Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 589 - : Grand Witch Cassandra (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 589: Chapter 589: Grand Witch Cassandra (Please Subscribe)

Hearing footsteps from the basement, the three people in the living room upstairs immediately rose to their feet.

It wasn’t long before they saw Shard, with a stern look on his face, appear at the top of the staircase. It was already six in the evening, and outside the living room window, Saint Delan Square was bathed in the glow of the autumn sunset, but Shard had no time to appreciate the beauty of the setting sun.

He hugged the cat that ran over with joy, and signaled for everyone to sit down and talk:

“I indeed made it to Midshire Fort.”

Shard was very direct in his speech, and seeing as he hadn’t returned all afternoon, the doctor, Dorothy, and Luviya had almost expected this outcome.

The four of them sat on the sofa, listening as Shard recounted his itinerary for the day. The nuns from the House of the Blind had told him not to mention them to others, so Shard omitted the identity of the Circle Sorcerer who had helped him, but no one cared about such details.

“A Level 0 Relic?”

Everyone present understood the concept, which made them even more fearful of such power.

“Doctor, this is just speculation by the local Circle Sorcerers, but whether it’s true is hard to say.”

“Even if it’s not an Unclassified Level, the Interstice between life and death is certainly not a simple place.”

Luviya furrowed her brow:

“What’s the next step?”

Whether it was an Unclassified Level Relic or not, it was not something they could resolve.

“I’m going to visit a High Ring Sorcerer who lives in Tobesk. She might have some ideas.”

Luviya and Dorothy both knew he was referring to Miss Galina. Since it was about rescuing Priest Augustus, Dorothy didn’t say anything.

“Then I’ll go back first, try to probe the Academy’s investigation progress. If they haven’t learned about these situations yet, I’ll think of a way to pass on the information sensibly. Shard, you really act fast.”

The doctor exclaimed.

“My friend in Midshire Fort still has some influence, I’ll make contact again. The next actions in Midshire Fort might need the support of secular power.”

Dorothy spoke, and Shard nodded his head in agreement; having the cooperation of the police and even the military in the unfamiliar city would make his next moves much easier.

He was only curious about how Lecia still had influence in Midshire Fort.

“Level 0 Relic… I’ll try to see if the Prophet’s Society has any relevant records.”

Luviya closed her eyes:

“I hope the Priest can hold on until our help arrives, or the Academy can come up with a solution.”

Shard tried to comfort her:

“The Circle Sorcerer friends in Midshire Fort were very generous; they have opened up some secret data concerning missing people. From past experiences, a Low Ring Sorcerer like Priest Augustus could linger on the borderline for about a week. After a week, if he still can’t make his way out… ”

He pursed his lips and did not continue.

Though the four of them had gathered together, none of them were in the mood to suggest going out for dinner together. So, having agreed to meet again here at Shard’s place the next afternoon, everyone left separately.

Shard, preoccupied with heavy thoughts, finally waited for the carriage that stopped downstairs at his house after having dinner with Mia.

It wasn’t Miss Galina who came, but the carriage was there to take Shard to the Duchess’s estate in the suburbs.

Deep in thought, Shard only noticed that he’d forgotten to leave Mia at home as the carriage started moving. Not wanting to waste any more time, he continued to ponder as he held the cat.

To Mia’s displeasure with the unexpected trip, she preferred waiting at home for Shard to come back rather than accompanying him on his actions.

“Look who’s here! Isn’t this the King of Roder Card from 1853?”

As soon as Shard stepped into the study of the estate, he heard the Witch teasingly say.

She was sitting on the sofa, holding a red hardcover book closed in her hands. If Shard was not mistaken, the title seemed to be “Art of Power.”

“Shard, you sure are busy. You’ve just finished with Big City Player and haven’t even finished collecting your rewards; how come you’re suddenly interested in Midshire Fort?”

The Witch beckoned, and the maids in the room went to prepare tea and snacks. Tifa stood behind Miss Galina and nodded at Shard with a smile.

“Ran into a very troublesome situation.”

Shard said worriedly, then sat down with Mia in his lap. Since it was about rescuing Priest Augustus, he explained the current issues as thoroughly as possible.

Throughout Shard’s explanation, Miss Galina showed little expression. After he finished speaking, she hesitated before asking:

“At the edge of life and death, the last region before death… Shard, are you sure you want to get involved in this kind of thing? I don’t need to tell you how dangerous this is.”

