Life in Sedona City had never been better, and Bryan was among those who understood this transformation most intimately. These days, every household could not only afford to fill their bellies but also had spare coins jingling in their pockets—enough to enjoy a night out watching a shadow puppet show. Just yesterday, Bryan had attended one such performance, and it lingered vividly in his mind. The new play had been particularly captivating, featuring a stone monkey who now bore a name and, if Bryan recalled correctly, had even taken on a formidable master as his mentor. The artistry of the puppets, the flickering candlelight casting their shadows, and the gasps of the audience had made it a night to remember.
Bryan himself had carved out a comfortable niche in this thriving city. He now ran a shop in the bustling grand market, a space he rented to sell exotic goods imported from the distant Sakura City. The shop was modest but well-stocked, its shelves lined with items that drew curious customers from all walks of life. Without this steady stream of income, Bryan knew he'd struggle to keep up with his household's expenses. His family's appetite, in particular, was a significant drain on his purse. Their love for lavish meals meant frequent visits to the renowned Drunken Night, a place where the food was as extravagant as the prices. Without a reliable source of income, indulging in the gourmet dishes served on the second floor of Drunken Night would have been an impossible dream.
The first floor of the establishment, while decent, simply couldn't compare to the opulence of the second. The dishes there were satisfactory for a quick meal, but when it came to truly satisfying a craving, nothing beat the culinary delights upstairs. These days, Bryan's family rotated their meals between three establishments: Drunken Night for a touch of luxury, the humble Bun Shop for hearty, steaming buns, and the newly opened Pizza, which offered a curious foreign dish that had quickly become a local favorite.
"Burp!" Bryan let out a loud, unapologetic belch as he stepped out of the Bun Shop, patting his round belly with satisfaction. It was his first time dining on the second floor of the Bun Shop, and he had to admit, the experience had been surprisingly delightful. The buns were fluffier, the fillings more generous, and the view of the bustling street below added a certain charm to the meal.
As he adjusted his belt and prepared to head back to his shop, a familiar figure caught his eye. "Oh? Isn't that Deputy Chief Ryan?" Bryan muttered to himself, squinting to confirm. Sure enough, there was Ryan, the deputy chief of Sedona City's security department, strolling down the street with his wife, Liza, by his side. The couple carried a paper bag filled with steaming buns, their faces lit with contentment.
"Ah! It's Master Bryan!" Ryan called out, turning his head to greet Bryan with a warm smile. "Care for a meat bun? They're fresh from the shop!"
Bryan waved a hand dismissively, chuckling. "No, thank you. I've just stuffed myself silly inside." He nodded politely to Liza, who bowed slightly in return, her demeanor graceful and composed. "Is Deputy Chief Ryan off duty today?" Bryan asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
He couldn't help but marvel at the man's journey. Just a few months ago, Ryan had been a disgraced knight, his future uncertain and his spirits low. Yet, under the discerning eye of Lord Lucas, Ryan had risen swiftly through the ranks to become the deputy chief of Sedona City's security department. It was a testament to the unpredictability of fate—and to the wisdom of their city's lord.
"Indeed, I'm off today," Ryan replied with a light laugh. "I thought I'd take Liza out for a stroll, maybe stop by the letter courier shop to send a letter back to Lockwood City."
Bryan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Letter courier shop? Has Lord Lucas opened yet another new business?" The name alone sounded extraordinary, far beyond the imagination of ordinary folk.
Ryan nodded, though a sheepish grin spread across his face. "Yes, it seems to have been open for a few days now. I only found out because Liza mentioned it." At this, Liza rolled her eyes playfully, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection.
"I only heard about it yesterday myself," Liza added softly, her voice gentle and measured. Despite her teasing, she was careful to maintain her husband's dignity in public. At home, of course, it was a different story—she could bicker and nag to her heart's content.
Bryan scratched his chin, intrigued. "A letter courier shop… Is it really just for sending letters?" The concept baffled him, and he couldn't help but voice his doubts. "Isn't there a risk of losing money? I mean, how many people actually send letters? Most commoners can't even read or write—well, except here in Sedona City, of course."
The literacy rate in Sedona City was nothing short of astonishing, a fact that never ceased to amaze Bryan. When he had first arrived, not a single commoner who visited his shop could read a word. Now, just a short time later, three or four out of every ten could recognize letters and even write their names. How had such progress been made in so little time? If this trend continued, Bryan mused, by the end of winter, more than half the city's population might be literate. It was a staggering thought.
Ryan shrugged, taking a bite of a Bun he'd pulled from the paper bag. "Who knows? Perhaps Lord Lucas has some grand plan up his sleeve. He always does."
Bryan's curiosity was piqued. "Well, I'm intrigued. Mind if I tag along to see this letter courier shop for myself?"
"Of course not!" Ryan replied with a hearty laugh, gesturing for Bryan to join them. Liza smiled warmly, and the trio set off, chatting amiably as they made their way to the shop.
