Chapter 116 - 116 City of Fas.h.i.+on

Chapter 116 City of Fas.h.i.+on

In the morning, while shopping at Le March du Quartier du Gentleman, Lumian noticed that Triers citizens dressed rather casually, or perhaps boldly. This was evident in the women wearing short sleeves that bared their forearms or garments with cut-out shoulders that displayed their collarbones. On the other hand, there was no shortage of peculiar attire.

In the Darige region, a warlock like Osta, donning a black robe and hood, resembled an ancient legend. It was impossible for him to walk the streets openly without being stopped by the police. In Trier, however, pa.s.sersby paid him no mind.

Such appearances were all too common. People dressed in a variety of antiquated garments.

Osta Trul was undoubtedly more cautious. Periodically, he would glance over his shoulder to spot anyone suspicious, but Lumian maintained such a great distance that neither of them were within the others line of sight. Lumian trailed Osta from one street to the next, following the faint scent of the inferior cologne.

As gas lamps illuminated the surroundings, Osta turned into a street sheltered by gla.s.s domes and steel frames.

This place was brightly lit and lined with upscale shops. Smooth marble paved the ground, and the area bustled with pedestrians -a stark contrast to the ramshackle alleys of March du Quartier du Gentleman.

This is the arcade Aurore mentioned? Lumian observed Osta pausing in front of a store to admire the window display. He too slowed down, scanning the area.

He quickly spotted people engaging in unusual behavior.

Dressed in formal attire, both men and women walked turtles of varying sizes.

The turtles inched forward, and their owners, holding a rope, trailed leisurely behind.

Upon seeing a man dressed in a black formal suit and silk top hat walking a turtle, Lumian couldnt help but inquire, My friend, what are you doing?

The man turned his head, revealing a powdered face.

He responded with a smile, Foreigner, Im simply taking a stroll, walking my turtle.

Why a turtle? Lumian didnt conceal his puzzlement.

The impeccably groomed gentleman appeared pleased to share his fas.h.i.+on philosophy. He grinned and explained, Most Trieriens enjoy walking around leisurely, but they fail to grasp the essence of leisure and elegance. They always walk briskly and seem rushed.

A true stroll is slower than a turtle. Thus, we walk turtles and let them lead to emphasize our leisurely pace.

Its a gauge to measure walking speed and a device to quantify elegance.

Lumian had to concede that Trieriens consistently expanded his perspective as a country b.u.mpkin from Cordu.

Aurore couldnt have even written a story about walking a turtle!

A true Trierien! Lumian applauded, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Regrettably, the gentleman failed to grasp his underlying message. He smiled modestly and continued to follow the turtle at a leisurely pace.

Before long, Osta reached the other end of the arcade.

Lumian waited for a moment before cautiously following.

After exiting the arcade, Osta positioned himself by the nearby public carriage stop.

Within minutes, a ma.s.sive carriage, drawn by two horses, arrived.

The carriage was divided into two levels. The yellow-painted exterior bore words like Line 7 written in Intisian. The driver donned a short green coat and a wide-brimmed hat to fend off the rain.

As the carriage came to a stop, a conductor sporting a small hat, striped s.h.i.+rt, and unattractive pants appeared at the open door, scrutinizing each pa.s.senger boarding the carriage as if they were criminals.

Osta was the third person to climb aboard. He chose a window seat, observing the pa.s.sersby and the men and women taking their seats.

Lumian watched from a distance without approaching.

It was only when the Line 7 carriage had pulled away that he quickened his pace, practically jogging to catch up.

Given the relatively slow speed of public transportation and the rule of stopping at every station, Lumian wasnt concerned about being left behind.

As he ran, some pedestrians eyed him curiously, while a few even jogged alongside, seemingly believing this to be the latest trend.

Is there something wrong with your brains? Lumian didnt know whether to laugh or cry. After three stops, he saw Osta Trul disembark from the public carriage. This area was already part of Le March du Quartier du Gentleman. Osta crossed two streets and turned onto Rue des Blouses Blanches, which Charlie had mentioned. He entered an old beige apartment building numbered 20.

Lumian halted in front of a street-side newspaper stand, picked up a paper, and casually flipped through it.

Simultaneously, he observed the entrance to the apartment building from the corner of his eye. Its 11 coppets for one, the newsstand owner reminded Lumian when he noticed that he was only reading and not buying.

