Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 887: Chapter 887: Peace and the Era

Thus, Shard, who originally wanted to blend into the crowd, obtained the qualification to stand at the front of the platform. Although it was still the entry inspection stage, most of the important figures who were supposed to have arrived had already come.

Heads wearing hats bobbed up and down, craning on the platform to look towards the direction the tracks extended, hoping to be the first to see the arrival of the train.

In early winter, Tobesk City had yet to welcome this year’s first snowfall, but the morning temperature was already very low. Elderly gentlemen wore fur-collared coats, and ladies’ skirts were no longer as thin as in summer.

Though Priest Augustus still dressed in clerical robes, Shard keenly noticed that the robe was a thicker version.

Although Bishop Owen did not come, Shard recognized most of the clergy members from the Dawn Church sent this time. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Shard asked Priest Augustus:

“Good morning, cleric, did you come so early?”

“If we had come any later, we would have been stuck outside.”

The Old Cleric lowered his voice and complained to Shard:

“I’ve never understood since my youth why these formalistic welcome ceremonies can’t be held indoors?”

“Ahem.”

Father Nicholas, who was beside them, coughed twice, signaling Priest Augustus to be quieter.

“There should be a special welcome banquet, right?”

Shard asked again, and the cleric curled his lip:

“Of course there is, but it will probably be in a few days. Today’s banquet is an exclusive reception by the Cavendish Royalty.

But don’t worry about having nothing to do. In the coming weeks, you’ll receive quite a few party invitations. The last time Tobesk City was this lively was six years ago when the Anjou Family sent the current King’s brother, Prince Andre Anjou, on a visit, and there was a large banquet almost every week in the city.”

As the two discussed past events, the surrounding people also gathered in small groups, chatting about news and rumors related to the visiting group.

Although the Church didn’t know what the Truth Society wanted from Princess Margaret, they had released news that someone intended harm to the Princess to facilitate Draleon’s justifications for increasing security measures. Therefore, the black thunder sound that could be heard almost throughout the city during the farewell banquet in Huntington was now spread as a steam bomb being detonated at that time.

Such half-truths became increasingly exaggerated as they spread to Tobesk. Of course, Priest Augustus didn’t know that Shard had anything to do with this matter, and even laughed while discussing the strange rumors, such as more than half of the Princess’s entourage were actually agents sent by the Grey Glove to protect her.

Soon, Father Nicholas, who was leading the Dawn Church’s team this time, was summoned by Queen Diana to discuss this year’s Year-End Festival celebrations—Queen Diana was also a Dawn Believer. After Father Nicholas walked away, Priest Augustus suddenly stopped talking, and looking around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, he whispered:

“Shard, I wanted to ask earlier. Why do you have a strange smell on you?”

“Strange smell?”

Shard was taken aback, turning to look at the small Mia on his shoulder:

“Are you saying Mia has a cat smell? Oh, sorry, I’ll bathe it when I get back.”

“Meow?”

The large amber eyes stared at Shard.

“No, no, your cat doesn’t smell.”

The cleric shook his head. Shard thought for a moment and then asked somewhat embarrassedly:

“Are you talking about the smell of perfume? Maybe it got on me accidentally in the carriage on the way here.”

“No, no, it’s not the smell of perfume. It’s a strange smell.”

The Old Cleric said again, so Shard lifted his collar and sniffed:

“Impossible. I took a bath after waking up this morning.”

“No, no, I don’t mean a physically existing smell.”

Priest Augustus continued in a lowered voice, twitching his nose twice, the elder looking even more puzzled;

“It’s a very familiar smell to me, but I just can’t recall what it is.”

Shard thought for a moment, placed his hands on his waist, and mimicked Mr. Benhart’s actions from last week, waving both palms up and down like wings:

“Is it related to this?”

This referred to an angel, and the cleric understood, hesitating a moment:

“I’m not sure, and the smell on you is very faint. Shard, did you go to some strange place over the weekend?”

“I went to Huntington City in Carson Rick. What you were just discussing is related to me, but it’s not a steam bomb; I was struck by lightning… That’s not important. I also brought you some local snacks, and I’ll give them to you when we leave.”

Shard said, and the cleric nodded, somewhat puzzled:

“Huntington City, you went out of town again? May peace be with that city.”

Priest Augustus, in the end, couldn’t figure out the scent on Shard, but he was sure it wasn’t the remnant of the Primordial Angel he was searching for.

At 10:17 AM, when the train engine, representing the steam locomotive, finally appeared in the distance to the north of the platform, people standing near the edge of the platform immediately cheered, whether in welcome of the foreign visiting group or in relief that they no longer had to stand in the wind here.

The royal band, already waiting on the platform, immediately picked up their instruments, with the low sounds of the sousaphone as the prelude, the orchestral music spreading in all directions, officially announcing the arrival of the visiting group headed by Princess Margaret Anjou.

