Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 377 Washing the Cat

After spending Saturday night, early on Sunday morning, Shard sent an urgent local letter to Miss Galina's estate, hoping to get a response as quickly as possible.

He had no other plans for today, so he decided to stay home and read and organize files.

After Shard sent the letter at eight-thirty, Dorothy came to visit again. On one hand, she was returning the detective files she had borrowed last time, along with the "Draleon Ancient Fairy Tales Stories Collection" that Shard had bought at an auction before the Blood Feast; on the other hand, she wanted to stay at Saint Delan Square today and continue to read those detective files to get more inspiration for her detective stories.

"Speaking of which, how many drafts do you have now?"

Shard was curious about this, and the blonde author smiled elegantly, showing her confidence:

"The first story is adapted from your encounter with two cemetery spirits, titled 'Expired Murder.' My novels are not published in every issue, but with biweekly serialization, 'Expired Murder' is enough for two weeks' content, and I've already finished writing it.

The second story is originally mine called 'Mystery of the Blood Letters,' which will probably suffice for three issues. I've already written half of the third story. Your detective records have inspired me, Shard, your study truly is a treasure trove."

She looked at Shard with a smile, and Shard casually nodded:

"As long as you like it, feel free to come anytime."

After all, his sensitive items were hidden behind the walls of the basement.

So that morning, Dorothy and Shard spent time together in the study. However, each was busy with their own matters, with Shard going through a book he had picked up from the doctor the day before, hoping at least to memorize all the contents in it for future needs.

Dorothy, interested, flipped through the detective files, and even helped organize the parts that Shard had not yet sorted out.

Sparrow Hamilton had lived in Saint Delan Square for two years, handling double-digit commissions both big and small. Although his working efficiency was much higher than Shard's, his earning efficiency was not as high as Shard's.

At noon, Dorothy complained about the lack of vegetables and meat stored in Shard's house, and then went to a restaurant outside with him and Mia for lunch.

After lunch, since there was no news from Miss Galina, Shard took advantage of the midday break to talk to Dorothy about the second letter from Miss Mia Gold.

"Bathing a cat?"

The blonde girl sat on the sofa, glanced at the cat that had become sleepy after eating and was now lying on Shard's lap, half-dozing while being petted by Shard:

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"I seem to remember you mentioned this to me last month."

Dorothy asked.

"Yes, but haven't I been out of time?"

Shard replied, so the blonde girl used the hair tie on her wrist to tie up her golden hair. While fixing her hair, she signaled for Shard to stand up and smiled at him and the cat:

"So do you have time now?"

"Of course, I do."

"How long do you think it will take to wash the cat?"

"Probably about half an hour?"

"Then why wait?"

Dorothy, having tied her hair, also stood up and looked at Shard with a skeptical eye:

"You always like to get things done immediately and never delay, so why are you always delaying with this cat? Since there's nothing else, I'll wash the cat with you. Although there are no stored vegetables in your house, you should have an apron, right?"

"Meow~"

Due to Shard's motion of standing up, the cat, now being held, let out a displeased meow. The young orange cat's cry was very soft, unaware of what was about to happen next.

"Well... okay, of course we have aprons, the previous detective left plenty, though I don't know why."

Shard hesitated a bit and then nodded, realizing that this task couldn't be delayed any longer, as he still needed to mail Mia's photo to Miss Gawder.

"Meow~"

The cat wriggled its body in Shard's arms, its small paws dangling down in front of Shard's arm, looking quite content. Maintaining this posture, the cat being cradled by Shard was brought into the washroom for its nap.

(Mia bathing in progress...)

"Did you just have a bath? Do you also have the habit of bathing at noon?"

This was the first question asked by the Duchess, holding a book, in front of Shard that afternoon at Miss Galina's.

It was still the study room of the manor outside the city, and still the same spot on the sofa. However, Shard's hair was not yet dry, easily revealing the traces of washing his hair.

"It wasn't a bath, it was washing a cat,"

Shard corrected.

"Washing a cat?"

The redhead witch asked with a smile, while the dark-haired maid, Tifa Servet, who knew what had happened on her way there, stood by, preparing the tea set while chuckling softly.

Over eighty percent of the servants at Miss Galina's manor were female, and naturally, there were cats as well. Although the Duchess didn't seem like someone who would wash a cat herself, she obviously had guessed what had happened.

