Chapter 1860: Chapter 1859: The Writer’s Thoughts and the Princess’s Troubles

"A special mechanism?"

Shard nodded:

"It’s not necessarily there, but we can say that because of the ritual’s requirements, there are some strange changes in the candidate rules related to the meaning represented by The Chosen One. For example, in the case of Death, because of the ritual requirement for ’resurrection,’ when everyone dies together, the order doesn’t matter. Whoever revives first becomes the Chosen One."

As he spoke, he gently petted the little Mia lying on his lap, while Tifa briefly introduced Dorothy to the events at Midshire Fort.

In fact, there was another ’special mechanism’ with the Chosen One of Knowledge and Wisdom. Although Sir Plisha hadn’t died, due to the ’library’ meaning represented by the ’Moon,’ after being defeated by Shard, his Chosen One qualifications were sealed within the [Aikenora - Arrow of the Chosen One].

The quick-witted Miss Writer asked Shard and her a question after listening to Tifa:

"Then is there a similar exception for the candidate mechanism of the Chosen of Space? If United as One is the Chosen One, doesn’t it mean that when not United as One, the first candidate does not exist, thus being in a ’death’ state?"

According to her viewpoint, Laster Edwards and Durut Giles could immediately hold the ritual now.

"It won’t be that simple."

Tifa said softly:

"Even if there are exceptions in the candidate rules, they won’t completely break the principle of order."

"However, ’United as One’ indeed suggests there’s room for manipulation."

Shard said, but after Dorothy’s reminder and the rather insightful point made by Iluna that "not all family members need to be absorbed," he suddenly had a new idea.

The carriage jolted slightly, and Shard shared his thoughts:

"If that Diviner successfully fused his family—including his eldest daughter, Laster—but also fused with Durut Giles at the same time, what would happen? It would be as if the first and second candidates became one person."

Tifa and Dorothy both thought for a moment:

"Two possibilities exist. The first is that because he absorbed more, he became stronger."

"The second is that by violating the fundamental rule that only one candidate can become the Chosen One, he became weakened or even died directly."

"There are still a third and fourth possibility."

Shard said:

"Third, within the fusion, there exist two consciousnesses, one of the Diviner and the other his daughter, resulting in a lack of coordination in the body. Fourth, nothing happened; just an addition of a component in his body."

When the Chosen by Death was held, after Iluna performed the ritual that resurrected Sister Delphine, second in order, and held her ritual, it interrupted Iluna’s ritual, but she thus also shared in the power of Death.

The situation then was different from this; Iluna and Sister Delphine’s circumstances violated the rule of "only one candidate becoming the Chosen One," rendering Iluna’s ritual a failure.

However, if the Thirteen-Ring Diviner fused with Laster and the former Tomb Raider, they would be a whole, impossible to achieve "Diviner successfully performs the ritual, second candidates fail" kind of situation, especially with "Laster Edwards" as an individual, who is related to both the first and second candidates.

Dorothy showed a smile:

"Shard, have you found a loophole here?"

"Miss Luisa’s reminder was crucial."

Said Tifa softly, as Dorothy looked at her in surprise, somewhat understanding why Lecia was so wary of her.

"Still, it’s just an idea. As Tifa said, it might also make him stronger. Besides, it’s best not to achieve one’s goals at the expense of others; it has no meaning since we aren’t facing the worst-case scenario."

He said softly and then held Mia, falling into a new kind of contemplation. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The new idea inspired by Dorothy certainly had research value. Upon returning to Green Lake City, Shard asked Tifa to tell Miss Galina about it, as the Grand Witch might come up with an even more novel perspective.

As for Shard himself, he accompanied Dorothy back to her temporary third-floor room. The group of five, except for Luviya, all resided here.

"Shard, aren’t you quite busy here? Go ahead and take care of your business. I’ve returned safely. I’m looking forward to your adventure stories; you don’t need to stay here with me."

Seeing Shard sit down on the chair by the rainy window, Dorothy said, but Shard shook his head:

"Miss Sylvia needs to prepare some materials and will come tomorrow to arrange the ritual, reducing the likelihood of another spatial anomaly in this room. In the meantime, Mia and I will stay with you. This way, even if you disappear again, at least I can be with you... If it weren’t for you and Lecia not being able to be too close, Lecia would also have to stay with me."

"Oh, my knight."

The golden-haired girl hugged Shard, hearing Mia’s "meow," and Shard knew that the girl in front of him had now become Lecia:

"Is everything alright on your side?"

