Chapter 1313: Elf Shops and a Relaxing Stroll

Xia Duo confirmed his requirements to Weiji once again and said, "No need to worry about anything else, just treat me as a regular client. I won't be staying in Seventon for many more days, so please put some extra effort into the manor."

"Yes."

Although Weiji still had some doubts in his heart, he agreed quite readily.

……

After discussing the task details with Weiji, Xia Duo prepared to continue his outing. When he came out of the Library, Aomosi and his party were already nowhere to be seen.

He guessed they might have gone elsewhere, but for the time being, this had little to do with him. He only paid a little attention to it before putting it out of his mind.

After leaving, Xia Duo circled around the Arcane Plaza and then turned south. Continuing south from the Great Arena was the New City District of the Seventon New City District.

The Ilfarun Embassy and a brand-new Trade District were located here, but compared to the port Trade District near the Nether River to the west, this place appeared much colder.

However, this place also had something more unique than the Xi Mao Yi Qu: Elf shops. This was the first time Xia Duo had seen shops opened by Elves outside the Old City District, and there were even Elf Merchants stationed within them.

Almost without any thought, he concluded that these must have been opened by the Elves of Ilfarun.

Of course, from the decoration style of the storefronts and the text on the signs to the Gold Elf Merchants not even found in the Old City District, it was further proof that these shops came from Ilfarun.

"Perhaps in Ailintar, there is also a group of humans opening shops there!"

For a moment, Xia Duo suddenly had the urge to travel. Since crossing over, the furthest place he had been in the Main Plane was probably the ruins of the Inosen Mage Tower south of Zhenisi.

He could only learn what the Elf World of the Main Plane was like from a very small number of related books or from his imagination of Elf cities in the Projection Plane.

He had never been there in person.

Yierlan or Keman Suo were not good places to go, but Ilfarun, as well as Evereska—the neutral land about to become the Headquarters of the Northland Alliance—should be good travel destinations.

It was just a pity that travel in the Main Plane was very different from going to the Projection Plane; it required consuming a large amount of time synchronized with other people. Xia Duo could not spare that much free time to wander around for the moment.

"Sigh—"

……

After leaving the new South District, Xia Duo walked west to the bank of the Nether River. Looking across the hundreds-of-meters-wide river surface, there was also some nice scenery over there.

It was just a pity that it did not belong to a public area like Seventon, but rather to private territories of some lords of the Seven Towers Collective that were not open to the public.

However, the land corridor to Zhenisi was right on the opposite side. It was possible to go over and take a look, but one would have to pay some toll.

But Xia Duo was only out to relax; he had no interest in spending money on such nonsense. Although with his current status, he might not need to spend money, that feeling was unpleasant regardless.

……

Following the riverbank, Xia Duo began to walk back. The riverside was mostly warehouses and some crude inns for passing boatmen to eat, drink, and rest.

Not until he walked to the proper Trade District did Xia Duo feel like he had returned to Seventon. However, the prosperity here was only relative to other parts of Netheril.

Having already seen metropolises with tens of millions of people, Xia Duo's first impression of this place was like a commercial street in a small town back home. It was indeed quite lively, but compared to a metropolis, it was always missing something.

This time Niya was not with him, so Xia Duo did not stroll in the Trade District for too long. Soon, he arrived at the last stop of his itinerary—the Halansaide Manor.

Or rather, the Weilan Manor, which had now been registered under the name of the Tower of Time.

……

Just as he approached the manor, Xia Duo saw faint, moving silhouettes inside through the sparse woods on the perimeter of the manor.

After entering the manor, Dailike, who was directing the servants and craftsmen, immediately walked over and reported the situation to Xia Duo: "My lord, a few areas of the villa are being renovated, and the flowers, plants, and shrubs outside also need trimming. It will be finished by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Mm, I trust you to handle things!"

After taking a rough tour of the interior of the manor, Xia Duo notified Dailike, "Later, a Mage from the Jilan Tower will come here to set up Protection and Warning Magic. Tell the workers to be quieter while they work so they don't disturb him."

"Yes, I will give them the instructions."

"Where is Aiwa? Why don't I see him?"

"Aiwa said this morning he wanted to go to the Old City District to look around, and he hasn't returned yet. Do you wish to see him now, my lord?"

"No need."

Xia Duo shook his head. He was relatively at ease regarding Aiwa; as long as he wasn't looking for trouble on purpose, Aiwa should be able to handle most situations.

……

After seeing the manor, Xia Duo prepared to leave. He could not live here for the time being; he still had to stay at the Arcane Union.

Furthermore, the research environment of his private Laboratory at the Arcane Union was something this place did not have.

Just as he told Dailike he was leaving, Dailike stopped him and brought up another matter, "My lord, Aiboke wants to ask when he can return to Nan Jing."

"Oh? Is he in such a rush? Where is he then? Is he still at the Arcane Temple?"

Dailike explained, "Aiboke said that everything he wanted to do in Seventon is finished, and staying here any longer is a waste of time. However, he is indeed at the Arcane Temple right now."

"I see!"

Xia Duo immediately understood what Aiboke meant, so he said:

"Then when he returns, you can tell him that if he wants to return to Nan Jing, he can go back at any time. As for you, wait for Aiwa to return, hand over the affairs here to him, and then go back with Aiboke first."

Upon hearing this, Dailike immediately panicked. He had a good personal friendship with Aiboke, but he knew even better that he was different from Aiboke. He hurriedly defended himself:

"My lord, that is not what I meant!"

"I understand, I understand."

Xia Duo stopped Dailike from saying anything further and said: "Having you return with Aiboke is not because of anything else, but for my own reasons."

"After the affairs here at the manor are settled, I will not return directly to Nan Jing, and it wouldn't be convenient to have you with me. If you stay now, do you intend to take a boat back slowly by yourself later?"

Once Xia Duo said this, the panicked expression on Dailike's face dissipated quite a bit.

……

Two days later.

Xia Duo came to the Weilan Manor again, but this time, the one greeting him was no longer Dailike, but Aiwa instead.

Dailike had already returned to Nan Jing with Aiboke. All affairs in Seventon had been handed over to Aiwa, and Aiwa would remain here afterward, waiting for Xia Duo's orders at any time.

After meeting, Aiwa immediately reported the latest situation of the manor: "My lord, the manor has been completely renovated and tidied up. You can move in at any time."

"What about Mage Weiji? Is he finished with his work?"

"I just went to inquire this morning; they are already finishing up, with only the main body of the villa remaining. Would you like to see him now, sir?"

"No need, let's wait until it's finished. I will look at other places first."

"Yes."