Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1913: The Disobedient Student

Hearing Shard’s explanation, the Red-Haired Witch finally let go of his hand.

Granny Cassandra, off to the side, said:

"Red Moon Witch - Dannister may not be a member of the Council, but she’s also the strongest sorceress of this era. When I was young, I more or less personally witnessed her climb, step by step, to the Thirteen Rings. Speaking of which, it’s been something like over twenty years since I last met her."

"Granny, are you and that Miss Dannister friends? Or just acquaintances?"

Miss Sylvia asked curiously; she was the youngest present, and thus knew the least.

The Old Witch said with a smile:

"Friends? We’re actually related, but very distantly. It’s roughly like—her great‑grandfather’s paternal cousin was my grandfather. When I became famous, she was still just a student at Saint Byrons. We only realized we were related after meeting later. Can’t really call it friendship; let’s say distant kin."

Standing behind the Old Witch, Miss Swift was still bewildered, trying to calculate the exact relationship between her teacher and that Miss Dannister. Shard then asked:

"Granny, should I go and say hello to her?"

Granny Cassandra had been about to refuse, but suddenly changed her mind:

"Take Grace and Helen with you. Back then, they also met Dannister."

The Red Butterfly Sisters were Granny Cassandra’s teachers; the Old Witch would never take the initiative to make the two sisters do anything. So for her to say this now meant Grace and Helen themselves wished to see Miss Dannister.

The two sisters disliked contact with other witches, so they would not take the initiative to participate in the witches’ meeting, and of course had not appeared that morning. When Shard got into the carriage at the inn door, two fluttering butterflies flew in through the carriage window.

The Red Butterflies landed on Shard’s shoulders, then left slender dark‑red butterfly patterns on the left and right sides of his black coat. It seemed they did not wish to show themselves directly; in that case, Shard would not ask what exactly they wanted to do. Although they looked only fifteen or sixteen, Grace and Helen were far more mature than most of the young ladies around Shard.

He had been worried Miss Dannister might not be in the manor where they were staying, but fortunately, when Shard called at the door, that Thirteen-Ring Sorceress was still there. She acted as though she had long since guessed Shard would suddenly come visit, and was not at all surprised by his appearance. After sitting down with Shard in the study, she asked with a smile:

"Tomorrow, Wednesday night, you’re going to set foot on that island as well, aren’t you?"

"Yes."

Shard did not hide it; he sat up straight:

"I’ll try to go ashore with the Edwards, but that will be difficult."

"Yes, the Church is trying to do the same. But the first step is still to keep the Furen Brothers at the church instead of sending them to the lake. The Church intends to use a ritual and Relics to ensure they don’t suddenly get transported away. For the moment I can’t quite see how Laplace Klein Howard plans to go into the church and snatch people."

It seemed the Church’s plan was the same as Shard’s and the witches’.

"So then, Shard, my student, you’ve come to see me—what is it you want my help with?"

She studied the young man’s serious expression:

"Interesting. I know you’ve been involved in some previous matters as well, but you’ve never come to me for help in advance. So, have you run into trouble this time?"

"There’s actually a reason I’m entangled in the Green Lake affair."

"Oh?"

Miss Dannister also adjusted her posture, thinking Shard was finally going to ’come clean’:

"And what reason is that?"

"I fell in love with the two ladies of the Edwards Family."

The sorceress was very glad she wasn’t drinking tea at that moment, or she would definitely have coughed inelegantly:

"You really are honest—there’s nothing you don’t dare say out loud... Was it the one who appeared beside you on the lake on the Night of the Eclipse?"

"Yes."

She thought back for a moment:

"I remember she was impressive, a High Ring Sorcerer."

"Yes. No matter who the Chosen of Space turns out to be, I want them to be safe. They’re far stronger than I am, and they know some very powerful friends. It’s just that because of me, their friends can’t come to help them. Miss Dannister, I came this time to ask you—if things reach the most dangerous point, please help them escape."

Even though he believed there would be no accidents in Wednesday’s decisive battle, Shard still felt safety came first:

"I heard some news from the church of the Sun Church. The Edwards Family’s United as One ritual can allow for absences. So even if two people leave, that Diviner won’t mind."

The sorceress did not speak at once; the corners of her mouth curled, as though she had just heard a very amusing story:

"You rarely ask me for help so bluntly. Shard, you should realize that I actually know what you’ve been doing all along. I may not have proof, and it’s only conjecture, but I’m almost certain I’m not just imagining things."

"Mm..."

Shard pressed his lips together, somewhat regretting not bringing Mia along; otherwise he could be petting a cat right now to cover up his embarrassment:

"So..."

