Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 2023: Chapter 2023: Drawing Blood

"Control... Witch Council?"

Shard’s face immediately showed a strange expression. Seeing Miss Feliana’s serious expression, he thought his teacher might also talk about tasks like "collecting Impermanence Cards." You know, this was the first Old God Shard encountered in the Fifth Era, given by the "Creator of Innocence" who offered methods of redemption even if Shard headed towards the worst outcome.

Even though it had no connection with Impermanence Cards, he absolutely didn’t expect to hear such requirements spoken by Miss Feliana:

"Do you mean..."

Seeing him wanting to speak but hesitating to voice it, Miss Feliana nodded:

"Exactly what you think, bind them to you with exact relationships. The witches in the Witch Council are immune to hypnosis or control-type powers, so you need to sincerely help them. Even if it means spending effort and employing tactics, you must achieve this... The girls in later times, while not appearing hostile towards you, didn’t seem to take good care of you when I visited your era."

Miss Orland patted Fiona’s shoulder beside her, who was caught in daydreams. While the red-faced Dragon Girl lowered her head to look at the ground, the Half-elf Witch explained to Shard:

"You might discern that the Witch Council holds a very special position. Why, in the Fifth Era, was it only the followers of the Chaos Goddess who could wield supernatural abilities? Why have the followers of this unique Ancient God maintained a relatively complete inheritance system from the First Era till now?"

The questions she asked, Shard had also pondered:

"The Thirteenth of the Sixth Era told me that the Grand Witch of the Witch Council bears an extraordinary mission, which makes them very special. Just in our era, only the Speaker knows the specific content."

"Yes, that’s the key point. The council members are bound by a covenant not to freely disclose specific content. I can only tell you, Shard, that mastering the council or at least uniting all the Grand Witches is crucial for the future. The Ancient Gods... I can’t say more, but it’s really important."

The solemn reminder from the Blonde Demigod Witch was firmly remembered by Shard.

Moreover, he thought again about the truth of the Witch War in the Fifth Era that he learned through the Tree Father’s gift. At that time, the two Grand Witches determined to end the Fifth Era mentioned phrases like "betrayed the promise" and "forgot the mission" (Chapter 383).

"So how are your relationships with the witches around you now?"

Fiona finally seized the chance to speak.

"Of the thirteen witches in the council, I’ve already met six of them, and my relationship with them... is pretty good. Especially with two of them, the relationship is excellent."

Miss Feliana gently looked at him:

"Aside from definitely gaining control of the council, remember to unite all forces that can be united. Remember, Shard, my student, when Apocalypse arrives, all forces birthed from this world will aid in the survival of civilization and the world."

This again reminded Shard of "Desire," which had been mentioned more than once that the power of sin is also power... So, that unclassified level relic existing from the oldest times probably already knows about the impending termination of the world.

"My student..."

While Shard was musing, Miss Feliana raised her hand to stroke Shard’s cheek again, her golden eyes gently gazing at him:

"We observe the past upstream in the stream of time, explore your future; you, downstream in the river of time, prepare to embrace the world’s final challenge and delay the inevitable end. I know the future will worsen, and I understand the burden of responsibility you carry is somewhat overly heavy, but remember, I am always here waiting for you.

When we meet repeatedly in different spaces and times, the information from past and future will converge. Someday, you will understand everything and comprehend the fate and gift the world has prepared for you."

"Yes, we are all striving to explore. I am also in my space-time, looking back in anticipation of seeing you again."

"Ahem."

"Additionally, Miss Orland and Fiona, we will eventually meet again."

The gentle Blonde Grand Witch nodded yet did not shift her position, allowing her student and the student’s apprentice to converse with Shard close-up.

Suddenly, she winked playfully at Shard, adding some mischievousness to her previously gentle and elegant demeanor:

"So Shard, tell me, what did you do with the witches of the future?"

"Well..."

"Your body is strange, we’ve known this since the Forest of Thousand Trees when you sought advice on opposing deities from me. Your gender, your power with the divine, don’t you want to uncover these truths? Tell me the things you did with the witches of the future; it will aid us in investigating your truths."

