Chapter 408 – Deja Vu
Chapter 408 – Deja Vu
“Is this the Northwest Bay?”
At the wharf of Fulan Harbor, a group of people dressed as merchants stepped off the merchant ship, led by a woman who sighed so after seeing the merchant ships lined up in the harbor, and the porters who were busy in a frenzy.
“Big sister Servia, this place looks pretty good.”
A child who appeared to be only in his teens looked left and right with an excited face.
This group of people was exactly from Horned Bay, Sylvia Asitini and the others, they had a total of 10 people in their group, 4 males and 6 females.
After the Tantra Council promised to provide help, a lot of people in the refuge camp were willing to join the Tantra Council to seek refuge, while some others returned to the folk and hid themselves because of the suspension of the search for witches along the coast of Horned Bay, and the rest accepted Servia’s proposal after repeated discussions and traveled far across the ocean to the Northwest Bay.
“Loggins, stay put!”
A male with gray hair and some age reached out and grabbed the boy who was about to spill his guts, and turned his head to Servia, “Miss Asitini, we’ll just wait for you at the pier first.”
“Okay, Old Alder, don’t let anyone wander off, I’ll be right there.”
Old Auld was on good terms with everyone traveling with him, and Sevia felt comfortable leaving her companions in his hands, and with a tug on her hood, she headed east at a brisk pace.
After questioning a few passersby, Servia came to the front door of a warehouse and shouted, “Is Mr. McKinley here, please?”
The workers, who were busy, heard her strangely accented Aldo language and focused their eyes over.
“This young lady, what do you want with Mr. McKinley?”
“Yes, would you all please inform me that a man by the name of Asitini is looking for him.”
A moment later, Lister’s colleague McKinley trotted to Sevia’s front.
“Welcome, welcome, this beautiful young lady must be Ms. Sevia.”
Sevia smiled and nodded her head in greeting to him, “Hello Mr. McKinlay, it’s none other than me.”
“Haha, I received a letter from Lister two weeks ago, I didn’t think that he would be able to introduce so many alchemists to settle in the Northwest Bay, and ‘higher talents’ like you …… oops, the Earl’s Lord knows about this and will surely reward him with a large sum of money.”
“You are too kind.”
“I’ve already followed the instructions in the letter and helped you find a good store and place to stay, the price is absolutely fair and reasonable. And it’s right in the neighborhood where the Horned Bay people live, so it’s sure to make you feel like you’re back home.”
“That’s great, Lister said it would be no problem if I asked you.”
Sevia pulled out a small pouch from her bosom, and the crisp sound of metal clashing sounded from inside.
“This is our small token of appreciation for your hard work these days.”
McKinley hastily shrugged it off, “How can this be a good thing, since you guys are Liszt’s friends, you are also my friends, it is only right to help you.”
“We have a lot to trouble you with in the future, so please do accept it.”
“Hehehe! I’m sorry then.”
After some pushing and shoving, McKinley took the bag with some embarrassment. One bump of the weight, wow! Is an alchemist this rich?
Soon he and Sevia went to the docks to retrieve the others and visit the selected store.
The group was very pleased and made the delivery with the original owner right then and there.
“Ah, we finally have a proper place to settle down.”
Old Aud found a chair and sat down on his butt, his whole body soothed and relaxed. Nearly a month of drifting at sea was really a great sin for someone of his age.
“Mr. McKinley.” After his mates had found a place to rest, Sevia pulled McKinley aside.
“I’ve heard people on the street talking about some kind of ‘switching ceremony’, may I ask what’s going on?”
“Oh, you mean this. Do you know, our lord, Earl Paul Gleiman, has established a customs union with four other neighboring lords, which will naturally exempt tariffs within the alliance, and it will be more convenient for everyone to exchange their goods in the future. The ceremony will be held in three days, near the border between the southern part of Arda and Larnaca. At that time, it will be officially declared that the Customs Union has begun to take effect.”
“Yes?” Sevia realized, she already knew quite a bit about the Northwest Gulf Customs Union because Lister had been chanting about it every day.
Perhaps she should go and see the ceremony herself, so she could tell Lister about it later.
……
Three days later, she finally got her wish.
At the junction of Arda and Larnaca, colorful flags were flying, and on both sides of the barrier roadblock, besides circle after circle of people, there were also carriage after carriage, and the carriages were all loaded with all kinds of goods.
The five lords stepped up to an improvised podium and delivered short speeches in turn.
According to Lister’s daily description, Sevia recognized Count Paul Greiman who stood in the middle, still really young.
“Gentlemen, from now on, the barriers between the territories within the alliance will no longer be a hindrance to trade! I declare that we hereby remove them!”
In the end, it was Paul Greiman who summarized, and with his order, the barricades that were still stretching across the road were moved aside by a group of people.
“Hooray!”
Cheer after cheer rang out from both sides of the barrier.
In the midst of the crowd, merchants on both sides drove their respective carriages to the opposite side to peddle their goods. Although they usually didn’t travel this road too often, today’s ceremony was of great significance.
Soon this junction turned into a temporary marketplace, with people walking around, picking out their favorite goods, and many minstrels performing, creating a festive atmosphere.
There was also a representative of the merchants who, in the old tradition, ran up to the podium and offered grain to the lords, who accepted it with smiles.
Sevia stood far away from the roadside, watching the young Count Greiman on the stage, trying to observe what was so different about this lord who was admired by Lister, and who, according to Lister, had brought about all the changes that had taken place in the northwestern bay in the last few years.
Gradually, however, her attention was drawn to a man at the Count’s side.
More specifically, a woman.
The scholarly dress, the wide-brimmed pointed hat on her head, and the long emerald green hair beneath it.
There was no mistaking it, although it was hard to see the face, all the other features pointed to a certain person in one’s memories.
“Sir, who is that female dressed as a scholar beside Earl Greiman?”
She inquired in a low voice to those watching beside her.
“Are you talking about Ms. Ladi Sertia? Oh, she’s not simple, she’s the political officer in charge of education under our lord. Aiyaa, so young, a female, and an outsider from Horned Bay, yet she’s been entrusted with such an important position by the lord, I really hope that my daughter will grow up to be so accomplished.” The person who answered had a wistful look on his face.
But his words struck Sevia like a thunderbolt.
“From Horn Bay?”
She muttered the words over and over again.
Is that you?
The Witch of the Green.
(End of chapter)