Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Dorothy knew that Shard was going to bid farewell to Luviya, who would be leaving the city next Monday, so she left Saint Delan Square after breakfast. After getting ready, Shard headed to Luviya's rented apartment with Mia.

When they arrived, Iluna was also there. It was clear that the seventeen-year-old girl was quite unsettled by Luviya's departure, looking more upset than Shard.

Luviya didn't actually have much luggage to pack. Shard made sure she carried the Ever-Youth Leaf with her, and Iluna gave her a Sunlight Gun Brooch. As Iluna herself grew stronger, the alchemical items she created also became more powerful.

Since there was nothing else to do, on this leisurely Sunday, Shard wandered around the city with the two girls. In the morning, they visited the city history museum together, had lunch at a club familiar to Iluna, and spent the afternoon at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, discussing interesting topics. They talked about Shard's time adventure from that morning and Luviya's plans upon reaching Randall Valley.

After dinner, Shard went with them to a concert, which improved Iluna's mood a bit... It seemed as if it was Iluna who was going on a journey, not Luviya.

Tomorrow morning, Luviya would depart directly from the Prophet's Society, so there was no need for Shard and Iluna to see her off. Therefore, she planned to spend the night at Saint Delan Square. At 8 p.m. that evening, Shard took Iluna to her doorstep, planning to watch her board the carriage before leaving.

The two strolled along the edge of the square, and Iluna kicked a pile of snow by the roadside, looking back at the lights on the second floor of the Shard Family home:

"I'm really not used to Luviya leaving like this. Whenever there's trouble, I could always count on her for help."

"Diviners can't always guide us; we must learn to make our own decisions for the future."

Shard said, reaching out to tighten Iluna's scarf before lowering his voice:

"I'm planning to go to Randall Valley soon, oh, not because of Luviya."

Iluna looked at Shard with a shy understanding on her face:

"I get it, I knew you, like me, would be reluctant to part with her. After all, she's not as good at fighting as we are. Accompanying her at Randall Valley is a good thing..."

Although Luviya wasn't skilled in combat, her "other self" was at least a genuine Demigod Witch.

"So, Shard, remember to say a proper goodbye to Luviya tonight... By the way, will anything strange happen when you and she go to Randall Valley together?"

That's for sure. If the special Time Key is in that valley city, there's no reason it wouldn't have unique features. Shard didn't know what he would face this time, but he speculated that perhaps "Time's Chosen One" might make an appearance. But no matter what, he must obtain that key, which is the only way to reach the Bygone Era: Sixth Era.

"Also, about the nun from Sun and Earth Church, Sister Ollie Perry, whom you mentioned encountering during the Fifth Era with specific time and name, I can help you look her up."

Iluna said softly, stopping:

"Say a proper goodbye to Luviya tonight, you don't need to see me off any further."

She looked into Shard's eyes, suddenly thinking of their kiss in her apartment before the Year-End Festival. Blushing, she glanced around, then stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around Shard's neck.

This time she did well, at least she didn't bite Shard's lip again.

So it was another Monday morning, and upon opening his eyes, Shard looked over at the girl lying beside him. Although this farewell was brief, Shard felt an undeniable hint of melancholy in his heart.

He and Luviya had breakfast together, and the purple-eyed girl refused Shard's offer to accompany her back to the apartment to get her luggage, only allowing him to accompany her downstairs.

Little Mia squatted higher on the stairs, watching them say goodbye with a kiss in the hallway. Hugging Luviya, Shard naturally mentioned his plan:

"I'm thinking of finding a way to go to Randall Valley soon. Luviya, perhaps you'll see me soon."

"There's no need to do something like that just to see me."

Luviya playfully scolded, but she looked happy.

"I'm starting to be afraid of you going on long trips. Every time you go to another city, you always encounter strange troubles, Coldwater Port, Midshire Fort, Huntington. No, everything was fine at Huntington."

"But the entire western Old Continent suffered."

Shard corrected, and Luviya shook her head with a smile:

"In any case, hope all goes well. Oh, before parting, Shard, please let me do a divination for you, to see if you'll successfully meet me in Randall City."

Shard smiled as he watched Luviya shuffle the cards. After a brief hesitation, he drew the third card from the top.

