Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 1074: Farewell Banquet

Chapter 1074: Chapter 1074: Farewell Banquet

"Zaras Academy, you should know it."

"Of course, the origin of Zaras Literary Academy."

"The witch I’m looking for claims to be Chloe, living around the year 1000 of the Fifth Era. Not tall, silver hair, and golden eyes... Demigod."

The old man who was about to pour tea for Shard stopped his action:

"I remember you said you were from Saint Byrons History Academy? That’s right, only you Time Investigators can easily know about terms like Demigod Witch."

He put down the teapot and sighed:

"If she is indeed a demigod, then there might be some information. After all, even in the Fifth Era, there are not many named demigod witches. Speaking of which, you probably know that in the current Sixth Era, there isn’t any true demigod. The Sixth Era has passed for one thousand eight hundred fifty-three years without any sign of a demigod."

"Yes, it seems to indicate an overall decline in supernatural power..."

Both fell silent for a moment, but they both knew they were thinking about the same thing.

Even though Mr. Edmund and Shard had a good relationship, this business still demanded a deposit of 70 pounds. If they truly found the information on "Miss Chloe" before Sunday, Shard probably needed to spend more to buy the information.

He could accept such a steep price for information, knowing how valuable the information he sought was. If not for his friendly relationship with the Guiding Light Hermitage, even more gold pounds wouldn’t have bought it.

The coldwater port in winter was vastly different from summer, but Shard didn’t stay long. When he returned home, it was already nearing four in the afternoon.

He hadn’t rested long before Luviya, dressed in a formal evening gown, arrived to accompany Shard to the Canary Estate dinner party.

Once Shard had changed and prepared dinner for Mia, who didn’t want to go out, they officially set off.

"Your cat, did the ring on its tail change to a new one again?"

Luviya noticed the Plague Doctor’s Ring this time and asked Shard in the carriage.

Seeing Shard nod, the purple-eyed girl smiled and said:

"Most pet cats I know like bells as toys. Not many like rings, and only this one likes to wear them on its tail."

"The ring can partially resist plagues. If I truly venture deep into the Pantanal Swamp one day, the ring will be useful."

Shard also informed Luviya that Miss Galina would also be going to Huntington City. When discussing the topic, the smile on her face faded a lot:

"It’s starting again... Please, be careful."

Her purple eyes stared at Shard, filled with an inexplicable worry.

Princess Margaret’s farewell party, though not as extravagant as the Lakeside Manor wedding banquet solely for enjoyment, was grander and more solemn than most parties Shard had attended.

In the deep winter season, it was naturally impossible to set up outdoors, so today’s party was entirely indoors. Besides the large banquet hall on the first floor, rooms in the right rear corridor were open as a smoking lounge, for leisure and card games.

This would be the last party Princess Margaret and her entourage would attend in Tobesk, as they were set to depart early the next morning, embarking on their journey home.

The attendees were in a jovial mood, as the arrival of the foreign princess in the last month of the year concluded with a new agreement between the two nations on corn exports and rare alloy exchanges. There were even rumors that the letter from Princess Margaret’s father, the current King of the United Kingdom of Carsonrick, "Lion Ryan," mentioned a new world joint development agreement that had been verbally praised by King Larus III.

Additionally, more insider news circulated that a new round of negotiations on new world coal and mineral resources development between the two nations would begin next summer.

Regardless of the type of information, it indicated that Princess Margaret’s visit had successfully achieved her objectives.

The party was notably lively, with the splendid hall filled with the clinking and clashing of glasses as gentlemen and ladies conversed, the expensive tie clips and jewelry shimmering under the gaslights.

Luviya, who accompanied Shard, only spoke a few words with him before being called away by Miss Sylvia. The witch seemed very interested in the "remarkable diviner" Shard had mentioned and agreed to meet Luviya this afternoon. Meanwhile, Luviya was also interested in conversing with the witch, wanting to confirm if Miss Sylvia was the third in line for being The Chosen One.

Thus, with nothing to do, Shard thought about finding acquaintances to chat with. However, soon after Princess Margaret’s public appearance and speech, the princess’s maid quickly called Shard away. In the study on the second floor, the princess, with long pale golden hair elegantly dressed, greeted Shard alone.

"Your Highness, your speech earlier was excellent."

