Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 15 [Relic] Level

Even from across the half of the room, Shard could sense the danger exuding from the object in the young man's hand as he slept. It was as if the box was out of place in this world, carrying with it an aura that could make all things wither. This was the Relic that Shard saw for the first time and believed he would never mistake in the future.

The doctor surveyed the room and continued to speak:

"Relics can be tangible objects but can also be events, or even just a piece of information, a phrase. The True God Church has classified Relics into five levels, which the Academy has also accepted and recognized:

Poet-Level (Level 5), information that could be sung by poets, but only considered common hearsay or legendary tales, the standard measure being Poet Cohen's Manuscript;

Scribe Level (Level 4), which requires detailed recording and archiving of this relic information, with the information only existing on paper and not to be casually disseminated, the standard measure being Scholar Unknown's Thesis;

Keeper of Secrets Level (Level 3), tightly trained guardians of secrets to specifically safeguard information about a Relic, which must be contained under non-special circumstances and used with extreme caution, the standard measure being Secret Keeper's Eye;

Sage Level (Level 2), only Grand Sages are privy to their information and containment status, and should such items be found uncontained, under the agreement, both the Academy and the True God Church must immediately notify each other, the standard measure being Philosopher's Stone;

Angel Level (Level 1), extremely dangerous, the descent of the Evil God and the loss of control of an Angel-Level Relic are generally considered as events of the same level. I'm only a fifth-year correspondence student. I won't know the characteristics and containment measures of such items until the next grade, the standard measure being Heart of the Evil Angel."

"What is a standard measure?"

Shard asked.

"A standard measure is a reference when grading a Relic. Should the danger exceed the standard measure, it immediately falls into the next level."

Shard nodded in understanding, but since there was also a standard measure for the highest Angel Level, it seemed to imply...

He did not ask further, as Dr. Schneider likely did not know either.

He proceeded to inquire softly, muffling his voice as he held his breath:

"So what we are dealing with this time is..."

"A Poet-Level Relic (Level 5). I've confirmed it. It's the Life Countdown Pocket Watch.

Yes, it's the object in that box over there; he dares not touch it directly. With a blood sacrifice, the pocket watch allows its bearer to rotate it within a certain range. Pointing the face of the pocket watch at any life form, the amount of life countdown it assigns depends on the angle of rotation.

It brought him a profound realization of the cruelty and strangeness of this world.

Together, they returned to the city area and had a meal at a goose restaurant in the Tobesk City Eastern District. Of course, it was the doctor who treated. Shard didn't eat much, though; the scenes he had witnessed earlier on the second floor of the sanatorium would likely trouble him for a long time.

They then went to the doctor's psychological clinic, which was located on Rontgen Avenue in the Tobesk City Eastern District, the wealthy district. Although not as bustling as Saint Delan Square in the city center, the neighborhood was very picturesque.

Mr. Bill Schneider's psychological clinic was flanked by an antique shop on one side and a high-end tobacco store on the other. The clinic was three stories, with the first two floors being the clinic and the third being the residence of the doctor himself.

The clinic was spacious. In addition to Mr. Bill Schneider himself, there were five other doctors employed by him on staff, as well as receptionists, cleaning staff, a tea lady, and so on, all very formal.

The doctor invited Shard to his second-floor reception room, which was a consultation room used only for important patients, to rest. It wasn't until the servant brought over the tea that the conversation could continue.

More like a study than a reception room, the curved wall was adorned with dark brown bookshelves, packed with leather-bound books. An imposing desk stood on the red carpet, and just by looking at the fountain pens in the pen rack, you could tell the owner's financial strength.

The sofa and coffee table arrangement wasn't as formal as that of the Detective Agency, but the family-style tea set was indeed conducive to relaxing visitors and allowing them to reveal troubles and secrets.

"How do you feel about this trip?"

The doctor asked casually, leaning on the single leather sofa, his right hand on the armrest and his fingers on his chin.

Shard sat on the fabric long sofa, which was the one used by Dr. Schneider's "patients."

"Thank you very much."

"For helping you resolve the hidden threat?"

"Yes."

Shard responded, his worries not any lighter.

This outing was merely to avenge Detective Sparrow, and it also meant that Sparrow's death was due to the detective assignment and not related to the task he had entrusted to Shard. In other words, Shard still didn't know what other secrets Sparrow Hamilton might be hiding.

The current speculation was that Sparrow Hamilton had a mysterious identity besides being a detective, but due to an accident in a detective case, he had to find someone to temporarily take his place. However, that secret identity likely had nothing to do with the Transcendent; otherwise, the detective wouldn't have known about his impending death and still been completely unable to save himself.

Of course, there was no need to explain this to Mr. Bill Schneider. Although the morning's events had led Shard to more or less trust him, he still hadn't let down all his guard.