Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1507: God and Shard

"Summoning a deity?"

Shard pursed his lips:

"Yes, it’s not a misunderstanding or an illusion. It took me a while to make up my mind, and before Saturday morning, to tell you this. Yes, I’m somewhat special and can act as a vessel for a deity’s descent, but I won’t suffer too much harm myself."

"Oh, I see. I originally thought being immune to the Witch’s Curse was enough... But it turns out, the one who has been with us all this time is actually a vessel of an ancient great one. You could almost be considered a God’s Favored One."

Miss Benanis said with some awe, and in fact, not just one person thought Shard was a "God’s Favored One." But in reality, he wasn’t; he was that Moon Goddess herself.

"If you wanted to tell us this, you could have used other, less shocking means, rather than performing in front of us — no, I used the wrong word, it’s sublimation... no, that’s not quite right either. Anyway, that scene was just too astounding, I had a dream about it again last night." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Miss Sylvia covered her forehead:

"We won’t ask who this ancient Moon Goddess is, it’s not something we’re supposed to know. But you need to tell us if this ancient deity has any followers besides you? Or are there others around you, apart from us, who are your helpers?"

"No, my helpers are only you... and Luviya, Iluna. That ancient Moon Goddess, um... you can think of her as having long departed, only I, transcending time, can connect with her."

Hearing Shard say this, the atmosphere seemed to enliven all at once. Perhaps to the witches, the fact that Shard is a God Summoner wasn’t very important. What mattered was, he couldn’t have another organization to rely on.

Miss Sylvia’s stern expression turned into a smile, and she picked up her teacup:

"Since we’re already talking about this, let me say it. Shard, we have no intention of prying into your secrets, but using your own body as a vessel for a Saint, and without dying — that would be unimaginable in any era. You must hide this secret, yes, you must hide it well, absolutely not letting more people know. In fact..."

She looked around at everyone’s face:

"...letting us know about this secret in itself is quite a risky move. After all, even though we trust each other, some things are best known only to yourself. Don’t trust us too much, we might not be as good as you imagine."

Hearing Miss Sylvia say this, the expressions of the ladies on the sofa varied.

Miss Galina picked up her teacup and scrutinized her companions, pondering in her heart:

"I have the best relationship with Shard and was the first to know him. If there’s one person who shouldn’t know about this, it’s certainly not me."

Miss Aphrola slightly tilted her head, resting her face on her arm placed on the armrest of the sofa, looking at the council colleagues:

"I met Shard fairly early, and I can help him with everything, even at sea back then... If there’s one person who shouldn’t know about this, it’s certainly not me."

Miss Benanis expressionlessly observed the guests visiting her home:

"This is my house, and a few days ago, I helped Shard ’prepare’ with Luviya... If there’s one person who shouldn’t know about this, it’s certainly not me."

Speaking, Miss Sylvia clearly saw the expressions on the witches’ faces and could roughly guess their thoughts. She discreetly pursed her lips but didn’t dare to articulate her own thoughts:

"I invited Shard to become my apprentice and even collaborated with him, inventing synthetic fiber materials that didn’t exist in this world. If there’s one person who shouldn’t know about this, it’s certainly not me."

"I think it’s actually okay that you guys know about this."

Shard didn’t know the complex psychological activities of the ladies beside him at this time; he only expressed his own thoughts. After all, his deepest secret was his identity as an Outlander and the Path of the Twelve Divinities:

"Didn’t you already guess it last year? So I think there’s no need to continue hiding it, as this would make it seem like I don’t trust you. I believe our relationship is enough for me to be frank with you; the secret is not more important than you. Besides, at the time, I could no longer hide it... More importantly—"

He looked into each of their eyes in turn; those golden eyes were all beautiful, representing different interesting souls:

"I believe I can trust you, just as you trust me."

The witches all had faint smiles on their faces, and the Duchess sitting next to Shard gently poked his arm:

"I knew you would say that, but Hevy was right, there’s no need to tell more people... Oh, by the way, besides us and Ciris Lathes, who else knows this astounding secret?"

"Luviya and the three Chosen Ones. The Chosen Ones all found out for various reasons during the Chosen One Ceremony. Ivan Daknis, the Chosen of Darkness, died in Tobesk; Viscount Plisha, the Chosen of Knowledge and Wisdom, went mad after the Battle of Pantanal. Whatever he says, people won’t believe, so those two don’t count."

The original Chosen by Death Joey Barton and Marilyn Handel probably guessed about Shard, but they wouldn’t tell anyone either.