“Priest Augustus is my friend; I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Shard’s response was firm. The Witch shook her head:

“I knew you’d say that, so let’s first talk about this so-called ‘border between life and death.’ I think the knowledge you’ve come across so far isn’t at this level. How to describe it… It’s not a place that actually exists, there’s no specific space delineating the living and the dead. However, because the living always think there should be a boundary between death and life, such a place comes into being. Do you understand?”

Holding a cat, Shard thought for a moment:

“I think I kind of understand.”

“It’s not just Midshire Fort; similar phenomena can arise anywhere in the world, though Midshire Fort is the most serious of them all. Fortunately, a very long time ago, even further back than the Fifth Era, Transcendents from the material world sealed these strange edges of death, or edges of life, across the globe. Despite the passage of time, changes of eras, and even the relic beneath Sicarl Highland, these seals still exist.”

“If the seals exist, why does a place like that suddenly open an exit in Midshire Fort?”

“I don’t know the reason, only that with the onset of the Sixth Era, such seals are becoming increasingly unstable. There haven’t been any changes in the material world, so it must be death itself that is changing.”

The Witch replied. Shard furrowed his brows in thought, unable to grasp what “death itself changing” meant.

“Besides the basic knowledge, I can offer you some more practical help, but you will have to pay a price for it.”

“I still have…”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Do you think I lack the few coins in your pocket?”

She scoffed, and the Maids brought them tea, even preparing food for the cat in Shard’s arms. The “arrogant” cat did not immediately leave Shard, but waited until the Maids left before jumping onto the coffee table.

Shard didn’t bother with it:

“Then you mean…”

“A Grand Witch lives in Midshire Fort, yes, a Grand Witch. Mrs. Zina Cassandra, who holds the twelfth seat out of the thirteen in the Council. She’s 184 years old this year but looks like she’s in her fifties. Although she has only Ten Rings, she is proficient in Demonology and the knowledge of Exotic Species, and she is also the oldest of the existing Grand Witches.”

This also means that Mrs. Cassandra is the earliest of the existing Grand Witches to have joined the Witch Council.

“We usually call her ‘Granny Cassandra.’ During the recent Daknis incident, most of the information about the Human Pus Demon came from her. But unlike Hevy, I have been good friends with Hevy for a long time, so even if you reveal yourself to her, I can keep you safe. However, I can’t say for sure what Granny Cassandra’s attitude toward your existence would be.”

“Cassandra?”

Shard thought:

“I think I’ve heard this surname somewhere before… Oh, I’ve seen it on lamp posts!”

“Cassandra Auction House, specializing in the sale of antiques and art pieces. You must be familiar with the Ford Auction House in Tobesk City Center, right? That’s one of the local branches of Cassandra Auction House. It’s considered one of the largest auction houses in the world, and unlike Hevy, who inherited her family’s business, Granny Cassandra built all this herself from scratch, thanks to a good teacher…”

The Witch’s golden eyes stared at Shard:

“Shard, for various reasons, it’s impossible for me to go to Midshire Fort to help you. So if you want effective help on site, Granny Cassandra is your best choice, albeit a risky one. Regardless, I will try to gauge Granny Cassandra’s attitude toward your kind of existence. If you want to meet her, I can write you a letter of introduction and tell her in advance at the Council. It’s best not to reveal that you can come and go from the Council.”

“How does Mrs. Cassandra view men?”

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Shard asked curiously, scratching Mia’s chin.

“Witches generally have a consistent attitude toward men, but their underlying reasons differ. Hevy truly likes beautiful girls and considers the Witch’s Curse a fair price for power. I am…”

She glanced at Tifa:

“When I joined the Council, Granny Cassandra was already very old. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to ask her that kind of question, but obviously, we are from the Handkerchief Enthusiasts Society.”

She said with a laugh, and Shard nodded in understanding:

“Besides seeking help from the Grand Witch, are there any organizations in Midshire Fort that could support me?”

“Apart from the Witches, you might seek help from the Spiritual Practice Order.”

Shard had promised to keep a secret, so he didn’t reveal anything about the “House of the Blind.”

“Does the ‘Spiritual Practice Order’ have a presence in Midshire Fort?”

He pretended to know nothing, hoping Miss Galina would mention “House of the Blind.”

“Not just a presence, the headquarters of the ‘Spiritual Practice Order’ is located in Midshire Fort.”

Miss Galina said, waggling her finger, and Shard raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, but he understood why Ms. Michelle from House of the Blind hadn’t mentioned it; after all, he was a Magician with unknown origins. Even if he’d gained some trust because of Priest Augustus, it was obvious the other party wouldn’t instantly trust him completely.