Free Web NovelChapter 2042: Chapter 2042: Time Stasis
Shard still isn’t entirely clear about how vast Lecia’s "little business" really is. He only knows that she has her own fleet and business group, dealing in military supplies, grain, and scarce medicines. As for that batch of special steel materials, it is but one part of all the business dealings. Losing that batch is a minor issue, but if the business in the Moon Bay Region is affected every time in the future, then it is a major concern.
After learning about the small trouble Lecia encountered, Shard didn’t want to leave immediately. Last night, he acquired a new Arcane Technique, [Adel’s Time Pause], and wanted to try it out. This Arcane Technique, named after the Grand Witch of Time herself, signifies that it is an improved or even newly created technique by her.
Shard explained his idea of experimenting with the Arcane Technique, and the two princesses agreed to cooperate with him.
However, Lecia still had some doubts:
"But a technique like time pause, even a Time Talented, would only learn and master it after reaching the Twelve Rings, wouldn’t they?"
"My situation is a bit unique, and this isn’t a range-based time pause; it can only target a single object. As for spellcasting, a pocket watch is needed as an assist."
This refers to Miss Adel Isabella’s pocket watch, which even for Shard, made the technique a bit too difficult. The pocket watch is not necessary but is used to lower the spellcasting requirements. Once Shard meets the spellcasting conditions, he can actually do without the pocket watch.
"Time pause..."
Angelina, the least experienced, sighed lightly, first felt the gap between her and Shard, and then blushed slightly for reasons unknown.
"Lecia, let me try it on you first."
Shard suggested, and the Red-Haired Princess nodded with a smile:
"Alright."
She then stood up waiting for Shard to cast the spell, but after a long while, Shard still hadn’t made a move:
"What’s wrong?"
Shard blinked:
"It’s already over. Didn’t you feel anything?"
By this time, Shard had consumed two-thirds of his own spirit, and Angelina nodded in agreement:
"Yes, just now, sister, for two or three seconds, you were completely motionless, like a statue. It wasn’t you intentionally staying still; I couldn’t see your breathing, couldn’t hear your heartbeat, and your hair was frozen in the air, your expression was completely stiff."
"Like that? I really didn’t feel anything."
Lecia recalled while speaking, then saw Shard take out a pink perfume vial and drink a sip.
Angelina wanted to comment on the Arcane Technique, but suddenly saw her sister seemingly teleport, suddenly sitting beside Shard, and the item Shard was holding had changed from the perfume bottle to a teacup.
The Little Princess was initially confused:
"Me too... I really didn’t feel anything."
"You were paused for fourteen seconds."
Lecia said, while Shard again felt he had consumed two-thirds of his spirit. Lecia was a Six Rings Warlock and one-quarter The Chosen One, while Angelina was a First Ring Sorcerer, making the difference easy to understand. Despite the massive consumption, in battle, this "Time Stasis" purely activated by eye contact was simply the best control method.
This control didn’t have any option to break free; one either withstands or doesn’t. But time resistance isn’t something easily obtained.
"Let me try again!"
Angelina, very interested, picked up the plate of apples from the coffee table, took a few steps toward the door, then threw that apple towards Shard with a smile:
"Watch out!"
The apple reached above the coffee table and abruptly halted there. Lecia reached to touch it, surprisingly managed to take it in her hand:
"Can external force affect paused objects?"
She curiously said, then let go, watching the apple hover back in the air:
"Paused objects affected by external force return to being paused once the force disappears?"
She grasped the apple again, taking a bite, and successfully swallowed it. While Shard noticed the Arcane Technique consumed far less spirit on inanimate objects than it did on living ones.
"External force can affect paused objects, but once my spellcasting effect ends, it will maintain its original state. Lecia, hold the apple tightly, be careful."
He warned, after which Lecia felt the apple wanting to move forward, fortunately holding it tightly.
The Red-Haired Princess patted her stomach:
"Interesting, the apple’s main body wants to continue moving, yet the bite I took operates entirely normally."
"Time System’s power is always so enchanting and dangerous; using this Arcane Technique must be done cautiously. I probably won’t use it often."
This is also to prevent being recognized by the witches, as this Arcane Technique might likely be the signature technique of the Grand Witch of Time. The matters of the Bygone Era cannot be easily divulged, so Shard needs to conceal it well.
Both princesses had many thoughts about Shard’s new ability, and brought up topics worth pondering, like how to know one is paused. And Shard’s story of pausing a target on the stairs over and over until they believed they were trapped in a ’looping staircase’ joke also amused them.
But Shard didn’t linger long at Yordle Palace. After saying goodbye to Lecia and Angelina, he initially planned to go to Old John’s place right away to bring the Relic [Sudden Destiny] home. But once in the carriage, he had the driver head to Dawn Chapel, still somewhat worried about Priest Augustus’s situation.
