Chapter 2086

Xia De looked at the photo, and the vampire-kin was still talking:

"The dragon language runes on it are very ancient, right? Although I can't recognize them either, I believe this is a stone carving from the end of the Fifth Era, recording the trade between the ancestors of the seven great families and a certain powerful being. However, the Church's researchers seem to think that this is a relic from an even older age, belonging to stories from the end of the Fourth Era to the beginning of the Fifth Era, having nothing to do with the seven great families, and instead involving some even more unspeakable secrets. Ha, the Church's researchers aren't that skilled either."

Sir Donald said with a hint of disdain. Xia De blinked, not pointing out that his own research and speculation might actually be the wrong ones.

Xia De looked at the other photos, but unfortunately, the only one where the content of the runes could be clearly distinguished was the first one he had received.

He understood in his heart that the information pointed to by that ancient rune very likely referred to the ancient divine war mentioned by Miss Ilith. But when Xia De tried to ask Sir Donald further about the legends of the divine war, this bespectacled vampire-kin knew nothing about those stories at all, and instead asked Xia De where he had heard such news.

Sir Donald seemed to believe that all the legends related to "dragons" in this city were related to the seven great families. But Xia De was certain that the seven great families did not exist when that ancient divine war occurred.

"May I ask where the excavation work corresponding to this photo was conducted? Where is the location of the ruins?"

Xia De asked again, and Sir Donald recalled:

"In the 'Poisonous Swamp' in the northwest of Moon Bay City. That place is not easy to find, and there shouldn't be anything of value left there."

He told Xia De the general location. Xia De also asked about the news of other researchers who participated in the excavation, but the vampire-kin did not think they still kept things from those years like he did.

However, he immediately thought of another matter:

"Besides us local researchers and the personnel sent by the local parish church, there were actually some outsiders who participated in the excavation work at that time. In that era, the relationship between Karsinrik and Delarion was much better than it is now. It seems that because of some academic exchange program, some northern researchers also participated in the exploration of the ruins. I remember one old professor among them was quite remarkable. If you can find him, he might have some photos in his hands."

"Sir, do you still remember the name of that old professor?"

"Wait a moment, I remember recording that professor's information in my notebook from those years. But calculating his age, he is probably long retired, and I don't know if he is still alive now. The lives of ordinary people are always so fragile... I wish him health."

A familiar name suddenly jumped into Xia De's mind, but he did not rashly state his guess. Sir Donald spent some time and finally found a very old business card from the crevice of his old notebook:

"Professor Tiris Manning from Tobesk City. This professor is truly prestigious in the field of history. I remember that one of the textbooks I read in my student days was co-authored by him."

He said happily, pushing the business card toward Xia De. Xia De touched Little Mia, who was disguised as a dog on his shoulder; the cat was also looking down at the business card. Although the address on the yellowed paper was not "Cat Tail Alley," Xia De was absolutely certain that this Professor Manning was his old friend.

"Why does it feel like every time I meet a folklorist in another city, I end up being able to link it to Professor Manning?"

Thinking this, he asked the person across the table:

"Is that Professor Manning a ring-mage?"

"Of course not, he is just an ordinary person. But for an excellent historian like him, his life's experiences will not be any less dull than those of an ordinary ring-mage."

Finding Professor Manning could wait until the day's events were over, or he could go tomorrow; Xia De was not in a hurry about this. Therefore, after saying goodbye to Sir Donald, Xia De went to Herring Street to visit Miss Lisa and the girl Maria.

Miss Lisa happened to be home this morning. Because Xia De had left a lot of money last time, Miss Lisa had already started preparing to send Maria to school.

The family was very warm to Xia De, even wanting to invite him to stay for lunch. However, Xia De had other things to do at noon, so he politely declined. After saying goodbye to them at eleven in the morning, he took out the silver anchor ornament and glanced at it, becoming more certain of his guess about Miss Ilith's identity.

Meeting with the dock porter Laurie Anderson and the boy Newman was still in the tavern from yesterday evening. Near noon, the tavern was bustling with noise. Xia De, who arrived early, chose yesterday's table again. The lively tavern atmosphere also reminded him of the "Demon Scholar" who always encountered him in various taverns, but clearly, Mr. Xiao En Asmont would not appear this noon.

【Why is that?】

"Because there are no roses here."

