NOVEL WEB Chapter 321
Chapter 321: Hay and Needle
Aside from Edgar being a bit suspicious of me, we arrived in Todomarl without any particular issues.
As expected of a city referred to as the capital, it has a splendid structure. While it’s smaller compared to Evaroti, the stone walls surrounding the city and the stylish reliefs carved into the buildings make the city itself seem like a work of art.
The outcome of searching for ways to develop the land, despite its limited size, was to invite and support excellent artists and architects, blossoming culture and art.
I really want to avoid this city getting caught up in war…
“Well then, I wish you both the blessings of the gods of light.”
I parted ways with Edgar after entering the city.
I’m really glad we managed to avoid violence… His instincts are sharp, all too sharp; he’s a necessary asset for our alliance.
“It was a close call.”
Stop it! If I had harmed Edgar, it would have also involved the coachman’s monk!
“Wasn’t it a good deal? Two birds with one stone, happy times!”
Not at all a happy combo!
Sighing, I strapped on the luggage that I had loaded onto the carriage. While the ride had been quite bumpy, it also allowed me to temporarily forget about the heavy burden that now once again rested heavily on my shoulders.
“Now then…”
I could have taken shelter at the Holy Church in Todomarl, but to avoid any hassle, I decided to book a room here.
Since Edgar understood our situation, he didn’t insist on joining us. I had a feeling he might have offered to help, but who knows what could happen? It’s best to stay out of each other’s affairs.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
As expected of the capital, there were many people. We held hands to avoid getting separated as we began to walk.
—The bustling crowd.
The Evaroti Autonomous District had seen a lot of people as well, but this was an entirely different density. Leila was wide-eyed at the sheer number of people, and I was on high alert for thieves. It had been a while since I had to be this cautious…
I mean, it really wasn’t a good kind of crowded. Amid the locals of Todomarl, there were clear outsiders. They looked shabby and had dark expressions – clearly refugees from the Defteros Kingdom…
“There are a lot of them… Trying to find a specific mother and daughter among this crowd is going to be quite the task.”
I wouldn’t even know if they were here. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack… but there’s no choice but to go about it diligently.
A few times my pockets were nearly picked. Leila almost had her rapier pulled out of its sheath, but due to the fact it was made by dwarves, the would-be thief was repelled. It was tough to walk normally, so we decided to cut through the main street and into a quieter area.
If it was quiet, now there were many people huddled along the roadside.
Is this what it’s like in the capital? No, it’s precisely because it’s the capital, isn’t it? The Tritus Principality seems to be in quite a dire situation too…
We asked the locals and received directions to a relatively upscale inn where we booked a room.
“Is this worth this price…”
The private room was decent in size, security was good, and the furniture was nice, but the sheets were dirty. Water really seems to be an issue…
For now, I used holy magic to disinfect against pests. After placing the bulky luggage down and packing valuables into a leather backpack, we set out into the city again. Time for some people hunting and espionage prep.
“I’m looking for someone— a woman named Isabella and a girl named Nina—”
I approached various locals, refugees, and people of all ages, calling out to anyone who seemed worth talking to.
“I don’t know…”
“Please, give me some money. I haven’t eaten in two days…”
“I think I’ve heard of an Isabella…”
Occasionally, someone claimed to know her, but it was clear they were just lying for some coins.
Even so, if they looked particularly destitute, I quietly handed over a coin.
“That’s useless…”
They might genuinely know something.
“That’s not what I meant.”
…Damn it, I know! But little coins can help them survive today!
“With this situation, no amount of money will be enough…”
I know! I get it…
Tormented by powerlessness, we made our way back to the city center.
There were all kinds of people. Humans, beastmen, and rarely forest elves or dwarves. I was searching for a mother and daughter who may or may not be alive amid this throng—
“Hey, you in the hat!”
I called out to a neatly-dressed boy hurrying through the crowd. He wore his hat pulled low, looking relatively clean but gave off a slightly worn-out vibe. He exuded an impression of being ‘experienced’ in this cutthroat situation.
“…What is it? I’m in a hurry.”
His voice was still high-pitched and youthful. The boy turned around, still holding a basket, stopping while showing an irritated expression. For a moment, I caught him glancing at Leila. If it were just me, he might have ignored me.
From his appearance, he seemed to be a merchant apprentice or a runner. If that was the case, he might know a few people— I held onto a sliver of hope.
“Sorry. Do you know a woman named Isabella and a girl named Nina?”
At my question, the boy jolted slightly.
His expression changed… from confusion to suspicion.
“…Why are you looking for them?”
Oh, could this be a lead?
“I was asked by a soldier named Kaito—”
As I spoke, the basket slipped from the boy’s hands. The contents tumbled onto the street.
“Is he an acquaintance of your father?!”
A shrill, almost screaming shout.
The wide-eyed boy…
No, wait, this child—
“I’m Nina! My mother is Isabella!”
He threw off his hat, revealing longer brown hair than one might expect from a boy.
“Is my father alive?! Where is he now?!”
With a desperate look, she clung to me—
—With the backpack on my back.
The bones quivered.