As the carriage trundled along the winding road, the golden rays of the morning sun bathed the landscape in a warm glow. Fields of tall grass swayed gently in the breeze, and the distant sound of birds singing filled the air. Inside the carriage, the trio was in a more relaxed mood, their earlier conversation about soul abilities having shifted to lighter topics.
"Do you think we'll run into any more golems on the way to the capital?" Guil asked, his tone casual but with a hint of excitement.
Lea rolled her eyes. "I hope not. We need a break from fighting oversized monsters. Plus, I'm not sure your head can take another slap from me."
Guil chuckled, rubbing the back of his head where Lea had struck him earlier. "Fair enough. But you have to admit, it would make for an interesting story."
Inoue, who had been quietly gazing out of the carriage window, finally spoke up, her voice thoughtful. "I don't think we need more battles to make our journey interesting. There's already so much ahead of us."
The carriage hit a small bump, jolting them slightly. Lea stretched her arms above her head and sighed. "You're right, Inoue. But still, it's good to be prepared. Speaking of which, we should probably talk about our next steps once we get to the capital."
Guil nodded, his playful demeanor giving way to a more serious expression. "We should definitely figure out a plan. The capital's a big place, and if we want to track down Dross, we'll need to be smart about it."
Inoue's gaze hardened at the mention of Dross, but she took a deep breath and nodded. "I've been thinking about that. A bar tender back in Naro mentioned that there are people in the capital who might have information about him. I think our first step should be to make contact with them."
Lea leaned forward, intrigued. "Do you think they'll actually help us? I mean, Dross has been hiding for a long time, and it's not like we have a lot of leads."
Inoue met Lea's gaze, her determination clear. "We've come this far. I'm not giving up now. Even if it takes time, we'll find him. And when we do…"
Her voice trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging in the air. Guil and Lea exchanged a glance, both understanding the depth of Inoue's resolve. Guil placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"We're with you all the way, Inoue. But remember, we need to be careful. The capital's full of people with their own agendas, and we can't trust just anyone."
Lea nodded in agreement. "Guil's right. We need to be cautious. We don't want to attract too much attention before we're ready."
The road began to slope downward, and in the distance, the towering walls of the capital city of Sylvenmere came into view. The sight of the massive stone fortifications, glimmering in the sunlight, caused a mix of emotions to stir within the group.
Lea whistled softly. "There it is—the heart of the kingdom. It's even more impressive than I imagined."
Guil grinned, his earlier excitement returning. "The stories didn't do it justice. I can't wait to see what's inside!"
Inoue, however, remained silent, her eyes locked on the city ahead. The weight of what awaited her inside those walls was heavy, but she steeled herself, drawing strength from her friends and her own determination.
As they approached the main gates, the bustling sounds of the city reached their ears—merchants hawking their wares, children laughing as they played in the streets, and the distant clatter of blacksmiths at work. The capital was alive with energy, a stark contrast to the peaceful countryside they had just traveled through.
The guards at the gate, dressed in the royal livery, gave them a cursory inspection before waving them through. Once inside, the trio was immediately swept up in the throngs of people moving about their daily lives. The streets were lined with colorful banners and stalls selling everything from exotic spices to finely crafted weapons.
"Welcome to Sylvenmere," Guil said with a wide grin. "Let's find ourselves an inn first, then we can start gathering information."
Lea nodded, already scanning the area for any signs of trouble. "Good idea. We should also figure out where the knights' headquarters is. If we can speak to someone there, they might be able to point us in the right direction."
Inoue, still focused on their mission, agreed. "Yes, the sooner we get started, the better. Dross could be anywhere in this city, and we need every advantage we can get."
They navigated the busy streets, eventually finding a cozy-looking inn near the market district. After securing a room and stabling Bramble, they regrouped in the common room to plan their next move.
"So," Guil began, leaning back in his chair, "how do we want to play this? Should we go straight to the knights, or do we ask around the market first? There might be people here who've heard rumors."
Lea tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Going to the knights first might be our best bet. They have more resources and could point us toward people who have solid information. But the market is a good idea too. People talk, and you never know what you might overhear."
