Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

The witch did not recognize the badge emitting heat that was close at hand, she simply squinted her eyes and looked at the insignia that belonged to the Duchess on that badge:

"Earlier, there were rumors in Tobesk City that there was a man who could spend the night at the Duchess of Saradiel's manor."

Lecia glanced at Shard.

"I thought it was just a rumor, but it turned out to be true."

Although Shard was somewhat surprised by the other party directly recognizing him, he did not panic, having already thought through what to do if he really had to face the witch:

"Madam, could you let go of my hand?"

After all, he was sure that Hevy Aurora had no intention of killing him outright.

"Mr. Hamilton, are you really a man? Or rather, what exactly are you?"

The witch asked softly, drawing closer to Shard, so close that Shard could even count her eyebrows.

"Cough cough~"

Lecia suddenly coughed:

"Miss Aphrola, I don't know what you're doing, but please don't make it difficult for my... friend."

The witch then turned to look at the princess:

"Friend... oh, Your Highness, I admit that I am a Circle Sorcerer, so please tell me, is he really a man? If you give me an answer, then I can agree to the deal you proposed tonight, all of the deals."

The witch's obsession with curses was much stronger than her interest in business.

"Shard is certainly a man."

Lecia said, tilting her head back slightly, exposing her pale neck. She had guessed from Miss Galina's identity that Miss Aphrola was also a witch, but not knowing about the witch's curse, she did not understand the implication of this question.

"Certainly a man? It seems you two haven't done anything..."

The witch pondered, her gaze returning to Shard, then impolitely shifted downward, just like when she first met Miss Galina. Shard's eyes narrowed, and then he disappeared out of thin air, reappearing beside a sofa behind the witch. He had prepared the spellcasting materials long ago.

"Madam, this is impolite."

Shard shook his head and said:

"Spatial Movement... Lagre's Spatial Leap."

The witch named this arcane technique and then looked down at her palm:

"Interesting. This is really interesting."

She laughed a few times, then shook her head and sat back down on the sofa. Lecia then sat down as well, and both ladies turned to look at Shard standing there, so Shard took a seat beside Lecia.

"Have you slept with Galina?"

This was another quite impolite question, and Lecia too frowned at Shard.

"Of course not."

Shard immediately shook his head:

"This is really rude, madam, I had thought you were a well-mannered lady. My relationship with Miss Galina is just a partnership."

Thinking of the badge on his neck and the kiss on his forehead, he added:

"A very deep partnership."

"So she's that certain you are a person not affected by curses... or rather, she's that sure you are really human?"

Hevy Aphrola asked, probing.

"What else could I be if not human? A stone-crafted figure?"

Shard retorted, then gave an example:

"I once escaped from that Fishbone Pirate Ship..."

Miss Aphrola suddenly looked at him, her gaze no longer one of helplessness or confusion but of vigilance. She had come to Coldwater Port to find the second Chosen One who had escaped the Fishbone Pirate Ship.

The wind outside the window was loud, and Shard's thoughts were very clear:

"But I haven't been affected by any damn Mermaid's Curse, so perhaps I'm the kind of person who is immune to curses, Circle Sorcerers always have their own unique abilities. Madam, what's with that look in your eyes?"

"You... escaped from the White Bone Pirate Ship."

"Yes."

Shard knew what she was thinking. He had succeeded; the witch was no longer fixated on what he was but was instead distracted by news of the second Chosen One.

"Lecia, take the maid somewhere else first, I have some things to discuss with this lady, a Circle Sorcerer's matters are not suitable for you to hear."

Although she spoke with a commanding tone, the princess still stood up. She knew Shard held many secrets, and therefore was not surprised.

"Miss Aphrola, Shard is my friend."

The princess told the witch, and then she finally led the maid away.

Once the door was closed, Hevy Aphrola once again squinted at Shard, her golden pupils harboring a dangerous look.

"Miss Galina told me about the second Chosen One."

Shard said, making eye contact with her.

"She actually told you about that too?"

The witch's voice was very soft.

"Of course, but I am probably not the kind chosen by Fate."

"How can you prove that?"

"No need to prove, because indeed I am not. The second Chosen One has ties to darkness, and I possess no special powers linked to darkness."

The witch didn't speak, and Shard smiled slightly:

"I am a student at Saint Byrons, just before entering the manor I met our Vice-Chancellor Mr. Sanchez, and with special abilities..."

Pointing to his own ear:

"...I learned some quite interesting things. My lady, aren't you curious why there happens to be a group of Circle Sorcerers from the Church of Nature at your banquet?"

"What do you know?"

"I have friends in the Church."

That was indeed the truth.

"The Church of Nature received a letter from that Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer, the God Summoner, three or two days ago."

The Witch looked down toward the second floor.

"Of course, I don't know the content of the letter, but considering the presence of Circle Sorcerers from the Church of Nature at this banquet, and the fact that the two professors from Saint Byrons happened to be nearby, discussing some dark matters... Miss Witch, why do you think the professors have come here? Merely because this place is an important ritual node?"

