novelonline Chapter 3594 The Visiting "Winter Singer"
Chapter 3594 The Visiting "Winter Singer"
Chapter 3594 The Visiting "Winter Singer"
It goes without saying what the snake skin being offered was, but according to Claire's description, the snakeskin scroll under the altar did not contain messages left by predecessors to successors; it recorded a ritual called "The Grace of the Serpent's Letter."
The ritual involves applying herbs and other materials to the body's surface, then performing a molting process similar to a snake shedding its skin. This shedding is believed to remove injuries and curses. According to the description on the snakeskin scroll, while the ritual isn't a panacea, it is effective for most physical injuries and curses.
"In mysticism, the concepts of snake molting and rebirth are often equated. But if I remember correctly, when investigating organizations related to 'snakes,' wasn't there an organization called the 'Shedding Scales Order' active in the southern Old World before 1200 of this era? They were famous for studying the phenomenon of snake molting in order to find a way to achieve immortality?"
Shad asked, and Claire nodded:
"Yes, but this order disappeared about three hundred years ago. My ancestors saw them; they came to this island, and then something happened that caused them to suffer heavy losses. The last few members eventually joined the tribe and became part of us. Although I haven't seen this secret technique before, it seems to be the result of their research."
The Fatu people do not reject outsiders joining their tribe. Claire's father, Professor Reinhardt, and their neighbor, Mrs. Otto, who waited for her missing husband her whole life, were both considered outsiders who joined the tribe.
It's not uncommon for a vanished ring sorcerer organization to leave behind something somewhere for unknown reasons. However, what Shad cared about wasn't the ritual, but the harp.
After the elders and Claire checked and confirmed there was no danger, Jyn was moved to the Snow Mountain Hall.
With its pear-shaped body, short, thick neck, and intricately carved resonator, it is a typical eight-string lute. Although this instrument was not common in concerts during that era, it was still used by tavern minstrels, and was also played and sung by those who were interested in art in operas and certain salons.
Of course, this is a stone harp and cannot be played.
The stone harp was placed in a room on the third floor. The rough surface of the gray stone suggested that the craftsman had forgotten to polish it. Shad tried to pick it up and then confirmed that the harp was hollow.
Direct contact revealed only a very faint whispering element, suggesting that it might be a relic, but in a state of being contained or sealed.
“Look at the back of the headstock; there are runes there. I asked Megan, and she said she didn’t recognize them either, but you definitely do.”
Claire reminded him again, and Shad turned the stone harp over, revealing a row of runes that, when translated, meant—
This is the sound of snowflakes falling.
Because what we see now is not the original appearance of the relic, and we have no way of speculating on its characteristics, even if the "stone harp" is found, Shad still does not know what it is.
But Shad thought the instrument was perfect for Stella to take to the "Great Symphony of Destiny," so until the preparations for the Prophet's Association ceremony were complete, they only needed to know how to use the instrument.
Does Stella play the lute?
“This isn’t a mainstream instrument, but Stella said there’s an instrument in her hometown that’s very similar to the lute, so she can play it.”
Shad had originally thought that Luvia would have to use coins to perform a divination in order to find out how to use the violin, but the answer came to them on its own this Sunday afternoon.
The incident began when Emilia suddenly appeared before lunch and hurriedly handed Daniste's letter to Shad:
"The professor sent me to deliver a letter and then told me to go back before lunch. I'm going to visit Ellie and little Leona! The professor said I can come to the island tomorrow, see you tomorrow!"
Even with Claire still nearby, she mustered the courage to kiss Shad on the cheek before dashing off to the unicorn's den.
Claire glanced at Shad sideways; she had long known that the girl and Shad had an unusual relationship.
"She is an adult elf."
Shad emphasized this, then stood in the huge foyer of the Snow Mountain Hall and opened the letter.
"What's wrong?"
"Dannister said someone is coming to visit town at three o'clock this afternoon and asked me to help receive them. The letter of invitation should be delivered to town soon."
"Who would be visiting us that we need the Crimson Moon Witch to remind us beforehand? Is it the Saint Byrons investigation team?"
Claire asked, puzzled, and Shad gave her an answer she hadn't expected:
"She's not from the academy, she's Miss Elsa Esberger, the 13th-ring lady from the Winter Choir, the 'Winter Singer'."
