Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 858: Early Winter Morning

Chapter 858 -858: Early Winter Morning

Although the Golden Lucky Rabbit Leg brought Shard much fortune, enabling him to reach Huntington successfully, find Mr. Benhart, and even meet Miss Sylvia without incident, Shard remained mindful of the negative traits of the relic.

That evening, before resting in the guest room at Galina Manor, he was apprehensive about the kind of dream he might have. Miss Galina joked and asked if Shard wanted to rest on the sofa in her bedroom, but he refused:

“The dream shouldn’t be dangerous to that extent yet.”

Staying at the manor was just a precaution; he wasn’t too worried about the crazy rabbits warping his mind or causing him to lose control but was concerned that the nightmare might disturb his mental state and delay important matters during the day.

Still, Shard had to sleep regardless. After washing up in the guest room’s bathroom, he closed the door and turned off the gas lamp and the chandelier by rotating the gas valve next to the door.

Upon climbing into bed, he petted Mia, who was already lying beside his pillow, then pulled up the soft and smooth blanket, nervously closing his eyes. The curtains were not drawn, and the gentle March light streamed into the somewhat empty room, casting its soft glow on the pillow without disturbing Shard or Mia.

The quality of the bed and blankets at the manor was evidently better than what Shard had at home. The softness and warmth of the bedding soon lulled him into sleep, and the negative traits of the relic almost immediately took effect.

Shard realized he was dreaming and saw countless rabbits with glowing red eyes staring at him in the darkness.

His heart sank a bit, for these were not ordinary rabbits but ones reminiscent of illustrations in children’s storybooks—standing on two legs, with ears longer than their bodies, rabbit heads atop human bodies, and mouths emitting a chant-like murmur. Even Shard couldn’t understand the meaning, as it was merely an unconscious mumble.

The rabbits in the dream drew closer, carrying a frenzy, wanting to drag Shard into the abyss of madness.

In this profound dream, the first glimmer of fire appeared at his fingertips, spreading through the cracks on his body. The glow of the First Flame spread out in ember form, red sparks gently falling from beneath his clothes.

The frenzied rabbits were intimidated by the light and hesitated to move forward, leaving only pairs of scarlet eyes staring at him in the extreme darkness.

Shard did not intend to counterattack in the dream; his thoughts were somewhat sluggish and chaotic. He instinctively raised his head, and another light broke the darkness of the dream. A large Silvermoon appeared overhead, as if breaking through the darkness above. The moonlight radiated in all directions, revealing an expansive field.

Shard stood on a ridge, glowing with the embers of the First Flame, gazing at the moon, while the rabbits around him, filled with malice, seemed to be assimilated into his vision, forced to look up at the moon alongside him.

The red glow in their eyes extinguished, turning into pure silver. Thousands of rabbits in the fields silently illuminated by the Silvermoon, almost worshipping the outlander on the ridge.

In reality, in the dim bedroom lit by moonlight streaming through the window, Miss Galina, in her nightgown, and Tifa stood by, watching Shard and the cat in bed. She observed Shard sleeping peacefully, with moonlight shining on Mia’s back, making her orange and white fur more lustrous.

“Shh~”

The Duchess gestured for her maid to be silent. After confirming Shard’s safety, she intended to leave but suddenly stopped, gently moving in the dark to kiss Shard’s forehead:

“Good night, my knight.”

Her rare flushed face, Galina Cavendish turned to the door, worried that Tifa might see her expression.

The black-haired maid laughed softly, wanting to follow her mistress but turned back to look at Shard, pressing her right index finger to her lips, winking at Shard while throwing her finger towards him, then exited the bedroom in good spirits.

“Meow~”

Mia let out a faint murmur, wriggling up to Shard’s chest on the blanket. Suddenly exposing her belly, she squinted and flailing her four small paws, then slipped back to the side of the pillow.

Thus, in his dream, Shard spent the night gazing at the Silvermoon with countless rabbits. He dreamt of an inexplicable flower scent and being pressed by a boulder on his chest, but upon waking, the dream became obscure.

He remembered being surrounded by rabbits with red eyes in the dark but didn’t recall what happened next:

“Did I dream of Mia, and then the cat defeated the rabbits?”

