Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Walking along the cemetery path in the rain, Shard realized that this was his first visit to see Mr. Sparrow since the detective's death.

He had been too busy eking out a living recently, and it was only when he looked at the master bedroom in his home that he occasionally remembered the gentleman. Now, stepping on the stone path of the cemetery and recalling their last and also first conversation, Shard felt as if it had happened many years ago.

The grave of Sparrow Spy Hamilton was inconspicuous, lying in the grass wetted by rain alongside countless ordinary people.

Shard found the grave's location according to the receipt he had and stood in front of the tombstone embedded in the ground, holding an umbrella.

The tombstone bore only a name, date of death, and cause of death, without any record of a life story.

The humid air suppressed the summer heat as he held the umbrella in one hand and slipped the other into his coat pocket. The raindrops beating upon his umbrella, he looked down at the plain grave and thought of the detective's possible spy identity in a foreign land, and a sense of absurdity arose.

There was no one around, and the sound of rain was enough to drown out his voice, so he could speak his mind:

"His life story must have been very exciting. Born, educated, joined the Grey Gloves for training for unknown reasons, sent to Tobesk to infiltrate, spent three years there as a detective solving various commissions... He met countless people and experienced countless events in his homeland and in Tobesk, learned numerous secrets, and perhaps someone in the distance was waiting for him to come home. And yet a man with such an exciting life, in the end, was witnessed only by me, an outlander, and his final resting place is just a small grave in a corner of the cemetery."

[Are you lamenting?]

Not even the rain could suppress her whispering voice.

"Lament?"

Shard looked down at the tombstone and shook his head gently:

"No, I know everyone's life story is very exciting in the eyes of others. It's just that standing here now, I feel Mr. Sparrow's ending, it's like an epic tale that ends with the protagonist suddenly deciding to stop."

[Do you feel pity for him?]

He looked down at the tombstone:

"Yes, such an exciting life to end in an accident. No one but me knows everything he went through."

He bent down with the umbrella, brushing his hand over the surface of the tombstone:

"Mr. Sparrow, when you were lying on your deathbed, telling me your last will, did you also feel regret? Just like the two ghosts just now?"

But Sparrow could not answer that question; he really had departed.

Even Shard could not determine what kind of person he was, nor could he even judge whether he was a good or bad person.

Carsonrick's senior spy now lay here eternally, having never realized his ideals in a foreign land, never returning home, and with no one knowing his story.

[Outlander, it sounds like you are also worried for yourself?]

When Shard straightened up, the woman asked in a soft voice.

"It's not worry, it's just... if one day I die unexpectedly, I might also be buried not far from here."

He looked up at the cemetery in the rain, a place very quiet, slumbering countless people, burying countless stories: Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

"Having just attended Mr. Worsent's funeral and seeing Detective Sparrow's grave here, it's just a bit of reflection. My story in a foreign land is also exciting enough, but when death comes, I too might find my life very laughable and have some regrets."

He lifted his left hand and looked at his clenched fist.

["You are perplexed."]

"It's not confusion, just a bit reflective before the great battle tomorrow night."

Shard took a deep breath, allowing the damp yet fresh air of the cemetery to fill his lungs:

"First Ring, Second Ring, and Three Ring Sorcerers, seeking revenge against the Sorcerer of Nine Rings—even with thorough preparation and the enemy being injured, there's still an unease in the heart. And once we succeed, and Miss Beyas truly becomes The Chosen One, it signifies that the grand epic of the Sixth Era will involve more and more people. I have already decided to join, but as for the future..."

He removed the umbrella above his head, allowing the raindrops to beat upon his body, then quickly righted the umbrella:

"This visit to see Mr. Sparrow is also to make sure I can prevent not returning tomorrow night. He provided the foundation for the life I have now; I can't just forget him that easily. Speaking of which, I'm quite grateful to Mr. Sparrow."

The voice of the woman in his heart did not continue. Shard looked down at the small grave one last time, intending to leave:

"In any case, moving forward is the only way to continue one's own story. Their stories have ended, but mine is still long, bound to be very long."

He exhaled deeply, feeling much lighter throughout his body:

"The story of an Outlander in a Foreign Land can only be witnessed by myself."

["And me."]

"But aren't you just me?"

Shard asked unexpectedly, and she smiled faintly:

["Yes, you are me, and I am you. Outlander, you shall compose your story and epic, and I will be there for you..."]

The last of her voice was very soft, and Shard didn't mind. He turned around with his umbrella, thinking to bring a bouquet of flowers next time.

After experiencing the stories of two ghosts and a funeral, and having talked to her by Detective Sparrow's grave, Shard felt at least not so confused anymore. Clearing away those wild thoughts would allow him to better face the matters of Thursday night.

It was raining outside the city, and naturally, it was raining inside the city as well. Although there was some meat and vegetables at home, Shard had no intention of cooking, so after taking a cab home, he went out to dine with Mia.

As night fell, the sudden torrential rain grew even more ferocious. Knowing that Miss Annette and Miss Beyas were coming, Shard made no other plans for the evening and stood at the living room window holding his cat, both watching the rain together.

Around seven o'clock, the carriage carrying Miss Annette stopped downstairs; upon entering, she complained to Shard about the rain.

The astute Diviner noted some changes in Shard since their last meeting; as they ascended the stairs, her purple eyes scrutinized the young detective walking ahead:

"To be specific, you seem more... resolute. Not that you were not resolute before, but now you are even more so. Shard, this is a good thing; you seem to have come to some understanding."

"Yes. But I'm curious, Miss Annette, faced with the great matter of the thirteen Chosen Ones, why were you so determined right from the beginning?"

Shard turned his head and joked. The orange cat "guiding" the two at the top of the stairs turned and "meowed" unhappily, reminding them to keep up.

Luviya Annette didn't answer the question, instead asking Shard for hot tea. She complained about the inconvenience of going out in such weather and prayed quietly, hoping for better weather tomorrow.