Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Shard, you choosing to keep the secret wasn't wrong because, besides being able to assure that I won't lose control, the issues with Dorothy, the doctor, and the priest are unclear to me as well. My thought is that it's enough for you to tell me about it, and before we clarify the risks they carry, don't tell them about this.

After all, the Academy's intention isn't to pry into secrets but to protect them."

"I understand."

Shard nodded, understanding that Dr. Schneider definitely couldn't be told since he likely harbored a demon inside him, no joke. The priest's condition was unknown, making it inconvenient to take any further action for now.

As for Miss Luisa, his plan was to wait until Princess Lecia Cavendish returned to Tobesk and met her up close to confirm there were also no issues with her before considering telling her about this.

"However, Miss Galina is an elder relative to Princess Lecia. Does she know about this princess... Miss Galina is the king's aunt, and the princess is the king's daughter, so what should their relationship be considered?"

He pondered over this complex familial relationship while outwardly engaging nonchalantly in conversation with Miss Annette.

Miss Annette seemed concerned about Dr. Schneider, whom she recalled never seemed to show any issues:

"If there's any capacity left after performing a Divination of the Cost for Miss Beyas, I might look into the doctor's situation."

She sighed as she said this, and Shard hesitated:

"Actually... I do know something about the doctor."

He then explained what he had witnessed at Lakeside Manor, including the smell of sulfur during the "Sublimation Incantation" and what he heard using the Arcane Technique "Echo of the Past" in the doctor's bedroom.

"Conservatively estimated, it's probably a demon."

He also borrowed Miss Annette's phraseology, which only made Miss Annette even more uneasy. In the culture of Outlanders, as well as in a world where the extraordinary and mysterious genuinely exist, demons have always been synonymous with great danger and malevolence.

"I've known him so long, and I really hadn't seen a sign."

Miss Annette leaned back on the couch and exclaimed. Shard, holding the continuously squirming cat, said:

"Even the Academy isn't sure what exactly is in the doctor's heart; it's normal for us not to catch on. But tomorrow, Librarian Miss Danester wants to meet with me, and if I remember correctly, isn't this lady a Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer known as the Red Moon Witch? Will she discover what's wrong with the doctor?"

Miss Annette shook her head:

"Shard, I need to add some common knowledge for you. Generally speaking, checking the Sublimation Codex doesn't involve meeting the librarian."

"Oh?"

Shard curiously stopped petting the cat.

"Even if you apply in advance to check it, there shouldn't necessarily be a need for a Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer to meet with you personally, since it's a minor matter. There must be other issues, and you should be prepared. Miss Danester probably isn't coming to see you, but rather you're going to see her."

The difference between these statements was substantial.

"I'm going to see her?"

Shard felt uneasy, recalling the secret about the witch he'd learned not long before, and asked:

"Since Miss Danester is referred to as the 'Red Moon Witch,' is she a member of the Witch Council?"

Miss Annette couldn't help but laugh:

"Shard, why would you think that? Miss Danester certainly isn't from the Witch Council. The term 'witch' has been handed down since the last era as a description for formidable ladies. Although members of the Witch Council are given the title of witch, not everyone with that title is part of it."

Shard nodded and then said:

"The reason I thought this way is because of something that happened not long ago... Remember when I mentioned what happened the night at Lakeside Manor, and I overheard someone near the stable talking about the Grand Witch of the Witch Council coming to Tobesk? I have actually seen that woman once, and she was very peculiar."

"The Grand Witch of the Witch Council dislikes men, Shard, you'd best stay away from them, and that's for your own good," Miss Annette advised as she stood up and put the cubic box back into the paper bag:

"Once I perform the divination for the special ceremony when Beyas becomes The Chosen One, I'll come see you alone. So, let's meet tomorrow afternoon at the doctor's place, and don't worry too much. I've heard Miss Danester is a nice person. Cheer up, you might soon become a Second Ring Sorcerer."

Becoming a Second Ring Sorcerer required Spirit Runes of different elements. During the promotion, it was necessary to inform the Academy of the details of the Spirit Runes to adjust the curriculum for the next year.

As for Shard, he could inform the Academy about "Gluttony" and "Echo," but if "Little Match Girl" became known by a third person, he might face trouble.

To protect his secret and to avoid mishaps, on Saturday morning, Shard visited Miss Luisa again to seek help.

The blonde woman writer had already thought of this and had made arrangements for Shard:

"The language used in Spirit Runes is extremely ancient, even the Academy might not be able to decipher it. And complex runes like 'Little Match Girl' require consideration of grammar and person, making them even more difficult to comprehend. So, you don't need to worry about being seen through at a glance.

