Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Although the investigation had made more progress, Shard and Mr. Benhart’s investigation will come to a pause before Shard obtains the sewer map near the Steam Bathhouse. It would be unwise to recklessly venture into unknown areas of the sewer without a map, and they are almost certain that there are traps waiting for them in the underground laboratory, which is probably already abandoned.

Seeing Mr. Albert still at work, Shard and Mr. Benhart didn’t disturb him and quickly bid farewell. They then sat for a while longer at the Spider Inn, where Mr. Benhart showed interest in inquiry about last night’s card game.

When he heard that the champion of last night’s "Big City Player 1850," Viscount Gla, was present, he regretted that the game couldn’t be announced as a meeting of "two champions of Big City Players":

"If this could be made known, it would certainly become a hot topic among the Roder Card players in Moon Bay City for several months... Did Viscount Gla show any unusual behavior last night?"

He suddenly asked, and Shard shook his head:

"Viscount Gla has issues too? But he’s just an ordinary person."

"No, no, it’s unrelated to our investigation. I’ve just heard locally, just heard rumors..."

He lowered his voice and told Shard:

"More than one person has mentioned that Viscount Gla cheats when gambling with others. There are some unsavory rumors about him locally, but just rumors, such as he controls several Roder Card casinos and is involved in the high-stakes black market Roder Card trading... Let me emphasize again, those are just rumors, possibly spread by those jealous of him."

Shard nodded knowingly, but even if true, at least yesterday, Viscount Gla genuinely didn’t cheat.

With nothing else to do in the morning, as Shard bade farewell to Mr. Benhart, he noticed the weather was particularly gloomy, knowing from Luviya that there should be a thunderstorm later today. Combining that with Professor Manning’s rumors, Shard felt that his investigation into the Divine War from the early Fifth Era would surely progress today.

Of course, that would be in the evening. So, he spent the morning visiting Belindel Estate to see the Great Witch of Destiny. Even busy witches took it easy on a Sunday morning, as she sipped tea in the study room while listening to Shard’s progress and was quite satisfied with his updates:

"If you can provide evidence beyond mere memory to show Georgia Black’s genuine connection with the secret laboratory, I can make the Black Family pay just on that account."

She toasted Shard with the teacup in her hand:

"Looks like asking you to help me was the right choice. Although my girls might also find traces of the Vampire Beast, the Steam Bathhouse and secret passage event would be more challenging for them."

"Then the sewer map..."

"Come see me on Monday. The Moon Bay City sewer was constructed in a very early era, and the map can only serve as a reference."

"I understand."

He will definitely need to use "Enhanced Spatial Awareness" then to determine the terrain.

"Next week, I’ll arrange for my Vampire Kind friends to help investigate this matter. I think the results will come quickly. I originally suspected the egg-like object to be a Dragon Egg, now it seems to be a Vampire Beast. I hope my guess is wrong, as I’d rather not face a creature mixed between a dragon and a vampire."

Seeing Shard express this, Miss Belindel confirmed with Divination Cards. She didn’t reveal the results to Shard; instead, after glancing at the cards in hand, she simply advised Shard to be more cautious.

"Speaking of which, I’ll be attending some matters in the Dock Area tonight."

He hesitated but still revealed this:

"No, it’s not about the Hope Diamond; it’s my personal affair. I’m looking for remnants from the Fifth Era, should have clues tonight. Miss Belindel, if you have time..."

He said awkwardly, and the witch raised an eyebrow:

"Seeking my assistance, are you? Matilda, check today’s schedule."

The Blonde Maid quickly reported:

"In the afternoon, you’re attending a salon; if it finishes by evening, there’s nothing else."

"Alright, I’ll go to the Dock Area to help you, treat it as a stroll. But it truly is coincidental, I’ve received intel that since yesterday, the Church of the Five Gods took collective action, preparing something in the Dock Area, apparently guarding against some unexpected situation. My sources explored, and it seems tonight the Dragon Feast Cult also has activities there, might this relate to your affair?"

Shard wasn’t sure, but if the cultists were also after those rumored remnants, he couldn’t wait for this evening’s discoveries:

"Miss Belindel, the salon you’re attending this afternoon wouldn’t be the one hosted by the Marchioness of Ankara, would it?"

"Yes, you know? The Marquis of Ankara isn’t local, just stationed with the navy truth. His wife enjoys hosting various salons; I intend to introduce Sylvia’s merchandise to her in the afternoon. But local gentlewomen should have their own sources; those fabrics are already for sale at Velindale’s store, they should all be aware."

