Chapter 453

Three Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Chapter – Reception

In the distant sound of the steam whistle, Nephnis paid for her ride and stepped down from the carriage. The winter sea breeze became even more biting, causing her to tighten the clothes she was wearing. After exhaling two puffs of white vapor, she looked around and saw countless carriages loaded with goods constantly moving on the road, among which were many full fish barrels. A faint salty odor permeated the air.

Seabirds flew and called in the sky, while people on the ground continued their busy activities even as the New Year approached. Freshly off the carriage, Nephnis looked around at the intersection, as if searching for something. Soon enough, she found what she was looking for.

At an intersection near the harbor, under a street lamp, Nephnis spotted a figure that seemed somewhat out of place.

It was a young man dressed in ordinary cotton velvet suit and trousers, wearing a low-crowned hat, holding a suitcase. His skin had an unusual tanned yellow hue.

At this moment, the young man stood under the street lamp, looking around curiously and nervously. Upon seeing this scene, Nephnis immediately walked over. Without much notice from the man, she approached behind him and whispered softly.

“Excuse me, are you Mr. Kapak?”

Hearing the voice behind him, the young man jumped in surprise and turned around. Seeing Nephnis, he paused slightly, his eyes widening as he muttered.

“I—I am Kapak. You… you…”

“You can call me ‘Thief.’ I was sent by the ‘Scholar’ to meet you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, friend from the New World.”

Facing Kapak, Nephnis said with a smile.

…

In East Tivyán, at a teahouse near the harbor, in a secluded corner with a fireplace, Nephnis and Kapak sat opposite each other, sizing each other up.

“So… Thief Miss, you are the one sent by Master Scholar to meet me? You and Master Scholar and Detective belong to the same organization, the one that believes in Akka?”

With a curious tone, Kapak asked Nephnis, who then put her finger to her lips mysteriously.

“Hush… speak a little softer, Kapak. Our organization is a secret society on the Main Continent; it cannot be known to ordinary people. When discussing such matters in the future, please be careful.”

“Oh… So that’s how it is? I apologize, Thief Miss. I am a tribal person and have just arrived here. If I have done anything inappropriate, please forgive me,” Kapak said apologetically after hearing Nephnis. Watching Kapak’s reaction, Nephnis nodded, feeling a bit smug. Kapak’s attitude made her feel like a senior member of the organization.

“It’s fine. Just be more careful in the future. In fact, your performance surprised me, Kapak. Scholar said you are a native of the New World. Generally, natives should be more… wild and natural. But you don’t fit this stereotype at all. Your behavior isn’t very different from ours, and your Prit language is even more standard than many others.”

Nephnis said, and Kapak responded humbly.

“My Prit language comes from Akka’s blessing. I am a doctor in my tribe. Because I often need to go to your colonizers’ cities to buy medicine, I frequently move around in your cities. Even through some means, I obtained legal status. This is why I could travel to this city so smoothly.”

Kapak said, and hearing this, Nephnis couldn’t help but feel a slight stir in her heart.

‘Akka’s blessing? So Akka’s blessing can not only eliminate poison recognition but also allow someone to quickly master a language… d*mn, I wish I could have such a blessing too…’

Nephnis thought with envy. At this moment, Kapak spoke again with a serious expression.

“Thief Miss, since you were sent by Master Scholar to meet me, you should know the purpose of my trip here. Time waits for no one. Sado and his group might act at any moment. We need to act quickly to stop them. After drinking this cup of hot tea to warm ourselves, we should set off.”

With a sense of urgency, Kapak said to Nephnis, who unexpectedly replied.

“Hmm… I know you came here to find someone, but you just arrived in Tivyán. There’s no need to rush. You can rest for a day before starting your search.”

Nephnis said to Kapak. In her opinion, traveling by ship from the New World to Prit took about ten days. Arriving at the destination, she believed they could take some rest first. However, Kapak did not agree.

“Now is not the time to rest, Thief Miss. When I heard today was your New Year, I felt something was amiss. Sado came here specifically to cause destruction and make your people suffer. For him, New Year is definitely the best time to strike, to destroy the beautiful moments and cause massive pain.

“So, Sado must already be hiding somewhere in the city, preparing to launch an attack.

“Sado may act today. What we need to do now is find him and stop him as soon as possible.”

Kapak said seriously to Nephnis. Hearing this, Nephnis couldn’t help but scratch her head.

‘Act immediately?… This is quite urgent… Looks like I won’t be able to spend a peaceful New Year this year…’

Nephnis thought, already anticipating a busy New Year.

…

In South Tivyán, at the Bishop Square.

As evening fell, a large wooden stage was being constructed on the expansive square. The stage, built entirely of wood, was almost complete, with workers still busy decorating it for the evening’s celebration.

Although it wasn’t yet time for the New Year’s celebration, many citizens had already gathered at the Bishop Square, looking forward to the soon-to-be-finished stage and the evening’s performance.

Due to the important figures expected to attend the upcoming event, guards serving the royal family had already taken up positions on rooftops around the square, monitoring the entire area and keeping watch for any suspicious activity amidst the cold wind.

Near the edge of the square, in an unremarkable corner, a large tent had been erected. On the tent was the Radiant Church’s mark, with “Emergency Medical Station” written on it.

Inside the tent, several neatly arranged beds were set up. Beside a small altar dedicated to the Holy Mother, Sister Vania knelt on the ground, devoutly praying. Just as the cold wind blew in from outside, she sneezed loudly.

“Achoo!”

Taking out a tissue, Sister Vania wiped her nose and murmured.

“I didn’t expect… this New Year wouldn’t be spent praying in the church, but instead handling emergency medical duties here…

“This is the first time I haven’t prayed in the church during the New Year…