She gazed at Shard, who nodded and softly divulged what he and Miss Galina and the Megan Sisters engaged in. Although spoken softly, at the round table of the council with only four people, everyone heard precisely what he said.

Miss Feliana frowned slightly, Miss Orland looked shocked at him, not expecting him to really dare do such things. Fiona pursed her lips looking at Shard; had it not been for the shortage of time in the "City of Eternal Night," those feeble and incapable witches of the future would not have been able to overtake her.

"You are absolutely not human."

After pondering a moment, Miss Feliana spoke, then inquired:

"Could you leave some of your blood? If you wish to discover the secrets of your body, this is the most direct method."

"Definitely can, but according to the rules of time travel, can blood be left freely?"

Miss Feliana nodded gently:

"Therefore, we must use unconventional methods. My student, the era you live in is different from mine, but do you know what apprentices should do in this era?"

Speaking, the tall witch used her right hand to lift Shard’s chin, slightly leaning her face forward, she looked at him with a smile, gently rubbing his nose with hers, then kissed him tenderly.

This feeling was unlike any other time.

Fiona immediately raised her hand to cover her mouth, knowing that if she dared to make a sound now, she’d be forced to stand as punishment for entering the classroom with her left foot first for several weeks. Miss Orland pursed her lips watching them, silently counting in her mind.

When she counted to 426, they separated.

Shard touched his lip, which had been bitten, while the gentle, blonde Demigod Witch nodded softly:

"Blood cannot be left alone, but if ingested as part of my body, it no longer belongs to the future Space-Time."

This was actually an inspiration she received from the Ice Demigod Witch - Chloe Marcus Marquez, with whom Fiona had successfully connected half a year ago.

Of course, if it weren’t for how invested they seemed moments ago, Fiona might really believe Miss Feliana was conducting mysticism research.

And the gentle and elegant blonde witch, the Academy’s first founder, said to her student:

"Briony, come as well, remember to be careful when drawing blood. You’ve learned the Vampire Kind’s secret technique, just draw the blood without digesting the power within."

"Yes, teacher."

The half-elf Miss Orland then also came to Shard’s side; as they looked at each other, both felt as if their past moments together, especially those at the Valley of Dead Silence Gadis Library ruins around the campfire, had just happened yesterday.

"So, shall we begin?"

She winked at Shard, actively wrapping her arms around his neck, followed by a kiss equally tender but more passionate. Compared to the Sixth Era’s witches, ladies from the Fifth Era were indeed bolder and more passionate.

Of course, Shard, forced to give up another portion of blood, still felt the pain. The bloody kiss was indeed worthy of savoring.

Miss Orland multitasked, drawing blood while also restarting her count, releasing Shard only when she reached 427.

Fiona immediately became tense, instinctively clutching the hem of her skirt tightly while looking at Miss Feliana, fearing she would also be asked to step forward.

But the blonde Demigod simply patted her slightly nervous student’s shoulder lightly, letting Miss Orland retreat to her side:

"Shard, time is almost up, we must part again this time."

Fiona was startled but had to stand obediently beside the two teachers, pondering whether the teachers were avenging her for kissing Shard in their presence last time she returned from the City of Eternal Night.

Shard did not know Fiona’s many thoughts but knew time was indeed running out.

He solemnly said to the three witches:

"Please take good care of yourselves, we will eventually reunite. Teacher Feliana, Miss Orland, and Fiona, I will find a way to contact you again soon."

"Actually, there’s no need to hurry, you are the result, we are just the cause. Time and fate are very mysterious, you should understand that."

The blonde witch in a purple robe spoke softly, sighing lightly as she wanted to bid farewell but suddenly paused, looking at the glowing items at the center of the round table:

"Unexpectedly, there’s such a thing. Shard, someone is looking for you again."

"What?"

"I mean, thank you for the flowers last time, I liked them very much."

She waved goodbye to Shard, Fiona hastily waved too, regretting that before calling the two teachers earlier, she truly did nothing besides kiss. Miss Orland was still savoring the kiss from before, raising her hand last:

"Goodbye, Shard."

The half-elf lady’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"Shard, don’t force time, time will bring everything to you."

"Goodbye, Shard! I will continue trying... I will definitely contact you again!"

The Red Dragon Girl was truly full of enthusiasm.