Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 298 Out of Control Darkness

"Modern Girl: Florist," Moon Suit 7. When this card is drawn, if the total number of cards in your hand does not exceed two, then if your opponent holds a King or Queen in this round, the King and Queen are invalidated and treated as having 0 points.

This special card was part of a new deck released last year, which Shard had only heard Baron Lavende mention and had not expected to see himself. Owing to the development of the printing industry driven by the steam industry in recent years, the designs of Roder Cards had become increasingly exquisite and beautiful. On the card for "Modern Girl: Florist," the girl holding a watering can, wearing an apron, and watering the plants in the flower shop was very much in line with Shard's aesthetic:

"But the luck of this card is built upon the luck of the opponent. Unfortunately, I am not that lucky," Shard said humbly and then curiously added,

"Since this card can't take effect for now, you actually didn't have to reveal your face-down card. Now, I know what your bottom card is."

"What's the difference between not revealing a special card when drawn and not drawing it at all?"

The middle-aged man asked, tilting his neck back. Shard was momentarily at a loss for words, and pulled the next card along with Mr. Walker.

Mr. Walker drew a Sun 9, bringing his hand to a total of 16 points. Meanwhile, Shard remained with Flowers, 2 points, totaling 15 points.

"I'll continue."

"I'll continue as well."

Mr. Walker drew a Sun 4, totaling 20 points, which brought a smile to his face. Shard drew a Moon 5, also totaling 20 points, and he narrowed his eyes.

"What do you say, Mr. Hamilton, shall we continue?"

Mr. Walker asked. He did not know Shard's bottom card and was therefore unclear on the current situation. No matter what choice Shard made, Harry Walker was highly unlikely to draw again, meaning that unless Shard made the mad decision to draw again, the round would most likely end in a draw.

Shard considered for a moment, glanced at Miss Luisa, then whispered softly,

"Do you want to gamble on luck? A tie is just too boring."

He flipped his bottom card, revealing 20 points as well, and looked at Mr. Walker:

"Both at 20 points, I suppose neither of us will choose to draw again. So how about trying our luck, another draw each? Although it's highly likely that we might bust, maybe someone will be lucky enough to draw 1 point."

Mr. Walker thought it over and felt it was fair:

"Of course, I wouldn't miss such a thrilling bet. We agree, next round we both draw."

He turned over his fourth card, Floral Stars 3, and unquestionably busted:

"Oh, indeed it is so."

His tone was quite regretful as if he had also been hoping for a stroke of luck.

Shard reached out for his card, but instead of picking up the top card from the deck, he lifted just a corner of it. His plan was to take a peek and then, with a sigh, press the card back down and then draw "Southern Carsonrick Folklore: Moon Dance Festival."

The Moon Dance Festival, blessed by two ghosts, allows for the card to be drawn from the deck whenever desired, even if the card has already been peeked at. By contrast, "Genesis: Balance," while similar in effect, doesn't even need to be in the deck; Shard could draw it whenever he wished.

When the "Southern Carsonrick Folklore: Moon Dance Festival" card is drawn, if you hold Moon Suit cards in your hand and their points total does not exceed 7, then if you bust this round, your total points are adjusted to 1. Now, Shard only had a single Moon 5, which met the criteria just right.

Although this could be considered cheating, they were not betting money this time, and Mr. Walker would not suffer much even if he lost. So, Shard proceeded as planned, lifting a corner and immediately sighing upon seeing the suit and number.

The plan failed, and he could not press the card back down.

Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

The blond girl sighed.

The Outlander didn't believe all this was due to his arrival since the darkness had appeared when he wasn't yet in the city.

Tonight was calm, just as Priest Augustus said, it wasn't easy for a Circle Sorcerer to encounter out-of-control Relics, and the Magicians of the whole city were frightened by the Godfall incident, so no strange people were met this night.

He had spent a week at home without any incident, and if something happened just after leaving his house, Shard would really have to check if there was something wrong with him.

Shard sat next to Miss Luisa, half-heartedly discussing the story and arias of the opera performance with the voice in his mind, while quietly talking with the blond girl about the conditions of the other Correspondence Circle Mages in the city.

The opera ended at half-past nine in the evening, and tonight's "lesson" ended there. Shard took a carriage to send Miss Luisa back to Feather Quill Street in the University District where she lived.

Miss Luisa hoped Shard wouldn't forget the real purpose of going out tonight was to study "Kiss of the Tree," so she talked with him about some "Enlightenment" elements and their impact on a Circle Sorcerer's mind and spirit during the ride.

Then they talked about Shard's Maze Lock. Everyone was tired tonight, and she didn't get the chance to touch the Maze Lock for Enlightenment, but Miss Writer thought of something else:

"Shard, since you got the Maze Lock because you left traces in the past, have you opened the second Time Key? Is there any special experience this time or was it just like a normal Investigator?"

She finally asked the question, and Shard glanced at the city's night view outside the window. Today was the first day the curfew was lifted, and there were especially many people out drinking, accompanied by an equal number vomiting against walls:

"I've opened it, the key from the Year 3002 of the Fifth Era."

Shard said, wondering what the cat left at home might be doing:

"I came across Miss Mana Feliana in the times past."

"Who? Huh? Oh! I got it."

The blond girl across from him whispered, covering her mouth; her previous exclamation had been a bit too loud:

"Miss Feliana... Shard, don't talk to me about what you experienced in the past. The Secrets of Time are too profound for me. I don't possess the power of time, and hearing too much of your experiences might cause problems for me."

In a world where Mysticism exists, Shard's unusual time travel experiences were already part of the abnormal knowledge. Because the frailty of human Shard, the Old God 'Creator of Innocence' couldn't reveal more secrets of the Era and the Deity to him. And now, it's best for Shard not to share too much about his time travel experiences with others, also considering the frailty of humans.

"However, if you also want to influence the future from the past, gaining another "Enlightenment" Spirit Rune, you can tell me after the fact what exactly you did."

Miss Luisa said.

"No, "Enlightenment" might not be possible this time. But if things go well, I might get a "Miracle" Spirit Rune instead. Oh, and the Ever-Youth Leaf—when the time comes, I'll need your help keeping one safe."

The rewards from the Ancient God included no Spirit Runes, but once the God Summoning Ritual succeeds, he might gain powers from contacting the Old God 'Blazar Gate.'

The blond girl smiled tenderly:

"That's really nice, "Miracle" from the past, "Enlightenment" from our lessons... are you preparing to advance from Second Ring to Three Rings in one month's time as well?"

Shard shook his head:

"I don't really have any reason to gain power so urgently, I'd rather build a stronger foundation than advance too quickly."

"That's right, we have a long road ahead, so there's no need to hurry."

Shard always felt there was something odd about that phrase.