Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The raven-haired Miss Maid Tifa had already thought that Shard would refuse, shaking her head:

"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to test the potion. Isn't it more convenient to use rabbits or mice for experiments?"

She pointed at herself:

"Actually, I just want to find someone to compare the effects of these three magic potions on different people. I'll drink with you, and then we can compare the different answers between us."

"You're going to drink too?"

"Of course, my own feelings are the most authentic. Besides, if I don't drink, Detective, would you drink something of unknown origin that I offer alone?"

But in reality, even if Miss Maid Tifa Servet were to drink as well, Shard still felt averse to the idea.

"I wouldn't have intentionally wanted to harm you. The lady introduced work to you, and even agreed with you on when to disclose secrets. You can doubt my intentions towards you, but you can't doubt my loyalty to the lady. This, Detective, you should understand."

She spoke sincerely and quite reasonably, but Shard still kept his mouth shut. Even though he agreed with what she said, and did not think the maid had any sudden intention to harm him, the matter still seemed odd.

"Detective, are you looking for extra compensation?"

Seeing his reaction, Miss Maid asked again. The carriage jolted, causing the two people inside to shift a little in their seats. They had entered the city, the familiar glimmer of the gas lamp streetlights providing a sense of security.

"Of course not, I promised I would pay for the White Stone Crystal, so I won't ask for extra money... Are you sure your magic potions are really safe?"

"I swear on my loyalty to Duke Galina Cavendish."

Shard looked at her, and she looked back at him. After a while, Shard finally said:

"Alright then, but we'll do the testing at my place."

"No problem."

Shard didn't want to find a familiar environment, but he was planning that, should something happen and the maid truly intended to harm him, he would immediately use his last Time Key to seek help from the "Creator of Innocence" to eradicate the toxicity of the magic potion, and then teleport to a distant place using the newly acquired White Stone Crystal.

[But think of the worst-case scenario, what if she kidnapped your cat to threaten you? The cat can't get close to that Ancient God Statue.]

The tricky question stumped Shard as he looked at the girl whose half face lit by the tranquil moonlight as she tilted her head to look out the window:

"Although I'm not yet familiar with this world..."

He said to himself with certainty:

"But I think if I can't even judge the basic good and evil of the people I come across, no matter how cautious I am, I will eventually die a terrible death."

[Do you believe she is on the side of goodness?]

"No, I'm just certain that at least Galina and the maid are not on the side of evil."

The carriage entered the night, the clopping of horse hooves not disturbing anyone in the silent night. It carried Shard and the Maid to the door of No. 6, Saint Delan Square, where Shard used his key to open the door and invited Miss Maid to test the potion on the ground floor.

Because it was closest to the basement, and the basement door happened to have a keyhole that met the basic requirements for using the Time Key.

There were no furnishings or decorated walls on the ground floor of the Shard home, leaving the entire space very empty. Since he had not yet had time to go to the gas company to have the ground floor gas pipes connected, there was not even a gas lamp here.

Shard used the excuse of going upstairs to get candles and took the opportunity to carry his cat down, the Time Key going into his pocket. But after coming downstairs, he did not immediately proceed with the testing; instead, he first fed the cat to delay time, since the Time Key would only be available for use after the coming Thursday, past the evening of Wednesday.

Mia hadn't seen Shard for a day, and she was very discontented moving about in his arms. The furry cat wasn't particularly hungry today, after all, Shard had left enough food before leaving.

Seeing that Shard had prepared a late-night snack for her now, she first warily eyed the unfamiliar woman who had come to their house before dignifiedly tail-wagging and beginning to eat. Miss Servet found the little orange cat quite interesting, but attempting to get close to it while it ate was clearly unwise. Mia probably suspected someone was trying to steal her food.

Candles were set up on the floor, and when the time was about right, Shard and Maid Tifa sat face to face at a small table they had brought over, which had two empty teacups on it.

"First is this one."

The maid handed the wooden tube to Shard, who poured the liquid into both cups equally, then chose the one on the left. After watching the maid down hers, Shard also drank the potion.

"Meow?"

The cat, perched on the nearby windowsill and amber-eyed, watched them drink the liquid curiously while licking its paw, somewhat hopeful to get some as well.

"What does it feel like?"

The maid asked.

"How much sugar did you put in? It's so sweet," Shard said, setting down his cup vaguely.

"Any other feelings?"

Miss Maid asked again, and Shard shook his head no.

She shook her head regretfully, then pointed at Shard's cup, and half a cup of clear water appeared:

"Detective, please rinse your mouth."