The letter courier shop wasn't located on the main avenue, which surprised Bryan at first. Instead, it was situated on the second avenue, a quieter street that ran parallel to the bustling thoroughfare. It was a clever choice, Bryan realized—keeping the shop off the main road would prevent congestion as the city grew busier in the future.
Sedona City currently boasted four major avenues. The grandest was the main avenue, stretching from the city gates straight to the castle, lined with towering buildings and bustling with activity. Two other avenues ran parallel to it on either side, while the fourth intersected all three, forming a cross shape that divided the city into neat quadrants. For now, only the main avenue was flanked by numerous buildings, their facades a mix of shops, taverns, and homes. The other avenues were still sparsely developed, with vast stretches of open land waiting to be transformed. According to Lord Lucas's ambitious plans, the city would one day boast dozens of avenues, a sprawling metropolis unlike anything the region had ever seen.
"Step-step…." The sound of their footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path as Bryan, Ryan, and Liza approached the second avenue. From a distance, they spotted a crowd gathered outside a modest building, their chatter filling the air. The trio exchanged puzzled glances. Could the letter courier business really be this popular?
"Let's go take a closer look," Bryan said eagerly, his stout frame waddling forward with surprising speed despite his short legs.
As they drew nearer, snippets of conversation drifted toward them, painting a vivid picture of the city's newfound optimism.
"Hey, are you writing a letter home too?" One man asked another, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Absolutely," The second man replied. "I want to tell my family how things are going here, let them know they don't need to worry. Once I've saved up enough, I'll move out of my cramped room and rent a bigger place—maybe even bring the whole family over."
"Exactly!" The first man agreed. "There's real hope in Sedona City. If you work hard, in just a few years, you can save up for a down payment on a house. Imagine that—a home of your own!"
"Giggle, giggle…" A young woman nearby chimed in, her laughter bright and carefree. "Coming to Sedona City was the smartest decision I've ever made in my life."
"Hahaha!" A burly man joined in, his booming laugh echoing down the street. "Same here! I'm writing to convince my older brother to move here too. There's nothing back home compared to the opportunities we have in Sedona City."
Bryan, Ryan, and Liza listened to these exchanges with a mix of awe and pride. The enthusiasm was infectious, a testament to the city's remarkable transformation under Lord Lucas's leadership.
"People really hold Lord Lucas in high regard, don't they?" Liza remarked, her voice tinged with admiration. "Every time I step out to buy groceries or run errands, I hear nothing but praise for him."
Bryan nodded solemnly, his expression serious. "Lord Lucas is a true noble, a leader worthy of the title. I've come to understand something recently—the mark of a genuine noble isn't fear, but respect and love from the people. Those nobles who rule through terror are the true failures."
Ryan grinned, his chest swelling with pride. "Well said, Bryan. It's precisely Lord Lucas's charisma and vision that inspire me to serve him with all my heart. Come on, let's head inside and see what this letter courier shop is all about."
The trio stepped through the shop's wide doors, entering a space that was neatly divided into two sections. On one side, a counter bore a sign reading "Parcel Dispatch," while the other side's counter was labeled "Proxy Writing and Dispatch." The room buzzed with activity, the air filled with the scratch of quills on parchment and the murmur of voices.
Bryan tilted his head, puzzled by the second sign. "Proxy writing and dispatch? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Let's find out," Ryan said, striding confidently toward the counter. Behind it, two young women were busy scribbling on sheets of paper, their movements swift and precise. In front of the counter, two commoners stood, engaged in conversation with the women.
One of the women, her hair tied back in a neat bun, looked up from her writing. "Is there anything else you'd like to add?" She asked the man before her, her tone polite and professional. "Perhaps some well-wishes or blessings?"
The man, a weathered farmer by the look of his calloused hands, nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much."
"It's no trouble at all," The woman replied, dipping her quill into an inkpot and adding a few heartfelt lines to the letter. Once finished, she folded the paper carefully, slipped it into an envelope, and sealed it with a dab of hot resin. "Now, could you tell me the address of your family?"
The farmer rattled off the details with enthusiasm. "It's in Sakura City, West Street, Ninth Alley, the Soka household."
The woman nodded, writing the address on the envelope in a neat, flowing script. "All set. The fee is three copper coins, and your letter should reach your family in about five days."
"Five days? That's incredibly fast!" The farmer exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy. He fumbled in his pocket, producing three copper coins and placing them on the counter. "Being able to send word home like this—it's the best thing imaginable."
The woman smiled warmly. "If your family members can't read, don't worry. Our letter courier service has a branch in Sakura City as well. They can visit the shop there and have a proxy writer read the letter to them."
The farmer's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? That's amazing! Thank you, thank you so much!"
"You're very welcome," The woman replied, her smile broadening. As the farmer stepped away, clutching his receipt, she turned to the next customer, her quill already poised over a fresh sheet of paper. Bryan couldn't help but notice the genuine satisfaction on her face—this job, it seemed, was as rewarding for her as it was useful for the customers.
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