Even with soundproofing, you could still hear the music and noise from the banquet hall downstairs. The maid diligently closed the door from the outside, and Princess Margaret clasped her hands tightly in front of her, her long hair braided in front of her shoulder.

She just looked at Shard like that, seemingly unwilling to speak. Shard felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, but he didn’t know why the princess had called him up here.

[Do you really not know?]

"She" chuckled lightly in Shard’s ear and suggested before Shard could argue:

[If you don’t know what to do, just hug her.]

"That doesn’t seem like a good idea."

"Shard, I’m leaving tomorrow."

At this moment, Margaret finally spoke, looking at Shard:

"I originally thought that at the dance later, I could dance with you one last time, but lately I’ve been in too frequent contact with you. The elders of the visiting group reminded me that I shouldn’t have too much contact with you anymore."

She still looked at Shard, and Shard thought for a moment:

"Then, how about a dance here?"

He then suggested, pointing at the ground beneath them. For an instant, the princess seemed to have a hint of a smile, but then she slightly shook her head:

"No need, sometimes leaving some regrets makes the memories even more beautiful. I called you up here just to bid you a final farewell. Tomorrow, please don’t see me off at Tobesk Train Station... We can keep in touch by letter frequently in the future."

"Hmm..."

Shard had a strong premonition that he would definitely find a way to Royal Capital Velindale in the future. Even if he couldn’t find it, the Grand Witch of Space would find a way to help him. Even if Miss Sylvia couldn’t find a way, taking a steam train from "City of Red Wine" Huntington City to Royal Capital Velindale City wouldn’t take too long either.

"Do you remember when we first met?"

Margaret asked, her right hand resting on the back of the sofa, while Shard still stood at the door.

Shard recalled appearing as a friend of the vampire kind Mr. Benhart, under the guise of "Mr. Holmes," who ran a winery in the New World in Huntington City. But then he remembered that they had truly met at Tobesk Train Station:

"Of course, I remember. I gave you a flawless green gem and said — For Her Highness Margaret Anjou, may you come in peace and leave in beauty!"

He repeated, and the princess brushed her left hand over her shoulder’s front tresses. Shard saw the hair decoration with the green gemstone from back then in her hair.

Their eyes locked onto each other, and for a moment, neither spoke as an inexplicable emotion brewed. Margaret bit her lip as she looked at Shard, and Shard vaguely realized the direction this story might take next.

"She" spoke again at this moment:

[If you wish, with just a little wordplay, you could serve a brand-new princess tonight.]

"I know she is determined to become a witch apprentice, so nothing can happen with me. Now, she’s merely affected by the atmosphere. Using wordplay—wouldn’t that be too despicable?"

Shard silently mused, his eyes catching the lights outside, suddenly having an idea. The principle he had adhered to for so long might be slightly bent as a farewell gift to Princess Margaret.

"Your Highness..."

"Call me Margaret."

The princess spoke softly, but with a slightly strong tone.

"Alright, Margaret."

Shard said, and somehow this address made the princess blush a bit.

"Shall we... take a walk outside?"

Shard pointed out the window:

"This is a farewell party for you, but maybe you don’t have to be present all the time. Let these noisy and clamorous commoners celebrate the damned farewell by themselves. The two of us, yes, just the two of us. Let’s wander around the city; we’ll be back in two hours. If anyone comes looking for you..."

"Then let them wait slowly. You’re right, Shard, doing something outrageous occasionally isn’t bad either."

Shard could guarantee he hadn’t said such things.

"Walking around the city the night before leaving, as a commemoration, isn’t a bad idea. Knight, please wait a moment; I need to change my clothes."

"Oh, please also prepare an overcoat for me, yes, a black cloak with a hood. Margaret, prepare the same outfit for yourself. We’re planning to go to a... special place."

Due to a recent attack on Margaret in the city, the protection around Canary Estate had become tighter than ever, but this didn’t stop the two Circle Sorcerers.

She seemed very happy, smiling as she and Shard, cloaked, jumped out the window. They used illusion techniques to deceive the guards from the estate’s back garden and left together.

Tonight, Tobesk City was foggy, the starry sky completely obscured, and only three moons faintly visible. The young princess and the knight walked side by side, venturing into this city that had fallen asleep.