Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"You're no longer the First Ring Sorcerer who knew nothing when we first met, so I don't need to warn you about the obvious, you understand it yourself. Oh, speaking of which, the Relic I promised you last time has been found. When you leave Yordle Palace later, have Tifa take you to get it,"

the Duchess said.

"That's wonderful news. Miss Galina, may I ask what you've been busy with lately? Is there anything I can help with?"

Shard was slightly courteous, and to his surprise, Miss Galina thought for a moment and then actually shared what she was planning:

"The Blood Spirit School is about to send support to the Blood of Mercury here from the New World, and they should arrive by the end of next week. The message we received indicates a Eight Rings and a Nine Rings, along with some pretty decent Relics. The Witch Council knows I'm in Tobesk and has asked me to capture them. The Council wants to interrogate them about something...

regarding the 'Creation Chamber'."

She glanced at Shard, who blinked and looked at her, feigning complete ignorance. So the Duchess went on:

"I've been busy with this recently, but I think you won't be much help to me. So, Detective, what have you been up to?"

Maybe it was because she had nothing else to do at the moment, or perhaps because Shard had saved Queen Diana today, Miss Galina didn't mind having a longer chat with him.

"I'm looking for the Relic hidden by the Blood of Mercury - a Forged Philosopher's Stone. Also, I'm trying to locate the Silver-Eyed One, a friend of mine needs to find him."

"That Second Ring Female Sorcerer from the Sun Church?"

She teased, then said something quite unexpected:

"I don't know where the Forged Philosopher's Stone is, but I do have a lead on the Silver-Eyed One."

Shard immediately asked:

"May I know where he is?"

He thought Miss Galina would only provide a clue and that further investigation would be needed, but the answer was even more surprising:

"After you severely wounded him, he hid in the underground Ruins they discovered, personally guarding that Sage-Level Relic and also using the Ruins to protect himself. Unfortunately, I don't know where the Ruins are, so you'll have to find them on your own."

Shard nodded, leaning back slightly on the sofa, remembering the location of the Ruins from that rainy Monday night. Now, knowing that the Silver-Eyed One was hiding in the Ruins was the same as being able to provide this important information to Miss Beyas.

With such crucial information, Miss Beyas would surely not mind his continuous deceit and concealment.

"However, if you do catch the Silver-Eyed One, remember to bring me the body. I might be able to use this guy as bait."

The Maid bowed to pour tea for Miss Galina, who looked at Shard:

"The probability may be slim, but you always manage to pull off strange feats, so I trust you will," she said.

"That won't be a problem, my friend only wants to gouge out the eyes of the Silver-Eyed One personally. Sorry, Miss Galina, there's actually something I've been wanting to ask..."

He hesitated, looking at her. The atmosphere of the conversation was good that day, so it seemed like a good opportunity to ask.

"It's alright, go ahead and ask."

"Sometimes I feel, your attitude toward me... Could you tell me what exactly it is that you see in me?"

This question had been on Shard's mind for a long time, and while their initial cooperation seemed normal, everything afterwards seemed a bit off. What was most crucial was that various sources confirmed that "the Grand Witches of the Witch Council detested men," so Shard believed he was not imagining things.

"I'm actually surprised you would ask directly,"

Miss Galina laughed slightly, took her teacup but did not drink:

"There indeed is a reason I've been friendly toward you, but I don't want to tell you now. However, I can assure you it's not to your detriment."

The lid of the porcelain teacup scraped against the rim as she considered, then said:

"How about this, I'll assign you a task that is almost impossible. If you complete it, not only will I answer your question, but I will also tell you the secrets of the Witch Council. If you can't, I'll answer your questions once you've advanced to High Ring."

"What is the task?"

Shard asked, worried that she might ask him to pluck the moon from the sky.

"Bring me the Keeper of Secrets Level Relic that is under the protection of the Peace Church."

"Which one?"

He was curious, and the Duchess shook her finger, on which there were no ornaments:

"You should be quite familiar with it, the 'Transmutation Ring'."

The image of the pebbled ring immediately came to mind for Shard; he was, of course, very familiar with this Relic. Strictly speaking, it was this very thing that had embroiled him in the major events at Lakeside Manor.

Miss Galina placed down the untouched cup of tea, stood up, and let her black-haired Maid help straighten the folds of her dress:

"Detective, it doesn't matter if you cannot do it. When you reach High Ring, you can still get your answers from me. However, I am quite looking forward to being surprised by you. After all, it wouldn't be the first time you've amazed me,"

After saying that, she bade farewell and left. Miss Tifa Servet, the Maid, remained in the room.

"Transmutation Ring?"

