Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

It was not until the Maid Tifa closed the door of the study again that Miss Galina continued speaking, jokingly she said,

"Detective, I think you should be pleased with this 'job'. Just take the money and relax, MI6 has various kinds of agents, and although it's rare to get paid for doing nothing, even if it is discovered, there won't be any trouble."

"Miss Galina... thank you."

That was the only way Shard could express his gratitude.

"Detective, this is what I like about you, aware of others' efforts and not stingy with your gratitude, something simple that some people can't manage. We will have many more collaborations in the future, the value of Genesis: Silver Moon isn't just on the table. Gradually, you will find that having this card will bring you many unexpected friendships."

Shard took this as his cue to leave and wanted to say goodbye, but unexpectedly, footsteps were heard from an inner room of the study at this moment.

He looked in surprise towards the black-haired Maid at the entrance, who showed no intention of urging him to leave immediately.

So, he turned to look at the door to the inner side of the study, which was pushed open from the inside; first, a pair of high-heeled feet appeared, followed by the skirt hiding the feet. A young lady with fiery red hair walked out from the inner room of the study.

She appeared to be no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with fair skin, her face beautiful as a mid-summer blooming rose under light makeup. She wore an exquisitely styled black long dress, the hem decorated with lace and tulle. The presence of a corset accentuated her bodily curves prominently.

Her fiery red hair was meticulously woven and piled at the back of her head, topped with a black lady's hat, which was adorned with a layer of white tulle. The red hair was a hallmark of the Cavendish Royalty, associated with King Larus III's title of "Fire Jumper."

"Good evening, detective,"

Galina Cavendish greeted, her diamond earrings shimmering under the warm yellow light of the gaslamp in the study. Her eyes were a deep golden yellow, a color Shard had never seen before.

"Good evening..."

The fair skin, the prominent nose, the delicate cheeks, she had a beauty that seemed beyond human, a strangeness that made Shard unconsciously swallow.

"... Miss Galina."

Those golden eyes sized up Shard, who did not shy away but instead met the gaze of the beautiful lady before him. It was only at close quarters that he realized she was as tall as him.

"But she was in high heels,"

Shard thought to himself.

Moments later, the red-haired Duchess was the first to look away:

"Detective, do you have any other questions? If not, I think I should leave."

"Yes, there is one more question, and you can choose whether to answer it or not,"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Shard said, knowing she was not endlessly generous with him, so he decided to exchange his victory tonight for the answer to one more question:

"I have recently become interested in ancient deities, concerning the Ancient God, may I ask... does it have anything to do with the Witch Empress?"

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He did not directly ask about the "Whispering Verses" and The Chosen One, to avoid misjudging her stance. He couldn't be sure how the Witch Council viewed the great prophecy.

A smile appeared on Miss Galina's face, revealing shallow dimples:

"Anyone who knows about us is curious about this question, but this is a secret of the Council, and it is also the last secret of the Fifth Era. Detective, although I have begun to trust you, you are not a witch, you are not one of us."

Shard nodded his head, knowing it couldn't be that simple. However, he hadn't expected Miss Galina to suddenly add:

"But if you become one of us, you'll be able to know the answer... become a woman."

Shard's head immediately started shaking like a bobblehead, and then he heard Miss Tifa Servet at the doorway, covering her mouth with a light laugh, as Miss Galina also laughed and said:

"Of course, I'm joking. The Council only accepts pure women, no exceptions. Detective, although you can't become a member of the Witch Council, you will be under my protection, that is, under Galina Cavendish's. Although my relationship with them isn't very good, with this identity, no one in the Council will trouble you."

Having said that, she suddenly reached out and grabbed Shard's wrist.

Shard was stunned, not to mention that many people had mentioned "the Grand Witches of the Witch Council generally dislike men." Even if they didn't dislike them, this casual act of grabbing a man's wrist was not a normal behavior.

"What's wrong?"

He asked, then broke free from her grasp. Miss Galina glanced at her own palm, slightly shook her head, then walked towards the door, turning her back to him and saying:

"Detective, if needed, I will send someone to find you. When Tifa brings you the 'Relic,' you will also get my contact details... The last Witch Empresses of the Fifth Era, indeed inherited the powers of thirteen Ancient Gods. As for the Grand Witches of the Sixth Era... I'll tell you next time."

The maid Miss Tifa Servet opened the door, and together with the waiting servants, led Miss Galina out of the study.

Shard stood in the study, listening to their footsteps gradually fading down the hallway, and it took a long time before he sighed heavily.

Frowning, he questioned in his mind:

"Her attitude towards me is very strange; is there something on me that even I have not discovered, something that might be useful to her? When she grabbed my hand, was there any sign of Arcane Technique or Sorcery being used?"

He still had this sense of vigilance.

"No."

Nodding his head, he stared at the study's carpet below, recalling every detail from when they first met:

"Moreover, something feels off about Miss Galina; I am now somewhat initiated in Mysticism, and the elements around her are odd... When you were close, did you feel anything?"

"Even general Circle Sorcerers, who may specialize in a particular domain like your writer friend, still maintain a balance among the Four Elements, but she is different."

"Unbalanced, I see."

Then he received a more detailed answer:

"Galina Cavendish's Whisper Element is almost the aggregate of the other three elements. But she is indeed human, not a Humanoid Relic."

"Whisper? Could this be the special induction method the doctor mentioned? Using a Relic for induction? No, I shouldn't speculate rashly."

Shard looked towards the door:

"The Witch Council, the witches... Could it be, the last thirteen Witch Empresses of the Fifth Era, and the thirteen Chosen Ones of this Era, all share the same mission? But that's not right, the history books at the Academy, although vague about the Era's transitions, indeed mention no 'gates' appearing, and there have been no major changes between the Fifth Era and the Sixth Era..."

Contemplating these matters, he stepped out of the study.