Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 384 Leaves and Gemstones

"I didn't expect the fairy tale of 'Kiss of the Tree' to have this meaning, but this is bad news."

Dorothy covered her forehead, rather helplessly, then looked up at the glowing Rune:

"When I had you choose 'Kiss of the Tree' for your studies, I hoped you would obtain a Spirit Rune related to nature, not the story itself. Understanding 'Kiss of the Tree' for its own sake is indeed not specific and complex, but the problem is that this Spirit Rune points to the actual story. Shard, you will find it very difficult to locate an Arcane Technique that corresponds to 'Kiss of the Tree'."

This was indeed a problem. Even without searching, Shard could imagine how rare such a Spirit Rune must be. He even wondered if anyone besides him could obtain this Spirit Rune.

"I want to try my luck at the Black Raven Library first, then have Princess Lecia inquire through the channels of Zaras Literary Academy, after all, they are skilled in Sorcery and Arcane Techniques. My relationship with Librarian Miss Danester of Saint Byrons is also quite good, and I can also search there."

"No, don't ask at the Academy Library; it will arouse suspicion. I'll inquire, as I am a Circle Sorcerer who specializes in Enlightenment Elements."

Dorothy said, offering Shard advice:

"Direct Arcane Techniques corresponding to 'Kiss of the Tree' probably do not exist, but there might be other Spirit Runes associated with the story that you can study... That said, our lessons will have to change focus again. This time let's aim for the 'Sleeping' Spirit Rune, since you already have two Runes in the Second Ring, 'The Echo Vibration of Space-Time Powers Sleeping Strength.' Yes, it's time to arrange the Sublimation Incantation's required Spirit Runes too." Experience tales with novelbuddy

Princess Lecia's Low Ring Ascension Words were related to the sleeping princess, so they should be quite adept at it.

"How come I don't have the luck you do, to have a fate-like connection with fairy tales, with every Ring corresponding to a story?"

The blonde girl muttered quietly and then tilted her head with a smile at Shard, as though she had thought of something.

Compared with the other things he encountered yesterday, 'Kiss of the Tree' really wasn't a big deal. After all, even if the Spirit Rune had no associated Arcane Technique, it didn't matter; it wouldn't affect Shard's power.

Even though Dorothy couldn't fully listen to Shard narrate the stories of deities, she provided the parchment she had bought last time at the Opera House, and combined with the ink mixed from the blood of deep-sea whales, she allowed Shard to use the 'Joyful Dream Pen' as a writing tool, to write down the story.

Thus, Dorothy could slowly interpret the story written by Shard, just as she would with those obscure and twisted tales. And when Shard finished writing the last letter, he suddenly thought that maybe those stories that carried power were originally written in this way too.

Having handed over an 'Ever-Youth Leaf' to Dorothy and left the 'Transmutation Ring' with her to play with the cat, Shard then set off again after entering the basement.

It was still raining on Monday at Coldwater Port, where the summer rain was more abundant than in Tobesk, the port city.

Again, he emerged soaking wet from the sea, but this time he didn't go to the Golden Rose Inn. Princess Lecia had already arranged a carriage, which was waiting for Shard in an alley near the docks, and it took him directly to Sophia's Mansion.

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"Princess Lecia, is it the Sixth Era now?"

This was the first question Shard asked Princess Lecia in the study, after he had cleaned himself up.

"Of course, otherwise what time would it be... Oh, Shard, did you lose control?"

The princess sat behind the desk, reacting just like Dorothy had. The rain outside was a constant drizzle, and the rather empty study felt a bit cold.

"Of course, I didn't lose control; I'm quite alright."

Shard shook his head.

The Maid brought a chair from behind, and Shard then took a seat beside the desk.

"Oh, Princess Lecia, I've been pondering an interesting question recently. Saint Byrons is in the Far North, Xerxes Higher Medical Academy is under the sea, so where is Zaras Literary Academy located?"

He asked this as he sat down, choosing not to ask Dorothy directly, because it was the princess's secret.

"I definitely can't tell you the exact location; I've signed a confidentiality agreement, after all. But I can tell you the general area, it's here."

She stretched out her hand and pointed at the sky.

"The clouds?"

"Of course not."

"The Floating City?"

"That's your guess, not mine."

The red-haired girl smiled.

Shard understood the answer and therefore didn't ask further. He marveled at the peculiar locations of each of the Three Major Academies and, after thinking for a moment, took out a waterlogged pocket watch, now sandwiching two leaves inside. Shard handed one of the leaves to the Princess, who of course knew what it was. She put down the teacup she had just lifted and looked at Shard in surprise,

"I heard from Dorothy that you traveled through time again. But are you sure you want to lend this to me, not Dorothy?"

She picked up the leaf and twirled its stem, spinning it before her eyes.

"I got two this time, and I already gave the other one to her this morning."

Shard said, then noticed a copy of the "Steam Bird Daily" beside the Princess. It seemed that even in Coldwater Port, Lecia still kept up with Dorothy's serialized novel.

"You already gave it to her..."

The red-haired girl muttered softly and set the leaf aside.

"Oh, there's another gift for you. This is to thank you for helping me search for the survivors of the pirate ship."

Shard took something else from his pocket and placed it on the table, a ruby earring. Not a fake gemstone from a souvenir shop, but a real gemstone. The earring encased a beautiful rhombic gemstone in pure gold, looking quite lovely.

This was something Shard had taken out of a gift box at dawn. When he had found out it was a ruby, he was truly stunned; after all, it was just an apple the previous week. His first instinct was to sell it for money, but then he felt it was too much of a pity to sell such a beautiful gemstone.

"This is... Oh, is this a real gemstone? Shard, where did you get this from? Are you sure you want to give this to me? This could fetch thousands of pounds at an auction."

Lecia frowned slightly, aware of Shard's financial situation.

"This didn't cost anything, I'll wash a few clothes for someone for free this week."

Shard shook his head, understanding its value, of course, but compared to the cost Lecia had incurred in helping him find someone in Coldwater Port, this was nothing. Besides, it was all free; giving it to Her Highness the Princess wouldn't only express his gratitude but also strengthen their relationship. And more importantly:

"The mermaid earring I sent last time was bought from a souvenir shop, just a fake gemstone. Look, I see you're still wearing it, which is not befitting your status at all, so I had to get a real gemstone."

He yawned; he had not slept well the night before.

Because of his yawning, he missed the smile curling on the Princess's lips.

The third step of the "Sea Return" ritual, the appearance of the red ocean, was expected to occur on either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Although the ritual wasn't to summon the Evil God but merely to submerge the city, Shard was still concerned for Lecia's safety, which is why he had lent her the leaf.

During the half-week Shard returned to Tobesk and struggled for fifteen credits in the city, many things had happened here as well.

Through the information obtained at the Merman's stronghold in Kazem Lane, the Church began a citywide manhunt and gradually realized that the Progeny of the Evil God, who had been in the city's shadows since the founding of Coldwater Port, had already infiltrated every aspect of the city unknowingly.

Even with the Church's resolve to eradicate them, the situation was far from optimistic. The number of Mermen was just too great; they were not a few scattered individuals but were hidden en masse in Coldwater Port.

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