Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1895 - 1894: Shadows of Space-Time

Maria Edwards was quite surprised:

"You actually even know this? Yes, the dangerous person you described is Uncle Envy Edwards. He’s very special in our family; our bloodline inherits unique spatial power, so everyone has unique spatial talent. For example, I’m very good at finding special abnormal spaces. As for Uncle Envy, at a very young age, he not only demonstrated spatial talent but also time talent."

Miss Sylvia raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shard:

"This talent is indeed rare. So, was Envy Edwards imprisoned by your ancestors when he was young? What precisely were the experiments conducted on him?"

"It was indeed an Elixir of Immortality experiment, but later other elements were added. I’m not very knowledgeable about it as it’s the core secret of the ancestors. I can only tell you that the ancestors extended Uncle Envy’s life, allowing him to continuously explore unknown spaces and travel to the past to acquire the secrets from the other end of time."

She tried her best to describe what she knew:

"I haven’t had formal training as a Circle Sorcerer, but I know that frequently exploring space and time is bound to cause trouble. Ultimately, Uncle Envy Edwards paid the price for it, transcending time and space and eventually receiving punishment, becoming a big trouble even the ancestors found challenging. What you mentioned earlier, his confinement in a coffin, is actually a special containment by the ancestors."

Maria Edwards cautiously evaluated:

"Even the ancestors couldn’t have anticipated Uncle Envy would end up like this."

So, the murals seen in the underground chamber beneath Mr. Soren Green’s Dream can be explained. One side depicted the Elixir of Immortality experiment, and the other side described the exploration through doorways of time and space, leading to the loss of oneself.

"Your ancestors were truly bold. Although the Ancient Gods of time and space have long departed, that doesn’t mean the fundamental Space-Time rules of the Material World can be recklessly toyed with. Even if there’s no evidence to prove whether the ’Guardian of Space-Time’ exists or whether it’s the rumored Unclassified Level Relic, he would certainly face punishment for such actions."

Miss Sylvia said seriously, most cautious about space because the Grand Witch of space understands it best.

"The Chosen of Space, destroyed space..."

Shard muttered to himself, as Maria Edwards blinked:

"I’m giving you three opportunities to ask questions. If you’re willing to consume the second one, I can reveal why the ancestors did this."

Shard naturally nodded:

"No problem, why did he do it?"

"[Poetry Cards], an Angel-Level Relic. The ancestors hoped that through Uncle Envy’s continual historical retrospection, they would find the most suitable ancient hero to call upon using this relic."

Shard and Miss Sylvia exchanged a glance, aware that the witches knew this crucial information provided by Luviya:

"Did Envy Edwards obtain the answer before completely losing control?"

The woman’s spirit thought for a moment:

"I only heard about this matter on the island, and once during a midnight dream, I heard the cries beneath the well. It’s likely he got the answer; the ancestor mentioned this to me only once, and he was very excited. That’s a rare emotional expression for the ancestor; he said he found the target, and if it truly succeeded, ’United as One’ and ’Duality’ might be realized much better."

Miss Sylvia silently pondered this information while Shard thought even further.

The diviner on the island, during his search for Lecia that night on the island, clearly mentioned he guessed the existence of "Bygone Era: Sixth Era." Although the diviner wasn’t aware this had occurred six times already, he managed to guess it.

Thus, Shard couldn’t help but think about where exactly Envy Edwards’ time travel was seeking. Of course, the Edwards couldn’t possibly enter the bygone Sixth Era, especially since that era was entirely destroyed by Luviya, and Shard could only enter because of the peculiar Black Time Key.

But combining the two matters, Shard felt an immense sense of unease. The [Poetry Cards] could summon a hero praised in the past; although the summoned target isn’t a complete entity, it definitely surpasses his Low Ring Ascension Words ’Time and Space Echo Tremor Sleeping Power.’ But his Ascension Words only call upon the corresponding ’Witch Echo’ for the Grand Witch, while the [Poetry Cards] don’t have an identity restriction:

"Could it be? Although knowing his talent is outstanding, if he uses that relic to summon... Isn’t this too exaggerated?"

Maria Edwards didn’t know much more about this either; she informed Shard and Miss Sylvia with all she could. Shard and Sylvia understood this point and thus didn’t linger on the topic.

