The carriage came to a gradual stop. Moss opened the curtain and whispered, "Master Merlin, we've arrived."
Merlin nodded, stepping down from the carriage. A gust of cold wind hit his face, stinging like a knife. Quickly, he cupped his face with his hands, finally realizing how harsh it must have been for Moss to endure this chill outside.
"Moss, I'll be a while. Wait in the carriage to stay warm."
With a grateful look, Moss gave a small nod and climbed into the carriage to escape the biting wind. Merlin turned and made his way inside.
At the counter, the familiar sight of the charming Miss Lin greeted him. Although neither Anson nor Gut accompanied him this time, Lin recognized Merlin instantly. Smiling, she promptly opened the secret passage with a courteous gesture.
Merlin entered the passage, where it felt noticeably warmer, free from the cold drafts outside. He proceeded along the corridor with practiced ease, soon reaching the underground hall. Perhaps due to the early hour or the severe cold, the hall was nearly empty, giving it a desolate feel.
Seeing no sign of Nathan, Merlin casually strolled around. The hall was illuminated by candlelight instead of natural sunlight. The candles, made from the oil of a strange marine beast, emitted not a smoky odor but a faint, natural fragrance.
Various antiques were displayed on stone pedestals, each encased in expensive transparent crystals for protection. Lacking knowledge in antiques, Merlin merely admired them in passing, yet he saw nothing resembling the mysterious relief capable of inducing visions. This absence further highlighted the unusual nature of his piece.
As Merlin examined the items, he suddenly heard soft footsteps behind him.
"Miss Kellis?"
He turned to find a familiar face—Kellis, the beautiful young woman who Gut had admired so ardently. She wore a white fur coat over fitted leggings, emphasizing her long legs. Even in this freezing weather, she hadn't forgotten her appearance, determined to showcase her figure.
Kellis looked at Merlin curiously, seeming not to remember him.
Merlin smiled politely. "Miss Kellis, we met here a few days ago. I was with Anson and Gut."
Her expression softened as she recalled, nodding thoughtfully. "Ah, I remember now. You're Wilson Merlin?"
Merlin nodded, stepping closer. "Anson mentioned that you're well-versed in antiques, especially those from the Morta Empire era. Recently, I've become fascinated by certain unique relics from that period, but nothing here has truly caught my interest. I wonder, Miss Kellis, if you happen to have any distinctive items in your collection that I might view?"
Kellis paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Strange relics? Well, you have the same taste as an old gentleman I know. He's also fond of collecting peculiar artifacts from the Morta Empire. If you have time, I could take you to meet him; you might find something intriguing."
Standing close to him, her breath brushed Merlin's neck, leaving a tingling sensation. The faint, fresh fragrance she wore was oddly calming.
"It would be my pleasure, Miss Kellis," Merlin replied readily, eager to follow any lead that might point him toward the mysterious relief.
Outside, snowflakes were still falling, and the wind was biting. Kellis quickly climbed into her carriage, which then rolled forward slowly.
"Moss, follow Miss Kellis's carriage."
Moss stirred and drove their carriage behind hers. The road, slick with snow and ice, required careful navigation, and the journey took half an hour.
Merlin and Kellis finally arrived at an old wooden house with a small, snow-laden garden. Young trees, bent under the weight of the snow, looked almost ruined.
Kellis sighed as she surveyed the damage. "Mr. Aita's garden has suffered again. Poor Mr. Aita—months of work ruined in one night."
Leading Merlin inside, they climbed the stairs to a worn wooden door on the second floor.
Turning to Merlin, she whispered, "Mr. Aita values peace and quiet, so please keep your voice down."
Merlin nodded, following her lead.
"Mr. Aita? It's Kellis. I've come to visit you today."
With a creak, the door opened, revealing an elderly man, around fifty years old, with a slightly balding head and thinning hair combed back. Wearing a black coat, with pale skin and a trim mustache, he looked sharp and energetic.
Merlin took in Aita's appearance, but Aita barely glanced at him, focusing instead on Kellis.
"Kellis, come in," he said in a hoarse voice, turning back inside. Merlin and Kellis followed, with Merlin gently closing the door.
Inside, the fireplace glowed with warmth. Aita took a seat near it, his face taking on a rosy glow in the firelight.
"Kellis, tell me what brings you and your young friend to see this old man today."
Smiling, Kellis brought Merlin forward. The flames flickered on Aita's face as he continued reading a black-bound book, seeming indifferent to their presence.
"Mr. Aita, I brought a friend who shares an interest in Morta Empire artifacts and thought he might find something of interest here in your collection."
Kellis gave Merlin a quick nudge, signaling him to introduce himself.
Merlin bowed slightly. "Mr. Aita, I'm Wilson Merlin. I've recently developed a strong interest in artifacts, particularly those from the Morta Empire. I've heard from Miss Kellis that you have a remarkable collection, and I would be deeply honored to see it."
Aita threw more wood into the fire, the "crackle" of the flames filling the silence. Finally, he set his book aside, rising from his chair. "Come with me."
"Is Mr. Aita a bit eccentric?" Merlin whispered.
"Shh," Kellis replied softly, "he's a bit of a recluse, but he's a good person. Just follow his lead."
She led Merlin into another room, where they found two large red-painted shelves, each displaying a neat array of small, unique relics.
Some items were chipped, others pristine. Unlike the pieces at Nathan's place, each item here bore a distinct design.
On one shelf, Merlin spotted an odd, aged bottle with two curved spouts. Curious, he reached out to touch it, only to hear Aita bark, "Look, don't touch!"
Startled, Merlin pulled his hand back. The shelves contained about a hundred items, all unique, but none matched the mysterious relief he sought.
"Is this all there is?" Merlin asked absently, disappointment in his voice.
Aita's expression turned sour. "It's taken me years to gather even these few! Or do you think that's not enough?"
Sensing Aita's irritation, Kellis hurriedly interjected. "Mr. Aita, Merlin's just particularly interested in Morta Empire relics. He's new to collecting."
She whispered a warning to Merlin, "Don't speak out of turn. Mr. Aita's getting annoyed."
Merlin nodded, realizing it was best to stay quiet. Despite the uniqueness of the relics, none resembled the mysterious relief he sought. Feeling somewhat disheartened, he turned to Kellis. "Let's head out."
As they left, Aita narrowed his eyes, watching Merlin's retreating figure thoughtfully, a peculiar expression crossing his face.
Once outside, Kellis asked, "Didn't find anything you liked?"
Merlin shook his head. Accepting his answer, she turned to Aita. "Mr. Aita, thank you for your time today. We'll visit again soon."
Then, unexpectedly, Aita spoke up. "Your name's Merlin, isn't it?"
"Yes, Mr. Aita. Is there something you'd like to say?"
Aita studied him intently. "Would you like to learn how to appraise relics?"
Merlin froze, surprised by the offer. The eccentric old man wanted to take him on as a student?
Though learning to appraise relics could help him uncover the origins of the mysterious relief, Merlin was unsure about the peculiar Aita.
Kellis, however, looked thrilled, whispering urgently, "Say yes! Mr. Aita is the foremost expert on Morta Empire relics in Blackwater City. Being his student is a rare opportunity; most people would beg for such a chance."
Merlin was taken aback. This quirky old man, living in such a modest house, apparently wielded considerable expertise.
"Well? Are you willing?" Aita's face darkened slightly, an impatient frown beginning to form.