Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Just as the Deity from bygone days finished speaking, within Shard's line of sight, he nearly saw a golden light engulf the boy Chad in an instant.

"A blessing? Is that..."

[Yes, that is why this story was able to reach your point in time and thus gained strength.]

Afterward, the Saint looked toward Shard:

"So, what have you understood?"

Only then did Shard realize that he too was seen as a "child" by the Saint, and the earlier question was directed to four people.

"Me? Yes, I've understood..."

This type of story appreciation and reading comprehension was something very familiar to Shard. He had much to say, but in the end, he didn't discuss those complex adult matters. This was a children's story, and in front was the Old God, the Creator of Innocence.

So, Shard gave the answer that struck him the deepest, his true thoughts after hearing the story in two worlds:

"There's nothing much to understand, I was just thinking, if possible, I really want to save her."

The three children looked toward Shard, agreeing with his view:

"Yes, if possible, we must save her!"

It was that same unanimous response again, something was definitely off about the state of these three children at the moment.

The Saint laughed, not a polite laugh, but one that was truly from the heart:

"You see, 'False Immortality', how well it suits you."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

It was then that the shop door behind Shard suddenly opened, revealing the endless white mist outside. An unseen force suddenly grabbed his shoulder, dragging him towards the door.

Ten minutes had passed.

The three children, still sitting on high stools, excitedly waved goodbye to Shard, while the young man behind the counter spoke softly:

"See you next time. Thank you for your story, good night, and sweet dreams."

[Outlander, you have returned to the present time.]

[Message from the Ancient God, Father of the Infinite Tree:]

[Mission incomplete.]

[Time Key; Fifth Era-1068-Creator of Innocence, damaged 2/3.]

[Next opening time, please wait a week.]

He flew out from the Mist Gate, and because he was prepared in advance, he merely staggered back a few steps instead of falling to the ground.

The orange cat Mia had already dashed to the study door within three seconds, just as Shard was returning, and joyfully circled around him.

Shard lifted the soft cat, and with his other hand brought out the key from his pocket, now the wooden key was almost crumbling to the touch.

He was still captivated by the story he had told, as since becoming an adult, it had been a long time since he last touched fairy tales. Telling stories to the children of past times tonight was actually also for himself.

After a while, a smile appeared on his face:

"The story has ended, leaving behind only power and growth. Although I still haven't accomplished the task, the children's wishes are obviously much simpler compared to the Divine Afterglow. Empowering mortals and accelerating the growth of children for a short time, perhaps, could be achieved with the knowledge from Saint Byrons."

He murmured to himself and then thought of the poor girl's figure in the Illusionary Realm constructed by the Saint.

Looking down at his fingers, a flame suddenly sprang up, startling Mia, whose animal instincts made her want to stay away from the fire, but the cat's curiosity made her want to reach out and try what it was.

The Sorcery "Ignite" had initially allowed Shard to only heat and ignite combustible materials upon contact or by staring for long periods, both requiring time to heat up. Merely by telling that story in the past, the effects of the sorcery directly upgraded to sparking flames.

Moreover, he could feel that the power he gained was definitely more than what he now possessed, though he had not fully realized it yet.

From the very origin of time, he created that story. Because this story had been passed down through two Eras, it gained power, and he, too, gained some improvement in his own strength. But all these were premised on his story becoming a part of civilization, a feat almost impossible without the help of a Deity.

In his half-month in this world, he also learned a lot about Ancient Literature, among which this was the most familiar. Presumably, even if he tried again in the future, it would be difficult to replicate today's situation.

But it didn't matter, because today, what was most important was that he saw hope in completing the task of the "Father of the Infinite Tree."

"The story of the Matchstick Girl, I will probably ponder over it for many days."

He sighed and went to the window holding the cat, admiring the night sky over Saint Delan Square in March's double moonlight.

[You seem very confident about the remaining two wishes?]

"Yes, if I wasn't confident about such matters, how could I go on to collect the remaining eleven drops of Divinity? Also, what do you think of this story?"

[Not bad, warmth in the darkness, terror in the light. A good story.]

After a simple wash, he went to sleep, because he had plans for Thursday, so he woke up promptly at six in the morning, prepared breakfast for both Mia and himself, and then set off immediately.

Despite the cost, he found a rented carriage and set off in the morning fog towards 211 Feather Quill Street. He knocked on Miss Luisa's apartment building door just at seven-thirty in the morning.

This timing for a visit was just right, any earlier and Miss Luisa might have been having breakfast, any later, and Miss Luisa might have already left the house.

It was a while before the blonde writer opened the door for Shard; she was in a casual white dress, as she was in her home state.

Seeing the Detective outside, she was somewhat surprised:

"Detective, visiting so early, has something happened?"

Shard quickly shook his head:

"No, nothing's wrong. Just have some questions, I have been engrossed in reading those books and have encountered quite a confusion. I actually thought of coming over last night."

This was no joke; having returned from that point in the past, he really had planned to visit immediately, even dreaming about Miss Luisa last night.

"Visiting me in the middle of the night? Detective, have you finally lost control over your reading?"

Miss Luisa eyed him suspiciously, saw his faint dark circles but noted that he otherwise looked normal, and led him towards the stairs.

Miss Luisa, of course, didn't rent the entire building; 211 Feather Quill Street was divided into three floors. The landlady and her two daughters lived on the first floor; the second floor was rented by three girls from the nearby Women's Academy, and the third floor was Miss Luisa's rental area.

In an apartment predominantly occupied by women, of course, men were not easily allowed in. So, when Shard was invited in by Miss Luisa, the ample-bodied landlady with a hairnet scrutinized him for a long while like inspecting a criminal.