Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 157 Grand Witch

Last Sunday night, a week ago, Shard won the Roder Card duel around the same time with a splendid hand of cards. Today, one week later, he added the [Genesis: Silver Moon] to his deck and won an even more spectacular victory without even dragging the game into the third round.

Last week's event was due to luck generated from a dice counter-script, while this week's success was probably due to the luck brought by [Genesis: Silver Moon].

"Genesis: Silver Moon!"

The crowd first murmured softly, then exploded into an astonishing roar, as if a steam bomb had detonated right there. People helped the smiling Viscount Ford to his feet, while many others pushed forward, ensuring their eyes hadn't deceived them.

Amidst the successive waves of voices, Vice-President Mark loudly ordered people to step back. And Duke Lucas, sitting opposite Shard with his hands pressed on the table and leaning forward, had an expression of surprise that was as if he had just discovered Shard was disguised as Miss Galina.

Vice-President Mark, who had seen plenty of "big scenes," immediately announced that Shard had won the first two rounds of the duel, thus winning the entire match.

It was not until then that Shard's opponent, the Old Duke dressed in a red, old-fashioned army uniform, asked the young detective incredulously:

"The real thing?"

He still seemed unconvinced.

"Yes, Miss Galina has seen it."

"For sale?"

Before Shard could shake his head, the black-haired maid behind him finally spoke. Her voice was incredibly clear, just loud enough for everyone to hear:

"Hamilton Detective is a friend of Miss Galina, and that Roder Card is co-owned by Miss Galina and the detective."

Of course, the card belonged entirely to Shard; this was simply said to protect Shard.

"I see, if it's Galina's..."

The Duke shook his head, somewhat regretfully gazing at the [Genesis: Silver Moon] on the table, unwilling to avert his eyes for a long time. In contrast, losing the duel seemed to be the least of his concerns:

"What a pity."

He shook his head again, then stood up silently. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something to the detective who was organizing his deck but ended up only offering congratulations:

"Losing to [Genesis: Silver Moon], I have no complaints, it truly was a fantastic game of cards, I haven't been this excited in a long time. Hamilton Detective, come with me."

He then loudly called out to his guests:

"Gentlemen, there's nothing to be surprised about, please make way."

The Old Duke's voice boomed like thunder.

He said he had no regrets about losing, which was obviously not true, but he was very good at controlling his emotions, with the impatience in his voice clearly revealing his real thoughts.

The guests, sensing the Duke's bad mood, stepped aside of their own accord.

Shard understood he was being summoned to see Miss Galina, so he neatly packed up his deck and, after exchanging pleasantries with those around him, left the banquet hall with the maid and the Duke.

Many people requested that Shard come back later to continue participating in the salon, as most of them hadn't seen the [Genesis: Silver Moon] clearly just a moment ago.

When leaving, Shard noticed that Miss Beyas had disappeared again, and he wondered what she intended to do by disguising herself as a maid and sneaking in. However, one thing was certain: the purple-eyed diviner was definitely not present; she was probably at the opera with Miss Luisa by now.

After stepping out of the banquet hall, Miss Galina was unexpectedly just behind two doors, in the study.

Even in his own house, Duke Lucas knocked before entering. Shard thought he was finally going to meet Miss Galina, but he wasn't expecting the study to be that two-story kind.

Miss Maid asked Shard to wait on the sofa outside for a moment before leading Duke Lucas further inside. Thus, Shard realized that even the Old Duke approached Miss Galina, the young lady, with great caution.

"Galina Cavendish is the current King's aunt, could it be because of this relationship?"

The relations between the Royal Family and the nobility were something an Outlander had never encountered; he could only speculate based on the vulgar novels he had read.

The soundproofing of the room was quite good, so Shard could only faintly hear the two Dukes of the Draleon Kingdom discussing some naval personnel deployments for a brief ten minutes or so.

When Duke Lucas left, he seemed in good spirits, shook hands with Shard again, wishing him fun at the upcoming party, but did not bring up the matter of the Genesis: Silver Moon card again.

"Hamilton Detective, will you be participating in this year's Big City Player in autumn?" the Duke asked cheerfully.

"Of course, I've already received an invitation from the Prophet's Society."

"Oh, this autumn, there really is something to look forward to."

Full of enthusiasm, the Old Duke left the room, and Shard heard him loudly calling for his butler in the corridor to get wines from the cellar. The servant closed the door from outside, and only then did Miss Galina speak from behind that closed door.

Your journey continues on empire

Their meetings seemed to always happen this way, and Shard was used to it.

"Detective, good evening, you did very well."

The High Ring Female Sorcerer was in a very good mood:

"Even better than I expected, inviting you to the card game was indeed the right choice."

"It's your good luck."

Shard cautiously said, the decoration style inside the study was exceptionally solemn, and he could almost imagine Duke Lucas, on numerous nights, discussing politics and military affairs with guests who hurried over under the cover of night.

"It's also thanks to that Genesis: Silver Moon card."

He added.

The conversation seemed to freeze for a second, and Shard heard the sound of a teacup being placed down, followed by Miss Galina whispering in awe:

"It seems you've discovered the secret of the Genesis card series."

"No, I just know that the Impermanence Card can bring good fortune."

Shard said, and Miss Galina was not stingy with these secrets:

"The secret of the Impermanence Card is known only in part even by the Witch Council to which I belong. You possess it because it chose you. Shard Hamilton, you are really quite exceptional."

Galina Cavendish was effectively acknowledging that she, the King's aunt, was indeed a member of the Witch Council.

"I know what you're thinking, and yes, I am one of the thirteen Grand Witches of the Council's round table, but don't worry. Although some madmen from the Council are wanted by the True God Church, I haven't been listed on their Bounty Order. Detective, would you like to know my Circle Sorcerer level?"

The woman's words held a hint of humor, and Shard gauged her demeanor:

"Of course."

"Eleven Rings."

The reply was concise and direct, and Shard found himself not at all surprised; if anything, he felt the level was somewhat low.