Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 551 - 378: Many Tales of the Small Town (2)

Chapter 551: Chapter 378: Many Tales of the Small Town (2)

"Men should be forthright," Malin declared, seated on top of spare supplies, giving today’s banquet his assessment—The elders always believe that hearing about someone is not as good as meeting them in person; so let them meet. To be honest, Malin felt he still had a say regarding the nobles from Sydney Union and Farole Principality; he believed they could get along—whether it was seizing the right moment or showing flexibility, the adaptability of these nobles far exceeded Malin’s imagination.

They indeed were indifferent to the life and death of mortals, but they prized their own lives hugely; faced with the choice between a humiliating apology and an imminent threat to their lives, they would not hesitate to choose the former.

Not a single second’s hesitation; such decisiveness was touching.

Of course, this had to do with Malin as well. Having read many novels over the years, witnessing someone being put in their place was always the plot twist he eagerly anticipated. Sadly, those from Sydney and Farole usually were not very accommodative.

"That old man is a tutor from the local Mage Tower, a high-ranking ninth-circle Mage," Clovis informed, having inquired about the old man’s identity through her Mage Tower connections.

"Look, if a ninth-circle Mage would condescend to come and inspect goods for someone, why should I have any reason to refuse them?" Malin said with a smile to the girls inside the carriage.

"Dear, you are now the favored one of the Lord of Justice, a co-master of the World Tree Sapling; take pride in that and don’t give the Mage Tower too much face," Faye commented. Although she was a Mage, she was not a member of the Mage Tower and personally had no fondness for it.

"At least until such time as this elder displays an unrighteous state, we should respect our elders," Malin said as he maneuvered the spare supplies to let a carriage pass.

A lad poked his head out of the carriage, "Hey, kid, how much for this bear?"

Malin pulled Blood Roar out of thin air and lazily brandished it.

"Good brother! Forget I said anything!" The lad quickly retracted his head into the carriage.

The girls burst into laughter.

Malin noticed the boy poke his head out of the carriage window again: "How about we become friends?"

Malin laughed, "My name is Malin, Malin from Carterburg; are you sure you want to be friends with me?"

"From now on, you’re my big brother, Colson!" The lad yelled and then quickly ducked his head back into the carriage again, presumably urging the coachman along, as the carriage noticeably sped up.

Malin turned and manipulated the spare supplies to follow the carriage: "Dear ones, you see, even young nobles we meet on the road are so sensible; there’s nothing to worry about."

"I think it’s the axe in your hand that taught him what it means to be gentle and scholarly, but I must say, well done," Lillim leaned out the carriage window to look at Malin, "Mr. Malin."

"Hmm, how so?"

"I think Mr. Malin is more handsome now; after you’ve grown up, you won’t be as adorable," Lillim said with a somewhat dreamy smile.

Malin shook his head, "No, it’s not about being less adorable; but as a person grows up, they display many more expressions than the simple smiles of a child—there’s worry, pain, sadness, anger. Many people say that’s because life is full of suffering, but I think it’s about a sense of social responsibility. As people grow up and enter society, they experience many things they never did as children, and that’s why they show so many expressions."

"Is that so..." Lillim pondered.

"Yes, indeed, children of the poor have to shoulder responsibility early; they experience what society truly is much sooner. Life never shows its smiling face to them, and in their eyes, the world is harsh," Malin continued reflectively, "Some say it’s the same for noble children, but it’s actually not the same. While noble children receive training in swordsmanship, the children of the poor fight for food in the mud. Every second, the gap between them widens. Have you ever thought, when such children grow up, what roles they might play when the Tide of the Dead arrives, in that war?"

His girls fell into silence.

"So, as it turns out, cuteness really can’t be eaten, but I don’t mind being cute around you all," Malin concluded, smiling sweetly at the girls.

"Mr. Malin always says a bunch of things that are hard to comprehend," Jessica was the first to speak—well, Malin didn’t mind; this wolf girl was a born warrior, so it didn’t matter if her brain wasn’t much use.

"Yeah, I didn’t understand anything and feel pretty stupid," Lillim pouted.

"We understood, but it just made us feel worse," Clovis and Faye sighed in unison.

Matilda sighed, "Mr. Malin, the things you mentioned, I heard my father speak of them when I was very young..."

So Lillim and Jessica turned to Maya, "What about you, Maya?"

"I understand," Maya said, tipping her head up a little proudly.

"What did you understand?" the girl with the sheep horns demanded.

"I realized that as long as I don’t say it out loud, nobody will think I’m dumb," Maya cast a stone skin spell on herself.

"Ladies, if you dismantle the carriage, you’ll have to walk back," Malin said, shaking his head and laughing at the playful girls in the carriage.

Never mind; let them have their fun. Youthful days are precious; don’t squander them.

......

As the gateway to Naples, Pozzuoli possessed a prosperity unique to a big city. Although this made the streets seem somewhat narrow, both the shops and the guilds boasted attractive facades.

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