Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The news of Queen Diana's assassination at the Tobesk Station entrance quickly spread through the city on this Wednesday, and then expanded to the entire Kingdom and the entire world.

Even though the Queen, as the victim, was unharmed, that afternoon, a stern diplomatic statement condemning the despicable actions of the United Kingdom of Carsonrick still emanated from Yordle Palace in the Draleon Kingdom.

However, both the Royal Family and MI6 believed that this was not the work of the "Gray Gloves."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the station was, of course, immediately cancelled, and the police force, along with the Royal Guard, escorted the severely shaken Queen back to Yordle Palace.

The assassin killed himself, but everyone on the entire street had to undergo identity verification to confirm they were not his accomplices before they could leave.

The greatest hero of the event, Shard, who had sprinted down two streets only to inexplicably take a bullet, was later awakened under the care of MI6, the police, the Royal Guard, and the Queen's personal attendants, and was also brought into Yordle Palace.

"What are you doing?"

Yordle Palace is not a single palace, but a complex of buildings. Although compared to other properties and real estate owned by the Royal Family in Tobesk, it is not very large, the site of Yordle Palace has been the residence of the Royal Family for generations.

Sitting in the waiting room, Shard fiddled with several coins he had won a few hours earlier while playing Roder Card with his lawyer.

The question was posed by Miss Tifa Servet, the personal maid of Miss Galina. Shard was currently "injured," waiting for an audience with His Majesty the King. To emphasize the importance of Shard, the "lifesaver," Queen Diana had assigned a maid to take care of the "injured" detective.

The dark-haired maid was arranged by Miss Galina to protect Shard from entangling in unnecessary political struggles.

It was very effective; Maid Tifa had been by Shard's side ever since he "woke up," warding off many with ulterior motives. After all, in terms of seniority, Miss Galina was a generation older than His Majesty the King, and everyone here had to respect her.

"I am contemplating the relationship between God, man, and fate... cough, cough."

Faking a cough, he covered his chest, from where the bandage could slightly be seen through the collar:

"Before I met that woman who had lost her child this morning, I was thinking about donating the half Gold Pound in my pocket to the Dawn Church. Even if I hadn't met that woman, I should have reached the Dawn Chapel by noon."

"Really? There's such a thing?"

Miss Servet asked curiously, hearing it for the first time. The other maids in the room also covertly observed Shard, just as Miss Beyas had said, subtle changes in appearance made Shard's face even more handsome, added to his actions today, it was normal for him to win the ladies' favor.

"So, today's events tell me that Fate is absolutely just,"

he added cryptically, then stuffed those 1 penny coins back into his pocket. At that moment, a frantic voice came from the hallway outside:

"He was personally recruited by me! It was we who uncovered this plot and protected the Queen at the last moment!"

That voice likely belonged to Mr. Anlos, director of MI6.

"To be honest, I was indeed worried that MI6 would not acknowledge my identity, which would make my actions rather hard to explain."

Pretending to turn laboriously, he said to Miss Tifa Servet standing by his side, actually to make it appear more real in front of the Queen's maid since Maid Tifa knew that besides being frightened, Shard had not suffered any injuries.

"Detective, Mr. Anlos would never deny your identity, if not to cover up the incompetence of MI6, he would probably have been reassigned to the National Cemetery Management Association."

Even with other servants in the room, Miss Servet did not lower her voice. Those who overheard their conversation acted as if they had heard nothing.

In this place, servants knew what they should and should not hear.

Shard nodded and then feigned a weak cough. Although he looked quite well now and had changed into new clothes, just a few hours earlier, he had been diagnosed by a doctor as having suffered "internal damage due to impact, with a minor internal bleeding condition."

This diagnosis was completely false, since Shard hadn't even seen that doctor. It was Miss Galina who had arranged for this at the scene to cover up Shard's unusual physical condition. Mr. Anlos of MI6 was originally in good terms with Miss Galina and needed Shard's "injury" to show MI6's sacrifice in protecting the Royal Family, so he was very keen to help forge Shard's injuries.

"Mr. Dark Anlos is really lucky, he not only doesn't need to take responsibility for the assassination attempt on the Queen but can even claim the credit."

Miss Maid continued speaking, in fact informing Shard of his current situation.

"But what does the King want to see me for? A reward?"

He clutched his chest pretending to be in pain.