The platinum blonde girl was even more confused:
“This lady has no connection with us, does she? Although we all use the power of ice, they worship the ancient god of winter, while we worship the snow mountain and the serpent.”
"teacher"
Stella, who had a very low profile standing next to Claire, raised her hand and whispered:
"She probably wanted to come and see me."
Seeing that both Shad and Claire were looking at her, she explained:
“Miss Asperger and I are from the same tribe on the ice plains. Although we are not directly related by blood, since we are from the same tribe, she is my aunt in terms of seniority.”
Shad didn't hide the fact that Stella had become a candidate from Daniste; it was probably Daniste who leaked the news to the "Winter Singer," wanting to bolster their side. Coincidentally, the Winter Choir received an invitation to the "Great Symphony of Destiny" ceremony, and since they were there, Miss Asperger, whom Shad had met many times, naturally wouldn't forget to visit Stella.
The official letter of visit from the Winter Choir was delivered to town during lunchtime. The elders had already heard about it from Shad, and they all took it very seriously.
“Since we all come from tribal backgrounds in remote areas, it’s certainly not a bad thing to strengthen our ties. There aren’t many people with our backgrounds these days. But she’s here to visit Claire’s students, right? Then you two can talk in the Snow Mountain Hall.”
Although it was important, there wasn't really anything to prepare. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Elder Harald and Elder Ursa, along with Shad, Claire, and Stella, greeted the lady who had arrived from the City of Time in a carriage.
Not long ago, when Denise was taking Shad to "visit" her bedroom in the tower behind the library, they encountered this woman. Shad remembered that Denise was even eighteen years old at the time.
Miss Asperger and Daniste may be different in age, but they are essentially sorceresses of the same era, and judging by their appearance, the lady who worships the god of winter is even younger than Daniste.
She seemed to have a particular fondness for dark blue dresses; when Shad saw her on several occasions in Tobesk, Vestalin, and the Academy, her dresses, though different in style, were always similar in color.
The carriage stopped in front of the stone bridge in the Snow Mountain Hall, but did not cross the bridge to the entrance, demonstrating her respect for the Fatu people's traditions. The group that had been waiting on the steps then crossed the bridge to greet her. The sorceress, wearing two teardrop-shaped sapphire earrings, first looked up to survey the entire Snow Mountain Hall before greeting each of those who came to greet her.
When greeting Shad, she addressed him as "Mr. Watson"; when greeting the elders and Claire, she could accurately pronounce each person's name.
Finally, Miss Asperger looked at Stella, who spoke up first:
"It's been a long time, Miss Asperger."
"It's been a long time, Larson. Seeing a young person like you suddenly grow up after a certain separation makes me truly feel that time, like snowflakes falling to the ground, seems slow, but in the blink of an eye everything can change."
The group then entered the Snow Mountain Hall. Miss Asperger was not traveling alone; she was accompanied by two young women from Central who were responsible for carrying the gifts for this visit.
She showed the Fatu people the utmost respect, an attitude that pleased the two elders. The elders accepted the gift on behalf of the Fatu people, exchanged a few more pleasantries with the lady, and then tactfully departed.
The girls in Central accepted the suggestion and happily went to visit the unicorn with Claire's followers. The rest of the group sat in the banquet hall talking in front of the fireplace, which was burning brightly. Soft, backless chairs were arranged in a circle around the fireplace, making for a very pleasant conversation.
“Mr. Watson, Daniste said I should help you more on the island, but I don’t think you really need my help.”
After the elders left, the woman smiled and said this to Shad, clearly teasing Shad about his relationship with Daniste.
Xia De then replied:
"No, we still need your help. Right now we are facing cultists, demons, and Mr. Serpent all at the same time. Meanwhile, the Infinite Serpent, relics attracted by anomalous elements, and other strange things are also happening. Only with a 13th-circle sorcerer like you here can we feel at ease."
"I don't know if you're complimenting me or being sarcastic. But please don't use honorifics with me; Daniste and I are friends, so our relationship should be considered..."
She didn't continue, then looked at Claire, who seemed somewhat displeased:
"Although this gentleman didn't introduce himself, and Daniste didn't say either, I think you must be a witch, right?"
She extended her hand to Claire:
"Let's get to know each other again—[Winter Choir], Winter Singer, Elsa Esberger."
Claire then grasped that hand:
"【The Witch Council】, the Great Witch of the Sun, Claire Reinhardt. I am Stella's teacher, and she is my apprentice."