Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 520 - Blessings and Souvenirs
"Indeed, it is a kind of closed loop, including my previous experiences..."
Shard nodded and looked across the table at the silent robed deity:
"Before you declare the bet officially over, may I ask some questions?"
He tried to make his tone more reverential, but the deity still did not speak, so Shard could only attempt to ask directly:
"About Impermanence..."
"They come from the beginning, that very first beginning, the origin of all, and they will move towards the culmination of everything."
The black-robed deity at the table seemed only to say "yes," while this phrase came from the corpses of varying states of decay along the wall.
"The beginning?"
Shard looked over the bodies on the wall, while Mr. Riddle curiously asked:
"What beginning?"
"Can't you hear? Oh, well then."
Since the deity did not wish for Mr. Riddle to hear, he offered no explanation.
"Man of the Future, have you ever thought about it?"
The skeleton asked the question, a rusty one-handed sword lying beside it, the number of years it had lain there unknown.
"Why are the rules of the [Impermanence Card] you saw about competing for points?"
This was asked by the severely decayed female corpse, her jewelry corroded, except for the gemstone brooch in front of her heart that seemed to fuse with her flesh.
"Why?"
"Events of the Sixth Era have not yet occurred, so I do not know."
The fresh corpse with a yellow soft hat spoke.
This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.
Shard looked again at its tightly closed eyes, certain that the deity must know the reason. The [Creator of Innocence] also once said that He did not know future events, but in reality, everything still proceeded according to His plan long after He had gone.
"Could it be... that the rules of the Impermanence Card to compete for points are only so in the Sixth Era? In the more ancient times, the rules on the Impermanence Card weren't Roder Card rules at all? But rather, rules like 'the field turns to night upon entry'?"
He received no answer, but the silence itself was an attitude.
"But why is that? What is the meaning behind the existence of these cards, these games?"
He wondered, but still could not obtain an answer.
Twenty minutes were nearly up, and seeing the deity unwilling to provide more hints, Shard could only give up asking. The [Creator of Innocence]'s kindness sprang from Shard's help and his identity as a "child," while the [Blazar Gate]'s kindness came from Shard's connection with the [Father of the Infinite Tree].
Not all deities are willing to help, something Shard had understood long ago. The only pity was that he had thought, if he had enough time, he could gamble with a deity using Roder cards, which would undoubtedly be very interesting, but there was not enough time.
No sooner had the thought of "gambling with a deity using Roder cards" crossed his mind than the black robe opposite Mr. Riddle suddenly moved. The hand from the sleeve seemed to shake a little, and the only card on the table that was not broken, [Man of the Future], flew in front of the deity.
Then, light particles drifted out from the other sixteen cards, joining together to form two new cards, one with the image of a Witch and the other with a full-body image of Mr. Riddle. The three cards were arranged side by side, backs facing up. The black sleeve swept over them, turning the plain backs into the Holy Emblem of the God of Gambling.
They switched positions at a speed the naked eye could not distinguish, then abruptly stopped. Now, even Mr. Riddle knew that the deity wanted Shard to guess which card was the [Man of the Future].
"Give it a try."
Knowing he could now go home and feeling unburdened, an eager Mr. Riddle urged him on.
"Which one is it?"
Shard asked inwardly.
[I do not know, that was not a mere changing of positions. All you can rely on is your luck.]
After a moment's hesitation, his eyes lingered over the three cards:
"The right one."
He pointed to the right, and almost simultaneously with Mr. Riddle, bent down to look at the card. The first card on the right flipped over, revealing the [Man of the Future].
"It seems your luck really is quite good,"
Mr. Riddle said with a smile of praise.
The two unchosen cards turned into light particles and flew towards Shard, who did not resist, allowing them to enter his body through his forehead.
First, the card with the image of the "Witch":
[Outlander, you have experienced a "miracle."]
[You have received a blessing.]
[A single stroke of luck, the next time you participate in an activity related to gambling, you shall have the greatest luck.]
The witches that appeared in the "Game of Life" probably all worshipped this deity, and this blessing signified the deity's assistance to Shard.
Then the card with "Mr. Riddle" on it:
[Outlander, you have experienced a "miracle."]
[You have received a blessing.]
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"Mortal Luck, from this moment on, in any gambling game you play, you will display extraordinary luck."
Mr. Riddle could indeed be called the luckiest mortal Shard had ever known, and it was a trait that would probably make Dr. Schneider, with his lacking luck, extremely envious.
"But, when you say 'this moment,' do you mean now?"
Shard pointed at himself.
"Or now?"
Shard pointed to the ground.
"This is your reward for your courage."
