Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 875 - 875: Electric Arc

Although there were some unexpected events at the farewell banquet this evening, the Carsonrick visiting group led by Princess Margaret Anjou departed just twenty minutes later than scheduled.

As for what actually happened at the banquet, most people just heard the thunderclap overhead. Considering that unusual weather phenomena had been common in recent years, apart from a few individuals, no one realized that an Angel-Level Relic had been used.

In short, the Church did not find anything strange around Princess Margaret, and the intentions of Miss Pawo from the Truth Society and that Nine Rings professor remained a mystery. To protect the princess, the Tobesk Parish would likely receive a mission soon, meaning Iluna would be busy again.

Of course, if the visiting group from Carsonrick encountered an accident after leaving their territory, the Draleon Kingdom would be most troubled.

Even though the princess had left, the Voodoo Society's involvement in this matter might lead to a full-scale crackdown by the True God Church. As for what the Evil Creatures of Pantanal truly were, or whether they would break through the sealing, Shard had no way of knowing.

Mr. Benhart learned on his way back from the city to the east of the city that the person who had faced the thunder strike on the rooftop was Shard. However, he wasn't surprised at all and even felt that Shard being lively and unharmed shortly after the strike and finding him in the banquet hall was quite normal.

Shard was, of course, curious about how Mr. Benhart, as a Vampire Kind, had become friends with a priest from the Peace Church, especially since the latter seemed to have known his identity for a long time. The middle-aged vampire noble shook his head, unwilling to talk much, and Shard thought about his fallen relatives and the fact that Mr. Benhart's vampire bloodline was acquired postnatally, feeling that there must be many stories behind it.

"The people from the Truth Society will probably leave Huntington City. After all, according to Miss Pawo, they only came for Princess Margaret. But this city likely won't remain peaceful. I hope we won't be as unlucky as Tobesk, Coldwater Port, and Midshire Fort."

When they arrived at the White Valley Vineyard, Mr. Benhart sighed to Shard, but Shard didn't dare to comfort him. Given the current situation, there might indeed be something extraordinary near the city.

It turns out the information Mr. Benhart had his servant transcribe after visiting Professor Drake the day before yesterday was ready. He handed it to Shard, curious about what Shard might find.

"If the Lake Goddess truly exists, I would like to make a wish too, wishing for a bountiful harvest in the vineyard next year."

Waving goodbye, Mr. Benhart joked. Shard waved back as well:

"If wishes come at a price, then the price of this wish would probably only be some fertilizer."

In short, by the time Shard returned home from the White Valley Vineyard, it was close to eleven at night. Dorothy had already left, but Luviya was at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, holding a reluctant Mia, sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine on winter women's fashion designs.

Seeing Shard return, she smiled and asked:

"Shard, how was the banquet tonight? I met Dorothy here around eight, and she said you went out of town for a banquet."

She let go of Mia, who immediately dashed towards Shard with a look of grievance. The girl with short brown hair and purple eyes walked up to Shard, took the folder from his hands, and placed it on the coffee table, then curiously asked:

"Why did you wear this to the banquet? Aren't formal outfits required for Carsonrick's banquets?"

"It was originally a formal outfit, but I ran into some small troubles... I got struck by a thunderbolt, but it's not a big deal."

Shard explained, then opened his palm, letting some arcs of electricity dance between his fingers. This wasn't sorcery, just a display of the most primitive supernatural power, similar to when he charred a piece of paper just by looking at it during his official induction as a Circle Sorcerer with Dr. Schneider.

Gaining this primal ability wasn't just because he was struck by a lightning bolt containing a trace of divine power; it was also due to his recent two months of studying the Book of Wild Thunder. "Thunder" was the second Spirit Rune St. Byrons recommended to him after "Light".

"Struck by lightning?"

Luviya blinked suspiciously but, considering Shard's always miraculous experiences, being struck by lightning was insignificant compared to other things involving witches, deities, and relics. Seeing that Shard was healthy and unharmed, she didn't ask further.

Mia, however, was very interested in the arcs of electricity at Shard's fingertips, noticing how its fur stood up on its own.

"So, Princess Margaret Anjou and her group have left Huntington City?"

"Yes, they departed Saturday night and should arrive here by Monday."

Shard nodded, taking a coin from his pocket, the blue "Dandelion Coin":

"Luviya, I now have three coins. I'd like to use one now to ask you for a divination."

"No problem; these coins are yours anyway. What do you want to divine?"

The two sat on the sofa, Shard holding the wriggling cat in his arms while its four legs kicked and squirmed.

