Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

After leaving the church, the group didn’t return to the mansion but headed for the Belindel Big Bell in the city center. Just like when Shard first came to this place and heard the man selling him "Eternal Light" say, it is not open to the public; only important members of the Belindel Family and the city council can come here.

As evening approached, the Council Square was bustling with people. Seeing that it was getting late, Shard intended to leave and find Mr. Benhart to discuss matters related to the [Dragon Feast Cult], but the witch insisted on him staying:

"Since you helped me today, I want to show you my favorite thing in this city."

The bell tower’s door was opened, and the Tower Keeper respectfully watched as the group entered the bell tower’s interior. On the innermost side, there was an elevator controlled by a high-power steam engine from the underground, and even with seven people standing together, it did not feel crowded.

Miss Matilda pulled the lever switch on the column at the side, and amid the rumbling sound coming from the underground, the elevator smoothly carried everyone from the bottom to the top.

On the observation terrace, Shard and the witch stood together by the railing, looking at the city’s evening scene under the sunset. On the nearby Taton River, sailors and haulers had already finished their work, and in the distance, above the Dock Area, even flocks of seagulls could be seen flying. The Council Square below was bustling with people—vendors, speakers talking on high platforms, and travelers from out of town—all watching this novel scene.

"The scenery here is indeed quite nice."

Shard commented, but at this moment, Miss Belindel was considering something else:

"You know, Aunt Phyllis refused me again just now."

Shard looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to voluntarily bring up family secrets with him.

"It’s not really a secret matter; since you’re operating in Moon Bay City, you need to know some noble secrets."

While gazing at the cityscape below, Bella Belindel briefly described a past story:

"Aunt Phyllis Belindel, when she was young, her looks were only slightly inferior to mine. This is a very clichéd noble love story: Aunt fell in love with a poor boy, but Grandfather opposed her choice. This matter caused unrest in the family for several years, and ultimately, Aunt Phyllis became a nun, promising never to marry. Since then, she has never returned home."

"And what about that man?"

"In the winter of the second year after Aunt became a nun, due to seducing the lover of a local rich merchant, he was beaten to death by henchmen called by the merchant."

She said lightly:

"The ancient legend involves everyone from the Seven Families of Glory Moon Bay. I had hoped Aunt would temporarily move back to live with us, help me find some materials, or reach out to those distant relatives. But she seems unwilling to be associated with the Belindel Family at all."

After a light sigh, she finally asked Shard what he wanted to see her for this afternoon. Only then did Shard have the chance to talk about the four different targets he learned from the bathhouse and what happened last night, particularly the matter of the [Dragon Feast Cult]:

"Miss Benanis told me that the [Dragon Feast Cult] has a fragment of the Poem Chapter related to the ’Light’ Chosen One. This time they appeared locally and sent out a modified Seven-Ring Sorcerer, which does not seem like a minor operation."

"[Dragon Feast Cult], [Light Worshipper Training Association]... Light and dragon, the Ancient God of Brightness ’Dragon of Radiant Light’... I understand."

Perhaps influenced by the evening scenery, she nodded listlessly, even without thinking of divination:

"It’s progressing well; does this matter involve the Black Family, Wood Family, and Hawthorn Family?"

She thought for a moment:

"Although I trust your competence, since they are local Grand Nobles. After dinner, I’ll give you some blank stationery stamped with my private seal; this should help you."

Being able to give such items to Shard shows that she trusts him a lot:

"Do you have anything else to do later?"

Shard nodded:

"I need to find my friend; he is also helping with the investigation, and I’m worried he might not know about the [Dragon Feast Cult] matter yet."

So the witch swallowed her invitation for dinner together:

"What about tonight?"

"I shouldn’t have anything planned."

"Alright, then take along relics and spellcasting materials tonight. I’ve deciphered some intriguing intel from old family books, and we might need to go on an adventure outside the city tonight."

"To explore ancient ruins or something else?"

Shard asked curiously, and Miss Belindel pondered:

"If my interpretation and divination are correct, it should be ancient ruins or secret cave, but I’m not sure about the exact situation. We will delve into the northern part of the Moon Bay Region, searching for clues in the Black Forest, Whisper Hills, and Poisonous Swamp."

Shard laughed:

"These three place names sound like they’re from a fairy tale."

