Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1091: "Dawn Sword of Justice

"If you’re going to steal books, then steal books, but why burn down the library?"

Shard stared into his cold eyes:

"Sir, don’t tell me you have a penchant for arson?"

"One fire and everything’s clean, there won’t be any clues left behind."

The gentleman gently swirled his wine glass and looked away from Shard, gazing once more at the falling snow. Even when exposed, he maintained his so-called elegance:

"This isn’t the first time I’ve done this, Mr. Hamilton, but it’s the first time I’ve been caught and forced to admit it. Before, I was never discovered. I studied psychology and criminology systematically, oh, the latter is a new field. I even learned some special little tricks against divination. The learning process enthralled me, and honestly speaking, this feeling of being caught isn’t bad, it lets me know I’m still far away on the road to knowledge."

The middle-aged gentleman smiled:

"You’ve reminded me, never be arrogant; on the road to knowledge, we are all students."

"The church already knows about your actions."

Shard said, and the gentleman nodded:

"What I’m about to do next wouldn’t be permitted by the church anyway, so knowing this little thing doesn’t matter. Knight, this is probably the last time we’ll meet. Next, I will head to the ’Promised Land’ bestowed by fate to receive that unique supreme wisdom. I’m glad to have this conversation with you before I leave."

He sighed softly:

"I’m not familiar with you, yet somewhat familiar. You know some things about me, but not much. Talking to you is probably the best choice."

"Why do you think I’ll let you leave?"

Shard curiously asked, and the gentleman smiled again, casually tossing the half-full glass of red wine into the alley below.

The glass fell into the thick layer of snow in the alley, the spilled wine staining the white snow blood red before the glass nestled into the snow.

He turned slightly to look at Shard:

"Of course, because..."

Pointing to himself:

"...I want to leave."

Silver moonlight flashed through the wind, intercepted by a shield-shaped transparent book.

The gentleman in a black coat from the Southern Nation descended like a bat into the deserted alley. As Shard retrieved the wine bottle and also jumped down, the steam mist brought by the Five-Ring Sorcerer’s Ring of Fate had begun to melt the cold snow.

Shard did not reveal his own Ring of Fate, but looked at the gentleman across through the blizzard:

"Shard Hamilton, you are also a wise man. Think carefully, if I wasn’t confident of defeating you, why would I have shown myself just now?"

Shard didn’t attempt to persuade him. With a light tap of his toes, he dispersed into a swarm of crimson butterflies.

The butterflies trailed red points of light through the wind and snow, quickly flying towards the gentleman. Meanwhile, the "Light" Spirit Rune on the Five-Ring Sorcerer’s Ring of Fate flickered with spiritual light. The middle-aged gentleman extended his right hand, and a slender beam of light burst from his fingertip, sweeping through the red butterfly swarm, melting the snow and even leaving hot laser traces on the ground.

But losing a few butterflies didn’t affect Shard’s main body at all. He dodged the attack and, after confirming the distance was right, revealed himself. Before the following beam of light approached, he stepped behind Sir Prisia:

"Moonlight Greatsword."

The crimson short knife thrust towards the man’s back, but it was as if he had foreseen Shard’s spatial movement, turning instantly to block with the cane in his hand—

Clang!

The Moonlight Dagger shattered the wooden exterior of the cane, revealing a hidden metal rapier inside. That wooden exterior turned out to be some form of containment measure, and upon shattering it, Shard realized the rapier was a relic.

The metal collided with the short knife in Shard’s hand, scattering crimson fragments, and the Moonlight Greatsword didn’t break. Instead, Shard, with his exceptionally strong physique, forcefully pressed down on Sir Prisia, who was holding the rapier with both hands.

"The convergence of March brings such an enhancement."

He thought to himself.

"Spatial power? Impressive."

Sir Prisia squeezed out words through gritted teeth, and as Shard called forth a second short knife with the "Blade of Chaotic Space-Time" for a thrust, the gentleman exploded right in front of Shard.

The explosive fire and sound were muffled by the snowstorm. Shard groaned as his chest clothes were blasted apart, and he looked up ahead.

Lakin Prisia, grasping his chest and gasping heavily, pulled a book from inside his clothes:

"Her Highness said that although you’re Four-Rings, your combat power is strong. Now it seems, Her Highness was still somewhat reserved. I sensed the power of time and space, and even without touching me, I could feel my flesh being corroded by that short knife."

After all, the Spirit Rune of the Red Moon directly comes from the divinity of the God of the Vampire Race, and Shard has long experienced the strength of the Spirit Rune of Gluttony, which also originates from the deity.

Shard still remained silent, as the massive snowball, enough to block the alley completely, fell from Sir Plisha’s head, and he wielded the short dagger to advance once more.

The seemingly ordinary snowball made Sir feel danger. First, a fireball tried to explode that large snowball, and upon the surprising realization of its ineffectiveness, he was directly crushed underneath.

But before Shard could get closer, the snowball itself exploded from the inside. Appearing once again in front of Shard, behind Sir Plisha, a new set of three Spirit Runes had emerged on the Ring of Fate:

"Knowledge is power, and stories can give me enlightenment. I really like your story, detective, and I also enjoy the ancient legend of a swordsman."