"Your life is indeed interesting."

"I rather wish it were less interesting. Thankfully, cats only need a bath every few months, otherwise..."

Shard recalled an hour earlier in his bathroom, when the cat, staring with wide eyes as he held it and put it into the bathtub, suddenly struggled vigorously upon touching the warm water, then unleashed its formidable fighting strength.

Shard had once doubted how Mia, with her tiny size, could possibly bully other animals in the pet store.

Now he knew that one should never judge the combat effectiveness of small creatures by their appearance. If Dorothy hadn't helped, Shard might not have been able to hold onto the cat as it struggled furiously to escape.

Throughout the cat-washing process, Mia kept struggling, which was why Shard ended up almost completely wet. He hadn't had time to dry his hair before the coach reached Saint Delan Square.

So now, Dorothy was at Shard's house, using a towel to dry off the sullen cat wrapped in a blanket. After its fur clung tightly to its skin, it looked much thinner, and upon seeing its reflection in the mirror, the orange cat remained sullen at Shard.

"Alright, let's talk business. You said you found a bottle of usable ancient magic potion?"

Miss Galina closed the book in her hand and put it on the coffee table; Shard noticed it was an actual magazine about ladies' summer fashion...

"Yes, an ancient mermaid's elixir of youth."

Bringing his thoughts back from the cat at home, Shard placed the potion bottle on the table.

Tifa looked curiously at it, and after Miss Galina picked it up, examined it against the light, and carefully removed the stopper, she sniffed it and furrowed her brows slightly:

"I thought you were just joking, but no... Shard, I know this; it's an advanced potion crafted only by the Merman Race in the ancient times, that can rejuvenate anyone temporarily. Ancient Witch Empresses even used it for baths."

Priest Augustus had said that Ancient Witch Empresses also added it to their breakfast. Either way, it confirmed the rumors of the extravagantly lavish lifestyles of the Witch Empresses.

With Shard's consent, Miss Galina had Tifa bring a professional glass dropper and a black old cat. Carefully drawing a drop, she placed it into the cat's mouth.

The three of them watched the cat, which with a lazy meow, had its fur become visibly richer and glossier, while its elderly body also regained health.

It leapt suddenly, from Miss Galina's lap onto the coffee table, and just as it aimed to pounce on Shard, the dark-haired maid caught it with her hand.

It took a full half-hour to revert to its former aged appearance, a smile appeared on Miss Galina's face:

"Judging by the color, smell, and effects of the potion, this indeed is the high-quality potion presented to witches by the Merman Race during the Fifth Era. Offerings of potions and materials from exotic races are something people of our era could hardly imagine. In the Fifth Era, apart from a few witches who found relics like the 'Ever-Youth Leaf' at a young age, most relied on various expensive potions to maintain their youth, humph, those women..."

The witches of the Sixth Era seemed rather dissatisfied with those of the Fifth Era, Miss Galina's slender fingers lightly swirled the bottle, watching the liquid spin before finally looking at Shard:

"Shard, I won't ask you where this came from, since you aren't offering that information, I won't pry into your secrets. But this is very useful to me, one small bottle, probably enough to rejuvenate an adult for about a week. My price... how about 3,300 pounds?"

"Of course, that price is certainly okay." Continue reading at novelbuddy

Shard immediately nodded, his initial expected price had been around 2,300 pounds. Although the potion was extraordinary, magic potions are one-time-use items, and their effects are time-limited, so getting this price was already quite good.

"But I want cash, no bank drafts this time."

Redeeming large bank drafts took time, and Shard didn't like always using bank drafts signed by the Duchess to withdraw money, as it wasn't good for his reputation.

"No problem, but that means you'll have to wait a while,"

She gestured to Miss Servit, who immediately exited the room to arrange for the cash Shard requested.

Miss Galina placed the potion on the table, and started discussing other matters with Shard:

"Remember the last time I told you the Council had dispatched a new Witch to search for the second Chosen One? She has already departed, heading to Coldwater Port. I heard there's a Merman upheaval there, the entire city is hunting these exotic creatures. Speaking of which, I remember Little Lecia was supposed to be in Coldwater Port; I wonder what she's up to."

She relayed this as fresher news to Shard, but for him, this was critically important. Feigning indifference, he asked:

"I wonder which Grand Witch was sent out this time? May I know her identity? Oh, I won't tell anyone."