Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Of course not."

Luviya, on the other side of the bed, had been waiting for her to speak, turned to face her and opened her eyes. Her beautiful violet eyes were truly glowing in the darkness, and Emilia bit her lip, feeling a sense of security.

Luviya said:

"You were just unlucky to be chosen by the cultists. In fact, most ordinary people in this world will go through life without ever interacting with the supernatural. I know what you’re worried about, but rest assured, there won’t be any danger tonight... This house is very special."

The girl holding the blanket nodded lightly and couldn’t help but ask:

"Are you not afraid when you encounter those dangerous relics?"

"Of course, I’ve been afraid."

Luviya continued to lie on her side and looked at the pitiable girl in front of her:

"I also rose from the First Ring. When I was in Lower Ring, I was scared encountering those dangers, but what can be done? My parents passed away early, and I didn’t have many trustworthy friends around. Eventually, I got used to being on my own, and later on, I met Shard."

Her current smile was interpreted by the equally lying-down Emilia as "happiness."

"Even though his level was lower than mine initially, somehow, just having him around made me feel at ease. Even in dire and incomprehensible situations, as long as he was there, I knew it would be okay. You know, I didn’t move into this house."

Luviya’s voice was very soft. She hoped that Shard next door wouldn’t hear the girls’ midnight chat:

"But I really like this house. It’s Shard’s home, and it will be my home too. Resting here at home, I will never feel fear or dread."

Her violet eyes and smiling face gradually relaxed Emilia. She nodded understandingly, feeling that the violet-eyed diviner really knew a lot and was very mature:

"Because it’s home, there’s no worry, right? Okay, the Shard Family home is very safe... Luviya, will I be mature and gentle like you in the future?"

She asked expectantly again, and Luviya winked at her:

"You will be, but at that time, you might miss your current self."

The elf girl couldn’t yet grasp the weight of these words, so she simply curled up further into the bedding and apologized softly, blushing:

"Am I disturbing you all? If I hadn’t appeared, you wouldn’t be sleeping here."

"What are you talking about? A lady shouldn’t say such things."

Luviya gently pushed Emilia:

"Alright, alright, sleep quickly. Shard and I are here, there’s no danger anymore."

"Okay, goodnight, Luviya."

"Goodnight, Emilia."

They both closed their eyes again, but just before Emilia fell into a dream, she heard Luviya suddenly say beside her:

"If you hear faint footsteps or scratching noises in the house in the middle of the night, don’t be alarmed."

Emilia immediately got tense again:

"Is there something wrong with this house?"

"Of course, there is."

Luviya said inwardly but smiled and replied:

"That’s Mia patrolling the territory at night or sharpening her claws. I was concerned it might scare you, so I wanted to give you a heads-up."

Thinking of that adorable cat, the elf girl felt the last trace of fear dissipate. She nodded, finally closing her eyes assuredly, relaxing and immersing herself in a dream. As for Luviya, she initially thought of sneaking next door to "check" on Shard but carefully listened to the even breathing already coming from there, she didn’t make a move and instead fell asleep with a smile.

Moonlight shone brightly, slanting into the room from the curtainless living room window. Illuminated by the moonlight, half of the face of the "Mermaid" in the living room oil painting appeared smiling happily. The numerous strange doors on the third floor, second floor, and in the basement seemed to reveal a momentary glimpse due to the resonance of the moonlight.

Fire crackled, and dice jumped softly. Listening closely, this night, much like the ones before, seemed to carry many unknown prayer sounds. The outlander was exhausted and had already entered a dream realm that no one could explore. He rested his side against the pillow, his right hand on the edge. When he closed his eyes, he finally put down his usual tension and unease.

A silver arm reached out from an unknown source, its fingers gently caressing his cheeks. Subsequently, the ball-shaped cat by the pillow woke up, looked around, moved closer to Shard, snuggled against his hand, and fell into a deep sleep as well.

(Mia running in the night...)

Early Tuesday morning, Emilia felt like she was back in school.

This was her second night in the house, waking on Monday at around seven was a natural wake-up, but on Tuesday morning at six-thirty, she was called up by Luviya to wash up and have breakfast:

"Oh, I’ll just... what time is it now? Six-thirty? Please let me sleep a little longer, it’s summer vacation, I don’t have morning classes or need to go to the cafeteria, Leanna and the others are still sleeping at this time, I’ll feed them after I wake up."