Inoue listened carefully, weighing their options. "Let's split up," she suggested. "Guil, you and Lea can go to the knights' headquarters and see what you can find out. I'll head to the market and see if anyone there has heard anything. We'll cover more ground that way."
Guil frowned, clearly not liking the idea of splitting up. "Are you sure you'll be alright on your own, Inoue? The capital can be a dangerous place."
Inoue smiled faintly, appreciating his concern. "I'll be fine. I need to do this. Besides, I won't be far. We can meet back here in a few hours."
Lea nodded, agreeing with the plan. "Alright, but be careful. If anything feels off, head back to the inn immediately."
With their plan set, the trio prepared to head out, each with their own task and determination burning in their hearts. The city of Sylvenmere was vast and filled with potential dangers, but also with the answers they sought.
Inoue navigated through the bustling market district of Sylvenmere, the cacophony of merchants hawking their wares and customers haggling filling the air. Her mind was focused on the task at hand: finding Dross. She approached various stalls, inquiring discreetly if anyone knew of a man by that name. Most people shook their heads or simply ignored her, too busy with their own lives to pay attention to a lone traveler searching for answers.
As the afternoon dragged on, Inoue grew increasingly frustrated. She had combed through nearly every corner of the market, speaking to anyone who might have a hint of information, but her efforts had yielded nothing. With the sun beginning its descent, she decided it was time to take a break. The constant noise and crowded streets were beginning to wear on her, and she longed for the relative peace of the inn.
She turned away from the market, weaving through the crowds as she made her way back toward the inn. Her thoughts were heavy with worry. *What if Dross really is gone? What if this whole search is pointless?* The questions gnawed at her, eroding the determination that had fueled her earlier.
As she walked, lost in thought, she suddenly heard a voice behind her—familiar, deep, and commanding.
"Inoue? Is that you?"
She stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat. She turned around, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw the towering figure of Reinhardt, the knight known as the Sword Saint. He stood out even among the bustling crowds, his presence commanding respect and attention. The gleaming hilt of his divine sword, strapped to his side, a reminder of the battle they had fought together against the guardian.
"Reinhardt!" Inoue exclaimed, a smile breaking across her face as she approached him. "It's good to see you!"
Reinhardt returned the smile, his stern features softening. "And you, Inoue. It's been too long. How have you been since the last time we met? And where's Guil?"
Inoue's smile faltered slightly as she remembered the reason for her visit to the capital. "I've been… alright," she replied, her tone tinged with uncertainty. "Guil and I are here with our new friend Lea, looking for someone. It's… complicated."
Reinhardt's brow furrowed in concern. "Complicated? Is there something I can help with?"
Inoue hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, yes. We're searching for a man named Dross. He… he took someone important from me. We're hoping to find him here in Sylvenmere, but so far, we've had no luck."
Reinhardt's expression hardened. "Dross, you say? That name doesn't ring any bell. Regardless, if you need help, I'll do what I can. My father, Lord Commander Frederick von Schwel, has many connections in the capital. We can leverage that to your advantage."
Inoue felt a surge of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Reinhardt. We could really use your help. Why don't you come back to the inn with me? Guil and Lea will be there, and we can discuss our next steps together."
Reinhardt nodded. "Lead the way."
The two of them walked together through the city streets, exchanging updates on their lives since their last encounter. Inoue felt a sense of comfort in Reinhardt's presence, his strength and confidence a reassuring balm to her frayed nerves.
As they approached the inn, Inoue felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Reinhardt's help and the connections of the Tempest Knights, they might finally gain the upper hand in their search for Dross. She glanced at Reinhardt, grateful for his timely appearance.
"I hope Guil and Lea are ready for a surprise," Inoue said with a slight smile as they stepped through the inn's doors. "They're going to be thrilled to see you."
Reinhardt chuckled, a rare sound from the usually stoic knight. "I'm looking forward to seeing them too. Let's see what we can accomplish together."
With Reinhardt by their side, Inoue felt that their odds of finding Dross—and finally confronting him—had just improved significantly. The weight of her mission still pressed down on her, but now, she felt a glimmer of hope. They were not alone in this fight.
