Ple-Sen
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During the journey, like an indefatigable commander, the former inquisitor spent her free time filling out her diary.
Title
"Retreat
Rereading my diary from time to time, remembering past events and my state of mind at the moment of writing, I catch myself thinking about how much I have changed. Sometimes thoughts made long ago seem alien, though familiar. It is hard not to feel like a different person after everything I've been through. Perhaps I should write about it now, but I am not sure if there will be enough strength and time for such an activity. Better to maintain some semblance of order in my records.
New Beginning, Part Three
Although I have mentioned it several times in other entries, I usually didn't go into detail. The emphasis was usually either on people or on events. But now the time has come to write more detailedly about the place that became my new home. I even had my own little apartment there. Small, but cozy. Sometimes we gathered there with friends, specifically Elrina. Perhaps the furnishings weren't the richest, especially by the standards of my aristocratic friend, but I was always happy to please him or any other guest with warm home-cooked food. It's somewhat strange to compare it with my current dwelling. It is much more spacious than I am used to, which makes it feel somewhat empty. Apparently, I grew too accustomed to huddling in tight spaces. I haven't really invited guests there yet, although someday in the future I will need to gather together with my new comrades. Although, in a way, they and I are already discussing this and that over my cooking. I probably need to describe the comrades in more detail as well, but I've gotten distracted.
Before proceeding to the city districts, it's worth noting the city sewers, which I cleared out twice. A certain important and businesslike lover of sweets, Coleus Bright, once said that the monsters constantly appearing in the city sewers are a symptom of some larger problem, however, he did not go into details then. At the time, I didn't think much about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if either Alfarid or Reisen with his mad experiments were involved. Given the chosen phrasing, it seemed that the city's sewer problems had existed for a long time. Considering that some of the creatures breeding there were capable of taking control of another's mind, while others could kill even an experienced warrior in one blow or destroy your weapon with a single touch, it was sometimes hard not to wonder "how many people in total have these sewer dwellers perished?". It's a bit of a pity that during neither visit was there a monsterologist with me who could document these curious creatures. The main thing is not to catch some ailment from the local rats.
Emerald Street
Not exactly an alley, yes, but it's hard to deny certain similarities. It was also known as "Craftsmen's Street," as most private establishments were located right here. Well, let me tell you a bit about the establishments.
Limos Steel
The owner of this establishment can be called, in a way, a victim of industrialization. Once his goods were in high demand and the assortment was oriented toward various strata of the population, but no single person is capable of competing with mass factory production in this field. Therefore, over time, he shifted his course of activity, switching to creating masterpieces aimed at the wealthy. He even named one of them, an axe, after himself!
Despite a certain grumpiness, clearly caused by forced repurposing, he seemed to me a sufficiently friendly and kind person. And the ability to adapt to new realities at his advanced age also commands respect. To his own surprise, there was a secret passage leading to dungeons located under his house. But now he has surely taken measures regarding this, so that no dishonest person steals one of his masterworks.
Dignity
A tragic establishment whose owner met a tragic fate. I wrote about this once before.
Frankincense
A plate armor shop that didn't have a particularly interesting assortment. People went there mostly just to see the owner's granddaughter, one of the beauty contest participants.
Impeccability
Another sad place. Once, services for improving equipment were offered there, something the owner had done all his life. However, clients became fewer and fewer with each year, and therefore he was forced to sell the business of his life and retire. The new owner kept the old name but repurposed the establishment into a pawnshop.
Tree of Life
At first glance, a fairly innocent name for a shop. But only until the owner of this place opens his mouth — then it immediately becomes clear that it is nothing but a bad joke. Bows and spears were sold here, which is slightly outside my profile. It's somehow a bit strange to write about this in the current situation, considering how a prudently purchased bow recently bailed me out. Either way, I had no reason to come here extra times.
Grace
A jewelry store. The owner was a man of very imposing appearance and manners. I remember a robbery happened here once, after which the owner did not skimp on security. In general, that's correct. It was here that Elrina bought the "Night Sky" given to me. Pity that such an expensive reminder of our friendship now rests at the bottom of the sea.
Emeralda
A fashionable clothing store, for which I initially lacked the money. On the other hand, Halmeldir, I recall, once proved to be quite the fashionista. As soon as he decided to compete in the tournament — he immediately dressed up more colorfully. And all this was before winning the beauty contest! But the stockings there were worse than Alice's, although the owner herself was clearly no less of a fashionista. The succubus costume alone was worth something. It's a bit of a pity that my favorite set of business clothes from there isn't nearby now. It looked very decent and helped make the proper impression.
Meltiston
If the fashionistas shopped at "Emeralda," then people of a more practical mind shopped here. The owner himself was clearly one of those. Maybe not the richest selection, but to my taste, it looked decent. I even bought a watch there once. In my opinion, they were no worse than analogues from Chronos, with all due respect to Mr. Quantum. I remember when I decided to gift them to Kenshiro, he also appreciated the item accordingly.
Laity Souvenirs
Despite the name, the lazy and greedy saleswoman traded not in souvenirs at all, but essentially in lottery tickets. I even bought a couple of "Pandora's Boxes" out of curiosity. Not an establishment I would recommend visiting.
Street of Endless Swords
It was here that bloody tournaments were once held, until such practices were put to an end.
Amphitheater
I've already made so many entries about it that adding anything further would be redundant.
Ultimate Luck
Officially, they dealt with betting on events in the amphitheater. But there were many rumors that they also engaged in usury and had an underground casino. Apparently, the rumors turned out to be true, as the owner of the establishment, Kawakami Ryunosuke, lost his life in a knife fight with one of his thug buddies.
