Taking advantage of the casual atmosphere of the market, I continued to feign interest in the materials, all the while intently listening to the conversation nearby.
As the shoppers conversed, it became evident that this new supplier was the subject of much anticipation and curiosity within the underground market. The vague hints and secrecy surrounding their identity only fueled my interest.
While I listened, I couldn't help but consider the potential connections between this mysterious supplier, King, the market, and this so-called underground event. Were all these elements somehow linked, or were they individual threads in a more intricate web of intrigue?
As they chatted, I felt a nudge of pain in my wallet as I decided to purchase some of the ritual materials I had been examining. The prices were slightly on the higher side, but it was a necessary expense for my endeavours as an Arcanist. Thankfully, I had saved up a decent sum, mainly because I didn't have to pay rent while living in Caius's place.
Eventually, I located Fleur, and we made our way to our designated meeting spot where Lucas and Caius were supposed to rendezvous with us. Back near the Red Anchor once again. We found them there, waiting as agreed.
Our meet-up was quick as we briefly exchanged what information we had each gathered. The consensus was clear; we needed to return to The Den to report our findings to Darius.
We all left the entertainment district and hailed a carriage back to the Den, only a few minutes away back on Argyle Lane.
Arriving back at The Den, we all made our way to Darius's office. He looked up from his desk as we entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Fleur wasted no time. "Boss, we've got some significant leads from the underground market. There's talk of a new supplier and an underground event. It could be linked to the markets in some way."
"I guess Felix was right," Darius said in thought leaning back in his chair.
After a few moments, Darius stood up from his desk. "Fleur, Eli, I want you two to write up a report for the archives about this. Make sure to include everything you heard and found, no matter how insignificant. I'll make sure to look in our current records to see if there's anything that could aid in this investigation. Good work. you're all dismissed."
Fleur and I nodded, acknowledging Darius's orders. We turned to leave the room and promptly made our way to a nearby office to write up our reports.
With the report completed, I stepped out of the writing room, only to be greeted by Caius waiting for me. He looked excited, his eyes shining with anticipation.
"Elias, we should go back to the entertainment district and explore more. It was so much fun," Caius suggested with enthusiasm.
I sighed, realizing that I had other pressing matters on my plate. I had plans to go back to the library to do some further research into Leode and Goldeen History, as well as reading maps and other geography about this world.
"I appreciate the offer, Caius, but I've got some other things to take care of. Maybe if I finish up early, I'll catch up with you later?"
"Alright, Eli, I'll be waiting ok."
With Caius giving me a parting wave, I left The Den and made my way towards the library.
The library was a sanctuary of knowledge, the perfect place to quench my thirst for information. It had almost even become a second home for me over the past few weeks after arriving here.
As I entered the library, the familiar scent of aged paper and polished wood greeted me. The librarian, Robin, noticed my arrival and waved enthusiastically from behind the counter. Her curious eyes seemed to sparkle with anticipation as I walked over to the counter.
Her energetic demeanour was infectious, but I knew she had a tendency to ramble, so I tried to keep our interactions brief.
"Elias! I haven't seen you in a while. Did you find what you were looking for the other day?" Robin asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
I sighed and cut to the chase, knowing that I didn't want to take long. "I need to research Leode's history and geography. Do you have any relevant books or maps?"
Robin's eyes lit up at my request. I knew she was eager to help.
"Of course, Eli! Leode's history is a fascinating subject. We have a collection of books that delve into its origins, its development over the years, and its unique culture. And as for geography, we have an impressive array of maps, from older tomes to more modern renditions. Let me show you to the section."
She gestured for me to follow her to the back as she prattled on about the history of Leode, its significance in the world, and the way the city's architecture had evolved over the centuries.
I wanted to listen but couldn't keep up with how fast she was rambling.
Finally walking into the staff-only restricted section, Robin pointed out various books and maps, her explanations still flowing freely as she took a few out from the shelves.
While Robin continued to provide me with more information than I could absorb at the moment, I focused on the books and maps she had selected. My eyes fell on a particular map of the Leode region, and my attention was immediately drawn to it.
I picked up the map and spread it out slowly. It displayed the geography of the entire Ercadium Kingdom, with a more detailed section dedicated to Leode. The Ercadium kingdom had other various towns and counties such as Aurich in the north, Belhall in the south-west, the Coast of Vierna in the north-west, and of course the City of Goldeen in the south-east. Situated right below Leode.
I recognized some of the key areas marked on the more detailed map —Central Leode, the Homeless District, the Entertainment District, the Leode Marketplace, and the vast pier, which had all been points of intrigue to me as I had spent most of my time in these parts.
The map was intricately detailed, showing every nook and cranny of Leode. But something else caught my eye. Across the ocean, beyond the territory of Leode, there was a smaller section of land marked as "Araway." My eyes narrowed as I studied it more closely.
Araway was a region still owned by the Ercadium Kindom known for its thriving trade industry. It served as the main functioning bridge between the eastern continent and the western nations. This connection allowed not only Araway to flourish but Leode too, as it facilitated the exchange of goods, resources, and information between various nations. It was this trade industry that had played a significant role in Leode's prosperity as Leode was also known for its pier and its markets which ultimately came from the aid of Araway.