In fact, the two professors had indeed turned up here because it was a ritual node.

"You're saying..." Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire

The Witch mused, and Shard showed a satisfied smile, seeing that the other party had no doubts about his intelligence source:

"Yes, I was originally resting at Sophia's Mansion and braved the rain to come here, truly because I was worried about Lecia. Although I'm not her lover, she truly is my friend. But the unexpected intelligence I acquired made my trip here even more valuable. I haven't even had the chance to tell Miss Galina about the news I overheard, but I think she will be interested in my intelligence."

"What rank of Magician are you?"

The Witch asked suddenly, and Shard hesitated for a moment:

"Second Ring. However, I was formally inducted as a Circle Sorcerer a month and a half ago."

"Ascending to the Second Ring in a month... I think I understand why Galina wants to keep you by her side. You are indeed capable."

With these words, it indicated that Hevy Aurora would not dwell on Shard's identity question for the time being. After all, The Chosen One was much more important to her.

"So, Mr. Hamilton, who exactly is she?"

She asked again.

"I'm sorry, my lady, I don't know either."

In truth, no one knew better than Shard, and seeing the Witch about to ask again, he added:

"However, I did hear some intriguing rumors. They're just rumors, but I already confirmed them with the professors."

"It doesn't matter, what news?"

"The second The Chosen One has a demon inside him."

"A demon?"

She asked in surprise:

"A demon of a different race, or..."

"A terrible thing left over from the Third Era."

Shard replied softly, reluctant to elaborate on such dark matters.

"Oh, my goodness."

Miss Aphrola leaned back slightly, her expression serious as she didn't speak for a long time, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

The Witch Council has a welcoming attitude towards female The Chosen Ones, but as for the male The Chosen Ones, they would certainly not accept them. Thus, the goals of the Witch Council and Shard were actually aligned; there was no conflict of interest between them.

This was indeed why Shard revealed this information to Miss Aphrola. Although the divination indicated that Daknis would go to Tobesk, if the Witch could seriously injure Daknis at Coldwater Port, just like Shard had injured the Silver-Eyed One at Lakeside Manor, then Shard, along with Luviya and Iluna in Tobesk City, would be better equipped to handle the aftermath concerning the second The Chosen One.

"Judging by the Church's attitude, the second The Chosen One is here. So what are you going to do?"

Shard asked cautiously:

"Do you need my help?"

"No, you're not needed."

She shook her head, frowning:

"If there really is a demon inside him, then it's not something you, a Two-Ring Magician, can handle. It's very dangerous, extremely dangerous... Hamilton, I'm still skeptical about what you really are, as the Witch's Curse is never wrong. But since you belong to Galina, and you've provided me with crucial information, I won't let you face any trouble on my account."

"Then I'd like to go down to the cellar of the manor to see those Mermen. I wonder if you could offer any assistance?"

He didn't ask the Witch to accompany him, because she probably had no interest in dealing with those hideous creatures. Besides, she was about to take on Daknis and didn't have time for cellar adventures with Shard.

Miss Aphrola thought for a moment, then took off the gold ring in her hand and handed it to Shard:

"A Sage-Level Relic, the 'Ancient Witch's Golden Ring - Right One', which can enhance the power of a Circle Sorcerer. Its negative trait is... Judging by your reaction, did Galina lend you her necklace?"

"Yes."

Shard looked at the ring with surprise, carefully taking it and slipping it onto his finger. Touching the ring's face gently, he felt a surge of power. This ring resembled the one he saw the Witch wear before entering the Mist Gate and calling upon the "Witch Council" in "The Truth of History (The Witch Wars at the end of the Fifth Era)."

He ventured to ask:

"Could it be that this ring is part of a complete set of Relics? If a single piece is of Sage Level, then what rank would the entire set be?"

"I can't tell you that, it's a secret of the Council."

The Witch shook her head, a faint smile on her face:

"But indeed, there are thirteen pieces, one for each person. Six rings, two earrings, one necklace, one hair accessory, two bracelets, and one button."

Now Shard was certain these items were the keys to entering the Witch Council. But having the key wasn't enough; he still needed to find the Mist Gate to enter the "Witch Council" like the other Witches did. Therefore, Hevy Aphrola felt confident handing the ring over to Shard.

Thinking about it now, perhaps the thirteen Witches often met there to share information. That's why Miss Aphrola said she had communicated with Miss Galina, who was far away in Tobesk, just the day before.

"That should be fine. However, aren't you curious how I came here from Tobesk?"

"Compared to whether you're a man, compared to the second The Chosen One, it's not worth my inquiry. Arcane Technique? Relic? No, no, unimportant."

She said, and as she shook her head, her wavy brown hair also swayed.

Sighing, the Witch stood up to leave but then turned to Shard with a serious demeanor:

"Regardless, your information has helped me. Mr. Hamilton, I'm still concerned about whether you're truly a man, but from today on, you can consider yourself a friend of the Aphrola family."