“My dear Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well.
“…As I write this, I have returned to Lamifa City. The Ashless Lands is a magical place filled with secrets. I made some new friends and solved a bit of trouble together with them.
“…
“…That is roughly what happened. Please rest assured, however; I did not encounter any severe or terrible crisis, only a few mad individuals. Perhaps that is simply how this world is, and we can only try our best to maintain our own reason and clarity.
“Additionally, I have found an unexpected yet delightful romance in the Ashless Lands. His name is Chendo Praia, an explorer from a foreign land. I hope you can be happy for me. I never imagined I would meet a suitable partner, but life is always full of pleasant surprises.
“If the timing works out, perhaps we can come visit you together. Winter has arrived; I hope you take care of your health, keep warm, and navigate this harsh cold with composure.
“I have received your previous reply. I am glad you liked the scarf I bought earlier. If there is anything else you need, please write and let me know.
“Regarding the several shop proposals you suggested for consideration, I will review them carefully as well. I will be quite busy in November, but things should improve after that, at which point I will make a decision.
“Enclosed with this letter are some souvenirs I brought back from the Ashless Lands—a few novel little items. I hope you enjoy them.
“…
“After the first snow, spring is just around the corner.”
Saturday, November 7th. Night.
Siles sat behind the desk in the small study at No. 6 Hayward Street. He finished writing the letter to his mother, put down his fountain pen, and raised his eyes to look out at the night scene beyond the window.
This was his second day back in Lamifa City.
He had spent the entire day immersed in busy daily affairs.
In the morning, he dusted the room and organized the items he had brought back from the Ashless Lands, including commemorative bookmarks from Biedel City, other purchased souvenirs, and the books, manuscripts, and files retrieved from the hidden chamber in Corinna Canyon.
These tasks were originally meant to be completed yesterday. However, the moment they returned to Lamifa City yesterday, they were drenched by a sudden torrential downpour. Alva had cursed Lamifa City’s terrible weather furiously because of it.
As a result, they quickly parted ways.
Yesterday, Siles and Chendo hastily found an inn in the heavy rain to rest temporarily. Today, after the storm cleared and the sun returned, the two went back to No. 6 Hayward Street together.
Chendo seemed to really want to live with Siles, but in the end, he gave up despondently; for one, Siles did not seem ready to easily accept cohabitation, and for another, the small apartment at No. 6 Hayward Street could not accommodate two grown men living together.
Besides, Siles still had Lorenzo Grantham as a roommate. The latter had not yet returned to Hayward Street, likely remaining at home until the term began.
Therefore, after tidying up the room together in the morning, Siles and Chendo shared lunch before going their separate ways.
Siles went to visit friends, while Chendo went to look for a suitable place to stay. He would likely stay at an inn for a day or two before renting an apartment or a house in East Lamifa.
In the afternoon, Siles met with friends from the History Society at the private club on No. 18 Houseville Street, and later met three members of the Dawn Revelation Society in the History Society’s salon. Their primary topic of conversation was Siles’s experiences in the Ashless Lands.
Afterward, he visited the Fane family around dinner time. They discussed matters regarding the Ashless Lands as well as recent developments within Lamifa City—and, of course, Anthony Fane’s academic affairs, given that the latter was heading off to school in two days.
Setting aside the troubles of the Ashless Lands, Siles still had a mountain of affairs waiting to be handled within Lamifa City.
For instance, after finishing his meal, Anthony Fane sheepishly asked Siles if he truly intended to open a shop on Dawson Street and whether he genuinely meant to hire those homeless children.
Siles gave an affirmative answer, though he added that he would be quite busy this November and might not have time to handle the matter right away.
Anthony looked overjoyed, far from pressing Siles over the delay. He merely said that as long as it was happening, it was fine. Thanks to the five hundred Duke coins Siles had given previously, his friends had more than enough to survive in West City for now.
Siles was not surprised by this.
Of course, this was indeed a bitter winter. Upon returning to Lamifa City, Siles had been forced to wrap himself in heavy cotton clothes. Even so, he deeply missed the heating and air conditioning of Earth.
