Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1892 - 1891: Edwards’s Night Banquet Invitation Letter

"This invitation letter is indeed formal; he is quite meticulous."

To relieve Megan and Audrey’s tension, Shard deliberately joked. Opening the invitation, the formal invitation content was written on both sides, decorated with ribbons and dried flower specimens on the fragrant and gold-dusted paper. At the top was the name "Megan Edwards"—

[The Day of Healing for the family is approaching; the scattered bloodline, please return to the family’s original point on time. I, Laplace Klein Howard, the lord of Green Town, your ancestor, sincerely invite you to attend the family’s night banquet.

The banquet is scheduled for next Wednesday, Spring, Rain-Prayer Moon 21st, 1854 of the Common Calendar of the Sixth Era, at the family’s old mansion. At the start of the feast, exquisite delicacies will be prepared, silverware sparkling, and spectacular cuisine awaits.

Immortal wines are ready, the town’s people will cheer for the family. Please be sure to bring your invitation letter and attend the banquet on time. The boatman will be by the lake to lead you back to the family territory. We will together witness the final Chapter of the family’s glorious history, this will be our supreme honor.

Also, please bring the keys you hold.

Additionally, please do not bring guests unrelated to the family.

Furthermore, if you can bring a cat mask, it will add to the amusement of the family banquet.

Looking forward to your arrival.

Your ancestor,

Laplace Klein Howard

Rain-Prayer Moon 17th, 1854 Sixth Era]

At the bottom where the name is written, it even bears the private seal of that diviner, demonstrating he truly achieved perfection in terms of etiquette. As for the other invitation letter with the name "Audrey Edwards," its content was much the same as Megan’s.

"Next Wednesday, huh..."

When Shard used the Time Key from the Fifth Era 1576 for the last time, he actually hoped that things might be delayed until the next Thursday, so that he could use another Time Key. He didn’t expect the timing to be so precise this time, right before he activated the new key to engage in the final confrontation.

The Black Mist Camp key was used on Thursday evening. Since the banquet is on Wednesday night, it’s clear that the confrontation could not last an entire day and night.

"Don’t worry, I’ll go with you when the time comes."

Escaping was not an option, as the invitation letter delivered directly showed. As for what the invitation stated about not bringing unrelated guests, Shard didn’t care about that; he would find a way to accompany them.

The brown-haired witch nodded gently, her appearance was so distraught due to years of fear and anxiety exploding upon seeing the invitation. It was a problem brought by a long-term psychological condition, which Shard could understand.

He wanted to continue to comfort her softly, but Megan chose another method—she wrapped around Shard’s neck, then closed her eyes and kissed him.

The cold, damp morning kiss indeed felt different than usual. Even though the small Mia on his shoulder was close by witnessing the scene, she couldn’t disrupt the strange sensation brought by the pair of tongues.

Although it sounded odd, it seemed that this kiss with Shard gave them new courage:

"We thought this day would come long ago, but didn’t expect it to arrive so soon."

"If you are worried, you should call Miss Isabella."

Shard said:

"I can’t let myself put you in real danger."

"No, I believe in you, I believe in the man Audrey and I chose, who will keep his promises. Shard, please hold our hands, please absolutely do not let go."

Mr. Soren Green and Ms. Helena Green had not yet arrived at the inn, so Shard and Megan went to the second floor together and knocked on Durut Giles’ door. Since the priest Augustus moved in here, the little girl, Laster, never allowed this former tomb raider to dine downstairs, so Shard didn’t see them just now.

But they were already awake; once Shard and Megan entered after knocking, they asked if Laster Edwards had also received the invitation.

"What invitation letter?"

The thin man asked in surprise and then looked at the floating girl next to him, who blinked at the trio:

"Invitation letter?"

She floated around a few times:

"I remember now, I remember now. It appeared suddenly this morning and I threw it under the bed."

The invitation letter from under the bed was retrieved, its content nearly identical to Megan’s and Audrey’s. The only difference in the final part was it didn’t suggest she bring special items like masks. Presumably, the eight individuals Shard saw wearing masks in yesterday’s illusion painting were the ones who needed to carry corresponding animal masks.

"So, next Wednesday is the last then?"

Unlike Laster Edwards, who was still quite cheerful, Durut Giles knew what this meant:

"Her father wants her to return?"

