Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

"You... want to save the world?"

Moonlight illuminated the city as the carriage slowly moved through the night in Tobesk, and Shard looked at the hand.

"No, I just want to ensure the world doesn't perish because of this. It sounds ridiculous, I know, not something a Three Ring Sorcerer should concern themselves with, but I have seen it—the survival of this world hinges on the chosen ones who will ultimately stand before the door. Whether all thirteen are present, just a few, or even one, each scenario will lead to different outcomes.

The optimal choice—I can only know once I have met them."

Shard met the woman's purple gaze for a moment, then reached out and took her hand. A smile flickered on her lips, but when she tried to pull her hand back, she found that Shard did not let go. Of course, he did not mean to take advantage, his voice was low:Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Such a significant affair that affects the entire world, even if I wish not to partake, I will inevitably be involved sooner or later. I am willing to join you to witness and seek the thirteen chosen ones, to guide or assist them. But first, as a foundation of our cooperation, we should build trust between us."

The path of the Twelve Divinities he wished to follow required drawing on divinity, which meant dealing with dangerous relics from an Evil God or an Old God, so proactively seeking the inevitably troubled thirteen chosen ones actually benefited Shard in his search for divinity.

He firmly grasped the Diviner's soft hand, looking into Miss Annette's purple irises:

"I can understand the meaning of any text, any text. But while I can read and understand, I cannot speak or write."

Miss Annette's eyes flickered:

"I see. Well, I, at a great cost, can make almost flawless prophecies. Until now, I have only been greatly mistaken once. I originally thought our group would have only four people, but then you showed up.

You are only a First Ring, but I still invited you for this exact reason—you are the only person in this world who is definitively not one of the chosen ones, and I don't have to worry about you learning too much about the secrets of the chosen ones from me, which could disrupt my observations of the future."

Shard nodded slightly, then released the Diviner's hand. She flexed her wrist, teasing:

"Is this how you treat all ladies?"

"Sorry, that was indeed a bit rough. But back to Miss Beath's topic, since we're to cooperate, you should tell me some information."

While speaking, Shard did not explain the reason he knew all languages, nor did Miss Annette mention the reason she could make accurate predictions, a form of tacit understanding.

"Iluna Beath, a Second Ring Sorceress from the Sun Church, she is the first chosen one prophesied in the 'Whispering Verses', representing the power of 'Balance'. Regarding her identity, for now, only the Sun Church and you and I know. Of course, I know this secret because of my prophecy."

"Balance?"

Shard contemplated the meaning of the word while Mia had already fallen asleep beside him.

He then asked:

"So, about the matter of the Whispering Verses and the chosen ones, how many others are aware?"

"The complete 'Whispering Verses' are not in any one person's possession, the Church of the Five Gods and the three Magic Academies definitely know, and some ancient organizations like the 'Blood Spirit School' and my 'Prophet's Society' certainly know as well.

The relics written with the verses are controlled by different forces, and the Sun Church knows the most about the first chosen one. More coincidentally, Beath had joined the Circle Sorcerer's squad of the Sun Church before she had even found her, as if the Sun God truly was blessing his own believers."

Shard nodded, exhaling deeply:

"So, what's the plan now? You're going to reach out to Miss Beath, the first chosen one. What specifically will you do, do you need my help?"

Miss Annette smiled:

"Detective, I do not need your help for the time being. In fact, we have already made contact. I orchestrated an encounter when she was heading to the market outside the city, I disguised myself as an ordinary Prophet and helped her resolve some doubts.

I believe she will come to me again soon, and then I will assist her as a 'Mystical Prophet' until she recognizes I am a Circle Sorcerer, only then will I reveal my identity to her for cooperation."

"That sounds like a good plan."

Shard complimented. This not only established a connection but also fostered Miss Beath's respect for Miss Annette.

"Once I reveal my identity to her, then I will introduce you. Detective, you definitely should not interfere in this matter. My plan is already very detailed. Plus, you are still... not powerful enough. Your main job now is to strengthen yourself.

Once you have power you can wield on your own, I will likely have many things that require your assistance."

This arrangement made sense, Shard didn't need to be involved in Miss Annette's already perfect plan, and indeed he needed time to learn. The Lakeside Manor incident, though theoretically solved by him, was actually just irreplicable good fortune. Miss Annette's plans would surely involve conflicts among Circle Sorcerers, and Shard was not yet ready to rashly join in.

"What if the other party initiates contact with me?"

Shard countered, and Miss Annette evidently did not believe such a thing possible, but she answered nonetheless:

"Then play your role as a plain detective well. Until my plan here is complete, do not let Miss Beath know you are a Circle Sorcerer. It would disrupt my clever scheme and increase your danger. Also, speaking of which, that power of the Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer, can you still use it? If it's inconvenient, you don't have to answer."

Shard knew she wasn't trying to pry into his secrets but rather to understand both of their bottom lines.

He nodded:

"It's possible, but the conditions are stringent, and it's very dangerous."

But also very powerful, capable even of rivalling a deity.

Miss Annette nodded slightly in understanding:

"That's good, at least we can avoid the worst-case scenario. But don't worry, I'll mainly handle the contact with the first Chosen One. I'm not just any Three Ring Sorcerer either."

"I hope so."

"There's one more thing. I'm sorry."

She looked towards Shard.

"What?"

Shard asked, puzzled.

"I took you to the third floor of the Lakeside Manor and promised no danger, but in the end, you were forced to face an Evil God. While I could dismiss it as something I didn't foresee, I won't. I apologize for putting you in jeopardy; it was my greatest mistake at the Lakeside Manor. Detective, I'll find a way to make it up to you."

"That matter, don't worry about it, I went with you voluntarily. And if it wasn't for that, I... Who can anticipate everything? Your prophecies come at a cost, you can't divinate every event, especially those involving a deity."

Shard said, listening to the voice of the brown-haired Female Diviner, holding the sleeping Mia, and looking out from the carriage window.

The misty city went to sleep, under the serene night sky with its triple moons, illuminating the Earth unchanged over thousands of years yet unable to light up every shadow.

The Chosen One, the great prophecy of the Witch Empress, they are all protagonists in an era of transformation. The Outlander didn't know what role he would play in the story to come, nor what the future held.

Nevertheless, he had learned some things, understood some things, and made some friends. It was only in seeing this tranquil night that he truly felt he had arrived here.

"Say something."

He said inwardly.

[What would you like to hear?]

"Anything, just say something."

He watched the night view of Steam City, and amid the steady clopping of horse hooves, he heard a woman's soft laughter:

[Sixth Era, Common Era Calendar 1853, summer. Through the winds brushing this city, you have officially come to understand this world. After welcoming the completion of your Blood Feast, the story's first protagonist is about to make an appearance. When the golden scales symbolizing balance begin to tilt, someone must take responsibility for adding weights.

You foresaw a grand epic, foresaw the Steam Age amid great transformations. Will you, forced into this and moving rhythmically with the hooves through the long scroll of an era, take action?]

The Outlander tilted his head toward the bright moon outside the window. Miss Annette's purple eyes stared at Shard. A sleeping orange cat looked towards Miss Annette as the moonlight shone on it through the carriage window.

Indeed, it was a tranquil night.