Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Outside the window, nestled under the night sky, was the garden of the Dawn Chapel. From the window, Shard could see the middle of the garden adorned with a huge Holy Emblem of Mr. Dawn, composed of blooming flowers, illuminated by a circle of candles at the edge of the flowerbeds.

He took deep breaths of the air outside the window and after a long while, he said:

"I was also present when Dr. Schneider used the Sublimation Incantation, and that power was somewhat too terrifying."

"Of course, usually, to unleash the strongest power of the Sublimation Incantation, it relies on a combination of large-scale rituals and Magic Potion. Even with prepared use, it inevitably leads to permanent reduction in lifespan, decline in power, and a short-term decrease in psychic resistance.

Some even believe that the power of using the Sublimation Incantation makes it more difficult to engrave Spirit Runes. Bill really used it this time with a mindset prepared for death; without your Sorcery, his situation could have been much worse. Probably the woman we were confronting at that time didn't expect him to be so reckless,"

Priest sighed.

"So, how many times has the doctor used the Sublimation Incantation?"

Shard inquired further, and then received the answer that it was only the first time.

After asking about the doctor, he then spoke of the other two girls in the group:

"Is Miss Annette with Miss Luisa now? May I know Miss Luisa's address? I think I should go see them."

Actually, he couldn't stop worrying about the "Whispering Verses" and the "Thirteen Chosen Ones," eager to immediately meet the purple-eyed Diviner.

"Aren't we going to see Bill tomorrow, and won't we meet her then?"

Priest Augustus said so, but still gave the address, and then continued with the previous topic:

"Last night's situation was still quite good. Annette terminated the ritual in time, and you didn't break down in front of the Shadow of the Evil God. Even the 'Lady Lassoya,' who saw what we looked like, was killed by you."

The conversation reached this point, finally arriving at last night's strike under Silvermoon. Shard weighed his words and wanted to speak, but the Old Cleric shook his head, an expression showing his understanding:

"Everyone has their own secrets, just as I also have secrets I cannot tell you. So if you don't want to explain, you don't need to, we will keep your secrets, and no one will know the person under Silvermoon was you.

But let me advise you, young man, power comes at a cost. I don't know what you paid to do what you did last night, but make sure you are not tempted by power."

"Yes, sir,"

Shard answered earnestly, and he couldn't help but ask:

"Since you mentioned Lady Lassoya is dead, what about the Silver-Eyed One? Is the Blood of Mercury extinguished because of this?"

He still remembered the Silver-Eyed One was protecting Lady Lassoya at that time.

"The Silver-Eyed One was severely injured, and then ran away from the encirclement of the Church before the Ten-Ring Sorcerers from our diocese arrived. I heard news just before you woke up. The Church suspects that the Blood Spirit School, which fled to the New World decades ago, sent someone to aid them, ha, more madmen are coming."

Shard had heard about the Blood Spirit School from two professors at Saint Byrons, and the man who shot under the vineyard yesterday also mentioned it.

"But no one knows what the few of us did, so there's no need to worry about retaliation from the Blood of Mercury or the Cultists who worship the Evil God, Lord of the Blood Feast. Let the Circle Sorcerers of the Church worry about such things; it's no longer our concern.

The ritual to call upon that evil god requires fulfilling many complex conditions, such as 'The Glutton,'" and 'the night's banquet,' among others. There won't be more troubles for a while, which is quite good."

The Old Cleric nodded, but his face still showed some worry:

"However, more than one person saw the kick you delivered last night, and the Church actually thinks you're a Sorcerer of Twelve Rings or even Thirteen Rings, which is truly a headache. In the coming months, you probably need to be cautious, not to associate yourselves with them, as this sort of thing is not easy to explain."

"But you did well, you wore a mask, your clothes were not your own, and you even remembered to use the Illusion Technique to pull Silvermoon behind you, concealing your figure. The church now calls you 'Masked Person under Silvermoon' and blames you for the headless body of a Circle Sorcerer found in the Garden Maze.

The church believes you are a sorcerer skilled in the 'Silvermoon' Miracle Element... Detective, had you wanted to do this all along? That's why you prepared so thoroughly, even bringing 'The Twenty-Sided Die of Destiny', which made it impossible for the church to divine your identity."

When he asked the last question, Old Cleric's tone became lighter.

"No, it was just a coincidence."

Shard shook his head, saying that everything last night started just because of good luck caused by the dice. Unless Fate's attack rebounded again, this type of incident would not happen again.

He stopped stroking Mia, and glanced at his hand under the dissatisfied gaze of the orange cat:

"The power from last night... indeed, it can't be used again, and I think I won't miss that kind of power..."

Old Cleric showed an 'as expected' expression.

Shard felt quite guilty about deceiving a friend, but the matters of the Path of Sublimation to Divinity absolutely could not be known by others. Deification was tempting for everyone, but if this path was his alone to walk, Shard would not let anyone know this secret.

"It's good you understand the cost of power, but having power is certainly not a fault, your kick last night was quite spectacular. I think after this event, your understanding of your Core Spirit Rune has probably deepened. Perhaps you might even have a chance to create Arcane Techniques on your own."

Priest Augustus's tone had a touch more cheerfulness as he walked over to the room's wardrobe to fetch a coat for Shard:

"So, last night's outcome turned out quite well, actually, we jointly stopped the Evil God, and even managed not to reveal our identities. You killed Lady Lassoya, experienced power, and the price was merely sleeping for a day. I truly need to pray to my lord, Mr. Dawn; it was an incredible stroke of luck."

Of course, there was a slight imperfection. Dr. Schneider did not manage to get the Forged Philosopher's Stone, and the high bounty, as well as the Relic Ring on the body of the 'Lady Lassoya' Shard killed, certainly could not be obtained by him either.

But nothing is perfect, and now that everyone is safe, things are already quite good.

Moreover, compared to Gold Pounds and that ring, he now had a more important goal, more important than becoming vastly wealthy in this Steam Age:

"Divinity... twelve Sublimations... Deification..."

Priest didn't know what Shard was thinking and continued talking to himself:

"Speaking of which, last night was really a coincidence, the five of us ended up there without having arranged it beforehand."

"Yes, quite coincidental."

This probably wasn't due to his "luck," as it would have been better if the others hadn't shown up at all.

"But it seems Bill was indeed the unluckiest."

Priest shook his head in commiseration.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Priest, what do you mean by that?"

Shard asked curiously.

"As usual, if we all go out together and someone gets injured, it's most likely Bill. If many get injured, then the one most severely injured is most likely Bill. Being able to meet you and successfully inviting you to join our group was probably the luckiest thing he's experienced this year, oh, may God bless him."