The men sitting close to the door heard about Captain's arrival. Soon, the news spread like wildfire from one end of the bench to another.
"Captain Arden Finch? My good lord, I concluded that they just used his name to scare us. Good lord, what crime could I have committed to have his eyes on me?"
"Bullocks, how could a merchant of my status and wealth sit in the same lot as you felons if it weren't at the order of the captain?"
"A wealthy merchant, you say? When did you get to this place, friend? I'm mighty curious, as I'm but a wandering traveler with little riches myself. I arrived today. And pray tell, did you come ashore yesterday or today, maybe?"
"I am also new, arrived from the Isle of Yarn. An industrialist is what you can call me."
"When did you arrive, friend? If it was yesterday or today, then everyone has at least one thing in common."
Their voices cut off as they heard bold and stable footsteps. It was unclear who stood up first, but soon everyone got up as a handsome man in a military suit arrived. His face was lit up by the lamp that his companion carried.
"Gentlemen, this matter is of utmost importance to the empire." Captain Arden Finch announced as soon as he entered, alongside Knox.
"Please do not think of this as an inconvenience, sir. We are pleased to offer our assistance to the empire in any capacity."
"Furthermore, it has afforded us the pleasure of meeting you."
The others voiced their agreement as Bradford and Lothar entered the room.
Whereas Atlus paused by the door. He positioned his body in such a way that it was half-hidden. Trying to appear as innocent as possible, he peered at the Captain.
Arden nodded, and his brown eyes changed color to yellow. He scanned the men one by one, comparing their body structure to the man he saw on the ship named Brightmoon. However, the sense of unease grew stronger as he came to the last man in the row. No match found.
"Gentlemen, you may now take your leave. My officers will arrange that you are safely escorted to your residences. I appreciate your cooperation." Arden said.
But a frown appeared on his face, as he couldn't point out the exact source of the uneasy feeling. Then he noticed a boy standing by the door. It was common for teenagers to be apprehended by the military, particularly those who appear to have never had three square meals in their life.
Glancing at Atlus briefly reminded him of his unwealthy childhood.
"He's just a spoiled brat who snuck into his friend's house tonight. Mrs. Millow was particularly angry because these kids were sparing in her garden", Bradford said as he noticed Arden's gaze on Atlus. Then he lightly pushed Atlus' shoulder, hinting that the boy should leave.
Arden naturally knew his own neighbors, the Millows. Thinking about their son, Canyon, made him secretly sigh. But back to work, he received the communication that the Vice Admiral had departed from Stellarcod and was sailing towards Westtuna to see Brightmoon. There was no time or attention he could spare on a no name kid.
However, as Atlus departed, he couldn't help but notice the boy was missing a shoe.
. . .
Back at Arden's mansion.
Maple sat on her bed, surrounded by flickering candles and a few lamps placed at different corners of the room. She had changed into a long cotton nightgown and wore a nightcap on her head. The housemaid, Skye, entered the room.
"What was all that noise about?" She asked, curious if her dogs found their playmate.
"If it were that naughty cat, she would have teased the dogs for longer. Most likely a bird that ran into the neighboring garden only to meet Canyon, who got a bit carried away," Skye said as she put down a tray on a nearby table. It had a small empty cup and a tightly corked tube that was filled with black liquid.
"I thought he had stopped destroying Juliet's garden for fun," Maple mused, lost in thought. "I suppose I would have been a troublemaker if I knew how to use magic. Father would have encouraged me in my pranks. Maybe he would feel more at ease and stop running after higher ranks."
"So, does this mean you're more willing to drink the potion today?" Skye poured the black liquid into the cup. She continued when Maple smiled in response. "I thought you would be more rebelling since you argued with master this morning".
Maple accepted the cup, holding it with complex emotions. She couldn't even count how many times she drank the Affinity potion. Her head lowered as a feeling of sadness washed over her.
The Frey Empire provided Affinity potions to children aged 6 to 18, with a limit of one free potion per week for the middle class. However, she had been drinking three potions per week for the past six years.
"Are you alright?" Skye asked in concern.
"I can't help but think about how much the world is changing." She said, staring at the cup. "The strong will keep stronger with the potions and the weak will be left behind."
She couldn't help but imagine being as strong as Canyon or as crafty as Atlus. Or a world where her father would be wealthier if he didn't spend so much money on potions. But now in the real life, she was both weak and poor without her father.
"Why am I so incompatible with the potions?" She lifted the cup and drank the potion with a chug.
Meanwhile, outside her window in the garden, two dogs were tugging on a new toy with their teeth. The cheap toy was shredded at places with multiple bite marks. It was a shoe.