Free Web NovelChapter 2041: Chapter 2041: Preparations Before Departure
The world of dreams is so marvelous that, aside from the absence of chaotic elements and spirits, it bears no difference from the true bygone era.
Glancing at the empty sofa, Shard headed upstairs to the attic, then climbed up to the roof.
This time, the long-haired girl’s mood was clearly much improved. Although she still wept as she looked at the distant vista of a desolate Tobesk shrouded in yellow sand when Shard sat beside her, once he settled down, she took the initiative to embrace him:
"Happy Birthday, Shard."
Then she kissed him.
At that moment, Shard, who had many questions to ask, kept all his words to himself. The girl in the dream once again displayed her passion for Shard, as her lonely and sorrowful soul yearned for warmth and shelter.
As she lay in Shard’s arms, listening to his heartbeat and gazing into the far-off sun amidst the swirling yellow sand, Shard asked the questions on his mind:
"Laplace Howard told me some things about the Lady of Time-Space Destruction..."
He didn’t mention the Grand Witch of Time’s opinion on the girl in his arms, as that would make him appear distrustful. The girl nodded lightly but did not explain:
"Do you still trust me?"
"Of course."
"Even if I’ve really done wrong things?"
"Yes."
She silently sat up from Shard’s embrace, pressing his chest with her hand to prevent him from getting up, then straddled him while looking down at him:
"Shard, do you like me that much?"
"Yes."
Shard tried to focus on her enchanting eyes, rather than the part slightly lower down. Her brown long hair cascaded as she leaned forward to kiss him again:
"Thank you, I will, I will hold your hand."
The long dream was enough to do many things, and also enough to discuss many things. Shard avoided the topic of the bygone era and, in that night’s dream, talked about their life, about Iluna’s birthday, about Shard’s Seventh Ring plan, and about his study and development of new magic.
She seemed to have knowledge of all things related to Circle Sorcerers, and when guiding Shard on Moon Power, some knowledge was even more profound than Miss Danester’s. Of course, she also knew about Shard’s meeting with Miss Feliana, knew that Miss Feliana wanted Shard to control the Council:
"That’s what you should be doing, letting those arrogant witches..."
Although she didn’t continue, it was similar to the conclusion Shard had drawn from Miss Isabella’s account. It seemed that in her space-time, her relationship with the witches was not entirely friendly.
When discussing Shard’s upcoming journey to the Moon Bay Region, the long-haired girl seemed to know many things about the place. Although she couldn’t disclose the stories from before, she still offered her advice:
"Next, the dragon will be very useful."
"Dragon?"
Giving a gentle pat to the cat, causing the half-past six Mia to remain quiet for a moment, Shard also opened his eyes early on Wednesday morning:
"Dragon... Could the matter in Moon Bay be related to Fiona? But if I don’t exist, would long-haired Luvia know Fiona? Or perhaps she wants to tell me that an ancient dragon is hidden in the Moon Bay Region?"
At present, the scent of Fiona still lingered on him, and in his hand was the glove Fiona had given him in the corridor before they parted ways in the "City of Eternal Night," containing Fiona’s dragon scales and hair, which, according to her, offered better protection than ordinary dragon hide gloves.
However, Shard had never worn it, but kept it as a memento in the hidden space of the basement.
"When going to Moon Bay, take that glove along; it might come in handy... Dragon, I recall there’s some arcane technique specifically targeting dragons. I wonder if I should learn it."
The decision to go to the Moon Bay Region was made after hearing from Miss Benanis at the "Birthday Banquet," so the girls around him were not yet aware. Since Shard intended to go out, he naturally needed to inform them.
Hence, at breakfast that day, he informed Luvia, who told him to stay safe and didn’t say much more. In the morning, he went to Feather Quill Street to find Dorothy, informed her about this matter in Miss Writer’s apartment. Dorothy knew Shard must have a reason for going so far, so she only told him to stay safe.
However, mentioning Moon Bay, Dorothy seemed to have something else to say, but ultimately didn’t say it. Seeing this, Shard repeatedly asked, and she finally shook her head lightly:
"Go ask Lecia, she’s quite familiar with the current situation of that city, which will greatly assist you. Moreover, Lecia is... encountering some trouble in the Moon Bay Region. She probably won’t tell you directly, but if you have time..."
"I’ll handle it, why won’t she just tell me?"
"She thinks we’re always adding various troubles for you."
"I happen to enjoy such troubles, as encountering more matters in Moon Bay might help me find what I’m looking for."
As for why Lecia didn’t exchange souls with Shard to talk now, it’s because, unless necessary, the girls preferred to face Shard with their own bodies. Shard also agreed with their approach, which indicates that they are still clearly aware they are ultimately two separate individuals.
