Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 920 - 920: The First Snowfall

In any case, regardless of what else might happen at Lake Schluch, Shard has already returned to the lounge on the third floor of the manor with the witches. By this time, it was already nearing eleven in the evening, but the atmosphere of the banquet was becoming increasingly lively. Most of the people here would probably leave after midnight, so tonight was indeed going to be a long one.

After Shard sank into the sofa, he let out a long breath, his whole body seeming to relax into it. He looked upwards at the crystal chandelier in the center of the room, a contented expression on his face. But then his face was suddenly covered by a shadow; it was Mia's little head blocking his view, the cat seemingly studying his expression.

The gains from the battle at Lake Schluch were not only the Thunder Spirit Rune and further changes in Lagre's Leap, but more importantly, divinity. Divinity was the fundamental reason the Outlander could live a peaceful life. Whether used for the Four Rings' ascent to the Five Rings, or for burning divinity to incarnate as a god, this drop of divinity was the basis for Shard's ability to move freely in this world.

Tifa and the maids were busying around, preparing fresh tea and snacks. The two Grand Witches had also taken their seats. Shard and Tifa had already recounted their experiences on the way back, and the witches learned about the connection between the important material for the Chosen One Ceremony for the fourth Chosen One, the Sage's Glowstone, and the so-called Keeper of Secrets.

"The Trial of Vynars: seeking the Invisible 'Man' in the Tobesk Region."

As Shard spoke, he reached out with both hands to hold the curious cat and then sat up straight again:

"The epic for the fourth Chosen One has finally begun. The Invisible Man, what does this refer to?"

"Since it's some kind of trial, it probably won't go on for months without a clue. Tonight, quite a few Circle Sorcerers definitely heard the trial's contents, and interestingly enough..."

The Duchess looked at Shard:

"The Chosen One must have appeared here tonight as well. Perhaps they ascended the island, or maybe they were just in the banquet hall. My maid and Sylvia's are both on the third floor, so since they can hear it, the sorcerers in the courtyard, garden, first and second floors should be able to hear it too. The question now is, to which faction does this Chosen One belong?"

The High Ring Sorcerers of the Church had already rushed from the city, but they didn't check the identities of all the guests at the banquet. Instead, they sealed off Lake Schluch for investigation. But clearly, after this banquet, both the Church and the witches would conduct a detailed identity investigation of all guests who appeared at Lakeside Manor, though given the large number of people and the fact that the Chosen One couldn't be identified through divination, this was probably a huge task.

But at least it's a direction for investigation.

The ball had already started when Shard was playing Roder cards, and Shard remembered that he had promised Miss Writer to dance together, so shortly after he bid farewell to the two witches, intending to take a turn on the first floor. Of course, he left Mia behind, since holding a cat wouldn't allow him to dance, and he was also worried that something else might happen later, leaving the witches to look after it was the safest choice.

After Shard left, Miss Galina held the reluctant cat and looked at Tifa who stood beside her with a smile:

"Change into your dress and go dance with Shard downstairs."

"Miss..."

Tifa seemed a bit uneasy.

"Don't show such an expression, am I a harsh person to you?"

She urged with a wave of her hand, prompting Tifa to prepare to change her clothes.

"Miss Galina, you are indeed generous."

The young Grand Witch sitting across from her said, with a smile on the elegant face of the Duchess:

"Tifa is mine; Shard is mine too. What kind of generosity is this?"

After a deliberate pause, she said softly:

"I wouldn't be this generous to others."

She glanced at Miss Sylvia, who seemed not to understand this "warning":

"Before coming to Tobesk, I always thought that in your relationship, Hamilton was the one benefiting from you. From tonight, it seems Mr. Hamilton is actually the one providing help."

"You have indeed discovered part of the truth. Shard defines our relationship as cooperation, but sometimes I think I owe him, it's truly a curious relationship."

Miss Galina said, knowing that Miss Sylvia was curious about many things, but she was willing to watch this inquisitive witch remain curious on her own:

"Tonight's matter must be quickly reported to the Council. It seems we will be busy this winter as well."

When Shard, back downstairs again, saw Dorothy, Lecia was not by her side. Because he had previously arranged to dance with Dorothy, Shard easily found her.

The blonde girl had been waiting for Shard for quite some time, and upon seeing him approach, she eagerly took his hand, leading him towards the dancers.

Through the experience of numerous balls, Shard now couldn't exactly call himself proficient in dancing, but at least he no longer accidentally stepped on the ladies' feet. After finishing the dance with Dorothy, she even complimented Shard on his improved dancing skills. Before she could inquire further about his training methods, Shard took out the small round gilded box he had kept in his pocket all evening, opening it to reveal the heart-shaped ruby inside:

"Dorothy, this is for you."

