CHAPTER 1382: CHAPTER 1382: SIGH

"I didn’t know about this?"

Prince William’s voice suddenly became deep. Earl Granger pursed his lips and didn’t speak. Shard knew the answer; Prince William had been busy with the business in Osenfort recently and didn’t have time for these matters.

"Moreover, Margaret has to take out the money herself? I knew her business behind the scenes was not insignificant."

The prince resumed his pacing by the window. Shard looked at his profile and could sense his anxiety:

"This won’t do. If she really intends to pay, then I can’t pretend not to know. The cash I have is all invested in... But if I can’t come up with a penny, what will Father think of me?"

As he spoke, the pacing prince cast a sharp glance at Earl Granger, who revealed a look of sudden realization and softly said:

"His Majesty’s reply has yet to arrive. Maybe His Majesty will be able to resolve this from Velindale, after all, the kingdom’s treasury is still quite ample. But if an advance payment is indeed required, how about this, Your Highness, let me lend it to you. I know you came here lightly equipped and probably forgot to bring your checkbook."

Prince William stopped again, turning his back to the window, his tone filled with admiration and praise:

"That would be a great help from the Earl, you truly are the most loyal to the royal family."

Shard admired Earl Granger’s composure, as he still managed to display a natural, modest smile after being praised:

"You really flatter me."

Shard thought the conversation would end there, but Prince William spoke again:

"Earl, since you still have some cash on hand, have you considered investing? You know, if you keep the gold without spending, it’s no different from scrap metal. Coincidentally, I have a very good project on hand right now... Although specific details cannot be disclosed, it involves the recently rumored gold mine in the city... Actually, we discovered a significant precious metal deposit offshore."

Earl Granger blinked:

"A precious metal mine... In fact, the family business has not been doing well these past few years. You know, the trade strategies from the Draleon people have caused great losses for small merchants like me."

Prince William’s tone carried a hint of persuasion:

"No need for much, just invest 10,000 Krone, and the return will be far higher than you imagine. No need to answer me now, I’ll visit you in a few days and bring some documents."

"That would be wonderful."

Though the Earl hid it well, Shard still noticed his sigh of relief. 10,000 Krone equates to about twelve to thirteen thousand gold pounds, and although Earl Granger, a wealthy and influential grand noble, could probably muster this amount, no one would want to lose such a sum without feeling the sting.

Despite his lack of interest in Prince William’s business, Earl Granger likely didn’t see through the scam; the earlier conversation simply led him to consider the prince unreliable.

The conversation inside seemed to be approaching its conclusion. Shard had finished watching the "farce," carefully moving to head back to the indoor hallway to wait for the Earl, but just as he moved, his ears captured a sound from the ground.

Turning his head downward, he saw an unfamiliar man standing at the manor’s front door, looking up at him in surprise. Shard was sure the tall thin man was directly looking at him, not just the glass:

"Hey! You up there, what are you doing?"

The man on the ground asked.

[Twelve Rings.]

A voice softly reminded him by his ear.

Shard chuckled and then transformed into a swarm of red butterflies, flying towards the top of the building:

"Such bad luck."

Any Twelve-Ring Sorcerer found here was certainly from the church officials, and if caught by them, it would be troublesome.

"Lagre’s Leap!"

After dripping Wind Vane Bluegrass Extract on his tongue, Shard jumped off the rooftop and stepped forward in mid-air, entering the interior through the third-floor corridor window.

But inside wasn’t safe either. He quickly descended the stairs back to the first floor. Worried about implicating Margaret, Shard didn’t search for the princess but instead blended into the crowd.

Casually picking up a wine glass, he then stood by the window where he had previously conversed with Mr. Enriques, looking out and appearing relaxed. Shard exhaled deeply, annoyed at his lack of caution. He couldn’t have predicted a Twelve-Ring Sorcerer would appear just as he eavesdropped, but he should have considered the possibility.

"Looks like I’ve been off lately, must be extremely careful and cautious."

After waiting a while without anyone approaching him, Shard finally relaxed a bit. He took a sip from the wine glass he held, realizing it was champagne. Placing the glass on the window sill, he intended to turn and survey the surroundings, but noticed concentric ripples forming on the surface of the still liquid.

"What?"

"[Earthquake.]"