At the top of the bell tower facing the sunset, the smile on his face appeared so charming to the witch. Miss Belindel tried to control her expression, also revealing a faint smile:

"The naming convention for Moon Bay Region’s forests, mountains, and swamps all come from an older era, where such names were popular... Do you know the city’s northeastern exit, ’Saint George Stone Bridge’? We’re meeting there tonight."

After bidding farewell to the witch, Shard went to the morgue in Spider Alley, informed Mr. Ptolemy Albert about the intelligence regarding the Dragon Feast Cult, and asked him to pass it on to Mr. Benhart.

Then he tossed the crystal shoes back home, ate dinner with the cat, changed clothes, and started preparing for the evening’s tasks.

The dragon nest’s exit wasn’t far from the Saint George Stone Bridge, so Shard wasn’t in a rush. After dinner, he took the "Dragon Scale Coins" he had gathered in the past few days from the "Dragon Altar" in the dragon nest to the basement. Then he took a straight sword, acquired during swordsmanship practice at the Summit Sacrificial Ground with Sister Delphine, and entered the Heart of the Earth Furnace in the basement to consume the power from "traversing the earth," using those Dragon Scale Coins to enhance the sturdy straight sword.

Just as Miss Galina said, the straight sword, re-forged with Dragon Scale Coins, now had a faint dragon scale pattern on metal surface. Due to being tempered in the Heart of the Earth Furnace and infused with earth’s power, the originally solid and sharp straight sword could now be regarded as a fine alchemical weapon.

He casually swung it a few times in the basement; the straight sword’s weight hadn’t changed, but it felt inexplicably more handy. Although it wasn’t exaggerated enough to produce a dragon roar when swung, compared to relic long swords, this should be the best long sword Shard could find.

Because he didn’t wish to reveal his identity, Shard certainly couldn’t bring the Night Watchman, so he planned to take this weapon for tonight’s operation. Miss Belindel mentioned the task wouldn’t take long and that he’d return to the city before midnight if they couldn’t find the exact location, but Shard decided to be cautious.

He intended to set off at 7 p.m., but as night fell and the street lamps around the square lit up, an unmarked private carriage stopped in front of the Shard family house, followed by Lecia, Angelina, and maids entering No. 6, Saint Delan Square.

Seeing Shard dressed to go out, Lecia, wearing light makeup, curiously asked:

"Heading out? To meet that young elf girl?"

Angelina’s small ears twitched slightly, listening attentively.

"Of course not, going to Moon Bay."

Shard placed the cat on the back of the sofa, stepped forward to hug Lecia and looked at his beautiful princess:

"Good evening, are you staying here overnight? I’ll be heading out shortly, back by ten. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, your goods in Moon Bay are all sorted."

Lecia nodded, delighted to leave Yordle Palace for the night, insisting on staying here even if Shard returned later in the night:

"I’ll give you a reward tonight... What’s happening over in Moon Bay that requires you to busy yourself so late?"

"A witch over there needs my help. The Great Witch of Destiny, she’s investigating something."

Angelina’s ears twitched again, while Lecia shook her head:

"I indeed heard Galina mention you ran into a witch in Moon Bay Region, but isn’t she being unreasonable, asking for your help so late? Really, stay safe, I’ll be waiting at home for you."

Although she complained, Lecia didn’t prevent Shard. He conversed briefly with both princesses before heading to the basement.

Curious, Angelina asked her sister:

"Did you mention an elf just now?"

Lecia glanced at her sister, understanding her curiosity:

"Yep, the books you read should mention this race. The Three Major Academies have numerous alien species students, but most are enrolled in school. Isn’t it summer break, during off-campus practice time? An elf Shard previously knew is visiting, golden hair, quite good-looking. After all, elves differ from humans; her age is certainly older than Aunt Galina yet looks as young as you."

"Then... what’s her relationship with Shard?"

Angelina asked again, prompting Lecia to smile and ask:

"What, feeling threatened? Oh, my dear Angelina, my beloved sister, humans are limited, time mercilessly ages women, while that elf’s appearance might not change for decades. But if the Ring Mage Level is high enough, one can learn many arcane techniques and secrets to stall aging. For instance, Shard possesses a Secret Tome on Immortality Magic from the Fifth Era’s Demigod Witch, yet mastering it with just the First Ring is far from enough."

Her words aimed to motivate her sister, indeed inspiring Angelina, who nodded quickly:

"Yes, yes, humans have limits."

Encouraging herself internally, she grew increasingly curious about the rumored elf.

"Meow~"

Mia hoped these women invading the house would quiet down a bit, allowing peace for its wait for Shard’s return home.