Shard still shook his head, the maid looked at him and said:

"It must be uncomfortable to hold the liquid in your mouth so long, I won't give you a chance to keep a liquid sample."

Shard then picked up the cup.

Next was the second vial of magic potion, which had a distinct mint flavor. After consuming it, both Shard and Tifa Servet's left eyes became somewhat blurry. The former lasted for ten seconds, while the latter lasted for seven.

However, once the duration ended, their vision returned completely to normal.

The last vial of magic potion tasted indistinguishable from water. This time the two experienced different effects. Miss Maid did not exhibit any response, while Shard's entire body uncontrollably convulsed as though he was shivering in the extreme cold, a process that lasted for a full half-minute before ending.

Fortunately, aside from the convulsions, Shard suffered no other impact on his body.

After testing the three types of magic potions, the dark-haired maid insisted that Shard rinse his mouth to ensure no liquid remained, and only then did she conclude the visit to No. 6, Saint Delan Square.

He stood on the stone steps of his own home, watching the light from the oil lamp on the back of the carriage fade into the distance, then briskly closed the door. Among the curious gazes of the cat sniffing the cups on the table, he quickly stepped into the basement and soon returned holding a paper bag.

With one hand clutching the paper bag and the other closing the basement door, he retrieved the almost completely shattered wooden key:

"May the World Tree bless me in the infinite stream of time."

Turning the key, there was a click~ and behind the opened basement door lay an endless white mist. This would be the third time entering the year 1068 of the Fifth Era, and likely the last. Actually, Shard's preparations for the last two wishes were not particularly thorough, but up to this point, he had done his best and formed his own ideas.

Time travel did not allow carrying of supernatural items; he could only rely on his own knowledge. And now, the time to depart had come.

"Mia, wait for me for three seconds. If all goes well, I will take you out for some delicious food tomorrow."

"Meow?"

The cat watched as Shard walked into the white mist behind the door, with the items he was holding dropping to the floor.

Mia immediately perked up, lightly leaping onto the floor, curiously approaching the paper bag, wanting to know what good things Shard had taken.

On the other side, Shard had already set foot into the white mist. He was somewhat disappointed to see that the paper bag, which contained the magic potion and materials, was gone from his hands. Her voice echoed in his ears:

[Outlander, you have stepped into the Time Corridor.]

[Message from Ancient God, "Father of the Infinite Tree":]

[Autumn of the year 1068 in the Fifth Era, the Southern Continent, Hope Town.]

[Event: The Old God "Creator of Innocence" has fallen.]

[Duration: 10 minutes (3/3).]

[You have received additional information.]

[The figure of the Father of the Infinite Tree continues to watch over you.]

[The challenge from the Ancient God of Time will continue.]

[Witness the last wish of the Old God "Creator of Innocence" before its fall.]

[The Ancient God of Time will grant you a reward: Arcane Technique - Blade of Chaotic Time, Miracle Soul Rune - Echo.]

With time pressing, and upon confirming there was no additional information, he immediately took a step forward in the white mist.

As the mist dispersed, he was back in the ancient town where the toy store was situated.

The first visit to Hope Town was during daylight, the second was at nighttime. On what might be his last visit, it was the time of sunset.

The harsh sunset spread from the far-off reaches of the sky, the dim yellow light seeming to signify the end of everything. This strange scene caught Shard, who thought he was prepared, off guard.

On the dilapidated streets of twilight, only a few townspeople wandered among the low and rundown buildings. Some people noticed Shard again, but he had already entered the opulent toy store before they could approach.

The scent of candy in the air invigorated him, the bright light and the array of toy shelves pulled Shard out of the scene under the setting sun.

The saint wearing a ridiculous jester hat was still standing behind the counter, looking down at a book when Shard pushed the door open.

Hearing the door, he looked up with a smile, meeting Shard in what would be their final encounter of this era.

"Oh, look who's here?"

The saint said smiling, wanting to clap his hands to call over the three children, but Shard stopped him:

"Sorry, but before the last two wishes, I would like to ask for your help."

"So, what do you want?"

The young man said with a smile, looking youthful, yet somehow giving Shard the impression an older person was speaking:

"Can you tell what I just drank?"

He pointed at himself. The maid thought about the possibility of him holding the liquid in his mouth but certainly did not anticipate that he would seek direct answers from a deity.

Probably no one would ask such a ridiculous question when the deities are willing to grant wishes.

"It's simple, you first drank a glass of sugar water, oh, that high-quality white sugar is really nice."

So that's why the sweetness almost made Shard gag, but just water with sugar, that sort of thing does not seem like a magic potion at all.