For that reason, he also told Anthony that if the children in West City encountered any difficulties, they could seek his help.
In fact, during the meal, Siles had already discussed the topic of opening a shop in West City with Bertram, the merchant.
Bertram offered some advice, but he also noted that for someone like Siles, who had zero business experience, it would be best to find a reliable assistant or sell items that were novel enough.
Siles had wanted to ask Bertram for help, but Bertram politely declined, explaining that he had grown somewhat weary of the merchant life recently and intended to return to family life for a considerable period ahead.
Siles understood his state of mind. Bertram had stayed in the Ashless Lands for a long time; that kind of atmosphere naturally inflicted a degree of psychological harm on a person.
However, Siles noticed that Mrs. Fane had listened to their conversation with keen interest throughout.
Perhaps Mrs. Fane was actually the one looking to step out of domestic life? Siles conjectured.
Regardless, opening a shop was a task for the more distant future.
After dinner, Siles bade farewell to the Fane family and returned to No. 6 Hayward Street. On the desk on the third floor, he saw a letter left by Chendo—he had given Chendo the key to the third-floor door.
Chendo wrote that he was currently staying at an inn in East City and left his address. Over the next few days, he would look for a suitable house to rent and take time to buy some daily necessities.
Regarding Chendo following him back to Lamifa City, Siles felt a faint touch of guilt, mainly because his daily schedule was indeed extremely busy, and he might not be able to carve out much time to accompany Chendo.
Yet Chendo told him not to think that way.
“After all, I am the one who wanted to follow in your footsteps,” Chendo had said. “I need to try a little harder than you.”
Those words left Siles feeling a mix of mild helplessness and soft tenderness.
Of course, according to Chendo, setting aside the factor of Siles, there was another minor issue that required his presence in Lamifa City—the Praia family assets.
Chendo had grown up in Kansas, but the Praia family assets were spread across the entire Fisher World. Chendo hadn’t bothered to manage those things before, but now he seemed to have suddenly developed an urge to do so.
“Auditing the accounts,” Chendo said. “It has to be done eventually.”
Siles glanced at him.
“Of course, it’s mostly for you,” Chendo rubbed his cheek affectionately against Siles’s—he enjoyed intimacy to this degree. “But I have to make you feel at ease.”
In short, Chendo’s arrival added a vibrant, stroke-filled entry to Siles’s busy schedule: dating.
He was already beginning to feel a headache over his life in the coming period.
He wrote down a long string of to-do items in his notebook: Chendo, classes, apprentice, club activities, Research Department project, the new novel, the manuscripts left by Professor Cabel, that fountain pen, the shop on Dawson Street, underground gang activities…
…and his paper.
Yes, his academic paper for this year.
When he had decided to focus his paper on the wandering poets of the Sardin Empire and realized with astonishment that these wandering poets were very likely believers of Ligadia, he certainly hadn’t expected that he would actually meet a “blood descendant” of Ligadia.
Chendo mentioned that he would have people in Kansas send over some archival materials to help build up Siles’s paper.
This matter prompted Siles to thank Chendo once more. However, Chendo always managed to seize such opportunities to claim a bit of a reward—at minimum, a kiss was required to satisfy him.
Their current progress was strictly limited to kissing, however.
The next step… currently seemed nowhere in sight. This was largely to be blamed on Siles’s restraint and reserve; after all, Chendo’s emerald green eyes always carried a hint of dissatisfaction, gazing faintly at Siles.
Meanwhile, Siles acted as if nothing were amiss, as though the flush on his lips was truly just due to the warmth inside the room.
Chendo would then sigh: “When can I get a little closer to you?”
Siles actually pondered the question seriously before replying with absolute candor: “I would prefer that we maintain our mental intimacy for the time being.”
Chendo narrowed his eyes and said, “Even if you possess the power of a deity, shouldn’t you occasionally indulge yourself in more practical pleasures?”