The Southern Nation Gentleman held his rapier, Miracle- Sword, Miracle- Hero, Enlightenment- Justice, all glimmering with spiritual light, and they were temporary Spirit Runes granted by books:

"Mr. Hamilton, I must leave now, or I’ll be late. I actually have a pretty good impression of you. The world needs people like you. If I were you, I’d leave this city with Her Highness Margaret, and escape in the direction away from Pantanal."

The rapier was raised in front single-handedly, the blade aimed at himself. As his wrist turned, the blade rotated ninety degrees, and the Relic Longsword manifested golden light traces, emitting a power not belonging to a Five-Ring Sorcerer:

"Arcane Technique! Dawn— Sword of Justice!"

The scorching light melted all the snow in the alley, and the fierce sword light almost penetrated space in that instant. A light containing immense spiritual power exploded in the snowy alley, forcing Shard to quickly retreat, but it was already too late.

"Lagre’s Leap!"

With one step into the air, shifting out from the strongest position of that sword light:

"Tranquil Stance."

At this point, emotional cooperation was unnecessary; he was already enraged enough. His hands covered his face, transforming into a statue angel curled with wings in mid-air. Yet, despite this, after a loud noise, the landing Shard still feels like his entire body was about to fall apart. To know that in the Tranquil Stance state, his defenses should be extremely formidable.

Scrambling to his feet back to the alley, all the snow had melted, and on the ground a deep trench occupied one-third of the alley’s surface. At the same time, the residual force made the ground glow, causing the floating snowflakes to melt before touching the ground.

"Very strong, but not too strong either."

Shard, not using all his strength either, thought, knowing when he first fought Joey Barton in autumn, the opponent could already utilize the power of the level 0 relic, Interstice of Life and Death.

"Too much commotion, quickly leave!"

Treading with difficulty through the mushy alley after the snow melted, it was fortunate that the first to appear were Sister Delphine and the Maid.

The two supported the injured Shard, quickly leaving the scene.

"Sister, do you know what Sword of Justice Dawn is in Arcane Technique?"

"High Ring Sorcery usable above Twelve Rings, requiring extremely strict spellcasting requirements."

It seems Lakin Prisia could not only use books to gain temporary Spirit Runes, perhaps even bypassing spellcasting requirements. Though it’s unclear if he has more capabilities, if only this, any Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer could defeat him.

People attracted by the loud noises cautiously approached the alley entrance, likely tomorrow’s Huntington Daily will report a gas pipeline explosion news. Police whistled, using sharp voices to drive people away, while Shard, supported by two women, had disappeared at the street corner.

The injuries he suffered weren’t as frightening as they looked; if Sister Delphine hadn’t promptly healed, he would’ve nearly recovered. Of course, dislocated bones needed manual repositioning, which Sister Delphine did well. Only then did Shard remember, the Spiritual Practice Order was known for healing and stargazing.

Though he pretended earlier towards Lakin Prisia that he was there to welcome Margaret, hoping to surprise the Princess, Shard ultimately did not meet the Princess. Instead, after the steam train carrying the visiting group arrived at the station, went with Sister Delphine and two witches to discuss current affairs at the White King Club in the city.

The room the four used was on the third floor under Margaret’s name, the same place where Shard first met Miss Sylvia and Margaret during late autumn.

In a blink, it’s deep winter now.

The witches’ unpleasant journey needn’t be elaborated; they came through the dust for The Chosen One’s matter. Miss Galina seated warmly in the club room, noticed Shard’s attire, not the usual one worn when going out, teasing lightly, before knowing they encountered Lakin Prisia.

"You also know, he should’ve been with the visiting group but vanished midway. Indeed, I discovered in Tobesk regarding him involved in an arson murder case. When the Church came to arrest, he had already fled. He confessed to me, he’s colluded with the Pantanal Voodoo Society, heading for something called the ’Promised Land.’"

Shard looked at the three women before him, particularly the two witches unaware Sir Plisha is The Chosen:

"He has a very peculiar ability, temporarily adding new Spirit Runes using books."

He briefly described the earlier battle experience; the witches exchanged glances, Miss Sylvia affirmed: "So, The Chosen One is him."

"Yes, I think it must be so."

"I got the feeling you knew all along."

The Red-Haired Duchess remarked, leisurely holding a teacup sitting there:

"Before getting off the train, we received new information from the Council. Zaras Literary Academy successfully deciphered a batch of new ancient documents. Through fragments of poem Chapters, it’s mainly confirmed, the site for this Chosen One Ceremony is Heart Lake Island in Pantanal Region’s Central Great Lake. The poem gave that Heart Lake Island an interesting name— Heart of Pantanal, being the most crucial region in the Great Swamp, holding considerable importance in mysticism and sealing rituals."

This is another familiar term for Shard; since late autumn till now, all clues and conflicts converged upon the distant center of the Great Swamp. The epic of the fourth Chosen One finally approached the final act amidst this stormy weather.