As the sun started to begin its descent, casting shadows across the streets of Central Leode, I decided to head towards both the markets and the entertainment district. It made sense that a supplier of illegal goods like Lorenzo would have certain connections to the underground areas due to the connection to Pandora, and both the markets and the Entertainment District were known to be hubs for arcanist-related activities and rumours to other arcanists.
This was rather beneficial to Arcanists, as Enforcers were more concentrated in the central areas, while in the outskirts like the Entertainment District and the markets were the playgrounds for hiding Arcanists alike.
When the enforcers did make a rare public display of caught criminal Arcanists, it was almost always in these parts though. Enforcers did keep their patrols more in Central Leode, but they would have some presence around the markets and Entertainment District to keep an eye on the more active territories.
Caius, still trailing behind me as I had requested, seemed unusually quiet. I had briefly explained the details of the bounty task to him earlier and emphasized the need for discretion and caution. I wanted him to understand that this wasn't a typical outing and I needed him to stay out of my way. Maybe he was taking my words to heart for once.
As we wandered through the vibrant streets, I kept my eyes and ears open, searching for anything that might lead us to Lorenzo. But the hours passed, and we found nothing. It was frustrating, and I could feel Caius growing restless beside me.
Caius finally spoke up while taking a bite of an apple he bought at the market. "Elias, we've been all over the place, and there's no sign of anything."
I had considered using my abilities as a Tier 8 Watcher, but that would require something to use it on. If we had some kind of clue or item related to Lorenzo, I would be able to see into the past and possibly locate him a lot quicker. But we had no such leads other than a name and a description of his activities.
Caius's voice was tinged with frustration, and I couldn't blame him. I had been chasing shadows, and it was disheartening to come up empty-handed.
I nodded in agreement, my voice equally frustrated. "You're right. I need some kind of lead, something more concrete to go on. I can't keep wandering aimlessly."
All Deka had provided was a name and a description of Lorenzo's activities. Though it could be better, I couldn't blame him. I was picking this bounty up myself without the help of Darius and the rest of the Den.
Caius rubbed his temples as if trying to ease the tension building up. "There is one place we haven't checked yet, Eli. The Homeless District."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his suggestion. "The Homeless District? What would Lorenzo be doing there? Wouldn't he be dealing in his circle to avoid suspicion and prying eyes?"
Caius's eyes held a mixture of knowledge and sadness as he explained. "You see, the Homeless District is an area the enforcers seldom approach. That's why it's riddled with petty crime, gangs, and plenty of families living in poor conditions. The government neglects it. The homeless residents are barely surviving, and they resort to whatever means they can to get by."
My curiosity piqued, and I pressed further. "And what does that have to do with Lorenzo?"
Caius's voice grew more sombre as he continued, his words heavy with the weight of the reality he was describing. "The way the Leode government treats the working class is no secret. Wages don't keep up with continuously rising living costs and it ends up trickling down to the more run-down areas of Leode. Families struggling to make ends meet often end up in the Homeless District. Desperation in this area ends up leading to illegal activities more often than not. People sell goods, take on dangerous jobs, and risk getting caught by the enforcers."
As Caius painted a picture of the Homeless District and its inhabitants, I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. I had always been focused on my own pursuits, my research and investigations, and had given little thought to the struggles of others. Now, I was confronted with the harsh reality of their lives.
"You're saying that Lorenzo might be involved with the Homeless District somehow?" I asked, my tone more contemplative.
Caius nodded, his eyes determined. "It's a possibility, Eli. If he's dealing in illegal goods or arcanist materials, he might be supplying the needy with the means to survive. It could be a way for him to keep a low profile while still profiting from the desperation of those living in the district."
As Caius spoke, we made our way towards the Homeless District. The environment was starkly different from the vibrant Entertainment District and the restless Central Leode. Here, the buildings were rundown, and the streets were made of wet mud and dirt. Ragged cloth and makeshift tents dotted the landscape, and many people were gathered outside, selling items for a pittance.
The ground beneath our feet was uneven, and the air was heavy with not only grimy pollution but also a sense of struggle and resilience. It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by the less fortunate.
I observed the people around us, their faces etched with the weariness of life's hardships. There were families huddled together, children playing in the dirt, and individuals sitting beside their meagre belongings. They were all trying to make a living in a world that seemed to have forgotten them.
The items on display for sale were a motley collection, a mix of discarded goods, salvaged trinkets, and homemade crafts. It was clear that these were people who were trying to scrape by, making the best of what they had.
As we continued our journey through the district, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of responsibility. These were the very people who might be caught in the crossfire of the illegal activities we were investigating. We needed to tread carefully and with respect for their struggles.
Caius and I exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the gravity of the situation. We were stepping into a world where desperation fueled survival, and we had to be cautious, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of those who called the Homeless District their home.
I kept a watchful eye on the various items being sold, not expecting to find any direct connection to Lorenzo but hoping for some clues. That's when I saw it—a familiar glint on one of the beggar's cloths caught my eye.
It was a Hollow Marble, a shimmering aqueous blue. I recognized it immediately. I had used these marbles, and they were not common items.
I walked over to the beggar, a woman with dishevelled hair and a weathered face. She looked startled by my approach, stumbling over her words as I inquired, "Where did you get this, and how much do you want for it?"
The beggar blinked in surprise, her eyes widening as she stammered, "I, uh, I got it from a cloaked man a couple of days ago... He had all sorts of things, and he gave me this because it looks beautiful… I mean, he said it was beautiful. I was hoping to sell them to make a bit of money for food."
