Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 1980: The Cat Under the Skirt and the Grand Witch of Time

The Grand Witch of Space praised from the heart, but Miss Benanis still had other questions:

"But I still don’t understand; although Megan mentioned on the way here that the first candidate, her ancestor, lost eligibility due to touching forbidden power, and the second candidate no longer exists because a soul died.

But in this case, it should have been Miss Grace White and Miss Helen Black who became The Chosen. Why was the fourth candidate also fused? If this was possible, then why did Megan and Audrey get pushed out at the time?"

The latter part was the focus of Miss Benanis’s concerns.

"I think including Dorothy and Lecia was due to my Arcane Technique, facilitating their fusion. As for pushing away Megan and Audrey, they were part of the first candidate, and if they joined in, it would be equivalent to the first candidate still existing, which would create a paradox."

Of course, all the above is speculation:

"Actually, the initial idea was to use my characteristic of not being able to become The Chosen One, thus holding a ceremony to create a paradox. I didn’t expect it to end up like this... which is fine, at least the fate of The Chosen One hasn’t completely fallen on anyone."

"Then, how is your current power?"

Miss Benanis continued to curiously ask the Butterfly Wing Girl.

"Without using the power related to Whisper Element, it’s similar to Sister Delphine at full power, slightly inferior to the Guardian of the Earth at full power. If all power is used... it would cause a certain degree of pollution to Lecia and Dorothy’s souls."

The Butterfly Wing Girl said, while Sister Delphine was still at the hotel, the ladies here knew the power of that deceased Chosen One.

"Before we left, Delphine had just returned to the hotel. She was holding a lantern and told me she had advanced to Twelve Rings."

Granny Cassandra suddenly said to Shard, while Miss Aphrola conveyed another message:

"Shard, your priest friend encountered the Guardian of the Earth before us. That Chosen One left earlier and left you a message, asking you to meet him at Randall Valley sometime this week if you have the time. Tonight, he arrived late because he was delayed by other matters. The Earth seems to have new problems, and they aren’t small."

Shard covered his forehead and wanted to sigh, but seeing the purple-eyed girl in front of him, he softly asked:

"Luviya, could I have a hug?"

Luviya blinked in confusion but still nodded

"Of course."

She generously hugged Shard in front of everyone, then unexpectedly found that Shard seemed somewhat fatigued. Although Shard didn’t say he was tired, she was familiar with him enough to sense it.

Afterward, she heard Shard whispering to her in her ear:

"You know? I was born because of you."

Even as Luviya was usually bold with love, she was suddenly taken aback by such a romantic "love talk," and her face flushed.

She stood blankly in Shard’s tight embrace, looking around at the other ladies, but they merely smiled watching them. No one knew the true meaning of Shard’s words; he was born because of her. Even though she hadn’t realized that fact or actively done anything, yet he indeed came to this world because of her and was now standing on this small pier.

Luviya gently patted Shard’s back, as if comforting a sad child:

"You know you could say such things at home; it’s really strange, usually, you don’t say such cheesy words... are you too tired? You’ve really worked hard, rushing around all night and using such extensive Arcane Technique. Let the witches handle other matters; take Mia and go rest first."

Having said that, she wanted to let the Butterfly Wing Girl, still maintaining the fusion state, separate to prevent any more issues with Dorothy and Lecia.

However, before she could speak, the six Grand Witches at the pier had already raised their heads in surprise, looking towards the east of the lake where dawn was breaking:

"Someone has intruded again on this island, who came so late, hasn’t it already been done? Wait, that is... His Excellency the Speaker!!!"

"What?"

Miss Aphrola, Miss Galina, Granny Cassandra, Miss Benanis, Miss Sylvia, Megan, and Audrey, they themselves were the Grand Witches of the Council, so they didn’t need to dodge at this moment. Although Luviya was a member of the Prophet’s Society, she could claim to be the witches’ Aider, thus she didn’t need to evade.

As for the Butterfly Wing Girl in fusion state, being seen without revealing her true identity was advantageous for future communication with the Witch Council, therefore, there was no need to avoid.

But only Shard, who was hugging Luviya, absolutely could not be seen by the Grand Witch of Time at present. But at this moment, there was no time for him to leave, almost simultaneously, except for Granny Cassandra, the remaining six ladies nearly simultaneously lifted their skirts:

"Shard, quick!"

