104 The Young Visitors (2/2)
”As the owner of such a busy bar, you must know a lot of people in the city.” Lilith asked with a bit hesitation, ”Can you tell us who is the most profound scholar in Aalto? We got an ancient script by accident, but we can’t understand it.”
”Common tongue?” After another hiccup, Cohn asked, ”Or elven, dwarven, draconic…”
”Common tongue. It has been translated by someone.” Sala directly cut Cohn off, in case he would keep listing all the languages existing on the continent.
”Well… if the script is about a big treasure,” Cohn put on a mysterious smile, ”you pupils will be in trouble. Sometimes, it can bring misfortune.”
”We have no idea what it is about. We come from a small town.” Lilith looked innocent.
”Anyway, the only reason I’m still alive is because I never ask too much.” Cohn gulped his ale, ”Historians should be helpful… Bake, Alfonso…”
”Which one would you recommend?” asked Lilith with caution.
”None of them,” Cohn answered directly. ”All those people who know about ancient history… they’re all nobles and pastors. You think you guys can just visit their places and ask them questions?”
Both Lilith and Sala looked a bit disappointed. They knew that they could not take the risk of seeing a noble, not to mention a pastor.
”Wait… I know a person who might help,” said Cohn. ”He was a pauper.”
”Really? A pauper turning into a historian? Who is it!?” exclaimed Lilith.
”Lucien Evans,” said Cohn with pride. ”A genius musician, and also a historian!”
”The composer of For Silvia and Symphony of Fate?” Lilith looked very surprised, ”How come he’s a historian? That’s impossible!”
Sala looked very skeptical.
”I knew you guys wouldn’t believe it.” Cohn laughed and waved his big palms, ”I know Lucien! I’ve watched him grow up… a very talented young guy. Genius! I heard that he got the access to the princess’ study since he’s her personal music consultant.”
”That’s it?” Sala still could not believe, ”A bunch of books make a historian?”
”Great talent! Great memory! That’s Lucien’s blessing!” Cohn seemed to be a bit unhappy with Sala’s comment, ”Believe it or not!”
Lilith pulled her elder brother’s elbow a bit and said to Cohn politely, ”Do you know where Mr. Evans lives? Can you tell us?”
”Everyone in Aalto knows that the princess has just awarded him a manor in the suburb. He might be living there to prepare for his upcoming concert,” said Cohn proudly. ”But you guys gotta wait until tomorrow, or the gate will be closed by the time you come back.”
”You mentioned that you’ve watched Mr. Evans grow up… Is he… elegant and good-looking?” Lilith asked a bit shyly.
”For sure.” Cohn laughed aloud.
Lilith grabbed Sala’s arm and said to him, ”We are visiting Mr. Evans right now.”
”What? But the dwarf just said we should go there tomorrow! What if the city gate is closed later?” asked Sala.
”Then we hope Mr. Evans is kind enough to let us stay in his manor for the night.” Lilith looked very resolute.
”…”
...…
By the time they reached Lucien’s manor, whose name was Brons, the dark night had already fallen upon them.
Sitting in front of a forest, the manor looked a bit creepy.
After negotiating with the manor guards, Lilith and Sala got to see the steward of the manor, Mr. Lopez.
Lopez was in his fifties, and he was also the previous steward of the manor, so Lucien kept him. The brother and sister were invited to come into the hall and waited in the couch.
They waited patiently for several minutes. Then, Lilith and Sala saw a young man wearing a black suit and a white shirt walking downstairs. He looked rather mysterious and elegant.