“It seems that between the two of us, you are the one with the more literal ‘power of a deity’?” Siles teased in response, adding, “You have to let me get more used to this whole dating thing.”
Chendo let out a low laugh and finally gave up in defeat—the deity he believed in was so ascetic and cold that he had to work hard just to win himself a bit of sweetness.
Chendo attempted to claim a slot on Siles’s schedule.
Weekends were unlikely. On Saturdays, Siles had to go to the History Society, and on Sundays, he attended the Novelists’ Gathering; even without those two commitments, Siles’s weekends were very likely to be filled with other matters. Furthermore, on Wednesday mornings, Siles had to meet with Grenfield.
Thus, Monday through Friday… Chendo observed the options with a critical eye.
Siles had already received his course schedule for the second semester at Lamifa University, which still consisted of two public electives and one specialized elective.
The specialized elective was scheduled at the same time as the previous semester—Tuesday and Friday mornings. The two public electives were held on Wednesday evenings and Thursday afternoons, respectively.
So Chendo finally said, “How about all day Monday and Tuesday afternoon? If you are free, we can pick one day between those two every week to do something more relaxing together.”
“Such as?”
“Visiting museums, art galleries, or markets, or going to the outskirts to enjoy the scenery…” Chendo said. “I have to drag you out of that pile of ancient books and history so you can look at me, and look at the present state of this world.”
Siles froze for a moment before agreeing to Chendo’s arrangement.
It suddenly dawned on him that although he had been in this world for several months, his understanding of it seemed limited to the descriptions written in books and the accounts of others.
Compared to Lamifa City, he actually understood certain conditions of the Ashless Lands far better.
With the matter settled, Chendo appeared quite satisfied.
However, Siles immediately turned around and temporarily overturned the plan: “Not these next few days, though. Chendo, I need to familiarize myself with my lesson plans. Classes start on Tuesday.”
“…It’s no big deal.” Chendo’s tone did not sound like it was “no big deal,” but he quickly shifted, “In that case, can I come to Hayward Street to keep you company?”
“Of course you can,” Siles said.
Siles felt his schedule being crowded by something—or rather, coexisting with something; something that gave him a headache yet demanded his compromise. He had never experienced this feeling before, but viewed from another perspective, it was rather novel.
At the thought, Siles couldn’t help but feel his heart filled with a unfamiliar emotion. He felt it was a warm, fluffy sensation.
He stood dazed for a moment in the dim yellow glow of the wall lamp beside the desk, then placed the letter addressed to his mother inside an envelope. He planned to mail it tomorrow.
He glanced at the letter from Chendo resting to the side. After a moment’s hesitation, he placed it into his drawer. He intended to keep these letters from Chendo safe.
Having done all this, Siles stood by the window, quietly gazing out at the night.
Yesterday had been a torrential downpour, but today the clouds had parted and the rain had ceased. Nevertheless, the temperature was steadily dropping, leaving people in the awkward predicament where “a single breath chilled them to the bone.”
Siles was fully prepared for this mentally, but he was somewhat concerned whether a Kansan like Chendo, who had never spent a winter in Lamifa City, could get used to such weather.
After standing for a moment, Siles lowered his gaze and saw the set of dolls placed on the windowsill, alongside the withered green potted plant.
On the nights of the day before yesterday and yesterday—November 5th and 6th—he had entered the deep-sea dreamland.
The deep-sea dreamland remained unchanged. The stars, the sea surface, the fog, the dolls, the isolated island, the red mud.
When he entered the deep-sea dreamland, he even felt as though time had stood still there.
Over the past 21 days, he had experienced so many things, traveling from Lamifa City in the Duchy of Konst all the way to the House of Hales in the Ashless Lands. Yet when he entered the deep-sea dreamland once more, the “world” remained exactly as it was.
However, he still hadn’t been able to enter Nona’s dream. He did not know what had happened to Nona, but over those two days, Nona didn’t seem to have dreamed at all.
Instead, he had entered Emile Harrison’s dream twice.
