Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1089: The Witch’s Full Name

"Granny Cassandra learned the itinerary of two witches from the Council. This heavy snow has swept across the entire western region of the Old Continent centered around the Pantanal Swamp. Early this morning, the Princess’s entourage was forced to land at Vincent Town, about 180 miles (about 290 km) from here. They will first switch to a carriage, then transfer to a train to continue to Huntington City."

The nun sitting on the sofa said, and Shard nodded, looking out the window with some concern at the scenery:

"Only 180 miles left? If it were normal weather, it would take four or five hours to get there."

"But with the current weather, I’m afraid we won’t see them until tomorrow."

Sister Delphine added and then continued:

"Additionally, during the evacuation from the steam hover zeppelin, Lakin Prisia disappeared. The local church received orders; he was suspected to be involved in a fire in Tobesk and thus needs to be temporarily arrested. But he left ahead of time. Miss Galina and Miss Sylvia also don’t know when he left."

"He’s likely to arrive here before the witches."

"Is he The Chosen One?"

Shard, standing by the window, turned around:

"Yes, I have some intelligence that I haven’t informed the Witch Council about."

He briefly explained Lakin Prisia’s abilities and the ancient angel bloodline power:

"Sister Delphine, it seems the prophecy of the Vampire Kind has come true. The evil object beneath the Pantanal Swamp is about to be released, just waiting for the stars to align correctly."

"Since this prophecy has been informed to the Prophet’s Society, I believe the church will soon confirm the actual date."

Shard nodded, the gloom in his heart heavier than it was last night.

Since he didn’t need to meet Princess Margaret and her entourage trapped in the snowstorm this morning, Shard went to Coldwater Port. Coldwater Port is located in the northwest of the entire Old Continent, quite far from the Pantanal Swamp, so this port city did not have snow today, rather it was bustling and sunny.

When he arrived at the old lighthouse outside the city, Mr. Edmund was drying his fishing gear. Upon seeing Shard, he invited him in for a conversation and then said somewhat awkwardly:

"The Hermit Society has found some information on that demigod witch you asked them to investigate."

"As long as there’s information, that’s good."

Shard immediately nodded, as he had too many questions about Miss Chloe:

"What information was found?"

"Her name."

The old man said.

"And what else?"

Shard asked, and Mr. Edmund smiled awkwardly:

"That’s it. But this way, you can save money; that deposit can be considered as the full payment."

"Hmm..."

Miss Feliana had Miss Orland leave a message for Shard to seek help from the Hermit Society; Shard didn’t believe the effort to give him such a hint was for nothing:

"Excuse me, what is Miss Chloe’s real name..."

"Chloe Marcus Marquez."

Mr. Edmund pronounced the name in the language of the Fifth Era.

"Marquez?"

Shard slightly frowned and asked further:

"Sorry, did she ever change her middle name or surname?"

"No, although we could only investigate her name, we’re very certain it’s her original name, without any former aliases."

Mr. Edmund said with great certainty.

"Did I remember wrongly?"

[You didn’t remember wrongly, that lady’s name is...]

"Marcus Marquez!"

The latter part of Miss Chloe’s full name is the same as Mrs. Marques’s full name; this cannot just be a coincidence.

"Mr. Edmund, was my previous description of her appearance accurate?"

Shard asked again, and the old folklore scholar nodded:

"Yes, it’s basically the depiction you gave."

"The one lost in the Snow Mountain... the same name... that cowardly man never revealed his name from beginning to end... the Deity says, Miss Chloe is taking the final step... the first time meeting the possessed demon, the second time seeing the black-clad Miss Chloe... and the incomplete Witch Echo... hmm..."

Shard felt like he might have guessed the truth, but this made the last Snow Mountain trip’s trouble likely more challenging than other Time Key’s final journeys.

Since there was a meeting in the afternoon, Shard didn’t stay long at Mr. Edmund’s. However, before leaving, he left a list of Ritual Materials, entrusting the old gentleman to help procure them.

"Let’s see, the core of the Clock Stone, the heart of the double-headed red-eyed demon wolf, tentacles of an Ocean servant... these are all troublesome materials. Are you sure you have enough savings?"

After reading the list, the old gentleman asked, and Shard cautiously nodded:

"It should be alright, please procure them quickly, ideally within a week or two. I can accept a premium within ten percent."

In fact, this was just the batch of major materials required for the Time Perception ritual that could be relatively cheap to buy in Coldwater Port. Shard planned to ask Granny Cassandra for help in acquiring the remaining materials, considering they weren’t common items.

When Shard returned to the snowy Tobesk City, it was already lunchtime. He wrapped himself up and tucked Mia into his coat before braving the wild snowflakes outside the door, taking twice the usual time to reach the Prophet’s Society.