He handed over the gemstone, and this time Dorothy coyly accepted it.

"Knight, this gemstone is really beautiful, it suits Miss Luisa perfectly."

Lecia's voice appeared from the side, and the princess, wearing a Silver Crown, approached with her maid, smiling.

Shard pretended to adjust his collar, then extended his hand:

"Your Highness, may I have the honor to invite you for the next dance?"

There were many people around, and everyone could hear Shard's voice.

"Yes, of course. I just hope Aunt Galina won't blame me."

Lecia said, tilting her head back, placing her hand, clad in white lace gloves, on Shard's hand.

After Lecia, Shard saw Tifa approaching, in a blue evening dress and black high heels. Shard rarely saw Tifa in an evening gown; she seemed a bit shy and said nothing upon reaching Shard, so Shard took the initiative to invite her again.

However, after dancing that upbeat dance with Tifa, there was still no reminder in his ear about proving his own charm.

The banquet was nearing midnight. Shard, who had been a bit impatient before the banquet began, felt at this moment that he had let go of this obsession.

Of course, this was also because he had successfully acquired a drop of divinity.

Since his plan had fallen through, dancing with pretty girls at the ball didn't prove anything. Shard allowed himself to temporarily forget the so-called task and focused on enjoying the remaining time of this grand wedding ceremony.

After dancing with Tifa, Lecia was called away by her sister, Leanna Barov, who was married to Marquess Barrow, and Dorothy, upon seeing Dr. Schneider, went to talk to him temporarily.

Shard accompanied Tifa back to the courtyard and somehow ended up in the shadows of the hedges, embracing and kissing.

But Tifa didn't stay with Shard for long. When that long kiss ended, she gave Shard a peck on the cheek and, in good spirits, returned to the mansion.

"It's really lively..."

Everyone temporarily left his side, even Mia wasn't here for the moment. Shard stood alone in the courtyard, watching the tents lit by gas lamps and the people dressed to the nines walking among them, involuntarily sighing in his heart.

Swoosh~

A sudden sound overhead, followed by a bang~ as it exploded.

Shard looked up to see beams of light soaring into the night sky, then exploding into fireworks. The fireworks illuminated his face, and Shard exhaled a breath of relief:

"Although I didn't plan on going back, somehow, I feel a bit homesick now."

[At least you have no regrets about this banquet.]

"She" said gently in Shard's ear:

[Many years later, when you recollect this night at Lakeside Manor, you'll have gained more than you thought.]

"Yes, it is truly the most beautiful memory... Since it's you comforting me, does it count as comforting myself?"

Shard asked in his heart, with his head tilted up, as the light from the fireworks illuminated his eyes:

"But there's still a regret."

[Unable to prove wisdom and charm?]

"Of course not."

Shard softly said in his heart:

"Divinity is a power beyond the ordinary, and any acquisition of divinity is related to fate and cannot be forced. What I regret is that there was someone I wanted to dance with, and yet now I cannot dance with them."

He looked towards the moon in the starry sky, nervously clasping his hands behind his back.

There was a laughter in his ears, "She" did not answer immediately, but Shard knew "She" was watching the fireworks bursting in the night sky with him.

Beams of light shot into the sky, the fireworks exploding under the starry sky were so magnificent. The noisy sounds of the banquet courtyard and the faint music from the mansion behind were so loud in the deep night.

Although Shard didn't like drinking, he wanted to raise a glass at this moment and quietly watch the fireworks under the starry sky with "Her":

"Many years later, recalling this night, I should feel very sentimental."

Turning back to the mansion, but after stepping into the mansion doorway, he suddenly felt something icy blown to his ear by the wind. Shard froze suddenly, then heard the excitement of people in the manor courtyard saying something.

"This is..."

Turning around, he hurriedly walked back to the courtyard, with his back to the brightly lit mansion, Shard looked up at the deep sky, then opened his left hand that was not holding anything. A small, crystalline snowflake, from the darkness, fell into Shard's blood-colored palm, then quietly melted away.

He smiled with delight at the corner of his mouth, looking up at the front. In just a few minutes, the tiny snowflakes, like grains of sugar, had already started to fall.

"Oh, it's snowing!"

In the Sixth Era, in the Common Era Calendar 1853, the first snow in Tobesk arrived quietly on the night of Tuesday, the nineteenth day of Frostfall Moon.

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