Chapter 1304: Chapter 1304: Moon Worship and Investigation
The broken walls and ruins before me are typical ancient ruins of no significant value, sites like these are scattered across the entire Old Continent, and can even be found in the Far North Great Ice Cap Region. Although they have no value and pose no danger, the Church still provides a certain degree of protection. However, this site, almost integrated with nature, seemingly does not require any protection.
The Circle Sorcerers, on the contrary, are quite happy to explore such ruins. The remnants of ancient elemental traces usually indicate the activation of miracles and Desecration Spirit Runes. Exploring ancient ruins, in the depths of caves, under mottled shadows of trees, in secluded spots within cliffside caves, touching those historical remnants or even fragments of divine statues, offers a much higher probability of acquiring Spirit Runes than simply reading books.
Non-academy Circle Sorcerers, and those who enjoy traveling, particularly like exploring such ruins.
The Golden Dawn Opera Group came here originally hoping to acquire Spirit Runes, and unexpectedly gained a Sublimation Incantation instead. At this time, the only remaining visible traces on the ground are the bases of some stone walls and the foundations of large buildings. If it weren’t for the winter snow, in the flourishing summer, these might not even be visible.
Shard tethered the horse to a tree, then climbed over the crooked fence and went forward. The area of this ruin is very large, likely an extraordinary ritual site. Although the exact specifications of the original structures are unknown, following the principle that ’important places are always in the center’, Shard stepped on the snowy ground and reached the center of the ruins.
There were no trees here, and no other traces could be seen on the smooth snowy ground. Shard looked around, feeling like he might have come for nothing. Looking up at the midday sun in the sky, even in the winter the sunshine seemed somewhat dazzling. Then lowering his head to look at his shadow on the ground, in such a leisurely environment, he suddenly had an impulse to lie under a tree and rest.
"No, no, no, I certainly don’t want to sleep outside in the dead of winter."
Sitting down, he brushed away the snow and stroked the Earth with his palm. Despite so much time passing, the faint traces of miracle elements could still be discerned. Closing his eyes, it was almost as if he could hear the sounds of prayer surrounding him, see people prostrating on the ground, worshiping the moon in the night sky.
These touchings indeed brought some unique feelings, but Shard’s Silvermoon, Yellow Moon, and Red Moon Spirit Runes were complete, so these feelings did not bring any substantial change.
"Could it be the wrong time to come?"
"She" suddenly asked in his ear.
"Are you saying, I need to come again at night?"
"She" merely chuckled without answering, but Shard felt it made a lot of sense. If seeking the moon’s power, coming at noon seemed problematic.
"But it’s really too far away."
He complained in his heart, leading the horse and disappearing into the woodland.
By the time he reached the Wilder Opera House, it was nearly one in the afternoon, but Miss Benanis had gone to the council and was not present. Yet, the recently busy Miss Lathis was in the opera house, and when Shard came to the study, she sought his help:
"Shard, Vanessa said you know many ancient runes, take a look at what this means."
Miss Benanis’ information came from Miss Galina, and Miss Galina was already aware of Shard’s unique abilities.
Shard looked at the photo the young girl handed over, on it was a stone tablet lying in the forest soil, looking as if it had just been unearthed:
"Did you find this above the road you are tracing Mr. Lathis’s path on? Let me see... this is Elvish Script, but not modern Elvish Script."
Shard was familiar with this, a brief look and he knew the approximate content:
"It probably has nothing to do with your search, it’s a stone tablet left by ancient elves, likely from the mid-Fifth Era. They were invited to migrate from here to another region, leaving this stone tablet to record that this was once their homeland. According to historical records, those elves received an invitation from Saint Byrons Integrated Academy and migrated to the north."
"Oh, I knew I was looking in the wrong place."
Miss Lathis shook her head in some annoyance, moving from behind the desk to sit with Shard on the sofa:
"The path my father walked was even more complicated than I thought, I really don’t know how he managed to pass so many tests unnoticed by everyone... Shard, did you have any findings? You went to see Osenfort again this morning."
Because of the demon’s uniqueness, Shard didn’t tell Miss Benanis and Miss Lathis about the demon affair.
"I didn’t meet him, I waited at his house all morning, only to find out he and Prince William Anjou were in town, making me wait in vain."
Shard expressed his dissatisfaction, although he had watched the snow and painted oil paintings with the opponent’s wife in the morning and agreed upon a secret only the two of them knew, he was still discontented:
"This afternoon I’ll go find him again, today I must get that statue. I’ve seen the statue, but unfortunately, I couldn’t take it."