Suspicious, Shard tried to recollect the dream, but the details grew hazier. Sitting up in bed, he first glanced at the bright morning light outside the window, then looked at Mia curled up like a cat ball, feeling strangely more rested than usual.

It was Friday, and breakfast was naturally enjoyed at the witch’s manor. During breakfast, Miss Galina asked Shard about his dream. When Shard mentioned the peculiar flower scent, Miss Galina smiled for some reason but wouldn’t say anything when asked.

“What did she do to me last night?”

Shard wondered while spreading cream on his bread with a silver knife.

She kissed you.

A soft chuckle echoed beside his ear. When Shard looked up again at Miss Galina sitting leisurely, the witch lazily turned her head to the maid as if she had read Shard’s mind and said:

“Tifa, go peel an egg for the detective.”

Tifa’s face immediately flushed red, and she bowed her head without moving. Shard coughed abruptly, not daring to further inquire.

The fragment of the Poem Chapter could possibly be obtained in the near future. Naturally, Shard needed to inform Luviya about this. He took a carriage straight from Miss Galina’s manor and arrived at Silver Cross Avenue just as the Prophet’s Society opened for business.

His appearance greatly surprised Vice President Mark, who had just arrived for work:

“You’re here earlier than me, just to consult Annette for a divination?”

The diligent gentleman even took out his silver pocket watch to check the time:

“It’s only 8:20 in the morning, and I even arrived early. Mr. Hamilton, your dedication is commendable!”

He showed an expression of deep admiration:

“When I was young, to woo my wife, I only sent a few love letters, chatted with her outside her fence quietly at night, and gave her some beautiful roses. The young people today are truly remarkable; their love always seems so enviable.”

He displayed a nostalgic look as he spoke.

“Mr. Mark, has there been any news from the headquarters regarding the two ‘Genesis’ series Roder Cards the Society holds?”

Shard hadn’t forgotten about it, but Mr. Mark shook his head sadly:

“I’m sorry, but the current president of the Prophet’s Society, Mr. Schubert, even wrote you a letter of apology. I’ll give you the letter in a moment. As for those two cards, I don’t think they’ll be accessible in the near future.”

The courtesy was also related to Shard being the “Big City Player 1853 Champion”; he was now a hot promotional figure for the Prophet’s Society.

Unlike Vice President Mark, who arrived early for work, Luviya appeared at the Prophet’s Society ten minutes late, but fortunately, the Society had no strict clock-in system, and most diviners were lazy, so no base salary was deducted.

By then, Shard had already been arranged to wait in the Divination Room on the second floor. Luviya, after changing in the Society’s dressing room, found him in the Divination Room:

“Shard, you came so early; you wouldn’t be inviting me to see an opera tonight, would you?”

She smiled as she sat down, looking in good spirits this morning.

Shard shook his head and simply described Princess Margaret Anjou and the book “Immortality Magic.” Luviya immediately became serious, not for the fragment of the Poem Chapter, but for the book: freēwēbnovel.com

“So, ‘Immortality Magic’ is in Xerxes.”

“Is this book well-known?”

“Yes, it’s a method from the Witches of the Fifth Era summarizing how to keep themselves ageless, containing various arcane techniques, sorcery, rituals, and relic information. The most comprehensive record of the ‘Ever-Youth Leaf’ is in that book. This book is quite similar to the ‘Book of Pink’ you have, not in content but in being a collection of specific transcendent knowledge.”

Luviya glanced at Shard’s cat:

“Time leaves marks on all mortals; even grand witches worry about their aging faces. It’s said someone once obtained the secret of eternal youth through ‘Immortality Magic.’ This isn’t just a technique of applying pearl powder on the face, Shard; no one would refuse the temptation of immortality.”

As she spoke, she touched her face.

“Miss Galina let Miss Sylvia take that book to the Council, likely not just because it’s the Witch Empress’s relic, but also because the grand witches desire the knowledge within it… Luviya, your skin is quite nice. Do you need me to transcribe the contents of that book for you?”

Shard asked, and the purple-eyed diviner immediately smiled:

“If it’s convenient, I’d appreciate it, Knight.”

They didn’t discuss the matter of the Poem Chapter fragment much further, as for now, it was only a fragment. A month had passed since the incident in Midshire Fort City ended, and the fourth Chosen One had yet to show any signs.