Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 72 The Antique Revolver

"Yes, indeed it was a man."

As he spoke, Priest Augustus also revealed an awkward expression:

"The Six Rings Warlock, originally named Jack Deon, male. That ring capable of realizing gender transformation, according to intelligence, comes from the Blood Spirit School you've mentioned. They've always been skilled in flesh-related arcane techniques and possess a multitude of strange relics.

Dammit, those madmen have all run off to the New World, yet they haven't forgotten to cause trouble for us."

The professors of Saint Byrons had said that the ancient organization known as the Blood Spirit School was pursued by the Church of the Five Gods.

"The True God Church has known about his infiltration into Tobesk City for a while. Recently, they've been suspecting his concealment within the Nightingale Club, the place you've mentioned before. Only, no one expected that he could completely change his appearance, which is why the church has been unable to find him. As for his relationship with Mr.

Lawrence, it's not clear whether it's due to the relic ring's influence that distorted his orientation, or if there's another reason."

"Relics can even distort... orientation?"

Shard asked, as the Old Cleric wore a look of regret:

"Relics might distort any aspect of human personality and thought, depending on the nature of the relic itself. For instance, if there is a relic's effect that involves creating food from excrement, then it might be possible... oh, never mind, I can't even continue."

He and Shard adjusted their expressions together, then the priest warned the detective:

"Since both Lady Lassoya and the squad from the True God Church have appeared, the church is likely to carry out the arrest tonight. You must not involve yourself in this matter; it's incredibly dangerous."

"But the doctor might still be unaware of the Circle Sorcerer squad's presence, should we tell him?"

As he said this, the sound of young girls' laughter traveled from the garden path facing the statue; the Old Cleric and the young detective quickly moved to another path behind the statue: Find exclusive stories on empire

"Bill might indeed be unaware."

Priest Augustus pondered, then looked at Shard:

"I saw Luisa just now, I thought like me she was simply invited by chance, surely here to aid the doctor. Since Lassoya has entered the big house at Lakeside Manor, you should stay away, go to the front courtyard and find Luisa, inform her of the current situation.

I will go inside the mansion to find the doctor; since he's not visible in the garden, he must already be inside preparing to take action."

"Alright, no problem."

"Of course, the bullet caliber matched the ones I had on me."

The inebriated captain replied. Under the candlelight's glimmer, Shard noticed that the front of his uniform was thoroughly soaked:

"Since the bullet was fired, how could you possibly still be alive?"

"How would I know! Is God joking with me? I put the gun to my head and pulled the trigger, eight times! Eight times! And the bullets all hit the person next to me! I collapsed!

I truly collapsed! Oh God, do you no longer wish to watch over me?"

Finally, the captain released Shard and leaned against the table, crying. Shard wanted to leave but suddenly noticed that the captain had put his hand inside his coat and then pulled out an all-black revolver. It was clearly an antique, despite being well-maintained, but the passage of time could not be erased by mortal efforts.

[You have encountered 'Whisper.']

"Hmm? Could this really be a [Relic]?"

Shard thought, surprised.

"Oh, why did you bring this thing to the banquet!"

The friends of Captain Lades hurried over, worried that the captain waving the antique gun would alarm the other guests. But they were not concerned about the direction of the gun's barrel, as the revolver was supposed to be unloaded.

"Put it away quickly!"

People urged, but the captain staggered and reached for the person next to him, then grabbed Shard, who had not managed to leave in time:

"Sir, look, it's this thing, not me! I really fired the gun! I held it against my head but somehow couldn't kill myself. The enemy snatched the gun and aimed it at me, and he... he ended up..."

With a loud rip, the drunken captain exerted force, tearing off the entire right sleeve of Shard's formal attire.

Shard was still absorbed in Captain Lades' incredible story and didn't react in time, his mind preoccupied with how expensive the garment could be. Finally losing patience, Captain Lades' friends restrained the drunken officer and took the antique revolver from him.

"Sir, I am truly sorry,"

One of them apologized to Shard. He ejected the cylinder to make sure it was indeed unloadable, and then, with the cold antique still in his hand, handed it over to Shard:

"Lades has really had too much to drink. Take this gun as compensation for your attire. Sir, don't be in a hurry to refuse. We believe that keeping this gun away from Lades might help him get over this quicker. We were not mocking him just now; it's just that he got drunk and brought up this subject again... Who could understand such matters?"