When it's time to report to the Academy, tell them that the meaning of the rune is 'Girl Holding Matches,' which you obtained with my help," she explained.

The meanings of the two runes were similar, but their significance to a Circle Sorcerer was entirely different.

Miss Luisa's arrangements were excellent and solved a major problem for Shard.

While Shard took the moment to express his gratitude, she tilted her head toward the wall clock in the corner of her apartment, then invited Shard to join her for lunch. In the afternoon, they planned to visit the doctor, and in the evening, she would teach her first class.

The two would likely spend the entire Saturday together, as Miss Luisa had already prepared the content for the first "lesson."

After lunch, Shard and Miss Luisa traveled together by carriage to Dr. Schneider's psychological clinic. When they arrived, the doctor was out on a house call, but Priest Augustus was present.

The priest was busy with the preparations for Holy Prayer Day but still managed to attend the meeting on time, though he looked somewhat weary. Upon seeing Shard, he expressed his regrets:

"I am very sorry, Detective."

"What's the matter?"

Shard's expression changed, fearing something had happened.

"The ancient symbol you asked me to help find—I've searched through the entire library and found no clues."

"Oh, that matter, no worries, Priest... you really scared me there. That symbol isn't important; don't dwell on it in your heart."

He patted his chest as he sat down, and the three of them awaited the doctor's return. During this time, Priest Augustus told Miss Luisa about Shard's baptism and conversion from the previous day.

The female writer thought Shard had made the right choice:

"You never know when the church might be able to assist you, since it's inevitable to deal with the church in civilized society."

Dr. Schneider hurried back to the clinic at two in the afternoon, continuously apologizing to the trio for his lateness. Miss Annette arrived even later, around half-past two.

The doctor was delayed due to a house call, but Miss Annette did not mention the reason for her own tardiness; Shard guessed it probably had something to do with Miss Beyas.

Once the five of them were all present, Shard recounted his fantastic experience from Wednesday. Even though the doctor had been present at the time, he was the last to understand the entire backstory.

Shard did not mention that the voices in his head had made use of "The Twenty-Sided Die of Destiny," only claiming he had relied on the power of a Relic. The doctor expressed his concerns:

"Don't use Relics lightly."

The tone was strikingly similar to last Saturday when Professor Rontgen had warned him not to use the power of the Sublimation Incantation lightly.

Everyone had their unique experiences over the week, but besides Shard, only Dr. Schneider's tale was worth mentioning. Miss Luisa claimed she had spent the entire week buried in her studies, Priest Augustus was occupied with end-of-the-month religious celebrations, Miss Annette was surely mixing up with Miss Beyas, which couldn't be brought up, so she claimed her week was quite boring.

Then she mentioned that the President of Tobesk Branch of the Prophet's Society had returned to the city and said no more.

Dr.

Schneider's experiences were not as thrilling as Shard's; he had received further clues about the "Forged Philosopher's Stone" on a rainy Monday night, leading him to venture out every night that week, starting from an assassin who provided initial clues to contact other individuals closely associated with the "Blood of Mercury," then from these associates to even closer contacts, thus trying to trace their way upward to the apex of this network.

If the "Blood of Mercury" organization was a vast net hidden beneath the churning undercurrents of Tobesk, then the doctor's work this week was to continuously seek the highest point of the net.

From Tuesday night to Friday night, he visited the dreams of 23 individuals, including a First Ring Sorcerer, and his range covered Tobesk and the surrounding small towns.

This was also why the doctor looked even more weary than Priest Augustus.

"Although the doctor's combat abilities are weak, if he were an Agent, probably no secret could remain hidden," Shard thought to himself.

"The good news is, I finally found where the 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' is hidden," the doctor announced after describing his complex and difficult journey of discovery.

Priest Augustus clapped his left hand with his right palm as a form of celebration, Miss Luisa waited with expectant eyes for the answer, Miss Annette smiled in congratulation, and Shard marvelled at the tough feat.

From the first meeting with the doctor three weeks ago to now, this "Relic" had finally been located.
Experience tales with empire

"But what's the bad news?"

Shard asked, to which Dr. Schneider shrugged:

"The 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' is one of the key items used in the production of Blood of Mercury, thus the Silver-Eyed One has hidden it cleverly. The First Ring Sorcerer I spoke of runs a plaster statue workshop.

From his dreams, I learned that he cast the liquid 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' into red glass and then made it into the eyes of plaster statues, which were mixed among other products in the workshop and sold to ordinary people. There are five suspect statues in total, and apart from the Silver-Eyed One, no one knows which one it is hidden in."