Chapitre 3: The Grand Duke Finds a Lamp
"I think they were done in by wild aura beasts, Your Excellency," Sir Arthur concluded after checking the remains of the incident.
"Well, newly-formed oases are aura beasts' favorite place. It's a pity because it looks like they were merely looking for a temporary shelter to pass the sandstorm." I added as I observed the scattered pieces of thick merino wool.
That kind of fabric was usually used to keep out the sand from the carriage windows. It seems that the caravan had the rare misfortune to encounter both aura beasts and an onslaught of a sandstorm.
This was an inescapable reality for those residing in the East. No matter how much the Konstantin family has contributed to the progress of Sonomi, the fact that it is within the realm of constant danger doesn't change.
Lorillis Desert is and will always be one of the deadliest terrains on the continent. It is why the empire never had the guts to take over it even now. A fact that is both a blessing and a curse.
No human empire could conquer the eternal sands. We could only live alongside it.
The Konstantin family held to this belief. That is why no matter how prosperous Sonomi becomes, we remain respectful to Lorillis.
"They must be from a small merchant company if they couldn't afford to hire aura wielders for security. A new one at that."
Sir Arthur said as he rummaged around the things from the sole carriage that remained intact.
I stared at the said carriage and the bodies that surrounded it. The glow of the setting sun cast the scene into a somber mood.
It isn't a surprise that it remained mostly undamaged except for a few dents from a few unavoidable attacks. The people protected it to the very end.
How curious.
I felt intrigued at the sight so I strode nearer to see the treasure that remained from the tragedy.
"Oh? That is interesting. It would seem that they come from the far North. That pale complexion as if never seeing the sun is a Northerner trait. And see here, Captain Arthur, only jewels from that Lion's place could give off a wintry brilliance like that."
I commented as my sight flitted from the dead body by the carriage's wheel to the things scattered inside.
I thumbed down a piece of jewelry that was scattered from a velveteen box broken due to impact, appreciating the unusual sheen.
This unfortunate caravan seems to be hiding a fascinating mystery.
The jewel's quality was of the highest class. No ordinary small merchant could afford them.
"It's rare for northern merchants to go here, isn't it so, Your Excellency?" Sir Arthur inquired, a little confused.
I can't blame him though. It was an undeniable fact. Northerners do avoid Sonomi as much as they could. Mostly because they find the weather unbearable.
Sonomi was scorching throughout the year, while Boleoti remained a Winterland.
The drastic temperature rise is too much for someone who lived through the cold every single day.
Some are even unable to adjust that they get sick and even succumb to death.
Hence, Sonomi usually trades for northern goods through channels from the Capital Merchants or those from the West.
The only times when Northerners persevere to move to the desert is either when they are fleeing or hiding.
"Quite so. Maybe they wanted to try new prospects here. Or maybe they had a more intriguing reason. We will never know, Captain. Dead men tell no tales." I answered rather pensively.
I couldn't be bothered to elaborate more and save Sir Arthur from his confusion. He can only try to enlighten himself on his own.
I had something which demanded my attention at that moment.
At the corner of the carriage, hidden by the glimmer of the jewels and rolls of cloth was a dull shine.
It was an oil lamp that looked as if it was weathered down by years of use. Yet there was something arcane and mystical from the cracked markings on its body.
It reminded me of a story from the Arabian Nights that was popular back on Earth. So much so that it was adapted into motion pictures and multiple live movies.
It was the tale of a poor, vagrant boy and a wish-granting genie imprisoned in a lamp.
Well, genies are called Jinn in this place. As I said, this is a world of fantasy. Various races and creatures that are merely from myths and legends on Earth do exist here. There are even some that are never known on Earth.
While Jinns are undeniably a powerful race, they are quite elusive to the physical world. One can only encounter a Jinn through sheer, dumb luck or if a Jinn took a liking to them.
It is a great fortune if it was a good Jinn. However, if it wasn't, then just count it as having the shittiest luck of the century.
I'm not saying that this particular lamp is holding a shackled Jinn. It only reminded me of the tale since it kind of looked like the one in the movies.
It is always pleasant to see things that remind me of a life I once lived. The nostalgia can be moving at times.
Anyhow, I reached for the said lamp and tried to study it against the light of the sunset.
My old occupational habit possessed me. I wanted to find out if the writings were something I have encountered before.
My past life influenced me to have a fondness for antiques and anything history-related. And the lamp in my hand screamed that every inch of it is a rare antique.
I squinted, trying to make out the words that circled the lamp's body. It seemed to be Ancient Paravel, the language of the old continent.
If it weren't for the Konstantins having records of this bygone era, I would never be able to understand what was written in the lamp. And the curiosity would have gnawed at me endlessly. That would suck.
"I ask thee... Art thou human?... Nay, I am the cosmos. The cosmos... of undying wishes and desires." I read slowly.
Just when I finished reading the cryptic words, a flash of light enveloped me and the lamp in my hands.
I could vaguely make out the frantic shouts of the Knight-Captain and rushing steps of a panting William before I vanished in place.
I kind of feel sorry for alarming a dutiful knight and making an old man rush about. But I certainly did not expect to have this kind of encounter as well.
I lifted my head and met the glittering purple eyes of a tanned muscular man taller than the imperial castle towering over me.
What kind of joke is this? I was just wondering about Jinns since the lamp made me recall one.
I didn't ask to truly meet one. What am I? Aladdin version 2.0?
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone