Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Shard neatly stored the ring away, allowing the cat to sulk by itself before continuing the discussion about the ownership of other items on the table.

"'God's Gift Box' belongs to Shard."

Luviya declared, and Miss Beyas had no objections:

"But what function does this Sage-Level Relic actually have?"

She was very curious. Shard then picked up the stack of papers beside him, which were the research materials left by the Order:

"Three positive traits and one negative trait. First is what the Papacy already recorded: each Circle Sorcerer the first time they come into contact with the Gift Box will gain a synthesis formula that allows for the combination of a lower-level Relic into a higher-level Relic. But the box only provides a possibility, and the now-extinct Order never succeeded, nor did the Silver-Eyed One."

"There are also no records of success in the Papacy's archives."

Miss Beyas added.

"The Academy neither."

Miss Annette also supplemented.

So, Shard shook his head:

"Therefore, this trait isn't actually clear. And from the fate of the Silver-Eyed One, it seems that greed comes at a cost."

Shard didn't receive the so-called synthesis information when he contacted the box because what he obtained was Divinity.

Moreover, based on what he knew of that Deity, there was no reason the final creation he made would include this function. In Shard's view, such "synthesis" is probably feasible, but certainly extremely difficult, likely a little joke from that god.

"Next, the box can hold exceptional items, whether other strange objects or Relics. Yes, as long as it can fit inside, any Relic placed within the box is absolutely safe from losing control. And..."

Shard paused:

"Relics that are out of control, as long as their size is small enough to be stuffed into the box, can also be restored to normal."

"As expected of a Sage-Level Relic."

Luviya exclaimed.

"That really is something, but there must be a limit, right?"

Miss Beyas asked again.

"Of course, there's a limit, but the Order's members never discovered it. After all, it is a creation of God. A Relic that can remain unaffected within the box would probably have to be connected to the Divine as well."

Unfortunately, the metallic box was simply too large, or else Shard would have definitely carried it with him.

"The last trait, which is also the true trait of the Gift Box. When owned by a child, every week it can produce one gift. The box can only craft one gift per week, so there's no possibility of organizing a group of minors to receive gifts. The gift produced is based on the material items of the existing world. It could be an ordinary item or a Supernatural Item, which means, this Relic can perfectly replicate another Relic. As for the type of gift obtained, it's not entirely random and is influenced by what the child holding it desires in their heart, though it's more likely to be an ordinary item."

While saying this, Shard stroked the metallic cubic box:

"By the way, the gift I received this week was the object that emitted a golden glimmer from the ruins, frightening away the rift."

"This... as expected of a Sage-Level Relic."

Luviya sighed once more.
Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

Compared to the "Ancient Witch's Golden Necklace," also of Sage Level, "God's Gift Box" was more complex in its functions. It was difficult to decide which of the two was better, but in Shard's opinion, what truly belonged to him was certainly the better one.

"Shard, you said that the box regards you as a child? Does that mean you can keep it for at least another decade?"

Miss Beyas said enviously:

"It's rare for children to awaken the Talent of a Circle Sorcerer, so this Relic is probably most suitable in your hands. But I don't understand, why is it that only children can receive gifts?"

Shard leaned back slightly on the sofa, and the visage of the young man adorned with a comical Jester's hat once again appeared before him:

"Because, it's a gift meant for children after all."

The positive traits of "God's Gift Box" are quite nice, but its negative traits are just as powerful.

When an adult touches the box to obtain a synthesis formula, there's a one in five chance they'll lose their childhood memories, a one in five chance they'll die on the spot, and a one in five chance they'll go insane.

No wonder Miss Galina, when she first spoke to Shard about this Relic, thought it best not to harbor any desires for it.

And while the box is in the possession of children, with each gift they receive, they also inherit a demand. For instance, to feed a pet once or kiss their parents. If they fail to meet the demand, they'll be plagued by nightmares every night for a week.

These are nightmares from a God, and not even a Circle Sorcerer would be likely to escape from them.

Miss Beyas was worried about this, but Shard didn't mind it:

"I've met Her in the past. She is truly a kind-hearted god. This Deity would not be so harsh on children, and even if they can't meet the demand, as long as they apologize sincerely, the punishment would definitely be mitigated."

The Female Diviner revealed an expression of awe, while Miss Beyas softly said:

"Truly remarkable."

It was unclear whether she was commenting on Shard or on the God of Bygone Days.

The discussion about "God's Gift Box" came to a temporary halt, and then there was the "Puppeteer's Script" with only three pages remaining. This item had five pages, but the first two were blacked out, probably used by the vampire himself.

"Get it away from me! Don't let it come near me!"

Before the two ladies could express their opinions, Shard immediately shook his head as if this relic were something cursed. He gritted his teeth, his expression exceedingly firm:

"Absolutely, I will definitely not use such a thing. Take it away, don't let me see it!"

Having nearly met his demise in the streets the last time he tried to manipulate fate with dice, Shard had not forgotten that lesson. Luviya looked on amusedly at his demeanor, cradling the cat:

"Shard, fate isn't as fearsome as you imagine it to be."

"No matter whether fate is fearsome or not, I will absolutely! Absolutely not touch such things!"

Shard had clearly learned his lesson.

"Iluna, do you want this?"

The purple-eyed Female Diviner asked again, and Miss Beyas discerned her intent:

"It doesn't matter, either one is fine with me."

"Then I'll hold on to these three pages for now, they're very useful for my divination."

Luviya seemed very happy.

Thus, of the six collected relics, only the bloodstained Iron Scissors and the Mercury Vial remained unassigned. Miss Annette took the three pages of the "Puppeteer's Script," and the remaining two items were equally divided between Shard and Miss Beyas.

Still uncertain of their exact nature, the two drew lots to decide the ownership of the relics. Ultimately, Shard ended up with the Mercury Vial, and the scissors went to Miss Beyas. Shard could go to Old John for appraisal, which came at a cost; whereas Miss Beyas could have it done at the church, free of charge.

With this, all the wrap-up work related to the ruins and the Godfall from the previous night was completed. Having prepared for a week, the plan ended this way, with the three of them sitting safely here—it was the best conclusion Shard could have imagined.

Miss Beyas suddenly turned to look at Shard:

"Oh, I forgot to say, thank you for your eye."

Pointing to her own left eye, Shard and Luviya both looked over to see her brown eye that seemed to reach into her soul. From its appearance, this eye looked no different from her normal right eye, but given it was a gift from a god, it certainly wasn't just an ordinary eye.

"A beautiful eye, Shard, I know the gift wasn't from a god, it was from you."

She turned to Shard:

"I was actually prepared to spend my life with just one eye... thank you. I've noticed you still call me 'Miss Beyas' when talking to me, from now on just call me by my name."

"All right, Iluna."

Shard sighed softly and picked up Mia Cat, who was pretending to sleep after her meal:

"It's good that you like it. Speaking of which, do you ladies have other matters to attend to lately?"

"The Chosen One brings not just power, but knowledge as well. I need to organize it soon and will tell you if there's anything valuable. Next week, I'm planning to go to the Papacy, but it will be a quick visit,"

Iluna said, bursting with enthusiasm.

"The first Chosen One has appeared, so I must start looking for the second one. The only Blood Coin shouldn't be wasted casually, I think I need to find other methods."

Luviya said with slight worry:

"Shard, what are you planning to do?"

"Once the lockdown is lifted tomorrow, I'll retrieve the 'Forged Philosopher's Stone' with the doctor."

"I can divine for you the potential dangers at that time—of course, just an ordinary divination,"

the Diviner suggested.

"I can make sure the church's patrol doesn't come near that area for ten minutes. I have some authority in the church now,"

the young lady with brown hair also spoke up.

"I've arranged for the patrol officers to be redirected too. With this, this matter is finally coming to an end."

Looking sideways at the night view outside the window, it was the peak of summer, and tonight, with the whole city on lockdown, was probably the calmest night Tobesk would see this year.