On Wednesday morning, the Dawn Chapel at Dawn Square was as bustling as usual. Priest Augustus did not take a leave today, and Shard managed to meet him in the church.
The priest was preparing for next month’s "Holy Prayer Day" and seemed fine while talking to Shard. He claimed that Dr. Schneider’s psychological counseling was quite helpful and suggested Shard try it when he had the time.
However, Shard still felt things weren’t that simple. While he bid farewell to Priest Augustus on the surface, he actually went to find Bishop Owen in the church.
Bishop Owen knew that Shard had a good relationship with Priest Augustus and was willing to answer his questions:
"Bill has indeed been a bit off lately, often feeling down and frequently saying things that are quite discouraging. No, this does not mean Bill doesn’t understand others’ thoughts. I mean that whenever he participates in a conversation, it always ends up being guided towards a very pessimistic direction."
The old bishop sat behind his desk to receive the visiting detective:
"In recent days, he looks fine on the surface, but I can tell his psychological state is still not quite right. This situation isn’t unheard of. Those young priests and clergymen could feel down for a while if they listen to too many... indescribable things during prayers. But Bill is quite old now... I’ll keep an eye on him."
"Besides being emotionally down and discouraging in conversations, does the priest have any other symptoms?"
Shard asked anxiously again, and Bishop Owen shook his head:
"No, that’s all."
Therefore, the situation with the priest should still be monitored for a while. At least until any hidden elements are discovered, it’s manageable.
Shard then followed his original plan to head to Old John’s Pawnshop to borrow the relic. Old Man John also advised Shard to strike decisively and accurately.
However, Shard did not set off immediately but first took his cat out to lunch. After lunch, he bid farewell to the cat preparing to nap on the windowsill, then took the metal rod into the basement.
"A new adventure is about to begin again."
[Don’t forget, you still have a regular Time Key left unused.]
"His" tone seemed to imply laughter, but Shard dismissed it as an illusion:
"Yes, yes, maybe tonight or tomorrow morning. Hopefully, the scenery at Moon Bay will be enchanting enough."
Without taking [Sudden Destiny] into the Spatial Labyrinth, Shard hesitated beside the Ancient God Statue and then firmly struck his head with it.
Though his physical strength was remarkably high, Shard’s power was substantial as well. To prevent any accidents and not waste the "White Stone Crystal" he obtained from Megan, Shard seriously hit himself with it.
"Oh!"
Although he didn’t see stars flashing before his eyes, he almost knocked himself out:
"Next time, definitely find a relic without such big ’side effects’."
Putting the heavy metal rod momentarily against the wall, Shard reached out to touch the statue:
"May the Primordial Rift protect me within Infinite Space."
White mist surged in, engulfing Shard as he held onto his forehead.
[Outlander, you have stepped into the "Spatial Labyrinth."]
[Message from the Ancient God "Primordial Rift":]
[Current Space Landmarks: 9.]
Thick white mist enveloped the surroundings, and only a path emerged amidst the sparse mist not far away, with nine dilapidated wooden signposts on the path.
Shard didn’t waste time and directly held up the White Stone Crystal in the mist:
"Offer a sacrifice to the Spatial Labyrinth."
The crystal stone dissolved into the mist, and simultaneously "She" prompted:
[New information acquired: You can search for new spatial landmarks. Please select a direction.]
"Southwest."
With those words, the path in the dense mist extended further toward the distance, and in the newly uncovered area of the path, a decayed road sign ravaged by time for a century began to slowly manifest.
Shard walked over, passing the signposts leading to Coldwater Port, Milestone, Huntington, the Great Swamp, Randall Valley, and the Green Lake Region, finally placing his hand on the final target.
[The Primordial Rift will guide your direction.]
The white mist dispersed, and the statue of the Ancient God of Space and the familiar circular space appeared before Shard. However, there were none of his belongings by the wall, and similar to the situation under Green Lake Hotel, the space was clean without a speck of dust, implying Shard had not yet received unknown clues or investigation tasks upon arriving in the new city.
Not that Shard was the only one to have discovered these hidden spaces; predecessors like those from the [Guiding Light Hermitage] and Thomas Granger from Randall Valley had found hidden spaces as well, but those people had disappeared in this era:
"Where will the exit lead this time?"
The Ring of Fate manifested, and the Space-Time Spirit Rune emitted Spiritual Light, causing the wall towards which the statue pointed to "melt," revealing a hidden passage. No light penetrated from outside, and no scent drifted in.
Shard took a deep breath and prepared himself, then proceeded along the passage toward the outside.