On Wednesday morning, Lecia was still at Yordle Palace, so Dorothy arranged the time, and Shard once again transformed into a cat to sneak into the political and power center of Draleon.
The meeting place was Lecia’s study. As a princess involved in political affairs, she had her own study. Angelina opened the window to let the silver cat in, and the maids in the room had also been replaced with loyal and reliable ones.
Thus, the cat jumped off the windowsill and transformed back into Shard in the silver light cluster.
"Good morning, Angelina, good morning, Lecia."
"Good morning, Shard."
Lecia stood up from behind the desk, gave Shard a hug, and then said slightly discontentedly:
"Really, just a month of peace and now you’re going on another adventure?"
"It’s necessary for the search of a relic."
Her Highness the Red-Haired Princess nodded gently:
"After all, the Moon Bay Region belongs to Carsonrick, so be cautious over there. Although it’s subordinate to Carsonrick, Moon Bay’s independence tendencies make the city piled with wealth a paradise for spies and agents. If necessary, Galina can mobilize MI6 to assist you. I’ll have the information sent to your home tomorrow; Moon Bay is much more complicated than the Green Lake Region."
"I’ve heard my father talk about it too."
The Little Princess also chimed in:
"Currently, the relationship between Carsonrick and Draleon is getting tense, and many nobles within Carsonrick advocate for reclaiming Moon Bay’s autonomy. We think that if Moon Bay could achieve true independence, it would be considerably advantageous for upcoming matters."
"Draleon’s Coldwater Port and Carsonrick’s Moon Bay are both crucial port cities for the New World. You’re aware of this year’s weather—Moon Bay serves as an important grain transshipment port on the West Coast as well as a major granary on the West Coast, its importance is even greater than you might think."
Lecia continued, as the two princesses quickly summarized the local complexities in a few sentences. In fact, even if the Outlander doesn’t go to Moon Bay, the place itself is a powder keg of accumulating conflicts:
"The Moon Bay Region has its own contradictions, the ancient Seven Families of Moon Bay versus the emerging nobles and factory owners; workers and merchants, nobles within the steam factory; the local citizens who’ve lived there for generations versus the influx of outsiders in recent years... Not to mention the unique position of Moon Bay within Carsonrick attracting Circle Sorcerers—definitely more than in a strictly controlled capital like Tobesk or a rural place like Green Lake City."
Lecia pursed her lips:
"You must be careful."
"Of course, and I’m just there to search for relics, not to stir up conflicts. Moon Bay is big enough to accommodate a detective like me."
Shard didn’t mention the presence of a Witch in the area, but just as he stated, the Moon Bay Region is so vast that as long as he’s cautious and doesn’t cause trouble, its complex conflicts won’t affect him:
"I heard from our writer friend that you encountered some troubles locally?"
Shard asked Lecia, who indeed shook her head as Dorothy predicted:
"Small matters; just focus on your tasks, and I’ll handle mine."
Shard then looked at Angelina, who wanted to say something, but restrained herself under her sister’s gaze.
"Lecia~"
Shard looked at Lecia again, as Her Highness the Princess met his gaze for a few seconds before lowering her head:
"The local gangs are truly impolite.
"Early in the month, I mentioned to you that a shipment of mine in Moon Bay was supposed to leave port last week. Preparations had been made in advance on all fronts, but just before attending a funeral on Saturday, I received a letter informing me that the shipment was reported and couldn’t leave temporarily. Fortunately, the shipment was disguised, and the prior arrangements were adequate, thus the contents weren’t exposed."
"Reported to the authorities? The local gang areas are extremely impolite."
Shard nodded and handed a notebook to Lecia:
"Which local gang should I find? I’ll handle it. Or whom should the authorities contact regarding this matter? I’ll pay a visit while I’m at it."
"There’s no need to take it to extremes."
Lecia pushed away the notebook:
"I don’t want to trouble you. If you truly wish to help me, you could go to the docks to check on that shipment’s status. The latest message from Moon Bay just arrived, and I’m not clear about the specifics... Looks like manpower is still insufficient; more subordinates need to be recruited."
"I also need manpower in Moon Bay. Directly tell me how to contact your men. I’ll resolve this matter and have your people assist me with some tasks. So, this matter is not only my help to you but also your help to me."
Shard smiled, lightly squeezing Lecia’s hand:
"We’re all family, why be formal with me?"
"Really~"
Her Highness the Red-Haired Princess relented, and Shard also learned that the cargo wasn’t the firearms weapons he imagined but the Carsonrick specialized steel prohibited from export to Draleon.
