Chapter 30: The Principality of Leyden

Chapter 30: The Principality of Leiden

Ye Tian wasted no time and went straight to the Adventurers' Guild. "Hello, how can I help you?" The Adventurers' Guild, much like the Mercenaries' Guild, was bustling and noisy. As Ye Tian approached the counter, a beautiful receptionist greeted him politely.

"I'm wondering if there are any parties heading to Feipuli Academy?" Ye Tian asked.

"Alright, please wait a moment." Though a little surprised, the receptionist glanced at the badge pinned to Ye Tian's chest and went off to check for him. "Indeed, having this badge really makes things easier," Ye Tian thought to himself.

After a short while, the receptionist shook her head regretfully. "I'm sorry, there are no related missions or groups at the moment."

"Oh, thank you anyway," Ye Tian replied, disappointed.

"Um, may I make a suggestion?" The receptionist couldn't help but speak up, seeing the disappointment on Ye Tian's face.

"Please do!" Ye Tian immediately leaned in.

The receptionist's face flushed a deep red, like a ripe apple, but Ye Tian was in no mood to appreciate her beauty—he was only hoping for a useful suggestion.

"There are two ways," she said, sitting up a little straighter after a quick glance at him. "First, you could post a quest to look for companions to travel with you. Second, and it's actually the easiest, just follow a map to your destination."

A map! The moment he heard the second suggestion, Ye Tian felt deflated. If he could read, he wouldn't need her advice. With no better option, he confessed, "I can't read."

The receptionist wasn't surprised. Many adventurers and mercenaries were illiterate; Ye Tian was hardly alone. Most of them traveled in groups, though, and there was always someone who could read.

"In that case, your best bet is to post a quest, but I imagine the chances are slim," she said.

Ye Tian groaned and pressed a hand to his forehead. "Is there anywhere I can buy a map? I'll just go by myself," he said, gritting his teeth. "I refuse to believe I can't reach my destination on my own."

The receptionist rummaged around behind the counter for a while. "Here it is!" she finally announced.

She spread out a map of the Principality of Leiden. It was clearly marked with towns and roads, but Ye Tian couldn't read any of it.

"Well, you should start here, then pass through here, and then here..." The receptionist picked up a pen and began marking the map for him.

"All done, here you go!" She rolled up the map and handed it to Ye Tian with a cheerful smile.

"What did you write on it?" Ye Tian asked, curious.

"That's a secret!" she replied, still smiling. "If you don't want it, I'll take it back."

"I do, I do!" Ye Tian quickly took the map.

"Just follow the route I've marked and you'll be fine. I've written down everything you need to know, so don't worry," she assured him with a bright smile.

"Thank you, that was a huge help," Ye Tian said. "By the way, how much is the map?"

"Just a copper coin," she replied, beaming.

"Oh, right." Ye Tian fumbled through his pockets and handed her a copper coin.

"Hmm, this coin is quite strange," the receptionist said, examining it.

Ye Tian's heart skipped a beat. He'd accidentally given her one of his own copper coins. "Oh, that's the wrong one!" he exclaimed, quickly retrieving his coin purse and handing her another proper copper coin.

"Could I keep this one?" the receptionist asked shyly. "It's so unusual."

"If you like it, it's yours—a small token of thanks," Ye Tian said, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"Thank you!" she said happily, turning over the odd copper coin in her hand. There was a square hole in the center—truly peculiar.

"It should be me thanking you," Ye Tian said as he put away the map. "By the way, have you been having a poor appetite lately, and trouble sleeping?"

"How did you know? Are you a sorcerer?" the receptionist exclaimed in surprise.

"No, I'm a doctor," Ye Tian replied. "By the way, do you recognize this herb?" He took a small red flower from his pouch.

"I do, that's a sun blossom," she said.

Ye Tian was left speechless. This world was so different from his own.

"Yes, that's the one. Dry it and cook it with rice. It'll help ease your symptoms," Ye Tian said earnestly.

"Really?" she asked, amazed.

"You can give it a try," Ye Tian replied. "Thanks again for the map."

After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, Ye Tian unrolled the map for a look. A red line had been drawn, which likely marked the route he should take. There were also many notes, but since he couldn't read, he ignored them. Putting the map away, Ye Tian decided to find something to eat.

Though the restaurants here were different from those he was used to, Grey had taken him out twice before, so he figured he could manage. But as soon as he entered, he was stunned. The place was packed to the brim—there wasn't a single empty table.

"This is a problem," Ye Tian muttered, pressing a hand to his forehead and preparing to leave.

"Sir, how many in your party?" a pretty waitress appeared before him, tray in hand, and asked with a smile.

"Just one, but it looks like there are no seats left," Ye Tian said helplessly.

"Let me check for you," she said, turning away. Moments later, she returned.

"That was quick!" Ye Tian remarked.

"Two adventurers are willing to share their table with you," she said with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Ye Tian replied.

"This way, please." She led Ye Tian to a table.

"Thank you," Ye Tian said to the two at the table.

"No problem," one of the girls replied.

Ye Tian glanced over. The other seemed to be a girl as well, but her head was covered with a cloak, so he could only make out a vague outline. Noticing his gaze, she quickly turned away.

Ye Tian sat down and looked at the menu in front of him, only to realize with a headache that he couldn't read a single word.

Seeing his troubled expression, the first girl asked, "Can't read, can you?"

"No," Ye Tian admitted with a wry smile.

"In that case, let me recommend a few dishes!" Her eyes lit up with interest, and she scooted her chair closer, pointing to the menu as she described the dishes.

A delicate fragrance wafted over, and when Ye Tian glanced over, he was met with a striking sight—two ample mounds, deep and inviting.

"Hmph," the cloaked girl grunted, clearly displeased. Ye Tian quickly averted his gaze.

"What's wrong?" the first girl asked, pausing.

"Nothing," Ye Tian replied hastily.

After making his selections, Ye Tian waved for the waitress. When she arrived, he pointed to the desired dishes, and she nodded before leaving.

"My name is Gehr. Thank you for letting me share your table," Ye Tian said.

"Oh, I'm Aransa. And this is my companion, Taya," Aransa said, hastily wiping food from the corner of her mouth before extending her hand.

Ye Tian, somewhat exasperated, brushed away the crumbs from her hand before shaking it. "It's a pleasure to meet you both!"

Aransa blushed, then grinned and returned to her meal. Taya seemed to be the quiet type, silently sipping her soup.

"So, Gehr, where are you headed?" Aransa asked, noting the small travel pack Ye Tian carried—a gift forced upon him by Victor before his departure.

"I'm going to Feipuli Academy," Ye Tian replied with a smile.

"You're a mage?" Aransa asked in surprise, and even Taya looked at him in astonishment.

"Oh, no, I just want to ask about a few things," Ye Tian said, waving his hands.

"I see," Aransa replied, grinning as she continued to eat.

Suddenly, Ye Tian noticed two burly men grabbing the hand of a pretty waitress. "Come on, miss, it's just a drink—no harm in that," one of them leered.

"Disgusting," Aransa muttered, about to rise, when suddenly the brute yelped and toppled backward with a loud crash. The entire restaurant erupted in laughter, and Aransa laughed so hard she could barely breathe.

"Is he dead?" his companion asked, hastily pulling the man to his feet.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, sudden pain in my knee and down I went," the man muttered, his face red to the ears. "Who's still laughing?"

The restaurant fell silent at once as the man, disgruntled, returned to his seat. The waitress seized the opportunity to slip away.