Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 907 - 907: Angelina's Ambition

Holding the cat with one hand, in order to prevent anyone from seeing his expression at the moment, Shard lowered his head to tidy the creases in his clothes as he walked. When he raised his head again, a glance swept over the spot where the banquet hall connected to the corridor, and he suddenly froze:

"Huh? Did I see it wrong?"

[You didn't see it wrong, it's him.]

"Oh, my Mia."

Shard groaned softly in his heart and quickly walked towards the location of the corridor on the first floor.

"Dr. Schneider!"

A few dozen seconds later, he made his way through the crowd to the corridor. Calling out softly, the middle-aged man at the other end of the empty corridor, about to turn the corner, stopped. He turned to look at Shard, and sure enough, it was Dr. Bill Schneider.

The blue-eyed middle-aged psychiatrist was also dressed quite handsomely for the banquet, with a silk cap and formal attire looking rather remarkable.

"Oh, good evening, Shard."

He stopped walking to greet Shard, not in the least surprised that Shard was also attending the banquet:

"I just heard about your achievements earlier, the dart game and horse race, quite impressive. It seems your social life is truly colorful."

"Let's not talk about that now, Doctor, why are you here?"

Shard asked in surprise, quickly catching up with him and lowering his voice to ask. He still remembered that summer night; it was only after unexpectedly seeing Dr. Schneider at the Lakeside Manor that everything began.

The corridor on the first floor of the banquet was almost deserted, with only some art exhibits on this side. The sound from the outdoor courtyard was even louder than the indoor sounds, so there was no need to worry about their conversation being overheard.

"This..."

Dr. Schneider hesitated for a moment before saying:

"I'll tell you, but you mustn't tell anyone else."

"Don't worry, I can even swear on my cat."

"No, that's not necessary; it's not that serious."

The doctor shook his head, standing under the gaslight at the corner. The gas lamps at Lakeside Manor had all been replaced after the incident on the midsummer night, with the church concerned that the unsuccessful Godfall had left hidden dangers at the manor, so all the gas lamps were uniformly marked with the Sun Pattern of the Sun Holy Emblem.

"I came accompanying Mr. Alan Madison."

He added after speaking:

"You remember this gentleman, right? Correspondence Circle Mage from Xerxes Higher Medical Academy, also a group leader like me. Last time, you met him at Hymn Square with me, when you were in the midst of selling colored... "

"Oh, Doctor, no need to remind me."

Shard promptly stopped him from continuing, as Dr. Schneider's "Grand Memory Restoration Spell" method worked very effectively:

"He's the spice merchant with a turban."

He nodded to show he remembered.

The doctor continued to speak, his eyes surveying the surroundings:

"Two Correspondence Circle Mages from Xerxes Higher Medical Academy have come from out of town, not from this region. According to the academy's arrangement, these two out-of-town Correspondence Students are to liaise with Alan and act under their group's identity while in Tobesk. They agreed to confirm their identities at tonight's banquet, but you know, Alan isn't a noble and hasn't attended similar gatherings. Worried about making a fool of himself if he came alone, he invited me to come along."

"So that's how it is."

Shard nodded slightly. When Priest Augustus went to Midshire Fort, he didn't liaise with the local group because the Old Cleric's identity was special, and there was a special task from the church. Meanwhile, Her Highness the Princess was evidently studious, unlike Priest Augustus.

"However, I cannot tell you who those two out-of-town Correspondence Circle Mages are..."

After saying this, the doctor laughingly added, almost unable to resist:

"Their identities are very special. I was quite amazed when I heard about it."

He had the look of someone eager to share a secret with Shard but unable to say it.

Shard nodded again, saying nonchalantly:

"It's Her Highness Margaret Anjou and Sir Lakin Prisia."

"Hmm?"

Dr. Schneider was taken aback:

"How did you..."

"I have my own sources."

Shard pointed upward, leaving it to the doctor to guess for himself.

The doctor didn't ask about the source of the information, instead, he extended an invitation:

"Since you already know, why don't you join me? I think the Princess wouldn't mind getting to know other Circle Sorcerers in this area. Besides, you're a noble; you might have some common topics with the Princess and the Sir."

"No, no, Doctor, I won't be going with you."

Shard shook his head. He didn't want to expose his identity as a Circle Sorcerer in front of those two for now:

"I have an urgent task to attend to; I need to look at a manuscript of a book."

"Is it an ancient book? Indeed, the party is an excellent place for such transactions. Go ahead with your matters, but our group and Alan's group have a good relationship. If you still wish to meet the gentleman and lady who came from out of town, you can have Alan introduce you later."

