Chapter 1233: Chapter 1233: Thomas Granger
Iluna urged Shard to inform Luviya about the matter of the “Power of the Earth” as soon as possible, so although Shard hadn’t planned to return to Randall Valley this Tuesday, he ended up having dinner with the girl with purple eyes in the city of the Southern Nation that evening.
This time, they chose to dine at a club in the city recommended by Miss Benanis a few days ago. After dinner, they returned to Cherry Leaf Avenue and entered the Church of the Forgotten together.
Luviya sat in the antechamber of the abandoned church and waited for a while. Shard went home to bring back the piece of hand bone. Mia also followed him, seemingly to digest after the meal.
Because the stone statue of the middle-aged man was seated on the long bench on the right side of the central aisle, the two of them sat on the left.
Shard handed the wooden box to her, and Luviya placed it on her lap and opened it, seeing the hand bone engraved with golden runes:
“Power of the Earth… Are you sure you want me to learn this sorcery?”
“Yes, I even have more ideas. Do you remember the Chosen One Ceremony? The Feast of the Earth Mother Goddess. The banquet requires participants, although the specific details of the ceremony are unknown at present. If possible, I hope you can attend when the Chosen One holds the ceremony.”
The girl with purple eyes smiled:
“I can only stay in Randall Valley for about a month, but the Chosen One Ceremony won’t be until spring.”
Despite saying this, she reached out to touch the pristine hand bone.
Without any ceremony, the hand bone directly turned to ashes under Luviya’s touch. Golden Miracle Aura wrapped around her, and the weighty power and vibrant vitality swept through the surroundings.
Subsequently, Luviya’s Ring of Fate automatically appeared behind her. With the accumulation of golden Miracle Aura, it engraved the first Spirit Rune of the Five Rings for her: “Abundance”.
“Arcane Technique: Power of the Earth: Abundant Field.”
Luviya opened her eyes, and the purple light in her gaze seemed even more mystical:
“Iluna was right, all branches of sorcery and arcane techniques of the ‘Power of the Earth’ use normal soil as spellcasting materials. After activating this arcane technique, I can protect a certain area from abnormal field effects.”
She chuckled as she said:
“Even if the problem in Randall Valley is resolved, this arcane technique can help me grow flowers and plants in the future.”
“So, are you the Chosen of the Earth?”
Shard asked again, and Luviya shook her head slightly:
“No, I can observe myself in the mirror.”
“This time, the matter is far more complicated than any previous ones.”
Shard suspected that the man’s soul he encountered in the Emerald Dream seemed to know everything. On Sunday, Shard had already given the man’s photograph to Miss Benanis via the “Moon Library.” Waiting a little longer, perhaps the Witch could soon give him a result.
Things went far more smoothly than Shard imagined. The photograph was given on Sunday night, and by Wednesday morning, when Shard visited Randall Valley City again, Miss Benanis, who seemed to be in a very good mood, told him the good news:
“Good morning, Shard.”
Still at the Witch’s manor, Shard settled in the study as the maid brought tea:
“The Circle Sorcerers of the Sun Church in the district found Saint Perry’s cemetery yesterday afternoon.”
She said with a smile and handed Shard a bank draft:
“The Council managed to get a significant benefit from the Sun Church, His Excellency the Speaker credited the achievement to me. I asked Miss Galina what you liked, but she said you only liked cats and only one, so please forgive my crudeness and accept a bank draft, which can be exchanged within the Carsonrick Territory.”
Shard didn’t find the gift crude at all, as the amount on it was “2000,” with the unit being Gold Pound. Carsonrick Territory’s bank drafts can provide exchange services in units of Gold Pounds, as there are only two mainstream currencies in the Material World.
“This gift is truly wonderful.”
“It’s not a gift, it’s what you deserve. However, I couldn’t find any clues about the Elf Girl who took away the Unicorn. Saint Byrons has a communication channel with the Council, but probing recklessly would be somewhat inappropriate.”
She smiled at Shard:
“And there’s more good news. The middle-aged man you commissioned me to help find on Sunday, I have already found him.”
Shard’s heart leaped with joy:
“Oh, please first tell me, from which era does he come?”
“He disappeared in the Common Era Calendar year 1780, which is less than a hundred years from now.”
“1780?”
This date is very familiar to Shard. After frowning slightly, he recalled this special year. Miss Benanis saw that Shard understood and nodded:
“It seems you’ve remembered. When Ciris communicated with the Granger Family, the Earl mentioned that someone claiming to be John Watson recently delivered news about a long-lost member of the Granger Family. Yes, the portrait you provided is of Mr. Thomas Granger, the man who disappeared seventy years ago, with no clues to this day.”
