Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1784 - 1783: Gathering Witches

In short, after Shard returned home and picked up the cat who was not very willing to go out, he immediately rushed from the Green Lake Hotel to Mikaela Ironworks City.

Although the weather was nice in the morning, by the time the carriage carrying Shard returned to the Buck Estate where Margaret was staying, the sky was covered with clouds, and the falling raindrops formed lines that dissipated the afternoon’s rising heat of spring.

Amidst the sound of pouring rain, Shard ran into the estate holding the cat, and later had lunch with Miss Sylvia in the study, enjoying a pleasant afternoon. Of course, their main topic was discussing the situation in the Green Lake Region. Miss Sylvia wanted to have companionship in another way, but unfortunately, although she was already in the Green Lake region, her prepared goods were still on the way.

At four o’clock in the afternoon on this Sunday, when Margaret returned to the estate to change into her evening gown for the banquet that night, she was very surprised to see Shard in the study:

"Shard, long time no see, how have you been recently?"

She also gave Shard a warm hug and then quickly talked about all the changes since she became a witch apprentice and the new skills she learned from Miss Benanis.

Miss Sylvia smiled as she watched their communication but still reminded Margaret not to delay the banquet.

However, Shard and Miss Sylvia only participated in the first two hours of that evening’s banquet. At around eight o’clock, they bid farewell to Margaret, and after meeting with Megan, who also appeared at the banquet, they returned to the Buck Estate early.

The carriage discreetly left the estate where the banquet was held, and Megan and Sylvia struck up a conversation, even though they had seen each other at the Council just the night before, so there was no need for too much small talk.

The young black-haired witch smiled and said:

"This afternoon I heard Shard mention your situation. How are you feeling now? Shard only said that your soul status has stabilized, without saying what happened to you. Now it seems you’re preparing to advance to the Twelfth Rank?"

Megan didn’t answer her question first, but unexpectedly looked at Shard:

"You really remembered to keep my secret...well, it used to be my weakness, but now there’s no need to worry."

Illusory pure white light particles appeared behind her, and then Audrey’s soul appeared behind her, waving at Miss Sylvia. Even the well-informed Grand Witch was surprised by this scene.

Then, seeing the spirit state Audrey reach out and hold Shard’s hand made her even more surprised:

"The spirit can actually touch the physical body directly? Is this the perfect duality? I have only seen this state mentioned in the literature left by my teacher. If you looked like this at first, perhaps you should have taken my seat."

Megan smiled and nodded:

"Thanks to Shard. Emma, I intend to consult with you more often during this period. I don’t know whether it’s that the ancestors have taken action or the influence after my soul reached a perfect state. Recently, knowledge about spatial power keeps appearing automatically in my dreams, and I’m sure I have never learned such things."

Shard suspiciously asked:

"Similar to the racial talent of an exotic species?"

Spirit Audrey thought for a moment:

"Yes."

"Your ancestor’s modification of the family bloodline is indeed thorough. He perhaps shouldn’t have become a Prophet but should have joined the Xerxes Higher Medical Academy, where they studied such knowledge."

Miss Sylvia said, still looking admiringly at her colleague:

"I think that for thousands of years, there might not be another soul like yours. It truly is unbelievable. Speaking of which, since you can enter the Witch Council, it means that no matter which soul, they’ll be seen as a witch, and the identity of a witch cannot be divided. Therefore, you are actually one person, but with two soul representations, just like two people carved on a piece of jade, just different perspectives seeing different things... What kind of coincidence and fate must it be to create an existence like you."

With those words, Megan and Audrey were rather embarrassed. The carriage bumped on the road, and she slightly turned her face:

"I thought you would find this appearance of mine strange."

"Strange? You have no idea how many people would envy you. Circle Sorcerers unify soul and body as a profession, and any mutation of either could lead to loss of control; as for witches, they require ’flawless perfection.’ Your soul and body, even in such a form, remain perfect. This is not something that can be artificially created, it’s the miracle of the world."

Listening to Miss Sylvia’s tone, she genuinely seemed envious. Shard looked somewhat worriedly at the young witch, who signaled him not to worry:

"Don’t worry, I’m only envious; it’s not like I actually want to transform myself into this."

She then curiously asked Megan:

"Your soul is in duality, then what about your physical manifestation? Your body surely cannot be like us ordinary people!"

