Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1536: Three Cavendishes

"The Knight didn’t intentionally neglect the honorable Baroness; it was because the Knight fell gravely ill."

Shard seriously explained his actions, the silver gleam on his dining knife gently slicing the sauced veal steak on the plate into two portions. Shard gave the smaller portion to Mia, leaving ninety percent of it for himself:

"Actually, the loyal Knight also misses the Duke he serves. It’s just that he doesn’t know when he’ll have the fortune to once again view the Duke’s most precious treasure."

Miss Galina thought for a moment before understanding what "treasure" meant. The blush on her face became more pronounced, her red lips pursed into a smile both bashful and charming, making her look even more radiant.

"How about tonight?"

Shard then took the initiative to extend an invitation, and the words of agreement almost slipped from the red-haired witch’s lips. She reminded herself to be reserved, but the over a week-long "neglect" made it difficult for her to straightforwardly refuse:

"Your illness, it’s not completely healed yet."

She softly pointed this out, but her tone seemed more like she was seeking an excuse, her gaze towards Shard as if it directly spoke her thoughts.

Tifa, behind Miss Galina, winked at Shard, indicating he shouldn’t give up.

"Duke, are you doubting my health and body?"

Shard asked, with Miss Galina looking at him with a pursed mouth. The maids serving around were unaware of what transpired under the table during the brief pause:

"My grandniece praised you, and when discussing privately with the female diviner, mentioned that the Knight’s foundational skills are solid. Since you think you’re cured, then tonight..."

The golden eyes seemed truly capable of conveying the soul’s emotions, and Shard indeed understood the affection in those eyes.

"Knight, is the bed at your place really as comfortable as they say?"

(Mia running...)

On Sunday morning, Shard sat alone at the dining table at home, reading the Tobesk Morning Newspaper, while the maids busied themselves in the kitchen preparing breakfast. The ingredients had been sent over from Galina Manor that morning, and Tifa was personally cooking, intending to showcase her skills for Shard before the maids all left No. 6, Saint Delan Square.

Upon waking that morning, they knew that Shard would likely not let them stay anymore. Because judging from the sounds coming from the master bedroom on the second floor last night, Shard’s body was indeed fully recovered.

[Outlander, you have completely absorbed the ’Twisted Filth of the Earth’s Root.’]

[Your body is comprehensively enhanced (including resistance of internal organs to damage and organ function levels), the restoration speed and total amount of spirit are enhanced. You can now choose to be immune to any form of ’Petrification’. Your sorcery and arcane techniques related to curses, shadows, diseases, and the earth are greatly enhanced.]

"She" softly reminded in his ear, symbolizing the complete end of Shard’s "serious illness" process.

He listened to this content while looking at the newspaper in his hand, reading news about the next Industrial Expo:

"I thought there would at least be a brand new spirit rune, or new arcane techniques. Even after absorbing such a high-level thing, didn’t it allow me to gain the ’Earth’ spirit rune?"

Though aware this thought was somewhat greedy, Shard still felt a bit disappointed.

"She" lightly chuckled in Shard’s ear:

[You cannot yet comprehend what abilities this absorbed power has truly given you. Spirit runes weren’t even a concept before the Sixth Era. Power belongs to you.]

"No, actually I understand what abilities this power has granted me."

Shard glanced sideways in the direction of the bedroom. Since getting up that morning, he felt completely recovered. But the specific moment of full recovery seemed like it was at midnight yesterday:

"Is it somewhat coincidental that I fell ill after getting intimate with the witch, and recovered after getting intimate with the witch?"

He thought to himself.

[At least for now, the witch’s power cannot interfere with you in any way.]

The sound of a bell suddenly rang out from downstairs, and before Shard could rise, the maid had already gone downstairs. Shard closed his eyes, the passive effect of the arcane technique [Heart of Stone] manifested, his "Dark Vision" revealing the street’s countless "heartbeats" were vague while those moving on the stairs and at the door were exceedingly clear.

"There are four people at the door."

Shard said, closing the newspaper and then hearing footsteps entering the building. Since the maid hadn’t asked Shard whether to let strangers in, then the visitors must be familiar.

Sure enough, as soon as Lecia appeared, she warmly hugged Shard:

"Seeing you so spirited puts my mind at ease. Shard, wishing you good health." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Lecia, why are you here so early?"

"Of course, to see you. Although Dorothy told me yesterday that you were almost recovered, I didn’t expect you to be doing this well."