Queen Diana, surrounded by Princess and Princes, led the royal family members, the foreign minister, and the ambassador from Carson Rick’s embassy, and drew closer along the red carpet towards the front of the platform. Meanwhile, photographers from major publications like the Tobesk Morning Post and Draleon Kingdom News, permitted to take pictures, eagerly adjusted their equipment with their assistants. There were even some bold individuals who dared to jump directly onto the tracks to face the train engine, risking a front-page photo of the engine spewing smoke for the newspaper the next day.

Of course, they had just jumped down when they were scolded and thrown back up by the Royal Army soldiers on alert around the tracks. The nearby crowd burst into laughter, making the scene even more lively.

The city was still covered in fog today, and with canopies above the platform, the sun wasn’t strong, making it easy to see the distant train without squinting. Although there were actually two rows of people in front of Shard and Priest Augustus, it didn’t stop him from seeing Queen Diana conversing quietly with Miss Galina, while the golden-dressed Lecia was peering at the approaching black train.

Perceiving Shard’s gaze, the crowned Princess also turned around. Her eyes swept over Shard, and she winked her left eye, the playful expression making Shard suspect that it wasn’t Lecia but Dorothy.

“Here it comes, here it comes!”

At this moment, even Priest Augustus seemed very pleased. He placed a hand on Shard’s shoulder and then stood on tiptoe to look ahead for leverage. Because Shard was quite tall, he just needed to look up to see the platform attendants waving flags to signal the train to stop.

“Meow!”

The chaotic blend of music, noise, and the sound of the train made Mia bewilderedly watch the surrounding people. Then she became somewhat afraid, climbing down from Shard’s shoulder and curling up in his arms as he held her with one hand.

Clang, clang, clang~

The huge black engine, spewing steam, finally drove into the public’s view. The noise almost entirely drowned out the music. As each carriage whistled past, the cheers of the crowd reached a new height.

The train was slowly decelerating, and amidst the teeth-grinding metal twisting sounds caused by the steam engine braking, white steam mist spurted from beneath the wheels, momentarily making the crowded platform appear somewhat blurred. The train comprised seven carriages in total, and the exit of the fourth carriage happened to stop right opposite the red carpet.

Once the train came to a stable halt, Queen Diana moved forward again with Miss Galina accompanying her, and amid cheers, the pneumatic carriage door slowly opened.

First to emerge was a young attendant dressed in a red top and black pants, wearing a sailor hat, who jumped out and laid a plank over the narrow gap between the train and the platform.

Then, Royal Guards of Carsonrick stepped out and stood on both sides of the train door.

Queen Diana, lavishly dressed, wearing a golden crown, emerged at the door amidst the flashes of cameras, while Princess Margaret Anjou, adorned in a cumbersome yet magnificent blue gown with a silver crown, her pale golden hair braided and hanging down her back, finally stepped out with her right hand being supported by her maid.

The crowd seemed to surge forward instantly but was held back by a human wall formed by the prepared police and Royal Guards. The calls and loud shouts at this moment, like steam bombs, were detonated within the station.

Shard and Priest Augustus were also pushed forward by the crowd for two steps, both could see Princess Margaret Anjou greeting Queen Diana. Afterwards, the two clasped hands clad in white lace gloves, shared a brief and affectionate conversation, following which Queen Diana introduced the others beside her to the princess.

The first introduced, of course, was Miss Galina, whose elegance and maturity were demonstrated by the Grand Witch’s display, as Margaret Princess greeted her in return. The Duke with Real Power’s status exceeded that of the princess.

After brief pleasantries, more members of the Carsonrick visiting group emerged from the carriage, some accompanying nobles stayed here, and a region was cleared in front of the platform for Princess Margaret to deliver a short speech.

During this time, Shard didn’t pay much attention to the queen and princess but looked towards the carriage door, yet did not see Miss Sylvia coming out. But he was certain that the Grand Witch of the Council’s Thirteenth Seat must be inside a nearby carriage since the badge on his chest felt as though it was about to catch fire. Earlier, when only Miss Galina was present, the badge wasn’t this hot.

“It’s certainly lively.”

Priest Augustus loudly said to Shard, the elderly priest had to raise his voice to make sure his voice reached Shard’s ears:

“I hope this time the two nations can reach a new agreement and let peace endure longer. Oh, Shard, I truly hope the peace between Carsonrick and Draleon can be maintained forever.”

As a local, Priest Augustus, like most people in this city, viewed the mutual visits between princesses of the two countries as a significant symbol of peaceful relations between the nations. The Outlander, though having arrived in this world for half a year, didn’t have such sentiments.

Now he was only thinking that since the morning welcoming ceremony could conclude, maybe he could try his luck again in Huntington in the afternoon.

