Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

In the bright and warm second floor of the Prophet's Society, Princess Margaret asked Shard curiously.

She was sitting with Shard, Lecia, Princess Angelina, Sir Plisha, and the local Carsonrick poet Miss Yewa Swift, listening to Shard recite his detective story.

At this moment, the salon was at a lively point, with people gathering to discuss topics of interest with acquaintances, occasionally accompanied by exclamations and applause.

Shard was just recounting his story about helping Mr. Hank solve the "night haunting" when he abruptly paused and glanced outside the window.

Lecia lifted her teacup, concealing her worried expression, while the others were clueless about Shard's sudden behavior. The night outside remained serene, and the Prophet's Society was aware of potential happenings tonight, ensuring these prestigious guests wouldn't notice the outside disturbances.

But Shard was different; he was quite familiar with Iluna's "Sunlight Gun," and so, aware of her, he knew she seemed to be in a fight outside.

"It's nothing, just remembered when I was investigating Mr. Hank's friends, I might not have turned off the gas lamp,"

Shard said apologetically:

"But it's alright, let's continue with the story. This tale might be published by Miss Luisa in the newspaper in mid-next month; although not the most bizarre case in my detective career, it's quite interesting. Mr. Hank's friends are scattered across..."

His mouth told the story, but his heart was uneasy. He only knew Iluna was in a scuffle outside because of his familiarity with her, but couldn't fathom the situation out there.

"It's likely not [Thief Jack]; Iluna wouldn't directly use [Sunlight Gun] against that thief who grows stronger with resistance."

Uneasy, he used the conclusion of the story as an excuse to visit the bathroom again:

"I guess I shouldn't have had so much red tea this afternoon."

Shard said very apologetically, and got up to head towards the door.

Although Shard wasn't present, people continued happily discussing. Princess Lecia held the "Hamilton Detective Stories" book, regrettably saying:

"I invited Miss Luisa, but unfortunately she's unable to attend."

"Your Highness, I heard Miss Luisa and Mr. Hamilton are very good friends, is that true?"

The Carsonrick lady writer, who had seen Shard and Dorothy at various banquets a few times, asked with a smile, and Lecia shook her head slightly:

"I am not very familiar with Mr. Hamilton either."

As she said this, her gaze flickered for a moment, and beside her, the Little Princess held back from making a strange expression.

"Yet it's said he has a wide circle of friends; whether noble merchants, professors, shop owners, or poor residents of the Lower District, they are all his friends. I think Miss Luisa likely has a good relationship with Hamilton Detective due to her research."

"I heard of Mr. Hamilton's reputation even back in Carsonrick."

Sir Plisha said, with a mock glance at the door:

"I'm not speaking ill of him behind his back; this could be considered praise. It's said Hamilton Knight is quite liked by young ladies. I talked with this young gentleman before the salon began, and he indeed matches the rumors, being knowledgeable and versatile, almost like a Sage. If Miss Luisa grew fond of the Knight during her research, none of us would be surprised, it's quite normal."

"Yes, Mr. Hamilton's appearance is indeed appealing to young ladies."

The Little Princess said, and Sir Plisha nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly, while Lecia wanted to laugh but refrained. Only Princess Margaret held a glass of wine, showing a thoughtful expression.

Knowing Shard is a Correspondence Circle Mage from Saint Byrons, there was reason to suspect everyone around him could be fellow Correspondence students. Margaret Anjou had no interest in Shard's secrets, just curiosity about his life.

Everyone at the salon was enjoying the evening—a literary salon attended by young ladies and gentlemen from the upper class—even if merely a diversion, could induce pleasure, being a symbol of status.

And in the unanticipated next second, the sound of shattering glass rudely interrupted the literary salon's atmosphere. As the cold outdoor wind blew in from the shattered window, the previously laughing people all fell silent.

A middle-aged gentleman dressed in black formal wear, leaning on a walking cane, agilely leapt down from the windowsill, and behind him, a young man in a short shirt clutching his left arm tremblingly climbed in:

"Professor Anse, maybe next time you can fly slower."

"This is the place."

Professor Anse, seeming fully aware of the situation inside, smiled as he addressed the onlookers:

"Aside from Margaret Anjou, Angelina Cavendish, Nasser Cavendish, and Lecia Cavendish, the rest of you should sleep!"

The power of the spell transmitted with his voice into the room, and the unprepared ordinary people instantly collapsed onto the carpet or sofa. Luckily, the carpet and sofa were soft enough, preventing any injuries.

The three princesses immediately stood up, Lecia protectively placing Angelina behind her. As for Prince Nasser, he had just gone to the bathroom, and hadn't returned yet.

Lecia and Princess Margaret frowned, hesitating to act, but the door was suddenly kicked open, with eight members of the Church of Creation's sorcery team from next door bursting in.

Meanwhile, Iluna nimbly leapt into the room through the window. Behind him, Miss Green, the Ten-Ring Sorcerer of the Sun Church, and Old Mr. Modro, the Eleven-Ring Sorcerer of the Peace Church dressed in white clergy robes, also "walked" in through the window.

Eight people by the window and three by the door surrounded Professor Anse and the cultists. The former raised his eyebrows, removed his white gloves, and said with a smile:

"It seems exactly like Miss Pavo's plan."

