'No. Absolutely, not.'
What Eli got after his suggestion was a crisp rejection. This was of course expected, but he was a little disappointed, putting aside having to yet again go through complicated steps.
'But I can't just give up on the intelligence the Imperial Police may offer.'
There are things that he just can't do alone. Additionally, although he has a 10-year deadline, it isn't his personality to waste time if he has a goal, or else his hands go itchy.
"Gah, Alen!"
"Yes, young master?"
Seven days have passed since he woke up at Renaris, and he has almost adapted, to the point where it is ridiculous. People around him just believe his bullsh*t about having memory loss, despite the fact that this is the first case that they know of. He, who didn't have any nannies from the day he was born and was used to doing things by himself, was now accustomed to being attended by servants.
Alen was especially helpful.
When he wakes up in the afternoon, Alen has already prepared everything he needs. The original Elior was very similar to him in that he liked staying in his room. If he chose to slack off, all he did was wait for his meals to be delivered to him in a timely manner.
Despite being some sort of pariah in the household, Elior grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Having no expectations from him was a big plus, and he thought that made him reluctantly thankful to the Gambler.
The attendant who was carefully setting up his meal approached him on his bed as Eli continued to lie down, contemplating.
"Do you know if an Intelligence Unit exists here?"
"Intelligence Unit?"
"Ah, how about the media?"
"Media?"
Alen tilted his head in wonder; it seems the terms he mentioned were unfamiliar.
"Somewhere I could pick up-to-date information, but not just information; maybe about specific people or groups..."
"Mm.. you mean like an Information Guild?"
Eli's eyes widened, and he quickly raised his body up from his lazy position; the small mirror he'd been fiddling with fell to the bed safely.
"Yes! So that sort of thing exi ---"
"No. I'm afraid it's illegal, young master."
"Huh? Why?"
"The spread of information is long banned to the public; it's being controlled by the Imperial Family."
"So the Imperial Family is the media themselves."
"..."
"How is information being shared then?"
Alen handed him his morning tea while subtly leading him out of the bed and taking off his sleepwear.
"Well, each noble family has its own group of shadows important to the management of their territories; the information would then be shared within each faction through letters or their regular meetings. The military, temples, and knight orders would of course have their separate means."
"Among those, who would have the best information if I am looking for someone?"
"If it's a person from the Duchy, it'll be the Silver Order. If outside the territory, then that's the Gold Order. It'll be the military if it's one of another country or an otherworlder."
'Why would I have anything to do with otherworlders?'
He cast a confused glance at the middle-aged man, who only responded with a smile while buttoning Eli's shirt.
'I guess the Gold Order is really the perfect target.'
However, if he just waited to naturally create a network with them, more than half of the deadline would have already passed. Currently, Eli is ten years old, and it'll only be five years before he enters the Faros Academy, where all children 15 years of age are required to go.
At the academy, 2 years will still be needed so he can choose whether to be a knight or a paladin.
That was why he was trying to make a connection with the Argent through Sir Lancelot.
By the end of his thoughts, he was already seated at the dining table, fully dressed, with his well-prepared first meal of the day in front of him.
'There's no way that the circulation of information is completely barred by the Imperial Family.'
Similar to how the internet is layered into the surface web and the deep web, there should be a dark web farther down the information framework, even if it's in Renaris. If it's a fantasy world, should an underworld and even a black market exist?
His problem is his age.
So for now, like the past few days, he decided to go to the library to learn what he could.
***
While Eli was gulping down the almost tasteless pumpkin soup, Alen was looking at his young master, wondering what could be running through his head these days.
He was the one who was with the young master the longest; that's why, whenever he's asked whether the memory loss is real, he could confirm it hands down.
The young master Eli has changed. One thing, the young master before the incident was someone so timid he had never even looked Alen in the eye, though Alen knew he was deeply trusted.
But the new young master was bright-eyed and enthusiastic, albeit all these were hidden in a languid demeanor; of course Alen wouldn't be deceived.
Knowing the life of the kid, the change could only be explained or made possible if the tragic memories no longer exist.
Like the past few days, young master Eli has been questioning him non-stop. It could be said it was due to him wanting to regain his lost memories, but there were times they were more specific and even straying in dangerous directions. Particularly, his questions are more often unrelated to himself.
But as a loyal servant, Alen could only answer what he knew, whenever.
"Does Renaris have an underworld?"
The young master Eli has always been smart, but the current him is more mature and his mouth is reckless.
'Or is it more comfortable?'
From topics related to an intelligence guild, his ideas now took a turn toward something dangerous like the underworld.
Another thing about the young master is the way he refers to the world, as if he isn't part of it. But somehow, it made Alen smile, thinking it was adorable.
"Yes, young master. But it'll be tough for you."
"Because I'm still young?"
"No, but because you are a Lichtstiele."
The Lichtstiele House is part of the Imperialists, a faction loyal to the Reidieles, the Imperial family. Would the tiger welcome a lioness? Definitely not; they'll be dead before they can step inside the den. Well, though the young master is nothing but a cub; he'd be in danger for something else.
"Ah, right. That's an additional problem."
The kid mumbled as he carelessly sliced the meat on his plate.
"Young master."
"Mm?"
"Are you going to the library today too?"
"Mm."
"Would you be staying there until the night?"
"Yes, don't wait for me."
"I understand, young master."
'I guess I'll discuss it later.'
The effects of the young master's memory loss might be welcome news for him, but not for everyone else. The season of Solnei will be ending in another four days, and the arrival of the new season also means the return of those who went to the Bastion's defense.
'I'll just let the young master enjoy the calm before the storm.'
The young master who couldn't look him in the eye but also depended on him has forgotten the past and is now learning to do things on his own. Alen was relieved that things wouldn't be too hard then.
"Alen."
"Yes, young master?"
"Is there a map of the whole estate? Where could I find the blueprint of each mansion?"
"That's ---"
He continued to answer the innocent yet dodgy questions without mentioning the things the young master has to be wary of once the Duke and the young duke arrive. He estimated that there was still time.
Of course, regret is regret because it only comes at the end.
***
Like Lohiya, Renaris also has four seasons, the difference being the number of days that make up a season. For Renaris, one season is composed of 100 days.
In the Lysargian calendar, the current date is read as the 1st day of Solcres, 975th year of the Empire, 119th year of Alastair IV.
It was the first day of the waxing sun, similar to spring, when the cold begins to ease up and the flowers begin to bud. Eli was currently in the annex garden and was enjoying the view.
He has grown accustomed to the pure air that is a natural byproduct of photosynthesis instead of the laboratories; it is mixed with the mild fragrance of vegetation.
Tomorrow might be quite hectic, but today he decided to fulfill his plan. It might be the last day, and who knows how long he will be able to slow down and take a deep breath again.
The Argent's Lancelot didn't budge anymore despite his frequent invitations; that's why Eli was left with no choice.
"Young master, take care."
"Thanks."
The reliable Alen handed him a cloak with a hood that'll cover his unique white hair tinged in a light shade of lavender. After saying a few brief words of goodbye, he went on his way towards the labyrinth, particularly at the end near the outer wall.
He was wearing the noblest clothes in his arsenal. Thankfully, Alen didn't question him about it, as he thought Eli would only be exploring the labyrinth for the whole day.
Without Alen's knowledge, Eli was able to find a path through the labyrinth that'll allow him to get through the wall leading outside and into the city.
Seeing the coin show tail, he set out for some trouble.