Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1518: Rune Stone, Holy Grail, and the Performance

Chapter 1518: Chapter 1518: Rune Stone, Holy Grail, and the Performance

"This is not Arcane Technique or Sorcery, it’s Ancient God’s Divine Arts. If that’s the case, I think I have a way."

The Guardian said, stopping with Shard, looking at the people holding another funeral in the distance. The sorrowful grief seemed to blend into this mist, but the lament of the living could not spread to the world beyond:

"Attach your sorcery effect to an item, so that the item can, in a short time, make all touched soil active. I am currently the Chosen One, inherited the power of the ancient earth deity, which allows me to help you achieve this. But the item attached with Ancient God’s Divine Arts must be related to that Ancient God’s power."

In other words, the Guardian could attach Shard’s "Active Soil" sorcery onto another item. That way, it indeed wouldn’t require Shard to show up, and the Soul General would be paid by the user.

"That’s simple."

Shard said, taking out the Earth Rune Stone from his pocket. This was obtained in Tobesk City with Iluna from the hands of the Relic [Plague Merchant]. Now there’s no need to consider purifying the earth nor sinking it into the Heart of the Earth; it can serve other purposes:

"This Rune Stone meets the requirements. After we attach my sorcery effect to it, give it to the believers of the Sun and Earth God. Oh, after the Rune Stone is used, also instruct them to gift this later to the Chosen of Balance as a gift."

After all, Shard was just helping others, not intending to casually give away his possessions.

The difficulty of attaching the "Active Soil" sorcery to the Rune Stone was far beyond Shard’s expectations. This high-level alchemical technique was not something he could master now, and the enchantment location was the Heart of the Earth, so Shard had to go underground again, fortunately, the path wasn’t too far.

He endured the hot environment underground, working with the Guardian until three in the afternoon, only barely completing the alchemical item. The originally smooth Rune Stone, in appearance, only had some small runes on the surface now.

This Rune Stone can apply the "Active Soil" effect on any stone in the next two weeks, restoring the normalcy of petrified body parts. As for two weeks later, if a large number of patients need healing, it would have to be done again.

But creating such an oversized alchemical item wasn’t without cost. Although no extra materials were needed, Shard could see the Guardian’s consumption was quite large. If it weren’t for him being a non-human Circle Sorcerer and having the Heart of the Earth to replenish his power, it would take the Guardian a long time to recover.

And the completed Rune Stone still needed someone to deliver it to the church.

Seeing the Guardian’s poor state, Shard could only deliver it himself. He certainly couldn’t walk directly into the church claiming to be able to treat the petrified plague. With Miss Danester having returned to Saint Byrons and the witches unwilling to contact the church hastily now, he could only follow the contact left by Luviya for Iluna, at the Sun and Earth Cathedral gate, letting the alchemical item "Resonance Stone" bought from Old John vibrate in the pattern of three longs and a short — this indicated an immediate meeting at the entrance.

Iluna quickly found an excuse to come to the church entrance, and though Shard was disguised, she still spotted him immediately.

Then, the seventeen-year-old girl pretended to have an urgent matter, hurrying away along the street. But a few minutes later, the two met in an empty alley 200 meters from the church.

"Shard!"

Iluna warmly waved to Shard, inquiring about the reason for his contact, then took the Rune Stone.

Of course, she also shared other news with Shard. Roughly tomorrow, which is Tuesday night, she would take the Steam Hover Zeppelin back to Tobesk City. Since she’s taking the new model jointly designed by the Church of Creation and the United Kingdom of Carsonrick’s industrial department, it’s faster; she should return to Tobesk by the weekend.

"Also, you actually have one Holy Grail left."

Iluna said happily.

When separating from Iluna early Saturday morning, Shard had given her two Soil Holy Grails to help the True God Church, originally thinking both were used:

"Few were injured on the church’s side?"

"No, many. So, the two Holy Grails you gave, one was used, diluted with spiritual medicine efficacy, distributed to suppress the spread of petrification, and the remaining ’Preservation Holy Grail’ was kept, hoping to duplicate it. After all, not just the Circle Sorcerers wounded in the Randall Valley battle, local petrified plague patients also need those spiritual medicines. But now with the Rune Stone, the Holy Grail can be spared, I knew you’d always solve everything."

Iluna seemed very happy:

"Then, I’ll return the Holy Grail to you when I get back to Tobesk, saying a secret-visiting witch took it."

