first, the seventeen-year-old was delighted to see Shard and Luviya again.

Luviya brushed the snowflakes off her shoulders, while Shard offered her hot tea. Holding the teacup, Iluna took a few sips through pursed lips, and the chill in her rosy cheeks gradually gave way to normal color:

"I couldn't find a carriage at first; I walked two blocks from the church before spotting one. The Year-End Festival is here, the coachmen are also taking breaks."

Iluna explained softly, and Luviya murmured:

"You've worked hard, Iluna."

Iluna's cheeks immediately flushed red, quietly muttering "Shard worked harder than me" and "Why say such things?" while sneaking a glance at Shard.

She also recalled the last moments of the battle in Pantanal, after the departure of the five Demigod Witches, when she and Shard spent that brief time alone by the firelight. Thinking back now, that kiss was indeed bold.

Heading straight to Shard's home after a long journey was, naturally, for the follow-up on the fourth Chosen One. The [Aikenora - Arrow of the Chosen] had already been retrieved by Shard, and Iluna was both inspecting it and listening to Shard's explanations.

This arrow contained the eligibility of the Chosen One, and whoever Shard shot with it could become the Chosen One of "Knowledge and Wisdom." Of course, not just anyone could qualify; they needed a certain level of wisdom or a strong pursuit of knowledge.

In this regard, most of the Circle Sorcerers Shard knew met the qualifications. And aside from granting chosen status, anyone struck by Shard's arrow would gain additional power.

Luviya had already experienced being struck by the arrow and acquired an Arcane Technique, while Iluna, presumably due to having already received Chosen enlightenment at the Pantanal Lake Heart Island, couldn't gain any additional power from the arrow.

"The current issue is whether to grant chosen eligibility to someone, or whether to do it now?"

The arrow returned to Luviya's hand, she and Iluna both looked at Shard.

Shard had made up his mind:

"The first thing to clarify is, the chosen eligibility shouldn't remain permanently within this arrow; otherwise, it doesn't meet the condition of 'all Chosen Ones appearing.'

He paused for a moment:

"If Luviya's analysis is correct, the final door must appear, meaning fate won't allow us to hold onto the chosen eligibility for long."

The purple-eyed Diviner nodded as Shard shared his plan:

"But I don't intend to grant eligibility to anyone immediately."

He took the arrow from Luviya:

"Being a Chosen means being caught in the vortex of fate, and we can't guarantee that even friends will always stand by us... This is just making the worst assumption and not a matter of distrust. So granting eligibility immediately to someone merely increases our combat strength, with no other benefits."

He looked at them:

"My idea is to retain the arrow until the twelfth Chosen One appears, then I'll use it... I'm considering seeking assistance from Priest Augustus then. An old priest like him possesses unique wisdom, and he is amiable and willing to help me."

Shard's unstated thought was that the priest's body, fused with the "King of Angels" Immortal Angel's form, could guide outcomes towards positive sides, regardless of what happens once the final door opens.

Of course, he was strictly adhering to his agreement with Priest Augustus and wouldn't share the priest's secret with others.