Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1399: The Calm Before the Storm

Standing in front of Shard, Miss Danester observed the Holy Grail with considerable interest:

"You didn’t clearly state in your letter where this Holy Grail came from."

"Yesterday, the professors from Zaras and Xerxes also asked similar questions. Well, it was given by the Witch Council. We suspect that at least one Grand Witch has already arrived locally and might have been living here for a long time. Since the beginning of this year, the Witch Council has been helping us with matters in Randall Valley."

The speaker was the old gentleman responsible for guarding the Holy Grail here. He was dressed in a very ordinary priestly robe and was not only Eleven Rings but also a pharmacist.

"The Witch Council?"

Miss Danester raised an eyebrow. She knew the Speaker of the Council (Chapter 1129) and did not have as poor an impression of the Witch Council as the Church:

"I remember they also came to help during the Battle of Pantanal. I wonder who came this time."

With the consent of Mr. Pierre Granger, the Holy Grail that was slowly releasing liquid was removed for the three professors from Saint Byrons to examine and identify.

There is no doubt that this is an extremely special divine item. After acquiring this cup, the Sun Church determined that this divine item points to the ancient Earth Mother Goddess. As for the small rune on the Holy Grail, because the script is too ancient, it has not yet been deciphered.

Miss Danester used her arcane technique to identify it and then suddenly asked Shard, who was feeling rather bored and somewhat distracted:

"What does this rune mean?"

Shard had previously mentioned that he knew many ancient languages, and deciphering this rune would not have any adverse effects. Therefore, he replied:

"Sweetness."

"So, all the spiritual medicine produced by this Holy Grail carries a sweet taste. Even after dilution, the sweetness is still quite apparent."

The pharmacist beside him suddenly understood, while Miss Danester asked Professor Mason, who specialized in Elven Rune interpretation and ancient language heritage from the Academy of Ancient Literature:

"In your opinion, is this rune related to the effect of producing spiritual medicine?"

Professor Mason shook his head slightly:

"I have studied the ancient Holy Grail of the Earth Deity. The inherent function of the Holy Grail demonstrates the authority of that most ancient Earth Deity. ’Sweetness’ is unrelated to healing effects. It should be some kind of special magic potion, relying on the power of the Ancient God represented by the Holy Grail to exert a restraining effect on the madness of the Earth."

"We made the same judgment."

Mr. Pierre said:

"The potion formula is very likely from the Witch Council, as they possess much ancient knowledge unknown even to the Church. However, it’s obvious that the formula is not the key; the Holy Grail is. If we could know the source of the Holy Grail, we might be able to concoct a similar potion, albeit with somewhat lesser effects."

Miss Danester set the Holy Grail down and watched it float back above the altar:

"I have some connections with the Witch Council and can inquire about the potion formula. But you’re right, the Holy Grail is crucial. I recall reading about the Holy Grail of the Earth in literature. After all, the Holy Emblem of that Ancient God is shaped like a grail. Yet, the Holy Grail of the Earth that has been passed down from the bygone eras, if it still exists, would be treasured by secret organizations and unlikely to surface. As for this one..."

"This is not an ancient artifact. Although we can’t specifically analyze how it was produced, it’s most likely related to the Power of the Earth. When the Guardian used the Power of the Earth: Healing Aura, it resulted in a similar Holy Grail."

Mr. Pierre Granger said.

"But that should only be a phantom, a resonance between the healing power and the Earth Origin, not supposed to manifest as a physical entity."

Danester frowned in thought:

"Yet the appearance of this Holy Grail is definitely linked to the Power of the Earth. Perhaps it’s from a branch of the Power of the Earth that you haven’t documented. There are many branches of the Power of the Earth, not just combat and healing abilities; having manufacturing ability seems quite plausible too."

"That possibility does exist, but it also suggests that the Witch Council has found a holder of the Power of the Earth that we are unaware of. According to the poem Chapter, one of the traits of the Chosen One is possessing the Power of the Earth."

Mr. Pierre expressed some concern, but Miss Danester did not seem too bothered:

"The current focus is on saving the Earth of the Material World; the matter of the Chosen One is for fate to drive. I remember you mentioned that Miss Beyas received a revelation in her dream? Tell me about the progress of the Earth healing ceremony."

Miss Danester’s intention was probably to let Shard see and learn about the crisis Randall Valley is facing. In truth, Shard felt quite bored this morning because most of the discussion revolved around matters he was already well aware of.

