Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1431: Arrangements Before the Battle
"This relic is essentially a confusion?"
"It’s possible, related to the contract with the demon and Osenfort. But regardless of whether it’s a confusion, the relic isn’t important. What’s important is that its behavior inadvertently reveals how much it values Osenfort’s soul."
The doctor thought for a moment before asking Shard again:
"Are you sure you’re ready to immediately banish his soul after killing Ston Osenfort?"
"Yes, triple insurance: photos, nuns, and guilty sinners. My assistants are all ready."
The doctor did not ask further:
"On Friday night, still carry this dagger, but don’t use it lightly."
"I understand, actually, this dagger has other uses for me."
Shard looked at the weapon lying on the table. After all, it’s also a relic that can absorb certain energies. Once the current [Desecration Cross] crumbles, there’s no need to rush to find the next weapon.
"That demon is really rich, to even casually give away such things."
Shard murmured again, and the doctor glanced at him:
"After all, it’s an ancient evil demon actively moving for a long time, surely holding some valuable items. Oh, speaking of which, didn’t it promise to give you some things upon completing the commission? If you can get them yourself, great. If not, after I destroy it, those things will be yours. Like before, I just want the demon itself."
Shard nodded, though he was actually considering whether to add a fourth layer of insurance for this matter.
[What do you plan to do?]
"What if Osenfort’s soul is snatched away by a more powerful existence beforehand..."
Because Shard went to Dr. Schneider, he arrived at Randall Valley close to eleven o’clock in the morning.
He first went to the Abundant Land Inn but didn’t find Mrs. Marilyn Handel. Luckily, she left him a message before leaving, and Shard found her in the house abandoned after the fire incident in Rat Alley, where she was sending an evil spirit away.
That evil spirit had long hair, which made Shard initially think it was female, but upon approaching, he realized it was a young man. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
He roared in front of the blackened wall from the fire, emitting a sinister green light, causing the whole house to vibrate. But Mrs. Marilyn Handel and Joey Barton, standing beside her, had expressionless faces.
The swirling black mist appeared above them, with countless black chains extending from the mist, binding the long-haired evil spirit until yanking it into the mist.
The end of that black mist was the true destination of the soul.
After everything ended, Ms. Hendel turned to greet Shard, and Shard felt the curse on her and Joey Barton lighten slightly:
"This skill looks really impressive."
Although Shard could also open a pathway to true death, he must allow the soul to voluntarily enter, unlike what he just witnessed, where the evil spirit could be sent away unconditionally.
Ms. Hendel shook her head slightly:
"We’re doing penance... Are you sure about the timing for action?"
"Yes, the day after tomorrow, that is Friday night, location is Osenfort Estate. On Friday morning, I’ll leave this card with you."
He displayed the [Genesis: Death] originally belonging to Joey Barton:
"Once this card disappears in your hand, you directly enter the estate to find me. Of course, I’ll strive to keep the battle in the courtyard and not the building, ensuring you’re immediately in place."
"No problem."
Mrs. Marilyn Handel and Joey Barton said together, and Shard looked around again:
"Speaking of which, what’s with this place?"
This house experienced a major fire and, although severely damaged, even the stairs leading from the first floor to the current second floor were broken, a bit of refurbishment could make it habitable again. When Shard came over, he even asked the kids at the alley entrance, learning the fire happened about two years ago.
"Two years ago, a fire in the night killed a merchant family of seven living here. The man just now is the family’s eldest son who was supposed to inherit the business. Unwilling to leave like this, he became an evil spirit."
Joey Barton explained, knowing Shard wanted to ask, and then used his hand to sketch in the air, the illusion technique of spiritual bodies showed the events of that night.
The white mist dispersed at Joey Barton’s fingertips, revealing the phantom of Rat Alley at night. Shard heard faint footsteps, then a group of masked people appeared in the scene. They directly used a key to open the door, then carried oil barrels inside. Five or six minutes later, they quickly left through the door, and soon the fire engulfed the house.
"The local police spent two weeks investigating and arresting the culprits after that. The ringleader was sentenced to death, while the others received life imprisonment. However, evidence shows that after half a year in prison, they were bailed for various bizarre reasons, changed their names, and smuggled into Draleon. Among them, there was involvement from a bigwig in Velindale."
