Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"If you don't need this anymore, sell it to me. I can offer a high price."

Seeing that Shard was still pondering, Old John suggested, but Shard shook his head:

"Not for now. But Old Man John, I know this metal piece contains a lot of information, triggered in particular ways. Is there any method to directly ascertain the information hidden within? Perhaps even open it? Yes, there are other things inside."

"Truly intriguing. Then I must see if the alchemical master who made this item and my skills, who is higher."

The old man put down his newspaper and pulled out a briefcase from under the counter, which contained a series of crystal lenses of varying sizes and thicknesses.

Old John used these lenses and some metal components to quickly assemble a brass-colored monocle with an adjustable lens. Carefully placing it over his right eye, he lowered his head to examine the silver cube.

After quite a while, he shook his head and removed the monocle:

"Fascinating, even more so than I thought. This is almost solid mithril, containing dozens of segments of different information. But if you can reveal six of these segments, you can open it to gain what's hidden in the center. Don't attempt to force it open, or it will damage the items inside."

"What's inside... a key?"

Shard raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you suspect it's a key?"

Old John asked curiously but didn't pursue the matter when he saw Shard didn't want to answer:

"I only saw a vague shape, but it's definitely not a key. At least not a key of a normal shape."

Then it certainly wasn't what Shard was looking for, but that was normal. Shard didn't think his luck would be good enough to find traces of the key as soon as he arrived in Randall City.

"Such a brilliant alchemical technique. I wonder which master crafted it. Shard, if one day it becomes useless to you, please make sure to sell it to me. Even without the mithril, it is a remarkable work of art."

As Old John removed the monocle, Shard felt a twinge of curiosity—

How exactly did the deceased Low Ring Sorcerer Mr. Thomas Granger come into possession of such a powerful alchemical item.

Having understood the purpose of the silver cube for the time being, Shard tried to use the Key of the Door but found it didn't recognize the cube as a lock. Realizing he couldn't open it, he remained calm and didn't rush off:

"Sir, I wish to discuss the apocalypse with you. Not as a shopkeeper, but as Old John of the Guiding Light Hermit Society."

The old man nodded, leisurely tidying the lenses on the table:

"It appears you made quite a discovery around the Year-End Festival?"

"Yes, I entered a peculiar dream and learned some information from it... The apocalypse may indeed be imminent."

This was judged by the appearance of Luviya in the dream, who, although a bit more mature, was surely not older than thirty. However, considering she was once a demigod witch, her age could be greater, but the apocalypse's arrival would certainly not exceed a century or two.

"Indeed, indeed. Before the Year-End Festival, I also received some Enlightenment. The apocalypse will certainly come and likely surpass our expectations."

After tucking the case back under the counter, Old John clasped his hands together and looked at Shard:

"This is related to the prophecy poem chapters of the Fifth Era Witch and also to the deities."

"What will you do?"

Shard asked. Despite his age, Old John's eyes were sharp:

"We have always believed that the coming of the apocalypse is a natural occurrence in the world. But we also won't sit idly by; we will seek answers. If it can be stopped, we will unite all possible forces to prevent the apocalypse. If it can't be prevented, we'll strive to delay its arrival. If even delaying it is impossible, we'll plan for survival after the apocalypse. If no one survives after the apocalypse, at least let there be information about our civilization left behind."

The old man sighed slightly:

"I have a pessimistic view about this. Fortunately, the Enlightenment I received wasn't particularly clear. Perhaps, there are other interpretations of that Enlightenment. After all, I saw so many possibilities of the apocalypse at once. However, there's no need to be too pessimistic. This world doesn't only belong to the two of us. The True God Church, the Three Major Academies, and other ancient existences in the Material World—even notorious criminals won't just watch as the world heads towards destruction."

Shard nodded, his mood unchanged since he had already accepted the fact half a month ago. Just as his eyes drifted to the newspaper placed on the table by Old John, he unexpectedly saw a familiar name.

The newspaper featured news about Princess Margaret Anjou of Carsonrick and Prince William Anjou attending the unveiling ceremony for the United Kingdom Navy's Southern Second Shipyard in Randall Valley City. Shard had already known this from Lecia, and the newspaper mentioned that Princess Margaret would arrive in Randall Valley City this Friday.

