Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 472: Detective’s Assistant Tifa Servet

The tone now undoubtedly conveyed the most chaotic and fearful of emotions.

Even though Shard had never witnessed the final moments of Mr. Bondy the blind musician's life, hearing the increasingly agitated piano sounds, he almost completely understood how the musician had step by step reached the end of his life.

This piece held a strange magic power; as soon as Shard tried to seriously comprehend the emotions contained within, he almost instantly resonated with them. The frenzied music led him to imagine Mr. Bondy curled up in a dark corner of a room, shuddering with eyes closed whispering his fears, and then guided Shard to imagine the night when destiny reached its endpoint, where Mr. Bondy wrote his will and ultimately lost the courage to battle life and fate.

Although the sound influenced his emotions, Shard mostly remained calm. He sighed, feeling a bit of pity for the man he had never met. Just the music alone could drive a pitiable soul insane; the torment of fear that Mr. Riddle had endured was immeasurable.

"That's enough, Miss Servit."

He said gently, as there was no need to continue listening. However, the black-haired maid continued to play the piano as if she hadn't heard him at all. From the side, her conventionally lovely face now bore a fierce expression.

Shard immediately stood up, went behind her, and placed his hand on her shoulder:

"It's time to stop now, Miss Servit."

As Shard's voice fell, the piano music stopped abruptly. Miss Servit turned her head towards Shard, appearing somewhat bewildered, then lowered her head and spoke softly:

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

It wasn't that a piece written by an ordinary person on the verge of madness could affect a Six Rings Warlock with witch power. It was rather that she had put too much emotion into her performance and had affected herself.

Talented musicians are often dangerous.

Her fingers left the keys, and she stared blankly at the music in front of her. Shard glanced outside; the sun had set, and it was now about evening. He attempted to use the arcane technique "Cyndia's Moonlight Blessing". Although the effects weren't great due to the night not yet fully descending, this ability, specially designed to heal mental damage and soothe the spirit, was still beneficial for the current situation.

Silver glimmer sprang from Shard's palm. He hesitated for a moment, then, standing behind the black-haired maid, gently pressed his right index finger to her temple.

Miss Servit clearly intended to stand up, to stop Shard's actions, but Shard's left hand pressed down on her shoulder.

"Such chaotic music. Although the score itself has no supernatural power, only an ordinary madman couldn't have written music with such magic power. It seems my commission has indeed involved a mysterious event. My luck is truly bad... Detective Sparrow's luck was really bad, he could have died because of, cough cough, something like this. Miss Servit, what is your opinion of this score?"

Shard continued to ask, the Moonlight glimmer from his fingers seeping into the maid's head through his touch. Her forehead was somewhat damp, and Shard could feel the warm traces with his fingers.

"If this person were still alive, I would very much like to meet him. This last piece is sufficient to deem him a genius. He beheld something mysterious and terrifying, and in his chaos and fear, he unconsciously described what he saw through these pieces. Even though he was just an ordinary person, his inspiration was exceptionally good."

The black-haired maid spoke softly, with her back to Shard, so he couldn't see her expression.

"Witnessed the mysterious, did he?"

Shard sighed; it was yet another misfortune of an ordinary person dabbling in the mystic:

"It seems the sudden healing of his congenital eye ailment is indeed not normal. I've obtained some of the ointment he used to use, but there's very little left and not enough for analysis. I plan to go to the 'Three Cats Inn' next to Hymn Square tomorrow to inquire about the situation. Both the landlord and the people from the opera troupe said that after Mr. Bondy's eyes got better, he often spent time there. After I've inquired there, I will visit the ophthalmologist."

"That's a good plan, but I think the likelihood that the ophthalmologist is a Circle Sorcerer is low. A Circle Sorcerer wouldn't do something so careless. If he were a Circle Sorcerer, you wouldn't have gotten your hands on that score and those remnants of the potion."

She rested her hands on her knees, looking somewhat stiff:

"I often do this sort of massage for Miss Galina."

"Miss Galina also gets headaches?"

Shard asked, quite curious.

"Of course, not only because of Witch Council affairs, but Miss Galina is the actual ruler of the County of Saradiel. If she weren't disinterested in power, she could even have the chance to secede the county and become the queen of the Duchy of Saradiel. The region's taxation, finances, public affairs, even though there are corresponding officials to manage them, Miss Galina still has to make decisions on the important matters. All these are quite troublesome."

Miss Servit explained in a low voice.

"So..."

Shard wanted to inquire further, but the door was suddenly pushed open. In this mansion, there was only one person who had the privilege of entering without knocking.