The first time, he confirmed that the Rubik’s cube he had given Emile had indeed appeared in reality. This was within his expectations, yet it still snapped him awake from the deep-sea dreamland immediately.
The second time, his conversation with Emile was longer, touching upon Emile’s grandfather. Emile said that after strong requests from himself and his mother, his grandfather had finally relented, agreeing to let him go to school in a while.
This matter made Emile deeply grateful to Mr. Ghost. Aside from that, the Rubik’s cube Mr. Ghost handed him intrigued him greatly.
Over the past few weeks, Emile had been studying how to solve the Rubik’s cube and had come up with a few ideas. Mr. Ghost encouraged him, hoping he would keep up the good work.
In the dream, Emile was still holding that Rubik’s cube, playing with it with great relish.
This caused an idea to suddenly occur to Mr. Ghost, and he asked, “Emile, would you like a toy shop?”
“What?” Emile asked curiously. “What is a toy shop?”
“Something like this Rubik’s cube.” Mr. Ghost pointed to the cube in his hand. “There are actually many similar toys. If there were a shop like that, would you want to buy them?”
Children’s educational toys from Earth, Mr. Ghost thought.
Emile pondered for a moment and then said, “Of course I would! It sounds so interesting. I haven’t even gotten tired of a single Rubik’s cube yet. Mr. Ghost, will there really be a shop like that?”
Mr. Ghost replied, “Perhaps there will be in the future.”
Emile answered jubilantly, “If it opens, you must tell me!”
Mr. Ghost smiled and said, “I will.”
After leaving Emile’s dream, he stood on the red mud of the isolated island, mulling over the matter. But he quickly realized that this could wait until he returned to reality.
On this day, was there any new discovery that would allow him to leave the deep-sea dreamland?
It was at that moment that he accidentally caught sight of his own face reflected on Emile’s dream bubble.
After Mr. Ghost left, Emile was actually still dreaming. However, Mr. Ghost paid little attention to Emile’s dream; he only noticed his own face.
He had noticed before that his face in the deep-sea dreamland resembled Siles Noel’s, yet there were subtle differences that made it clear at a glance that they were two distinct faces.
Now, observing it more carefully, he suddenly realized that it was actually a fusion of two faces: Siles Noel and He Jiayin.
He recalled that previously, when his body turned into a statue and his entire person entered a near-death state, he seemed to appear in a dark room. In that room, he had reverted completely to He Jiayin.
How did that state differ from his current state? He couldn’t help but wonder.
Why was it a complete reversion to He Jiayin one time, but a fusion of both the next? What did these “paradises of the gods” truly signify?
He was extremely curious and interested in this, though he would likely have to gather more information.
In the end, he was able to leave the deep-sea dreamland because of a strange discovery: he noticed a slowly shrinking, dissipating dream bubble that gradually approached the isolated island, merged into the red mud, and was completely extinguished.
At that moment, Siles snapped awake.
It was four o’clock in the morning. At the time, he was lying on the bed in the inn, with Chendo’s steady breathing coming from another bed not far away. He gazed quietly at the ceiling in the darkness, a word slowly floating up in his heart: death.
The owner of that dream had died. Thus, his dream flowed into the isolated island and became red mud. That was the origin of the isolated island and the red mud. That was the dream of the deceased, the isolated island of souls.
…Siles snapped out of his thoughts, only then realizing he had been standing by the window for quite some time.
The biting wind howled outside, and the world seemed tossed by wind and rain. That bleak, cold mood slowly seeped into Siles’s heart. After a moment, he let out a breath, forcing himself to break free from the emotion.
A winter night. It was hardly a phrase associated with warmth.
He shook his head, washed up, and lay on his bed to sleep quietly. The next morning, Siles got up, planning to go to the dining hall for breakfast.
Coincidentally, the newsboy arrived with the newspaper Siles subscribed to. He took it and glanced at it, only to freeze instantly.
The cold wind of the winter morning felt as though it penetrated his soul.