Though young, this spatial Grand Witch indeed had extraordinary insight. Shard hadn’t mentioned Megan’s birthmark beforehand, yet she guessed it on her own.

Spirit Audrey returned to her body, and Megan gently nodded, not concealing it like Miss Sylvia:

"Look at my face."

The birthmark shifted to the center of her brow, then a golden vertical pupil appeared there. Not only was Miss Sylvia stunned, but Shard was also greatly surprised:

"Incredible!"

"Please don’t praise me like that; it makes me feel like an animal in a zoo."

Megan wiped her forehead with her hand, removing the eye, and then opened her hand to show them her palm, where an eye appeared this time.

"That’s truly impressive, and this is not about encountering exotic creatures, it’s genuine admiration!"

The Black-haired Witch said, then stood up, leaned over, and whispered in Megan’s ear:

"Since that’s the case, can’t you..."

The last half of the sentence, despite how close Shard was, he surprisingly didn’t hear. Megan’s face turned red instantly, and she gently pushed Miss Sylvia away:

"Why is that the first thing you thought of? Isn’t that a bit strange?"

"Could it really be possible?"

The Black-haired Witch was astonished, and Shard curiously asked:

"What are you talking about?"

"Shard, don’t ask."

Megan reached out and turned Shard’s face back, but as her palm touched the side of Shard’s face, Shard distinctly felt himself being licked.

By the time they returned to Buck Estate, Miss Galina had already arrived from the north shore of Green Lake and was waiting for them in the study. Tifa had come along with her, cradling the little Mia that Shard had left there, and Shard couldn’t quite tell what the cat felt about this, but at least it wasn’t resistant.

It hadn’t been too long since they last met, so there was no need for greetings. After sitting down, Shard first explained the investigation regarding Nicholas Green’s remains that morning, then talked about the keys:

"Although we don’t know if the thirteen keys truly correspond to the thirteen Chosen Ones, based on ’Rot-Eye Barry’s’ reaction when Megan and I took his key, these keys must be very important."

Megan’s four keys came from the blacksmith on the island, the mineralogist, Rot-Eye Barry from off the island, and the tomb raider Durut Giles. Each of the three witches took one to examine closely but couldn’t discern anything unique about them. Megan also described her dream about the blood-red door to them, yet no one knew what it represented, as the door couldn’t be seen.

"Next, we have things to do."

The Duchess lazily remarked:

"Regardless of what these keys are for, even if they’re a trap by that Thirteen-Ring Diviner, we must first gather them all. Currently, five keys have appeared, leaving eight more. The Furen Brothers, the Green Siblings, and the Mirror Association’s two brothers should have some clues, and even based on Shard’s investigation today, the deceased Edwards should have clues, making these our investigation priorities."

"I’ll have people investigate my father’s grave. I’ll also take care of the leads from Soren and Helena."

Megan volunteered.

"Regarding the Furen Brothers, the Rosicrucian Society has likely already informed the Church. Perhaps it’s best if the Witch Council also shares information about the keys and remains with the Church, so they can take action as well."

Shard suggested, and Miss Sylvia nodded:

"Megan and Galina are too conspicuous; I’ll handle this."

"As for the Mirror Association, honestly, I haven’t seen them since the Lunar Eclipse last Wednesday, but they certainly haven’t left. We’ll need to find another way to deal with it."

Shard sighed:

"Dealing with such a diviner is truly frustrating; we never know which of our actions might be part of their plan. It’s said the president of the Prophet’s Society is also coming to town, though it’s unclear when exactly."

Miss Sylvia laughed and said: 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"We know what you’re worried about, but rest assured, even if he’s strong, he’s not a deity. Do you remember what the Speaker’s seat represents?"

Shard thought for a moment:

"Time."

"That’s right, the Thirteenth Rank Time Witch, easily comparable to that ancient relic from centuries ago."

"So she..."

"Of course, she won’t come."

Miss Galina interrupted Shard’s speculation:

"It’s not yet the time for the Speaker to appear, but she and the Great Witch of Destiny have gazed into the future together within the Council, and you know that the Witch Council venue can enhance our power."

"So..."

"The Speaker has prepared a task list for us."

With that, the Duchess took the parchment roll from Tifa’s hands, while Mia lazily curled up in Tifa’s embrace.

Miss Galina showed Shard the rather lengthy parchment, filled with a dense array of times and locations.