Mrs. Marilyn Handel said, finally adding:
"The memory of the soul shows that this family had a business conflict with Ston Osenfort during their lifetime."
"I understand, remove the stumbling block."
Shard nodded, looking at the burnt bedroom. The metal bed frame still remained, though it was pitch-black now. It seemed Ms. Hendel and Joey Barton had conducted quite an investigation into Ston Osenfort, which Shard was unaware of—such as the whereabouts of those people, which the evil spirit trapped here certainly wouldn’t know.
"From your perspective, what kind of person is Ston Osenfort?"
Shard curiously asked.
Ms. Hendel replied:
"In this city, we have encountered spirits quite familiar with Osenfort. Osenfort is irritable, evil, greedy, but he also deeply loves Haila Osenfort. He is a very ordinary person, just like most people, nothing special."
Hearing the adjective "ordinary" made Shard raise his eyebrows, but upon further thought, he indeed possesses the duality of most people. However, the evil side of him is far too strong.
Saying goodbye to Ms. Hendel, Shard, at noon that day, also met Sister Delphine at the local Serpent Heart Hospital.
Serpent Heart Hospital is a semi-official charitable organization found throughout the Old Continent, surviving through donations collected by the Spiritual Practice Order, donations from various places, and grants from the authorities. The hospital offers free services for women giving birth or treating diseases of women and children in the slums, thus enjoying quite a good reputation among ordinary people.
The Randall Valley’s Serpent Heart Hospital, like the Stonemason Guild, is located in the old city, and even shares the same street as Peace Chapel, which Shard found quite bold.
When Shard saw the nun wearing a silver eyepatch, Miss Aphrola was also present. Her niece and apprentice, Miss Haley Aflora, played the role of a Maid, standing by to prepare tea for the two and ready to act on commands.
Seeing Shard open the door and walk in, the witch with beautiful brown wavy long hair smiled and said:
"Since Shard is here, you must have matters to discuss with the nun. Then Haley and I will leave for now, Shard, we’ll wait downstairs for you. Let’s have lunch together at Benanis’ estate."
"No problem."
Shard nodded, watching the witch and the young lady blushing at seeing Shard leave.
Once the office door closed, the nun standing by the window spoke in a rather flat tone:
"Hevy Aurora came in name of donating to the hospital, but actually brought the Council’s order, or rather request."
"I have never asked them how the Council views the first candidate - Guardian this time? Even though he is recognized as male by the witches, it at least includes Miss Lathis’s father. And Miss Lathis is the deputy head of the Council-affiliated Golden Dawn Opera Group, so theoretically, this Chosen One is still directly connected to the Council."
Standing with her back to the sunlight, the shadow on Sister Delphine’s face seemed interesting. She clasped her hands together in front of her and slightly shook her head at Shard:
"The message brought by Hevy Aurora is that the Council Archwitch believes if possible, it’s best to directly make Miss Lathis the Chosen One."
She paused:
"So far, the four chosen and surviving individuals are female: Balance and me. Galina Cavendish didn’t directly disclose she’s teaching Balance, but still mentioned the good relationship between Balance and her. Therefore, the Witch Council believes that maintaining this situation is the best."
"The Council doesn’t trust the Guardian?"
"Do you trust the Guardian?"
Calmly asked Sister Delphine, Shard blinked:
"Honestly speaking, I greatly admire their actions and his sacrificial spirit. But their way of existence... the basic course of the first year in Saint Byrons has already explained the unique and independent nature of the soul and defined soul fusion-like behaviors and their consequences. I am willing to fully believe them, but the high scores I attained in first-year and the current twisted state of the Earth make me maintain a basic level of caution."
In other words, it’s about trusting Guardians, but doubting their ability to remain normal.
For an instant, Shard seemed to catch a glimpse of a smile on Sister Delphine’s fair face, but she was very skilled at controlling her expressions:
"Luviya once conversed with me in the fire. She shares the same opinion, that there might be significant problems with the Guardians."
"Then what does the church think? When I saw Iluna last week, she skipped the meeting, so I’m unaware of the church’s current stance."