"It's unlikely to be a reward this time; you and that captain caught a woman who has since confessed to child kidnapping charges in Tobesk."

the maid said.

"Is it indeed the child trafficking incidents that have been frequently reported in the newspapers in the past few months?"

Shard asked.

The dark-haired maid's face broke into a gentle smile:

"Yes, sir, you and your captain friend have indeed established great merit this time. Currently, a capture operation is underway at Riddlevitch Field, and it is believed that this lead can be used to capture most of the criminals, and possibly even find the children who were lost before. The credit for this, combined with your deeds in protecting the Queen, should suffice for you to receive a medal.

However, the issuance of a Kingdom medal requires a process, so the reward will not be today."

"Just a medal?"

Shard was somewhat disappointed.

"It's a significant honor."

Miss Maid looked at him quizzically:

"Many nobles spend their whole lives without ever receiving one, and here you are, so young, yet you've attained this honor that so many dream of... You don't happen to be hoping for Gold Pounds, do you?"

She lowered her voice slightly with the last half of her sentence, knowing Shard's situation, so she guessed his thoughts.

"Of course, I am indeed in need of money, as you know, my studies require Gold Pounds."

Shard didn't think there was anything wrong with that thought.

"Tobesk's missing children case has rewards from Riddlevitch Field, and Queen Diana, she will make her gesture."

Miss Tifa Servet gently reminded, and Shard smiled, thinking of the series of events today, feeling as if it were all a big dream.

It was now half-past six in the evening, the summer days are long, but the night also arrives particularly quickly.

As the sun finally disappeared on the western horizon, from the waiting room's window, one could see the streetlights on Silver Cross Avenue light up, and Shard continued to sit there waiting.

This was not because he was unimportant or forgotten, but because the King was simply too busy, especially since he had issued a condemnation of Carsonrick today.

So, during the wait to be summoned, different people came to visit Shard. First, of course, was his nominal superior, Chief Dark Anlos.

Upon entering, he motioned for the servants to leave the area. Seeing the black-haired maid standing by Shard's side didn't move, he just raised his eyebrows slightly, not saying much:

"Hamilton, you really did well this time! Truly a talent we have nurtured."

He deliberately spoke in an exaggerated volume, and when he sat down on the single sofa to Shard's left, he even gestured towards the door, implying that there might be eavesdroppers outside.

"Hamilton, well done this time."

He then lowered his voice to speak to Shard, sincerely:

"Remember, it was just this morning that you finally investigated that someone would attempt on the Queen, but without evidence and pressed for time, you went yourself to the station to intervene, blocking the muzzle at the last moment. As for the investigation of the children's disappearance case, the credit is also yours, but the story must be altered, to avoid detection..."

He mouthed something, the gist of which Shard understood. Before entering Yordle Palace, Mr. Anlos had already explained it to Shard once, and Shard naturally agreed.

After all, this would mean no one would worry about how he managed to walk for half an hour on foot and accurately find the criminals of the child disappearance case.

"MI6 will not shortchange you, just smudge this incident over..."

He nonchalantly twisted a finger, and Shard also nonchalantly nodded. The two men, nearly twenty years apart in age, both obtained a satisfactory answer.

"But who does that assassin belong to? Mr. Anlos, it seems you don't believe it was the work of the Grey Gloves."

Shard asked further.

Mr. Anlos furrowed his brows, evidently also troubled by this question:

"The Grey Gloves wouldn't be this sloppy, moreover, they have no reason to assassinate our Queen, those people aren't looking to start a war. From today's response by Carsonrick, it certainly isn't them; it seems someone wants to frame them."

Mr. Anlos rubbed his chin with his thumb:

"As for the assassin's identity, there are many possibilities, a radical group that sprung up from nowhere, dissidents within a small Duchy affiliated to Draleon, ambitious figures from the New World, a pirate king, or even an internal problem within the country..."

"Ahem."

Miss Maid coughed (note), and Mr. Anlos quickly shut his mouth, as this topic should not be discussed lightly: Your next read is at empire

"Regardless, we will continue to investigate, even if it is well concealed, there will always be clues. However, these no longer concern you, Mr. Hamilton, focus on your recovery."

He let out a sigh, as if unloading some heavy burden. He rubbed his face with both hands, nodded to Shard, and stood up, intending to leave.