The Tower of Starlight

Chapter 31 The Tower of Starlight

As the thief rushed out of the seafood section, Luo Xia watched him tumble and leap, not only performing hurdles between the stalls but also having the leisure to grab eggs and throw them backward to distract those behind him.

"What a waste of food." Rorschach thought that although this guy was decent in skills, his actions were undoubtedly foolish. The eggs had limited effect in interfering with the chase and only helped to expand the pursuing group.

Indeed, it happened very quickly. If there were sports schools in this world, he might not have to steal, but could instead take some time to reflect.

"Damn it, are they blind?!"

Rorschach was still eating and imagining the scene of this guy meeting at the top, when he suddenly appeared in front of Rorschach. Rorschach blocked his way, and the thief even turned around and cursed.

"You think you're all that, with legs and a mouth?" How can you run like that? How can you be so sarcastic?

All attention was focused on the thief who had started taunting.

Then, in full view of everyone, the thief couldn't run anymore and stopped in mid-air in a strange posture.

A chill rose between a gray-robed youth and a thief; white ice crystals outlined a gigantic arm, gripping the thief tightly.

The huge, noisy market suddenly fell silent, with only the crowing of chickens and quacking of ducks remaining, and onlookers looking at each other in bewilderment.

Rorschach felt uncomfortable with the atmosphere, but thankfully, applause and cheers suddenly erupted: "Great! Let the thief taste the power of magic!"

Applause followed, and surprised faces turned into smiles as everyone cheered for Luo Xia. The suffocating air in the market began to flow again, and the onlookers gradually dispersed.

"So you're the Mage!" A tall, thin man stepped out from among the thief's pursuers; he was the one Luo Xia had secretly helped when he entered the city.

"Tie up that gentleman who's good at running, then pour hot water on him, or he'll freeze to death."

The thief was now covered in frost, shivering and curled up in a ball, almost unconscious.

"Okay, okay." The other stall owners took out thick hemp ropes and tied the frozen thief up again and again. A woman wearing a leather apron, covered in fish scales and smelling of fish, came over, kicked him, and took the small bag from the thief's hand.

"This thief took Ms. Aina's money."

"He was suspiciously picking out the bluefish, and I knew he wasn't a good person!" the woman said, kicking him again.

"Floran, the manager of the seafood section at the large vegetable market."

The tall, thin man smiled and shook hands with Rorschach. Rorschach noticed that his smile was restrained and his handshake was very light. Floran didn't seem to be in good health; no wonder he almost fell while carrying things this morning.

Rorschach was somewhat surprised: "My name is Rorschach, a mage from the Tower of Stars. So you're the administrator. I saw you moving goods this morning. Floran, you're not quite the administrator I remember."

"Please help me speed things up, don't let the traffic jam last too long."

"That's not what I meant. Never mind." Luo Xia didn't want to waste any more time and prepared to leave.

Just then, the fishmonger woman who had left returned: "Master, I haven't thanked you yet!" She was carrying two small fish with ropes tied around their mouths, and was about to hand them to Rorschach.

"No need, it's no trouble at all." Indeed, he raised his hand, holding up the [Frosty Hand] which was imbued with "energy stripping".

Floran lowered his voice: "Please accept it, sir. They'll be uneasy if you don't!"

Rorschach glanced at Floran, then at the woman whose eyes were darting away, and sighed, "Then I must thank you, ma'am."

Floran continued, "Hurry up, Mage Rorschach, if the priest comes here, it will delay your business."

Emerging from "Valuwana's belly," Rorschach not only had his stomach full but also two wet fish. He got a paper bag from the butcher, then chilled the fish and wrapped them in it—if he took the fish to the city center, he'd probably attract even more attention.

After the gray-robed youth left, the onlookers in the market began to murmur among themselves: "Is that a magician?"

"That little guy is so cool when he catches a thief! I would do that too!"

"Don't let that fat guy hear you!"

"You mean the 'Wild Boar' cultivator? What's there to be afraid of? That guy's still sleeping right now."

Rorschach was unaware of the gossip that followed him after he left. Before leaving, he took a horse-drawn carriage to Country Street, following Florian's directions.

Country Street is one of the city's main axes, lined with tall trees and ornate buildings. Passersby are often gentlemen with canes and wool wigs, and ladies with small umbrellas. At the end of the street stands a tall, flat-topped tower with an "A"-shaped base, straddling the park. The tower itself resembles an unlit torch.

This world's technology tree isn't great, but its architectural skills are pretty high!

Rorschach then thought of the "Sky Tree," which served as a port for airships. It was said that the "Starlight Torch Tower" was built under the guidance of dwarves at the behest of the Magic Guild as a gift to King Charles XVI.

Every year on the night of His Majesty's birthday, the highest point is lit and magically projected with twinkling lights, hence the name Starlight Torch.

There was also an interesting incident during the construction:

The Church of Order expressed its dissatisfaction with the mage's construction of such a tall building in Valuvana. His Majesty entrusted Cardinal Deplesi, who served in the palace, to mediate, and the project was completed by building a miniature monastery on the top platform of the Sky Tree.

This was all told to him by Pascal, a guy who could talk a lot. He told Rorschach that there was a famous restaurant in the middle of the tower where the monk Cano always had brunch.

If breakfast is extended to before lunch, it becomes brunch, which can satisfy the appetites of those who sleep in late, while ordinary people are already working at this time!

However, upon arriving at the tower's restaurant via the elevator, a polite waiter stopped them at the door: "I'm sorry, sir, we are not open at the moment."

Rorschach looked inside and saw waiters carrying trays of food. He asked, "Is it brunch time now?"

"Yes."

"But not open for business?"

The waiter remained silent, as if waiting for Rorschach to understand. Rorschach hesitated for a moment, then took out Lionel Cano's name card from his storage ring, and then removed his mage's badge, handing both to the waiter.

"If Master Cano is inside, please pass this message on to him, saying that Rorschach has arrived."

The waiter nodded, accepted the money, and turned to go inside.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting." A moment later, the waiter came out, returned the two items to Rorschach, and bowed to open the door for him.

Extremely expensive, completely colorless and transparent glass could only be produced in the merchant city-states on the southern coast of the continent, and the secret of the process was strictly guarded. Now that Rorschach had seen the largest floor-to-ceiling glass hall overlooking Valuvana, it was no surprise that the restaurants there were thriving.

But now it only has one customer, a slightly overweight man intently spreading chestnut sauce on his biscuits. He wears a loose white shirt, and his neatly trimmed mustache jiggles as he opens and closes his mouth. On the table are grilled fish, meat sauce with bean paste, sliced ​​and layered grilled vegetables, and a bowl of thick soup whose ingredients are indistinguishable.

This must be Archmage Kano. Just as I was thinking this, Kano spoke, this time not about taking food: "Sit down, Rorschach."

After he finished speaking, the waiter who had been standing next to him pulled out the chair opposite the Archmage for Rorschach, and another waiter brought over a plate, a silver knife, and a spoon and fork.

(End of this chapter)