However, Shard did not leave empty-handed. He at least learned that the church is also preparing for the "Feast of the Earth Mother Goddess." They too do not know the exact details of this ancient ceremony but have discovered that its most essential ritual item is the Flower of the Four Seasons.

At the same time, the church also received word that a major event similar to Eldron Lake would occur tonight. They even invited Miss Danester to join them in observing it tonight, but Miss Danester declined.

In conclusion, Shard spent the entire morning accompanying Miss Danester at the Sun Cathedral. By noon, they took their leave; the two professors went off to dine on their own, while the female sorcerer followed Shard to the Abundant Land Inn.

After ordering lunch and seeing the waiter off, Shard sat down opposite Miss Danester:

"I’ll treat you to lunch this time, please don’t be polite with me."

"It’s hard to imagine, this is the same person who was discussing relief food with me a few hours ago saying this."

Miss Danester joked, then asked:

"Then I won’t be polite. Tell me, what’s the urgent matter that brought you all the way to Randall Valley to meet me?"

"It’s still related to the establishment of the Academy."

Shard’s expression became serious:

"Last time we talked in the library, it was recorded in the book that the land where Saint Byrons is now located was most likely obtained by Miss Mana Feliana from the bygone deity - [Veil of Eternal Night]. I want to know what kind of price Miss Feliana paid to make a transaction with a deity."

The female sorcerer tilted her head and looked at him:

"I mentioned last time, there’s no clear record, the stories passed down are uncertain rumors. I can only tell you, sometimes obtaining a gift from a deity requires a price beyond what you receive. If you’ve come just for this, I’m sorry, I can’t give you an answer."

"Then is there anyone else who can give me an answer?"

"Of course there is."

Miss Danester said, Shard was taken aback:

"There really is?"

"You might have forgotten, we have a headmaster at our school. Actually, the Academy Library doesn’t house all the books of the Academy. Some are part of the headmaster’s private collection. You can think of it as a compilation of secret collections handed down by headmasters over the generations, somewhat similar to a private stash left by librarians over the years. Even I am not sure what’s in the headmaster’s collection."

Shard pondered for a moment:

"So..."

"Yes, if the answer you seek can truly be found in our era, it’s most likely with Headmaster Mr. Pigman. I can write to the headmaster, he would not be stingy in helping to find the answer for me. It’s only Tuesday today, and you’ll have the result this week. You’re my student, so I can find some materials for you, without you having to do anything."

Miss Danester said, seeing that Shard wanted to express gratitude, she shook her head:

"I don’t know why you’re here, but if you run into trouble, remember to find me at my place. Since you arrived earlier than me, you should have an understanding of the local situation. Don’t run around recklessly, I wouldn’t hope to see you suddenly jump out of the bushes during my duel with High Ring Sorcerers."

"Actually, there aren’t many bushes this season... I understand."

"Once I receive the headmaster’s response, I’ll send the letter here as well."

She glanced in the direction upstairs:

"If I’m not mistaken, you’re staying with that Luviya Annette, aren’t you?"

Shard showed an awkward expression; Luviya hadn’t finished her shift yet, but she would probably be back soon.

"Speaking of it, there’s a Moon Worship Ruins locally, you can check it out if interested. My newly acquired Miracle Soul Rune was obtained from there."

He proactively changed the subject, but Miss Danester just nodded, seemingly not very interested:

"I’ll go see it after things are settled. What I’m showing you today, you understand yourself is enough. Besides the petrified plague and intermittent earthquakes, the Church has discovered traces of Third Era evil spirit demons locally. In conclusion, the Randall Valley is far from peaceful, a storm is approaching, and it’s already the eve of a rainy night. Be careful, you and Miss Annette."

"That’s exactly why I know this place is dangerous, and since Luviya is still here, I probably won’t return to Tobesk to wait for her."

The female sorcerer sitting opposite him shook her head with a smile, not knowing what she wanted to convey. But, before the off-duty Luviya saw Shard and Miss Danester sitting together in surprise, they did not discuss any sensitive topics.

After having lunch together, Miss Danester left, and Luviya still marveled that Shard really went directly to find the Academy’s librarian:

"Miss Fiona Drago must mean a lot to you, right?"

Back in the room, planning to get ready to go to the Wilder Opera House, Luviya also said to Shard. Shard responded:

"Because... I’m her fairy godmother."

The girl with purple eyes then laughed and asked:

"What? You’re finally admitting that you’re a female?"