After the playful scuffle, everyone gradually recovered from Lucian's shocking remarks.
Rover nodded at Yangyang and said, "Don't worry."
Chixia chimed in cheerfully, "Yeah, yeah! Rover and Lucian are right. We've already reported everything to City Hall, the Military Strategy Office, and the Huaxu Academy. We've done all we can for now."
"Besides, Jinzhou, of all places has never been truly peaceful in its thousand-year history. Tacet Discord surges come every year, and we've always pulled through together."
"And if the sky falls, we've got General Jiyan of the Midnight Rangers to hold it up! If the earth cracks, we've got the Sentinel Magistrate to keep it steady! Not to mention, we're not just sitting around doing nothing either."
"Chixia's right," Yangyang said, finally setting aside her worries. "So, what are Rover and Lucian planning to do these next three days?"
Lucian planted his hands on his hips. "If possible, I'd like to invite the three of you on a date!"
Hearing this, Rover placed a hand on Lucian's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "I'm in."
Chixia: "Hey! Can you be serious for once?!"
Lucian replied, "Going on a date with three beautiful ladies is my serious business."
Yangyang blushed again. "I… I still have other things to do, so I'm afraid…"
Though she was only a temporary investigator, Yangyang was still a member of the Midnight Rangers she had her own ambitions.
Then, turning to Rover, she spoke more formally. "Rover, may we take a look at the tokens the Magistrate gave you?"
Rover nodded and took out the four tokens to show everyone.
Chixia picked up a pink candy. "Round… I remember this! I ate these as a kid they're called sugar drops, right?"
"But I haven't seen candies like this in a while… Did they go out of style?"
Yangyang also smiled sweetly. "It's a childhood memory. I remember they were very sweet."
"When I was little, I was terrified of injections. After getting a shot, the nurse would sometimes reward me with a candy like this."
"But… what could this candy mean?"
Lucian nodded as if enlightened. "Isn't it obvious? Rover is a guest in Jinzhou this is just a wish for her to have a sweet time here."
Chixia: "…That actually makes sense!"
Yangyang picked up the second token a uniquely colored leaf.
Chixia: "This leaf has a pretty unusual color. But I can't tell what kind of tree it's from."
Yangyang seemed thoughtful. "I think I sense something from it…"
"Hmm… No, never mind. It's just a very faint sensation, so faint it might be my imagination… Maybe it really is nothing."
"I don't recognize what kind of tree this leaf is from either. Sorry, Rover."
None of them could make sense of the leaf.
Next, Rover held up the third token a black fruit.
"Mangosteen," Lucian suddenly said.
Chixia looked over. "Mangosteen? Is that what you call it where you're from?"
Yangyang added, "In Jinzhou, we call them Mangosteen."
"They don't grow natively here they're usually shipped in by land or water. You can find them in nearby markets."
"But they're not always available because Jinzhou faces frequent Tacet Discord surges, and battles often disrupt transportation. Still, since the Midnight Rangers were established, things have been much better than in the years right after The Lament."
Lucian took the fourth item a small sundial.
He stared at it thoughtfully.
Chixia: "What, do you see something?"
Lucian exhaled. "It's an antique, very direct, but not very useful."
Chixia: "…"
Yangyang: "…"
Rover: "…"
Yangyang: "This looks like… a miniature sundial."
Rover blinked. "What's that?"
Yangyang: "It's a timekeeping device that uses the sun's shadow to measure time."
"Normally, the dial is marked with twelve divisions for the hours, as well as solar terms and months. But this sundial's face is a bit unusual."
"The outer ring should display the twelve Earthly Branches marking the hours."
"The inner ring seems to use the Four Symbols as directional markers. The Three Capital Districts Illustrated records: 'The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise the Four Celestial Guardians orient the four directions. Kings model their palaces and halls upon them.'"
Lucian continued, "Generally, the Azure Dragon represents the east, the White Tiger the west, the Vermilion Bird the south, and the Black Tortoise the north."
"Time and direction? But a sundial's display changes with real time… and without sunlight, it's completely useless."
Yangyang nodded in agreement. "It seems Mr. Lucian is quite knowledgeable as well."
"Yangyang, you don't have to be so formal with me!"
Yangyang's face turned slightly pink. "Mm…"
Chixia marveled, "Wow! That sounds so complicated…"
Sundials had also existed in Lucian's previous world, invented thousands of years ago.
Though they were hardly used by the time he crossed over, their cultural significance remained immense after all, they reflected humanity's understanding of time.
Rover: "If we're not getting anywhere, maybe we should head to the Academy first."
Chixia: "Right! Baizhi is still waiting for us there."
Lucian chuckled awkwardly. "I'll pass…"
Absolutely not. That tall, domineering woman's gaze looked like she wanted to devour him. If he went, he might end up dissected for research.
Yangyang: "But… Baizhi seemed to want you to come."
Earlier, Baizhi had been scrutinizing Lucian with clear interest Yangyang had noticed.
Lucian: "Oh, come on, I'm just an ordinary guy. There's nothing worth studying about me."
Rover, seeing Lucian's slightly guilty expression, smiled. "In that case, let's not force it."
"How about Yangyang and I go to the Academy, and Chixia can show Lucian around Jinzhou? We'll regroup afterward."
Lucian, moved: "Rover, you're a good person."
"…" Did she just get friend-zoned?
Chixia: "Works for me! I'll take Lucian sightseeing then."
With that, the four of them split up.
Along the Way
On the road, Chixia led Lucian toward Panhua Restaurant.
Lucian quietly took Chixia's smooth, delicate hand in his. Seeing her blush but not pull away, he felt a surge of joy.
Though Chixia was a Jinzhou patroller who spent every day on duty or missions, her hands bore no calluses likely because she always wore gloves.
"Chixia… does this count as our first date?"
"This is way too casual! A date is a serious matter it needs proper preparation, and I didn't prepare anything this time…"
Lucian chuckled. "I think every moment with you is a date, Chixia."
Chixia huffed. "You and your sweet talk…"
As they laughed and teased each other, neither noticed.
A strangely colored butterfly perched briefly on Lucian's shoulder before fluttering away with the wind.