I couldn't help but wonder how this seemingly unrelated information might be connected to my recent fracture about the Barros scroll-casing in the wooden crate. The idea that it could have come from Araway, perhaps from another nation for some reason. Or was it being shipped over the western continent from Goldeen instead? Had such trade connections expanded into something more sinister?
As I continued to examine the map, my thoughts spiralled into a web of possibilities, connecting the dots between the underground markets, the mysterious supplier, and now Araway's trade connections. It was starting to paint a greater, more vivid picture in my mind.
Robin's enthusiastic explanation washed over me as I stared at the map, my thoughts racing to make sense of the puzzle forming in my mind. It was as if I had stumbled upon a key piece of information that could put together the intricate mysteries that I had stumbled upon.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the words she was saying, but one phrase cut through the haze. "...and then the war and uprising in Ercadium Kingdom during the late 15th century..."
The timing struck a chord in my memory. The anti-Arcanist law had been imposed in 1686, in the 17th century. Could there be a connection between these two events?
I couldn't let that question linger, so I interrupted Robin, who appeared startled by my sudden interest.
"Robin, can you tell me more about that war and uprising in the late 15th century? Do you know if it's connected to the Anti-Arcanist law?"
Robin paused for a moment, a cloud of uncertainty passing over her features. She was clearly taken aback by my question.
She finally replied, her voice hesitant. "I... I don't know much about it, Elias. All I've heard are vague mentions. I do know there was some kind of Arcanist incident in Goldeen, and it led to a war and a large-scale uprising. That's about all I can say. But I do know it had a profound impact on the strict nature of the enforcers and the anti-Arcanist laws we have today. Um, if you like I can do some more digging for you? Or I could get Darius… I mean Boss to tell you?"
"No, don't worry, Robin. It's fine. I can do the digging myself," I replied.
She smiled. "Alright, Eli. If you ever need more information or assistance, just let me know. You know where I usually am."
As Robin excused herself to return to her duties, I nodded and turned my attention back to the map. My mind was abuzz with the new pieces of information I had uncovered.
The thought of diving into such history meant that I would have to research more about Arcanists and their connection. As well as the ancient languages and the power they wielded. Arcanist topics were considered taboo as you'd expect because of the anti-arcanist law, and accurate information was challenging to come by. However, I was determined to learn more.
Thankfully I had the best resources at my fingertips thanks to both Darius employing me, and Robin, aiding me in my research.
With a stack of books on ancient languages and history in hand, I made my way to a quiet corner of the staff area and began to read for hours once again as I was used to.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening crept in, the library became a quieter place. Most of the staff had gone home, and the remaining workers were busy with their own tasks.
Feeling the weight of my newfound knowledge, I decided it was time to leave. I carefully marked my place in the books, making a mental note to return to them another time. I made sure to say goodbye to Robin as I left and headed out of the library and into Central Leode once again.
The journey home was relatively uneventful and it wasn't long before I reached Caius's house.
Upon entering, I was greeted by the comforting aroma of food. I guess Caius left a plate of food for me and headed to bed already. I quickly had something to eat, replenishing my energy after a long day of investigations and research. With my hunger sated, I ascended the stairs to my bedroom.
As I entered my moonlit illuminated room, my gaze fell upon the golden brooch I had carelessly left on the side table. A twinge of unease prickled at the back of my mind. I couldn't afford to be careless, not with something so important. The brooch was a connection to my beginnings here, a past that still eluded me.
I picked up the brooch and sat on the side of my bed, cradling it in my hand. It was a beautiful, ornate piece of jewellery. I traced my fingers along its edges, feeling the cool metal against my skin.
Questions swirled in my mind, questions I had been not looking into just yet. Where had this brooch come from? Why was it in my possession from the moment I was brought to this world? What was its significance to my new identity?
My curiosity gnawed at me, urging me to unlock the secrets that this brooch might hold. I considered using my abilities to look into its past, to peer beyond the surface and gain insights. But I couldn't help but hesitate.
There were warnings I had now experienced, about the consequences of prying into things I shouldn't. Looking into the past could be a dangerous endeavor. I might see things that were meant to remain hidden, and the repercussions of that knowledge could be dire.
From experiencing the scene of seeing myself in the past, I almost lost control and started the mutation process to become a lamentor.
My skin just crawled at the thought of feeling that sensation again. It was terrifying and scarily unpleasant.
However, the idea of a bounded field crossed my mind. Not only was it for setting up a field to block sounds and sights, but it was also a safety net, a precaution I could take to minimize the potential harm when using such abilities as my own. With a determined resolve, I reached for a small, blue-coloured Hollow Marble that I kept in a small leather bag in one of my drawers.
I focused my energy through the glass bowl and allowed the room to gradually grow colder as I dropped the Marble to the floor, letting it dissipate into nothingness. The temperature dropped, creating a chilling sensation in the air. It was a necessary step to establish a bounded field, a barrier that would somewhat safeguard me from the consequences of my actions.
Satisfied that the field was in place, I took a deep breath and brought the brooch closer to my chest.