Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 952 - 952: The Thief's Target

"No problem, but when the fourth Chosen One is about to appear, what extra divination do you need? Are you encountering some trouble?"

Luviya asked with concern, and Shard shook his head:

"Dorothy's rented house was robbed, suspected to be Thief Jack who slipped into the study through the window. Since it dared to steal from Dorothy, I surely can't let it go. Oh, Luviya, I know this is a waste, but I can't just pretend this didn't happen..."

"You don't need to explain to me, rather I'm glad that you care so much for Dorothy, this shows that on the path to pursuing the epic, you still remember to care for those around you."

Luviya laughed, but did not pick up the coin:

"If you want to catch it, I think you don't need my help. The Church of the Five Gods is certain, that relic corresponds to the 'Invisible Man' in Vynars' Trial. The Church paid a price for the association to divine, as a thief, we couldn't pinpoint its whereabouts, but ultimately the divination showed the items it would steal within the week."

"Oh? Something like that?"

"Do you have a map of Tobesk City?"

"Of course I do."

Shard rummaged through a small toy in his pocket and restored the map to spread it on the table. It was a map left by Detective Sparrow, not only highly accurate but also had unique annotations:

"If the divination result wasn't misinterpreted, this week, that thief will repeatedly strike within this area."

Luviya drew a circle in the center of the map with her hand, roughly covering Yordle Palace, Saint Delan Square, and the surrounding area, even including part of the other side of the Terael River. In other words, this is the core area of Central Tobesk.

"The stolen item is related to the Royal Family, was directly touched by King Larus III in 1853, and symbolizes identity and status itself."

Luviya said, and Shard moved Mia to the edge of the map to let her hold it down:

"But within this large area, the things the King has touched probably amount to more than five figures, don't they? Not only lifeless items, but the King's children, relatives, horses, pets, and mistresses all 'symbolize identity and status'."

Luviya pointed again at Yordle Palace, with little Mia lying beside watching the two discuss:

"The range is somewhat large, but the church suspects here the most."

"Yordle Palace? Indeed, this could be considered the most worthwhile place to steal from in the entire Tobesk City."

"Besides Yordle Palace, the Senate and the nobles and senior officials living in this area might also be targets of theft. You know, noble medals, commissions—all of these have been directly contacted by the King."

Luviya pointed at Saint Delan Square on the map:

"Of course, this includes you too."

The purple-eyed girl smiled and Shard deeply agreed.

He decided that for the next few nights he would tie a string from Mia's paw to his own wrist when he sleeps so that he could know at any moment if little Mia was being carried away by someone else. Divination only learned of one action of Thief Jack; it doesn't mean the other party would commit only one theft this week.

"What does the church plan to do? Will they launch a large-scale ritual capable of sanctifying the city sanctuary in the surrounding regions? Or urgently mobilize Thirteen-Ring Sorcerers from nearby areas and manage regions by grid? Or perhaps bring in seven or eight targeted Angel-Level relics to counter this relic?"

"No, no, no."

Luviya hurriedly shook her head:

"Thief Jack becomes stronger in the face of strong opposition. If too powerful a force is used to defend, it might instead cause the relic itself to go out of control. But if only normal strategies are used to defend, the church is almost certain the opponent would escape. Therefore, the current plan is to prepare for low-intensity engagement, not setting up large-scale perception rituals, but requiring full mobilization of the Church of the Five Gods' Circle Sorcerer teams."

"That's not a bad strategy, it's just unknown whether other organizations like the Truth Society will also meddle. I heard from Iluna that quite many organizations are involved in this matter."

Shard pondered:

"It's a pity we don't know Thief Jack's exact time and location of action, or else I would act no matter what. Even if not for the Sage's Glowstone, for Dorothy's sake. Luviya, you should have seen how low Dorothy was when she came to my house this morning."

"Is it really okay to discuss one lady in front of another?"

Luviya raised an eyebrow, continuing:

"But I do know Thief Jack's time of action; it's the location that's uncertain."

She looked satisfied, seeing Shard's surprised expression:

"It's thanks to this."

Luviya took out the ancient silver coin:

"Remember it? The Diviner's Silver Coin, it assists diviners in their divinations. With this relic and the sudden inspiration, I peered into the impending fate. Today is Monday; two days later, on Wednesday night amidst the fog, Thief Jack will commit another theft."

