Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01
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Florent skimmed past the somewhat glaring mention of the great philosopher Roselle, and noticed that the development of philosophy in this world wasn't too different from that of his previous world.
It seemed that the ways philosophers approached and solved problems were largely similar... after all, great minds think alike.
After reading a few chapters of 'A Concise History of Ancient and Modern Philosophy' at his own pace, Florent checked the time and realized it was time to head home.
If he were to be affected by Bethel's ravings and lose control in the Trier National Library which, though unclear, was undoubtedly guarded by Beyonders, he would be doomed.
Without lingering, Florent calmly walked out of the library. The evening sun cast its warm glow on the library's white walls, reflecting a soft, bright light.
Florent stretched his body, stiff from sitting too long, under the setting sun. After a satisfying stretch, he waved to hail a carriage driver who was looking for passengers.
Soon, he found a carriage, but instead of heading straight home, he said to the driver, "Please take me to the nearest post office on Corson Street in Golden Hampstead District."
The driver, though momentarily confused by the long-winded destination, didn't ask further questions.
Instead, he replied with practiced ease, "Sure thing, sir. I know Trier like the back of my hand. The nearest post office to Golden Hampstead District would be the one in Hernk District. The ones in Hopton and Winston Districts are in the opposite direction."
He paused, waiting for Florent's confirmation. Once Florent agreed, the driver cracked his whip and called out a command unique to him and his horse. The carriage began to move slowly.
Florent noticed something different about this driver. Though he had only taken a carriage once before, that driver had been far less cheerful and optimistic.
Intrigued, Florent struck up a conversation with him...
The driver shared that he had started working as soon as he could hold a whip, and now, after over twenty years of hard work, he had finally saved enough to buy his own carriage...
He had moved from the slums to a modest row house in a working-class neighborhood.
Despite being in his thirties, the driver's enthusiasm for life left a deep impression on Florent.
Soon, they arrived at the post office in Hernk District. Though not overly crowded, the post office had a steady flow of people.
Florent didn't have to wait long to figure out how to subscribe to the newspapers.
After quickly finding the postal codes for the 'Trier Merchant Evening News' and the 'Trier Daily', he paid for the subscriptions, collected the receipts, and left the post office.
As the last remnants of the sunset faded, Florent noticed the crimson full moon slowly rising on the horizon. A flicker of fear for the unknown crossed his face but was quickly replaced by calm...
He checked the time, he had only spent half an hour on his errands... Finding the driver still waiting by the post office, Florent thanked him and got back into the carriage.
Though Florent had kept the driver waiting for half an hour, the man showed no signs of annoyance. Instead, he chatted about his family's struggles with poverty and his dedication to his work.
Florent, amused by the driver's subtle hints, listened with interest and hinted that he would be generously compensated. The driver, reassured, dropped the topic.
As the rhythmic clatter of the carriage echoed through Corson Street in Golden Hampstead District, Florent finally arrived back at the place he could call home in this world.
He handed the driver double the fare. The driver, caught off guard, hesitated, torn between joy and guilt over receiving more than he deserved. He tried to refuse several times.
Florent smiled and said, "This is what you've earned. Though you didn't stop talking during the ride, it was an interesting experience. Keep it up, and I hope life treats you well."
Unable to refuse, the driver thanked Florent profusely, his face lighting up with joy. He drove off, eager to find his next passenger.
Florent turned and entered the spacious villa. The crimson moonlight bathed the house in an ominous glow, and the silence weighed heavily on his heart...
The full moon was approaching, and with it would come the haunting cries that plagued his mind.
But Florent wasn't overwhelmed by fear. He calmly went to the study, lit a candle, and retrieved his father's astrology notebook. Without lingering, he continued upstairs.
The third floor of the villa, not counting the attic, was the highest level. There, Florent found a study with a large balcony.
After lighting the candles in the study, he began reading the wealth of knowledge Martin had left him, all while the full moon loomed closer.
Before diving in, he checked the timetable at the end of the notebook. After noting the time and comparing it with his pocket watch, he began his immersive reading.
<...In the mystical cosmos, it is generally believed that each star represents a deity, and the Seven Gods are the seven most powerful stars. Therefore, I will first study the seven stars representing the Seven Gods...>
<...Venus for the 'God of Craftsmanship', the Sun for the 'Eternal Blazing Sun', the Moon for the 'Evernight Goddess', Jupiter for the 'Lord of Storms', Mars for the 'God of Combat', Mercury for the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom', and Saturn for the 'Earth Mother'...> {T/N: 'God of Craftsmanship' is one of the aliases of the 'God of Steam and Machinery'}
After immersing himself in the reading for a while, Florent checked his pocket watch again. There were only ten minutes left until the full moon...
Without panic, he calmly closed the notebook and placed the two mystical items he carried with him; the 'Meteoric Iron Dagger' and the 'Gate of Angels', as he had named them, on the table...
Then, Florent sat quietly on the spacious balcony. The cold ground beneath him helped cool his restless mind.
He placed his pocket watch beside him, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. The ten minutes felt like an eternity...