Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Shard looked at the photo while the Vampire Kind was still talking:

"The Dragon Language runes on it are very ancient, right? Although I can’t recognize them either, I believe this is a stone carving from the late Fifth Era, recording the ancestors of the Seven Great Families making a deal with a powerful entity. However, church researchers seem to think that these are remnants from an even older era, belonging to the end of the Fourth Era to the beginning of the Fifth Era, having nothing to do with the Seven Great Families, and instead involving some indescribable secrets. Ha, the church researchers aren’t that impressive, huh."

Sir Donald said with a touch of disdain, and Shard blinked, choosing not to point out that perhaps his research and speculation might be the ones in error.

Shard looked at other photos, but unfortunately, the only one where he could clearly distinguish the rune content was the first photo he had.

Understanding in his heart, the information mentioned in those ancient runes likely pointed to the Ancient God War Miss Eles had referred to. But when Shard tried to further consult Sir Donald about the legends of the God War, the glasses-wearing Vampire Kind seemed to know nothing about those stories and instead asked where Shard had heard such news.

Sir Donald seemed to believe that all legends related to "dragons" in this city were connected to the Seven Great Families. Yet, at the time of that Ancient God War, Shard was certain the Seven Great Families did not exist.

"Could you tell me where the excavation corresponding to this photo was conducted? Where is the location of the ruins?"

Shard asked again, and Sir Donald recalled:

"In the ’Poisonous Swamp’ in the northwest of Moon Bay City. That place is hard to find, and there probably isn’t anything of value left there."

He informed Shard of the general location. Shard also inquired about the other researchers who participated in the excavation, but the Vampire Kind did not think they preserved any of their findings like he did.

However, he immediately thought of another matter:

"Besides us local researchers and the people sent by the local church who participated in this excavation, there were actually some outsiders involved as well. At that time, Carsonrick’s relationship with Draleon was much better than it is now. It seems it was due to some academic exchange program that some researchers from the Northern Country also participated in the exploration of the ruins. I remember there was an elderly professor among them who was quite formidable. If you can find him, he might still have some photos."

"Sir, do you remember the name of that professor?"

"Hold on a moment, I remember documenting the information about that professor in my notebook back then. But considering his age now, he might have retired long ago. I don’t even know if he’s alive. Ordinary people’s lives are always so fragile... wishing him good health."

A familiar name suddenly jumped into Shard’s mind, but he didn’t hastily voice his guess. Sir Donald spent some time and finally found a rather old business card from the crevice of his old notebook:

"Professor Tiris Manning from Tobesk City. This professor is truly renowned in the field of history. I remember one of the textbooks I studied when I was a student was co-authored by him."

He said happily, pushing the business card in front of Shard. Shard patted the disguised dog-like Mia on his shoulder, and the cat also looked down at the business card. Although the address on the yellowed paper wasn’t "Cat Tail Alley," Shard was utterly certain that this Professor Manning was indeed his old friend.

"Why does it feel like every time I encounter a folklore scholar in a foreign land, it always somehow connects back to Professor Manning?"

Thinking this, he asked the person across the table:

"Is Professor Manning a Circle Sorcerer?"

"Of course not, he’s just an ordinary person. But for such an excellent historian like him, his life experiences won’t be any duller than those of an ordinary Circle Sorcerer."

Visiting Professor Manning could wait until the end of the day’s tasks or perhaps tomorrow; Shard was not in a hurry. So, after bidding farewell to Sir Donald, Shard went to Herring Street to visit Miss Lisa and the girl Maria.

That morning, Miss Lisa happened to be at home, and because of the money Shard left last time, she was now preparing to send Maria to school.

The family was very hospitable to Shard and even wanted to invite him to stay for lunch. However, Shard had other matters to attend to at noon, so he politely declined. After bidding them farewell at eleven in the morning, he took out the silver pendant shaped like an anchor and looked at it again, becoming more convinced about his speculation of Miss Eles’ identity.

Meeting with the dock porter Laurie Anderson and the boy Newman was again at the tavern from yesterday evening. As noon approached, the tavern was bustling, and Shard, arriving early, chose the same table from yesterday. The lively atmosphere of the tavern reminded him of that "Demonologist" he always seemed to run into at various taverns, but it was clear that Mr. Sean Asmon wouldn’t appear this noon.

[Why not?]

"Because there are no roses here."

