Lord of the Mysteries

“This small city called Utopia is intrinsically no different from the ones I had been to in the past. Be it the folk culture, the people, or architectural style, it follows very closely to the standard Loen styles.

“I’ve heard that the Southern Continent has many peculiar and unusual traditions. I hope that I can experience it myself one day. Of course, that’s after East and West Balam’s peace is restored.

“Speaking of which, the most special thing about this place is that the weather is always changing and there’s always a storm. As a result, most people have umbrellas and raincoats that are smeared with Donningsman Tree Sap. The hotel attendant told me that for a person of a certain income level, which also has a need to work outdoors, they would have to save quite a sum of money to purchase a raincoat. Otherwise, the sickness would only take more away.

“There are no meteorologists here. I have no idea why there are so many changes in the weather here. I can only guess that it has something to do with it lining the sea and being close to places with hurricanes. Yes, there’s a deep water harbor a few kilometers away from Utopia. However, they’re lacking in manpower, and it isn’t very well-managed. It can only maintain its operations on a small scale.

“They don’t have local newspapers either. After all, it’s just a small city with a few thousand people. The paperboys mainly sell the Tussock Times, Desi Mirror, and Seawind News…

“The second reason I like this place is because many people in Utopia are optimistic and are very enthusiastic about life.

“When I wrote this down, a band happened to pass by outside the hotel.

“It’s not a professional band, but a group formed purely from amateur enthusiasts. Among them, there are civil servants, law enforcement officers, solicitors, professional policemen, school teachers, candy factory workers, shop owners… Among them, those with the money are responsible for the larger musical instruments, such as cello, violins, and other difficult musical instruments. The lower- and middle-class citizens use relatively simple instruments like seven-string guitars and harmonicas.

“On some rest days, they will walk the streets and set off from the municipal square. They will circle the city before returning to the Saint Arianna Cathedral near the square. They call this a ‘musical tour.'”

“In the tour, not only do they not reject other citizens from joining, but they even encourage them to sing or dance along with the procession. According to my observations, the participants are very happy and very satisfied as they freely express their love for life. This gives me a feeling of being full of vigor.

“I have to admit that it’s very infectious. I’ve tried to join the tour, and I’ve forgotten my troubles in the revelry of music, dancing, and singing. I only remember happiness…

“They aren’t on a tour today. Instead, they’re showering their blessings to a newly-wed couple at the cathedral.

“Speaking of weddings, what I don’t understand the most is that it only has the Evernight Goddess’s cathedral. One ought to know that in most of the kingdom, even in a small town, there would be at least two cathedrals, one belonging to the Evernight Goddess and the other, the Lord of Storms.

“Before today, I couldn’t imagine that an ordinary town in the kingdom would only believe in one deity.

“However, this doesn’t cause too much trouble for me. Before I turned eighteen, I could only believe in the Lord of Storms under the influence of my family. However, after I graduated from grammar school, I came to truly understand that the Goddess is the most compassionate and benevolent deity.

“Back to the wedding, I participated in a wedding a couple of days ago. I discovered that Utopia has some special customs in this area.

“Out of all of them, what I admire the most is that when the priest pronounces them man and wife, the groom and bride will bow to each other. No one is superior in this relationship as they only sincerely express their gratitude to be able to spend the rest of their lives together.

“This might be an expression of equality between man and woman in the Goddess’s teachings…

there will be some special game segments after the wedding. For example, let the groom and the bride publicly

for them, but to the guests, it’s rather interesting. Yes,

a chance, and if you my dear readers of this particular column enjoy it, I’ll consider retelling it. Of course, I’ll

delicious. The limited number of restaurants are all very good,

of them have reached the level of a master chef in the city. In addition,

this city: yam, potatoes, butter, creamed, and ones with fruits… As long as I was willing to, I could make it so that I don’t eat the same

food of praise here

forest cakes, carrot cakes,

What I’m most worried about now is not my wallet

Utopia is also rather outstanding. The only problem is that they lack the

recommend a drink. Utopia’s Fizzling Ice Tea. It’s very special, and it has an even more amazing experience besides

would go for a stroll in the municipal square. That’s also the place where most Utopians like to go for entertainment. They have

artist at the municipal square. His name is Anderson.

strange name. He said that he’s writing a

curious about a few familiar names at

oh yes, this is

this question, and Alzu told me very seriously that when a writer can’t think of

“I agree.

“…

to

Love,

Charlotte”

her fountain pen and seriously read the manuscript twice. She changed certain words and any grammatical

first, so she could only rely on writing third-rate romance novels to maintain her life.

and had received quite a warm response after the war, Monica had also started to

was her

her writing dried completely, Monica specially wrote another copy and stuffed it into an envelope before affixing

the black-haired lady with a Desi Bay style

next to the telegraph office. Whenever Monica passed by the latter, she would

to send telegrams. It was too

Monica looked at the

of Saint Arianna’s Cathedral,