Chapter 1396: An Ordinary Person's Daily Life (2/8)

After drafting the document's header, Barton was preparing to add some

details into the document when he realized that Vernal hadn't submitted

any supporting information.

*Does he think that he can apply for funding with just a letter by

simply relying on his relationship with the foundation?* Barton

looked around the table and muttered to himself in puzzlement.

In his opinion, Vernal wasn't an arrogant archaeologist. Apart from

being feisty and impatient, he was considered a typical Loen gentleman

in all other aspects.

Under normal circumstances, when one requested funding from the Loen

Relic Search and Preservation Foundation, they had to provide a lot of

information, such as photos, ancient supplementary documents, and other

related information other than a cover letter that described the

project. Otherwise, the foundation wouldn't be able to do a review and

make a decision, much less spend large amounts of gold pounds to send a

team to the project location for inspection.

*Or rather, could it be that Vernal Fnarr was just too careless and

forgot to send the information out as well? Of course, with the

relationship between Vernal and the foundation, it's entirely possible

the upper management will send a person or two to arrange a meeting to

verify the information when they see it... Yes, as a friend, I should

still help him...* Barton shook his head and didn't think

further. He stood up and walked to the bookshelf.

He then stretched out his right palm and used his fingers to stroke the

back of a book spine, selecting the information he needed.

Finally, he took out a few books and journals, and combined his various

viewpoints to give a detailed description of the history of the

Sivellaus mountain range in the document he was about to submit.

"In the scientific community, there's a common viewpoint:

"In a period that's unknown to be long or short, the Solomon Empire and

the Tudor Dynasty coexisted in the Northern Continent, and their border

could very likely be situated where the Hornacis mountain range and the

Feynapotter Highlands are today.

"There's a high chance that the Hornacis mountain range's extension in

Sivellaus County was a contested ground between both parties..."

Barton didn't endorse Vernal. He only provided references to show that

there were indeed possible ruins of the Fourth Epoch in the mountains of

Sivellaus County.

This way, if it was proven that Vernal was lying, no one would hold him

responsible, because all of the descriptions came from famous

historians. Barton had only extracted snippets in a selective fashion.

At the end of the document, he listed out his references:

"...'Private Historical Research of Sivellaus County', Azik Eggers, Khoy

University's Department of History lecturer..."

After completing this document, Barton read through it from top to

bottom and modified his choice of words and certain sentences.

Then, he took the draft and entered the clerk's room next door. He asked

them to type up a formal document with mechanical typewriters.

The Loen Relic Search and Preservation Foundation had always hired

plenty of female employees. From the lowest level of ordinary clerks to

the deputy director of the upper echelons, at least half of them were

female.

Barton actually had some things to say about this, but he didn't, nor

did he dare to object. He could only choose to accept the state of

things.

Of course, he had to admit that when he needed to wait, it was quite

nice watching these young female clerks busying themselves.

At least it enriches the colors here... As Barton listened to

the tapping sounds, he mumbled silently.

Once the documents were done, he signed and submitted them. Then, just

like before, he continued with his work as usual.

This included but wasn't limited to the trial projects, providing

professional opinions and gathering research materials for the

foundation's papers and commentary.

A day quickly passed, and Barton left the company at six in the evening.

He took a public carriage and returned home after an hour.

This was a common occurrence in all the major cities in Loen. That was

why high tea became a trend---after lunchtime from 12 to 1, it would be

half-past seven or eight in the evening before people reached home. If

not for high tea sessions, most people would definitely be abnormally

hungry.

Of course, this was only limited to the middle-class and above. Many

poor people might only eat two meals a day. Moreover, couples with the

conditions to work would both be working. They would have to prepare

dinner after returning home at around eight in the evening. And the food

wasn't for their enjoyment.

"Vernal came to visit you in the afternoon," Barton's wife said casually

as she helped him take off his coat and hat.

"Vernal?" Barton was taken aback momentarily.

*The archaeologist who discovered a Fourth Epoch ruins in Sivellaus

County had returned to East Chester County?*

As soon as he said that, Barton frowned and muttered to himself, *He

really did forget to send the information, so he came back

personally?*

*No, there's no need to go through so much trouble. The Royal Mail is

rather reliable.*

*Besides, he should know that I'll definitely be at the foundation if

it's not a weekend. Yes, I might've been sent elsewhere for an

inspection review...*

With this in mind, Barton asked, "Where is he?"

"He only waited in your study for fifteen minutes before he left,"

Barton's wife said.

Barton pressed, "Did he say which hotel he's living in? When will he

come again?"

The archaeologist, Vernal, was from East Chester County, but he wasn't a

Stoen resident. He didn't have a place here.

"He didn't say. He seemed to be in a hurry." Barton's wife paused for a

moment before continuing, "He looked very impatient."

Barton touched his receding hairline and nodded gently.

"I'll be in the study."

His study was on the second floor, and there were many bookshelves and

some porcelain placed there. He wasn't too passionate about porcelain,

but he actively searched for unique items.

After some searching, Barton didn't find any note or letter left behind

by Vernal.

He quickly threw the matter to the back of his mind.

This was his usual rule---he tried not to be troubled by work once he

got home.

After dinner, he shared a beautiful time with his wife and children,

then quickly washed up and went to bed.

In the dead of night, he suddenly woke up and opened his eyes.

Ever since the danger he encountered during an archaeological excavation

ten years ago, Barton had gained a sense of awareness---spiritual

perception---that exceeded what ordinary people had. He could always

sense some movements that others couldn't detect. For example, others

might realize that someone was looking for them when visitors arrived at

the door, but Barton could sense whether the other party was related to

him once they walked down the corridor.

Someone sneaked in... Barton suddenly sat up, his eyes wide

open.

He looked at his wife who was sleeping soundly beside him and didn't

wake her up. With very slight movements, he flipped out of bed and

removed the double-barreled hunting rifle hanging on the wall.

After grabbing the rifle, he gently opened the door and looked down the

corridor.

This place was shrouded in the darkness of the night, and a faint

crimson glow outlined certain objects.

Barton didn't hesitate. He entered the corridor and scanned the area.

However, he didn't find the burglar.

Was I mistaken? Barton turned around, feeling a lack of

confidence.

There was no sign of any of the rooms on the second floor being opened.

After thinking for a while, Barton came to the door of the study,

grabbed the handle, and gently twisted it.

The door opened silently. Everything inside was immersed in the

darkness, resembling all kinds of monsters.

After drawing the curtains, Barton carefully examined the interior with

the aid of the moonlight, and he confirmed that the interior was exactly

the same as he remembered.

*I really am too sensitive... An aftereffect of the nightmare

yesterday?* Barton exhaled and left the study quickly.

Behind him, the curtains that were drawn lightly swayed, as if a gust of

wind was blowing.

The next day, Barton continued his daily routine.

He kissed his wife and children, took a rental carriage, read

newspapers, brewed black tea, read letters...

Eh, there's another letter from Vernal. Barton felt relieved

and opened the letter.

However, there was nothing in the letter. The sender seemed to have

forgotten to stuff the letter into the envelope.

Has Vernal been suffering from absentmindedness recently?

Barton glanced at the envelope in his hand and suddenly realized that

the pattern on it was a little strange.

This was an envelope with a commemorative sense.

According to what Barton knew, many high-end hotels in Backlund and

Stoen City would provide special envelopes and paper to their guests. It

was equivalent to a tourist souvenir.

Which hotel is this? Barton put the envelope to his nose and

prepared to smell the fragrance on it. It was also unique and

recognizable.

In the next second, he smelled a faint scent of blood.