Shard chuckled, touching the Demon Hunting Seal in his pocket. Ever since he arrived in Moon Bay, he had been carrying this ring. The next time he saw Mr. Sean Asmon, he must wear the ring and shake hands with that gentleman.

"Meow~"

The cat on the chest let out a faint meow, wondering why lunch hadn’t started yet. Then, it noticed the few cats crouched in front of the tavern’s bar, peeking this way. So the little cat lifted its head to glance at Shard, and seeing that he hadn’t noticed the other cats, it withdrew its head again.

The snow that started at an unknown time was getting heavier by noon. But the work at the docks didn’t stop because of it, and as for the porter and his son who braved the snow to meet up, the boy Newman was dressed warmly, while the porter wore only a single layer of clothing.

Shard didn’t comment on this but instead warmly invited them to sit. While the father and son warmed themselves with bowls of hot soup, Shard started the conversation.

The boy seemed very interested in the dog squatting beside Shard’s hand, but unfortunately, Mia was only interested in the food in Shard’s hand. And Shard didn’t immediately bring up the "Eternal Light" or the fact that the boy didn’t want to be a porter, but continued yesterday’s topic, talking about the life of dock workers.

Mr. Anderson’s ancestors lived locally, so he was quite familiar with both the Dock Workers’ Association, which had a union-like nature, and the official management institutions like the dock office, even able to say a few things about the local intricate gangs.

Shard was very curious about the reputation of the "Princess Trading Partners" locally, so he casually mentioned Miss Annie Bonnie’s name. Mr. Anderson described them as "while their numbers can’t compare to large gangs like the Black Hand, it’s said that every one of them has seen blood, people in the dock area not to be easily provoked."

As the meal reached its halfway point and the topic of dockworkers’ wage increases over the past decade ended, Shard finally reached the main topic:

"This year’s weather is really strange, such heavy snow in the Thunder Moon. It’s really tough having to work in the snow."

"It’s just a different date compared to winter now, but we work normally in winter too; otherwise, how would we make money to support the family?"

The porter said with a smile, reaching out to pat the boy on the shoulder beside him:

"Raising Newman is my most important task right now, and what’s a little snow? My father and father’s father both did the same, and Newman will be like me when he grows up. We earn money to support the family with our strength, and in my view, it’s no worse than others."

The boy again showed a look of wanting to say something but not daring to, and Shard continued to praise:

"I suppose you work in the rain as well as in the snow?"

"Of course, sometimes the worse the weather, the more anxious the captains are to unload the ships. Besides, during the monsoon season, it might be sunny one moment and pouring rain the next. Waterproof tarps are unreliable sometimes; we still have to rely on ourselves."

He genuinely seemed proud of his work.

"Men like you who support a family on your own are the hope of our era and country. Come, let me toast to you."

Saying this, the two clinked their glasses. Shard glanced at the boy again and softly said to him:

"Isn’t your father amazing? Even though he’s a porter, he’s supported you with that. You didn’t grow up relying on the wind and rain; when you grow up, you must treat your father well."

Before the boy could speak, Mr. Anderson laughed heartily and said:

"I won’t force Newman to repay me and his mother when he grows up. He’ll have his own life, his own family, his own children. If he’s lucky, he’ll meet someone magical like you on a magical day and enjoy such a free— I mean interesting — lunch together."

Shard nodded and added:

"Earning money on one’s own is a crucial way for us to live with dignity. Dreams are essential, but you also need to fill your stomach first. Live practically, and then you can look to the sky."

"Yes, that’s very important for a man... What a good point, Newman, you must study hard in the future to become someone like this gentleman."

The two clinked glasses again, and the boy looked surprised at his father, then lowered his head as if contemplating something.

The gentle voice in his ear said:

[I thought you would advise the porter to give up on the idea of his son taking over his work.]

"But in my view, Mr. Anderson’s idea isn’t wrong. For them, this kind of career inheritance is the best way to maintain a stable life."

Shard continued chatting with Mr. Anderson while talking to the voice in his heart:

"Mr. Anderson doesn’t desire his son to replace him, he hopes for him to have a better life. Making the boy understand this is enough. Moreover, I’m not persuading the boy to accept his father’s arrangement, I’m just letting him see the significant meaning of the future he is reluctant to accept. Besides, do all children’s wishes necessarily have to come true?"