Then, she was gently pulled up by Luviya, who pitifully looked at her while wearing a nightgown:

"So, not only do correspondence Circle Sorcerers have to face so many dangers, but they also have to get up this early every day to study?"

"Breakfast at home is at this time, if you don’t get up now, there probably won’t be breakfast left."

Since she was already awake, Emilia sensibly decided to help Luviya with breakfast in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Shard took advantage of the morning mist to go out and returned with Iluna just as breakfast was placed on the table:

"Did Luviya make breakfast?"

The brown-haired girl excitedly said, but when she went up the stairs and saw a certain elf who, despite being fifty, still looked like a minor, she pouted slightly.

"Iluna, wash your hands and sit down to eat. You already know Emilia, she’ll be staying here with Shard for a few days. I had Shard call you early because there are some things to discuss with you."

Said Luviya, who was wearing an apron, so although Iluna was a bit displeased, she soon joined in the breakfast atmosphere. As for the slight jealousy about a fifty-something elf staying here, it quickly dissipated; she wasn’t the kind to hold grudges.

And during breakfast, Luviya also mentioned to Iluna about the events that happened yesterday.

"The Order of the God of Misfortune? They managed to reach all the way to Tobesk?"

Iluna frowned slightly, and Shard nodded:

"Those two cultists have probably already reached Saint Byrons, although the church wasn’t involved at all, I still hope they know something because Saint Byrons’ reach doesn’t quite extend to a big city like Tobesk. If there’s any straggler left, it’ll be troublesome. Also, when Emilia and the others checked into the Three Cats, the missing pharmacist you investigated at the inn, I believe was also taken by the ’Friendly Neighbor’, so this can be closed."

Iluna understood Shard’s meaning:

"Then I’ll finish the investigation report first and hand it in after Emilia and the others leave Tobesk."

"Thank you."

The elf girl at the side thanked her, remembering from their previous investigation of the cursed letter that this brown-haired girl had an extraordinary relationship with Shard, and now it was fully confirmed. She also recalled Shard mentioning that although Iluna was only 18, she was already at Eight Rings and breaking through to High Ring would pose no difficulty; her admiration for Iluna’s prowess grew.

"No need to thank me, it’s what I should do."

Iluna waved her hand nonchalantly:

"But later, I’ll need to get the full story from you. These days, I’ve been gradually revealing clues to the captain and the others, finishing the investigation after you all leave."

"No problem, anyway I have nothing to do these days... Shard won’t let me leave the house."

She furtively glanced at Shard, but his expression remained unchanged:

"It’s not that you can’t go out, but without accompaniment, you can’t. This morning you’ll stay home and tell Iluna the whole incident. If everything goes well, Luviya, in the afternoon you can take her to look around the Prophet’s Society."

"No problem."

The purple-eyed girl nodded.

"I’ll contact Her Highness Angelina later, if she’s available, she can accompany you to Yordle Palace tomorrow, or to the manor outside the city, or to the city’s opera house to relax. I have some matters to attend to out of town, but I’ll make some time to wander around the city with you in the next few days."

Shard arranged it this way, and all three girls at the table agreed. So after breakfast, Shard went to the study to hand over the three problematic items Emilia had, which were the "Yellowed Leaf Bookmark," the "Holy Emblem of the God of Misfortune" that appeared after the dice was crushed, and the relic derivative "Leaf-shaped Silver-plated Bone Ornament," to Iluna.

"Keep them with you, and once the investigation is over, I’ll submit them as evidence to the church. The Academy has already documented them and agreed to report the matter to you."

"I’ll leave them with you, and once I finish the report, I’ll come get them."

Iluna said, then curiously asked:

"The dice were definitely given by those cultists, the brooch is a relic derivative summoned by misfortune, but about the bookmark, it was also definitely given to Emilia by those cultists, right?"

"Probably, once the Academy finishes questioning the captives, there will be more information."

"I’m just curious why the leaf doesn’t have that evil god’s holy emblem."

After breakfast, Luviya and Shard left the house. It’s Tuesday, and Luviya had to go to work, while Shard had already arranged with Mr. Benhart to explore the sewers today. Of course, before leaving, Shard didn’t forget to tell Emilia that she could read any book in the study room of this house and reminded her to help feed Mia at noon.