Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 862 - 862: Curse and the Swamp Witch

"Did you eventually find that lake?"

Shard asked, as Professor Drake flipped through the red album and nodded gently:

"Yes, in fact, that lake is called 'Sage's Lake,' or 'Lake Cherub.' The famous fairy tale 'Water of the Sage' is actually adapted from the legends here, or at least related to them. But young man, I can't provide you with more details. Look at my legs, I only remember finding the way to that lake and sneaking off to find it. When I was found again, I was already in this condition."

Shard frowned slightly:

"You don't remember anything?"

"Yes, I don't remember anything. I have no idea what happened, I'm not even sure if I really found the goddess, but something strange definitely happened back then."

The professor sighed deeply:

"You can have someone copy my research materials. I just hope, Mr. Watson, if you really find that 'Lake Goddess,' could you ask her what wish I made back then?"

"Is it that important? I thought you had already let it go."

"I thought I had let it go, but..."

Professor Drake looked at the sunlight outside:

"I'm so old, I might die in a few years. Before I die, I really want to know what wish I made with these legs, I really want to know."

Shard could sense his desolation and nodded:

"If I can find her and it doesn't cost me anything, I am willing to ask for you. Also, may I take a look at your legs? I just have some doubts about the condition of your legs."

The professor was silent for a moment:

"I hope it won't scare you."

The maid pushed the professor out from behind the desk, and the professor removed the red blanket. Under the blanket were a pair of legs cut off at the knees, with the pants tied at the knee, and the lower parts completely missing.

Shard was somewhat surprised and wanted to apologize for his rude request. Unexpectedly, the professor instructed the maid to untie his pants and roll them up, revealing the severed knees.

It was very smooth, as if the human body was naturally like this.

"Do you feel any pain?"

Shard knelt on one knee on the carpet, looking at the cut section in surprise.

"No, when people found me unconscious in the countryside east of the city, my legs were already like this, without any pain."

"How long were you missing back then?"

"I left on a Wednesday in autumn, and was found on Thursday afternoon."

In just one day, such a wound couldn't heal this quickly, not to mention the smooth cut didn't look like natural recovery.

Shard suddenly reached out and touched the professor's leg, then quickly stood up.

[You have encountered a miracle. A very faint miracle.]

"A miracle... It seems I've found the right target this time."

Thinking in his heart, he said to the professor:

"I understand. If I find the Lake Goddess, I will find out what happened to you back then."

He took out his wallet and pulled out five one-pound banknotes:

"I'll take this photo."

Saying this, he picked up the lake view photo on the desk:

"Tomorrow, Viscount Benhart will send someone to copy the materials. These five pounds are for the materials and copying fees."

The professor silently let the maid re-tie his pants. When Shard was about to take his leave, he suddenly asked:

"Young man, you said you were mainly here to collect materials, but I think you are just looking for something, what exactly are you trying to find?"

Shard, gripping the cursed photo tightly in his right hand, whispered:

"It is... my lifelong pursuit."

This photo, obtained by Professor Drake many years ago, was not a relic, otherwise, it couldn't have been kept by the professor for so many years without incident. But this photo indeed captured the image of a terrifying humanoid cursed relic, and today, because Shard 'saw' it fully, the curse was passed on to him.

Different curses manifest in different ways, and in the current manifestation of this one, the mental contamination and physical decay were temporarily suppressed by the burning Primal Fire, but at the edge of Shard's vision, the image of that woman, half her body exposed, would still constantly appear.

After Shard left Professor Drake's house, whenever there were suitable hiding spots at the edge of his vision, the woman more terrifying than an Evil Spirit would appear at places such as alley corners, behind carriages, or open store doors, showing her upper body and head, maliciously staring at Shard.

Even when a drifting newspaper happened to pass in front of Shard, the woman emerged from behind the newspaper, her face almost touching Shard's. Although Shard had seen various kinds of Evil Spirits in Milestone, he was still frightened and took two steps back at that moment.

According to "her" judgment, this was of course an illusion brought by the curse and would not cause actual harm to Shard.

The environment that could indeed have a real impact was relatively closed spaces like narrow alleys. When Shard walked into an alley, the terrifying woman with loose hair would try to emerge and approach Shard.