The red-haired witch, clearly in a hurry, gripped the doorknob in surprise and stood at the entrance looking inside. Miss Servit stood up at once, and only then did Shard see her face had gone red:

"Miss..."

She bowed her head and quickly walked towards Miss Galina, who looked back and forth between Shard and her personal maid, a strange smile forming on her face:

"Good evening, Shard. I took a moment to see you, after all, it's not often you come to visit me on your own... What were you just doing?"

Shard had nothing to feel guilty about, so he wasn't afraid of her questioning and briefly explained the commission he was currently on. After pondering, Miss Galina looked toward her maid and suddenly had an idea:

"In that case, let Tifa accompany you as your assistant to continue the investigation tomorrow. Oh, don't be hasty in rejecting me."

This was addressed to Miss Maid.

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"Tifa, I've always told you to take a vacation, but you always refuse. Since you've gotten involved in this detective gentleman's affairs, who seems to never have a moment's rest, why not assist him in completing this commission and take a stroll with him around the city? I believe with your strength, protecting him shouldn't be a problem."

As she spoke, the witch winked at Shard, clearly implying that Shard should not refuse.

"But..."

The black-haired maid still wanted to refuse.

"Don't worry, I'm not angry with you, nor am I tired of you."

The Duchess smiled and wrapped her arm around her maid:

"But you really should take a break. And isn't being a detective's assistant a very interesting experience? Oh, if I were a few...cough, I mean if I didn't have so many things to do, then it wouldn't be your turn to assist Shard. Remember to tell me the story when you come back, I'm very curious about the outcome."

"Miss Galina, if Miss Servit isn't willing, you..."

The Duchess smiled and looked up at Shard, who was speaking; Shard immediately shut his mouth, showing good sense. Miss Servit seemed a bit reluctant to reject further and shook her head slightly at Shard, signaling him not to say more.

She fidgeted with the lace edge of her maid's apron, lifted her head, and her expression returned to its usual state:

"Very well, Miss, I will assist Mr. Hamilton with all my heart."

"Good, Shard, I'll have Tifa come to you at eight in the morning. You don't have any problems with that, do you?"

The witch looked at Shard again, her face smiling, but the expression clearly threatened Shard that he absolutely could not refuse.

"Of course, it would be my honor."

"Very well, I recently read a very interesting detective novel in the 'Steam Bird Daily,' and it happens that the detective's surname is also Hamilton. So, Tifa, you go and experience the work of a real detective's assistant on my behalf. When you come back from your vacation, bring me more stories."

She then looked her maid up and down:

"Remember to change your clothes tomorrow, don't interfere with Shard's work."

"Yes, Miss.

The witch then nodded in satisfaction and turned her gaze back to Shard:

"Lecia returned to Tobesk today, did you know?"

"Of course I knew."

"I thought you'd run off to near Yordle Palace, waiting to see her."

The witch teased, then asked:

"Do you need me to arrange a time for her to see you? Though Lecia is temporarily unable to leave Yordle Palace, I can find a way for you to go in."

"No, no, that's not necessary. Now is a sensitive time for the Royal Family."

In fact, Shard hadn't forgotten that Lecia was a bit hostile towards Miss Galina.

Miss Galina didn't mind:

"Then that's fine. I have dinner with Marchioness Hura tonight to discuss the shares of the Pioneer Team in the New World, so I won't keep you any longer. If there's anything else, just talk to Tifa."

Having said that, she turned and left. Shard shook his head at the black-haired maid, indicating he needed nothing and that she should just follow Miss Galina. Miss Maid seemed to want to say something to Shard, but ultimately hesitated and didn't speak up. She bowed slightly to Shard as a farewell before hurrying after Miss Galina.

Having an extra Six Rings Sorcerer to help with the commission was actually a good thing for Shard.

On Wednesday, the 21st day of the Month of Blossoms, Shard went downstairs to fetch the newspaper early in the morning and unexpectedly found a letter from Dorothy.

Due to the unexpected success of 'Hamilton Detective Stories,' Miss Writer was recently busy negotiating with publishers and newspapers. After a period of serialization, they planned to publish the stories in a collection, leaving her no time to visit Shard for the detective records.

But she told Shard that Lecia might have time to leave Yordle Palace this weekend, so Shard should keep his weekend free as Lecia might knock on the door of Saint Delan Square at any time.

Although he had seen Her Highness the Princess several times already at Coldwater Port, Shard was still filled with anticipation.

Miss Servit appeared promptly at eight o'clock at the bottom of Shard's house. As Shard felt the pendant on his chest starting to heat up from the second floor, he immediately knew she had arrived.