Shard certainly knew what "fabrics" referred to, having encountered them at the Red-Haired Princess last night. Though Miss Sylvia wasn’t by his side, the ladies surrounding him wore those luxurious intimate garments. Apart from Helen and Grace who conjured themselves, the others probably directly procured from Miss Sylvia herself. Sometimes Shard curiously wondered how they managed to contact Miss Sylvia.

"What, you’ve also been invited to the salon?"

the Witch asked with a smile, and Shard promptly shook his head:

"Of course not, it’s just that my vampire friend asked me to find three people. I’ve already met the first two, and the last one is attending the salon. I plan to wait for her at the entrance."

The last of the three of the same clan mentioned by the Coroner was a lady. Although Shard knew her workplace, she was a City Hall employee, so Mr. Albert also suggested he visit her during her off time.

"I see, then why don’t you go with me in the afternoon? I’ll help you in the evening, so you can help me in the afternoon. Remember that werewolf woman? Turns out, she’s connected to that Marchioness."

Shard didn’t mind accompanying her to social events, and he was also interested in the werewolf matter:

"But it’s a ladies’ salon, is it appropriate for me to attend? Oh, I want to make it clear, I absolutely won’t dress as a woman."

The witch was amused by him:

"I wouldn’t dream of suggesting you dress as a woman. Don’t worry, even though it’s a gathering of local noble ladies, most will bring male companions. You can be my cousin, and stay by my side, I won’t let you be embarrassed."

Shard agreed.

While he was conducting his investigation in the city, Miss Belindel was also busy. Not only the werewolf incident, but also the attack by the Light Worshipper Training Association at Whisper Hills that evening she had never forgotten; she was also investigating the Dragon Feast Cult matters.

At the same time, she was actively gathering and organizing clues from the family’s library and the other six major families. This morning, Shard saw those precious ancient script documents in the underground library of the Belindel Family.

It’s quite normal for noble manors to have basements, but the library at the Belindel Estate alone was larger than an entire floor of the Shard Family. The library held more than ten thousand books, including precious first editions. After the witch learned that Shard was familiar with Dragon Language, she wanted him to take a look at these books, hoping for some discovery, but unfortunately, there was none.

By noon, Miss Belindel invited Shard to stay for lunch at the manor, during which Shard felt the Old Lady Belindel looking at him strangely. After lunch, he specially asked the witch, and she told him not to worry:

"Mother just rarely sees me with men."

The reading salon in the afternoon was scheduled to start at one-thirty. Called a reading salon, it was really a social tea party for local noble ladies to gather for afternoon tea and discuss opera and fashion. One of the toys Shard carried was a formal outfit, so he didn’t need to worry about what to wear.

Miss Belindel arranged for the maid to help Shard with his outfit a bit, and just as they were about to get into the carriage, Miss Matilda whispered in the witch’s ear:

"A handmade tailored outfit, Mrs. Granger said the craftsmanship of the person who made that suit was as good as hers. Furthermore, the fabric is unique, not available on the market, and no tailor or material like it exists in Randall Valley City."

Mrs. Granger is Miss Belindel’s personal tailor.

Noticing the witch’s hesitation, the maid added:

"Mrs. Granger said that even all of Moon Bay City might not have a tailor who could make that suit; it might have come from the Royal Capital."

"Velindale? He and Vanessa have been to Velindale together? Right, Emma also knows about her, so he must have been to Velindale."

The witch nodded, intending to continue walking down the stairs in her high heels, but suddenly paused:

"Wait, even if Emma or Vanessa wanted to give him clothes, do they know such skilled tailors? Matilda, according to what you said, such clothes can’t just be custom-made with money."

Thus, the maid knowingly handed over the Divination Cards, and this time, as Bella Belindel reached out, she felt the reading was exceptionally good, certain to yield results:

"This card is... Queen/Princess?"

She paused slightly, then quickly understood:

"Our country hasn’t had a queen for several generations, as for a princess..."

She suddenly widened her eyes:

"Wait, are you saying... Emma, Vanessa, so you’ve been trying to win favor with Princess Margaret through a man?"

"Miss."

The blonde maid gently reminded her, but the witch, continuing down the stairs, still felt a suppressed anger inside:

"Everything starts to make sense; Her Highness Margaret became Vanessa’s apprentice, and this year, when she visited the Randall Valley because of the shipyard affairs, rumors had it that there was a young, handsome stranger by her side... So that’s it, Her Highness Margaret met him during that visit to Randall Valley, and Vanessa and Emma took the opportunity to introduce him to Her Highness. Her Highness must have been impressed by him, no doubt about it, that’s why there’s that formal suit, and why he has the background of the Grey Glove. Emma, Vanessa, you both... Margaret Anjou got a real bargain!"