Chendo appeared at that moment. He walked over, standing in front of Siles to block the cold wind, and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”
“…An elder I knew has passed away. Just early yesterday morning.” Siles sighed, handing the newspaper to Chendo. “Professor Denton Calverley, a bibliophile. He once helped me.”
Chendo glanced at the obituary in the newspaper, then silently leaned in and gave Siles a hug.
Siles said in a low voice, “Life is unpredictable. When I returned to Lamifa City, I was still thinking that perhaps I could find some precious books I’ve been searching for at that bibliophile’s place… yet he passed away just like that.”
“His time had come,” Chendo said almost softly.
“Indeed,” Siles said. “…Let’s go eat breakfast. It’s just some passing reflections. If I get the chance, perhaps I can attend the old gentleman’s funeral.”
They went to the dining hall together for breakfast.
With school starting tomorrow, more students and professors could be seen in the dining hall. It was evident that Professor Siles Noel’s fame had already spread throughout Lamifa University, which led to quite a few curious glances being directed toward Chendo.
Of course, Chendo’s exotic features and outstanding looks were likely part of the reason he drew so much attention.
Chendo remarked with a slight touch of amusement, “It seems you are quite popular here.”
Siles was silent for a moment before saying, “It might not be the kind of ‘popular’ you are imagining.”
Chendo froze, looking at him in utter bewilderment.
…In any case, Siles himself did not consider the “popularity” earned through homework and exam papers to mean the same thing as what Chendo understood by it.
In fact, he was rather curious: how many students would actually enroll in his public elective this semester?
After breakfast, they went to the coach company outside the campus to mail the letter before returning to No. 6 Hayward Street, where they happened to bump into Lorenzo, who was carrying his luggage back to the dormitory.
“Good morning, Professor Noel,” Lorenzo said. “What terribly cold weather! I’m afraid this second term won’t be easy, and I still have to cover classes for Professor Dunlop… Oh, and this is?”
“Chendo Praia,” Siles introduced him, pausing before adding, “My partner.”
“Oh…” Lorenzo looked at Chendo with a hint of surprise.
Chendo nodded politely back at him, though true to his nature, he did not greet him warmly.
Lorenzo didn’t mind this, of course. He merely said, “Professor, you certainly move fast. Just a few months ago you told me you neither liked men nor wanted to date. Now, after just one winter break, you’ve changed?”
Siles: “…”
He really didn’t want to hear those words brought up, understood?
Lorenzo laughed out loud, without chatting much further, and quickly bade them farewell to go up to the second floor.
Siles and Chendo returned to the third floor. Chendo then said, “You previously neither liked men nor wanted to date. It seems I should feel fortunate that I successfully changed your mindset.”
“You changed my life,” Siles said, then added softly, “You are the icing on the cake in my life.”
Perhaps, even without Chendo, Siles could have continued to survive in this world alone, lonely in his search for a way home, eventually welcoming success with joy or facing failure with composure. Yet Chendo had appeared after all.
Even if it wasn’t providing help in times of dire need, it was still icing on the cake.
Chendo was slightly stunned, and his expression slowly softened. He looked at Siles with deep seriousness and said, “You saved my life. You are the help in times of dire need in my life.”
Siles chuckled softly and said, “That sounds hardly fair; I should value you even more.”
“No, you don’t need to,” Chendo said. “I don’t want you to change for me. You should be just as you originally are; you were already good enough as you were.”
…Why wasn’t it obvious before that Chendo Praia was someone who could spout sweet talk so naturally? Siles thought to himself.
They quickly went about their own tasks. Chendo sat on the sofa reviewing a list of nearby rental properties, while Siles organized the content of his paper at the desk.
In truth, before setting off for the Ashless Lands, the rough outline and main text of his paper were already largely complete. However, having put it aside for over half a month, Siles needed to reorganize things.
Additionally, due to his experiences in the Ashless Lands, he realized that certain sections of his paper needed modification. Occasionally, he would exchange a word or two with Chendo regarding the wandering poets.
