Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 832: Water of Wisdom

Chapter 832 -832: Water of Wisdom

“Fairy tale?”

“Yes, the ancient fairy tale ‘Water of Wisdom’, my writer friend mentioned it to me.”

Shard nodded, turned, raised the portable kerosene lamp in his hand to illuminate the stele, and coughed before translating:

“The King, the Hero, and the Scholar sought out the Sage in the lake, seeking a way to solve their problems. The reclusive Sage used a water bottle to draw water from the lake, claiming that this water would bring them answers. However, each person had to ask their own question, and only the most difficult problem warranted the use of this treasure.”

Shard paused for a moment, the kerosene lamp in his hand slowly moving downward:

“The King raised the issue of governing the Kingdom, the Hero posed the challenge of defeating the Evil Dragon, and the Scholar presented the problem of unlocking an ancient Mechanism Box. To obtain the Water of Wisdom, the King sent an army to subdue the Evil Dragon, the Hero swung his longsword to shatter the Mechanism Box, and the Scholar provided a method to govern the Kingdom. Each person received wisdom, and so the Sage poured the water back into the lake.”

He reached forward to touch the stele, confirming that it was not a Relic, and recited the final sentence:

“Knowledge is power, and extraordinary wisdom is the most precious wealth.”

The last line was written in floral ancient script. The ending of fairy tales usually summarized the idea expressed in the story or elevated its theme—Dorothy believed that this made the story appear more profound than the writers intended.

“Sister, that is all that is written. Of course, some letters are really blurry, so I had to guess the meaning, and there may be issues with the details, but this is the gist of the story.”

Stepping back and standing with Sister Delphine, they looked at the stele:

“In the past few months, I often encountered situations where stories themselves hinted at events that occurred. Sister, perhaps the King, the Hero, and the Scholar symbolize some form of divided yet united force. These ancient fairy tales become increasingly intriguing when linked with legends.” freewebnσvel.cѳm

Shard smiled; folklore, fairy tales, and literature were keys to the bygone era that fascinated the Outlander.

‘Water of Wisdom’ is a famous fairy tale in this world, known for its entertaining and educational nature. It has not only been preserved as literature but also adapted into various versions of plays and operas, where the roles of the King, the Hero, and the Scholar are often replaced with a Gambler, a Knight, a Merchant, or even a Dragon, but the general storyline remains the same.

In operas, the visitors’ journey to the lake is typically divided into scenes, followed by a conversation with the Scholar in one scene, and in the final scene, their mutual resolution of problems.

This fairy tale is more renowned than ‘Kiss of the Tree’ and its exploration of honor, wisdom, and unity has influenced contemporary literature in the Steam Age. The concept of the ‘Water of Wisdom’ embodies nonexistent yet alluring wisdom, deeply affecting the discourse on wisdom and sin—the above insights were shared by the blonde Miss Writer and Shard.

Shard was quite certain that this fairy tale was indigenous to this world, not brought here by an Outlander like himself.

Sister Delphine hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly:

“Although the content was somewhat unexpected, it was not entirely without gain. It seems the Order will need to find some Circle Sorcerers proficient in ancient literature for assistance.”

Dorothy and Lecia are quite knowledgeable, but the person Sister Delphine needed was someone even more versed in these fairy tales:

“Sister, do you know about the ‘Guiding Light Hermitage’?”

After some thought, Shard asked, taking one last look at the stele, before turning to leave with Sister Delphine.

The nun with the silver eyepatch nodded slightly:

“Yes, they believe in the apocalypse and actively prepare for it. But the Hermitage has no public institution, making them difficult to find.”

“I know a few of them. One, who manages a lighthouse and the Circle Sorcerer black market at Coldwater Port. I can tell you his location, and you can send someone to consult him.”

The folklorist Mr. Edmund whom Shard mentioned was indeed far away.

“Alright. Around Coldwater Port, there’s also the Serpent Heart Hospital.”

Sister Delphine hesitated before speaking:

“Shard, the Order will not treat its friends poorly if you are willing to help. Last Wednesday, on the cliffs of Sicarl Mountain, you said you sought no reward, only the truth. But I cannot tell you if the apocalypse is real. So, what else do you need?”

Actually, the Primal Fire itself was power, so Shard did not require further compensation from the nun. But seeing her determined demeanor, he thought for a moment:

“Does the Spiritual Practice Order know any true legends related to Deities? For example, stories of Deities leaving their powers in certain places, or some Sect of the Evil God possessing special items, or a Saint once staying somewhere.”

