One-Eyed Monster

The streets of the Main City in Bistal are exceptionally quiet.

This ancient Imperial Capital is inherently profound, with every street corner and alley exuding a sense of antiquity. This old ambiance instantly makes people feel lazy, as if suddenly finding themselves in a summer evening, where cooling off under a big tree is the best choice.

The current Main City of Bistal is enveloped in this atmosphere of tranquility.

Everyone who comes to Bistal feels they have aged several years. Everything here carries a scent of near decay, yet this scent makes you feel immensely at ease.

No conflict, no worries about living, just comfortably enjoying the daily gift of sunshine. This is the most common state among the people of Bistal. They may not be very wealthy, but they all enjoy lying in reclining chairs at their doorsteps, gazing at the sky in a daze.

Because, this city, is just too tranquil.

So tranquil that people only think about sleeping, not willing to ponder what tomorrow might bring...

If you are new to this city, do not be deceived by its grand facade. Do not assume the people here are as magnificent as the city itself. The city’s people are not as enthusiastic as imagined; they often have a lazy disposition.

To strangers, they also project a lazy gaze.

If you ask for directions, it takes them quite a while to respond, so when you arrive in Bistal, it’s best not to ask for directions.

Don’t be fooled by the recliner at the entrance of every store, whether there is anyone there or not. They’re not for guests; they’re for the shopkeepers themselves to rest.

This city is like a tranquil old man, slowly puffing on a pipe, then satisfyingly blowing out a smoke ring, revealing a contented face while smiling at you and telling you that the restroom is behind you, fifty steps to the left...

At this moment, this tranquil city is welcoming a not very large caravan. The people of this ancient Imperial Capital have seen everything, so such a caravan is not unusual. Those reclining in chairs by the roadside shops do not even lift an eyelid. To them, the afterglow of the setting sun and the evening breeze are more important than anything else. Even if the king’s carriage passed through Bistal, they would not bother to get up from their recliners...

"Are they... all ill!" Igor curiously asked, as it was his first time seeing such a scene.

"Oh no, they’re just too lazy to get up from this comfortable state," Kruz chuckled, explaining to Igor.

At this moment, Igor and Kadi had already stepped out of the carriage. They sat together with Kruz on the carriage’s driver’s seat, which fortunately was spacious enough for the two of them.

This carriage belonged to Stanley’s Circus, larger than others. Originally, Igor thought it was luxurious enough, but upon entering Bistal, he realized this carriage was only of medium size...

"Why are the buildings in Bistal all like this, looking so dull and lifeless!"

"Heh, they don’t want liveliness; what they treasure is this ancient dullness you see. You might not know, but a seemingly ugly brick on those houses could be worth many gold bars. This is no ordinary brick!" At this moment, Kruz became the most knowledgeable among them, continually introducing Bistal, this ancient city, to Igor and Kadi.

Kruz felt that they currently had nothing better to express gratitude to Kadi and Igor, so they could only offer a little help in such everyday moments. Though these bits of help were trivial, they always answered any question or request. This was Kruz’s way of expressing gratitude to Igor and Kadi!

"Why can a brick be worth many gold bars? That doesn’t make sense!" Igor was very concerned about this, feeling it was complete nonsense!

"Because those bricks bear the marks of history’s harsh winds and frost!" Kruz chuckled again at Igor. Clearly, he knew much about Bistal.

Although he hadn’t been there many times, as a member of the circus, he had traveled so much over the years and evidently learned quite a few legends about various cities. Therefore, recounting them was no big deal!

Igor scratched his head, seemingly unable to comprehend the phenomenon in this city.

"I think the people in this city are somewhat like Goodley!" Kadi suddenly spoke, silently observing for a while before arriving at this conclusion.

"Why do you say that?" Igor was still very curious and turned his head to ask Kadi.

"Because these people have a sense of an old Scholar!"

"Huh?" Igor didn’t quite understand what Kadi meant!

"Look more closely at these people. Don’t their lazy demeanors resemble Goodley?" Kadi suggested Igor take another look at the surroundings of the street.

So Igor carefully observed the situation around the street again.

Although the circus caravan was creaking down the street, these people sitting in rocking chairs didn’t even glance once. They continued daydreaming or sipping their tea, as if nothing happening on the street would disturb their enjoyment of the twilight.

This made Igor feel these people were entirely ignoring everything happening on the street!

No, it’s not ignorance. This feeling isn’t ignorance but rather a sense of expectation, as if nothing that occurs on the street is unanticipated to them.

This indeed feels like an all-knowing scholar, remaining calm about everything happening...

Gradually, Igor realized it was indeed as Kadi said; the people in Bistal were just like Goodley, leisurely basking in the sun all the time...

This ancient city exuded an ancient charm in every corner. Even the people here seemed to possess a wealth of knowledge. Although what exactly they knew, Igor remained uncertain. But judging by the current appearances alone, Bistal truly was a weighty city.

However, not everyone in this city was so at ease and lazy; some were now showing a hint of unease.

They couldn’t quite determine where this hint of unease originated from.

It seemed to have started when this circus was en route to the city. They couldn’t understand why this Star Circus ended up this way.

They were followers of Lord Bern, and at this moment, they were hurrying, each with their own unease, towards Lord Bern’s residence...