It was around half-past ten in the morning. Stearena was leading Jin and the others through the city of Goua, accompanied by Reiko, Ar, and Edgar. Selene, being a bit too conspicuous for a casual walk, had stayed behind to watch over the workshop.
"This city is relatively new. You can tell by the buildings, right?"
True to her word, the stone surfaces of the structures were smooth and clean. The contrast with the weathered, crumbling ruins of the Leonard Kingdom was night and day.
"Though the layout is a bit of a mess. I imagine first-timers find themselves getting lost quite easily."
Usually, newer cities were built either in a neat grid or in a radial pattern centered on the lord's castle. Goua, however, was a jumble of large and small buildings. The streets were anything but straight; they turned at sharp angles or curved in odd arcs, making the city a navigational nightmare.
"The local lord, Duke Hubert Bertin de Parshan, claims he doesn't like cityscapes that are too orderly."
Stearena added that the duke was something of a dictator.
"Personally, I find this kind of place more approachable. I like it," Jin offered honestly.
He preferred streets that felt lived-in and organic over those that were perfectly planned but felt cold and sterile.
"...I think I understand what you mean, Jin-nii."
"Hmm, I like this sort of cluttered atmosphere, too."
When Saki chimed in to agree, Jin couldn't help but tease her.
"Haha, well, your room is certainly cluttered enough, Saki."
"Guh! J-Jin, it's not like that anymore! Ar cleans it every single day!"
"...Saki-nee, that's not exactly something to be proud of," Elsa noted.
The group continued down the main street in high spirits. As the crowds thickened, Jin took Hanna by the hand.
"Make sure you don't get lost."
"Yeah! Thanks, Onii-chan!"
Watching them from the side, Stearena murmured to herself.
(...He can be so attentive to a little girl, yet he's completely hopeless when it comes to young women...)
Unaware of her private observation, Jin and Hanna navigated through the throngs hand-in-hand.
"Jin-kun, Hanna-chan, it's getting crowded up ahead. Let's turn right here."
At Stearena's direction, they turned off the main thoroughfare and into an alley. A short walk later, they emerged onto a different street. The noise of the city faded instantly, replaced by a quiet, specialized atmosphere.
"This is locally known as 'Material Street.' There are shops for everything here, from food ingredients to magi-crystals."
"Heh, that sounds like fun!" Saki said, her interest clearly piqued.
"Look, that shop over there is my regular haunt. Let's stop in for a bit."
The shop was smaller than its neighbors, but inside, it was surprisingly deep.
"Welcome, Lady Stearena. Are you looking for something in particular today?"
An elderly shopkeeper greeted her with a polite bow.
"No, I'm just showing some friends around today. This lady here is an alchemist—do you happen to have any rare materials in stock?"
Stearena asked with a wry smile as she watched Saki practically vibrating with excitement while scanning the shelves.
"An alchemist! How rare. Let me see... I have this, which was just brought in from the mines the other day."
From a pile of unsorted goods, the shopkeeper pulled out a flat, black stone.
"It's quite interesting. It can be peeled into very thin sheets."
"...Biotite?"
Just as Jin identified, it was indeed biotite. The muscovite found north of Kaina Village ranged from white to transparent, but biotite was black and opaque. Other than the color, their properties were nearly identical. In this part of the world, it was mostly considered a novelty mineral for children to peel and play with.
"I also have these."
"Oh, wow! These are incredible!"
The shopkeeper produced stones in vibrant shades of orange and purple, each shaped like a rough octahedron.
"These are fluorite crystals. I love collecting these," Saki said.
Saki also recognized them from her scientific studies. She already had many in her personal collection, but she decided to buy a small amethyst as a memento of the trip.
"Next... let's see... Oh, how about that place?"
Stearena pointed toward a shop specializing in accessories. Several pieces were on display outside.
"Hey, Onii-chan, I'm thirsty."
It was rare for Hanna to make a request like that. She had had some juice earlier at Stearena's workshop, but she had likely been too polite to drink her fill. On a summer day like this, the radiant heat reflecting off the ground was intense, especially for someone as small as Hanna. It was only natural she was feeling the heat more than the others.
"Alright, let's find you something to drink."
"Jin-kun, if that's the case, there's a shop at the very end of this street. It's a bit of a walk, but it's good. We'll head over to look at the accessories while you go."
"Got it. We'll meet you there."
Jin, Hanna, and Reiko headed toward the recommended shop, while Elsa, Edgar, Saki, Ar, and Stearena made their way to the jeweler.
Elsa was the first to reach the door, nearly colliding with a girl stepping out of the shop.
"Kyah!"
"Ah..."
Both girls stumbled back, but neither fell.
"Watch where you're going!" the other girl snapped.
"...I'm sorry."
Though neither was clearly at fault, Elsa bowed her head slightly, intimidated by the stranger's aggressive tone. Suddenly, Elsa noticed something lying on the ground at her feet.
"Ah!"
It was the folding knife Jin had given her. The blade was made of light silver, while the handle was crafted from Sham Dragon horn and inlaid with tiny magi-crystals. It must have slipped out of her inner pocket during the bump. Elsa hurriedly reached down to retrieve it.
"Wait... is that...?"
The girl stared intently at the knife in Elsa's hand.
"H-Hey! Let me see that!"
"What? Yes..."
The girl practically snatched the knife from Elsa's hands. As she examined it, her eyes widened in shock.
"...Could it be? The same maker? No, that's too much of a coincidence... but this is definitely..."
She muttered to herself for a moment before suddenly wheeling back toward Elsa.
"You! Where did you get this knife? Who made it? Tell me right now!"
She pressed Elsa with an imperious, commanding tone. Though she was slightly shorter than Elsa, she possessed a fierce intensity. Caught off guard and overwhelmed, Elsa found herself unable to get a word out.
"Hey, why don't you calm down a bit?"
Saki stepped in between the two of them.
"Who are you supposed to be?" the girl barked, glaring at Saki.
"I'm Saki. And who are you? Why do you want to know so badly?"
"How irritating! Saki, was it? Do you think you can give orders to me, Beatrix? I'm searching for the maker of a specific dagger. Isn't this knife made by the same person?"
The girl—Beatrix—snapped back. Saki was internally exasperated by the girl's attitude, but she kept her composure.
"Beatrix, why don't you start by returning that knife to its owner?"
"I don't take orders from you!"
The girl clutched Elsa's knife to her chest defensively.
"...Beatrix? Blonde hair, green eyes... Wait, could it be... the 'Wayward Princess'!?"
Stearena, who had been observing the girl's appearance and behavior, suddenly cried out as she made the connection.
"Hmph. So that's what they're calling me now? I won't deny it."
Beatrix turned her glare toward Stearena.
"That's right. I am Beatrix Bertin de Emerode. So what if I'm wayward? You've got some nerve, saying that to my face as if I couldn't hear you."
"N-No, well, I just..."
Stearena shrank back. This girl was the daughter of the local lord and held a place—however distant—in the royal line of succession. More importantly, she was the subject of numerous troublesome rumors. She was not someone you wanted as an enemy.
"Beato, what's going on out here?"
A young man stepped out from the shop and spoke to Beatrix.
"Brother! I found a lead on that dagger!"
"What?"
"Here, look at this."
Beatrix thrust Elsa's knife toward the young man.