Miss Benanis nodded:

"That’s enough; there’s indeed no need to let more people know about this. We’ve already agreed to call Ciris over later so that all who saw the truth that night, except for Luviya, would sign a soul contract to ensure no one leaks it."

Shard actually wanted to say there was no need for this, but seeing their serious and earnest looks, he knew he better not say too much.

"In any case, Shard should avoid any local activity for a while."

Miss Aphrola continued speaking, maintaining the grace of an heir to an ancient family, she explained to Shard, who was looking over:

"You’ve been asleep for a day and a night, you probably don’t know how chaotic things are outside now.

The open space by the Elon River has been completely sealed off, the elemental traces there are so thick that it could almost be considered a divine presence. The appearance of the Three Gods has permanently altered some fundamental rules in the valley area. The Circle Sorcerers who attended the banquet will have their names recorded in history and myth, and the Sun and Earth Church must revise their scriptures and review their relationships with the cultists regarding the arrival of the True God, the Lantern Bearer. Not to mention... let’s put it this way, the last time three deities appeared simultaneously was in the early days of the Sixth Era, a period of historical chaos. You should understand the significance of The Great One descending upon the Material World, and this time, for the matter of the Chosen One, three deities appeared together... If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it."

"Although I have a considerable reputation locally, I believe that soon the Church will trace back to my location based on the evidence, in fact, the Church will not overlook any place that is suspected."

Miss Benanis was slightly troubled:

"So, in the next few days, we need to instruct the Golden Dawn ladies to hide those sensitive items properly. Otherwise, we can’t very well say that the Potion Workshop in the basement is for brewing ’Charm Potions’ to make the opera troupe more popular."

"I still have some matters to deal with locally, and once those are taken care of, I’ll temporarily leave."

Although it’s not a permanent farewell, there’s still some reluctance in the heart. Shard didn’t hide his feelings, so the witches could see his thoughts.

Sitting on the other side of Shard, Miss Aphrola gently held his hand:

"It’s not a goodbye just yet. Tomorrow, Monday morning, remember to go to the Randall Valley Public Cemetery, everyone will be attending a funeral together. After that, I’m confident we’ll see each other again soon. Given the current rate of Chosen Ones emerging, we might not even have to wait until summer."

"I actually hope we can wait until summer, to give me time to properly rest."

Shard thought to himself, nodding as he noticed a complex emotion in the eyes of the brunette woman, an emotion he couldn’t quite understand.

"In any case, what follows is a temporary separation. The witches staying here should avoid contacting each other for the time being."

Miss Aphrola said, as her other hand gently traced circles on the back of his hand.

Mia immediately noticed the witch’s movement, and after giving a warning meow, she was forced to jump onto Shard’s shoulder, as Miss Sylvia and Miss Benanis, who were sitting on the single sofa, stood up and walked over.

"Since it’s a farewell, shouldn’t we say goodbye properly?"

Miss Sylvia said softly, then slightly lifted the hem of her long skirt that reached her feet, blushing as she let Shard see what she was wearing on her legs.

"We know you have other plans this afternoon, but it’s not even one o’clock yet. Sparing an hour or two shouldn’t be an issue, right? Why don’t you tell us in detail how you felt before Saturday morning’s dawn, it’s a story no one else can hear."

Miss Benanis also said, her face redder than the other witches.

After some rustling, Shard saw the fabric on the legs of the four Grand Witches. He had to admit, even without the Outlander’s perspective, Miss Sylvia was quite creative.

The fabrics, varying in color and texture, highlighted each person’s legs beautifully. Shard stuttered, trying to say something, but his face was gradually overshadowed by the ladies closing in around him.

Mia had no choice but to jump off Shard’s shoulder onto the coffee table, watching the group of people’s backs with a sulky expression.

"Shard, don’t misunderstand us."

Miss Aphrola gently cupped Shard’s face, her eyes deep like they were burning with a fervent flame:

"We just wanted to make sure you don’t easily forget about us."

"Also,"

Miss Sylvia added with a smile:

"Knowing you’re a God Summoner and knowing what you’ve done, maintaining a close relationship with you now seems... even more thrilling, doesn’t it?"

Alluring laughter surrounded Shard, and he felt the temperature in the room seem to rise continuously.

"Actually..."

Before he could finish speaking, his words were cut off by the cool touch of red lips:

"Do you really want to talk now?"

Someone was hugging his arm, another pressed down on his shoulder.

"Knight, close your mouth, it’s time to rest now."

As for what happened next, Shard could only remember the beautiful sensations afterward.