While William was deeply engrossed in his sword training at Isshin Dojo, the outside world continued moving as usual, unaffected by his low profile.
In the East Sea, the capital of the Navia Kingdom, Kalmar, was a sea of festivity.
Sasarian, president of the Flash Gold Trading Company, who was visiting Kalmar for the first time, found himself confused. Everywhere—in the streets, alleys, storefronts, even at doorsteps—locals clutched bottles, indulging recklessly. Some even walked down the streets carrying various bottles, pressing them into people's arms and shouting, "The last celebration, mates!"
As Sasarian walked along, someone handed him a bottle of gin. Though the company's name wasn't subtle, Sasarian himself was a middle-aged man with a kind, refined appearance. He tried to pay, but the man refused and staggered away, drunk.
A drunken man pushing a baby carriage passed by, and when Sasarian glanced over, he noticed it was packed with bottles of wine. Before he could process this, a commotion at the street corner drew his attention. A group was carrying a wooden coffin adorned with various wreaths, laughing and singing. Someone placed an enormous wine bottle inside the coffin, which had the words:
"Farewell, my friend."
---
Compared to the lively areas of commoners, the noble residences in Kalmar City were quiet. In a grand hall, men and women of noble stature gathered to listen to a speaker.
An elderly, slender man took the stage. Dressed in a tailored black tailcoat, his graying hair was neatly pulled back, and his well-groomed mustache added to his dignified appearance.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"Many years ago, in this city, there was a fortunate old man. He once believed himself the luckiest man alive, with a loving family and two devoted children. For someone whose hair had started to gray, nothing could be more comforting than this."
"Until one day, he heard tragic news…" The old man paused, blinking, as if in pain. "His young daughter, pure as an angel, had been killed."
The audience gasped, but the old man continued undeterred, "The culprit was a drunk, a sailor from the docks. The old man swore to seek justice for his daughter and punish the man. Yet, as he looked at the repentant sailor—who now stands before you—he couldn't help but wonder: was the sailor the only culprit?"
The old man's voice grew stern, "No! Alcohol was the accomplice! This drink is the friend of thieves and vice; it erodes morality. The wider its reach, the greater the damage."
"How many families have been destroyed by drunkenness? How many children have been driven to misery and piracy?" The old man raised a glass of juice towards the palace. "Fortunately, we have a wise king who cares for his people. In three days, he will enact a prohibition law, freeing our kingdom from this slow poison!"
The audience, whether genuinely or not, rose in applause. The old man, Count Arcadio of the Bundia family and the kingdom's treasurer smiled and left the stage. His son, Aureliano, approached and whispered, "How could a lowly dock worker get close to Remedios?"
Arcadio gave him a look. "Don't let the truth ruin a good story, my boy. Instead of lingering around women, go socialize with the other ministers' families."
"Wine is as valuable as gold, and I'm not the only one who can see that!"
---
The island William now resided on had two villages: Frost Moon Village near Isshin Dojo and Red Maple Village, where Edmond used to live.
Forest and hills separated the two villages, creating an awkward distance that made sea trade inconvenient. Neither village considered building a road between them.
In the forest near Frost Moon Village, Edmond was biting his nails, intensely focused on a book titled *The Travels of Glass Bead Island*. The book was worn with dog-eared pages, its cover torn and faded from countless readings.
William knew this novel was written by Edmond's father, along with *Island of the Rare Beasts*, both forced into print by the publisher under duress. William had read both and felt that while *The Travels of Glass Bead Island* was enjoyable, *Island of the Rare Beasts* leaned too much into fantasy.
But for Edmond, who was now eighteen, reading his father's works repeatedly brought him endless enjoyment.
Even stranger was Vallon, who also enjoyed reading. He stood behind Edmond, craning his neck over his shoulder, eyes glued to the pages.
After waiting a while, they heard voices approaching. Edmond tried to put away the book, but Vallon took it and continued reading.
William listened, hearing a loud voice berating someone, with another responding meekly.
The three people soon came into view. The one in front was around twenty-three or twenty-four, with messy black curls, a stocky build, and a hooked nose, slightly crooked as if broken at some point. A scar cut across his left eye, splitting his eyebrow, and making him look fierce.
Behind him were two men who looked like his subordinates. One had short, curly black hair, a stout build, and small eyes. The other was tall, with slicked-back black hair shining under the sun and a handsome face.
The scar-faced man seemed displeased with the tall subordinate and scolded him until they reached William and the others.
"Tony," Edmond said with a grin, "what did Manny do this time?"
Tony glared at Manny and said, "The guy wasted time with hair gel, and made us late."
"We didn't wait too long," William said with a smile.
Tony then looked at William, his gaze falling on the sword at William's waist before casually lifting his shirt to reveal a flintlock pistol.
---
(Island of the Rare Beasts* refers to the place of the infamous box-man. The island hosts many strange animals. Glass Bead Island, or Mirabelle Island, was visited by the Black Cat Pirates' Zango, a hypnotist who had a dance-off with "Iron Fist" Hopodi. They eventually joined the Marines together. The island is also home to the famous fashion brand "DOSKOIPANDA," known for its expensive apparel. A single T-shirt costs 10,000 Berries, making the island prosperous by any measure.)
______________________________________________
If you want 15 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon:
patreon.com/PureParadox