Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The Witch nodded:

"Yes, I don’t want my homeland to end up with a reputation like Tobesk City."

The Outlander settled in Tobesk had a very complex reaction to this statement:

"So, Miss Belindel, you want to investigate the matters concerning dragons and destruction?"

"This work began in the summer of 1852, and I’ve been at it for two years, but progress is not great. What I can confirm now is that this prophecy is inseparable from the Seven Families of Glory Moon Bay. Although we are not those traditional Circle Sorcerer families, our ancestors must have, at the same time, come into contact with transcendent elements related to dragons."

She sighed:

"So while I conduct my own investigation, I want outsiders with no ties to this city to try to find clues from another perspective. Sometimes it’s not that I can’t find the key points, but the perspective is hindering me from seeing the truth. Moreover, my maids are not suitable to investigate in the Lower District or places like brothels and casinos."

Shard nodded to show he understood:

"So you sought me out?"

"I still have doubts about beings like you, but I also admit you have significant abilities, even surpassing most of the girls under me. Your performance yesterday afternoon was quite impressive, your wisdom and power meet my requirements."

In her heart, she added "and charm," then sat up straight and looked at Shard:

"I promised Vanessa that in the coming months, I won’t bother you about your affairs, and I won’t stoop to threatening you into cooperation. I will pay you for your services and hope you will complete my tasks earnestly. Moon Bay is our city, and even if not for me, do it for the people living here."

"I’m glad you think so, Earl Belindel, then may our cooperation be pleasant."

Shard said, getting up and reaching out to her. The Witch also stood and shook hands with him. The vermilion birthmark between her eyebrows, seen up close, made her smiling face even more beautiful:

"This is the beginning of a good partnership for us, and it seems you are not much different from the girls under me as well. Let’s have a drink to celebrate, I highly value ceremony."

Then she called for the maid outside the door to fetch wine glasses and red wine, but Shard was one step ahead, taking a bottle from his pocket:

"Allow me to present you with a gift, would you like to try my wine? Miss Sylvia once gifted this wine to Princess Margaret, and Her Highness praised it as a delicacy."

The Blonde Witch showed a look of interest:

"But I notice, you took out an empty bottle."

"Yes, because I prefer freshly made wine."

Holding the base of the bottle, he aimed the neck at the decorative grapes in the fruit plate on the coffee table, thus, the grapes transformed into a blood-colored liquid absorbed into the bottle. Then Shard corked the bottle, gently shaking it a few times. Finally, he blew on the bottle, causing an icy mist to spread over it.

"It’s ready."

He handed the bottle to the Miss Maid who came with the glasses; she was the same one who failed to provide her name to Shard yesterday. Upon close contact, it was completely confirmed that she was a Witch Apprentice. The Blonde Maid looked at Miss Belindel, and with her permission, she accepted the bottle and poured the seductive blood-colored liquid into a wine glass.

"She is Matilda, my Head Maid and apprentice, a very talented girl."

The Witch accepted the wine glass, suppressing the urge to perform a divination:

"To a pleasant cooperation."

After a slight touch of the glasses, her pink lips gently sipped the wine, revealing a rather surprised expression:

"This taste... it’s extraordinary that ordinary grapes can ferment to such a flavor. If it was from a vineyard dedicated to winemaking grapes, wouldn’t it be even more... I don’t recall Vanessa or the Golden Dawn having a hand in winemaking... Is this from the Divine Arts of the Vampire God?"

She suddenly asked, and Shard was quite surprised; this was the first time someone instantly saw through the origin of this Arcane Technique:

"Yes, it’s a very complex and intricate story, and it involves the privacy of others, so it’s not convenient to disclose. However, because of that affair, I have a very good Vampire Kind friend. I have no relation with the Church of the Vampire Kind, only had some conflicts with one of them by the lakeside."

"Princess Margaret praising this red wine was indeed well-deserved. Mr. Watson, your gift is quite impressive. Since that’s the case, I cannot be stingy either. Matilda, go to my collection room and fetch the gift I prepared."

The maid hurried off and soon returned with a square wooden box. Opening the box, a beautiful silver button lay on the soft lining. It’s an Alchemical Item, and appeared quite high-end:

"I am the Great Witch of Destiny. Creating amulets and trinkets that bestow good fortune is my unique ability. This button can bring you luck, Mr. Watson. Though it’s not enough luck to win every game of Roder Cards, the fortunate thing is, it comes at no cost."