"No problem, I’ve been with Galina all day... helping her organize documents and sign them."

Dorothy’s face vividly displayed Lecia’s current thoughts, as the Duchess certainly wouldn’t have allowed her the leisure that Dorothy enjoyed:

"I heard what you just said. You don’t need to stay here with us, go handle your own matters. Although I’ve always known you are involved in important things, I didn’t expect it to be this extensive."

Lecia’s spirit looked at Shard through Dorothy’s eyes:

"Luviya has always been by your side helping you, even if Dorothy and I can’t aid you outright, at least we shouldn’t become your burden."

"What are you talking about?"

Shard looked at her in surprise:

"Also, don’t compare yourselves to Luviya. She has her mission, just like each of you do. You’re all unique."

"You’re always so good with words."

Her Highness the Princess bit her lip, looking at Shard standing by the rainy window. Although knowing some words were inappropriate at that moment, she softly asked the man in front of her:

"Do you know? Sometimes I’m really worried."

"Worried about what?"

"Just that you might only like us because we like you, and you’re responding to our feelings."

Her emerald eyes reflected the image of the Outlander:

"Shard, my Knight, my lover. Do you know, sometimes you feel so distant, as if with one blow of the wind, you’d soar away, never to return? Especially when you’re deep in thought, especially when you gaze at the starry sky, at the moon. Tell me, please tell me once more, Shard, Shard Hamilton, Rejed’s Hamilton, can Dorothy and I truly keep you forever tied to us?"

[Think it over before you answer.]

"Her" gentle voice echoed in his ear, and Shard nodded, placing the cat in his arms onto the windowsill, looking at the girl with slightly reddened eyes in front of him:

"I know what you’re worried about. Please wait for me, I’ll give you an answer soon."

He took out Lecia’s crystal shoes, and after tossing them, disappeared from the room. The golden-haired girl clenched her fists slightly, heard a cat meow, and looked up to see the orange cat curiously watching her from the windowsill.

She felt like crying, yet felt her sudden emotional outburst was so untimely. The pressure of many days, the shock of being forced to come to Green Lake, Dorothy’s disappearance in the morning, all of it, coupled with the strange and oppressive atmosphere of the city since she arrived, compelled her to say these words.

With Shard suddenly leaving, Lecia Cavendish first felt aggrieved, and then, seeing the cat oblivious to what had just happened, she regretted her words. She was a strong girl; she didn’t want to add pressure on Shard.

Although Dorothy’s voice didn’t appear, Lecia knew she was pondering her words too. She knew her mood wasn’t right at the moment and that she shouldn’t have spoken like that when Shard was facing such significant challenges, but she had anyway.

The raindrops beat against the glass, and although it was just three in the afternoon, the room was quite dark. The cat and the princess stared at each other, the mute cat and silent princess composing a perfect scene in the glimmer and shadow. And gazing at those amber cat eyes, Lecia unexpectedly felt warmth, realizing the unease hidden beneath her sudden emotional outburst.

Footsteps approached from outside the door, and then Shard, wielding a longsword, entered the living room.

The door closed, and he didn’t light the gas lamp but handed the "Night Watchman" to Lecia:

"My princess."

He looked into the emerald eyes, the two facing each other, their profiles aligned with the window, the window frame dividing the glass panes, positioned between them.

The Outlander nodded slightly, and then in the dimly lit room, at the window, he knelt on one knee before the golden-haired Lecia.

Lecia held the cold but powerfully significant silver sword, her expression slightly trembling. She knew what Shard intended to say to her, so she lifted the sword and placed it on Shard’s shoulder:

"Rejed’s Hamilton, do you swear here to pledge loyalty and allegiance to me, Lecia Sevier Cavendish? Do you vow to defend my authority and dignity with courage, justice, compassion, honor, and wisdom? Will you always stand by my side, protecting me and all that is mine, regardless of any challenge or danger?"

Shard replied:

"Yes, my princess."

He recited sentences he had read before in Dorothy’s articles:

"Regardless of how time changes, I will always stay by your side, sharing life’s joys and sorrows. No matter how the storm rages, I will guard you with firm belief and a warm embrace, offering you strength and comfort. No matter how noisy the world gets, I will find a harbor in your heart, creating our peace together. No matter how numerous the difficulties, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you, overcoming challenges, turning crises into opportunities, and making our feelings more unbreakable."