"This illness came quickly, and went away just as fast."

Shard said with a smile, then greeted Angelina behind Lecia:

"Good morning, Your Highness Angelina."

"Good morning, Mr. Hamilton."

The Little Princess lifted her skirt slightly, greeting him with ladylike grace.

After letting go of Shard, Lecia glanced towards the kitchen and then asked somewhat dissatisfied:

"Where is Galina? Wasn’t she here taking care of you yesterday? Why is it just her Maid now? Where did she go so early?"

"She’s still resting."

Shard pointed towards the bedroom, and Lecia understood immediately. She gently patted Shard’s arm and said in a scolding tone:

"Really, doesn’t she know that you’re just recovering? What is this, using herself to check if you’re fully recovered?"

The Little Princess behind Lecia was stunned for a moment before realizing what was meant. She struggled to conceal her surprised expression; no one had told her before that Shard had become kin to the Cavendish Family:

"Mr. Hamilton is this..."

"Our aunt did something very bold."

Lecia casually replied, and the seventeen-year-old Her Highness the Princess nodded lightly, her eyes sneaking glances at Shard.

Of course, her heart felt quite unsettled, but compared to her sister, her fear and awe of Miss Galina, whom she didn’t meet often, was even greater. Although complicated emotions swirled within her, even using a pie chart taught by the Royal Family’s math tutor couldn’t clarify all her feelings. But she knew what worried her the most was the knight’s feelings:

"The age difference between Mr. Hamilton and our aunt is so vast... He might feel awkward or even disgusted. Aunt, really, is being a Duchess so impressive... He’s so young, so strong, yet forced to..."

The almost soul-tearing heartache, distortion, and indescribable joy were clearer and more apparent than before.

Shard looked in surprise at Angelina, who closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a moment where the Little Princess seemed to have the aura of a Circle Sorcerer in his perception. But it was only a moment, indicating she was just one step away from truly awakening her Talent.

Originally, it was Lecia’s or Dorothy’s turn to care for the sick Shard today, but since Shard was now well, there was no need for special care.

Consequently, Shard had breakfast with the three ladies of the Cavendish Family, and then they all left together. The Witch didn’t feel awkward seeing her family’s younger members at the table, and Lecia was not displeased by this.

While Shard informed them and also noted Angelina’s Talent awakening situation, Lecia repeatedly reminded Shard about the upcoming spring horse-riding competition around the city, urging him to register and win, apparently planning some activities for the post-competition banquet.

Being bedridden for nearly two weeks indeed delayed many of Shard’s affairs.

But fortunately, he didn’t need to tidy the house himself, and besides the yet unplanned "spring cat washing," there were no other household matters for Shard to worry about. Thus, after confirming Mia didn’t want to go out, Shard went alone through the basement to Midshire Fort, and then from the local Serpent Heart Hospital to the Ritual Site located atop the mountains.

Shard hadn’t made an appointment for this visit, but it seemed as if Sister Delphine knew he would come today because she was standing at the end of the stone steps shielded by the Gray Stone Ruins at the Ritual Site, waiting for Shard.

"Good morning, Sister!"

He waved and greeted with a smile, and the blind Nun with her hands crossed in front of her chest nodded slightly in response. The snow at the mountain top had not fully melted, making the Nun standing in the snow seem more serene than usual.

The Sun shone on her silver eye mask worn during Crown, revealing those ancient and mysterious patterns, and making her pale face appear even more bloodless than usual. Shard was delighted to find that the cracks on Sister Delphine’s eye mask had disappeared, and the side gap had been filled.

"There’s still some Mithril left."

As if "seeing" Shard staring at her eye mask, the gray-haired Nun said softly. She then moved aside from the entrance to the Ritual Site, welcoming Shard in.

After repairing Sister Delphine’s eye mask, the remaining Mithril was recast by the artisans of the Spiritual Practice Order into a Mithril Cuboid, only the size of a Dice. Of course, the remaining Mithril was quite a lot because this was a solid metal, while the original metal cubus was hollow in the center.

To make it easier for Shard to carry, the six faces of the small Mithril Cuboid were engraved with Dice Points, and it still retained the ability to "reveal the story of Randall Valley," though its sensitivity was slightly worse than before.

Nonetheless, the story of Randall Valley was already concluded.

Shard’s visit today, however, was not to see how much Mithril he had left. He came seeking the Nun’s help regarding learning the "Dream of the Moon".