As Inoue and Reinhardt entered the inn, the warm glow of the common room's fire greeted them. The smell of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, and the sound of clinking mugs and low chatter added to the cozy atmosphere. Inoue scanned the room and quickly spotted Guil and Lea at a corner table, deep in conversation. Guil was gesturing animatedly, while Lea listened with a half-amused, half-exasperated expression.
As they approached, Guil looked up and his face lit up with a wide grin. "Reinhardt!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "What are you doing here?"
Lea turned as well, her eyes widening in surprise before a smile spread across her face. "This is a surprise! If it isn't the sword saint himself."
Reinhardt returned their greetings with a nod, a slight smile on his lips. "It's good to see you as well GuiI. I ran into Inoue on her way back here, and it sounds like you could use some help."
Guil's grin turned mischievous. "Well, we were just about to figure out how to take on the entire capital by ourselves, but with you here, it might just be a little easier."
Lea rolled her eyes and shook her head, though she was clearly pleased to see Reinhardt. "We were just discussing our next steps. Sit down, and we can fill you in on everything."
Reinhardt pulled up a chair and sat beside Inoue, who took a seat next to him. The group quickly brought Reinhardt up to speed on everything that had happened since they arrived in the capital, from their initial attempts to gather information to the dead ends they had encountered.
"So, that's where we stand," Lea concluded, her tone serious. "We know Dross is here somewhere, but finding him in a city this big without any solid leads is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Reinhardt frowned, deep in thought. "The name Dross doesn't seem familiar. However, my father might have access to information we don't. The Tempest Knights keep detailed records of known criminals and threats to the kingdom. If Dross is on their radar, there might be something useful in those records."
Guil leaned forward, his interest piqued. "That's a solid lead. If we can get access to those records, it might point us in the right direction."
Reinhardt nodded. "I'll speak with my father and see what he can do. The Tempest Knights have their own ways of finding people, especially if they're trying to stay hidden. But in the meantime, we should also keep looking on our own. There's no guarantee we'll find what we need right away."
Inoue, who had been quiet as she listened to the conversation, finally spoke up. "I'll keep asking around in the market and other busy areas of the city. There might be someone who knows something but isn't willing to talk to just anyone. And maybe with Reinhardt's name behind us, they'll be more willing to share what they know."
Lea agreed. "That's a good idea. People in the city are often more cooperative when they know they're dealing with someone connected to the knights."
Guil leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "So we've got two avenues: official records and the word on the street. We'll divide and conquer."
Reinhardt stood up, his expression resolute. "I'll head to the Tempest Knights' headquarters now and see what I can find. It might take some time, so don't wait up for me. We can regroup here tomorrow evening."
Inoue stood as well, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Reinhardt. We really appreciate this."
Reinhardt gave a small nod. "It's the least I can do. We've been through a lot together, and I won't let you face this alone."
With that, Reinhardt left the inn, his tall figure disappearing into the evening shadows. Inoue watched him go, feeling a strange mix of hope and anxiety. The stakes were high, and the path ahead was uncertain, but at least they were making progress.
Turning back to Guil and Lea, Inoue took a deep breath. "I'll head back to the market district in the morning. There are still some areas I haven't checked."
Guil and Lea nodded in agreement. "We'll be right behind you," Lea said. "We're in this together."
The three of them spent the rest of the evening discussing their plans in detail, going over everything they knew about Dross and the possible places he might be hiding. As the night wore on, the common room slowly emptied out, and the fire burned low, but their resolve only grew stronger.
By the time they retired to their rooms, the plan was set. They would search every corner of Sylvenmere, follow every lead, and confront Dross no matter where he was hiding. And with Reinhardt and the Tempest Knights on their side, they knew they had a fighting chance.
As Inoue layed in bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling, her thoughts drifted back to Roman. The memory of his smile, his laughter, and the bond they had shared was what kept her going. She wouldn't rest until she found him, no matter how long it took.
Tomorrow would be another step forward. And with her friends by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.