Lumian was holding a copy of Le Pet.i.t Trierien, and without minding, he took out two 5-coppet and one 1-coppet coins and tossed them onto the other newspapers.

The newsstand owner fell silent. Lumian continued reading the newspaper.

City Hall discussing new price plans with the water supply company

Valry slams consumerism as a fetish

Greatest project in human history seeks collaboration

The final advertis.e.m.e.nt caught Lumians attention as he reminded him of something: It reeked of a prankster or a swindlers ploy! As Lumian kept an eye on the apartment, he read the corresponding content with growing interest.

The future of humanity lies in the stars. The history of mankind was forged by the brave to explore.

In this era of rapid technological progress, we lack civilization pioneers, visionaries with exceptional insight and foresight, and adventurers with courage. Last time, we were trapped in the Berserk Sea.

This time, were trapped within the atmosphere. However, human civilization and technology will undoubtedly overcome all obstacles and dangers to forge a true future. We seek to collaborate with all dreamers to construct a s.p.a.ce bridge that will enable us to walk from the surface to the crimson moon. Point of Contact: Bulle Patil. Contact Method: 9th Rue Saint-Martin, 5th floor, Quartier 2.

The more Lumian read, the more amused he became. He found himself in deep contemplation.

As Cordus Prankster King and one influenced by Aurores eccentric ideas, he had never conceived such an outrageous, ludicrous, and absurd notion. Yet, these individuals had brazenly advertised it, as though certain they could fool a crowd.

Am I still underestimating the average human IQ? Lumian stroked his chin with his gloved left hand.

At that moment, he saw a group of people approaching the old apartment at 20 Rue des Blouses Blanches.

The leader was a distinguished-looking gentleman in a silk top hat and black suit. He had a chiseled profile, a mahogany-colored pipe in his mouth, and a diamond ring on his left hand that sparkled under the light. The burly men surrounding the gentleman appeared menacing. They wore either canvas s.h.i.+rts or dark jackets, giving off a gang-like vibe.

After they vanished into the apartments entrance, Lumian walked over with the newspaper.

At the base of the stairs, he detected several colognes simultaneously. One was faint and familiarthe inferior cologne he had applied to Osta. The other was more aromatic, sweet, and slightly cloying. Musk cologne? From the man with the pipe? Lumian followed the scent all the way up to the apartments fifth floor.

There, he saw Osta Trul. The imposter dressed as a warlock found himself encircled by the same group of individuals. The gentleman with the diamond ring tapped his forehead with his mahogany-colored pipe, smiling politely. Dont think you can shake us off just because youve moved. Until you repay all the debt, Ill follow you endlessly, like a shadow. Osta stammered fearfully, Ill have money soon. I can return a portion to you tomorrow!

Very good, the gentleman nodded with a smile.

He then turned the pipe and jabbed Ostas face with the still-smoldering end.

...

Osta recoiled in pain but dared not make a sound.

The gentleman withdrew his pipe and said gently, yet firmly, This is a little interest. If you dont pay me back tomorrow, Ill take one of your fingers.

With that, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed politely.

See you tomorrow, my friend. At the staircase, Lumian pursed his lips and muttered to himself, Are people and dogs learning from Gehrman now?

As Fors Walls The Adventurer series gained popularity, Gehrman Sparrow impersonators cropped up across the Northern and Southern Continents. Phrases like this is basic courtesy and a bestowment or a curse spread far and wide.

As the group approached, Lumian lowered his head and stepped aside, acting like an ordinary tenant encountering gangsters.

Chaotic footsteps echoed as they descended floor by floor, soon giving way to silence. Lumian glanced in Osta Truls direction, noting that he had already retreated to his room and closed the wooden door.

After some contemplation, Lumian flexed his gloved left hand and adjusted his hat. He walked out of the staircase and approached Ostas door.

Bang! Bang! Bang! He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

After a moment, Osta opened the door, his face a mix of shock and fear. He stammered shakily, I really cant get that money until tomorrow

Before he could finish, Lumians figure came sharply into focus in his eyes.

...

Lumian spread his arms and asked with a beaming smile, Surprised?

You, you, you Osta backed away as if hed seen a ghost.

Lumian followed him into the room and smiled at Osta Trul.

I truly wish to forget the pain of the past, but Im also a cautious person. Im afraid of being swindled and, worse, being mocked as a fool.