Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Alright, Sister Perry, I understand, so..."

Shard turned to Mr. Fred Lyman, who explained before he could ask:

"I offered an ancient book that my family treasures to a witch, and only then did she agree to guide me here."

"Yes, I heard about this too, I just didn't expect his destination to be here."

Middle-aged witch Mrs. Maggie Blanchett said. Mr. Lyman cautiously whispered his thanks to her, but the witch ignored the man.

"Then let me ask another question. Both ladies are here in search of power. And you, sir, why exactly have you come here?"

Shard asked again, and Mr. Lyman hesitated before answering the question:

"Actually... I come from the Eastern Continent, and since I was young, I've liked to play with partners from alien species. No, not like this nun here with her elven lineage companions, but... as I grew up, I always wanted to marry a girl with animal traits on her body... But you know, I'm a human male, and among the exotic species, girls who haven't awakened to become witches, somewhat possess their racial heritage power. So, they rarely fall in love with someone like me..."

He felt a bit embarrassed:

"I come from prosperity, although not very high in line, I am indeed an heir to a small kingdom. People always have pursuits. Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, I've always wanted to realize my dream, so I decided to come here to try my luck. This fire gun was lent to me by my distant aunt, a real Grand Witch... that's it."

It seems like Professor Manning might have a lot to talk about with this gentleman. However, Shard truly couldn't tell that the middle-aged nun actually had elven lineage. The half-elves he had seen, like Miss Orland and Professor Garcia, at least had noticeable characteristics, so it seems this middle-aged nun's lineage is not prominent.

Shard is not a correspondence student of the political economics academy. His understanding of alien species is limited to the knowledge given by the Tree Father and some brief information in the Witch Echo.

Once it was determined that the three companions were normal people and not incarnations of deities or souls split from any individual, Shard felt at ease assisting them in the God Summoning Ritual.

In fact, they had already begun preparations before Shard arrived, and the Tree Father placing Shard at this point in time clearly intended for him to participate in the ritual.

Due to the "Worm Cave" itself having the conditions of the venue and the existence of the wooden table where deities once held banquets, the originally complex God Summoning Ritual was considerably simplified. Powerful divine items allowed the ritual to proceed without drawing a base formation or using those expensive and rare ritual symbols "leaf," "flower," and "fruit."

Middle-aged witch Miss Maggie Blanchett prepared more than ten small statues unearthed from Fourth Era ruins, placing them on empty chairs; Sister Ollie Perry from the Sun Church brought the original version of the poem "Song of the Butterfly," which once documented the Old God banquet stories, ready to read aloud; and ordinary person Mr. Fred Lyman, though he did not have those magical items, he brought the holy emblem and small divine statue of the [Butterfly God], which he respectfully placed on the table.

[Butterfly God] is not a well-known deity, and most of its believers are non-human races, therefore Mr. Fred Lyman's preparations are quite adequate.

As for the fact that each of the three prepared different items, yet all coincidentally met the requirements of the God Summoning Ritual, there was no hidden agenda. Shard specifically asked, and in reality, each person's individual preparation was sufficient to complete the ritual, but together the success rate of the ritual would increase.

After some simple preparations, Sister Perry had already unfurled the long scroll of the poem and began reading the first stanza:

"From the new spring sprouts,

From the growth of summer,

From the decay of golden autumn,

From the burial in cold winter.

The grass leaves scatter on the earth's feast,

Butterflies dance in the enchanting spring breeze.

The morning dew brews into wine,

Flying birds sing and chirp,

Fragrant grass rises and dances,

Floral blooms weave a poem chapter."

Praise the master of thousands of butterflies,

You are the Protector of the butterflies,

You are the guardian deity of the abundant earth,

May everything be perfect at your banquet."

In the solemn recitation of poetry by the nuns of the Sun God, the originally bare dirt at the bottom of the cave bursts forth with grass and flowers, as if a green carpet covering the ground. Tender branches, green buds, and morning glories stretch out from the caves around the cliff walls, intertwining with one another, adorned with fruits and flowers.

The heavenly light falling from above, initially only illuminating the large round table and surrounding areas, now sees all the burgeoning leaves and flowers spontaneously emitting soft pink, white, and green glows. The once bare underground cavern is being adorned, as miracle elements flood in from all directions, the large wooden round table in front of everyone begins to emit a dazzling golden light.

