Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Is this the Northwest Bay?"
At the dock in Frand Port, a group of merchants disembarked from a trading ship. The leader was a woman who, upon seeing the bustling port filled with merchant ships and busy dockworkers, exclaimed.
"Sister Sevya, this place looks quite nice!"
A child who appeared to be only in his teens looked around excitedly.
This group was led by Sevya Asitini, and included ten people in total: four men and six women.
After the Arcane Order promised assistance, many in the refugee camp were willing to join the order seeking protection. Others returned to hiding as the coastal areas of the Northwest Bay had suspended the hunting of wizards. The remaining individuals discussed repeatedly before accepting Sevya's proposal to cross the ocean to the Northwest Bay.
"Roskin, don't run around!"
An older man with gray hair caught the boy who was about to dash off and turned to Sevya, saying, "Miss Asitini, we'll wait for you here at the dock."
"Okay, Old Ode, don't let anyone wander off. I'll be back shortly."
Old Ode had good relations with everyone in the group, so Sevya felt assured leaving her companions in his care. She pulled her hat down and quickly walked east.
After inquiring with a few passersby, Sevya arrived at the entrance of a warehouse and called out loudly, "Is Mr. McKinley here?"
The busy workers turned their attention to her as they heard her peculiar accent of Aldor.
"Miss, are you looking for Mr. McKinley?"
"Yes, could you please let him know that a person named Asitini is looking for him?"
A moment later, McKinley, a colleague of Liszt's, hurried over to Sevya.
"Welcome! This beautiful lady must be Miss Sevya!"
Sevya smiled and nodded, "Hello, Mr. McKinley, that's me."
"Ha ha! I received Liszt's letter two weeks ago. I didn't expect him to introduce so many alchemists to settle in Northwest Bay. With 'high-level talents' like you… Oh dear, the Earl will surely reward him handsomely when he finds out!"
"You flatter me."
"I've arranged a shop and accommodation for you as instructed in the letter. The prices are absolutely fair. And it's located in the area where the people from Aldor gather, so you'll definitely feel at home."
"That's wonderful! Liszt said that as long as you were in charge, there wouldn't be any problems."
Sevya pulled out a small pouch from her bosom, from which came the clear sound of metal clinking.
"This is a small token of our appreciation for your hard work during this time."
McKinley quickly refused, "Oh, how can I accept this? Since you are friends of Liszt, you are my friends too. Helping you is my duty."
"There will be many things we will need your help with in the future. Please do accept it."
"Hehe! Then I'll feel embarrassed."
After some back-and-forth, McKinley reluctantly accepted the pouch. He tipped it, surprised at the weight. Wow! Are alchemists this wealthy?
Before long, he and Sevya returned to the dock to find the others and visited the selected shop.
The group was very satisfied, and they immediately made arrangements with the previous owner.
"Ah, we finally have a proper place to settle down."
Old Ode found a chair and sat down, feeling completely at ease. Nearly a month of drifting at sea had been quite torturous for someone his age.
"Mr. McKinley."
Once her companions settled down to rest, Sevya pulled McKinley aside.
"I overheard people on the street talking about some 'Customs Opening Ceremony.' What is that about?"
"Oh, you mean that? You know, our lord, Earl Paul Grayman, along with four neighboring lords, has established a Customs Union. There will be no tariffs among the territories within the union, making it much more convenient for us to trade with each other. The ceremony will take place three days from now at a checkpoint near the border between Alden and Lanaka. It will officially announce the implementation of the Customs Union."
"Is that so?" Sevya understood; she had learned a lot about the Customs Union in Northwest Bay since Liszt talked about it constantly.
Perhaps she should go see this ceremony to tell Liszt about it later.
…
Three days later, she finally got her wish.
At the border between Aldor and Lanaka, colorful flags fluttered, and besides the checkpoint barriers, there were circles of people and numerous wagons loaded with various goods.
The five lords took to a temporarily constructed podium and delivered brief speeches in turn.
From Liszt's daily descriptions, Sevya recognized Earl Paul Grayman, who stood in the center, and indeed, he looked quite young.
"Gentlemen, the checkpoints between the territories of the alliance will no longer hinder trade! I hereby declare the removal of these barriers!"
In conclusion, Earl Paul Grayman made the final announcement, and with his order, the barriers that had been blocking the road were moved aside by a group of people.
"Hurray!"
Cheers erupted from both sides of the checkpoint.
In the midst of the lively crowd, the merchants drove their wagons forward to sell their goods on the opposite side. Although they frequently traveled this route, today's ceremony was of great significance.
Soon, the border turned into a temporary market, with people milling about, selecting their desired products, and several bards performing, creating a festive atmosphere.
There were also merchant representatives who, according to ancient tradition, ran up to the podium to present grains to the lords, who accepted them with smiles.
Sevya stood at the side of the road, watching the young Earl Grayman on the stage, hoping to observe what made this admired lord so different. According to Liszt, the changes in Northwest Bay over the past few years had all been brought about by this remarkable lord.
However, gradually, her attention was drawn to a person beside the Earl.
More precisely, to a woman.
Dressed as a scholar, wearing a wide-brimmed pointed hat, and with long green hair beneath the hat.
It couldn't be mistaken; although she couldn't see her face clearly, all the other features pointed to someone she remembered.
"Sir, who is that scholarly-looking woman next to Earl Grayman?"
She quietly asked a nearby onlooker.
"Are you talking about Miss Ladia Setia? Oh, she's quite remarkable! She is an education officer under our lord. Oh dear, at such a young age, a woman, and an outsider from the Bay, yet she has been entrusted with such an important position by the lord. I hope my daughter can be as successful when she grows up." The respondent's face was filled with hope.
But his words struck Sevya like a thunderbolt.
"From the Bay?"
She repeatedly murmured the phrase.
Is it you? The Green Witch.
TL: Are we gonna get some Ladia Lore?
(End of the Chapter)
---
Want More of (FF)?
Read ahead on [Pa.treon](pa treon . com / CinderTL) – up to Chapter 674.
Early access starts at $5. Your support keeps this going!
Translated 1100+ Chapters and 1.3M+ Words
💌 Review Criterion Met! Enjoy the Mass Release.