"Today, we're definitely going to find him."

We had spent the entirety of the previous day sightseeing. Today, we needed to find at least one solid clue leading to Bradley. I made that much clear as we sat down for breakfast.

"Mhm, I know," Neneva replied, though her eyes were fixed on the bracelet on her left wrist. It was a piece modeled after the Wind-song Grass her mother had loved.

Wind-song Grass was a rare plant found on the plains. It had the unique property of vibrating its leaf veins in the wind to produce a musical tone. A single blade played only a single note, but when they grew in clusters, they created beautiful chords.

I imagined Neneva and her mother had spent many hours listening to the chorus of those grasses.

"So, as for how we're going to search..."

"Mhm, I know."

That Neneva. She was so lost in her memories that she wasn't listening to a word I said.

I glanced at Graymond, who wore a troubled expression. He likely felt the same as I did—he knew we had a job to do, but he also understood Neneva’s sentimental state.

"The Asterion Sword Kingdom has an Adventurer’s Guild as well. It might be worth asking a reputable branch to gather information for us," Graymond suggested, stepping in with a practical idea while Neneva remained distracted.

In a crowded place like the Asterion Sword Kingdom, my [Insect Master] skill, [Ear of a Hundred Insects], was useless due to all the background noise. Turning to an Adventurer’s Guild, with its vast information networks, was a logical step. However...

"I'm worried about the connections between guilds," I said. "If they coordinate across national borders..."

"A valid concern," Graymond admitted.

Those involved with the Imuris Kingdom likely didn't know we were in Asterion yet, but it was impossible to tell how far the Shield of the Sky's reach extended. There was a chance that word of "Berserker Walt" had already circulated through the guild networks. If possible, I wanted to avoid the Adventurer's Guild entirely.

"He's an acquaintance of someone important in this country, right? Wouldn't it be faster to just go see that person and ask?" Neneva finally piped up, offering a wildly optimistic suggestion. If it were that easy, we wouldn't be struggling.

"And how are we supposed to get an audience with them?"

"This country values martial prowess, so you should just make a name for yourself as the strongest man, Walt! If you do that, they'll come to you!"

Neneva looked perfectly serious. She actually believed this would work.

"Give me a break... What's the point of standing out? Have you forgotten our situation?"

"Oh, right..."

"For now, our only choice is to head out and gather what we can from the locals," Graymond concluded, sipping his tea.

"So basically, more sightseeing!"

"No, Young Lady. It is not."

We left the inn without a clear destination in mind.

We ended up back at the Open-air Market. We’d decided it was the best place to talk to the largest number of people.

We gathered information about the Commander of the Asterion Knight Order while browsing inexpensive trinkets. The plan was to find a point of contact with the Commander, who could then lead us to Bradley.

"Walt... could that fruit be the key to saving the world...?"

"Just say you want to eat it."

"I want to eat it! I've never seen anything like it! I want to eat it!"

Neneva pointed at a cluster of long, yellow fruits on a stall shelf. They grew in bunches, several curved fingers joined together. I'd certainly never seen them before.

Our bickering caught the eye of the sun-tanned stall owner.

"Where is this fruit from?" I asked.

"Supposedly from another continent. It's a bit pricey since it has to come by ship, but the taste is incredible. You just peel back the skin to get to the soft, white fruit inside."

Neneva looked up at me expectantly.

Gulp.

"Neneva... don't provide your own sound effects. Shopkeeper, can I have three of those?"

"Coming right up!"

I paid the man, and he snapped three of the yellow fruits from the bunch and handed them over. I immediately pivoted back to information gathering.

"Trade seems to be flourishing in this country."

"Well, the Markt Merchant City-state Federation is close by. The Asterion Knight Order goes on expeditions all over the place to do favors for the Federation, so we get priority on their goods."

That explained it. It was why this market had so many items that couldn't be found even in the Royal Capital of the Imuris Kingdom.

"Is the Knight Order on an expedition right now?"

"Yeah, they just left a few days ago. If you were looking for them, you're out of luck. Even if you go to the training ground, there won't be much going on."

The training ground... the Commander might have made an appearance there. "Was the Knight Order Commander with them?"

"Yeah. He was leading the charge like he always does."

Graymond and I exchanged a look. The old man’s brow furrowed in a deep, troubled frown.

"Do you know how long the expedition will last?"

"Nah, I wouldn't know that much. Oh, welcome!"

As a new customer arrived, we cut our conversation short and moved along.

"This is a problem," Graymond muttered.

"It is. It doesn't look like we'll be able to meet the Commander anytime soon. If that's the case, we'll have to—"

"This is delicious!"

Neneva was the only one not on the same page. She had already peeled her fruit and was happily stuffing her face, looking perfectly content.

"Let's try to find out more about where the expedition went," I suggested.

"I agree. If it's nearby, we could potentially head there—"

"Don't you dare mess with me!!"

A gruff, booming voice rang through the market. It wasn't Neneva, obviously. It came from an adventurer-type further down the street—a massive man with a longsword strapped to his back.

"Hey, get up!"

With a thick arm, the man hoisted a boy working one of the stalls into the air by his collar. The boy hung there, helpless.

"That boy... from yesterday..."

The one being cornered was the same boy who had sold us the Wind-song Grass bracelet.

"I had that 'silver' necklace you sold me appraised, and it's nothing but cheap alloy! There isn't a speck of silver in it! You tried to scam me!!"

Great. Worst possible timing.

I looked at Neneva. She was staring down at the bracelet on her own wrist. She must have realized that her treasure was a fake, too.

"Whew."

Neneva took a deep, steadying breath and started walking toward the adventurer and the boy. Her stride was strangely powerful.

"Please, let him go," Neneva said, her voice clear and firm as she stood before the man. Graymond and I hurried after her.

"What's this? You a friend of this brat, little girl?" The adventurer glanced down at her, still keeping the boy dangling.

"No. I am just a customer. But I'd like you to forgive him. He is a wonderful craftsman. Look at this bracelet—isn't it lovely?"

Neneva proudly displayed the bracelet on her left wrist.

"What's that got to do with anything?! That doesn't change the fact that he ripped me off!"

"That is why I am asking. Could you find it in your heart to forgive him if he accepts a return?"

"Urgh..."

Neneva’s plea hit the adventurer with unexpected weight. It was possible her [Saint] Job was exerting some kind of influence.

"Fine..."

The adventurer lowered the boy and released his grip. The boy’s legs gave out, and he crumpled onto the cobblestones.

"Here. Give me my money back."

"I'm... so sorry..."

With tears in his eyes, the boy took the necklace back and returned the coins. The adventurer scratched his head and grumbled as he stomped away.

The boy remained on the stones, staring blankly with watery eyes.

"Hey now, pull yourself together!" Neneva urged.

"Yes..."

"How long do you plan on sitting there?"

"I'm sorry..."

The boy tried to stand, swaying unsteadily, before starting to pitch forward. I stepped in and caught him before he hit the ground. He was shockingly light. I wondered how many days he’d gone without a meal to end up this emaciated.

"Wait, is he okay?" Neneva asked, peering worriedly at his face. The boy had lost consciousness.

"We need to move him. Graymond, can you grab his things?"

"Certainly."

We gathered the boy's meager belongings and carried his frail body away from the market.