After bidding farewell to Luvia, Xia De, taking advantage of his free time in the morning, took Mia to Coldwater Port again to see if there were any results from the commission to acquire coins and items related to Sun power.
The Seven Brooms Black Market in the Wharf Area still yielded nothing, but the bartender recommended a New World autumn specialty to Xia De, a disgusting plant called “Lamb’s Tail Grass.” It was white and long like a sausage, and would sway back and forth when touched. It could be used as an ingredient for some basic healing potions, but unfortunately, the Old Continent already had substitutes like Mouse-ear Hawkweed, so it wasn't very popular.
However, when Xia De went to the lighthouse outside the City, he was surprisingly attacked by Mermen by the sea.
It's an interesting story; he was originally taking a carriage out of the City, but because he wanted to see what the autumn beach looked like, he got off early about 1 mile (approximately 1.6 km) from the sea cliff where the lighthouse was located, and walked on the beach with Mia.
Coldwater Port’s harbor was busy, and the scenery of the shallow beach outside the City was also very pretty. Xia De even picked up a very pretty conch, intending to take it home and place it in the living room as a souvenir.
Just as he was picking up the conch, a faint horn sound came from the sea. Then, amidst Mia's panicked cries, three wrinkled, bald heads emerged from the water.
Xia De, not understanding what was happening, instinctively recoiled, only to then realize that ugly Mermen were crawling out of the sea. But these weren't Merman God's Chosen who possessed mental pollution abilities, capable of affecting observers even if only their likeness was depicted in a painting; these were merely mixed-blood individuals.
One of them was short and fat, leaning on a rotten wooden staff adorned with seaweed and a pearl at its tip. The other two were tall, holding large iron pitchforks rusted by seawater. After the short, fat Merman softly chanted, the two seemingly ineffective weapons immediately glowed with blue water patterns, a spell to enhance weapons.
“One spellcaster and two melee combatants? The Mermen of Coldwater Port really know how to cooperate.”
The three Mermen had clearly set their sights on Xia De and Mia. After the fat Merman finished casting, they made 'ulu-ulu' sounds from their mouths and charged towards Xia De.
These were common monsters lurking in the offshore waters of Coldwater Port, the weakest but also the most numerous. Even if all three combined, their challenge difficulty would probably be equivalent to a Three Ring or Four Ring human Ring術士.
So, there was no suspense in the ensuing battle. Xia De drew his Moonlight Greatsword and charged forward, a horizontal slash directly severing the head of the fastest Merman. Then, the Moonlight radiating from his fingertips forced another Merman to dodge sideways. Seizing this opportunity, he closed in again, and his left fist, adorned with the Crystal of Mind Ring, struck out, causing the Merman to fall, bleeding from all seven orifices.
Looking at the fat Merman spellcaster, it had already retreated to the beach, cursing in Merman language that was difficult to translate. Then, waving its rotten wooden staff embedded with pearls, and as its Destiny Ring manifested, dense schools of fish suddenly surged from the seawater. These fish piled up on the sand, forming a terrifying humanoid shape that could trigger trypophobia.
“Summoned creatures?”
Xia De took a step back to avoid the fishy smell, reaching out to gently push down Mia, who was peeking out from his embrace—the cat was twitching her nose, then took out the Moonstone Ring and gently kissed it:
“Bewilderment!”
Under the hazy yellow Moonlight, the fish monster turned and charged towards its summoner, leaving a string of strange footprints on the sand. The fat Merman shrieked and immediately plunged into the sea, with the fish monster pursuing it.
Xia De didn't pursue because he didn't want to get his clothes wet. He stood on the beach, looking at the two corpses:
“After the Coldwater Port incident, the Mermen here became the only problem. If the Mi Fort matter can be successfully resolved, then ‘ghosts’ will probably become a local specialty there. Each City truly has its own unique characteristics.”
He reverted the canvas toy into canvas, using it to transform the two Merman corpses into toys, intending to sell them to Mr. Edmund, the lighthouse keeper. Mr. Edmund, of course, wasn't going to study the corpses, but rather the local church would reclaim them. Xia De didn't want to go back into the City to the black market, so selling them to the Old Butler, allowing him to earn a difference, was fine.
However, unfortunately, the lighthouse keeper also had no new coins. As for items containing Sun power, Mr. Edmund sold Xia De a dusty parchment scroll and a round metal badge with a Sun pattern for 5 pounds 3 shillings and 21 pounds 14 shillings.
There are many ways to draw Sun patterns; the Sun pattern on the badge was not the holy emblem of the righteous god, Lantern Old Man.
“This parchment scroll, it is said, was found in the ruins of an Old God Temple in the New World. Although it has nothing but a rune representing the Sun branded on it, when it was found, it was placed under a statue that only had its base left. As for this badge, it’s an antique I recently acquired; it has very faint Miracle elements and can slightly amplify most Miracles and spells related to the Sun.”
The Old Butler explained. Xia De tried his “Sunlight Ray” and found that the enhancement was almost negligible.
“Are these two items really related to Sun power?”
Xia De was very suspicious.
“What do you want to use them for?”
Mr. Edmund asked, tidying up his fishing gear.
“To open an ancient seal, I need five different items related to Sun power. I’ve already found three; I’m still missing two.”
“Then find a few more, try them all, and you’ll eventually find something that meets the requirements.”