"[The Feast]."

Luviya interpreted the card and praised with a smile:

"Your luck has always been good. The meaning represented by the Divination Card: The Feast is always positive and upbeat. Harvest, abundance, fulfillment, and so on; different things come with different interpretations. But this is certainly not a bad sign, you should be able to see me successfully."

"As long as it doesn't mean I've encountered the [Lord of the Blood Feast] again."

Shard thought to himself, then kissed Luviya again:

"Then, see you in Randall City. The adventure is about to begin, safe travels, Luviya."

At that moment, he seemed to feel as if he had just kissed two people at once.

Since it was Monday, Shard didn't forget to take out this week's gift. This week's gift was a harmonica in a leather case, appearing quite valuable. But for Shard, who didn't understand music very well, its best value was as a present for someone else.

And this week's task was to learn to sing a song, which was something Shard intended to do anyway.

Shard had already obtained the means to head to Randall Valley, but he wasn't in a hurry to do it just yet. Taking advantage of the morning, he went to Saint York Academy to deliver the investigation report about Professor Martin's runaway son to the professor.

Although because of Shard's investigation, Mr. Martin might face the risk of imprisonment, the professor had already paid the full commission fee when Shard reported the situation on Saturday morning.

Receiving the complete investigation report, the old professor sighed and told Shard he would hire the best lawyer to defend his son and hoped Shard could speak a few good words as a witness.

"I hope Miss Norma's spirit may rest in peace."

In Shard's view, although someone was harmed in this incident, it was hard to say whose fault it truly was.

After the commission ended, without Shard needing to ask, around noon, Professor Luisa, Dorothy's father, sent an invitation for a meeting to Hamilton Detective to discuss those interesting detective stories.

The meeting with Professor Luisa took place that afternoon at the "Wind Song Club" in town, a place where local writers and poets frequently gathered.

Professor Luisa was a tall, slender man with gold spectacles, meticulously groomed hair, and an exceptionally elegant demeanor. Even Shard had to admit that Dorothy's father was indeed quite distinguished in appearance.

This was the professor's first meeting with Shard. Although he did not know Shard and Dorothy's relationship, he was quite aware of the various rumors in town about the knight and the Duchess.

That afternoon, they certainly did not talk about those matters. Priest Luisa was genuinely interested in Shard and chatted with him about the detective profession. Dorothy's detective novels' success made the literature professor see a different development path for popular knight novels, sparking his curiosity about the detective profession.

Shard was also happy to share his experiences with Dorothy's father and tried to portray himself as an honest and reliable figure in his stories.

Because of Shard's "ulterior motives," their conversation went exceptionally well. In fact, that evening Professor Luisa even invited Shard to his home for dinner with the entire Luisa family, allowing Shard to meet Dorothy's mother and her underage brother and sister.

The professor seemed to appreciate Shard. After hearing that Shard had never attended school but was quite familiar with literature and poetry—thanks to Dorothy's prior briefing—he showed interest and inquired:

"Are you interested in an honorary degree? An honorary degree in Literature, to be awarded in spring. If you're interested, I can help arrange something, of course. Since you're a noble, the donation amount to the school is negotiable."

Shard naturally accepted:

"Professor, I often hear people praise those who study literature as gentlemanly and refined. Now it seems those compliments are a bit understated."

Professor Luisa shook his head modestly, but his smile did not fade. In Shard's view, Dorothy's father was far easier to deal with than Lecia's father.

That night, Dorothy, who should have been at home, came nervously to No. 6, Saint Delan Square around ten o'clock to inquire into the entire afternoon's meeting and the post-dinner talks Shard had with her father in the study.

Upon hearing that Professor Luisa had a good impression of Shard, Miss Writer was very pleased and kissed Shard. Although the matter of Shard's marriage was something the young women tacitly avoided mentioning, Dorothy clearly wanted Shard to get to know her family sooner.

To reward Shard for his harmonious interaction with her father and to soothe his melancholy and loneliness over Luviya's departure, the usually somewhat bashful Dorothy was even more enthusiastic and proactive during her stay at Shard's home tonight.

Of course, when Shard opened his eyes on Tuesday morning to find that it was Her Highness the Princess's soul inside the golden-haired girl's body, that was another story entirely.