The witch introduced herself, while the maid handed the box to Shard.

"Thank you for your generosity, ma’am."

Shard sincerely expressed his gratitude, knowing the difficulty involved in creating such alchemical items, beyond the abilities of even a Seventh Ring sorcerer like Luviya. This welcome gift was indeed quite lavish.

The blonde Miss Belindel smiled and continued:

"This is just a token of meeting, also a thank you for your cooperation yesterday afternoon and... for saving me.

You don’t need to worry about the Hawthorn matter. No one will trouble you about it again, and even if the Church attempts an investigation, I assure you they’ll find no clues. Besides me, no one who participated in the Dice Story remembers any details. As for your future actions in the Moon Bay region, if you encounter a similar situation again, you need not pay particular attention to the Hawthorn Family and Edington Family. I’m quite certain they don’t have their own Circle Sorcerers."

"But I heard they only began interacting with Circle Sorcerers recently. If there aren’t any sorcerers within their families, how can they confirm the prophecy’s authenticity?"

Shard raised his concern, and the witch, holding a glass of wine, responded:

"That’s a good question, but I can’t provide a clear answer and can only say this: The origin of the Seven Families of Glory Moon Bay wasn’t just from winning power struggles. You may have heard some legends; there are quite a few strange rumors in each of our families. Although all the seven families, except for me, are ordinary people now, the power brought by our ancestors’ adventures seems to still pass down through the generations."

"The rumor I heard is that the ancestors of the Seven Families encountered a dragon in the ancient Moon Bay region that granted them power and wealth..."

Shard was startled:

"Miss Belindel, are you... dragonborn?"

The witch laughed:

"Of course not. Can I not distinguish my own heritage? Besides, there’s a witch in the Council with a relic capable of discerning lineage. I’ve tested the blood of all seven families, including my own, and we are not dragonborn. It’s just that everyone has a strange feeling that something significant is about to happen in Moon Bay City."

This made Shard think of Laplace Howard’s prophecy, rooted in the bloodlines of his descendants through human alchemy, which foretold the family’s reunion. However, that prophecy was incredibly clear, quite different from the situation provided by the Great Witch of Destiny.

"Belindel, Hawthorn, Edington, Wood, Wright, Black, Blue, all seven families should have some ancestral stories and legends handed down. I will be responsible for obtaining, borrowing, and organizing these documents, and your first task, Mr. Watson, is here."

Shard put down his glass:

"Please, go ahead."

"I need you to investigate a case in the Lower District. Early last week, a nameless female corpse, drained of most of its blood, was found in the Lower District. After the coroner’s examination, the case was transferred to the Church. Although no similar corpses have appeared since, my divination results suggest there’s still something peculiar about it."

Shard raised his eyebrow:

"If you recall, the coroner whom I encountered outside the police station in the Dice Story Collection was the one who examined the corpse."

"I have not investigated your background, nor have I looked into your friends; this is out of respect for Vanessa. But this is for the best; go and pursue this matter. Whether it’s a vampire kind or something else, find out the truth and bring the results back to me."

As if worried Shard didn’t understand, she explained further:

"Since there’s no lead on the city and dragon prophecy, it’s better to start from the small events occurring within the city, as disasters often originate from inconspicuous places. Not long ago, during the Battle of Green Lake, His Excellency the Speaker and I did divinations, turning minor matters into a list of missions for witches participating in the action to resolve. It proved very effective afterward."

Shard agreed with her approach; he, too, wanted to start from the small matters to understand the situation in the Moon Bay region:

"So, do you have any other clues at your disposal? Or do I start the investigation from scratch?"

"Since you know the coroner, you may learn a lot of clues from him. Also, I have the contact information for the local vampire kind that you can visit. Matilda, bring the file folder."

The blonde maid went to the bookshelf to retrieve something, but Shard wasn’t particularly in need of the local vampire kind’s contact information:

"What is your divination result for this case?"

"A swarm of flies, symbolizing troublesome matters, and if it foretells the future, it could mean futile efforts. That’s why I didn’t investigate it personally. But I’m sure the impact of this matter is confined to the Moon Bay region. During your investigation, if you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, such as a High Ring Sorcerer, feel free to come to me for help. The ’Empress’ divination card I gave you serves as your identification for future contact with me. Also, my followers, upon seeing that card, will assist you."