Published: February 1, 2026
Under the clear sky, a man was walking alone down the main street of the Capital City (Parteda).
He seemed unfamiliar with the cityscape, his steps leisurely as he occasionally glanced around. His brown skin wasn’t particularly rare, but it seemed to catch the eyes of some passersby.
At that moment, the man suddenly noticed a certain building and stopped. It was the adventurers' guild, notably larger than the others along the street.
“Excuse me, can I have a moment?”
The man called out to a group of adventurers loitering in front of the guild.
The adventurers, who had been idly chatting, immediately fell silent and looked at him. They studied his casually worn attire from head to toe, and one of them smiled warmly before speaking.
“Hey there, brother. Lost your way?”
“No, I’m looking for someone.”
The man glanced briefly inside the open guild door, then returned his gaze to the adventurers.
“A rather noble one, a very dark one, and a peculiar trio that seems out of place — I’m looking for those three.”
“Alright, got it.”
The adventurer laughed heartily and crossed his arms.
The spear tip he rested against the guild wall wobbled slightly. The spear’s blade was hidden beneath a cloth cover, concealing its sharp edge.
“But, hey...”
In the next instant, the air seemed to sharpen, as if the hidden spear blade had suddenly been revealed.
“What business does a southern soldier have with those guys?”
The adventurers’ eyes pierced the man, still holding their friendly smiles.
Though bonds between adventurers weren't particularly strong, their interests were strictly aligned beyond emotions. If someone was being chased by the military due to their own fault, that might be understandable, but if a name like that popped up without reason, it was no trivial matter.
No adventurer would be pleased to see the military intervene.
“No, it’s nothing serious.”
The man pretended not to notice their intent.
“I just happened to come to the Capital City and thought I’d like to see their faces.”
“Oh, that’s private, huh?”
The mood turned friendly again as the man gave a wry smile.
The adventurers were experienced enough not to overthink or become quarrelsome at vague hints of hidden matters.
“Haha, I didn’t expect a soldier to be trying to pick up someone like that.”
The adventurer laughed loudly and straightened up.
“Sorry, they’re not around today.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for the sudden question.”
“If you’re lucky, they might be at the inn. I’ll tell you where.”
The man momentarily wondered how the adventurer knew the inn's location, but quickly understood and listened as the adventurer gave directions: go straight, turn left at the old well, then right at the third street. He couldn’t recall which house exactly, but the door had a silver plaque marking it as an inn.
“Well, if you get close enough, anyone can point you in the right direction. You won’t get lost.”
“I see, thank you. I’ll try going to the inn then.”
The man expressed his gratitude, waved lightly as they parted ways, and resumed walking.
Though he had visited the Capital City several times, he was far from accustomed to it. Slowly taking in the historic streetscape, he followed the directions given.
“Hm?”
The man suddenly stopped, stepping aside to avoid being in anyone’s way.
A beastman woman with soft, long ears swaying at both sides of her head passed by, walking alongside a friend of Yuito’s. He recognized the words she softly spoke.
“Do you think the noble is still there?”
“Maybe, it’s been a while after all.”
Drawn by their cheerful voices, the man silently followed at a modest distance, careful not to appear suspicious. Luckily, the crowd was thick enough to avoid misunderstandings.
As the noise of the main street faded behind them.
“There! There they are.”
The two women lowered their voices slightly as they approached a certain café.
The café had a terrace with a few seats. They discreetly looked toward the lone person sitting there and exchanged pleasant smiles before passing by.