The voice came from across the table, and Shard looked up incredulously. This time, He was speaking, using the common language of Draleon from the Sixth Era.
To be honest, Shard had doubted that the one playing the Game of Life with them was anything more than just a robe, but this statement undeniably showed that "He" had really been there all along. The power that emanated when the voice appeared made it seem as if space and time had converged in that moment.
It had always been a deity across the table, and He had truly taken part in this wager.
"If you were in the same era as I, I would very much like for you to become one of my God's Favored Ones."
He said softly, as if stating a fact. Mr. Riddle, however, still couldn't hear this conversation, so he found it rather strange that Shard's expression changed several times within a short half-minute.
"So the Impermanence..."
"That is one of the deepest secrets of the Ancient Gods, even more important than the world itself, for it pertains to everything there is. Go and collect them, Outlander. When you gather all thirteen Impermanence Cards, even when you face the most terrifying of ends at the very end, they should at least bring you some final consolation."
"But..."
"The Game of Life is over!"
The corpse by the wall announced in an operatic finale-like tone:
"Sludge Riddle wins the victory!"
The 16 broken cards on the gambling table turned into specks of glimmer and permeated Mr. Riddle's body. He seemed unable to see the light, but Shard felt that it was the purest form of Spirit.
Had it been a witch or a Circle Sorcerer, they could use these forces to increase their Spirit and elemental capacity without the need for Spirit Runes. And ordinary people could use this purest of powers for a moment as the Spirit entered their body, purifying their flesh, extending their lifespan, banishing curses, and enlightening their souls.
This was the reward for besting a deity in a gamble, and all the influences this place had on Mr. Riddle would surely fade because of it.
As for the only card that had not shattered, representing the meeting between Shard and Mr. Riddle, the Man of the Future, it flew from in front of the deity towards Shard.
Shard caught it and noticed that although it was the same size as a Roder Card, it was a very light, peculiar metallic material. Upon closer inspection, he realized the metal card held no supernatural power. It was exquisite, but just an ordinary object.
"A memento, you both played quite well," said the deity beneath the black robe. Shard smiled and pocketed the metal card. Although it wasn't as helpful as Miss Feliana's notes, it was still a gift bestowed by a deity.
Meanwhile, an inexplicable light replaced the table lamp and candlelight, thoroughly illuminating the room. The oppressive atmosphere vanished, signifying the complete end of the wager.
In the corner behind the deity, which had always been dark and was opposite the door Shard had entered through, another door appeared. That door must be the way for Mr. Riddle to leave Horror Fortress.
The official end of the bet also meant that Shard was about to say goodbye to this era forever. He felt the pulling sensation from behind, as white fog seeped out from his back.
"Mr. Riddle, may Mr. Ring and Father of the Infinite Tree bless you and me."
Shard shook the Ancient Prophet's hand gently once again, as the latter asked in surprise:
"What are you going to do?"
He sensed that Shard was bidding farewell:
"Are you departing as well?"
"I am to face fear."
Shard looked towards the door he had entered, a smile on his face:
"I still have an issue to resolve. Mr. Riddle, please leave this place. I am not sure whether the thing behind the door will affect you when I open it."
Although he didn't have the Box of Darkness in hand, Shard still wanted to try facing that ultimate fear; perhaps it might be useful.
"Alright, I am truly glad to have met you, sir. May all be well with you in your era, and may the gods bless us."
He hugged Shard, and after a final nod to each other, Mr. Riddle hurried past the stone table to the other side of the room.
Shard also turned and ran towards the door, as the tug from the white fog behind him grew stronger.
As the light within the room began to dim, with the antique stone table marked with twenty slots at its center, the candles and lamps went out simultaneously, and the deity vanished silently into the darkness. As darkness spread from the center of the room outwards, the wall's edge remained the brightest.
Shard and Mr. Riddle approached the doors on their respective sides of the room, and at the last moment, they turned to look back at the friend they had spent an hour with:
"Farewell, Mr. Riddle."
"May you be lucky all your life."
Before darkness overran the edges of the room, they bid each other one final goodbye, then each burst through their respective doors. Behind Mr. Riddle's door was a blinding white light; he rushed into it without hesitation, and Shard faintly heard the sounds of wind rustling through treetops, water striking rocks, and birds softly chirping.
The gentleman had finally concluded another important adventure in his life, and he would go on to experience many more tales in the next two decades.
As for Shard who rushed out of the other door, he faced the old, candle-lit corridor. In the final moment before the white fog behind him swallowed him whole, he finally saw what had been lurking in the corridor, guarding the Horror Fortress.
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