"Is the remaining one the Preservation Holy Grail? That’s great; potions from this grail can help pregnant women with fetal protection. I promised to give it to Sister Delphine."

Shard nodded with a smile, and Iluna had other good news:

"Originally used for enhancing church divine rituals to resist Crazy Earth’s invasion, ’Saint Perry’s Sun Holy Emblem,’ the local parish decided to give to me to take back to Tobesk."

She blinked at Shard, who understood her meaning:

"That’s wonderful, the Randall Valley Parish definitely acknowledged your contributions, right? Iluna, your strike on Saturday was gorgeous."

"It was nothing compared to you."

She said with some embarrassment, waving to Shard:

"Then I’ll see you again in Tobesk. After I get back, I’ll visit your house and get together with Luviya, counting the gains this time just like before. I have so many things to tell you guys."

Shard also still has the "Heart of the Earth Furnace" door that hasn’t been dealt with. He plans to wait until Iluna comes, then discuss with them where to try to install this door.

After bidding farewell to Iluna, it was already Monday evening. Since Miss Benanis invited Shard to the opera at nine in the evening, Shard, having nothing much to do, returned to Tobesk.

Carrying little Mia, he went to Luviya’s apartment and indeed found the purple-eyed girl waiting for his dinner invitation.

This was the first night Luviya was back from her business trip to Tobesk City, Dorothy, and Lecia gave her the time, and although Luviya didn’t mention it tonight, Shard knew she intended to stay overnight at Saint Delan Square.

"Although the delicacies in Southern Nation River Valley City are quite nice, I still prefer the flavors of my hometown."

Shard made reservations in advance, and the two of them sat down at the "Golden October Restaurant" on Silver Cross Avenue. Although this restaurant is not the most expensive on the street, it definitely has the best taste according to Shard.

Luviya talked about the long-unseen tastes of Tobesk dishes, while Shard fed the cat, smiling as he listened. When the main course was served, Shard started talking about what he had done throughout the day, mentioning the meeting with Iluna in the evening.

But Luviya noticed something else:

"Miss Benanis, performing at the opera house just for you tonight?"

"Yes, at nine. We can go home and rest for a while after dinner, then I’ll head out."

"Will you be back tonight then?"

Shard asked in confusion while poking at the cauliflower with his fork:

"Why not come back? She’s just asking me to watch the performance, it shouldn’t be too late, right?"

Saying this, he reached out the decorative cauliflower from his plate towards Mia on the high stool beside him. Shard fed the cat with his silverware, knowing this cat dislikes this vegetable. As expected, the squatting cat immediately turned its head away, its angry expression very amusing.

Seeing Shard’s antics, the purple-eyed girl also smiled:

"Alright, then I’ll be waiting for you at home. Although I’m not the princess with crystal shoes, I suppose your bedroom is still open to me."

"Oh, Luviya~"

Shard knew she was teasing about what happened in the morning, while Luviya, cutting the small steak from central Draleon, further said:

"Just a little tease, and besides, I really miss your bedroom."

She winked at Shard:

"Though the beds at the Abundant Land Inn are cozy, I still feel being beside you is much better."

Shard couldn’t handle such words. He nodded while pursing his lips, looking down to cut his steak, planning to head home as soon as he finished watching the performance.

The laughter of "her" nearly overlapped with Luviya’s soft giggle. The purple-eyed girl was never afraid of the other ladies’ prying eyes. After all, she understood Shard.

After dinner with Luviya, they strolled back to Saint Delan Square. Shard initially thought about letting Mia walk, but the full-bellied cat preferred standing on Shard’s shoulder, which typically happened when Shard "walked the cat."

After returning home and discussing recent Tobesk news with Luviya, she urged him to leave early at eight-thirty, not to miss the "appointment" time. Naturally, Mia stayed at home. Not only did the lazy cat refuse to go out, but it was also Luviya’s request.

Thus, when Shard arrived at Wilder Opera House, it was only eight-forty-five. The opera house was operating as usual tonight, seemingly untouched by the thousand-year earthquake, unaffected its business.

The brilliantly lit building even in Randall Valley City Center was the most dazzling sight. Carriages lined from the opera house’s entrance to the street corner showcased the audience’s enthusiasm.

Though the previous opera hadn’t yet ended, the Wilder Opera House ladies recognized Shard, and no one stopped him from entering.

Regrettably, Shard had arrived a bit too early. Though he visited Ciris in her third-floor office, the golden-haired girl informed Shard that Miss Benanis was still in makeup, asking him to patiently wait in the audience hall on the lower floor.