The synchronized movement made Luviya pause, and the Outlander, who had been a bit sentimental just now, quickly transformed into a silver cat in a halo of silver light. After jumping out of Luviya’s arms, the cat immediately darted under Miss Galina’s skirt, who was standing closest to Luviya. Even though the Grand Witches would face battle tonight, their skirts were rather fancy. However, Luviya’s skirt was a spring-summer style, not suitable for a cat to hide.

The Butterfly Wing Girl stepped forward to stand beside Luviya, while Luviya put away Shard’s relics she had been holding. The other witches rapidly encircled Miss Galina in the center, better concealing the cat under her skirt.

Almost as soon as they completed their preparations, a golden light from across the lake descended at the end of the pier, where several hours ago Laplace Howard had sat and Shard stood gazing at the starry sky, transforming into a beautiful lady with long golden hair.

Miss Galina had likely cast some protective spell on her skirt. Although Shard was only separated by a few layers of fabric, he couldn’t see what the rumored "Grand Witch of Time" Miss Isabella looked like. He could only vaguely make out that the other person seemed to be wearing a pair of patent leather black high heels.

He couldn’t even clearly hear the other person’s voice, barely catching snippets of the conversation below.

"Why are all of you here? Is this... a special welcome for me?"

From the hesitant tone, Miss Isabella hadn’t expected the witches involved in the battle of Green Lake to all be present there together.

"Good morning, Your Excellency the Speaker."

Shard recognized that it was Miss Aphrola speaking, who was right next to Miss Galina, wearing low-heeled shoes convenient for movement:

"We are discussing matters with the Chosen of Space, yes, please allow me to introduce."

Changing the topic, Shard guessed she was pointing towards the Butterfly Wing Girl and Luviya’s direction:

"This is the charming purple-eyed girl, Miss Annette, a genius diviner from the Prophet’s Society, who helped us reach this island last night. The one next to her is the Chosen of Space. She intends to form an alliance with us, just like Sister Delphine."

Luviya’s voice softly greeted the Thirteenth Rank Witch for the first time. Though the cat didn’t know why Luviya had an inexplicable sense of familiarity with Miss Isabella. The Butterfly Wing Girl merely nodded slightly and didn’t speak. Of course, the cat under the skirt knew nothing of this; it lay on Miss Galina’s foot, unable to see that high.

The Grand Witch of Time continued speaking, now using Delarion language:

"Good morning, Miss Annette, and the Chosen of Space, pleased to meet you... Do you mind introducing the components that make up your soul?"

The other six Grand Witches were taken aback, surprised that Miss Isabella discerned the peculiarity so quickly.

Miss Aphrola wanted to help cover up, but unexpectedly, standing amidst everyone, Miss Galina spoke:

"There are four girls in total. Two are teachers of Granny Cassandra, and two are lovers of the God Summoner."

Everyone was shocked again; she actually made a decision for everyone. But seeing the unnatural expression on the Red-Haired Duchess’s face, they understood that the cat under her skirt was probably scratching her leg with its claws, making her say what it wanted to say.

Indeed, the Grand Witch of Time accepted this explanation:

"They are Granny’s teachers, so everything makes sense."

No one spoke afterward, but Shard heard footsteps; Miss Isabella likely walked over to shake hands with the Butterfly Wing Girl:

"Regarding your cooperation with the Witch Council, we can discuss it slowly afterward. If the God Summoner’s lover does not wish to meet Council members, that’s fine. The Council will not force anyone."

"No problem, my connection with the Witch Council dates back a long time; we are originally companions."

The Butterfly Wing Girl said.

Miss Isabella then fluently asked in Delarion language:

"Speaking of which, although I am the Speaker of the Council, until now I don’t understand the relationship between the God Summoner and us."

Her words made the Grand Witches tense again.

"Interestingly, I heard from the Church that we are the only organization available to contact the God Summoner. So, can someone tell me what exactly is going on with the God Summoner?"

Guided by the skirt cat’s claws, Miss Galina offered the prepared explanation:

"We met very early during affairs in Tobesk. Later, she felt we were trustworthy and commissioned help on several occasions, gradually becoming more familiar. She rarely appears actively, only occasionally showing up."

The cat under the skirt was unsure whether the Grand Witch of Time believed it; she didn’t pursue further details but confirmed:

"You’re saying the God Summoner is a lady?"