Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1729 - 1728: Fate and Soul

This was the phoenix that once sealed the Interstice of Life and Death on Sicarl Mountain, though she unfortunately sacrificed herself in the battle on Sicarl Mountain, she was lucky to be reborn again relying on her innate traits and followed Sister Delphine before regaining her strength.

This little bird hasn’t been seen for a few months and her figure appears rounder. Although her fiery red feathers look appealing when fluffed up, Shard still thinks that the sister must be preparing too much food for her.

This also makes the outlander, who has other people’s pets, very alert and worried that if Mia continues to eat like this, she will also become so "rounded."

"Greatness is not about her possessing special soul power, but rather because I have seen her soul bearing some kind of bestowed mission."

The sister explained softly, bringing her fingers close to her shoulder, allowing the phoenix to perch on her shoulder:

"This has nothing to do with the nature of the soul, so the Old Cleric didn’t see it either. Do you remember Joey Barton’s Death of Destiny?"

Shard nodded:

"Although I still don’t quite understand what that was, it allowed him to briefly possess a Demigod Rank of power through death."

"Yes, Joey Barton’s soul was destined to approach death and then become part of it. This was a responsibility bestowed upon him at birth, his identity as The Chosen One."

Shard frowned immediately:

"Are you saying that Dorothy is also The Chosen One?"

"No, not all who have unique soul destinies are The Chosen. For example, you..."

She lifted her hands, unraveling the cloth wrapped around her eyes. Sister Delphine’s two completely white eyes then looked at Shard. Shard, for a moment, was a bit disoriented, probably because he was used to the sister wearing an eye mask. Being directly watched by her now, for some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of shame, as though he were standing naked.

"For example, you are destined to inherit the Fire of the Primordial. The destiny of the soul is something even as a Chosen of Death, I cannot fully discern, but at least I can be certain that Dorothy Louisa and Lecia Cavendish are destined to be extraordinary."

Shard pursed his lips, and the sister suddenly asked:

"What are their middle names?"

"Dorothy Redanput Louisa, Lecia Sevier Cavendish."

The sister closed her eyes and said nothing more:

"You needn’t worry too much either, destiny only assigns them responsibilities and does not necessitate that they must fulfill them. They have the right to actively reject fate, just as you have the right to reject the flame I hold at the summit of Sicarl Mountain."

This reminded Shard of last autumn when he was powerless on the mountain top after using divinity, Sister Delphine took his Ever-Youth Leaf from him, and nervously requested him to touch the flame.

The sister seemed to recall what she had done, closing her eyes and turning slightly, allowing Shard to see only the side of her face:

"Then goodbye, Shard. If all goes well, we’ll meet again at Green Lake soon."

"Goodbye, Sister Delphine..."

He thought of something else:

"By the way, do you know about the believers of the Old God, the God of Love?"

The sister thought for a moment:

"They despise those who are disloyal in love."

Unsure if it was a mistake, Shard felt like he saw a faint smile on the pale side of the Blind Nun before him.

She raised her hand, touched the phoenix on her shoulder, and then, together with the flying bird, transformed into a stream of flame flying into the sky.

Shard watched them leave, sensing Sister Delphine was already very close to the Twelve Rings:

"The sister’s talent is excellent, and she is also The Chosen One. It’s only a matter of time before she reaches the Thirteen Rings."

Thinking about various things, the worried Shard turned and walked back home. By the time he returned to the second-floor living room, Dorothy in the bedroom finally cautiously opened the door slightly, looked around, and whispered:

"Shard, has your friend left?"

"Yes, rest assured, I know you’re at home, I wouldn’t invite unfamiliar friends inside. When Priest Augustus came just now, I even locked the door with Thorns of the Moon, so everyone knows not to go near that door... It’s already noon, let’s go out for lunch."

"Meow~"

This cat definitely fully understands what the human word "eat" means.

"It’s good that she’s gone."

Miss Writer then came out from behind the door, already wearing clothes suitable for going out. She lightly patted her chest, showing a frightened expression:

"That really scared me just now. Is she the Sister Delphine you mentioned? Truly a unique woman, like someone who stepped right out of an old oil painting."

Dorothy exclaimed, even seeming a little excited:

"I’ve seen quite a few beautiful women, and I always thought Galina Cavendish might be the most beautiful person. Although Sister Delphine’s looks aren’t as dazzling as the Duchess’s, her aura is impeccable."