If he could set off with the key and revisit the manor in the afternoon, then it would be just in time to wait for the sun to set and revisit that ruin.
"I still have the opinion, unless absolutely necessary, do not have more contact with Osenfort."
Miss Lathis cautiously advised, but she also knew this was something that had to be done at the moment.
Aware that Shard hadn’t had lunch, Miss Lathis arranged lunch for him. After lunch, Shard only rested a while at the Wilder Opera House before setting off to find Ston Osenfort.
Originally, it was thought that he and Margaret’s brother, William Anjou, would meet Sir Cox of the local mining association at the "Captain Jack Club" in the city, but upon arriving, he learned that they had left together several minutes ago.
No one at the club knew where His Highness the Prince had gone, so Shard, with no other option, went to inquire with Margaret.
This afternoon, Margaret had a private meeting with Earl Granger to discuss the current progress of the shipyard’s construction and the details of the ribbon-cutting ceremony a month later, to report to His Majesty the King of Velindale. Such confidential meetings were held in the manor where Margaret was staying, with only the chief secretary allowed to enter and exit the meeting room.
Shard waited at the manor for over an hour until he finally met Margaret at 4 PM.
"Sorry to keep you waiting for so long."
Her Highness the Princess appeared slightly fatigued, with her maid carrying a mountain of documents behind her, suggesting that having great strength might be a prerequisite for being a maid.
"I know your matters are more important, but why are only you and Duke Granger having the talks? Where’s your brother?"
Shard voiced his confusion, to which Margaret immediately complained:
"He’s been very busy with that overseas silver mine, pushing all the work onto me. Anyway, meetings and such are private affairs, and when I write to Father, I can’t just sign my own name. He attends those public events, so at least it can’t be said he hasn’t earnestly fulfilled the tasks Father gave him."
She put her arms around Shard, placing her head on his shoulder, her tone somewhat playful:
"I originally thought I was the one with other matters in the Randall Valley, so I couldn’t handle shipyard matters, but it turns out I have to do most of the work."
Though it’s "most of the work," in reality, the most tedious tasks are handled by her subordinates, with her only needing to check and review. After all, a "princess" is one who can receive the most glory without having to bear responsibilities.
If it weren’t for the gender mismatch, this would be the best profession Shard could think of.
"There are some things I’d like your help with. I want to defeat Osenfort... alright, put another way, I want Osenfort to go bankrupt and lose his reputation."
"Ston Osenfort is the businessman my brother trusts the most now. What, do you have an issue with my brother?"
Margaret asked with a smile but did not refuse:
"I can help."
"No, no, this matter is somewhat dangerous. I want you to inform the Xerxes Higher Medical Academy and have the academy investigate that overseas silver mine. You think there’s something suspicious about this."
Even though Margaret has left the academy and become a Correspondence Circle Mage, she still has her close mentors. The demon must have its own unique falsifications for that overseas silver mine, and even if the Xerxes Gaud Medical College investigates, there won’t be an immediate answer, so this needs to be a process:
"Dangerous? Alright, I’ll mention it in the letter."
Margaret nodded:
"If you want Osenfort to go bankrupt, just exposing a scam isn’t enough. I myself am in the Randall Valley, and arranging a commercial blockade is too obvious. I’ll write a letter to that princess in Tobesk later, have her arrange manpower to first investigate Osenfort’s enterprises within Draleon. Then, I’ll inform Father and have him send the Grey Glove agents to investigate Osenfort’s other industries in our country. Since he lied about the silver mine, it’s unlikely his other businesses have no issues."
Her Highness the Princess smiled:
"In fact, it’s the case that anyone who can run such a large business in this era likely has issues."
"It’s great to have your help."
"This is also for myself. My brother can’t do anything himself and yet stands in front of me. It’s good to have him step aside when needed."
After she finished speaking, she ignored Shard’s astonished look and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Shard then asked:
"Do you know where Osenfort and Prince William might be now? I have some matters to settle with Osenfort; I’ve been busy with this all day and have no results yet."
Margaret thought for a moment:
"If I recall correctly, the daughter of a local baron is getting married, and they went to attend the wedding."
"Wedding?"
"It’s actually a meeting with several businesspeople whom he usually doesn’t meet directly. You understand that as a prince of Carsonrick, often meeting with ordinary merchants without titles would invite criticism."