While having lunch with Luviya, Shard told the girl with purple eyes about the Source of Chaos he found at home last night. Of course, he didn’t forget to mention Astrologer Mr. Euclid’s stationery from a hundred years ago.

She was surprised that so much had happened to Shard in just 24 hours. So after lunch, she went with Shard to Saint Delan Square, wanting to see the Sage Level Relic.

And as Shard expected, even with preparation, Luviya was still affected when seeing the Relic. She suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Shard’s arm and resting for a full half-hour before recovering, but couldn’t express why she cried.

Luviya, a Four Rings Diviner, was so severely affected; Shard decided not to use the Relic lightly. Although it could influence a Circle Sorcerer’s mind, it could be more dangerous if it drove a Circle Sorcerer out of control.

Regarding the "Moon’s Chosen One" issue, Luviya, after regaining her composure, and Shard shared the same thought. While it was important to note who would stay at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, the imminent event at the Pantanal Swamp was more crucial.

"You must, must remember, who slept here."

The purple-eyed girl, still uncontrollably sobbing, looked rather pitiable.

That afternoon’s study group session did not take place as scheduled. After resting at home, Shard and Luviya planned to set off together, but unexpectedly, Dr. Schneider came in person to inform them that the study session was temporarily canceled:

"The snow is really heavy, you should stop coming over to my place. I happened to be visiting a patient nearby, so I’m here to inform you that the session is canceled."

The doctor, standing in the foyer, patted the snow off his head and shoulders with Shard’s help:

"This snow is indeed unexpected. I’ve lived in Tobesk for so long, the last time I saw such a heavy snowfall was over a decade ago."

This also reflected that Huntington City’s climate was much better than Tobesk’s.

"I won’t talk much more, I’ve just seen Luisa, and I need to notify the Priest."

The doctor waved at Shard and Luviya, who was standing on the stairs:

"Don’t forget the exam week; today is the 22nd day of the Slumber Moon, next Saturday we should know when our group’s exam will take place."

He bid farewell to the two and then, with a grim face, plunged back into the snowstorm outside.

Sister Delphine had already given Shard the information on the Pantanal Swamp region, which Shard and Luviya discussed at home that afternoon. By evening, Luviya returned to the Prophet’s Society, while the Blonde Writer braved the snow to arrive.

The Princess wouldn’t use her body tonight, and Shard continued to seek knowledge about the fairy tale "Water of Wisdom." He had already transcribed the story recorded on a Stele from the Summit Sacrificial Ground, and that night, when Dorothy let Shard study independently, she personally copied that transcription with her special ink for Shard to carry with him:

"Are you planning on doing something dangerous again?"

This was the question Dorothy asked Shard before bed, while Shard was preparing to close Mia in the wardrobe, he hesitated for a moment:

"Yes."

"Then be careful."

The blonde girl sitting on the bed stood up, hugging Shard from behind:

"Waiting for your return, it’s not just me."

(Mia running...)

Time came to Sunday, the rare heavy snowfall covering the western region of the Old Continent had already made it into the Tobesk Morning Newspaper’s news, and what worried Shard was whether Princess Margaret’s party, taking the train to Huntington, would encounter any additional travel troubles due to this snowstorm. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

That morning, he didn’t use the Time Key for the Year 903 of the Fifth Era for the last time; instead, after breakfast, he bid farewell to Dorothy and set off for Huntington alone. After taking a carriage from the White Valley Vineyard into the city, he first visited the Serpent Heart Hospital to find Sister Delphine.

Although the Sister didn’t leave the city yesterday, she had a special way of communicating with Granny Cassandra, so she knew the itinerary of Miss Galina and Miss Sylvia.

Though the train would certainly be delayed, it should arrive this morning.

Huntington City, as an important transportation hub at the eastern part of the Pantanal Swamp where trains could not pass, had a train station almost as large as Tobesk’s.

Shard and the Sister arrived early at the "Mrs. Fini’s Tea House" near the station to wait, accompanied by Sister Delphine’s Maid. Since she was blind, traveling without a maid’s assistance wasn’t possible.

Shard ordered a local specialty honey grape tea at the tea house, intending to try the new drink, while Sister Delphine ordered a very ordinary black tea. Of course, the price standard here was not low at all, as the porcelain tea sets used for serving tea proved.

Sister Delphine wouldn’t wear a conspicuous blindfold while going out, only covering her eyes with burlap. Shard casually chatted with the Sister about his impressions of this Southern Nation city and the local legends he had heard. During their wait, they also heard many fresh stories from other passengers who arrived on different trains and wanted to warm up with a cup of tea.