Chapter 12 The Map Shop

Chapter 12 The Map Shop

When Celes Noel left the Historical Society, it was already past four in the afternoon.

They had tried "The Flowing Wind" many times, and their hands were sore from the effort. Apart from Celes, everyone else had experienced failure, but Celes succeeded every time.

He carefully concealed his success rate.

At the end of this session, Carol mentioned that aside from the space behind the Historical Society's door, they could not yet use potions and rituals elsewhere because they were still inexperienced beginners.

Next time they came, they would focus on conceptual learning and supplementation.

The journey of an Enlightener is long and arduous; they had already experienced this when they first saw the thick tome of knowledge.

Considering they had experienced this magical power, everyone nodded in anticipation.

Celes took the opportunity to ask Carol if he could borrow the books in the room, and as expected, Carol's answer was that he could read them in Room 666 but could not take them out of the Historical Society.

Celes decided to come earlier next time to find an interesting book to read. Reading was also a way for Celes to relax.

After leaving the Historical Society, Celes took a public carriage back to 13 Milford Street. In the evening, he ate some bread with jam and planned to continue preparing lessons after dinner.

However, just as night fell, he heard a knock on his door.

Celes tilted his head slightly in confusion, wondering who would visit him at this hour. He walked over, without removing the security lock, and opened the door halfway to look outside.

It was Mrs. Fein.

Her expression was nervous and anxious as she said to Celes, "Mr. Noel, you have a letter."

"...A letter?" Celes was taken aback.

He almost instinctively recalled the postman's working hours. If there was a letter for him, why would it be delivered now? Why hadn't Mrs. Fein mentioned it when he returned in the evening?

In the next moment, Celes realized that this letter might be an excuse by Mrs. Fein. Regardless of whether the letter existed, Mrs. Fein seemed to have found an opportunity to communicate with Celes.

Thinking about Mrs. Fein's worried demeanor over the past three days and the basket of beautiful cherries, Celes narrowed his eyes.

He said calmly, "Alright, please wait a moment, Mrs. Fein."

Celes closed the door, put on his coat, changed into a pair of comfortable shoes, and then opened the door again, following Mrs. Fein downstairs.

Mrs. Fein said absentmindedly, "The letter is in the kitchen."

They went to the kitchen, where Mrs. Fein handed Celes an envelope. Celes took it, looked down, and saw that it was a letter from Merlin Town—his mother?

It seemed his mother had received his letter and sent a reply.

Celes understood and was about to thank Mrs. Fein when she said, "Mr. Noel... I really don't know how to say this. I think you're a reliable good person, perhaps you can..."

Mrs. Fein almost immediately burst into tears.

Celes was startled and asked, "What happened?"

"My son... he refuses to come home. He's hanging out with those underground gangs on the street." Mrs. Fein was both angry and sad, "I've written to my husband, but who knows when he'll return.

"My little Antonia hasn't been home for three days... Mr. Noel, please..."

"Do you want me to bring Antonia back?"

"No... no. I can't expect more from you," Mrs. Fein pleaded, "I just hope you can confirm her safety. I'm afraid something has happened to my little Antonia, which is why she hasn't returned.

"I can offer you sufficient compensation. I can refund all your rent. My husband is a merchant, and when he returns, we can give you even more. I really don't know what to do.

"I dare not go there alone, nor can I seek help from the police. Even if I did, Antonia probably wouldn't come back with me. I wanted to wait for my husband, but I fear something might happen to my little Antonia during this time, what would I do then..."

Mrs. Fein trembled in fear.

While listening to Mrs. Fein, Celes recalled the original memories. There were mentions of these underground gangs, particularly their unfriendly attitude towards ladies.

Mrs. Fein lived alone at home, and the Old City was a mixed place, making her hesitant to act rashly.

She feared something had happened to her son or that he had committed a crime—what if calling the police would get Antonia arrested too? So she hoped Celes could confirm her son's status.

...If she could indeed refund all the rent he had paid, Celes was willing to help.

He cautiously asked, "Do you know where he is?"

Mrs. Fein looked at him, then realized with joy that Celes was considering helping. She hurriedly said, "At a tavern. I... I heard Antonia mention the name of the place... I'm not sure where the tavern is..."

"What's the name?" Celes said, "Perhaps I can find a map shop."

"Ern... Ernestine. Yes, Ernestine!" Mrs. Fein exclaimed, "Thank you, Mr. Noel. I won't let you leave empty-handed.

"You just found a job, so you need money. Consider this a loan, and I'll refund your rent right away..."

Celes stopped the overly excited mother with a mix of amusement and concern. He said, "Don't worry, let's see if I can find Antonia first."

Mrs. Fein nodded vaguely, murmuring, "...Yes, yes. My little Antonia." She sobbed softly.

After a moment, Mrs. Fein finally calmed down. She thanked Celes again. Living in the Old City as a middle-aged woman, even with a comfortable life, she was inevitably fearful, especially with her son involved with gangs.