On occasion, Chendo would also ask him a few questions about housing.
As the morning slipped by quickly, Siles suddenly realized that Chendo’s presence didn’t seem to bring him much trouble. Perhaps it was because when Siles was focused on serious work, Chendo was capable of remaining quiet and maintaining a low profile.
They had lunch together outside, after which Chendo went to inspect the houses he had selected, while Siles headed to Bain Bookstore to attend the Novelists’ Gathering.
“Long time no see, Professor Noel!”
Upon entering, mystery novelist Maynard Daves and adventure novelist Arvid Norton greeted Siles one after another. Female mystery novelist Antonia Cuming was also present, smiling and nodding gently toward Siles.
They were the only three in the bookstore. It seemed the bitter winter cold had dampened the novelists’ enthusiasm for gathering.
“Long time no see,” Siles said. “I just returned from the Ashless Lands.”
“The Ashless Lands!” Arvid exclaimed with awe, his voice carrying a slight nasal twang as if he had just recovered from a cold. “I’ve wanted to go adventuring there so badly, but various reasons always stand in my way. At the end of the day, that place is simply too dangerous.”
Maynard remarked mercilessly, “When Professor Noel goes there, it’s called an adventure; if you go, it can only be called seeking death.”
Siles couldn’t help but smile slightly. He agreed with the idea that the Ashless Lands was extremely dangerous, though he probably wouldn’t speak as bluntly as Maynard—that was a bit too direct and mocking.
Arvid seemed long accustomed to Maynard’s manner of speaking and merely rolled his eyes at him. Afterward, he said, “I don’t need you telling me that, Maynard.
“Remember? Not long ago, we read that newly published explorer’s travelogue. The Ashless Lands is truly dangerous—dangerous and eerie. I wouldn’t dare go.
“Even if I were to go, it would probably be… according to that travelogue, Galsworthy, right?”
Siles nodded and said, “I went to Biedel City in Galsworthy this time; it was relatively peaceful and prosperous.”
As he spoke, he thought to himself that the explorer’s travelogue Arvid mentioned was likely Fredman’s travelogue, published after the Divine Birth Day, with rumors regarding the “Non-existent City” scrubbed from it.
Of course, Siles knew very well that as the events at the House of Hales gradually became widely known, the centuries-long deception of the “Non-existent City” had reached the moment where it must be exposed.
They discussed the topic of the Ashless Lands for a bit, and Siles gave a general account of what he had seen and heard during his recent time there.
…Speaking of which, over the past two days, he had recounted this experience countless times. That was likely the result of having a highly diverse social circle. Although the experience was the same, considering the varying capacities of different friends to absorb it, he still had to touch up and embellish it slightly.
Naturally, he ultimately mentioned the House of Hales, which was bound to be a topic of conversation regarding the Ashless Lands for some time to come.
“Fascinating,” Arvid listened with great relish, then said, “Professor, I remember you mentioned that your new book would feature an adventure theme. It seems your journey to the Ashless Lands provided you with rich material.”
Siles agreed with a nod and said, “There are certain… atmospheres that one can only feel upon actually arriving in the Ashless Lands.”
“I look forward to your work,” Ms. Cuming said softly.
Maynard nodded repeatedly as well, adding, “Lately, I’ve heard quite a few publishers considering purchasing the rights to your new book.”
Siles was slightly surprised to learn this, though he promptly said, “That won’t be decided anytime soon. Besides, I probably won’t have much time to conceptualize it in November.”
“Busy in November?”
Siles said, “I do have classes to teach, after all.”
Arvid and Maynard exchanged glances, both sighing in admiration: “The capable are always burdened with work.”
Siles thought to himself that he didn’t know why he had suddenly become so busy either.
Antonia Cuming, who was flipping through a newspaper to the side, suddenly remarked, “Professor Calverley has passed away. Have you heard about this?”
Siles froze slightly. Both Arvid and Maynard nodded.
…It seemed this bibliophile indeed possessed quite a reputation within Lamifa City, Siles thought.