The description of the cloaked man with orange hair and goggles piqued my interest. It could be a lead. As I picked one up and held it in my fingertips I pressed further, "Can you tell me more about this man? Did he say anything about where he got these items?"
The beggar shook her head, her voice filled with uncertainty. "I'm sorry, sir. He didn't say anything else. Um… I remember he had orange hair and wore goggles. That's all I know."
I considered her words carefully. The description matched the individual Deka had mentioned—the one who had been distributing various items. This was a potential lead, and I needed to follow it.
"How much are you asking for all of these?" I asked, gesturing to the Hollow Marbles.
The beggar hesitated, then replied, "Two dirs for all of them."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out 1 Stoek, equivalent to 15 dirs, and handed it to her. Her eyes widened with astonishment as she accepted the silver coin.
"Thank you so much sir, now I won't have to worry about food as much."
Caius came over and, knelt down beside the beggar, his eyes filled with empathy. "Ma'am, I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. No one should have to go through this. If you don't mind me asking, can you tell us more about your living conditions? How have things been for you?"
The beggar's voice quivered as she began to paint a picture of her daily struggles. "It's been getting worse by the day, sir. My family and I live in a tiny apartment not far from here. The rent keeps going up, and I can't keep up with it. I've had to sell most of my possessions just to feed my children."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "My husband works at the textile mill, but he's been sick with tuberculosis for the past few months. I have to take care of my two kids on my own, and it's been so hard to make ends meet."
Caius listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of her words. He reached out to give her the other apple he had purchased earlier. "Here, ma'am, take this. It's not much, but I hope it helps a little."
The beggar's eyes filled with gratitude as she accepted the apple, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much this means to me. Bless you."
Caius gave her a kind smile and patted her shoulder gently. "I wish there was more I could do for you. Just remember, you're not alone in this. There are people who do care. We're here to help in any way we can."
The beggar's face lit up with gratitude, and her eyes sparkled with tears. "Thank you, Caius sir, and your friend as well. You have no idea what this means to me. Bless you both."
I stood up from where I had been crouched, my heart heavy with the knowledge of the suffering not only this woman and her family were enduring but the entire district. It gave me a new perspective on this world and how harsh it can be. How lucky I was to be staying with Caius and not out on the streets with the other homeless.
As we both walked away through the district, I activated my fractured sight ability while holding it in my pocket. I opened my eyes and saw the familiar webs in my vision as cracks formed on the surface of reality. A scene appeared in one of the cracks, showing me the past.
I could see the same helpless beggar kneeling before a figure wearing a brown hood that went down to his legs. This figure had burnt orange hair, a sharp jawline, and goggles, just as the beggar had described. It was likely to be Lorenzo, the man we were searching for.
With just a blink, I deactivated fractured sight and the webs that only I could see disappeared, bringing me back to reality.
I made a mental note of my progress. It had come a long way since I first became a Watcher. I could now activate my ability in public without causing a scene, and the time it took to initiate it had decreased drastically. Concentrating on the glass bowl in my mind was far easier. It was a testament to my growing mastery of this power.
Just as I was about to inform Caius of our newfound lead, he suddenly stopped walking, and I nearly bumped into him. His gaze was fixed on something, and I followed his line of sight.
We had come to a large, aging building with a worn sign hanging on the gate that read "Leode Orphanage." It was a sombre sight.
I couldn't help but recall the missing orphans that Fritz had taken for his sick and twisted experiments. Caius had said that they were his friends, his family. He had taken care of those who still lived here while the whole kidnapping incident had been going on. In in a way, I knew this place held special significance for him.
The silence between us grew awkward, and I could sense the emotions stirring within Caius. It was clear that this was a touchy subject, one that I didn't want to intrude upon. Not like last time.
Caius broke the silence, his voice sombre. "Let's keep going."
As we continued to walk towards Central Leode, the glow of the sunset enveloped the city leaving soft hues of dusk all over the roofs of buildings.
Once the now familiar Red Anchor Bar came into view, Caius spoke up. "Elias, you look like you could use a drink. I'll even treat you. We've had a pretty successful day of investigation, we deserve it."
The idea of a drink and some food was appealing, especially after a day spent chasing leads and delving into secrets. I nodded in agreement. "You know what? Why not."
We entered the Red Anchor, and the warm, inviting atmosphere enveloped us. It was a place where I had started to frequent. The sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air.
Though my determination to work persisted, the late hour and the fatigue from a day of searching finally caught up with me. I reluctantly decided to take a break, especially with the prospect of investigating various matters again over the coming days.
After sipping my drink for a while, I leaned against the bar counter, letting my thoughts wander as the room buzzed around me. The fractured sight had proven to be a valuable tool in my investigations, and I couldn't resist the temptation to use it again. There could always be the possibility of something coming up.
Closing my eyes briefly and holding onto my glass, I let my consciousness slip into that peculiar state. When I opened them again, I was greeted by a fractured scene in my vision. The bar was bustling as usual, with people laughing and clinking glasses.
But then my gaze fixed on two individuals seated at the counter. They seemed to be engrossed in a conversation. In the still state of the scene, I had caught a glimpse of something more discrete. They were in the middle of passing a small note to the other. It was an ordinary-looking piece of paper, but it piqued my interest.
As I observed the two, the note in between the transaction was perfectly exposed to my prying eyes.
"The auction will have it." Those were the words written on the note. It was a simple message, but it held immense significance. The connection was crystal clear.
I couldn't believe my luck. This was a crucial piece of information, directly related to the underground event I had investigated yesterday. It seemed that the event was not just any gathering; it was an auction.