With only one question left to ask, Shard discussed with Miss Sylvia. Ultimately, they didn’t inquire further about the island but changed the topic:

"Among the Edwards supposedly controlled by your ancestors now, who is the most dissatisfied, who most wants to leave the family?"

"That must be Cousin Nadia Folan."

Maria’s response was quick:

"She is the daughter of Uncle Edward Edwards, the second son of the Fourth Generation. When my cousin grew old, the ancestor arranged a fake death for her, then sent her back to the family. After some rituals and experiments unknown to me, she regained her youth and became a Circle Sorcerer. She is now a priest of the Dragon Feast Cult and is quite formidable herself. She has done many things for the family and directly facilitated deeper cooperation between the family and the cultists.

Before I escaped the family, I knew she wanted to break free from all this and truly live anew... My escape from the family was also influenced by her."

It seems the family dissenter hinted at by Ghoul Nicholas Green Elder was this Ms. Furen. Now, all parties are preparing for the island landing, and Shard thinks it’s necessary to find this lady and have a good talk.

Maria Edwards is reluctant to leave this flower field, even though Shard and Sylvia have advised her that before the final day arrives, she could stay at Green Lake Hotel with her grandchildren. After all, there’s no need to hide anymore, but she stubbornly refuses to leave, preferring to wait alone for the family banquet.

Even when Shard mentions Nicholas Green Elder, who has been searching for her whereabouts for years, Maria Edwards merely sighs with a slightly somber expression but still shakes her head:

"He is an adult now; he has his own life. During the family gathering, I will apologize to him."

Thus, Shard and Miss Sylvia exchange glances again, with Shard taking on the role of the "bad guy":

"It’s like this, Laster is definitely leaving with us; she is thinking of returning to Durut Giles."

Hearing the familiar name, the spirit of the girl resting in the woman’s arms immediately flew out, circling above Shard’s head:

"Giles~ Giles~"

"Durut Giles? Who is this?"

The gentle woman asked, so Shard explained:

"A former tomb raider, though not anymore, he is a university lecturer with a decent income. Miss Laster likes him very much and has been living with him... Miss Maria, you wouldn’t want your aunt to be with a stranger man..."

"I’ll go with you!"

The woman’s spirit immediately said, Shard trying his best to avoid laughing, while feeling that the Edwards family relationships are indeed interesting.

She didn’t leave with the two immediately but asked about the location of Green Lake Hotel, planning to go there alone tonight. This was no issue, so Shard and Miss Sylvia also got up to bid farewell. As long as she is willing to move to Green Lake Hotel, there would be plenty of opportunities to inquire about more information from her before the final day.

Shard and Miss Sylvia were very satisfied with this flower field visit; as they walked out of the small path in the flower field with the chattering Laster who was eager to return, they even started talking about tonight’s grand banquet.

Since Margaret was invited as the main character, Miss Sylvia would naturally go along. This banquet is the most grand and luxurious event in the region since the Green Lake negotiation, with all the Grand Witches invited for various reasons, nobility of two countries gathered, and even the Church of the Five Gods involved.

Miss Sylvia would also return to prepare her outfit; when they walked out of the hidden space, she even proactively invited Shard to dance together tonight:

"You will probably be very busy tonight, except for Galina, who inconveniently breaks her character and dances with strangers. All the other girls will invite you."

As she spoke, she became even more excited:

"Let Galina watch, then we’ll take turns inviting you to dance. After dancing, we’ll take turns kissing your cheek in front of her... imagine the scene, it feels great to relax in such a way before the battle of Green Lake. Tonight, no one can disturb the banquet."

"Hmm..."

Shard refrained from commenting, only regretting that the Day of the Red Butterfly had to wait until next Wednesday’s decisive battle. Otherwise, he could have brought Dorothy along. You know, Lecia and Dorothy love the Day of the Red Butterfly at such banquets.

"Of course, we can dance, but we don’t have to in front of Ga... huh?"

The flower path had reached its end, and they left the hidden flower field. As the normal sky appeared above them, both of them, and even Laster Edwards, instinctively looked up at the sky:

"Oh, God~"

The flawless azure sky appeared like a shattered mirror, with dense cracks clearly visible in the sky. In those rifts, the reflections of an unfamiliar village landscape were distinctly visible.