Xia De smiled and touched the 【Demon-Hunting Seal】 in his pocket. He had been carrying this ring since he first arrived in Moon Bay. Next time he saw Mr. Xiao En Asmont, he must wear the ring and shake hands with that gentleman.

"Meow~"

The cat on his chest made a faint sound; it was wondering why lunch hadn't started yet. Subsequently, it noticed the few cats squatting in front of the tavern bar; those cats were poking their heads and looking toward this side. So the little cat raised its head and looked at Xia De. Seeing that he did not notice the other cats, it retracted its head again.

The snow, which had started at some unknown time, was getting heavier by noon. But the work at the dock did not stop because of this. As for the porter father and son who came to the appointment through the snow, the boy Newman was wearing warm clothes, while the porter was still in a single layer of clothing.

Xia De did not express any opinion on this, but warmly invited them to sit down. While the father and son were holding bowls of hot soup to warm their bodies, Xia De also opened the conversation.

The boy seemed very interested in the dog squatting by Xia De's hand, but unfortunately, Little Mia was only interested in the food in Xia De's hand. Xia De did not immediately talk about the "Eternal Light" or the boy's desire not to be a porter, but continued yesterday's topic, talking about the life of dock workers.

Mr. Anderson's ancestors lived locally, so he was quite familiar with both union-type organizations like the Dock Workers' Association and official management agencies like the Dock Office; he could even say a few words about the complex local gangs.

Xia De was curious about the reputation of the "Princess Trade Partners" locally, so he vaguely mentioned Miss Annie Bonney's name. Mr. Anderson evaluated them as "although their personnel numbers cannot compare to large gangs like the Black Hand Gang, it is said that everyone has seen blood; they are tough people in the dock area who cannot be easily provoked."

By the time the meal was half finished and the topic of dock worker wage growth over the past decade ended, Xia De finally talked about the main point:

"The weather this year is really strange; it's snowing so heavily in the Month of Thunder. It's really hard for you to work in this snow."

"It's just a different date compared to winter, but we work normally in winter too; otherwise, how would we earn money to support the family?"

The porter said with a smile, reaching out to pat the boy's shoulder beside him:

"Raising Newman is my most important task now; what does this little snow count for? My father and my father's father were all like this, and Newman will be like me when he grows up. We earn money to support our family with our own strength; in my view, it's no worse than anyone else."

The boy again revealed that expression of wanting to say something but not daring to. Xia De continued to praise:

"I'm afraid it's not just snowing; you have to work like this in rainy weather too, right?"

"Of course. Sometimes the worse the weather, the more anxious the shipowner is to unload the ship. Besides, during the rainy season, it might be sunny one moment and pouring rain the next. Waterproof tarpaulins are sometimes unreliable; we still have to rely on ourselves."

He looked truly proud of his work.

"A man like you who supports a family alone is the hope of our era and this country. Come, let me toast you."

As he spoke, the two clinked glasses. Xia De looked at the boy again and said to him softly:

"Isn't your father remarkable? Although he works as a porter, he relies on this to support you all. You didn't grow up relying on the wind or the rain; when you grow up, you must treat your father well."

Before the boy could speak, Mr. Anderson said with a grin from ear to ear:

"I won't force Newman to repay me and his mother when he grows up. He will have his own life, his own family, and his own children. If he is lucky, he will also meet a magical person like you on a magical day and have this free—I mean, interesting—lunch together."

Xia De nodded and finally said:

"Earning money by yourself is an important way for us to live with dignity. Dreams are important, but you must eat first. Live a down-to-earth life, and then you can look up at the sky."

"Yes, this is very important for a man... You said that very well, Newman. You must also study hard in the future so that you can become a person like this gentleman."

The two clinked glasses again. The boy looked at his father in surprise, then lowered his head as if thinking about something.

"She" in his ear said gently:

【I thought you would persuade the porter to give up the idea of letting the boy take over his work.】

"But Mr. Anderson's idea is not wrong in my view. For them, this kind of occupational inheritance is the best way to maintain a stable life."

Xia De talked to "She" in his heart while continuing to chat with Mr. Anderson:

"What Mr. Anderson longs for is not for his son to take his place, but for him to live a better life. It is enough for the boy to understand this point. Moreover, I am not persuading the boy to accept his father's arrangement; I am just letting the boy see what kind of important significance the future he has always been unwilling to accept actually has. Furthermore, must all of a child's wishes be fulfilled?"