Celes checked the time and saw it was already seven in the evening. He asked Mrs. Fein, "Do you know where a map shop is nearby?"

"A map..." Mrs. Fein recalled, "There seems to be a map shop in the southeast of Logan Market. Are you going now?"

Her usually gloomy and sharp gaze lit up with a spark of hope because someone was willing to help her find her wayward son.

"The sooner, the better."

Celes gave Mrs. Fane a simple reply and then went upstairs to change into more casual attire.

He thought for a moment before opening the letter from his original body's mother and briefly read its contents.

"…You make me proud, dear child. …Enclosed is a hundred-coin note. Don't neglect yourself; life in Lamifa always requires ample funds.

"Your hopeful mother."

Celes held the paper note in the envelope somewhat speechlessly. Then, he sighed softly, placed the hundred-coin note in a drawer, and left with his wallet, dice, umbrella, and other items.

As night deepened, only a few hurried pedestrians remained on Milford Street. Celes joined them, rushing through the fine rain toward the southeast of Logan Market, searching for the map shop Mrs. Fane had mentioned.

After about fifteen minutes, he spotted a dimly lit shop. After confirming the name at the entrance, he entered the map store called "Mappa."

To his surprise, there were four or five customers inside, each engrossed in a map as if time had stopped for them.

The shop was about forty to fifty square meters and divided into two sections. The larger area on the left displayed various types and formats of maps; the smaller area on the right held books and a few chairs.

Those reluctant to leave sat there.

Further inside, there was a counter and the living quarters behind it.

Behind the counter sat a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, still graceful, with a lazy and casual demeanor when she looked over.

She greeted Celes lazily, "What do you need?"

Celes approached the counter and asked, "I need a detailed map of Lamifa."

"Oh, that's quite common. There's a stack over there; feel free to choose whichever you want," the woman said.

Celes thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you know the address of Ernestine's Tavern?"

"…Ernestine?" The woman gave him a suspicious look, as if saying, "Look at you, dressed so neatly, yet you're going to Ernestine's?"

Celes explained, "I'm helping an elder find her child."

The woman immediately understood.

Just as she was about to speak, someone nearby approached the counter and interjected, "Ernestine? Not to warn you, sir, but that's not a good place. It's probably chaotic now."

Celes looked at this person in surprise. He was a middle-aged man who seemed successful, with a tone suggesting he knew insider information.

Celes asked, "May I ask what happened?"

The man nodded, apparently satisfied with Celes' attitude, and said, "The rainy season is ending, and merchants are returning from the Ashless Lands. There are always things that can't be sold openly—so they circulate underground."

Celes realized that Ernestine's Tavern played a role in the underground gangs, dealing with stolen goods.

Mrs. Fane didn't seem to know about Ernestine's involvement in fencing stolen goods, thinking Antonia was merely involved with the underground gangs. But Mr. Fane was also a merchant, and the Fanes might have connections with Ernestine.

Why did Antonia Fane run away from home and stay at Ernestine's?

Celes had initially thought this was just a story of a rebellious teenager running away, but it seemed there was more to it.

Celes thanked the man.

Mentioning the Ashless Lands drew the attention of some other customers. One, dressed like an adventurer, complained to the woman behind the counter, "Ms. Mappa, your maps of the Ashless Lands seem a bit too rudimentary."

They started chatting, and Celes listened while browsing through the maps of Lamifa.

He found many maps of Lamifa, including those from different periods during its construction. There was even a thick book containing a complete record of Lamifa's development from nothing.

Celes browsed through it with interest and then chose a comprehensive map of Lamifa as his purchase for the day.

Throughout this process, the conversation at the counter continued.

"The maps of the Ashless Lands are inherently rudimentary," Ms. Mappa replied bluntly. "You want topographical maps, but the most detailed ones here are the railway maps of the Ashless Lands."

The customer responded, "But isn't the Duke planning a major development project for the Withered Wasteland? How can they develop without detailed maps?"

Ms. Mappa retorted, "Well, why don't you join the Duke's exploration team instead of looking for detailed maps in the Old City? The real maps are with the authorities."

"When will that be?" the customer grumbled. "Time is money now."

"That's true," Ms. Mappa's tone returned to its lazy indifference. "You might as well wait for the Winter Fair. Adventurers from the Ashless Lands will set up stalls, and you might get their personally drawn maps. It's only a few months away."

The Winter Fair?

Celes was curious about this but decided not to show it. He confirmed the location of Ernestine's Tavern on the map and spent one ducat to buy it.

Feeling that his money was running low, he sighed inwardly.

He didn't want to use the hundred-coin note his original body's mother had sent unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, he could only hope his savings would last longer and that Mrs. Fane would indeed keep her promise to refund the rent.

He had prepaid three months' rent, totaling fifty ducats, which was a significant amount.

With these thoughts, Celes returned to 13 Milford Street.