The pleasant chartered carriage journey ended after twenty-five minutes.
“Sir, you’ve arrived at your destination,”
With the coachman’s words, Jason took his luggage and stepped out of the carriage.
On the side of the road stood ‘Delin Carriage Company’, with a towering signpost. At the top of the sign was a wooden carving of a horse’s head, while the bottom was adorned with a hanging carriage wheel.
Two horseless carriages were parked at the entrance.
“Hey, Jason.”
“Kraul told me you’re planning a long journey?”
After Jason pushed the door open and walked in, a man who appeared to be the steward came over.
He was dressed in a black vest, a white shirt, trousers, leather shoes, and his hair was somewhat thin. His face bore a resemblance to the old man who had handed out business cards inside the apartment.
“So, I guess I don’t need to pass along old Delin’s business card to you?”Jason asked in return.
This made the middle-aged man Delin laugh heartily.
“Of course not.”
“Although my father doesn’t often give out his business cards, I know what they look like,”
Delin joked, and then, after gesturing for an assistant to pour Jason a glass of lemonade, he asked, “What kind of carriage do you need, Jason? I’ll give you the lowest price.”
“I need the fastest speed to make a trip to ‘Hans’ Port.”
After Jason stated his sole requirement, he sipped the lemonade.
The taste was good; sour and sweet, likely with added honey.
“The fastest speed?”
“You have two options.”
“The first is a self-driven traveling carriage, a convenient single-axle model with a cover that can be raised or lowered and a boot for storage. You can stow your belongings in the boot, and by adding a sleeping bag at night, you’ll have no trouble. Moreover, because it’s self-driven, you only need one horse, making it very cheap, at only 30 derailings.”
“The second option is the common four-wheeled carriage. The advantage is a spacious cabin, allowing you to carry more items. But you will need a qualified coachman and cover the costs of two horses pulling the carriage, which will be at least 70 derailings.”
Delin explained to Jason.
Then he personally took Jason to see the two types of carriages.
In the back of the shop, Jason saw the single-person travel carriage, with its striking red color, elegant boot, and fishbone canopy. Undoubtedly, if two people were to go on a picnic in the countryside, this would indeed be a prime choice.
And Jason?
After hearing he would have to drive the carriage himself, he immediately dismissed the idea of the single-person travel carriage.
He was familiar with cars, but as for carriages…
Completely clueless.
Besides, considering he needed to read the books given by the old baronet during the journey, the second option naturally seemed the best.
“May I see the second option?”
Jason asked.
“Of course!”
Delin said with a smile, pointing to another four-wheeled carriage.
“Traditional craftsmanship, sturdy and durable.”
“Professors from the White Heron have helped modify it for shock resistance.”
“The carriage can withstand a certain degree of attack.”
Delin continued with the introduction.
“That’s the one for me,”
Jason, who already had a choice in mind, decisively said after hearing Delin’s introduction.
“You will also need a coachman.”
“Would you like me to recommend one?”
Delin inquired.
“Yes, please.”
As he spoke, Jason took out the bank draft given by his aunt and asked, “Can I settle with a bank draft?”
“No problem.”
“Jason, I suggest you buy plenty of food.”
“In Jedanlen, you can get food quite cheaply. Once you leave Jedanlen, an unfamiliar carriage can be seen as a ‘fat sheep’ to some folks out there.”
Delin kindly reminded.
“Can you take care of these for me?”
“I also need pots, a brazier, a grill, some spices, etc.”
Although Delin found it strange why Jason would need these peculiar kitchen utensils, he didn’t ask any further.
Maybe it was just for a casual picnic?
With that thought in mind, Delin started to organize his assistants to get busy.
About an hour later, everything was taken care of.
The coachman also arrived to report.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in a hemp coat, of average build, with a sheathed short sword slung at his waist.
“Peters, one of my best coachmen.”
“Not only can he handle all kinds of carriages, but he can also ensure that you, Jason, can avoid some unnecessary trouble.”
Delin hinted at something.
Jason’s gaze swept over the short sword, acknowledging with an understanding nod.
On a long journey, safety is always the paramount concern.
Although this place isn’t as chaotic as the Nightless City, there are still details that require attention.
“Hello.”
The coachman was clearly a man of few words, who, after greeting Jason, simply stood there without moving.
Jason nodded in response as a form of courtesy.
Meanwhile, Delin quietly pulled Jason aside.
“This is the remaining 120 darlings.”
After handing the remaining money to Jason, Delin asked in a low voice to confirm, “Are you sure you don’t need a couple of bodyguards? Peters is not bad, but he… is a bit old-fashioned, he likes cold weapons, and now a flintlock gun is enough to be fatal.”
“It’s enough.”
“I can handle some trouble.”
Jason said with a smile.
“Right!”
“After all, you are a graduate of Griffin Camp.”
“Those guys are unlucky to run into you!”
Delin suddenly remembered something and began to laugh.
After the lads had loaded the carriage’s roof with food, clean water, pots and pans, a barbecue rack, and other necessities for the journey, Jason was ready to set off.
“May you have a pleasant journey, Jason.”
Delin saw him out of the carriage depot.
“Hmm.”
Jason nodded with a smile, and at the flick of the reins by Peters, the carriage headed south.
From their brief conversation just now, Jason had a rough idea of the journey ahead.
Departing from Karl Town, he would have to pass through two large cities, Taor and Rob, and dozens of villages and towns, virtually crossing half of Hythlo County, before he could reach ‘Hans’ harbor.
If the carriage proceeded normally, it would take about 9-10 days.
And now it was September 15th.
To arrive at ‘Hans’ harbor before the 26th, there was a considerable time pressure.
Therefore, Jason decided to travel day and night.
Of course, at this time, Jason finally got to open the book given to him by the old baronet, but just as he had read a few pages and the carriage had just left the range of Karl Town’s city area, the smoothly and swiftly moving carriage suddenly slowed down.
“Mr. Jason, there’s someone stopping the carriage ahead.”
“It’s a lady.”
“There’s no ambush around.”
Coachman Peters reported accurately, and the carriage didn’t truly come to a stop.
Clearly, he was waiting for Jason’s decision.
Through the carriage window, Jason could see a young girl in a cloth dress standing on the side of the road, waving her arms.
In the setting sun, her youthful face glowed with a faint blush.
She seemed vibrant with youth.
“Hello.”
“Could you give me a lift?”
“My home is just up ahead in Karl Town.”
The young girl had clearly noticed Jason’s observation, and as the carriage was about to pass her by, she spoke up.
“Peters, stop.”
Jason said.
Immediately, the coachman stopped the carriage.
And dutifully opened the door.
“Thank you.”
After thanking the coachman, the girl got on the carriage.
The girl sat opposite Jason and no sooner had she sat down,
she began to thank Jason very sincerely.
“Hello, I’m Dennise.”
“I went to Karl Town for fun today, and I accidentally lost track of time, missing the public carriage.”
“Luckily you came by.”
“Now I don’t have to walk back.”
“I’m really so happy.”
Jason silently closed the book and said indifferently—
“You’re happy too soon.”
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