Shard didn't know what would happen if he actually came into contact with her. Although it was temporarily just an illusion, if this kind of experience continued as if he were in a horror novel, more uncontrollable events were bound to happen.

He needed to quickly find a way to solve the trouble. For this kind of curse, the True God Church had professional solutions, but Shard was currently unable to go to the church, so he could only return to the city center of Huntington to seek the help of the Grand Witch. Because he couldn't enter the closed space of a carriage, Shard barely managed to find an open-top taxi.

These carriages were very popular decades ago but are now rarely seen.

Miss Sylvia had already returned to the Rothschild Estate where the Princess was staying. Shard had no good reason to go see her, so he paid someone to deliver a letter to the estate, claiming that the new publication Miss Sylvia ordered had arrived at the Owl Library.

The witch instantly guessed the meaning behind the letter and quickly came to the Owl Library club where she met Shard. Upon entering the room, she immediately sensed that something was wrong with Shard:

"Whisper elements... You've encountered a relic?"

"It's the curse of a relic."

Shard placed the photograph face down on the table while briefly explaining its origin, rolling up his right sleeve. He had touched the photograph with his right hand, so his right hand was most affected.

Visible to the naked eye, Shard's right arm had a birthmark-like faint black spot, which upon closer inspection, resembled a terrifying human face.

"Your skin is quite nice."

The Grand Witch remarked casually, rubbing her fingers over Shard's arm:

"It's not a big deal, just residue from the relic's curse power. A simple ritual can clear it."

"That's great, because that terrifying woman with loose hair is still staring at me in my vision."

Shard said, troubled:

"Standing right behind you."

"It's an illusion, don't worry."

The witch said lightly, quite sure there was nothing behind her.

Shard then put his sleeve back down and lightly tapped the photograph:

"Do you know what this relic is?"

"Yes, my teacher and I have deeply researched relics in the Pantanal region. Although I can't be sure, it's likely the Sage Level relic [Swamp Witch]."

"Is it a humanoid relic?"

"Yes, and the origin of this relic is quite clear. It was originally an ordinary woman living in the Fourth Era, but you know how dark and terrifying the Fourth Era was. The body of the relic suffered extremely horrible indignities that I don't even want to describe before it was abandoned in the swamp. The chaotic environment and the resentment from life caused the body to revive as an undead. This undead wandered in the swamp area, and as the eras changed, it eventually became a relic."

"What are its traits?"

"It guides kind-hearted women who get lost in the swamp, even protecting them. But for impure-hearted women and any men, it inflicts a curse similar to what you suffered.

Of course, even though you haven't seen it, you've been cursed because its presence documented in any form curses the observer, regardless of gender. Only special parchment can safely record this relic. According to the Council's records, the curse released by the [Swamp Witch] corrupts souls and decays corpses. In just a few minutes, it can turn a healthy person into a controlled relic derivative. Watching records weakens the curse's effects significantly. Circle Sorcerers have some resistance to such curses but cannot endure long-term exposure."

Following Miss Sylvia's suggestion, Shard burned the photograph documenting the relic's appearance. The witch then borrowed the library's underground room to arrange a ritual that successfully rid Shard of the terrifying woman's illusion at the edge of his vision.

However, Miss Sylvia also warned Shard that although the curse was banished, the residual traces of the curse remained on him. As a result, Shard would be more likely than normal to encounter the [Swamp Witch] itself, and if Shard did meet the relic, it would immediately notice he had evaded the curse, thus becoming more aggressive towards him.

"These curse traces will fade in a few weeks. Shard, avoid the western part of Huntington City for now."

The witch advised, but the bad news was that Shard had to approach that area to ascertain the true location of the "Lake Goddess."

The ashes from the burned photograph were considered a unique curse material. With Shard's consent, all the ashes were given to Miss Sylvia. Shard intended to pay for the "healing" but was refused by the young witch:

"Miss Galina mentioned my financial situation, didn't she?"

She asked suspiciously.

"Of course not."

Shard immediately shook his head, although he usually disliked lying, some lies were necessary at times.

"I'm not lacking money; I'm planning for the future. Now that we're friends, how could I take your money?"

She turned to leave, and Shard noticed the lady's ears were slightly red.