Within that glow, wooden goblets, spoons, and dishes descend from the sky, fragrant wine, luminous fruits, and enticing dishes gradually pile up on the round wooden table.

The original white heavenly light slowly transforms into a soft warm yellow glow, encompassing the large round table and the four people around it, the light incredibly warm and bright. From the unknown heights comes the clear chirp of birds, followed by an unusual sound, like a butterfly swarm cascading waterfall-like from the cave holes extending from branches toward the bottom of the cavern.

The butterfly swarm obscures everyone's view, but Shard keenly senses at this moment, some indescribable powerful presence truly appears at the other end of the round table.

As the butterfly swarm disperses around the round table, evenly adorning the grass, flowers, branches, and vines, the formerly barren banquet site has now become the most abundant feast.

Shard is quite glad the banquet didn't start with a "ding~" of metal clashing, otherwise, he might have jumped up.

The deity has descended, and its appearance clears away the stench in the air, replaced by a refreshing scent of flowers and grass. However, Shard notices that along with the buds and textures extending from the cliff cave mouth, countless horrifying insect swarms also depart those narrow passages clinging to the plants.

Therefore, although it appears to be a banquet site deep in an underground cavern, adorned with flowers, green grass, and high hanging vines, every beautiful scenery here hides repulsive insects.

The warm yellow heavenly light makes eyes adapted to the dark unable to fully open instantly, Shard being the first to adapt to the glow, looks up toward the opposite side of the giant round table, seeing the lady already seated on the main seat of the banquet, dressed in a burgundy and black gown.

Light brown long hair naturally drapes behind, but upon closer inspection, hair near the forehead is parted, with 5 centimeters width of hair from the temples to the ears, woven into three fine overlapping braids hanging to the side of the long hair. A flower crown adorning the head, right index finger wearing a ring of woven green buds. Crimson lips like the most striking rose of early spring, serene cheeks akin to the most graceful magnolia.

Dreamlike colorful light dots dance around the deity with every blink, the divine form alternates. This is not the Old God [Thousand-Eye Illusion Butterfly]'s true body, but manifests as the saintly form of the divine through one of the thousand butterflies as the godfall bearer in the material world.

Golden cracks now run across Shard's right eye, subsequently, fissures inch by inch spread toward the entire body, even the garment hems showing dispersing golden glimmer.

Since it's just the saintly rather than the true form, Shard dares to face directly, while the others do not dare to lift their heads. At this moment, unknown melodious music arises from high above, the ensuing immense mental pressure almost makes Miss Maggie Blanchett, Sister Perry, and Mr. Lyman vomit blood. The music appears to reverberate through the heart, and the numerous floating light dots in the surrounding air seem to pull one into the boundless dream just by a glance.

The Witch's peripheral vision catches sight of the unusual phenomenon on Shard and notices Shard's posture of looking up, but before the curious Witch could inquire, Shard places a hand on the edge of the round table's tabletop, and asks the deity:

"O guardian of the myriad butterflies, may I ask how should these mortals attain your permission to gain the favour of your most faithful familiars?"

When using a new Time Key for the first time, the moments are the most pressed, considering the need to grasp the background of the adventure and the situation of companions. Time now is running out, Shard needs to seize some moments.

The other three at the table remain silent, quietly listening as Shard finishes asking the question.

The deity beside the round table smiles at them, butterflies fluttering across the skies looking at them, while the dense swarms of insects also watch them:

"You have arrived here, summoned me to hold this not grand but indeed quite interesting earth banquet. Since it is a banquet, then please revel with me, and with the butterflies, I wish for you to be enchanted by the earth's dream."

Shard does not quite understand what this means, but he can practically ascertain, the Butterfly God is indeed related to the Ancient God [Earth Mother Goddess].

Melodious music at the ear is modulating, at this point, the physically weakest Mr. Lyman is already clutching his chest and groaning. After a brief pause, the beautifully dreamlike deity who appears to have butterfly wings with thousands of eyes smiles and says:

"Join this banquet, display yourselves to the butterflies. No, it's not about your belongings, mortal wealth will ultimately turn to dust. Nor is it about your power, what the butterflies admire is not foolish strength."

The Saint chants as if singing, and as gentle winds blow in the profound underground cavern, petals drift downward. Gradated pink petite petals fall beside each person, and each receives three.