Liam was, in fact, in Aethelburg. With his inherent good nature, he would certainly not refuse to guide someone as a simple favor. However, at the moment, even if he wanted to help, he was powerless. The university district was a two-hour drive from Aethelburg Airport, and Aethelburg itself, though a county-level city, was quite sprawling. Moreover, Liam was unfamiliar with Port City, and had never even heard of Whispering Lantern Abbey. He only knew that Port City bordered Aethelburg and was a renowned city in the Dominion, a hub for various religions. During religious festivals, the throngs of pilgrims flocking to Port City were enough to bring the entire city to a standstill. Its numerous abbeys and temples made finding a small one quite a challenge.
"Come to think of it, 'Haven's End District' sounds familiar. I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before," Liam mumbled. Chewing on a bun, Liam rocked gently in his armchair, his mind sifting through memories, attempting to pinpoint the source of that inexplicable familiarity. The human mind's memory was a strange thing; some details surfaced spontaneously, yet when you tried to grasp them, they remained elusive, no matter how hard you strained. "It must have been in some news report, I suppose," Liam concluded, dismissing the thought to avoid wasting brainpower.
Fae Willow, dragging her large suitcase, arrived at the taxi stand. In mere moments, several taxis swiftly veered towards her—a clear testament to the undeniable advantage of a beautiful face, regardless of location. Otherwise, her massive suitcase alone would have deterred many drivers.
"Ma'am, where to?" A red taxi pulled up first, its driver a square-faced man with a distinct Aethelburg accent.
"Sir… do you know where Whispering Lantern Abbey is?" Fae Willow asked, her voice soft and sweet, utterly at odds with her vibrant, youthful demeanor, creating an endearing contrast.
The square-faced man pondered for a long moment, then shook his head. "Whispering Lantern Abbey, never heard of it." Seeing him shake his head, Fae Willow's heart sank, her small face flushing faintly in disappointment.
Fortunately, the square-faced man quickly asked again, "Do you know which district it's in?"
"Yes, it's Haven's End District!" Fae Willow immediately replied.
"Haven's End District, I know that well, I live in that very area. But ma'am, are you certain you have the name of the abbey correct? I've lived there for years and have never heard of a Whispering Lantern Abbey," the square-faced man replied earnestly. His profession had made him intimately familiar with the local area, especially his own Haven's End District; he could almost claim to have walked every inch of it. Yet, the name Whispering Lantern Abbey was completely foreign to him.
"Ah?" Fae Willow's small face flushed crimson again, but she quickly replied with determination, "Then, sir, please take me to Haven's End District!" She intended to make further inquiries upon arrival. If all else failed… she would have to swallow her pride and call her father. But that was a last resort, to be avoided if at all possible.
"Ma'am, are you in a hurry? If not, you could take the bus to Haven's End District. A taxi ride would be rather expensive, given it's over two hours away." The square-faced man explained. It wasn't that he didn't want the fare, but a two-hour drive was considerable. It was clear she was unaware of the distance, and failing to clarify the distance and price beforehand often led to disputes upon arrival.
"It's fine, just take me there," Fae Willow replied with a shy smile. Money, for her, was no object.
The square-faced man, reassured, was secretly delighted. This trip would be quite profitable. "Alright, then, step in. You can put your suitcase in the trunk." The square-faced man opened the trunk, then pushed open his door, intending to help her lift the massive case. After all, the suitcase was enormous; how could this delicate young woman possibly lift it?
But as the square-faced man pushed open his door and turned, his jaw dropped, remaining agape for a long moment. He watched as the seemingly frail young woman effortlessly lifted the massive suitcase with one hand—not picked it up or embraced it, but lifted it as if it were a small tray, placing it lightly into the trunk. Could the suitcase merely appear large but in fact be light? Just as the thought crossed his mind, he felt the rear of his car sink slightly. He'd been a taxi driver for years, his connection to his vehicle almost symbiotic. The slight dip in the car's rear allowed him to roughly estimate the weight of the object. This suitcase, he surmised, weighed at least 130 pounds, perhaps even more—the weight of an adult man.
Was this young woman a weightlifter? Truly, a born prodigy of strength, the square-faced man secretly swallowed. Fortunately, he was a genuinely kind driver. Had she encountered someone with ill intent, someone driven by lust, this young woman would undoubtedly have dispatched them in an instant.
Fae Willow remained oblivious to the astonishment caused by her seemingly casual actions. After stowing her suitcase, she gracefully entered the back seat of the taxi.
"Ma'am, you've got quite a grip. Hold on tight," the square-faced man chuckled, pressing the accelerator. The red taxi sped away, heading towards Haven's End District.
...
In the Conclave of Arcane Lore.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles (mobile online status): "Elder River North, I am currently en route to Haven's End District, but the taxi driver is unaware of Whispering Lantern Abbey. I intend to inquire among the local residents upon arrival; perhaps someone will know."
River North Wanderer: "Very well. I have inquired among a few individuals, but as yet, no one knows. In any case, I shall contact you if I receive news."
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "Thank you, Elder." Fae Willow replied with a smile, secretly clenching her fist. With River North Wanderer's reply, her apprehension eased slightly—this was, after all, her first solo journey far from home. Her father had always accompanied her, or she had only ventured within the vicinity of the Spirit Isles. It felt rather thrilling.
...
Liam had not yet seen this chat history… as he, with nothing better to do, had returned to the bookstore for more free reading. Clutching the thick volume he'd rented last time, a book he still hadn't finished. For him, a book simply lacked its full flavor unless it was read for free.
Before leaving, he, as if by some strange impulse, brought his mobile phone along—Liam usually didn't carry his phone. Modern phones offered increasingly numerous features, and their size had grown proportionally. It was now difficult to find a phone with only call functions. Given its bulk, Liam primarily used his like a landline. "Seven percent battery remaining; that should be sufficient." Not much power, but enough for calls or texts for an afternoon. Thinking this, he took his phone and his rented book, happily returning to the bookstore for more free reading.
...
Time flew by. Approximately an hour and a half later.
"Strange, did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Liam puzzled, returning the thick book to the shelf—he simply couldn't get into it! Whether it was fiction, driving theory, comics, or classical literature, he found himself utterly unable to focus. He'd never experienced anything like it. "How peculiar," Liam murmured, sighing. He randomly picked out a book and headed to the rental counter. There was no point in free reading if he couldn't concentrate. After a moment's thought, he decided to take a stroll around the university district, to clear his head.
When it came to clearing one's head, the Aethelburg University district boasted a prime destination—the Foodie's Paradise. He'd go grab something delicious!
The Foodie's Paradise was a bustling culinary street, separated from Aethelburg University by two blocks, a twenty-minute walk. But such a short distance was no deterrent to hungry enthusiasts. Here, anything with wings that wasn't an airplane, or anything with four legs that wasn't a chair, could be found, satisfying every imaginable culinary craving. For generations, it had been known as 'Foodie's Paradise' or 'Gourmet Heaven,' its original name long forgotten.
What was it called again? Liam looked up at the district's prominent sign: Welcome to Haven's End District, proclaimed in seven glittering golden letters. Oh, right, it was called Haven's End District. A fitting name, he thought, as he entered the district. After a few steps, he abruptly froze. Then, he quickly retreated back under the large sign, staring at the seven gleaming, gilded letters. Welcome to Haven's End District! He hadn't misread it. Haven's End District. Liam was speechless.