Antonia said in a low voice, “I was invited to attend his funeral, which is tomorrow. However, I have already heard some disputes regarding Professor Calverley’s estate lately… If Professor Calverley were still alive, one wonders what he would think.”
“An estate?” Arvid asked in surprise. “I thought Professor Calverley was merely a bibliophile?”
“’Merely,’” Antonia shook her head, amused. “To become a bibliophile already requires sufficient wealth, time, and status—let alone a grand bibliophile like Professor Calverley.
“I’ve had some dealings with the professor due to publisher connections. He was of noble birth. You might know the Marquis of Austin, who passed away just last month?”
They all nodded.
Antonia then said meaningfully, “Professor Calverley was also a gentleman worthy of being called a ‘Marquis’; it’s just that he preferred others to address him as Professor.”
Maynard clicked his tongue in surprise and said quite bluntly, “So people must be fighting tooth and nail over his title.”
“Professor Calverley had no wife and no children, yet possessed vast wealth and a high title,” Antonia noted. “However, I am more concerned about what will become of his collection of books.”
They all let out a collective sigh. In this era, a vast collection of books was almost equivalent to wealth and status. Yet to these novelists, the books themselves were already priceless.
The conversation turned somewhat solemn. Each of them mentioned the elderly members of their own families. This was a bitter winter, and sometimes the elderly worried whether their bodies could survive through it.
The topic became increasingly heavy.
“I fell ill not long ago,” Arvid said. “You can probably tell from my voice. In short, the family doctor couldn’t cure me, so I had no choice but to visit the hospital. The hospital was overflowing with patients, and the environment was hardly good.
“Back then I thought, this winter might not be easy for many people.”
“Every winter is like this,” Maynard muttered in a low voice.
Antonia, the eldest among them, finally said, “Death is ultimately unavoidable.”
This gathering concluded under such a heavy atmosphere. When Siles left Bain Bookstore, Chendo was waiting for him on the first floor.
Chendo had purchased a drink and was casually sipping it while observing the overcast weather and the city outside the glass window with interest. He carried an innate air of an exotic traveler—not particularly striking in the Ashless Lands, but extraordinarily conspicuous in Lamifa City.
“How did it go?” Siles asked. “Did you find a suitable house?”
“I found one, but perhaps I’ll let you decide,” Chendo said slyly. “That way, in the future, you can come stay for a couple of days with a clear conscience, should the opportunity arise.”
Siles felt a slight sense of helpless affection toward Chendo’s little scheme. That soft, fluffy emotion gently stirred his heart once more.
Thus, after a brief silence, Siles simply said, “Let’s go take a look, then.”
This gray-haired, tan-skinned, green-eyed explorer did not look like a peaceful, harmless city dweller after coming to Lamifa City. Yet, by Siles’s side, he seemed to become entirely docile.
Siles noticed that as they left the bookstore, the young clerk working behind the counter let out a massive sigh of relief.
This gave Siles a subtle sense of amusement.
The house Chendo selected was located in a residential area between Bain Bookstore and Lamifa University, at No. 32 Lowell Street. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to Lamifa University and about ten minutes to No. 6 Hayward Street.
It was a two-story independent residence that looked small and exquisite, nestled behind a neatly manicured lawn and shrubs, instantly reminding Siles of a miniature dollhouse.
The house was reportedly built ten years ago, making it one of the newer properties in Lamifa City.
This compact dwelling had three bedrooms (one on the first floor, two on the second) and two bathrooms (one on each level).
The first floor featured a relatively large kitchen, a reception room, and a storage room, while the second floor boasted a large study that made Siles’s heart leap—it faced west, offering a faint view of the sparkling Kanra River.
Chendo intended to rent it for a full year first, at a price of 1,000 Duke coins.
“What do you think?”
In the second-floor study, Chendo leaned casually against the bookshelf, asking Siles.
Siles said, “I feel as though this house was selected for me.”
