TL: Etude
The flickering candlelight emitted a faint glow, casting a hunched shadow against the pristine white wall.
This room, situated in the Scholar’s Tower in the capital of the Gabella Empire, was occupied by an old man with completely white hair and beard. He was deeply engrossed in a pile of books and scrolls, meticulously flipping through each page, seemingly in search of some information.
Outside, the bell tower’s chimes resonated, an ancient and melodious sound echoing over the city, announcing the arrival of midnight. However, the old man appeared oblivious to the sound, continuing his diligent study.
Quietly, the door of the room opened, and a young man holding a candlestick entered. He spoke softly, “Teacher, it’s midnight. You really should rest now.”
“What, is it that time already?”
Only then did the old man close the hefty tome in his hands, pulling out a handkerchief to rub his sore eyes. “Yes, it’s time to sleep well… Ah, help me up, my bones are becoming more useless by the day.”
The young man set down the candlestick and slowly helped the old man to his feet.
“Everyone at today’s court meeting was very curious about what you’ve been doing these past few days. Even His Majesty inquired privately again.”
“Ha, it must have been quite a headache for you to come up with a suitable excuse on the spot, wasn’t it?”
“Uh…” The young man, named Mond, hesitated with a slightly embarrassed look. “Was that meteor a few days ago really worth such attention?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on the old man’s face immediately stiffened, and the furrowed brows indicated a disturbed mind.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
Seeing the old man’s serious expression, Mond looked ashamed.
“Sigh, Mond, I’m not blaming you. Being bold enough to question is a good quality.”
The old man quickly reassured, “Indeed, that meteor has left me unsettled. I hope it’s just my overthinking. If, unfortunately, it brings disaster as recorded in the ancient scrolls, then based on previous accounts, this calamity will surpass our imagination. Let me tell you about the previous occurrences.”
He then unrolled a parchment and began to narrate what he had learned over the past few days…
…
Near the Empire’s bell tower, in a dark alley still echoing with the bell’s chimes, a figure draped in a cloak silently entered. With the moonlight at his back, he slowly moved deeper into the alley, his face always shrouded in the shadow of his hood.
At the first corner, he stopped.
“Why are you so late today?”
A rough voice rang out. Another cloaked figure was already waiting there, his face also hidden under the hood, with a thick beard barely visible.
“The wind is about to rise, so I took extra precautions.”
“What preparations have you made?”
“Ropes, canvas, and harpoons.”
The bearded man nodded and said, “With these, we can be confident at sea. Go now, we’ll be praying for you constantly at the church by the harbor.”
Then he vanished into the shadows, and the first cloaked man, after ensuring there were no abnormalities around, also left.
…
Back in the Scholar’s Tower, the old man had finished his narration some time ago, but Mond’s forehead was beaded with cold sweat.
After a long silence, Mond finally spoke, “If that’s the case, shouldn’t we immediately report to His Majesty and warn the people?”
“No, we currently know nothing about the disaster itself—not its form, its exact time of arrival, nor any effective countermeasures. Revealing it prematurely would not only be futile but could also cause widespread panic and provide opportunities for those with ulterior motives.”
“You’re right, I was too impulsive.”
The old man’s disciple looked somewhat ashamed.
The old man opened the window, and fresh air quickly filled the room. Looking out into the dark night, he murmured:
“The wind is about to rise…”
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