DREAMER || KDJ! READER in LOTM

CHAPTER IV - The reading and him

A familiar black-haired older male with green eyes shook the smaller boy who slept on the table with his arms as pillows. Leonard Mitchell furrowed his eyebrows, continuing to shake the younger boy. "Wake up!" He told him in a loud voice as he kept shaking Claus.

The night sky was up, with the crimson moon hanging high midair as it illuminated the dim alleyways of Tingen. With a jolt, Claus immediately woke up. He held his head, an acute pain struck his head like lightning. It took a few seconds before He realized his situation. 

The familiar smell of old books entered his nose, and the blurry sight of the old Library quickly cleared. It was then that Claus realized the taller figure was there, It was Leonard Mitchell!

Slowly turning his head, he turned to Leonard with tired eyes. "Mr Leonard? what are... you doing here?" He asked in between yawns.

"Me? I should be asking you why.." Before Leonard could continue, Claus nodded like he already knew why he was there and jumped off his chair. "Mr Leonard, I'll be going now. May the Goddess bless you." That was all he said before leaving.

"Hah? What's up with him?"

...

Claus silently woke up to the faraway cathedral's bells chime once more. With a yawn, he looked to the bustling streets of Tingen. 

Although it was almost July, it was still considered the middle of summer. However, Tingen was situated north of the Loen Kingdom, so it had unique climate characteristics. The highest annual temperature was not even 30°C on Earth, with even cooler mornings. However, the streets were awash with filthy water and strewn junk.

"Come and try our delicious roasted fish!"

"Hot and fresh oyster soup. Drink a bowl in the morning and feel invigorated all day!"

"Fresh fish from the port for just five pence apiece!"

"Muffins and eel soup make the perfect combination!"

"Conch! Conch! Conch!"

"Vegetables freshly plucked from the farms outside the city. Cheap and fresh!"

Claus inserted his hand into his pocket, fishing out three 5-soli notes. "This looks like enough for a couple of days, maybe even weeks if I eat less." He muttered, standing up and dusting his clothes. After doing so, he left the alleyway he slept in temporarily.

The mobile hawkers who sold vegetables, fruits, and hot food shouted along the streets as they beckoned the rushing pedestrians. Some of them would stop and carefully compare before purchasing. Others would impatiently wave their hands as they had yet to find work for the day.

'Klein Morreti' took in a whiff of the air that mixed both noxious and fragrant aromas. As he clenched the revolver tightly in his left hand, he held the notes tight. He pressed down on his hat with his right hand while passing through the busy street, slouching a little.

There were bound to be thieves in populated areas. Furthermore, this street had no lack of poor citizens who were working part-time after losing their previous jobs. There were also starving children who were exploited by adults to do their bidding.

He proceeded forward until he reached a point where the crowdedness around him restored to normal. He straightened his back and raised his head to look down the street.

There was a vagrant accordionist busking. The melody was sometimes pleasant, sometimes fervent.

Beside him were several children in ragged clothes with sallow complexions due to malnutrition.

They listened to the music and moved to the beat, dancing self-made choreographies. Their faces were filled with joy as though they were a prince or an angel.