Guild of Mastery
Once a gathering of talented warriors and mages where one could acquire useful life skills. Mentors included people such as Larian Twice, Masanori Naoe, Beryl S. Tessen, Alice Lit, Lunarina Gias, Lionel Heartcraft, and Dahlia. It's strange to realize now that I just blew a good opportunity to learn the style of the Shining Sword! Apparently, my priorities were set differently back then. Later, the Guild changed its profile somewhat, becoming a place where a gawker like me could register their own style in order to make their name famous or get rich. I think Margela would also benefit from such a society of skilled warrior-mentors. And at least one such skilled warrior, Erefir, would surely agree with me in this regard.
Tehan Quarter
A quarter founded by overseas settlers, which I consider a must-visit. A good way to touch upon a foreign culture. Through the efforts of Han Young-ji, it became one of the city's main attractions.
House of Swords and Flowers
A place where nimble and graceful warriors can master the "Flying Petals" style under the guidance of Song Da-hyun. When I first heard of this style, without knowing the details, I thought about trying to learn it myself, but quickly realized it suited me poorly.
School of Serenity
It didn't spark much interest back then, but sometimes I think that I should have learned this fighting style. My recent experience has already shown that it's far too easy to accidentally lose one's weapon. On the other hand, if I remember my recent opponent, attempting to hit him with hands and feet would have ended very badly. I heard that something similar is taught in Yanxi now.
Lotus School
Here, Lee Tae-hyung taught those willing the Lotus style, provided that the acquired skills would be used only for self-defense. The longer I live, the more I understand the wisdom of such an approach. However, I didn't start learning the style for the same reason as before — it was designed for the use of a short sword.
Idol Academy
The local fighting style was aimed at conquering human hearts and was not intended for use offstage, ha-ha. Jokes aside, the path of an idol required no less time and physical preparation than the ability to swing a piece of iron. At least based on what I knew. I remember once thinking about trying my hand in this field, but being occupied with more important matters took precedence. Now the time has passed and priorities have shifted.
Among other things, general physical training courses and a number of cosmetic procedures were also conducted here, in case one wanted to fix their face. Okay, I'm stopping my jokes.
Music Academy
And here one could learn to play musical instruments. I imagine there was no shortage of young men dreaming that someday beauties from the academy would dance to music written by them.
Imperial Street
A wealthy district for wealthy people and promising youth. This is where the school of magic and the military academy were located. Sometimes I dreamed of a future in which I would join the staff of the latter, but whatever now. Horse races were also held here at the hippodrome, through which the owner of the local stable made quite a profit back then. Also, residences of representatives from different countries were located here.
Aquilon
For wealthy guests of the city who do not have wealthy friends here ready to receive them. I heard the service is first-class, but it's a bit beyond my finances.
Prince's Estate
The sanctuary of a maniac who lures people into his lair just to subject them to cruel games. A place that should be avoided, although I have heard that only those who have business with the owner can find it. In fact, it's not so much a mansion as a separate plane of existence, changing according to the whim of the owner.
House of Celeno
A quiet and cozy place, though not lacking in luxury. For someone known for the heaviness of his temperament, in everyday life Castor is a very quiet and calm person living in harmony with his beautiful wife.
Gardens
People from here usually either don't return, or return completely different. If sanity is dear, it's best to avoid this place.
Order of Darkiria Knights
A very beautiful building in appearance, although I never happened to be inside.
City Center
The heart of the city, where the central offices of Raymford and Morion are located.
Palace
The center of the city center, most of which is closed to ordinary gawkers. Probably, if the city administration weren't located here, no one would be allowed anywhere near the palace.
Magnolia Shop
A small shop of overseas rarities brought by an elf from her homeland. It was there that Elrina and I purchased the fruits I mentioned in one of my early entries.
Harmony
A musical instrument store. Not a place I could call myself a frequent visitor of.
Akeso
A place that empties the wallet and fills the stomach, and orders are brought by a very pretty waitress. Alas, it was temporarily closed after a gang of thugs staged a massacre inside.
Grocery Store
Now here I visited often, mastering the path of the culinary warrior. Goods were dispensed by a friendly and sweet girl named Azuria Fox, who surely had no shortage of admirers.
Guard Building
I happened to be here in the line of duty. During the time of my visit, everything was managed by Rechtir Aimasor, a very friendly and charismatic man. Unfortunately, protecting public peace is a risky business and after a few weeks he was killed by some bandit.
Hestia
Another hotel, but cheaper. By that time I already had my own housing, so I didn't need its services.
Morpheus
A place where I worked for some time. Clearing the sewers, a task personally from the mayor, Elrina Marjory, was precisely my first assignment as part of this organization. Actually, this organization was founded by another mayor, this time a former one and from another city. I mentioned him briefly in one of the previous entries. What fate eventually befell the organization I don't remember, as I left after one very unpleasant assignment. After that, I decided to live a simple and peaceful life.
Business District
As the name suggests, a place where people come to conduct business or buy a new issue of the chronicles.
Lycoris
A consortium of merchants, far from all of whom are honest. As often happens, many of them are concerned not so much with the prosperity of their native city as with the prosperity of their own wallet.
Raymport
Probably one of the largest industrial enterprises in the city. I rarely saw the fruits of their work, but the results were truly impressive.
Citrus
A place selling curious inventions, most of which were beyond my means. In another situation, I would have used their services.
Vindemiatrix
An armory with a very silent saleswoman. Not quite my profile, but for someone like Elrina it was just right.
Vespertelino Workshop
A family business managed by a young man, Vesper. According to his own words, he could fix absolutely anything. As to how truthful these promises were, I venture not to judge.
Outskirts
Will appeal to nature lovers, who have a choice between a walk in the forest, admiring Hegon Lake, or a visit to the local park.
Total 119 entries, meaning 3105.9 units of experience.