Chendo laughed and said, “It was indeed chosen for you. Naturally, I hope you subtly grow accustomed to this place, so I can pick a perfect time to ask you to move in as well.
“I feel the apartment at No. 6 Hayward Street is indeed a bit small, and not quite convenient either—after all, we are researching secrets regarding the Old Gods, aren’t we?”
This point was something Siles agreed with completely.
After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Is it possible for us to buy this house outright?”
Chendo froze for a moment, looking at Siles in surprise.
Siles said, “I think that would be a more economical approach.”
The annual rent was one thousand Duke coins; yet buying the entire house outright might only cost a few thousand Duke coins.
Siles then added, “Of course, renting before buying is more reasonable. We ought to give it a try first.”
Chendo nodded slowly and said, “I’ll ask the landlord if they have any intention to sell, and I’ll keep an eye on property conditions nearby as well. Furthermore—” his voice suddenly turned deep —“your suggestion makes my heart race so much.”
Siles said, “I am working to fit you into my life plans.”
“I am honored,” Chendo said. He walked up to Siles, gently kissed his lips, and added, “I am deeply honored… to be able to participate in your life.”
Siles gazed at him, gazing into those emerald green eyes. For a moment, he was dazed, feeling as though he possessed the owner of those eyes, while he himself was eternally reflected within them.
After a moment, he said softly, “Me too.”
With the housing matter settled, they found a nearby restaurant to eat dinner.
“What do you plan to do tonight?” Chendo asked.
Siles thought for a bit and said, “I want to examine the manuscripts left by Professor Cabel.”
When they discovered the corpses of Professor Cabel and Assistant Mervyn in the underground room at Corinna Canyon, they actually didn’t know why the two had appeared there, nor why they had died on the spot.
While in the Ashless Lands, they had no time to flip through the manuscripts left by Professor Cabel. On the journey back to Lamifa City, with many eyes around, it wasn’t convenient for Siles to scrutinize the contents of the manuscripts either.
Now that they were back in Lamifa City and circumstances had stabilized, Siles decided to examine them as soon as possible to avoid long delays leading to unexpected complications.
Chendo nodded in understanding.
After dinner, Chendo left reluctantly. He still had to return to the inn first, which was some distance from Lamifa University, so Siles told him to head back early and get some rest.
“I’ll come find you early tomorrow,” Chendo said softly.
Siles paused, then said, “I will be waiting for you.”
“…Those words really make my heart flutter.”
Siles looked at him in slight confusion, not quite understanding what was so flutter-worthy about those words.
“Thinking that you are waiting for me…” Chendo’s voice gradually softened, and then he smiled, saying, “That alone is enough to make my heart flutter.”
…Siles felt that dating was truly a baffling affair.
Helpless, he pulled Chendo close, gently kissed his lips, and said, “See you tomorrow.”
Chendo’s expression noticeably brightened. He said, “See you tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful night.” He thought for a moment and added, “It would be even better if we could share a wonderful night together next time.”
“…Perhaps there will be a day for that.”
“Having those words from you is enough,” Chendo said.
They bade farewell to each other. Siles watched Chendo’s departing figure, feeling a brief moment of perplexity in his heart. A long time ago, a short time ago, now. They felt like three entirely unrelated points in time.
…Before meeting Chendo. After meeting Chendo. Now.
Perhaps this was the enchanting part of love, he thought.
He walked back, his thoughts gradually shifting to Professor Cabel’s affairs. However, at the doorway of No. 6 Hayward Street, he picked up a letter; the ornate, retro coat of arms on the envelope indicated that it came from the Baker Bank.
Siles’s heart stirred, recalling that this was a well-known private bank in the city, as well as the place where Alfonso stored the fountain pen.
He was somewhat curious as to why this bank was writing to him. He brought it up to the third floor, then opened it to inspect the contents.
A moment later, he realized with astonishment that the reason this letter could be delivered to his hands was because, in Professor Calverley’s will, he had bequeathed a portion of his book collection to Siles.
And Baker Bank happened to be the executor of Professor Calverley’s will.
