Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 945 - 945 Food Pocket

"Yes, let's discuss business."

Miss Violet finally said, glancing at the cat lying on Shard's lap, then signaled her maid to bring over a stack of papers. Shard wasn't very clear on how advanced the papermaking technology was in the Late Fifth Era, but just from a visual standpoint, the quality of those papers rivaled the ones he had used in his homeland, and there was even a faint fragrance on the paper, presumably a result of special processing from the raw materials stage.

"The improved method for the Magic Potion [Fire Resistance Potion]."

She waved the stack of paper in her hand and handed it to Shard. It consisted of four pages, including materials and potion-making processes, and Shard skimmed through it in less than ten seconds.

"I've also completed part of my thesis."

Miss Teresa retrieved a rolled-up parchment from the pile of books behind her.

The parchment was much heavier, and unlike Miss Violet's flamboyant cursive script, Miss Teresa wrote with extreme neatness. These two writing styles perfectly reflected the personalities of the witches.

"This is mine."

Shard also took out his own thesis and handed it to the two witches for review.

While they were reading his thesis, Shard caressed Mia and looked around. It was only then he noticed that compared to the last time he came here, the lakeside camp now had more scattered living supplies. Although he didn't know how much time had specifically passed, the group of eight witches clearly intended to live here for the long term.

Miss Violet appeared somewhat unwell, the hem of Miss Teresa's skirt was mysteriously cut off in one part, and the six maids appeared visibly fatigued since the last time. Although time was chaotic, it still affected them.

"Finishing this thesis was really not easy, I even consulted a witch to complete the final draft. However, since the three of us each have our own preparations, at least one should be recognized by that Deity."

Shard whispered, his voice still relatively clear amid the crackling of the campfire. The cat he was petting was now somewhat drowsy, even though it had just awakened, the current environment was simply too soothing.

"I also hope everything goes smoothly."

Miss Teresa said softly, but Miss Violet did not immediately suggest that they set off. She handed Shard's thesis to Miss Teresa, then looked at Shard inquisitively:

"Sir, you left so hastily last time that we didn't have a chance to ask more questions. What exactly are you? Please don't say you're just a traveler from afar again, travelers from afar wouldn't suddenly disappear from the Lost Lake, this lake doesn't permit such things."

"Who I am doesn't matter."

Shard's fingers scratched Mia's chin, who squinted and tilted her head, purring from her throat:

"What's important is, I'm here to help you."

Miss Teresa's gaze shifted from the thesis written in the language of the Sixth Era to her distant aunt. She recalled the last time Shard left, the two had discussed the legends circulating among the Three Major Academies. Although Shard wasn't the so-called "lady with a good figure," he did emerge from the mist and reach out to help them.

Miss Violet gestured backward, and the maid retrieved the [Night Watchman]. The familiar sword was stabbed into the ground by the witch, inciting the eerie power of Lost Lake's Heart Island to cause the silver sword to emit a sanctified glow. The saffron rune inscribed "My Heart is Clear, Sword Slays Demons" lit up, ready to be wielded by its owner to face adversaries.

"Have you ever used this sword?"

Miss Violet asked bluntly, and when Shard heard "she" chuckle, he raised an eyebrow, recalling that this sword had the ability to inherit the skills of its users. Shard was well aware that his swordsmanship probably wasn't worth recording or passing down, but his methods for amplifying his Arcane Technique and utilizing Miss Danester's experience to employ the "Moonlight Series Magic" with this sword might hold some value.

Thinking of this, he remembered touching the sword previously, and thus Shard roughly understood what had happened:

"There really is such a method; when I touched [Night Watchman] at this time, it was equivalent to being recognized again as its wielder, so..."

Time converged on the sword, and Shard squinted:

"Yes, I have indeed used the [Night Watchman], but not at this point in time."

He admitted, while Miss Teresa looked at him in shock, and the Witch Empress showed an expression of satisfaction:

"It seems I guessed correctly, but what method did you use? I don't believe there's any way that allows for such 'adventures.' Even if you successfully crossed over to here, the Guardian left by the Tree Father would still hunt you down for your violation."

Miss Violet suspiciously inquired, never actively mentioning the term "time travel," as if fearing it might disturb something.

