Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Miss Galina, a key member of the royal family, having a pass during a state of martial law was understandable. But Shard was puzzled that she would seek him out at such a sensitive time, leading him to guess that something must have happened.

"Going to see Miss Galina? Okay, oh, hold on, I'll go upstairs and grab the necklace, as well as some copies of correspondence possibly related to the Blood Spirit School. What's the urgent matter this time? Why come to me during martial law?"

The Grand Witch couldn't have known about Shard's involvement with the god last night; Shard was sure of it, as only Iluna Beath had truly witnessed that scene. Therefore, Shard asked the black-haired maid what exactly was the matter.

"About the Transmutation Ring and last night's event, the mistress wants to talk to you... the mistress has been seriously injured."

The maid was very worried.

"Are her injuries severe?"

Although Shard had not personally seen the Grand Witch trying to fight the Evil God on the third floor, Luviya had relayed Miss Beath's description of last night to him that morning. He knew that the one who had constructed the golden staircase outside the manor was likely her.

Even though she didn't enter the third-floor Blood Feast, Miss Galina still suffered harm from the Evil God. The Duchess had been very kind to Shard, and Shard was very concerned about her injuries.

"Her life is not in danger, everyone was healed by the Light Rain when the God of White Robes departed, but the mistress will need some time to recuperate."

That's why the maid was feeling down today.

After going upstairs to get the golden necklace and the copied correspondence, Shard entrusted Luviya with temporarily taking care of Mia, then he and the maid set off in a carriage to the outskirts of the city.

On the way out of the city, their carriage was stopped no less than five times. Even though the maid Tifa had the Duchess's pass, the coachman and the two were still subjected to strict checks.

The pass was intended for Miss Galina's use; it was barely acceptable for her personal maid to use it, but the presence of Shard Hamilton in the carriage definitely needed a clear explanation.

The Church was now sparing no effort in suspecting anyone of being an accomplice to the Cultists, even if Shard had a deep connection with the Dawn Church.

"Miss Galina wants to see Mr. Hamilton because... she wants him to stay overnight."

The black-haired maid explained it this way, and people immediately dared not ask any further questions.

But as they waited for the carriage to start moving again, Shard asked with a furrowed brow,

"Is it really okay to explain it like that? Regarding Miss Galina's reputation..."

"The mistress instructed to say so, otherwise you might not be able to leave the city."

The maid replied dutifully, her brown eyes looking at Shard, seeming slightly dissatisfied, but this dissatisfaction didn't appear to be directed at Shard as a person.

Shard understood her feelings, as Miss Tifa Servet had always been looking out for Miss Galina's reputation, and she definitely wouldn't be happy about it, but it was Miss Galina who had proposed it, and she couldn't oppose it.

"But saying it like this, there will definitely be rumors afterward," Shard added.

"Isn't that better? People will know you are the mistress's person, having that status will make you safer in Tobesk," she said quietly, then looked out the window again, her tone very concerned,

"The mistress seems very worried, not about this city. She said the epic of fate has begun, and all of us will be involuntarily drawn into it. There aren't many people around her she can trust, and she doesn't wish for anything to happen to you."

For some, the departed Evil God was not as important as The Chosen One. The Evil God might be too far, but the great prophecy of the Whispering Verses was near.

He still met her in the library of the Duchess's manor. Although he had known beforehand that Miss Galina was injured, Shard was still shocked when he saw her face covered with a white handkerchief, lying back on the sofa with a blanket over her:

"Good afternoon, Galina, um? This..."

He hesitated at the doorway, the Miss Maid peeked in behind him:

"It's okay, the Miss is napping. The sun today is really nice. We'll go to..."

"It's okay, come in. Tifa, thank you for your hard work, Detective, good afternoon." Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

The red-haired Grand Witch removed the handkerchief from her face, then sat upright on the sofa, greeting Shard with her legs covered by the blanket.

Shard noticed the weakness in her voice, but by appearances alone, her complexion was rosy and there were no external injuries. Today, Miss Galina wore a long black dress, but Shard thought that color did not suit her:

"Good afternoon, Miss Galina. How are your injuries?"

Shard sat down on the sofa opposite her, and the coffee table was set with afternoon tea and snacks, no extra preparations were necessary.

The black-haired Miss Maid quietly asked something on the side, and after receiving a shake of head from the Duchess, stood aside with her hands in front of her and said no more. Miss Galina sat there, the side windows letting in an extraordinary amount of sunlight today, making the family-heirloom red hair of the Cavendish Family gleam brilliantly.

Having met three powerful witches of the Fifth Era, now facing Miss Galina, Shard could distinctly feel the essence of "witch," as opposed to just considering it an unusual charm.

"Much better than last night. When Tifa drove the carriage that brought me home last night, I was half asleep and I thought I even saw my late brother."

It took Shard a moment to realize she was talking about the former King of Draleon.

"I wish you good health. Oh, actually I'm curious, why did you rush out last night... I heard it from a friend at the church."

Shard asked, and the red-haired Duchess showed a strained smile, her voice still weak:

"Why would a High Ring Sorcerer rush out?"

"To protect this world from the Evil God, that's their duty."

"No, to protect this world from the Evil God is everyone's duty. I could have chosen to leave, could have left Tobesk City alone without taking anyone else, but what would that mean? My family is here, Tifa is here, the land under my feet is what my ancestors left behind. The Sorcerers of the Church have courage, do I, Galina Cavendish, not have courage?"

This response was very similar to Shard's own mindset last night when he decisively burned his Divinity, although Miss Galina could not be as self-sacrificing as the Church's High Ring Sorcerers, she at least would not flee alone.

"Besides, what I did was right, otherwise I wouldn't know about being chosen... I know to you, life has only just begun a month ago, this city may not seem friendly to you. But as you keep living, you'll understand what I mean."

Shard nodded, seeing the Duchess's weak voice but spirited emotion, then added:

"Speaking of which, I have a quite effective healing ability, Miss Galina, would you like to try it?"

Damage directly inflicted by an Evil God shouldn't be easily healed, even advancing to the Second Ring wouldn't suffice. But since Shard's "Gluttony" shares the same origin as the "Lord of the Blood Feast", he even possessed some of the powers of the "Lord of the Blood Feast", making this attempt meaningful.

Miss Galina and Maid Tifa didn't know this, but seeing Shard's concern for the injury, they didn't refuse him.

So the black-haired Miss Maid brought a cup of water. As Shard summoned the Ring of Fate and explained his advancement to the Second Ring during last night's ruins expedition, he pointed his finger towards the cup.

Dazzling silver Spiritual Light shone on the surface of the water; the Miss Maid carefully took it and handed it to the Duchess afterward.