Chapter 66: A Day in September

Chapter 66: A Day in September

“Dear Mr. Azik:

“Since September began, Backlund’s temperature has been falling day by day. Recently, elderly people wearing gloves outdoors can already be seen.

“As with last year, fog has begun to envelop this city. Every week, there are one or two days—sometimes even more—like this. Clearly, treating atmospheric pollution is absolutely not something that can be thoroughly accomplished in one or two years. At minimum, it should be measured in cycles of five years. Fortunately, the pungent smell that pervades the air has decreased greatly. My Sanguine friend is very pleased with this weather.

“Another pleasing change is that more and more students, postmen, and skilled workers have bought bicycles. The number of carriages on the streets has decreased by quite a bit. This means horse dung and the odor it spreads have withdrawn from the ranks of Backlund’s dominant contributors to air quality. Of course, they still occupy a fairly important position. You know how those ladies and gentlemen who believe themselves to possess status will not casually lower their style. However, according to my observation, the young ones in their households are gradually becoming interested in bicycles.

“During this period, I have been living the life of a normal person. Several times a week, I go to Saint Samuel Cathedral and to the Loen Charity Bursary Foundation to take part in their activities. I continue donating cash. Occasionally, I watch horse races, attend theater performances, enjoy symphonies, go to the club to play cards and golf, and hold or attend banquets, balls, and salons on weekends.

“I forgot to tell you: I have already purchased a manor. It originally belonged to the Duke Negan family and is called Rose Song. It possesses its own high-quality vineyard and winery, along with a large stretch of woods and fields that can be used for farming and hunting. Its main building is a four-story quadrangle missing one long side, with a great number of rooms. I casually wandered around inside for a while and, without even leaving the entrance hall, walked more than ten thousand steps. At the same time, it contains numerous sculptures, oil paintings, decorations, and exquisite tableware. It is as grand as a palace.

“Perhaps my description is somewhat exaggerated. After all, I have never seen a true palace, and this is the first manor I have owned. I still remember when I was in Tingen, living with my older brother and younger sister in a rented apartment with only two rooms, falling asleep every day with the smell of coal in the air.

“This was introduced by Major General Qonas Kilgor. It cost me a total of twenty thousand pounds. You need not worry about my finances. I earned a large sum in the Southern Continent and sold off some mystical items. At present, I still have more than seventeen thousand pounds in cash, fifteen thousand pounds’ worth of gold bars, as well as many gold coins, soli, and pennies.

“I am fairly satisfied with Rose Song Manor. I have sent my former personal valet, Richardson, to serve as the manor’s steward. It is now autumn. I will soon invite guests there for a pleasant weekend. I hope Richardson can make the proper preparations.

“For the time being, Backlund’s mysterious world has not changed. May it remain that way forever.

“The Magic Mirror I mentioned before has already recovered its state, but it seems to have been left with post-traumatic stress disorder toward Amon. As long as a question mentions the corresponding matter, it automatically changes the color of its font, gives incorrect answers, and repeatedly asks me for praise.

“It also seems to have developed a different view regarding leaving the Church of Steam. It appears to have decided to stay there a while longer, believing that would be safer. It even wants to display harmful traits and become a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact. I must say, its way of thinking always surprises me.

“Thanks to some of its answers, I…