Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1894 - 1893: Oath with the Soul

The invitation letter in Ms. Maria Edwards’ hand also suddenly appeared this morning, making the woman who had been hiding for many years think that she had finally been discovered by her ancestors. So when a group of people appeared a few hours later, she thought they were sent by her ancestors, but upon seeing Laster Edwards, she realized she was mistaken.

Souls do not need room accommodations, but Maria Edwards is extremely special. According to her own words, although she does not need food, she still needs to rest regularly like a living person, and she feels weary and her spiritual body heavies due to lack of rest.

Without the trait of "Eternal Vigor," she gained the ability to walk freely under the sun and excelled in spellcasting. Her uniqueness did not stem from miraculous angel bones and extensive modifications like Laster. Her uniqueness only came from the "Soul Storybook."

The small house in the flower field is very beautiful; the interior decor is simple but sufficient for souls.

There are not enough chairs here, but fortunately, Shard has many odds and ends. After the group settled around the only wooden round table in the small house, Shard proactively introduced the current situation.

Regarding the Edwards Family, the woman holding the girl certainly knows more than Shard. However, about the Edwards’ Ascension Technique and the current state of the 21 family members, because she has been hiding for years, what she knows is almost the same as what Megan first told Shard.

He explained the situation in detail and the family banquet that will start next Wednesday:

"We hope you can help us, and we hope you can tell us everything you know."

Before finding this place, the witches discussed Maria Edwards’ possible attitude. The most likely scenario is that she would also be willing to help everyone resist the ancestors since she initially escaped from that island due to her annoyance and fear of them.

But the reality was unexpected. Although she listened to Shard’s account and inquired about which faction Miss Sylvia belonged to, she ultimately shook her head:

"I won’t help you."

She gently rocked her arms as if to lull Laster to sleep. The little girl who found a spot in her arms had long quieted down; soul to soul contact brought her long-lost serenity.

Maria Edwards was undoubtedly very beautiful in her youth, and her attitude was resolute:

"You cannot defeat the ancestors."

This conclusion is similar to her only son, Mr. Nicholas Green, the Old Ghoul.

"Of course, even if you cannot defeat the ancestors, I should give you a chance to try. But..."

She hesitated for a moment:

"I’m not afraid of the ancestors. I think maybe we should let the ancestors try."

"What did you say?"

Miss Sylvia, who was holding a wooden tea cup intending to try the floral tea she provided, asked in surprise. The Grand Witch of Space could not understand her meaning:

"Try what?"

"Edwards’ Ascension Technique. I lived on the island for a time, and I understood the ancestor’s aspirations and thoughts from him. Yes, some of the ancestor’s actions are indeed wrong, and the means he has to employ to achieve his goals are indeed despicable and cruel, which is why I escaped. But the ancestor’s goal is indeed magnificent."

Her long hair draped over the front of her left shoulder, and her tone was gentle:

"Ladies, I understand and support you, but I must also give the ancestor a chance to try. Even if he fails, he has contributed to future generations."

"The members of the Edwards Family indeed have many diverse ideas."

Shard softly said, the smile on Maria Edwards’ face did not change:

"I’m already dead, and if I can still contribute to our civilization, it would be my honor. The ancestor wants to try to find a way to lead people to survive in the coming apocalypse. Although I don’t want to help him, I won’t hinder him either."

"But what about your son? Your grandson and granddaughter? Will you let them become stepping stones to your ancestor’s success?"

Miss Sylvia asked, knowing what the other cares about:

"Your son may be able to sacrifice, but your grandson and granddaughter are just ordinary people; their lives have just begun. Are you going to decide their lives for them as well?"

Indeed, Maria Edwards showed a downcast expression and said nothing more, lowering her head to look at Laster sleeping soundly in her arms.

The black-haired witch curled her lips, knowing that the other did care about something. She gave Shard a confident smile, signaling him to continue speaking. Shard could almost see her thoughts from her eyes at the moment:

"Aren’t you full of ideas for the ladies?"

Shard wanted to refute the implication her eyes conveyed, but he really knew what to say at the moment:

"We can promise to protect your grandson and granddaughter, allowing you and your son to do what you need without demanding your allegiance to our side. We offer protection and only hope you can provide us some assistance with information, yes, just information."