While soothing the cat, somewhat uneasy with the noisy environment, he was thinking of other things. By now, Princess Margaret’s speech about “bringing peace” had ended, both Tobesk City journalists and the visiting group’s reporters were setting up cameras preparing to take pictures.

Everything proceeded according to the plan, Princess Margaret waved at the crowd, then selected three individuals for questions.

“Salutations to the great Anjou Family! Your Highness, have you brought a new wine trade agreement? The people of Tobesk love the southern vineyard red wine from Carsonrick!”

The first selected was a middle-aged gentleman standing in the third row, dressed in old-fashioned formal attire. If Shard was not mistaken, that was Earl Orlan.

“Yes, my father has given me some tasks, I hope Tobesk this coming summer can enjoy those sweet wines.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Earl Orlan said loudly, then waved a book forward:

“Your Highness, this is a gift for you!”

After being inspected, the book was handed to the princess, who softly thanked them. The flashing lights kept shining, capturing Princess Margaret holding “Northern Pearl: Eternal Tobesk.”

“Your Highness, salute to you; would you enjoy this city? Will you visit the Tobesk City Art Gallery during your visit?”

Laughter emanated from the crowd, as the selected old gentleman was the local art gallery director, Mr. Leonardo.

“Yes, I love Draleon-style oil paintings.”

The princess replied again, accepting a beautifully crafted brooch from the gallery director as a gift.

The flashing lights continued, with many more visits planned in the princess’s itinerary, she could only pick one more person for a question. Princess Margaret Anjou’s gaze scanned the crowd around, finally landing on Shard.

Both paused, but clearly, the princess didn’t recognize this “Mr. Holmes,” being surprised by the unique aura of the young gentleman.

“That’s Rejed’s Hamilton.”

Queen Diana softly reminded, hence Princess Margaret smiled signaling Shard to ask, with Lecia also looking toward Shard.

However, Shard hadn’t intended to ask a question; he hadn’t even waved his hat.

But since he was selected, all eyes on the platform turned to him, even Priest Augustus was curious to hear what Shard would say. Thus, Shard calmed his mind and loudly spoke:

“Your Highness, may you enjoy the wintertime in Tobesk. Peace and friendship are the ties of human civilization, the foundation of our era’s development. Do you believe Draleon and Carsonrick will always be peaceful and amicable?”

Shard’s question wasn’t inappropriate, for it was the theme of her speech at the estate banquet when leaving Huntington.

“Indeed, I firmly believe this!”

The princess with pale golden hair replied, eliciting applause and cheers from the crowd on the platform.

Shard’s question ended, and suddenly inspiration struck, he reached into his pocket and drew out the shield-shaped jewelry box he had taken from the gift box earlier this morning:

“Presenting to Princess Margaret Anjou, wishing you come with peace and leave with beauty!”

Amid laughter from people, Shard’s jewelry box was handed to the princess. She expressed her gratitude while opening it, revealing an oval flawless green gemstone inside, like Queen Diana and Miss Galina, showing expressions of amazement.

Despite the gemstone’s relatively small size, rendering its value not extraordinarily high, its very prettiness was excessive.

Flashlights illuminated incessantly, the ladies returned to their normal demeanors, smiling towards the cameras, while Shard understood that his first step in approaching Princess Margaret Anjou had succeeded, “Rejed’s Hamilton” had been remembered by her.

He just wondered whether MI6 could reimburse the gemstone.

“You indeed prepared a gift in advance, a rather good act.”

Priest Augustus chuckled in his ear, Shard responded while somewhat absent-mindedly gazing at the royal nobles standing amidst flashes, standing before the black steam locomotive, their jewelry glittering brightly.

“The era of steam, an era of change…”

Such a scene was seldom witnessed by people in this world, yet it was not entirely unseen. The Outlander faintly felt that today’s scene might become an illustration in the history books, and he was there witnessing the historic moments.

“Is this civilization?”

[Yes, this is Enlightenment.]

A voice arose in his ears, seemingly with warm wind softly brushing his ear. Amid this noisy and yet particularly bright and vivid scene, Shard felt as though he was seeing the street lamps along Silver Cross Avenue lighting up sequentially at night, with intense realism making his scalp tingle, feeling anew insights about this world and this era’s civilization.

He stood amidst it all, yet observed it with a detached perspective. Unable to suppress a smile at the corners of his mouth, he joined in, cheering and applauding together with those around him.

Exactly at this moment, doves symbolizing peace were released by people, fluttering their wings, flying in groups over people’s heads, past the heirs of Cavendish and the Anjou Family, above this bustling platform, towards the city above, beneath the overcast sky.

No one knew whether the doves would bring lasting peace, just like the True God [Father of Peace], peace and war are inseparable.