Ed talked with some people for directions, and after seeing the resignation on their faces, the group learned that the former leader of the city was still around, and they also heard where he was… it was a semi-destroyed large building in the core of the city.
Sigma and the others walked toward the building, and he frowned since he didn't see anyone selling anything… he wanted to check his powers with some magic items since he wanted those that already had unlocked all parameters. Still, it looked like he would have to wait for a while longer.
Once they found the building, they didn't find anyone around. They had heard that the previous leader lived alone, but they didn't think that not a single person would be with him. The entrance of the building didn't have doors either, and it was just another large and open room… in there, they found a man sitting cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed on a wooden floor. That was quite rare to find, but it seemed perfectly well maintained.
"Excuse me, sir," Ed said. "Are you the former leader of Cielia city?"
The man that Ed was referring to was an old man who looked to be sixty years old since all of his hair had turned white. Despite that, they were long and completely straight. The man also had a certain aura, and it became clear that he was a seasoned warrior when he opened his eyes and looked at them. The man was wearing something that looked like a training robe for martial artists, and that would explain why he looked so fit in his sixties.
Regardless, the man looked at Sigma for a short while and then decided to close his eyes again. That annoyed Sigma, but at least he decided to talk with them.
"I am not the leader anymore, youngsters," the old man said. "The current leader is north of here, beyond the walls."
"My name is Ed, sir… I don't know what happened here, but our boss told us to talk with you," Ed said while forcing a smile. "I am not sure if she was aware of the change in leadership, but I still want to talk with you before talking with the current leader."
"Very well," The old man said and then turned to face them. "I have plenty of time to spare, after all. My name is Lucius."
"I am Ed. These are Sabrina, Eclair, and Sigma," Ed said while pointing toward them.
"Do you know a redhead girl called Saria?" Sigma interrupted Ed and then asked. "She has green eyes, and she is between ten years old and eighteen."
"... You have little information about someone you are looking for," Lucius said and then furrowed his eyebrows. "To not even know her age… putting that aside, you sure have an unusual aura."
"Just answer my question," Sigma said. "Sorry, but while you have time to spare, I don't have."
"You sure live in a hurry, youngster," Lucius said and then stared at Sigma for a short while. "Red hair… I can't say that I saw someone like that."
Sigma got up and left, and he had to check things by himself with the population since the old man was too relaxed. Ed and the others stayed behind since they had things to consider and talk with him as well.
"I apologize on behalf of my friend, but he is truly eager to find someone whom he believes is the key to his amnesia," Ed said and then grabbed the magic stone and the claws of the elder Verdiris. "Almost by himself, Sigma killed the beast south of here. Do you believe these are proof enough?"
"I suppose, but as I said, I am no longer the leader here," Lucius said. "I take that you want to show this to obtain our support for one reason or the other to that youngster? I can only imagine that you and your boss believe that he is the eighteenth, am I right?"
— —
For a while, Sigma walked around the city and talked with everyone he met and asked if they saw anyone that looked like Saria. He didn't get any luck… he also checked the houses until the sun began to set, but once again, he got no results.
It was annoying, but Sigma couldn't deny that the trail had gone cold .... Eight years had passed since the last time he saw her, and it was only natural that things would be hard. Still, he wasn't planning to give up.
"I need to check with those three if they are planning to stay here for long… if that is the case, then I will go ahead on my own," Sigma thought while walking toward Lucius' house and considering what he should do to deal with aquatic and ice monsters."
Soon, Sigma arrived there, and then he saw those three waiting for him at the entrance. It seemed that they had finished their business.
"It seems that you didn't get any results…" Ed said and then stopped there since Sigma was in a bad mood. "It is late, and Lucius said that we can use his dojo to rest for the night. We also need some other things to prepare for the journey ahead, so…"
"Yeah, I get it," Sigma said and then began to unpack some of his things.
Lucius was nowhere to be seen, and since the building had upper floors, he assumed that he was in those. Fortunately, his first floor was pretty good for making people relax, so Sigma used that chance to meditate as much as possible.
The temperature in Cielia was quite low, so Ed made the stew of the night extra spicy to keep everyone warm. Unfortunately, Sigma didn't enjoy much of it, thanks to his mood, and soon returned to his Meditation.