Dr. Schneider said, intending to take his leave, but then suddenly added:

"Speaking of which, is there something going to happen at this manor again? I just saw several Circle Sorcerers from the True God Church, but I'm not sure if they're here simply for the party or something else."

"Probably to protect the Princess."

Shard stated, about to explain the events in Huntington but then recalled the witches mentioning the appearance of a "big one" at Lake Schluch, so he warned:

"Doctor, don't go near Lake Schluch tonight."

"Why would I go there?"

Dr. Schneider asked in confusion but immediately seemed to understand, showing a trace of panic on his face:

"Oh, you mean... it's not that kind of summer incident again, is it?"

"No, no, it's not that serious. It's just an uncontained relic, and a High Ring Sorcerer will handle it. We just need to stay away."

The doctor breathed a sigh of relief:

"This manor has left a deep impression on me; I don't wish to be forced to use the Sublimation Incantation again. I'll head off now; Alan is still waiting for me. Remember to contact me if anything happens... I have a feeling that something extraordinary might occur tonight."

The doctor murmured, turning to walk towards another corridor.

Shard stood there, watching the doctor's retreating figure. Past experiences told him that whenever Dr. Schneider appeared at a night party under peculiar circumstances, and particularly when they ran into each other, something major would always transpire:

"What is going to happen?"

Pondering over the wedding banquet tonight, Shard went from the first floor to the third. Just like before, the guards in the corridor where the lounge was maintained made no attempt to stop Shard.

Just as Shard was about to knock on Lecia's lounge door, the opposite door opened, and the Little Princess, Angelina, along with several other noble girls who appeared only fourteen or fifteen, came out giggling from the opposite room.

They had been painting oil paintings in the room; Shard saw the easels standing by the window, with canvases depicting somewhat abstract, deep blue starry skies.

"Hamilton Detective."

Angelina, who had been chatting with her companions, looked up and saw Shard, smiling as she greeted him and even saying hello to Mia:

"Would you like to join us for a walk in the garden? There's a 'goose-herding game' at the Hedge Maze, which should be quite fun."

"Goose-herding game" refers to using sticks or other means within a time limit to drive geese enclosed in a fenced area to a target position. It sounds like a country game, but it's quite popular at wedding banquets.

Angelina was speaking when she suddenly halted because she realized which door Shard was standing in front of:

"Detective, you..."

Her face showed a look of fear, and she asked rather bewilderedly:

"What are you planning to do?"

"Her Highness Lecia said she has a manuscript of 'Summer Night Collection' and invited me to see it."

Shard explained naturally. Angelina first nodded, then seemed to think of something:

"Don't go; she's tricking..."

A creaking sound~

"Oh, Angelina, I thought you were still painting oil paintings. What are you discussing?"

The door opened, and Lecia, who was still in the motion of pushing it, asked curiously.

"Sister, I..."

The sixteen-year-old princess instinctively stepped back, stuttering, not knowing what to say. Lecia glanced at her oddly before reaching out to grab Shard's wrist, pulling him into the room, mildly complaining:

"Honestly, why did you dawdle so long? I asked you to come quickly; oh, Knight, I'm not always this patient. You'd best respect a lady's invitation; must I have someone drag you in?"

With that, the door shut with a bang~, leaving Angelina there clutching her skirt hem.

The youngest daughter of the Esberg Family, who had already gone far ahead, turned to call her, but Angelina shook her head, letting them go on ahead.

When only she was left in the corridor, the Little Princess cautiously walked to Lecia's door, biting her lip as she pressed her ear against it.

She heard women's laughter, a jumble of footsteps, the clinking of glasses, the sound of curtains being drawn, meowing, and the sound of a wardrobe door opening; then all the noises abruptly ceased as a Silence Charm was tossed onto the carpet.

Although she could hear nothing now, just thinking about what might be happening inside elicited a heart-itching feeling akin to being scratched by cat claws. Angelina Cavendish remained motionless, ear pressed to the door, even though she stood in a brightly lit corridor, and the room's temperature inside was adequately comfortable, yet a sense of loss and unease made her feel as if she were standing in a snow-covered street. Imagining the heated happenings inside that room, muddled by the feeling of grievance, a strange emotion emerged...

"Oh~"

Suddenly a low exclamation escaped, then realizing her emotions were quite abnormal, Angelina immediately stepped away from the door, touched her burning face, and then lifted her skirt hem, lightly dashed to chase after her friends.

Glancing back once more at that door, Angelina Katharina Cavendish softly said in her heart:

"Hamilton Knight, I will surely rescue you."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.