Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1919: Second Manifestation

The nun erased the traces of the arcane technique inside the room and walked out the door following Shard, then walked into the rain alongside him.

She was right beside Shard, who walked at least ten steps forward before suddenly realizing that Sister Delphine wasn’t holding an umbrella, but was standing under the same umbrella with him.

He slightly turned his head, only to find that Sister Delphine also turned her head at that moment. Behind the fine textures on her silver eyepatch were the nun’s special eyes. At this moment, he truly felt a strong sense of being watched. So, Shard said nothing, and together with the blind nun by his side, he walked into the night, illuminated by the dim streetlights in the rainy night.

The night was heavy, and the cracks in the night sky became increasingly clear. March was shrouded in clouds; today truly wasn’t a good day.

Although they were out to contain a relic, Shard and the nun hadn’t actually spent much time. When they pushed the door open and entered Green Lake Hotel, it was only around nine o’clock. Dinner time had passed, so naturally, there were no guests on the first floor, but Miss Galina and Luviya were there, sitting by the table against the wall, engaged in some conversation.

They both noticed Shard and the nun walking together and, being perceptive women, quickly saw that one of the umbrellas was dripping with rainwater, while the other had only a few droplets. The two exchanged glances, discerned the surprise in each other’s eyes, yet neither said a word.

After Sister Delphine bid farewell to Shard, she headed toward the stairs, while Shard walked toward Miss Galina and Luviya by the wall:

"It’s so late, aren’t you going to rest?"

"We’re still discussing tomorrow’s arrangements."

The purple-eyed girl moved her gaze away from Sister Delphine’s retreating figure:

"The situation this time is complex. Although it can be simply described as ’storming the island to kill and rescue,’ there are too many involved details."

"Even knowing that holding the Edwards in this hotel as a fortress is unlikely to succeed, we must try nonetheless."

The red-haired witch said, looking at Shard lazily:

"I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, tomorrow afternoon we’ll have the few guests here leave. The servants, cooks, and helpers in the kitchen will also get a day off. By tomorrow afternoon, only we will remain here, allowing further fortification of the walls. Would you like some tea?"

She handed her teacup to Shard, and Shard drank the remaining red tea:

"Thank you. You should hurry and rest too; there might be other matters to deal with tomorrow."

"You should too. Oh, Shard, Megan and Audrey are already waiting for you in your room. Your cat is with Dorothy now; you can pick it up before going to bed tonight."

Luviya reminded him once again, and Shard nodded before bidding farewell to the two and heading upstairs.

After Shard’s figure disappeared, Miss Galina asked the purple-eyed girl:

"Do you think... Megan and Audrey will succeed tonight?"

The female diviner smiled charmingly:

"Even without flipping coins, I can guess the outcome."

The Duchess lightly nodded; they both knew Shard well.

When Shard entered the room he rented, the witch with light brown short hair was indeed already inside.

She stood by the window, gazing at the night rain outside, or perhaps at the night sky covered in cracks. It was only when Shard walked behind her that she turned to look at him.

Originally, Shard intended to talk about what he and Sister Delphine had just done as a way to start the conversation. But upon seeing her slightly red eyes, he immediately closed his mouth.

Megan and Audrey asked to meet him so late, not to listen to relic containment records.

"Since becoming a Circle Sorcerer and hearing my family’s prophecy in dreams, I’ve known that someday this would come. I thought I was prepared, no matter the outcome, to face it courageously."

Behind her was the black window, her tone not of worry and fear:

"At least before meeting you, I believed that when this day came, I wouldn’t hold onto anything."

"Megan, you..."

"Please listen to me."

She didn’t give Shard a chance to finish his sentence, but looked at him:

"Tomorrow will always come. Although I know everyone has made various plans for me, no one can truly see through the future, and no one can say for sure if I’ll really be able to return tomorrow night."

She pursed her lips, looking at Shard, with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes:

"Weeks ago, I pondered whether I should really do it like this; now I’ve made up my mind. Let’s treat tomorrow as the Apocalypse; I don’t want to have regrets. Tonight is the last chance, and I have some things to tell you and some things I want to do with you. Shard Suren Hamilton, please look at me."

She approached Shard, taking two steps closer, and whispered:

"Do you know what I mean?"

The outlander was no longer as clueless as he was before meeting the girls; he naturally understood what the witch wanted on this rainy night.

Her hand grasped Shard’s hand and moved towards the waistband of her skirt, but was caught by Shard’s hand.

She looked up at Shard, the man’s face showing a serious expression:

"If you are prepared, if you want to do this, I am, of course, honored, to be chosen by you and Audrey. Yes, I’ve always known this is my luck."