It couldn't possibly be a Relic that the other party mentioned casually; Shard even believed that they truly sought to obtain this Relic.

Miss Maid read his thoughts and said softly,

"Detective, do not misunderstand, the Grand Witch of the Council can only be taken up by pure women. Even if one becomes a man after becoming a Grand Witch, they would lose their qualification, and none of the thirteen Grand Witches could conceal such a matter."

"If it's not for her own use, what does Miss Galina want with this ring?"

He inquired, and of course, the Maid wouldn't provide an answer,

"Miss simply wants to conduct an experiment... an interesting experiment."

She answered hesitantly, and then she saw Shard looking at her with a strange gaze, which made the black-haired girl's face turn red:

"It is certainly not for me to use. Detective, your look is quite impolite."

It was not long after Miss Galina departed that the King's attendant officer finally announced Shard's audience. Since he had already changed into his clothes in the afternoon, there was no need for any special preparations. Stay tuned with empire

The middle-aged attendant officer, who spoke in a somewhat soft tone, originally wanted to instruct Shard about some matters of etiquette. However, after Maid Tifa explained that she had already discussed this with the Detective in the afternoon, nothing more was said.

Not just Miss Galina; it seemed that even her Maid held an unusual status within this palace.

Maid Tifa stayed behind to wait for Shard while Shard followed the attendant officer through the building's maze-like complex corridors to a door guarded by two royal guards in metal armor. This was the study of King "Fire Jumper" Larus III, where he often received guests.

After the door was opened, the attendant officer bowed slightly, signaling Shard to enter. The Outlander adjusted his emotions before stepping in, and the door closed behind him.

The study was unusually spacious, larger than the first floor of the Shard house, but shaped like a pentagon. Five or six bookshelves and low cabinets were scattered along the walls, and the empty room's floor was covered with a consistent red carpet, with only a desk placed in the center of the room. Behind the desk was a grand floor-to-ceiling window that took up almost one entire wall.

The garden of Yordle Palace was visible through the window at night, and the soundproofing in the room was quite effective, making the summer cicadas almost inaudible.

The garden lights shone into the room through the windows, and the room's own lighting was no less intoxicating. Along the walls at intervals, there were different-styled gas lamps, crystal chandeliers with always lit candles hung from the ceiling, and a bright gas lamp sat atop the desk.

There were no visible pipes leading from the wall, suggesting that the desk must be connected to an underground safety gas pipeline.

In the room was only one person, the 43-year-old King of Draleon Kingdom, "Fire Jumper" Larus III. He put down his fountain pen, folded the document he had finished, and placed the sheet of paper next to a crown on a padded surface of the desk.

He looked up at the young man entering the room, and because he was sitting, his height was not discernible. His hair was thin, and his hairline quite receded, yet his features were rugged, revealing him as a man full of resolve.

Those eyes sized up Shard, and with hands clasped together on the desk, he said,

"Shard Hamilton, you've done well today. MI6 and Anlos would be proud of you."

The voice was deep but seemed authentic, merely the result of not speaking for an extended period.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Shard replied simply while also observing the one before him. This man in front of him was the highest-ranking common person he could meet in this world, yet the tension he felt facing him was less than half of what he experienced speaking through a door to Miss Galina.

"What reward would you like?"

Shard had pondered this question well ahead of time and even sought advice from Miss Maid while waiting:

"Honor, that is all."

Money does not necessarily include honor, but honor definitely brings money. This was a Draleon proverb the black-haired Maid taught Shard that afternoon.

"Good, you may leave now."

In the entire process, the other party spoke three sentences, Shard two. Compared to the long wait he had endured, the talk seemed meaningless. But the Outlander didn't care about that; as long as he was paid, it was enough.

As he turned to the door, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the King with thin fire-red hair already picking up his fountain pen again.

Yet, just as Shard's hand touched the doorknob, he heard a voice from behind:

"How did you come to know your Aunt Galina?"

The King probably aimed to ask suddenly at the moment Shard was most relaxed. This question immediately brought to the Outlander, who had perused all sorts of cliched novels, thoughts of numerous complex court political struggles.

Of course, Shard had considered this question too; lacking even this level of caution, he would have no business being a Circle Sorcerer. He might as well return Mia Cat to Miss Gawder and go farm in the countryside instead.

He held the doorknob without turning, so the King could not see his face.

His voice clear,

"I am not very familiar with the Duchess. We just met once at a club called the Lucky Southern Cross. At the time, the Duke wished to purchase my Roder Card. You must have investigated that [Genesis: Silver Moon]. That is when we got acquainted, and the Duke appreciated my Roder Card talent."

After speaking, he waited a few seconds without hearing another question, and then turned the doorknob to leave.