Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1898 - 1897: Island Landing Plan

Shard spoke as he reached out to take a blooming blue rose, gently blew on it, and under the Flying Blossom Spell, its petals transformed into hundreds and thousands, wafting around the two young women under the moonlit night:

"True Death, no matter where you go, there’s always death. I’ll go to Milestone, pass through Sicarl Mountain to re-enter the Interstice of Life and Death, wait within death, then find a way to open an exit on another island; this might require Sister Delphine to figure out a solution, or..."

"That’s too risky. We still have one coin left; there’s no need to resort to such extreme measures."

Luviya directly rejected the proposal:

"When the time comes, let the Green Siblings, Laster, Maria, and the Witch stay at the Green Lake Hotel, and initially prevent them from approaching the lakeside, to see what method the person on the island uses to take them away."

In Dorothy’s room, the prevention of space transfers can be maximized, coupled with the spellcasting of Shard and Miss Sylvia, supported by the Grand Witch, could potentially stop them from disappearing directly. Furthermore, the hotel has become a sturdy stronghold, even if the opponent forcibly abducts people, they can rely on the building to launch a defensive battle.

"I agree with Luviya’s opinion; there’s no need to risk having you die once more."

Iluna also nodded:

"First, try to find Nadia Folan and have the witch prepare the Illusion Technique. The second strategy is to keep Edwards and the others at the hotel to see how the Diviner plans to take them away. The Philosopher’s Stone can serve as the last resort, using the remaining coin’s divination as the third strategy. After all, we can find coins at any time, but the Philosopher’s Stone isn’t something that can be found everywhere."

Both young women looked at him. Seeing their firm attitude, Shard had no choice but to agree:

"This is how it has to be."

He tucked the red stone embedded in the silver ornament back, brushed the falling blue petals, and then continued to walk forward in the garden with them. Ahead on the path was a circular intersection in the garden, with an angel statue standing in the center surrounded by long stone benches for resting:

"As for what happens after landing on the island, there’s no need to worry."

Shard explained:

"I’ll go in with the first group, but before I leave, I’ll leave that small boat behind. Although it will continue to consume my Spirit, it’s not a big issue. For the second group, let the priest and doctor use that boat to land on the island."

"To land using special equipment, they’ll need a Diviner as a navigator, and I’ll take on that task."

Luviya said, looking at Shard, without asking why the doctor and priest needed to land on the island:

"You can’t leave me behind."

"Well... alright, Luviya will land with the doctor and priest. Iluna, you follow the church’s team. Meanwhile, Sister Delphine and the Guardian of the Earth should also enter the island in the second batch. As for the matters on the island, Edwards’ Ascension Spell..."

Shard stopped in front of the statue, and the purple-eyed young woman and Iluna were looking at him:

"I’ll do my best to stop the ceremony and eliminate Laplace Klein Howard. But before that, I need to talk to him—he knows many interesting things. If things go smoothly, let Durut Giles and Laster Edwards conduct the Chosen One Ceremony."

"It feels like things won’t go smoothly."

Iluna said, and Luviya also laughed.

"If things don’t go smoothly, then we’ll directly face the Chosen of Space in battle. But in this scenario, the Edwards that I can save might only be Megan and the Green Siblings... It won’t come to that. I’ve prepared thoroughly."

"Have you also prepared for the possibility of the first and second in line all dying?"

Luviya asked, her purple eyes shimmering with a strange light under the moon.

Of course, Shard understood what she was asking:

"I’ve prepared. I have a complete plan, but this requires me to open a Maze Lock."

"The Maze Lock you haven’t acquired yet?"

Iluna asked curiously, and Shard shook his head:

"Not the Lovers of the Bell Tower; this Maze Lock is for other purposes. I need to use another one—Water of Wisdom, to open the Maze Lock and mimic the power of Edwards’ Ascension Spell."

Iluna and Luviya both gasped, surprised that such a method existed.

"As for the Primal Fire on the island, Sister Delphine will recover it, and afterward, I’ll seal the Green Lake Central Island as I did with the Interstice of Life and Death. If we’re lucky, the speed of spatial anomalies in the Material World will slow significantly. If we’re unlucky... that’s not something we can stop."

This arrangement is quite thorough, although there are still some details to be agreed upon; fortunately, they still have time to plan. This time, with the help of six Grand Witches from the Witch Council, with Priest Augustus and Dr. Schneider present, Sister Delphine and the Guardian of the Earth ready to act, this is certainly the fullest team they’ve ever had.