He glanced around at everyone present and elegantly snapped his fingers. Before the Circle Sorcerers of the church could act, the cultist following him, who believed in "Mr. Misfortune", had already thrown the dice in his hand.

"Stop him!"

But it was too late. The Whisper Element of the Angel-Level Relic spread all around, and the invisible barrier completely isolated this room from the normal world. All the lights in the room extinguished at this moment, but in the next second, a beam of white heavenly light shone on the side of the cultist who had thrown the dice.

The stable pillar of light illuminated the square stone table, with a chair on each of its southeast, north, and west sides.

Everyone stood in the darkness, the silent silence not due to intentional muteness, but because they had temporarily lost the ability to make sounds.

Professor Anse of the Truth Society walked out of the darkness and into the beam of white heavenly light, taking a seat on the east side of the table. The cultist of "Mr. Misfortune" clutched his arm and sat on the north side.

The people in the darkness were moving, Miss Green stood in front of the three princesses, casting an Arcane Technique to protect them. Mr. Modro gestured to urge people not to stray far from the beam of light, but in reality, no one would do so, as the terrifying darkness seemed to have a dreadful beast peering at them, and only staying around that beam of light brought reassurance.

The Whisper Element concentrated beneath the light and further into the darkness; otherwise, Princess Margaret and Lecia might have considered whether it was time to faint appropriately.

The seated "Professor" tapped the table and said to the Circle Sorcerers of the church:

"Angel-Level Relic, [Dice Story Collection]. Based on the current scene, it generates the most realistic game, telling a magical adventure story. Three players can participate in this story, each choosing their own 'protagonist' to venture into reality. By the way, once all players are seated, the storyteller of the story will appear, the latter referring to themselves as the 'Keeper of Secrets.' Yes, gentlemen, ladies, according to our investigation, this relic is related to that Ancient God of wisdom and knowledge, winning this game also counts as completing a trial by the Keeper of Secrets."

"Are you insane? Voluntarily involving yourselves in the fate of the Chosen Ones?"

Even knowing the madness of the [Truth Society], Miss Green still whispered a reprimand.

The Keeper of Secrets' requirement is a "power related to the Ancient God [Secret-Keeping Mentor]," thus besides naturally occurring relics, reusing already contained relics also meets the requirements of the Poem Chapter. But the church has not done so, partly because it is uncertain if any undiscovered Fragment of Poem Chapter forbids such actions, and partly because the fate of the Chosen Ones cannot be casually touched. If the Keeper of Secrets trial is deliberately triggered, it will absolutely lead to significant issues.

"Madness?"

Professor Anse shook his head with a smile:

"Indeed, it's madness, but Miss Pavo believes that regardless of the outcome, such an act is quite a successful experiment. Although the gentlemen and I took a huge risk, there will definitely be a result from such an experiment, won't there? This is a valuable attempt, we never do things without meaning. Besides, if we're really lucky, we could obtain two Sage's Glowstones in one go tonight."

The cultist sitting by him murmured "madman" softly, but nobody paid attention to him.

"By the way, if it weren't because activating this relic requires mutually antagonistic game players, I wouldn't be here. There's one more seat available, who wishes to join?"

He looked around at everyone present:

"Also, don't worry about anyone disturbing us. During the activation of this relic, no one will notice what's happening here; everyone will temporarily overlook us. This space is completely isolated from the outside world, and until the game ends, no method can harm us seated game participants. Look, I even invited three princesses and a prince..."

"Professor" glanced at everyone present, raised an eyebrow:

"It's a pity the young prince is not here, but the princesses are quite lucky, they can watch the most authentic story that we participate in and influence. Members of the Royal Family are aware of the existence of Circle Sorcerers, so this does not violate the [Official Secrets Act]."

"Oh, you just want to take hostages, don't you?"

Iluna's voice interrupted him, and as she walked towards the square table in the beam of light, the team from the Church of Creation led by the bearded man also approached, while the High Ring Sorcerers tested the boundaries of this space, and indeed found they could not leave. The walls and windows still existed, but they were disconnected from the outside.

"Are you going to join this damn game?"

Iluna asked Miss Green, as both were from the Sun Church, and Iluna tended to follow the arrangements of the High Ring Sorcerers.

"I need to protect the three princesses, I won't participate. Besides, you have more freedom to act externally, so you decide."

Miss Green said, the three princesses behind her protected by a Holy Emblem, the older two each had their own thoughts.

Iluna then looked at Mr. Modro, who also said:

"You decide. The recent [Dark Realm] also had the power to make people overlook certain spaces, but wasn't it later noticed that something was amiss?"

Professor Anse made no comment on this.

Iluna looked at the Church of Creation's team, and the bearded captain slightly shook his head:

"My command authority is the lowest among us, you all decide."

Finally, Iluna looked at the three princesses, they were standing together, seemingly "panicked" by the scene before them, while around them were people in slumber.

"Your Highnesses, come closer, according to the [Official Secrets Act], the church will ensure the safety of Royal Family members, you all might need to drink some Holy Water."

After speaking, Iluna nodded at Miss Green and Old Mr. Modro. She circled to the south side of the square table in the beam of light, and then took a seat on the stool.