After speaking, she smiled and added:
“In my view, you should know more about Mr. Thomas Granger than I do. After all, the Earl also said that you even took away his few relics.”
At this moment, Shard was still in shock, and upon hearing the witch’s words, he hurriedly took out the Mithril Cube and then detailed his discovery of “Mr. Granger’s last words,” as well as the news he heard when returning the two medals.
He never could have imagined that the person who helped him in the Emerald Dream would be the owner of the relic he had encountered upon arriving in Randall Valley City.
“It’s truly interesting. If Mr. Thomas Granger is really just a Low Ring Sorcerer, this alchemical item is definitely something he couldn’t possess; it’s the work of a top Master Alchemist. Moreover, he clearly knows what it is.”
The witch toyed with the cube:
“Additionally, ordinary souls do not possess the ability to freely enter and exit the Emerald Dream. In fact, his soul somehow managed to halt the spread of the black mud…”
Even the witch had to exert her full effort using the Maze Lock to accomplish this.
“Your perception ability is very strong. When interacting with the other party in the dream, did you feel anything special?”
Miss Benanis asked again, and Shard thought about it:
“It was undoubtedly an undead, and the soul’s intensity was incredibly remarkable.”
He didn’t feel anything was amiss; if the soul’s strength weren’t impressive, Thomas Granger wouldn’t even qualify to appear in the Angel-Level Relic [Emerald Dream].
“It seems that the missing Mr. Granger encountered some matters both in life and after death. However, he probably should be counted as aligning with the Good Alignment. If not for him giving you the sorcery of [Power of the Earth], all the events of this week wouldn’t have resolved so easily.”
Actually, Muppet matters could still be easily solved, since primarily it relied on Mia.
“Is there more information about Mr. Thomas Granger that can be investigated?”
Shard asked again, but Miss Benanis only recounted these matters without providing him any documents.
“When I communicated with the Earl through Ciris, Earl Granger claimed he also knew very little about this unknown great-uncle. However…”
The witch, smiling, looked at him:
“He’s lying.”
“What is the Earl hiding?”
“This is something you need to learn for yourself. Perhaps use Circle Sorcerer’s methods or employ wordplay to extract the secrets he doesn’t wish to disclose. But I must remind you, the Granger Family’s reputation here is quite high, and the family has always believed in the Sun God [Lantern Bearer], making their relationship with the Church quite extraordinary. So it’s best not to easily use Circle Sorcery methods on him.”
Shard nodded. Nobles of this level may even hire Low Ring Sorcerers from who knows where for money. Earl Granger is a powerful Earl indeed, overseeing the construction of the shipyard that Prince William Anjou and Margaret are inaugurating.
“Do you need my help? I’ve previously said, I still owe you a promise. Yes… a promise.”
The witch asked, but Shard declined:
“The matter of Mr. Thomas Granger is very important; I’ll personally inquire. Is he attending any public events soon?”
Privately approaching again is not a wise move; a chance encounter in a social setting can greatly strengthen relations. Of course, if questioning really doesn’t succeed, Shard doesn’t mind seeking advice from “Dream Master” Dr. Schneider and “Sneak Expert.” He simply wants to learn some information from ordinary people, no need to waste too much effort.
Miss Benanis thought for a moment:
“I knew you’d ask that. Tonight, the Earl invited Prince William Anjou and Margaret to a private dinner, which is improper etiquette, so it was turned into a banquet. I’ve received an invitation too, but I never attend such events. If you want to participate, you can use my invitation and say you’re…”
She considered, seemingly assessing their appearances and ages, but Shard shook his head:
“I’ve used the name John Watson too much elsewhere; it shouldn’t be involved with you. Later, I’ll go to Margaret to get an invitation; it’s very convenient.”
“Yes, yes, your relationship with Her Highness the Princess is quite remarkable.”
She smiled, and Shard further inquired:
“Speaking of which, have you decided what kind of test to give Margaret?”
“Yes, considering Sylvie’s sake, I won’t make things difficult for her. Furthermore, His Excellency the Speaker has privately spoken with me as well. If the Princess from Carsonick could become a witch apprentice, it would facilitate some matters in the future, so he asked me to just give a slight test. It’s very simple, the Anjou Royal Family is overdue on their payment to the Stonemason Guild; are you aware of that?”
“Of course. Twenty years ago, the Anjou Royal Family commissioned the local Stonemason Guild to build statues at Velindale’s Royal Tomb. The statues collapsed on a stormy night, destroying the Tomb of a past King.”