Ethan saw Ave's body get swept into the mailbox, but based on his own experience, the teleportation process was painless. His vision blurred for a moment before he found himself at a mysterious dock where several multi-masted sailing ships with griffin figureheads were moored. The sails had already been furled, and on the ship's rails, sailors were wiping ropes and decks with cloths, their faces also concealed by decorations.
His gaze turned towards the stern of the ship, where the flag of the caravan was waving, its griffin emblem vividly lifelike. The flag fluttered in the breeze. In the Empire, the griffin was a symbol of nobility and honor and represented the illustrious history of the Lofic Consortium. Starting as bankers, they gained vast wealth during the last great catastrophe, wielding influence across political, economic, promotional, and religious fields. Their presence was ubiquitous on every piece of imperial land, even in remote towns like Ximu Town.
People said that a town could have no occult organizations, but it could not be without banks.
The dock was bustling, filled with guests in bizarre costumes. Masks and veils were the most common decorations. Some had their faces wrapped in bandages, while others painted their entire bodies like circus clowns. The diverse attire made Ethan realize that many were probably not locals.
The other end of the dock connected to a small town shrouded in twilight, with the entrance guarded by Lofic Consortium's security force, consisting of knights and gunners. Ethan observed that only a few guests approached the town. Before entering, they presented an identification document to the guards and underwent a strict body search.
From the luggage they carried and the jewelry they wore, it was clear they held extraordinary status, obviously VIP10 and above in heavy investment.
It was evident to Ethan that it was not a place for someone like him with zero investment. He was well aware of this.
However, no one noticed the continuous reassembling and dissipating yellow light dots outlining the shape of a door. All the guests emerged from that door.
Ethan saw the trajectory of magic power flow.
This was an ingenious teleportation magic set by a formidable being, one that even ordinary people, not yet in the extraordinary realm, could use.
Teleportation magic was in the top three on Ethan's wish list. It only took one thought to be instantly teleported from one end of the city to the other. For someone in his previous life working as an employee, there was no magic more alluring than this. It meant he could skip the commute and sleep an extra half hour in the morning!
Regrettably, although theoretically, both magicians and Elemental Shapers used magic power, their belief systems were entirely different. Magicians worshipped the God of Trickery and were mostly born into ancient and mysterious families, learning magic from an early age. To someone like him, who took up the craft halfway, it was somewhat too late.
This was also why Ethan had been contemplating leaving Ximu Town.
The town's library was filled with popular science books, which only vaguely helped him understand the path of the extraordinary or the types of dark creatures. There were no guides on practical application. The only somewhat useful book he had was a copy of "Fireball and Ice Arrow Magic Power Learning" dug out two years ago from somewhere by a friend.
Ethan desperately needed a book like "Teach You a Hundred Little Magics," but such books were mostly only available in the libraries of large cities. One might even need to join organizations like the Reception Bureau to qualify for viewing it.
Maybe, Fireplace Bay...
Ethan shook his head, quickly dismissing the wicked thoughts from his mind.
Ave had warned him before leaving that if he harbored desire in such a place, it would be the beginning of falling into an abyss without redemption. Fireplace Bay surely had what he wanted, but it still came down to that ancient yet classic question.
But, what is the price?
Everything in the world with a hint of the extraordinary sees its value skyrocket.
Obviously, not everyone has a sense of crisis, as he noticed, even through their disguised faces, many had greedy and fervent eyes.
So, the question came.
Where was Ave?
Ethan waited at the dock for nearly ten minutes but did not see Ave. If he remembered correctly, this lady had warned him while performing the teleportation magic not to wander around Fireplace Bay.
When he wanted to ask passersby if they had seen Ave, he paused.
In the absence of mentioning Ave's name or accurately describing her features, how was he supposed to inquire where this lady had gone?
Could he really approach and ask if anyone had seen a mysterious masked woman who sounded mischievous?
But soon, Ethan even dismissed the idea of asking for directions.
He was not the only novice at Fireplace Bay. Before him, there was an anxious young man dressed in a cheap formal suit, frantically searching through the crowd, his emotions on the brink of collapse.
The onlookers, seeing his plight, were empathetic and more than willing to offer him guidance.
Three Gold Lions for directions, five Gold Lions for help finding someone, no bargaining.
Why don't you just go rob someone?
Ethan mentally conducted a soul-searching on behalf of the young man against this profit-driven crowd. After all, in a place like Ximu Town, one Gold Lion could ensure a comfortable life for a month.
The young man demonstrated the results of asking for directions in Fireplace Bay, letting him know that he could only rely on himself in this ghostly place.
Mugram was the name of the shop owner.
Although the young man couldn't finish speaking before breaking off, the important information had already been conveyed. Mugram's shop was in one of the merchant ships.
As long as he wandered around these ships, he should be able to find it. Maybe Ave had already arrived at the shop and started selecting items.
However, Ethan clearly underestimated the dangers of Fireplace Bay.
The young man ahead of him, victimized again, climbed onto the first ship with a pale face. While he was engulfed in darkness and dismay, an enthusiastic middle-aged man approached him, starkly contrasting with the previously indifferent bystanders.
"Don't worry, you'll find it. This is Fireplace Bay; everything you want can be found here."
He offered the young man an ice-cold beer, "Drink it up, this'll help you rally!"
Ethan watched the young man's eyes beneath the mask, like a drowning man grasping at the last straw for life.
With trembling hands, the young man took the beer and drank it in one go.
He regained his confidence, his eyes once again shining bright.
"Thank you, thank you so much, I will never forget your kindness!"
"No need for thanks,"
The middle-aged man smiled, shaking his head and extending his right hand, "Just pay for the beer, 1 Gold Lion, thank you for your patronage."
"Huh?"
"This was brewed by a master brewer from Windless City, using premium hops and wheat. This master craftsmanship can only be tasted in Fireplace Bay."
The burly men emerging from the crowd sharply contrasted the cheerful smile, surrounding the young man who was at a loss.
"Besides Gold Lions, we also accept collateral: eyes, blood, kidneys. Did you know a person can survive with just one kidney? If you don't want to pawn anything, you can borrow money over there, the interest is 45%, very fair."