Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 892: Chapter 892: The Auction House Banquet

“The wedding feast” refers to the wedding of Lecia’s sister, Mona Cavendish, tomorrow, which is Tuesday. As for how the other party knew about this situation, Shard didn’t even think about it, “Lake Goddess” knew that he wanted divinity, so naturally she would know of such trivial matters as a wedding.

At this time, the sunset had already dyed half the sky red, and the surface of Heart Lake Island Center Lake reflected the sunset, turning the small fish at the bottom of the lake red as well. The evening wind blew, causing ripples in the lake water, and amidst all this, Shard actually felt a sense of unexplained tranquility:

“Excuse me, do you know who I am?”

He actually asked this question right from the beginning, but in order to prevent the lake from disappearing after asking, he held back until now.

“No, I don’t know who you are.”

The White-robed Lady gently shook her head, her silver hair also turning red under the sunset:

“But as soon as you stepped onto the lake, I understood everything.”

Shard nodded:

“Then you are…”

He asked inquisitively.

“You may address me as Lady Cherub.”

The White-robed Lady replied with a smile, but Shard wanted more than just a simple name.

Since the other party was unwilling to say more, Shard didn’t dare to continue questioning. He roughly figured out that the other party was not a god, but related to gods, and after narrowly missing this lake yesterday, Priest Augustus said in the morning that there was a familiar scent on him… Shard felt he probably needed to read more literature to confirm his ideas.

“I will complete my task, but once I’ve finished it, how can I see you again next time?”

Although those witness stories were quite interesting, he certainly didn’t want to find another “Lake Goddess” witness, then ride around trying his luck.

“When you have completed the test, bring a wise animal, it will guide you, leading you back to Lake Cherub.”

This also sounded like some kind of fairy tale. Shard gently nodded, deciding to bring his own cat next time, as Mia was the smartest animal he’d ever encountered.

“One more thing.”

Shard added, and of course, he did not forget to acknowledge those who had helped him in his search for this mysterious lake:

“My two friends have also reached you before. One is an old professor of folklore who wants to know what happened to him back then; the other is poet Mr. Roland who seeks your withdrawal of the good luck he cannot bear.”

He quickly looked at the sunset, although the time was already somewhat late, the lake fortunately had not disappeared.

The White-robed Lady, holding her staff, shook her head with a smile:

“Retracting the luck I granted is a small issue, but I will slightly increase the difficulty of the next three tests.”

Shard hesitated for a moment:

“No problem.”

Since poet Mr. Roland trusted him and had paid his reward in advance, Shard naturally had to keep his promise.

The White-robed Lady took out a collection of poems from her robe pocket and handed it to Shard:

“This is the reward he paid. As for the limbs, they are irrecoverable.”

“It’s okay, just retracting his excess luck will do.”

Shard shook his head indifferently, putting away the manuscript as proof of completing the commission.

“What exactly did Professor Drake experience here with you?

Since the other party could so easily retract blessings, Shard felt this lady would likely not mind revealing what the professor had forgotten.

But the White-robed Lady holding her staff surprisingly shook her head:

“This question will be answered the next time you come. It’s not because this visit has ended, but because it’s related to your next test.”

“But…”

“You’ll have time next time, won’t you?”

The White-robed Lady asked, her golden eyes facing the sunset, shimmering. Unlike the dark golden eyes common to witches, her eyes were pure gold.

Gazing into those golden eyes, Shard felt his heart become more peaceful, and he exhaled deeply:

“Alright, then this visit is over… Oh, I almost forgot, can I bring my friends when I come here next time?”

Shard asked again, and the White-robed Lady gave her consent this time:

“No problem, but you can only bring one additional person at a time. Also, if they ask me questions, it will consume the gift I originally gave you after you completed the first three trials.”

The surrounding scenery was gradually becoming transparent, and Lake Cherub along with Heart Lake Island seemed to be melting into the intense sunset.

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your help, we will meet again next time.”

Shard respectfully bowed again on the lake surface.

“Remember, knowledge is power sometimes, and your wisdom is your greatest wealth.”

The lady said softly.

“Can the three gifts after completing the first three tasks be replaced with information about the The Chosen One of Knowledge and Wisdom?”

The lake had almost disappeared in that glow, and as the bare apple groves gradually reappeared around, Shard heard her last words with a hint of laughter:

“Of course, Outlander of the follower’s epic, may wisdom be with you.”

The scenery of Lake Cherub completely disappeared, and Shard found himself standing next to that chestnut horse, which was looking around idly, as if nothing around had changed at all.

“The Lake Goddess is definitely related to the Ancient God, the Secret-Keeping Mentor. Hmm… The style of the events I encountered in Southern Nation Huntington City is really different from the Northern Country.”