She grabbed Shard’s arm:

"How about introducing me to that nun sometime? I’m sure there’s a lot of material to draw from her. A blind nun would make a great detective novel subject."

"Sure, but it’ll have to wait a bit; everyone’s busy with the Green Lake affair right now."

The golden-haired, blue-eyed girl nodded and then smiled as she asked:

"So, Shard, what’s your relationship with that nun? Since you invited her to your home, she’s no ordinary friend, right?"

"Better than an ordinary friend, but not like the relationship between you and me."

Dorothy nodded, and as she walked out with Shard, she felt a slight discomfort in her body again:

"Shard, remember to find time to ask Lecia out on a date soon."

"Is it because Angelina is away, and you want me to keep her company?"

Shard nodded:

"Of course, no problem."

"That’s not the reason at all."

Dorothy said through gritted teeth:

"I want our dear Princess to experience what it’s like to sleep in until noon."

Though she said this, Lecia was undoubtedly busy assisting her father with negotiations in Tobesk as before. Even if Shard wanted to ask Lecia out, it wasn’t something that could be accomplished quickly.

Time flew by. Sunday and the following Monday, Shard merely went to the Green Lake Region to check it out but returned home patiently after confirming he still couldn’t land on the island.

Meanwhile, the most important delegations from Draleon and Carsonrick had already set off from Tobesk City and Velindale City, respectively. The already hovering unease and tension over the Old Continent reached a new peak within just two days. Now, even ordinary individuals not sensitive to current events could sense the oppressive atmosphere spreading everywhere.

Parades, protests, critical editorials in newspapers, and casual comments in taverns about the talks and war—all these mixing together made it seem as if the heightened tension of the negotiation meeting had become irrelevant, with the worries and expectations for war becoming the main theme instead.

Over in Tobesk, His Majesty the King gave public speeches for two consecutive days. Although his theme still called for peace, the front-page headlines, spread throughout the Old Continent, showed clear images of him in military attire in the background.

In Green Lake City, the estate for Duke Galina’s stay was already chosen. It was Rose Manor, located centrally in Green Lake City. Initially, it was the private property of the late Earl Gaiman—who died fifty years ago. Unfortunately, he died just after the manor was built. It was sold, repeatedly renovated, but never inhabited, eventually being sold to the Royal Family, and now serves as the temporary residence for Grand Duchess Galina Cavendish.

On Monday at the Green Lake Hotel, when he heard the news from Megan, the brown-haired female sorcerer complained a bit:

"I also wanted to buy it more than a decade ago, and I offered a higher price. But the owner insisted on selling it cheaply to the Royal Family."

Shard found it inappropriate to comment on matters like this.

As Miss Galina advanced towards the Green Lake Region, other Grand Witches were ready as well.

Granny Cassandra, Miss Swift, and Sister Delphine would likely be the last to arrive. Meanwhile, Miss Benanis and Ciris, leading the Golden Dawn Opera Group, were still performing in Velindale and likely to arrive in the area around the same time as Granny Cassandra and the others.

Miss Aphrola, having been going to whichever area the Chosen One appeared for business in the past year, would avoid coming quickly this time to avoid suspicion. Instead, Miss Sylvia, initially intending to visit the Green Lake Region privately, would soon appear before Shard.

Because Margaret somehow persuaded her father "Lion Ryan" to allow her to accompany the delegation to the Green Lake Region as a Royal Princess. In doing so, Miss Sylvia could act as the "Princess’s math tutor and personal doctor" and accompany them.

In this way, whether Shard would meet Miss Sylvia or Miss Galina first was truly uncertain.

"Why can Margaret go, but not Lecia?"

Lecia knew the news a step ahead of Shard and, on Monday morning, complained to Shard in Dorothy’s body and voice, clearly dissatisfied with the tone.

"Because the Anjou Royal Family lacks princesses and princes, and since Draleon sent Duke Galina for etiquette and equal standards, Velindale couldn’t disregard Margaret."

The purple-eyed diviner, who spent the night at Shard’s with Dorothy, said indolently, sitting opposite Shard at the dining table, watching him reach for the God’s Gift Box:

"Dorothy, have you been feeling unwell recently? You were in pretty poor shape last night."

She said to the golden-haired girl beside her as Shard’s hand touched the box’s bottom, his eyes noticing that the spoon in Dorothy’s hand bent by at least sixty degrees.