The Old Butler offered his suggestion and recommended that if Xia De couldn't find any, he should infiltrate a rural Sun Church and try to steal the holy emblem hanging in the main hall.
He was, of course, joking; the only outcome of doing so would be being hunted down by Sun worshipers from all over the world.
First, he returned to the Coldwater Port City area, enjoyed the delicious coastal cuisine with Mia at a restaurant, then returned to Saint Delan Square, and took a carriage out of the City to visit the Witches' Manor to inquire if they had obtained any items related to the Sun.
Xia De hoped to advance to Four Ring before the Middlesburg matter concluded, to gain more strength in the troubles he was entangled in. Therefore, he had to enter the fifth epoch of 3024 for the third time as soon as possible to complete that unfinished story. And assisting the Witches in obtaining the book of nameless sacrifices was also something that needed to be done.
Unfortunately, when Xia De arrived at the manor at two in the afternoon, Miss Jialinna and Tifa were not there.
But they hadn't gone into the City; instead, they were accompanying Queen Diana to watch horse racing at a racecourse in the suburbs.
“Horse racing?”
“Yes.”
The Old Butler of the Witches' Manor smiled kindly in the foyer:
“Now is the last season suitable for horse racing before winter arrives. There are many famous racecourses in the southern suburbs of the City, with one or two races held each week. Well-known local jockeys can sign up to participate, and there are even official betting pools. Miss is not keen on this sport, but Queen Diana loves it, so she often invites Noblewomen and royal family members from the City to watch horse racing together outside the City.”
“Then I’ll wait here for Miss Jialinna to return. Since they are all Noblewomen, it’s not appropriate for me to go.”
Xia De said, but the Old Butler shook his head again:
“It’s not just Noblewomen; the racecourse they went to today belongs to the Lemeir family, and the racecourse is right next to Marquis Lemeir’s grand manor. Nobles are allowed to go there freely, and many nobles enjoy horse racing. Moreover, there are quite a few busybodies attracted by Her Royal Highness the Queen. You can go now; do you need a carriage? Or do you want to ride a horse yourself? The weather is nice today, and the autumn country roads are well worth appreciating.”
Xia De couldn't ride a horse; Tifa had only taught him how to simply mount one for now. And he was also with Mia, so of course, he wouldn't engage in such a “high-risk” activity:
“Please prepare a carriage for me. I’ve never seen horse racing before.”
Leimer Racecourse was located about 2.3 miles (approximately 3.7 km) from the City edge. As the carriage carried Xia De southward, he felt that the road looked somewhat familiar.
Only after inquiring did he learn that Marquis Lemeir’s grand manor and racecourse were connected to another noble’s manor, which was called Lakeview Manor. In fact, the racecourse and the surrounding pastures were sandwiched between the two manors, and Schluch Lake, adjacent to Lakeview Manor, strictly speaking, had half of its area belonging to Marquis Lemeir.
And thinking of the special location of Lakeview Manor, Xia De couldn't help but recall the rhode cards under the grapevines on a midsummer night, the blood-stained deity on the third floor of the manor, and the kick delivered under the Moonlight.
It had only been half a year ago, but it truly felt as if it had happened many years ago.
Entering the racecourse required first entering the Lemeir Manor. Although this manor also had an astonishing area, with exquisite sculptures and landscaping in its courtyard, its luxuriousness was still no match for Miss Jialinna’s manor.
The carriage bearing the Duchess Saladill’s emblem entered the manor without any hindrance. However, the manor courtyard was divided into inner and outer layers. The carriage did not proceed towards the inner layer where the three-story mansion was located, but rather followed the carriage path of the outer courtyard towards the side gate of the manor.
Servants were already waiting there. After the carriage briefly stopped, the servants respectfully inquired about the identity and name of the guest in the carriage. After the coachman announced the name “Hamilton of Leijiede,” Miss Jialinna’s current location was immediately known.
There was a dedicated carriage path connecting the side gate and the racecourse, with wooden fences on both sides separating the manor from the adjacent pasture. Soon, a noisy sound was heard, and then from the carriage window, Xia De saw the racecourse enclosed by tall wooden and iron fences, and the tiered stands along the edge of the racecourse.
The carriage stopped. After Xia De jumped out, he could see the dust raised by the running horses through the fence gaps and hear the sounds of cheers and shouts.
Ribbons were strung above the racecourse, and excited onlookers enthusiastically waved their hats at the jockeys. The jockeys rode freely on their horses, their heavy hoofbeats even startling Mia, who was in Xia De's arms.
Led by a servant, Xia De bent down and walked up the stands from the rear staircase. Miss Jialinna and Queen Diana were seated in a shaded area on the south side of the racecourse. The elegantly dressed Noblewomen, wearing sun hats adorned with colorful feathers, either held porcelain teacups, small binoculars, or feather fans, enjoying this dull and boring autumn afternoon.
The shadow of the awning rested on the sunlit ground. There was no wind in the air, which was both stuffy and slightly cool. Everyone was so at ease; noble activities were always like this.
The tension brought by adventuring in Middlesburg, where ghosts haunted, fog enveloped, and cold winds howled, all dissipated at this moment.
The racecourse was like a field of golden yellow, and the gentle Sunlight made his body feel warm. A smile unconsciously appeared on Xia De's lips. He raised his hand above his eyes and looked at Miss Jialinna, who seemed to sense his gaze and looked back.
Tobesk, this autumn, was truly peaceful.
PS: The last segment of daily life before the big decisive battle.