However, he still didn't know if Miss Sylvia would be accompanying them.

Sighing slightly inside, as the morning was about to pass, Shard planned to head to Randall Valley City soon to meet Luviya. But before leaving, he thought of another matter:

"Old Man John, do you know the Old God [The Forgotten Old Man]?"

This was the deity associated with the abandoned church, revealed by the Silver Cube yesterday.

"Oh? Didn't expect you to know about this deity?"

Picking up the newspaper again, the old man glanced at Shard:

"You must understand, even if a deity departs, its power still influences the Material World. The power of the Old God—the God of Memory [The Forgotten Old Man]—is manifested by the fact that very few people can remember information about this deity. Even I only know of this deity's existence, know that his Order is called the 'Cult of the Forgotten,' and the church is called the 'Church of the Forgotten,' and beyond that, I know nothing."

"So, where can I find information about it?"

Shard asked curiously again, not expecting the old man to shrug:

"Perhaps I knew before, but now I've forgotten. The True God Church and the Three Major Academies might have some records, but don't get your hopes too high. That God of Memory also governs forgetfulness. Since He doesn't want to be remembered by mortals, we certainly can't remember Him. However, it's rumored that His Order still exists, though it's just a rumor."

With that, the clues concerning the mysterious church paused once more.

From the basement at home, Shard headed to the "Church of the Forgotten" in Randall Valley, wandering through the ruins of the church, and entered the courtyard from the main entrance.

Although it was snowing lightly yesterday, the weather today was exceptionally good in Randall Valley, and the temperature was slightly higher than in Tobesk. While basking in the sun through the courtyard of the abandoned church, Shard even felt a bit warm. Yet, the courtyard remained a snowy scene, far from winter's end.

The Prophet's Society of Randall Valley is also located in the city's core district. To its left is the grand City Hall residency, but it differs a bit from the Prophet's Society in Tobesk.

The Tobesk Society is placed on Silver Cross Avenue. Although it occupies a substantial area, it remains a standard rectangular three-story building. In contrast, the Prophet's Society in Randall Valley has a plaza in front of it, linking with the plaza fronting the City Hall where the Carsonric Flag waves.

At the edge of the society's front plaza is a white stone fountain, with a human figure holding a Crystal Ball in one hand and a card in the other. Two stone stairs spiral around the fountain from both sides leading up to the society's grand entrance, and the stairs' railings are adorned with metal vines, leaves, and long snake decorations.

This grand entrance is far more impressive than that of the Tobesk Society. The reason is also apparent: the property prices in Randall Valley certainly don't compare to that Northern Pearl.

Shard wasn't too sure about when Luviya would arrive at the society today, so he planned to stay there all day, hoping to surprise her. The society was busy in the morning—the love for the Roder Card is not bound by nationality. If it weren't for people around speaking Casenric Language, Shard would've felt little difference from Tobesk.

Despite being in disguise, he still bore the Northerner's appearance. If he idly wandered around the society, he would inevitably draw unnecessary attention, so Shard decided to find something to do.

The Prophet's Society of Randall Valley nearly resembles a grand city library in its scale. The building spans four stories, only a floor shorter than the adjacent City Hall. The first and second floors are dedicated to Roder Card-related activities, naturally providing card-playing spaces for card players. After all, the Prophet's Society itself is somewhat akin to a Roder Card Club.

The spot Shard had his eye on was the terrace directly facing the central staircase on the second floor. The terrace was about the same size as Shard's living room, with seven or eight square tables, each with an unopened sunshade umbrella on the side. Although this was only the second floor, not very high, the society itself rested high in the city, allowing a modest view of the city's landscape from the terrace, to the distant valleys and forests, which looked quite beautiful.

Shard preferred the outermost spot near the terrace railing. Though he faced away from the railing and the small angel stone statue atop it, "she" could constantly monitor whether Luviya appeared at the society's entrance.

At the best-positioned long table sat a middle-aged man organizing his deck. When Shard pulled out the chair opposite and sat down, the man with slightly thick eyebrows looked up and glanced at him:

"Unfamiliar face, sir, are you from out of town?"

"A writer from Velindale, I heard the scenery here is nice and wanted to gather material."

Shard also took out his deck, though the Special Cards had been entirely removed.