Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 455 - [Witch Council]

At the end of the corridor, Shard felt a familiar sensation not only because of the White Mist Gate in front of him but also because he had seen this corridor before.

Through the gift of the Father of the Infinite Tree, he had learned the truth about the Witch War of the Fifth Era: it was two witches who tried to end the Fifth Era using the power of the Witch Council. And at that time, the two beautiful ladies had entered the Council through this very corridor that Shard and Miss Aphrola had just walked through.

Therefore, what lay beyond the White Mist Gate in front of them must be the Witch Council.

To use the Time Corridor, one needed a "time" Spirit Rune, Spell Words, and a Time Key.

To use the Spatial Labyrinth, one needed a "space" Spirit Rune to open the walls, had to touch the Ancient God Statue, and recite Spell Words.

To use the Judge's Court, one required a "balance" Spirit Rune, an Ancient God's Holy Emblem, and Spell Words.

If one were to infer by this pattern, entering a space left behind by the Ancient Gods would require at least three conditions—a Spirit Rune, an Artifact, and Spell Words.

As for the Witch Council, Shard knew of the "Thirteen Witch Accessories," which should equate to the Time Key, Ancient God Statue, and Holy Emblem. The song just now must also be one of the conditions, though Shard was unsure whether it was a Spell Word or a fourth condition beyond the three.

But even if it truly was a Spell Word, Shard still did not know the Spirit Rune. He did not know the name and primary clergy role of the Ancient God that corresponded to the Witch Council, and in the Impermanence Card, the name corresponding to the witch card is simply Witch.

"Madam, what lies beyond this door?"

Shard asked as if he were unaware, pondering whether to take this chance to reveal the history of the "Witch War" he had seen.

"What do you think it might be?"

Miss Aphrola asked.

"This White Mist Gate that obscures sight... behind it could be an ancient hero pinned to the ground with spears, or perhaps a pope from the church adept at using enchanted twin blades, a formidable enemy we might have to challenge."

Shard said offhandedly.

"No, no, Mr. Hamilton, what lies behind is certainly not some sort of arena."

Miss Aphrola said as she flicked her hair:

"Since you're hesitant to go in first, then follow me. Moreover, if you feel any discomfort, retreat immediately; there's no need to keep up."

"Discomfort? What kind of discomfort?"

Shard asked curiously, guessing that entrance to the Witch Council required certain conditions. Although a witch had brought him here, that didn't necessarily mean he could pass through the White Mist Gate.

"It's hard to say, but as long as you're quick to retreat, I believe there'll be at least no danger to your life."

She took Shard's hand:

"Let's not waste time here."

Then she stepped through the White Mist Gate first.

Although she was holding his hand, Miss Aphrola's grip was not strong, allowing Shard to break free at any moment. But as an Outlander, he was curious about what was to come and thus followed the witch toward the gate.

This was not the first time Shard had passed through a gate of similar structure, and this experience was no different from the previous ones. He crossed the threshold, stepping into the space shrouded in white fog.

It was very similar to the Time Corridor and Spatial Labyrinth—so much so that the current environment was nearly identical to the state of the former two before they were activated. If it were the Time Corridor, a single step could take you to a time in the past, and in the Spatial Labyrinth, Shard had to touch the markers.

Miss Aphrola, still holding Shard's hand, turned to give him another serious look, as if to make sure he really existed.

"Is my attire inappropriate?"

Seeing her expression, Shard asked intentionally, and the witch shook her head:

"It is quite suitable, just unexpectedly so. I mean, that the ritual went smoother than expected."

"That's good, but what do we do next?"

Shard pretended to survey the surrounding fog and reached out to stir the mist. In these strange spaces left by the Ancient Gods, divine glimmers would appear on his body as soon as he summoned the Ring of Fate. Without the ring, he remained in a normal state.

"Should we walk around? The fog here really is thick."

Shard remarked, and Miss Aphrola seemed startled, quickly responding:

"No, absolutely do not wander off. Remember, do not wander off!"

The witch with brown hair did not let go of Shard's hand, as if she feared he would vanish the moment she released him.

"Hold on."

She raised the hand with the Relic, the "Witch's Golden Ring (Right One)," to her lips, gently kissing the ring's face, then softly spoke in an ancient language:

"May the hidden chaos protect me, a fellow witch."

These words must be the true Spell Words, and Shard made an effort to remember the pronunciation.

The ring emitted a gentle white glow, which dispelled the fog around them and clarified the scene nearby.

This place resembled a ritual site or a council chamber. There was a large gray-white stone table in the center, surrounded by thirteen ancient stone chairs with high backs.

This time Shard was not observing from a third-person perspective, so he could scrutinize the setting more meticulously. He noticed that behind each of the thirteen stone chairs was an emblem. These emblems did not represent a numerical sequence but things like "time," "space," "earth," and "sun."

He was only able to see these symbols behind four of the chairs.

