Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

In the Common Era Calendar year 1854, on the first day of the Moon of Birth, a Wednesday morning, the day began with a slightly awkward, yet inexplicably harmonious family atmosphere.

The awkward moment was when everyone was awakened by Mia in the wardrobe early in the morning, and the young women tacitly pretended to be asleep; the harmony was in everyone humming songs and preparing breakfast together when Shard returned to the living room after washing up.

This is the most important breakfast of the year, and the skilled hostesses absolutely would not hesitate to demonstrate their culinary skills.

During their breakfast preparations, Shard, deemed in the way, sat in the living room, holding the cat, sipping tea, and reading the newspaper as he waited.

"I thought, after spending my first year in this world, you might have something to say."

He sighed softly in his heart, and "she" answered with a smile in Shard's ear:

[You've already found your way to celebrate, and besides, the past is just that—past. You must face brand new challenges, right?]

"Yes, tougher challenges indeed."

For the start of the year, this scene was indeed quite leisurely and pleasant. While Shard hoped that his life would maintain this pace throughout the year, the dream he had last night already indicated that he wouldn't be so idle.

Luckily, Dr. Schneider was indeed professional; even though Shard had invaded the young women's dreams last night, Lecia, Dorothy, and Luviya did not notice. The shy young women did not mention the events of last night, as if they had all rested in different rooms.

Shard now shifted his gaze from the newspaper, comparing the house he owned with the dilapidated scene in his dream. His eyes then turned to Mia, and as expected, he still found the cat with amber eyes to look cuter:

"But the cat in the dream, is it really Luviya's other self who has seen it, or is it like Lecia's dream where the cat only appeared because of one's thoughts?"

Regardless of whether the cat was real, the dream itself was definitely not merely a dream. On the night that 1853 ended and 1854 officially began, the Outlander touched the truth of the world. Though it was hard to accept, he had to face this reality.

He still needed to hold a ceremony to verify his final hypothesis and sort out the sequence of time. After that, new adventures needed to unfold. With the end of the old year and the start of the new year, the end of the Low Rings and the beginning of the Inner Rings, a new story had already opened its prologue. Up ahead, he might face greater dangers, but fortunately, he was no longer alone.

"So, what else did you discover last night?"

He asked softly in his heart.

[In last night's deep contact, you touched the mystery of her soul.]

[Luviya Annette's other self is entangled with a powerful time curse, and the soul is severely damaged.]

[It's confirmed that the reason Luviya Annette is tangled up with the curse is because of her other self.]

The whisper in his ear conveyed crucial information, and Shard continued to stroke the cat's ears. The cat obediently lay on Shard's lap, anticipating a hearty meal for breakfast.

"I already knew this, so does her other self have an independent soul?"

[Yes, but the essence of the soul is completely consistent with her own.]

These words confirmed Shard's longstanding suspicions, and thus he asked a critical question:

"Can such a degree of soul damage be healed?"

Shard inquired internally while continuing to look at the newspaper in his hand.

The newspaper contained a special report on His Majesty the King's speech at the council yesterday morning. The front-page headline, of course, was a large photo of His Majesty waving his right hand, but Shard could see a small part of Lecia's body at the edge of the photo.

Being able to follow her father and appear at the speech addressing all citizens during the Year-End Festival was significant for Lecia. This morning's edition was two entire pages thicker because it fully reprinted His Majesty the King's speech.

However, the King's speech did indeed describe the state of Draleon in 1853 quite well, and reading the report was very worthwhile.

[Using a special coin, the time and civilization attributes of the currency itself could accelerate the healing speed of her soul. The mysterious power of fate allows each witnessing of the story of The Chosen One to greatly increase the healing speed of the other self.]

Shard nodded and watched the busy figures of the young women in the kitchen, his brow slightly furrowed:

"Then... is it possible that she could devour the real Luviya?"

This was what he truly wanted to ask, and "she" indeed laughed gently:

[She is her, though her other self is special, it is indeed just another self. Besides self-destruction reversing, have you ever heard of another self of a Circle Sorcerer being able to devour the original?]

This reassured Shard that the coexistence of the two Luviya's would not pose a hidden threat. But it also meant that, after a moment of leisure, he would set off for an entirely new city. This time the destination was the "Spring City" of Randall Valley City, located in the southwest of the Old Continent. A brand-new journey that would surely encounter brand-new stories.

Thinking of these matters in his heart, he continued to flip through the newspaper in his hand. Meanwhile, "her" voice did not cease:

[I've sensed a peeping from fate.]

"What?"

Shard stood up abruptly and quickly walked toward the bedroom, intending to retrieve the [The Twenty-Sided Die of Destiny]. In the past, there had been attempts to divine on him, but no one had ever truly been able to "see" him. And now, since "she" had sent a warning, it meant that someone was indeed about to see his true self.

[Don't worry, the prying of unknown origin has only touched the very edges of the truth. As long as divinity remains in your soul, you needn't worry about anyone finding you through divination.]