Shard slightly frowned, as Thief Jack himself possesses anti-divination powers. No matter how skilled Luviya's divination arts are, it would be impossible to divine so precisely. He vaguely understood it was related to Luviya's "another me" which was different from others, similar to how Luviya knew what big book Miss Pavo, Vice President of the Truth Society, held, but he didn't expose this point:

"Wednesday night... On Wednesday night, I will be here, at the Prophet's Society, attending the reading salon held by Princess Lecia. Yes, this spot is quite good, offering a direct view of Yordle Palace. If anything stands out, I'll try to take action. Even if there's no chance, I will still assist the Church. Although I am only a Four Ring Sorcerer, I should still be of some help. In any case, that thief must be caught."

"Alright."

Luviya helped Shard fold the map:

"On Wednesday night, I'll stay at the Society, maybe I can help you then."

Even though she and Shard were both Four Rings, she had already acknowledged Shard's superior combat ability.

"Okay."

Shard thought about Dorothy saying this morning that she also wanted to help, but since Princess Lecia would be present at the Prophet's Society on Wednesday, due to their soul's resistance, Miss Writer definitely couldn't come.

"Then let Dorothy go to No. 6, Saint Delan Square on Wednesday night to take care of Mia for me. On Wednesday, I might encounter battles, and I can't casually bring this cat around."

Shard made his decision, then hesitated whether to ask Luviya to bring the Night Watchman sword to the Prophet's Society in advance. Although this sword is an Angel-Level Relic, it only exhibits strong effects when combating evil; otherwise, it is merely an exceedingly sharp sword.

And the information shared by Iluna on Thief Jack shows that, although the opponent is a thief, he is not deemed as "evil."

"Do you want to have dinner together tonight? If you return late, I can go to your house and wait for you."

The purple-eyed girl suddenly asked again.

"What? A flight, of course, I was distracted just now. Who am I? Of course, we'll have dinner together."

Shard again thought of the book with a silver corner containing one-third of the knowledge, which he didn't get to show Dorothy last time; perhaps he could let Luviya have a look this time, maybe she knows what it is:

"I obtained a beautiful flying glowing item last week; after dinner, you can come to my house to see it."

As soon as Shard spoke, Luviya immediately showed a playful smile, a look Shard had seen on Dorothy over the weekend:

"Shard, isn't this excuse a bit too old-fashioned?"

Dorothy had also said this, but the next sentence was Luviya's "original":

"However... I also bought a pretty nightgown, you might like it."

(Mia running...)

Thief Jack's thefts are within the district of Tobesk City, so Miss Galina's estate outside the city is very safe.

This Monday, Shard planned to go to Huntington City to handle matters concerning Professor Drake, considering that this matter likely involves relics or something even more terrifying. So, before departure, Shard temporarily left Mia at Miss Galina's estate.

Just that Miss Galina had taken Tifa into the city, the officials accompanying Princess Margaret indeed brought some trade proposals. As it involved the County of Saradiel, Miss Galina had to attend the meeting.

Fortunately, Mia was quite familiar with the estate, and the maids there were fond of the cat. Shard left Mia there, not having to worry about Mia being mistreated. But as Shard was about to board a carriage back to the city from the estate's entrance, he gazed from afar at the cat on the study's windowsill watching him; at that moment, he really felt concerned.

After returning home, he took the Night Watchman sword, wrapped the sword scabbard with fabric strips, and held it in his hand, then headed to Huntington City via the basement.

When he arrived at White Valley Vineyard, it was already eleven in the morning. Shard rode directly to the nearby Benhart Estate, but unfortunately, Mr. Benhart was not there.

The old butler knew Shard was a friend of Benhart and directed him to the White King Club in the city district, where Mr. Benhart had invited him for dinner during his first visit to this city.

Shard couldn't directly enter the White King Club, the most upscale club in Huntington City, allowing entry only to members or those accompanied by senior members. Fortunately, they allowed people to be found here; Shard explained his purpose to the doorman, prompting a staff member to look for Mr. Benhart.

Shortly after, Mr. Benhart came personally to greet Shard at the entrance, appearing in good spirits:

"Oh, Mr. Holmes, we were just discussing you, come quickly with me, I've found all the information you need."

"We? Do you have other friends here?"

Shard followed this upper-class middle-aged vampire kind into the elegantly luxurious club, Mr. Benhart nodded:

"Yes, I want to introduce you to my friend, Father Nobel from the Peace Church, he is an old friend of mine."

Led by a server, they entered the restaurant of the club, extremely quiet with local gentlemen whispering to each other, each table far apart, intentionally designed for secret conversations.

"Father Nobel? That surname is rare."

Shard saw the middle-aged priest wearing a black uniform robe, who turned to look at them.

"It's indeed him."

Father Nobel was the Eight Rings Sorcerer who appeared on the night of Princess Margaret's departure from Huntington, leaving a profound impression on Shard with his arcane technique similar to a "self-destructive white dove bomb" on the rooftop.