Not only is the scenery here pleasant, but the events encountered are more like fairy tales. Compared to the Evil God in Tobesk, the ugly mermen of Coldwater Port, and the various Evil Spirits in Midshire Fort, visiting the “Lake Goddess” with a horse on a comfortable winter afternoon is what Shard imagined he should be experiencing.

“The next focus is tomorrow’s wedding feast.”

Riding that chestnut horse, Shard rode back to the city from the west of Huntington City and visited the poet Mr. Roland, throwing that roll of poetry to him in his astonished expression.

Professor Drake’s matters were not yet resolved, so Shard did not go to see the old professor but rode the horse back to White Valley Vineyard. After entering the hidden wall in the depths of the wine cellar, he first went back home to “grab Mia” and then headed to Midshire Fort.

Walking out from the Ruined Tower in the mountains, he descended the mountain along the mountain path against the last gleam of sunset.

The first destination was the House of the Blind in Ruff Lane. After contacting Sister Delphine, he first explained that the “Evil Creatures of Pantanal” could be used as firewood by the Primal Fire from afar, and then informed the blind nun about the story of the “Lake Goddess” and the events that had just occurred:

“The Evil Objects of Pantanal are related to the Great Swamp, I currently have no more clues, you can arrange for the Order to investigate this.

But the Lake Goddess is key, since the fairy tale “Water of Wisdom” recorded on the stone tablet in the Ritual Site of the Spiritual Practice Order is related to the Lake Goddess’s legend, why not accompany me to that Mysterious Lake next time. I think Lady Cherub can probably tell us the location of the split Primal Fire.”

Shard held up three fingers:

“The three wishes after completing the first three trials, of course, need to be utilized to the fullest. Information about the The Chosen One, the split Primal Fire you’re looking for, demons, angels… ahem, pretend I didn’t say those last two words.”

Though the weather had turned cold, Sister Delphine seemed to always be dressed in that black-gray nun’s robe. However, after becoming the The Chosen One of death, her skin seemed even paler than before, although Iluna at that time had no changes at all.

The silver crown-like blindfold, still so magnificent and awe-inspiring, Sister Delphine sat on the sofa at the House of the Blind and nodded gently:

“Whether it is for firewood or the location of the split Primal Fire, I should personally go to Huntington. Besides, using a double to meet the ‘Lake Goddess’ seems a bit disrespectful.”

“Does the Ritual Site on the summit of the mountains have an exit in Carsonrick? You can take the train to Huntington City, although I can complete the trial tomorrow, I can wait a few days for you.”

Shard suggested, Sister Delphine placed her hands together on her lap, revealing a serene smile:

“We have other ways, the fire spreader who bathes in the Primal Fire.

Granny Cassandra has recently found a clue on the Relic that can ensure safe space travel. Shard, let’s go to Cassandra Auction House for dinner, Granny will be delighted with our visit.”

Just as Sister Delphine said, the Old Witch who ran the chain of auction houses was indeed delighted by the arrival of Shard and Sister Delphine. She had her apprentice Miss Rita Swift rearrange dinner for the night, and then sent a servant to notify Grace and Helen that Shard had arrived.

Shard actually came here every week to see the twin girls, and the space-related Relic Granny Cassandra was seeking was to allow Grace and Helen to visit No. 6, Saint Delan Square. After all, due to their curse and the traits of the Relic, they were currently only able to move around Midshire Fort, No. 6, Saint Delan Square, and Shard, and the girls always wished to visit Shard’s home.

Dinner was arranged in the restaurant on the top floor of Cassandra Auction House; as the headquarters of a renowned chain auction house in the Old Continent, naturally, there wouldn’t be a shortage of such facilities as a restaurant.

The street view of Midshire Fort in early winter, seen from the window, was somewhat different from Tobesk. The sun set, and above the misty fog layer was a brilliant Star Ocean.

The top floor restaurant of the auction house was lit by maple leaf-shaped gas lamps. The laughing Old Witch, the ever-stoic Sister Delphine, Shard, who was happy to have brought the cat for some food, Grace and Helen sitting on either side of Shard, all were seated. Miss Swift, after arranging the servants to serve the dishes, was exceptionally allowed by Granny Cassandra to join the meal, which delighted the somewhat insecure young apprentice.

The dinner table naturally wasn’t just for eating. Although Shard didn’t know why the ladies around the table were waiting for him to speak, he talked about meeting the Grand Witch Miss Sylvia of the Thirteenth Seat last week.

Granny Cassandra spoke highly of the young Witch, believing her wisdom and talent to be among the best in the Council, and encouraged Shard to take advantage of Miss Sylvia’s visit to Tobesk to learn about space from her:

“Since Sylvia met you, she will definitely think you’re of the same kind as her.”

The Old Witch has a keen eye:

“Even if she invites you to become her apprentice, I wouldn’t be surprised, so since you have the chance, you should learn from her. Sylvia is willing to share her knowledge with others, although sometimes she can be very persistent, but most suitable scholars are like that.”