"The Whispering Verses and The Chosen Ones are not something to joke about; they may determine the Fate of the Material World for many years to come. All this time I haven’t tried to probe what it is you actually want to do, just waited for you to speak up yourself. Now that you’ve come to me for help, although as your teacher I shouldn’t be naming conditions, I also don’t wish to go on standing in the fog, knowing nothing."

"There are some things that, since you can’t prove them, may not be as you say. But, Miss Danester, what is it that you want to know? I might really know the answer."

Shard secretly let out a breath of relief; as long as Miss Danester was willing to loosen up, things would be fine.

The Female Sorcerer moved her fingers, making the teacup float to her front. She took a light sip, then looked Shard up and down again:

"All right, I’ll take it that my guesses about you are wrong. But since you truly know some things, I’ll only ask one question this time: Balance is Iluna Beath; Dark corresponds to the clearly deceased Ivan Daknis; the Chosen of Death is that Blind Nun; Earth belongs to the powerful soul of Randall Valley. The only thing I don’t know is, into whose hands did the qualification of the Chosen of Knowledge and Wisdom actually fall?"

She stared at Shard; the rose-red pupils that no ordinary person could have were not especially sharp. Her hand lifted slightly to rest beneath her chin; her tone was slow—she was clearly thinking it through herself as well:

"Lakin Prisia completed the ritual in front of everyone. After the battle of Pantanal, though he had gone mad, he wasn’t yet dead. So why did he never display the traits of The Chosen? Rambling and deranged, yet seemingly truly knowing everything. But he is not the Chosen of Knowledge and Wisdom, that much I am certain of. So, who is it then?"

She went straight for that most critical question. Shard pondered for a moment:

"I actually do know the answer to that. But you don’t need to doubt it—I am absolutely not any sort of Chosen."

The Female Sorcerer nodded:

"Yes, at least at present you definitely are not. Then who is that Chosen? And by what means was the qualification transferred?"

"I’m sorry, but as far as I understand it, the Chosen of Knowledge and Wisdom should not currently exist."

Miss Danester frowned slightly, then nodded:

"In other words, among the current Chosen Ones, there are truly only these three: Balance, Death, and Earth?"

"Yes, at least that’s how it is before Wednesday."

Shard was absolutely not lying at this moment.

Miss Danester did not speak again for a long time; who knew what she was considering. Shard likewise picked up the teacup on the coffee table; the flavor of that unknown black tea was excellent. Miss Danester and Detective Sparrow both had a unique taste in black tea.

"Do you still remember the gift I gave you at last Year-End Festival?"

She suddenly asked.

"I remember: a brass ring, with a Ruby set on the bezel, and a circle of fine Elven Runes around the band—’The Song of the Tree Accompanies Me to Sleep’. That was an Alchemical Item you made yourself; beneath the Red Moonlight at night, it can release a Healing Spell. You told me then that if I ran into trouble, I could take out that ring and most people would give you face because of it. (Chapter 1081)"

Shard recalled. The ring was now lying in the drawer of his desk. He treated it as a precious gift and had never used it.

"I’m very glad you remember so clearly the gift I gave you. Put that ring on one of the two women you need to protect and have them act together on Wednesday night. If I can see that ring, I will definitely help them."

Shard showed a smile and stood up, intending to thank Miss Danester, but the Female Sorcerer refused:

"You are my student; I don’t need thanks to help you—just as when you helped me with the Investigation at Green Lake, I never said thank you to you."

She reminded Shard:

"On Wednesday night, whatever it is you plan to do, don’t forget the Investigation of that Sun, Moon, and Stars symbol. I am almost certain that if we miss the chance on Wednesday, we will never again have the opportunity to touch that Secret at Green Lake."

"Yes."

Shard said with a smile. He stood up, ready to take his leave, wanting to go home immediately to fetch the ring for Megan and Audrey. However, Miss Danester called out to him again:

"Though I know it’s probably unnecessary, I still have to remind you: on Wednesday, you must pay attention to your safety. If you encounter danger, remember to ask me for help in time. I would hate for my only student to come to any harm because he fell in Love with two sisters after a single night of sex."

Though the way she put it was very strange, Shard still nodded:

"Yes, Miss Danester. I also hope you stay safe. Then, we’ll see each other after the battle of Green Lake."

He took his leave and went out. Only after the sound of his footsteps had faded did the Female Sorcerer, teacup in hand, shake her head slightly:

"He still didn’t address me as ’teacher’."

She rose and walked to the window, watching Shard’s umbrella-bearing figure leave the manor courtyard. Staring blankly at that silhouette, she thought of her own teacher as well, and wondered what her teacher would think each time he watched her leave:

"When I was young, I was much more obedient than Shard is now... I’m still very young even now."