The nun pondered:

“In the Old Continent, there are many such legends, but the most verifiable ones I can think of are the ‘Ice and Snow God’s Hunting Ritual’ in the Far North region, the ‘Lake Goddess’ legend near Huntington City in the central part of the Old Continent, and the story about the Forest Spirit in the Primal Forest at the southern end of the Old Continent.”

Shard noted this information, planning to consult Mr. Edmund further. The nun added:

“Although I don’t know what you intend to do, delving into these legends related to the great beings is bound to be extremely dangerous. The Order’s library has a vast collection of books. If needed, you can enter here anytime through the entrance of Serpent Heart Hospital in Milestone. Shard, you are a friend of the Order.”

She withdrew the flames burning in the center of the ritual site, drew out the longsword [Ashes], and left together with Shard.

[Ask her one thing.]

The whispering voice sounded, and Shard suddenly asked:

“Sister, when you arrived at Bena Lakeside on Wednesday night and saw my cat, I mean, when you saw Mia, did it already have that blood-red ring on its tail?”

“Yes.”

Shard widened his eyes slightly and asked again:

“After the great battle at Midshire Fort, did the church find any other relics related to the Vampire Kind in Sicarl Mountain?”

Sister Delphine nodded:

“Yes, after the deity left, it did not take away the relics used for summoning. Now, these relics have been transferred to different dioceses to prevent them from being reassembled by the Vampire Kind.”

Shard finally felt relieved. The appearance of the [Vampire Ring] on Mia’s tail was probably because, after he defeated the Vampire God, the ring coincidentally fell at Bena Lakeside and was picked up by the cat waiting for him.

This afternoon, Shard stayed at the [Spiritual Practice Order]’s site, listening to Sister Delphine introduce the Order’s situation and gaining better methods to utilize the Primal Fire from her.

In the evening, Sister Delphine sent Shard back to Midshire Fort. The autumn rain had just ceased, and although there were many puddles on the road, it was no longer raining. Shard took a carriage from Serpent Heart Hospital to Rolandta Manor, where Miss Aphrola resided.

The matter with the third Chosen One was concluded, and the Grand Witch was also about to leave Midshire Fort. She still remembered that Shard had promised to attend her banquet, so while having dinner that night, she officially invited Shard to attend her farewell banquet on Wednesday.

Shard naturally agreed. Although he was eager to search for new divinity, he had decided to put aside other matters for the time being and take a short rest to relieve the fatigue that had accumulated since the beginning of autumn.

It was already eight o’clock in the evening when Shard returned home from Midshire Fort. He then went to Luviya’s rented apartment, and at exactly ten o’clock, they cast the flame from the kerosene lamp into the fire basin Luviya had prepared.

Sister Delphine’s avatar emerged from the fire basin, but because it was a projection from a long distance, it had no combat ability. But that was sufficient, as this encounter was just for conversation.

What Luviya and Sister Delphine talked about, Shard did not know, as he did not stay. Feeling tired, he went home first, respecting Luviya’s wish for privacy.

When he opened the door with his key, he found the hallway and stairs lit. He hesitated, clearly remembering that he had turned off the lights when he left:

“Is there a burglar? Who would be so bold to steal in the Saint Delan Square District?”

Carrying the cat who came downstairs to greet him, he headed to the second floor and found Dorothy sitting on the sofa.

Upon hearing footsteps, Miss Writer stood up from the sofa:

“Good evening, Shard. I’m here to return the key.”

She shook the key in her hand, the one Shard had given her on Saturday night; so much had happened that night that Shard had forgotten to retrieve it.

“Return the key? No need, this key belongs to you now.”

While hanging his coat on the entryway’s rack, Shard said:

“Don’t you often come here to browse the detective records in my study? With this key, even if I’m not home, you can come in anytime.”

He tried to keep his tone as normal as possible.

“It belongs to me?”

The blonde girl smiled brightly, accepting it with a guarded carefulness and placing it into her dress pocket:

“This Wednesday, the first volume of the [Hamilton Detective Stories] will be released. I brought you a box of books that you can give to your friends. I put those books in your study… But, when I just passed by your bedroom door, why wasn’t there a bed in your room?”

“After Saturday night, it collapsed. Lecia’s maid came to clean up the carpet and flowers and took away the remains of the bed. Lecia said she would pick out new furniture for me and redecorate the bedroom this week.”

Shard hesitantly said, trying not to show any awkward expression.

But Miss Writer almost immediately understood what he was implying. Her face turned slightly red, wanting to laugh but feeling shy:

“Goodness, Lecia was overly excited that night. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and have her get you a new bed quickly; otherwise, do you plan on sleeping on the sofa… This time, the bed will be sturdy.”