The woman slowly raised her head:

"Why should I trust you?"

"This..."

"Speaking of which, young man, what is your connection with our family? I’ve noticed your high level of initiative in this matter. What are you seeking? The status of The Chosen One?"

"Your brother, Alphonse Edwards’ daughters, are my... lovers."

The cabin fell silent for a while. Miss Sylvia struggled to suppress the urge to curl her lips, while Maria Edwards, who looked like a traditional woman, took a moment to comprehend the statement:

"I only learned of Alphonse brother’s matters after his death. He was already my father and Aunt Gratoni’s... I didn’t expect his daughters to be so special as well."

She indeed knew many things. After a gentle sigh, she stated her condition:

"Circle Sorcerers have many oath-related abilities, and there are quite a few relics with the power to enforce oaths, such as the Scribe Level ’Sun Covenant’ and ’Chocobo Pact’, and the Keeper of Secrets Level ’Weeping Demon’ and ’Voodoo Blood Book’. I want to establish a contract with you; otherwise, I will not divulge any information."

She was more cautious than any of his relatives. A soul that had lived in isolation for many years could not easily trust these strangers, even if they had significant ties to her family.

Miss Sylvia shook her head:

"We’re clearly helping you, yet you want us to sign a binding contract. Madam, do you think this is reasonable?"

The gentle Maria Edwards said:

"Of course not, but I am merely a lonely soul, and I want our oath to have more binding force."

"Let me do it."

Shard interrupted their conversation. The Grand Witch pursed her lips, still thinking the woman before her was ungrateful. Since the Witch Council was willing to save her and her descendants, they should be grateful. However, since Shard had spoken, she remained silent but consequently lost all good feelings towards Maria Edwards.

"I will use my Arcane Technique ’Oath Binding’ to make a mutual agreement with you. This comes from ancient Divine Arts, and once signed, we must both fulfill our promises."

As he spoke, he activated this newly acquired Arcane Technique. As a faint glimmer flickered, a magnificent golden Balance appeared as a phantom above the heads of Shard and Maria Edwards.

Miss Sylvia looked on in astonishment. Although aware that Shard’s Arcane Techniques were always ancient, this scene almost made her think Iluna Beath had appeared.

The ancient Divine Arts themselves possessed the convincing power of a fair oath, so spirits did not suspect it was a trap. Shard then extended his hand to Maria Edwards, who likewise extended her hand to shake his.

Her hand did not feel like a spiritual body; it was cold, like a living person. Of course, to show he wasn’t taking advantage, Shard didn’t further explore the sensation of the unique soul:

"Oath: I will do my utmost to protect Soren Green and Helena Green, ensuring their safety past the Edwards family reunion day, and that they will have the freedom to choose their own lives."

Maria Edwards nodded:

"I will provide you with three pieces of information you need, but I will not speak of those matters directly related to the ancestors themselves."

The golden Balance scattered light over their clasped hands, and they repeated the oath twice more. Then, as if invisible ropes tied their arms together, binding them. A faint golden Balance mark appeared on Maria Edwards’ forehead but soon vanished.

Releasing their hands, Shard sensed the faint feeling of constraint, but it wasn’t very pronounced. Maria Edwards thoughtfully looked at her arm:

"This ancient power, I’ve rarely seen even from the ancestors... Although I hope the ancestor succeeds, if you truly stop him, I will not interfere."

She placed her hand back onto Laster, who seemed on the verge of waking. After a gentle shake, the little girl fell back into peaceful slumber:

"What do you want to know?"

Shard and Miss Sylvia exchanged a glance and finally smiled. The witch let Shard take the opportunity to ask questions. After some thought, Shard considered the most dangerous five forces around Laplace Klein Howard, as divined by Luviya. He already had some understanding of the Door in the Bottle, Angel Skeleton, Soul Storybook, and Poetry Cards, but the one entity, "locked away, sealed in a coffin, with time and space overlapping upon him, seeming to exist both now and in the past," remained a mystery.

So Shard made it his first question and stated his hypothesis:

"The third generation firstborn, the prematurely deceased Envy Edwards, was actually trapped in a hidden chamber beneath the family’s old estate well, used for experiments on the Elixir of Immortality. Is he related to this?"