Read ahead by up to 15 Chapters on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
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Florent obviously had no intention of visiting the 'Golden Hampstead Life Improvement Company' right away.
He said to the carriage driver, "Thank you, but I don't need to go there now. I'll head to the Trier National Library first... By the way, do you know the operating hours of that company?"
The driver thought for a moment and replied, "I've never been inside the company myself, but many of my passengers who've just moved to Golden Hampstead District often ask about it. From what I've observed, most customers get their business done between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. So, I'd guess the company operates around those hours."
Florent nodded in agreement, accepting the driver's reasoning. However, he was somewhat surprised by the driver's eloquence, insight, and manner of speaking.
It was rare to find a carriage driver who observed so keenly and made such logical guesses...
Curious, Florent asked, "You don't sound like an ordinary carriage driver. Why are you still working as one?"
The driver, who seemed well-educated, chuckled humbly, "I'm not as learned as you might think. When I first started working, I often drove carriages in the noble and wealthy districts. At first, I didn't earn much and was often mocked. But as I became more skilled, I started receiving help from kind-hearted people. Now, I have my own carriage and can even read at the Trier National Library."
"Praise the great 'God of Steam and Machinery', whose light has illuminated my ignorant mind," the driver added, moved by his own words.
Though he didn't make the triangular gesture of the Steam Church due to his work, he explained, "Please don't take offense. I'm a follower of the 'God of Steam and Machinery'. It was the night school run by 'His' believers that taught me to read as a child, changing my life. I hope this doesn't upset you. May I ask which god you follow?"
"I'm glad your life was changed by education. It's fascinating to hear your story, which feels like a whole new world to me. I, too, am a follower of the God of Steam. I wish you continued success in the future," Florent replied, echoing the driver's sentiment...
As if mirroring the driver's unspoken gesture, Florent drew a triangle over his chest.
The conversation lulled, and when they arrived at the Trier National Library, Florent tipped the driver generously, saying, "There's little else I can do to bless you, but I can offer this small token of appreciation. I sincerely hope your future continues to improve."
The driver nodded gratefully, clearly touched by Florent's kindness, "Thank you, kind sir. I wish the same for you. Praise the Steam," he said, finally making the triangular gesture over his chest now that he had a moment to spare.
Florent mirrored the gesture, and the driver, satisfied, cracked his whip and drove off down the street.
As Florent reflected on the encounter, he couldn't help but shiver at the depth of religious devotion in this world. And this was just an ordinary believer, not a zealot or an ascetic.
As a staunch atheist in his previous life, Florent felt a bit out of place...
While the unfamiliar environment sparked curiosity, it also brought a sense of isolation that was hard to ignore.
Feeling a mix of emotions, he deeply understood the loneliness of being a traveler in a foreign world. However, he didn't dwell on it for long...
He quickly composed himself and prepared to focus on his tasks.
Looking at the pristine white facade of the Trier National Library, Florent didn't enter immediately. Instead, he checked the time... it was just past 9 a.m., nearing 10.
Feeling the emptiness in his stomach, he felt a sudden urge to explore the area around the library. After all, "knowledge from books is shallow; true understanding comes from experience." It definitely wasn't a case of academic burnout.
As he glanced around, Florent noticed how the library stood apart from its surroundings.
It wasn't just the height of the building or its white walls that made it stand out, it was the fact that there were no other buildings nearby. Though the library had only one entrance, the other three sides were eerily empty.
Curious, he circled the library and discovered a circular plaza surrounding it. The buildings around the plaza were arranged in a radial pattern, with the front-facing ones all being commercial establishments, including food vendors.
As he continued his walk, Florent noticed the enticing names of the food shops: 'Mrs. Carter's Bakery', 'Uncle Yang's Meat Shop', 'Desi Bay Flavors Restaurant', 'Feneburg Pancake House', 'Backlund Delicacies', and so on...
The novelty of these eateries piqued Florent's curiosity.
Swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth, he decided to try the 'Desi Bay Flavors Restaurant', as Desi pies had been highly praised by Klein. As a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, Florent didn't want to miss out.
Stepping into the restaurant, Florent was greeted by an oceanic theme, the interior was painted in shades of blue that evoked the sea.
Hearing his stomach growl, he entered the restaurant...
At this odd hour between breakfast and lunch, there were only a few customers, which was still impressive for the time of day.
The sound of the door chime alerted the staff, who quickly stopped their chatter and approached Florent, "Welcome, sir. What would you like to order?"
Florent smiled and said, "Shouldn't I sit down and look at the menu first?"
The staff member looked embarrassed and apologized, "I'm so sorry. Please follow me. Our Desi pies are so famous that many customers just order them and leave. I didn't mean to overlook you."
The staff member hurriedly led Florent to an empty table.
While being seated, Florent casually glanced around the restaurant...
The decor was indeed oceanic, blue and white tones created a soothing atmosphere, and the staff wore blue vests over white shirts with black pants.
From these details alone, the restaurant's maritime theme was unmistakable.
Florent couldn't help but feel excited about the meal to come...