CHAPTER 523: CHAPTER 523 - EXPLORING CERYNEIA (PART 5)

As we finished our little shopping trip near the mines, Lir then told me that he would guide me through the other shops, workshops and factories in the area so I could see what products they offer. Hopefully, I will find other nice and cheap things to buy that I can then sell for a profit back home.

While walking, I stealthily sent a message to the magic tower grandmaster as well, Grandpa Mage, about the description of the crystal I just discovered together with a piece of it as a sample for his research. I simply asked how useful does he think it will be when used with common tools and potential price for it if ever I decide to sell it. I have sent three messages so far and I hope I get their responses soon.

We continued shopping throughout the whole afternoon around Coal City, going from store to store just like how a tourist would. The more I spent time with Lir, the more I understood why he was on the top of Marius’ list of merfolk that I need to find and get acquainted with. As it turns out, he just knows everybody in the city! I think he is so well-known that he can even run for an electoral position if there was one in this territory!

I don’t know if it was because he was always so nice and polite to everybody, because he was never choosy with the types of jobs he took or the industry he dabbles in but he knows every single shop owner, miner, manual laborer or even just the normal citizens that we happen to pass by. He spent the whole afternoon waving back and greeting others politely while guiding me around the city.

Out of curiosity, I told him a slightly made up a story about me having a close merfolk friend that I met on land. I then told him that this friend gave me a list of people that I need to look for and meet so I can relay his message to them. I honestly told him, that my friend wanted to help the merfolks in the list to leave Ceryneia and start over in another place with better living conditions if they agree to my friend’s proposition.

When he heard the real reason why I was going around Ceryneia all on my own, his eyes seemed to have a hint of realization and maybe a bit of hope? He did not ask or comment about my story but simply focused in perusing the names in the list I showed him. I purposely removed his name from the top of the list since he will be the last one I will make an offer to once I have met all the others.

After a minute or two of carefully looking through the list, he murmured, "You are quite lucky, I know all of these people in the list. By any chance, did your friend also tell you to look for me and hire me as a guide?"

I wanted to laugh at how sharp he was and did not bother to deny it. I simply nodded my head and said that my friend asked me to go to Coal City because there will be a very talented guide there that will lead me to all of these people. I told him that I don’t exactly know how he looks like so I attributed meeting him to my luck.

Well, there was still a bit of a lie in what I just said since Marius told me exactly where most likely Lir is located or where he usually was seen which was a total of five locations. I took a chance and went to the plaza first on the less busy area to the left. Marius was also helpful enough to tell me that the man I am looking for had striking blue hair at least so I took my chance and approached him.

Afterwards, Lir turned to the list again and he gave a short praise to whoever made the list since he said that these people have no strong ties to this place and will most likely wanted to leave. It also turns out the people on the list were very skilled people in their industries. They have very specific skill sets and specializations with jobs like appraisers, enchanters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers, metalsmiths, herbalists, cooks, hunters, merchants, teachers and even a few noble men.

As Lir helped me to set meetings for the people on the list one by one, in the guise of just visiting one store to another, I can see the way he looked at me as if he wanted to ask something. Our visits were disguised as shopping and perhaps looking around, so No one noticed our movements as per my senses. Most likely, the spies are concentrating more on checking out what Marius was doing back in Ash City.

I did not talk much with any of the people except what seems to be like a short introduction between me and them through Lirsince some eyes might be watching. Instead, I simply gave them a small note that was specially prepared by Marius with an invitation for them to meet him in his home in Ash City if they were still interested in leaving Ceryneia for good. There was also an instruction to destroy the note after reading it for safety reasons.

It took a whole day just to go around and look for specific people in Coal City. By late afternoon, we are finally on our way to cross the border wall betwee. Coal City and Cobalt City. I asked Lir if he prefers to go back home for the night while I take my time to find accommodations inside Cobalt City but he preferred to accompany me all throughout my trip instead.

With Lir’s help and with me introducing him as my personal guide and attendant, I was able to get passes to Cobalt City with the condition that me and Lir should always go around the city together. I guess they are uncomfortable that a non-merfolk was entering but they also need visitors for the economy. At the same time, they wanted to make sure that Lir who was from the city of exiles and slaves to be kept in check and not roam around. Either way, their reason is either discriminatory or insulting.

After passing the strict checks at the gates, I went directly to the information office to ask for a map if available and also recommendations for inns, restaurants and other amenities. While doing so, I noticed that there were three separate figures that were following us from the time that we entered the main gates from Coal City. Only time will tell if they are just plain curious about me, if they were sent by the leaders of this place to make sure we don’t make trouble or if they are enemies I have to get rid of.

Technically, to find the people from the list, I also need to grab their attention but in a subtle manner. The type of people living in Cobalt City is many calibers above the ones in the last two layers so I need to show them I am worth something. They need to find me interesting in a certain degree either through power, wealth or some type of prestige so they would be willing to make an effort to meet me.

Considering these things, I already chose to book a room for two days in the most expensive inn in this city from the names that the information office staff has given me. I really wanted to get into an inn as soon as possible but I just remembered one important thing I need to do. First things first, I need some currency from this place by selling some farm produce from my beloved husband’s farm.

During our shopping trip this afternoon, Dimitri already responded with a curt, "okay" then dumped a wide variety of farm produce in our shared storage. I replied with a simple, "Thank you and I miss you" then my pregnant husband snapped back with an, "If you really miss me, you’ll be here with me".

I am already used to their mood swings since this is not the first pregnancy in my family so I just find it funny and adorable now. I told him I am far away from Athanoviya as of the moment but will visit him soon so his response was another emotionless, "okay".

I already received a confirmation from Helios as well that he is in the process of checking the market price with the help of the others from the palace and he’ll send an update soon. Grandpa Mage also responded with a single word, "interesting". He must be researching the crystal now to see all of its potential uses and how much it should be priced.

With all these things happening in the background, my plans seem to be leading me in the right direction. For now, I may need to make use of this information office to fulfill the first step of the plan.