As for sealing Green Lake Central Island, it’s still relying on the Ascension Technique infused with divinity. Shard is unsure if this would really work, but if it doesn’t, he still has three drops of divinity. In any case, he can’t let the disaster spread unchecked like in the "Bygone Era," as that will only make things increasingly worse, step by step.

"Disasters caused by spatial anomalies and the monsters that emerge should slow down the Church’s progress, but it’s not a big issue. I think those Thirteen-Ring Sorcerers should be able to handle it. Besides, our society president hasn’t left; he will help manage this,"

Luviya said, and Shard contemplated:

"I remember the title of the current president of the Prophet’s Society is... ’Mr. Crystal.’

"Yes, ’Mr. Crystal’ Adelaide Lenormand. He’s proficient in divination using various crystal stones, and has deep knowledge in mineralogy and alchemy."

Luviya nodded, while Iluna continued:

"Today, the Prophet’s Society’s divination revealed not only a way to another island but also Laplace Howard’s purpose."

Shard glanced at Luviya, who gently said:

"Laplace Klein Howard believes the arrival of the apocalypse is inevitable. Remaining in this world will eventually bring that inevitable day. Therefore, he hopes, through a ritual, including the Chosen One Ceremony within Edwards’ Ascension Spell, to detach a space from the Material World, using the Chosen’s power, to completely leave the Material World and escape into the void outside the world."

"Hold on, isn’t there a contradiction here? The Chosen One is driven by fate and will ultimately find themselves at that final door regardless. Can he really escape?"

Shard curiously asked, and Iluna provided an answer:

"Even if he can’t escape, he can first create his own sanctuary. The space he wants to separate should be Green Lake Central Island. But this absolutely must not be done, as widespread space separation will only make the Material World’s space more unstable."

"So, the rumor of the Unifier circulating in the Green Lake Region, turns out to mean this. That diviner really wishes to take away as many people as possible who trust him?"

Shard mumbled, and Luviya indicated to the three not to stand under the statue anymore, so they returned to the flower path.

Iluna knew more from "If," therefore she thought more deeply. If she remembers correctly, in the Sixth Era without Shard, once she’s defeated by the Chosen of Space, the following outcome would be—

[You failed, the Chosen of Space retreats to Green Lake Town, waits alongside family in a mansion shrouded in white mist, enjoying the Wine of Immortality, waiting for the final day to come.]

Clearly, this kind of ending is highly likely the result of Edwards’ Ascension Spell succeeding, as divined by the Prophet’s Society.

Iluna disliked this ending, for it meant she was defeated... because it meant that the disaster of spatial collapse would further progress.

They chatted idly while strolling in the garden, but did not linger long, soon returning to the banquet hall. However, Iluna and Luviya didn’t stay with Shard, as there were many of their colleagues present. If seen with an unfamiliar man, suspicions would certainly arise.

So after bidding farewell to both, Shard found Megan and Miss Aphrola chatting together, the latter introducing her niece Haley Aflora. Granny Cassandra sat on a nearby sofa, and Miss Swift stood by curiously observing the banquet hall.

Although Midshire Fort is a border tourist town with flourishing industry and commerce, such a grand noble banquet is indeed rare to see.

Seeing Shard return with a wine glass, the witches halted their conversation, and long-unseen Miss Aphrola smiled, scrutinizing Shard:

"I’ve just heard a lot about your amusing escapades in Green Lake City from Megan."

"Oh, I hope she didn’t mention anything embarrassing."

Shard gently clinked glasses with the witch with long, wavy brown hair, his glass held champagne casually picked up upon entering; the witch’s glass held red wine.

"Ever since hearing that you were in Green Lake, she was too, I knew she would definitely join our group."

She continued teasing Shard and Megan, although Megan didn’t mind at all, for it’s an expression of closeness, much better than Miss Galina’s "pranks" at a banquet.

Shard chuckled and shook his head:

"Don’t make me sound like such a rogue... Would you care to join me for a dance later? It’s been a while since we last met."

Miss Aphrola was quite surprised, turning to ask Megan:

"What exactly have you taught him? I don’t remember him being the kind to actively invite ladies to dance at a banquet."

Megan was also somewhat surprised, although she knew Shard for the shortest time, she understood him well.

However, Miss Aphrola was not expecting Megan to answer. She took a sip from her wine glass, scrutinizing Shard under the lights again:

"Of course, I accept your invitation."