The base level, where the stone table and chairs were situated, was encircled by worn stone steps that ascended tier by tier until the view was blocked by dense fog overhead.

There were no light fixtures; it was the thin mist in the air and the rich white fog overhead that were glowing. Not very bright, but the light was enough for Shard to see the red-haired woman seated at the round table.

She was not a stranger but Miss Galina Cavendish. It seemed she had been waiting there for a while. As Shard laid eyes on her, the Duchess was idly filing her nails with a small silver-white file and had a book by her side.

He only looked up when he heard the voice, slightly raising an eyebrow in surprise:

"Oh, you actually were brought in, but you really are slow. Good afternoon, Shard."

She waved at Shard by way of greeting, and Shard replied:

"Good afternoon, Miss Galina."

She furrowed her brows slightly:

"Sorry, but have you planned something that only I am unaware of?"

"To actually have been brought in."

The brown-haired witch was also surprised, looking at the hand that was leading Shard, she impolitely pinched it a few times before carefully letting go. Shard did not immediately vanish as a result.

"Shall I explain the situation here, or will you?"

Thus, Miss Aphrola asked Miss Galina, but Shard, who had already figured out something, interjected:

"I think I have seen this place before."

He frowned slightly and before the two witches could ask, added:

"No, I really have seen this place."

Looking up at the rows of stone steps ascending:

"Yes, I have seen this white fog, seen this space."

"Where have you seen this place from?"

One had a surprised face and the other seemed bored, but the expressions of the two witches became very serious all of a sudden.

"From times past. Although the Academy believes that I have only used two Time Keys so far, I have actually used three. I have glimpsed upon you two beautiful ladies coming here through a Time Key in times past."

He simply described the incident about the witch war, omitting key phrases such as the Council and witches, pretending he had not connected the incident with the Witch Council. He then lamented:

"At that time, I was very confused, not understanding what it all meant and not knowing who to tell. If I had known earlier that this place was related to the Witch Council, I would have spoken directly to Miss Galina."

"Can Time Keys really glimpse into the internals of the Council?"

Miss Galina touched her smooth chin, looking around with some disbelief, as if worried that someone was spying on them. Miss Aphrola had also never heard of such a thing. It was only with the appearance of the two witches that it became apparent that Miss Aphrola's Draleonian was not standard:

"Is this an accident? Or does the Ancient God of Time have the power to peep at other Ancient Gods? Or is it caused by Hamilton's uniqueness? After all, unless one has the power of a witch, no one should be able to enter here."

The two witches turned their heads to look at Shard together:

"Ladies, I am certainly not a witch; I am a normal male."

He emphasized again.

"Of course, you're not a witch."

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Miss Aphrola snorted, seemingly certain of this fact.

"Of course, you're not a witch, otherwise your badge would react to you. That alchemical item is very reliable."

Miss Galina also said, then gestured for Miss Aphrola to sit down and talk. However, Shard could not just sit down casually on any stone chair at the table; each seat represented a spot on the Witch Council. It wasn't about whether Shard could sit down, as the witch who owned the seat would definitely be able to sense it if he did.

"Let's make this brief, although I am quite certain no one will suddenly come in, just to be on the safe side, Shard, don't stay here too long."

Miss Galina said, while Shard took the opportunity when Miss Aphrola was sitting down to observe the symbols on the back of their chairs.

Miss Aphrola's symbol was "Light," and Miss Galina's symbol was "Balance."

"Hamilton, you probably guessed some of it already. Yes, this is the real 'Witch Council.' Our organizational name actually comes from our control over this place."

Miss Aphrola said.

"What exactly is this place?"

"Ancient God: Chaos Witch, who has left us this space, holds clergies such as 'Unknown,' 'Uncertainty,' and 'Secrecy,'"

Miss Galina explained simply, without mentioning the true power of the "Witch Council."

"This space has existed since ancient eras and follows a unified principle – only those with the power of a witch can enter. In the Sixth Era, there are truly only thirteen witches in each generation. Apart from them, our cultivated successors and a few followers can also come here under guidance. There's no need to talk about the Fifth Era; in theory, every witch is qualified to enter, but only those who possess the accessories have the right to a seat."

"What about the earlier eras?"

Shard asked curiously.

"It is like the Circle Sorcerer System thriving in the Sixth Era, but not actually originated from it. The emergence of the Witch System also did not start in the Fifth Era but can be traced back to the Fourth Era. According to the Council's preserved records, the number of witches in the Fourth Era is about the same as in the Sixth Era, while the earlier eras are untraceable. But it seems there must have been powers similar to 'witches'."

Miss Aphrola said.

"We use this place for meetings and regularly exchange information, knowledge, and relics. The Council is formed by thirteen Grand Witches, creating a loose but secretive organization – that is the truth of the Witch Council."

Miss Galina added, though not addressing the "voting" Shard saw once and the Council's real function.

"But I certainly don't have the power of a witch; of that, I am sure."

He hesitated, pointing to himself, and asked slowly:

"How exactly did I get in here?"