"Yes, to absorb her soul and enhance his own power. Just as we told you before, this was expected."

Shard looked at him:

"I will find a way to accompany the lady with me to the island. Will you accompany Laster Edwards to the island as well?"

"The invitation letter mentioned another island, didn’t it..."

The man looked at the smiling young girl, then gently nodded:

"Since you have the courage, I will have the courage too. Consider it the final step of redemption. Years ago, I took something from the island that I shouldn’t have; now, accompanying her back would complete the circle."

Although Megan still looked down on this man, she still praised him at this moment:

"At the crucial moment, you made the right choice. Don’t be idle these days; I will arrange for someone to tell you exactly what to do when the time comes. Remember, you must act according to our arrangements. This is the only chance for both you and her to leave the island again."

Durut Giles nodded lightly, holding the invitation letter with a very complex expression.

Subsequently, the Green siblings who came to the hotel had indeed had a strange dream last night and found an invitation letter in their hands upon waking up. Although ordinary people, it was for this reason that their understanding of the power of the "ancestor" was not profound, so their reaction was not as significant as Megan’s and Audrey’s.

Since the final time was already determined, Megan arranged for her girls to pass the message to other witches. She temporarily said goodbye to Shard and returned to her yacht, continuing with her original plan to sail to a position near the river mouth to closely observe the large-scale ceremony of the Prophet’s Society.

According to Luviya, the ceremony was to begin at 8:13 in the morning. However, when the time arrived, Shard, with the lazy golden-haired girl leaning on him, did not see any unusual sights or sounds from the direction of the lake from the window, nor did they detect any fluctuation of elements and spirits.

However, Dorothy was not particularly interested in the ceremony either. She asked about what Shard hadn’t said after hearing him mention the invitation letter and next Wednesday’s timing:

"What should Lecia and I do?"

She looked firmly at Shard:

"This matter is certainly related to us. I am almost sure that we will be involved then. Lecia and I also need to prepare in advance. The Day of the Red Butterfly can be set for that day. Once we act together, the Magic - Heart Connection you bought for us from the Believers of the God of Love will work. But besides that, what else do we need to do? Today is just Saturday, and there are five days to prepare. We will follow your arrangements no matter what happens then."

Shard gently comforted her:

"No need to be so nervous; I’ve been preparing for two months for this day. Plans still need to be made, but you and Lecia shouldn’t have much to do. Stay at the Green Lake Hotel; if unforeseen circumstances bring you to the island, I will arrange protection for you... I have many friends here."

"Those powerful female sorcerers?"

Dorothy teased.

"And Grace and Helen. On Wednesday, I’ll arrange for you four to stay together in the room. From now on, this is for you to keep."

He handed her "All Things United: The Original Point," carrying the book along with Angel Feather, which still had two uses left, to Dorothy, and this time, Miss Writer did not refuse.

"Remember, no matter what happens, do not attempt any fusion. Yes, no matter what happens, don’t do it."

Shard emphasized again, and Dorothy nodded her head strongly, her lips tightly pressed together:

"Since last time, we promised to listen to you, and the last lesson was enough."

She blushed as she added:

"We don’t want to get spanked by you again... Lecia said, if the Day of the Red Butterfly isn’t over by then, we could try it again."

"Hmm?"

She nudged Shard lightly, then whispered:

"You must be careful too."

The Prophet’s Society’s divination ceremony was not without any disturbance; it had been delayed. Around nine o’clock, a layer of colorful halo only visible to Circle Sorcerers appeared in the sky south of the Green Lake Hotel. Subsequently, the turbulence of Miracle Elements and Enlightenment Elements spread from the lakeside to the city.

The True God Church, working with the society to conduct the ceremony, set up Circle Sorcerer teams to closely monitor any unusual events in the city that morning to prevent accidents. At around ten o’clock, Miss Danester sent a letter to the Green Lake Hotel, asking if Shard was interested in watching the rare large-scale divination ceremony up close with the Academy professors.

If Shard had still been at the hotel at that time, he might have been interested in going to observe. Unfortunately, twenty minutes before the letter arrived, he had hurriedly left with Laster Edwards.

Tifa personally delivered the letter; Miss Sylvia’s girls, skilled in space detection, finally found the hiding place of the drifting soul of the third generation’s youngest daughter, Maria Edwards.