"Tonight I encountered a cultist who worships the Evil God 'Fury Storm' and carried a brass box. He is a Low Ring sorcerer, taller than me but very thin, with no eyebrows. The relic he carries is the Angel-Level 'Divine Punishment of Wrath'. I want you to divine information about him."

Luviya's divination wouldn't work on deities, so she couldn't help Shard divine the origin of the box. However, the man holding the box was merely an ordinary Circle Sorcerer:

"'Divine Punishment of Wrath'? I've never heard of that relic. Is that all the information you have on that man? And what do you specifically want to know? His origins? His current location? Or his actions in the immediate future?"

She asked many questions in one breath, and Shard said while pouring himself some tea:

"This is all we know right now. What I want to know is his whereabouts over the coming period."

Shard said, and Luviya took the [Dandelion Coin], closed her eyes, and tossed the coin into the air. Shard and the cat both looked up. As the coin reached its highest point, it quickly decayed, and before it fell down, it turned into a pile of ashes and disappeared.

"Why are you looking for such an ordinary Circle Sorcerer?"

Luviya opened her eyes, the purple glow gradually fading:

"He's too ordinary, so I got more information than I expected.

Carl Leipzig, 38, worships the Evil God [Fury Storm]. Due to his high affinity with this Evil God's power, he's one of the few who can use the Relic [Wrath's Punishment]. Even though he's just a Low Ring Sorcerer, because of this, he became a high-ranking priest in the Order.

Half a month ago, that group of Cultists active in the ocean area were hired, and hence sent him and a few others inland. After tonight's failed operation, he will head to Tobesk with his companions. The exact time is uncertain, but he should arrive by next weekend, and it has something to do with Margaret Anjou."

"Coming to Tobesk? Yes, not surprisingly, but it's great to have this confirmed."

Shard smiled, feeling this was better. Compared to Huntington City, Tobesk is the stronghold of the Outlanders. As long as the opponent dares to show up, he can always get Dr. Schneider to join the action. The doctor is now Six Rings and possesses Demon Power, making him the strongest in the group.

"Do you need further divination? Another coin, and I can get more detailed information on when the opponent will arrive in Tobesk and what they'll do afterward."

Luviya suggested again. It was indeed an attractive proposal, but Shard thought for a moment and shook his head to decline.

He only had two coins left, and there might be divinations needed regarding the "Lake Goddess". Also, the next Chosen One might emerge soon, and he needed to save the coins for that.

"However, I plan to use this in the morning."

Shard took out the Time Key from his pocket, and Mia immediately reached out to paw at it. This time, Shard didn't stop her, which made the cat somewhat timidly look at him, eventually giving up on knocking the key off the coffee table.

"It seems you've found what you're looking for."

The purple-eyed girl smiled and Shard shook his head slightly:

"Just some initial clues, still far from enough. But with Frostfall Moon's latter half approaching, I must act quickly even for next month's year-end exams."

"Then good luck to you, my knight."

On this Saturday night, Luviya lingered at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, claiming she needed to check her stargazing equipment on the third floor. Hence, she stayed the night at Shard's home.

This was originally Lecia's time.

On Sunday morning, while Luviya was still sleeping, Shard finished washing up and prepared for another Space-Time adventure. After three weeks, he was once again entering past times, feeling somewhat excited.

"The time is, the year 5177 of the Late Fifth Era."

He stood at the side door holding the key, Mia lay on the sofa watching him, accustomed to the scene. It was six o'clock on Sunday morning, and the energetic cat knew there was a good chance breakfast would be earlier since Shard got up early.

"The information from the History Academy is not credible, witches in the Black Forest sacrificing their apprentices, summoning Evil Gods, then getting captured by the Witch Empress. It's too ordinary, doesn't seem like it's something I should face. Wonder which Deity I'll meet this time... Hopefully not an Evil God, please not an Evil God..."

With this thought, Shard softly said in Elvish:

"May the World Tree bless me in time."

Click~

The key turned, and the opened side door revealed the misty white fog. Shard nostalgically anticipated the coming adventure.

"Mia, don't worry, I'll prepare your breakfast when I return."

He said to the cat behind him, hearing a "meow~" that sounded like Mia yawning. When he turned around, the cat lay obediently on the sofa, seeming shy about Shard seeing it yawn with its mouth wide open.

With a smile, he waved to Mia, the cat lying on the sofa with paws tucked in stared at him, showing no intention of waving back.

Shard stepped into the mist gate before him.