He suppressed the words "you still need to report to Luviya."

The girl biting her lip lightly nodded:

"So..."

"But definitely not now, because neither you nor I are sure what exactly made you decide this right now."

He pulled the hand he was holding tightly to his chest, letting Megan feel the heartbeat within:

"You can call it pretentious, or say I’m old-fashioned and indecisive, but in my opinion, only when you truly relax, without any mental burden, to make that decision, will it be good for both of us."

"But what if tomorrow..."

"No ifs, tomorrow you’re just going to a family banquet and then you can return. Even if your ancestor has the ability to summon a deity, I’ll ensure your safety."

The thumping sound of Shard’s heartbeat made Megan feel her own heart trembling. She looked at the man who had made the promise, sighed softly in her heart, then suddenly asked:

"When Galina tried to seduce you back then, did you refuse her like this too?"

"What?"

Megan clearly felt Shard’s heartbeat disorder, no longer vibrating her soul. She found it amusing and moved her beautiful face closer to Shard:

"I mean, do you really think I can’t see what’s going on between you and Galina? Do you dare to swear by your cat that your relationship with her stopped just before the final step?"

The witch, who was quite familiar with Shard, questioned again, her golden eyes teasingly smiling, making it impossible for Shard to lie:

"I..."

Then she rudely grabbed Shard’s collar, a gesture that could even be considered a bit forceful:

"Do you dare say Galina has never left a strand of hair on your bed? Do you dare claim that these large hands holding mine have only touched her hair and cheeks? Do you dare insist that your sweet-talking lips have only kissed her lips?"

Shard was sure his face was flushed red, despite having interacted with many girls; he still felt ashamed when faced with such questions:

"Please don’t ask such questions. We are not discussing this."

"When Galina first arrived in Green Lake City and saw you at the banquet, her eyes looked like she was ready to devour you. Do you think Audrey and I can’t see what secrets you’re hiding? Young detective, although our professions differ, do not underestimate a girl’s observational skills."

Her face drew closer to him:

"You know, few people refuse me when I make a decision. I know it is the wisest choice."

Her nose even touched Shard’s nose, forcing him to hold his breath to avoid being distracted by her perfume.

They stared at each other closely, with Megan feeling Shard’s heartbeat speeding up. She got the answer she wanted; she realized that the seemingly distant soul was actually right beside her.

She quietly lamented that her plan didn’t go smoothly, but was pleased to know she hadn’t misjudged him.

"Want to see my new skill?"

She blinked and suddenly said.

"What?"

Shard was puzzled, and then Megan broke free from his hand, gently pushing him onto the room’s sofa.

She snapped her fingers, and the gas lamps extinguished immediately. With a whoosh, the curtains automatically closed. Just then, a lightning flash cut through the rainy night’s sky, and amidst the rumbling thunder, Shard distinctly saw two white arms extend from under Megan’s armpits, embracing her body. Then Audrey’s head and smooth neck emerged from behind Megan’s right shoulder as if Audrey was hugging Megan from behind.

The two identical pretty faces smiled at Shard on the sofa. With his exceptional dynamic vision, Shard saw that when the lightning lit her silhouette, the shadow on the ground had two upper bodies.

This meant that the sisters, who could only manifest two extra arms at most using a birthmark, could now appear with their own upper halves simultaneously.

He was surprised but delighted:

"How did you manage this? How could such a breakthrough happen suddenly?"

"Granny Cassandra’s ’nieces,’ Miss Grace White and Miss Helen Black, helped us. Their power is very peculiar."

They said together, their voices not completely in sync, more like an echo. The red jade pendant on their chest glimmered slightly in the darkness; the witches looked down at Shard, who lay reclining on the sofa, their pairs of golden eyes glowing in the dark:

"We have a premonition that our true form is when we appear hand in hand together. But this is good enough for now; at least we can both enjoy the upcoming joy."

"The Philosopher’s Stone can make Elixir of Immortality, which contains the ability to reshape the body; it might help them."

"She" spoke at an inopportune time.

Shard widened his eyes, watching them or her perhaps come closer:

"Didn’t we agree, not tonight..."

"Not going all the way, doesn’t mean we can’t do other things, right? Have you and Hevy only kissed?"

Megan in front laughed and asked, while Audrey hugged her sister from behind, their faces touching; she spoke even softer:

"We specially bought something from Emma that she doesn’t sell lightly."

Then Shard felt as if he was entangled by a fierce snake. Four hands restrained his body, and two smiling heads completely obscured his vision in the darkness:

"Shard, let’s consider tonight as the last night before the apocalypse."