A slight tremor appeared, followed by the terrifying sound of the crystal chandelier above. The once lively banquet hall instantly fell into a silence as if blanketed by a Silence Charm, with everyone gazing up at the creaking, swaying crystal chandelier. Only after someone shouted "Get outside quickly" did the guests swiftly gather towards the mansion’s entrance.

Sparse Star Month, 21st, Friday night, a minor earthquake centered in the city center of Randall Valley City arrived unexpectedly and quietly.

The sudden earthquake disrupted the rhythm of the party, and although its scale was far less than the one half a month ago, when Shard realized Randall Valley had divinity, the party was nonetheless interrupted and hastily concluded.

Shard did not stay long, and left with a heavy heart after greeting Margaret. Her Highness the Princess felt extremely guilty for having invited Shard yet failed to entertain him properly, watching him leave from the window with considerable remorse.

Shard didn’t take a carriage, instead walking onto the street back to the Abundant Land Inn in the city center. He was planning to discuss the earthquake with Luviya, as this time it occurred directly within the city limits, but upon entering the bright and warm inn, he saw Luviya sitting with another woman at a table by the wall. They were softly conversing while listening to the bard’s lyra performance of heroic tales, prompting Shard to turn and leave directly from the entrance.

Because Luviya was conversing with none other than Miss Danester, the librarian from Saint Byrons. Miss Danester had inquired Wednesday morning whether to relay messages to Luviya in Randall Valley, and unexpectedly, she had come directly herself.

With nothing else to do, Shard wandered the street alone, contemplating matters while reaching Cherry Leaf Avenue’s Church of the Forgotten.

Using special means to enter the invisible church, he found it equally empty.

Shard chose not to head home immediately, instead walking across the red carpet now laid, to the foremost row of seats in the antechamber, removing a photo of the Worsent Family and setting it aside before seating himself beside Mr. Lathis’s stone statue.

Leaning slightly backward into the stone chair’s backrest, he, alongside the statue, gazed at the holy emblem now hung in place.

After quite a while, a sigh reverberated in the empty church. The place was quite dim, with moonlight spilling through a hole in the ceiling.

Shard remained still for a long time, pondering his recent actions in Randall Valley, the ancient familial lines of reproduction, evil spirits from the Third Era, and the epic of the Sixth Era’s Chosen Ones.

Suddenly, inspiration struck; he turned around to see Mr. Lathis’s transparent spirit standing under the moonlight with bowed head, reverently praying to the holy emblem hanging on the wall.

Shard didn’t rise, but pivoted in his seat, resting his hand on the chair’s back:

"I thought I’d meet you only after I’d gotten rid of the demon."

The devout spirit didn’t reply to Shard, yet after completing his prayer, he opened his eyes. The moonlight pierced through that transparent figure, yet left no shadow due to the traits of his spiritual body.

Wylan Lathis looked at the young man beside his own corpse:

"The original plan was so, but now we must meet you earlier."

"Is it related to tonight’s earthquake?"

"Yes, the petrified plague in the city and this earthquake are signs. The Earth’s madness is accelerating its spread to more lands. Next Tuesday, a region of black mire connected to Earth’s roots will emerge locally; we need your help."

Shard looked at him:

"If you need my assistance, at least grant me some trust. Even now, you refuse to tell me the truth about yourselves?"

Mr. Lathis paused:

"We must be wary of that demon. Until the demon leaves this place, our secrets must remain hidden from everyone."

Shard sighed faintly:

"So... know about ’Whispering Verses’ and the Chosen Ones?"

"I’ve heard, but don’t know them."

The soul replied steadfastly, prompting Shard, in the hushed, ancient church, to narrate the witch empresses’ grand prophecy, the thirteen Chosen Ones, and events since last summer:

"The Guardian is the fifth Chosen One, the Earth’s Chosen One. Yet, the Chosen are singular entities, not groups, thus I haven’t fully grasped your circumstances... but I have guesses."

"If we become the Chosen, we can thoroughly cleanse Earth’s pollution; we are willing to do this and be your companions," Mr. Lathis stated, showcasing remarkable rationality, almost alarmingly so.

"It’s not that simple — rituals, cultists, demons. If Chosen Ones were so easily attained, what would make the Sixth Era’s epic memorable?"