Shard shook his head slightly:

"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't say."

The [Time Key] didn't prohibit investigators from revealing secrets, but given Shard's understanding of time travel, the Father of the Infinite Tree forbade any actions that could potentially have a wide-ranging impact on space-time continuity.

"Alright, I understand some things, even I am not supposed to know, as I am still a mortal. But this is truly remarkable; such things can actually happen. Sir, if only you could stay longer, there are many questions I wish to have answered."

"That wouldn't do, my purpose is solely to assist you."

Shard said regretfully. He also had many things he wished the witches of the Fifth Era could answer.

"Aunt, do you understand anything now?"

Miss Teresa asked curiously. She had a faint guess but couldn't be certain.

The Witch Empress pressed down the brim of her hat, her tone slightly stern:

"Schultz, graduating from the Academy is just the start of you being a witch. You haven't even reached the starting line yet, how could you know things only the witch judges would know?"

Miss Teresa opened her mouth but said nothing, Shard clearly saw her sulking.

Miss Violet held onto the hand the maid extended, ready to rise, and signaled that they could set off:

"I've had enough of this place. Since I took over the throne, I've never lived outside for such a long time."

"Are your supplies sufficient?"

Shard asked curiously.

"More than enough, at least we've consumed less than half so far."

It wasn't Miss Violet who answered, but the head maid among the six maids gave the answer. As for how Shard knew she was the head maid, it was because her dress style was slightly different from the others, Tifa had once mentioned the difference between the head maid and the maids to Shard.

"Before setting off, Her Majesty specifically brought the relics [Inexhaustible Spring], [Triss' Dressing Room], and [The Brave's Food Pouch]. Although we can't use those simple and strange ingredients to make palace kitchen delicacies, it's enough just to maintain basic consumption."

"Prepared so thoroughly, huh?"

Shard was somewhat surprised, then realized that although the Witch Empresses of the Fifth Era might not all be demigods, their power and wealth certainly reigned supreme in the Fifth Era.

"Do you want to try this before departing?"

Miss Violet didn't immediately get up, but instead instructed the brown-haired head maid to bring over a dark red pouch about the size of Shard's two palms, fastened with a ribbon. Shard couldn't discern what animal the pouch was made from, only noticed its surface was covered with various bumps.

But when it was handed over by Miss Violet, Shard immediately caught a whiff of fragrance.

Almost instantly, both his and Mia's stomachs growled. Neither had eaten breakfast before setting out, and upon smelling that unusual alluring scent, their bodies responded uncontrollably.

"Mia, don't be so embarrassing."

Shard scolded his cat.

"Meow?"

The small cat looked up at him with wide eyes.

"You can pay spirit to this relic to get food. But the types of food are completely random. Theoretically, anything that won't cause death from one bite counts as food."

Miss Violet laughed:

"The negative trait is relatively simple—[The Brave's Food Pouch] might produce living things or food containing fatal diseases."

She gestured for Shard to try it.

In the Sixth Era, Shard hadn't heard of this relic, but he heard Priest Augustus mention a relic that transforms feces into food. In comparison, while [The Brave's Food Pouch] is less practical, it's certainly more palatable than that.

The enticing aroma from the food pouch is another trait of this relic; it actively lures people to draw food from it. Witches can resist such aroma, but if an ordinary person got hold of this relic, they're likely to eat themselves to death.

In this regard, this relic aids in obtaining the [Gluttony] Spirit Rune.

Shard reached his hand into the pouch and felt warm steam rising from within. Soon he felt something in his grasp, pulled it out, only to find it was a steaming chicken egg, with its shell peeled off, and warm mist swirling around its smooth white surface.

"Hmm..."

He recalled a certain memory, and "she" laughed beside Shard's ear, while Mia, looking at the egg, surprisingly showed no urge to eat it. Shard naturally knew what "she" and it were reminded of, and he said nothing, silently took a bite.

"Just an ordinary egg, how boring."

Miss Violet said propping her chin, while Miss Teresa observed Shard's peculiar expression. Shard didn't answer, extended the pouch to Miss Teresa, but she refused it, suggesting playfully:

"Sir, let your cat try it."