Only then did Shard feel slightly relieved and, after sitting back down, looked out towards the window:

"Who is trying to spy on me? The Church? The Truth Society? Or some other organization?"

There was no answer to this question, but the repeated appearances of the "God Summoner," and now the generally recognized fact that the chosen one is associated with "Wisdom and Knowledge," destined that people would try their utmost to uncover the true identity of the Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer.

Shard will have to be even more careful in his future actions.

The first breakfast of the new year was very sumptuous, and the atmosphere at home was quite pleasant. Moreover, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning what had happened the previous night. After breakfast ended, Luviya smiled and bid farewell to Shard:

"There's still some business at the Society."

Although the Prophet's Society also took a holiday during the Year-End Festival, Luviya, as a Circle Sorcerer of the Society, still had many things to handle. Of course, through last night's dream, Shard understood that this was part of a deal between Lecia and Luviya to facilitate the smooth progress of the Day of the Red Butterfly.

He escorted Luviya downstairs, and then went out with Lecia and Dorothy.

This year's Day of the Red Butterfly, having begun around eight o'clock last night, would naturally end around eight o'clock tonight. Lecia had already arranged the entire itinerary to enjoy the first day of 1854.

Though Miss Galina had helped cover things up, it was odd for Lecia not to show her face the entire day. Therefore, just before lunch, Lecia temporarily left Shard and Dorothy, but returned in half an hour by carriage with Angelina.

The Little Princess today wore a sky-blue dress and had a pink bow on her head. She greeted Shard warmly upon seeing him.

And Lecia calling Angelina over was not to add another person to their group date, but simply to have Angelina prove that she had been with Lecia all day.

So, after having lunch in the secret room of an upscale club east of the city, Lecia sent Angelina to find Miss Galina and bring her back in the evening for the opera.

The Little Princess had a premonition that she would most likely have to be the lookout tonight.

In any case, for Shard, the first day of 1854 was quite enjoyable. He temporarily set aside his troubles to roam the city with Lecia and Dorothy during the Year-End Festival, visiting the church, art gallery, and City Hall Square. The three of them even went to the Three Cats Inn because Lecia was curious about seeing the lives of ordinary city people on such a memorable day.

The day ended at Queen Maria's Opera House. According to royal tradition, the Royal Family members gather to watch an opera on the first day of the new year. Given the numerous offspring of His Majesty the King, it was impossible for everyone to squeeze into the same box.

If not for Shard, Lecia would've insisted on being by Queen Diana's side. But since the Day of the Red Butterfly hadn't ended yet, after exchanging pleasantries with her parents and siblings, Lecia took Angelina to a private box of her choosing.

Her Highness the Princess bit her lip, watching her sister and the pretty Blonde Writer sit closely with Shard. Holding little Mia, she sensibly retreated to a side room with the maids.

But before parting this evening, Angelina did not forget to give Shard a Year-End Festival gift, even though his clothes were somewhat disheveled. At that time, Lecia and Dorothy were still tidying up in the box, having the maid help fix their hair and clean the room.

The Little Princess stopped the Knight who came to retrieve little Mia, giving him a modest gift. It was a holiday card she had made herself for Shard, with small paper springs that would pop up when opened, revealing a tiny face stuck to the spring. The inner card was made of layered cardboard, allowing small scenes to move when the side strips were pushed.

Though the craftsmanship was somewhat crude, it truly showed her sincerity.

"Your Highness, this is truly unexpected; it is my honor,"

Shard accepted the card, pleasantly surprised by the gift. With the Little Princess clasping her hands behind her back, looking at him shyly, he reached into his pocket and produced a translucent ice crystal flower.

Under the gaslight, the semi-transparent petals of the ice crystal gleamed brilliantly. Angelina looked in wonder at the flower in Shard's hand while Shard apologized:

"Since I didn't put it in a gift box earlier...but it can last for several months at room temperature without melting. I hope you like it, Your Highness—Happy Year-End Festival."

"Happy Year-End Festival!"

Angelina excitedly wanted to take the flower, but after a maid coughed meaningfully to remind her, she restrained herself, extending her hand for Shard to place the flower in her palm.

"Knight, after next month's birthday, I'll be seventeen."

She looked at the flower, speaking softly:

"I don't mean to invite you to the birthday party...you must come...I wanted to say, Father might be settling my engagement this year..."

"As long as you don't want to marry him, I'll find a way."

Shard replied, making his promise. But he also knew Lecia wouldn't just sit by on this matter. Though she was usually strict with her sister, Lecia cared deeply for Angelina.

The Little Princess smiled after receiving the "promise." She continued to look down at the clear ice crystal flower in her hand with wide eyes.

To this end, the first year that the Outlander spent in this world officially concluded. Walking through the opera house corridors with the cat in his arms, he still faced challenges, but his steps were far less heavy than when he first came to this world, wandering the streets and alleys, alone and fearful.