Kanashimi eventually agreed; he had nothing better to do anyway. He went to the reading room with Alkey to pass the time reading or talking.
Sitting down at an empty table, Kanashimi asked Alkey, "What is the nymph's name?"
Alkey perked up, his voice filled with pleasure as he spoke,
"Oh! Her name is perfect for someone like her. Aurora."
"I see. What about the available information on the expedition?"
"Oh, you haven't read it? Well, we were only allowed to show a small part. The good news is that we now know the surroundings and some of the inhabitants... That's where the good news ends, and the bad news begins, and there's plenty of it. Most of it, we're not allowed to disclose. It's lucky those bandits came to Ticin to spread it; if it had happened in Cirte or Hippon, there would have been much bigger problems."
"What about the bad news?"
Alkey sighed.
"How to put it without offending anyone or saying too much. Big losses, scary monsters, strong monsters, poisonous monsters... Lots of monsters! That's about it; I can't say more."
Kanashimi remained silent. He was disappointed. Even knowing that such a situation could happen.
For the rest of the time, Alkey pestered Kanashimi with talk, rambling about complete nonsense. Kanashimi, however, was no longer listening; he merely created the illusion of interest.
They were sitting at the farthest table, and next to it was the entrance to the staff room. That's where the nymph sent by King Baldur—Baldur Helwig—was currently staying.
As soon as the door opened and the nymph entered, she immediately looked at Alkey and Kanashimi. Alkey jumped up from the table, stepped aside, and bowed.
"Good morning, Lady Mathiu."
Kanashimi remained seated at the table, turning to examine the nymph that Alkey had praised so much.
Before him stood a pale girl with white hair and crimson eyes. She was quite short, around 150 cm. Compared to Kanashimi's nearly 2-meter height, she was a true shorty. Even sitting, Kanashimi was at eye level with her. Her face was very feminine and mature, and she looked to be around 25 years old. Her hair length was roughly to her elbows, slightly longer than Kanashimi's hair.
She looked at the bowing Alkey and nodded.
"Good morning. If you don't mind, I would like us to address each other by our names, Mr. Alkey."
Alkey seemed very surprised by this request. It was strange for him to address such a person by their name, as if they were equals and well-acquainted.
Alkey straightened up and, placing his hand on his heart, said, his voice filled with pride,
"As you wish, Lady Aurora."
He pronounced her name with evident pleasure.
Then Alkey suddenly looked at Kanashimi, his face flustered because Kanashimi had not bowed and had not even stood up from the table.
Kanashimi simply looked at the nymph for a couple of seconds with a studying gaze, as if she were some object, and then shifted his gaze to Alkey, as if losing all interest in the nymph.
"A...And this is my friend, Kanashimi..."
Alkey was at a loss for words. This nymph had been sent by the king himself on a very important matter. And his friend had shown no respect for such a person.
The nymph looked at Kanashimi with interest and addressed him,
"You must be Kanashimi Goto? Son of Andrian Arkas?"
Alkey's mouth fell open, and he looked at Kanashimi. His face showed genuine surprise.
Kanashimi paused for a second, recalling how this nymph could know him.
'Probably Father's doing.'
He assumed that his father had provided information about Erebos and his group, which Kanashimi had obtained, and this nymph knew him for that reason.
"Yes."
"The information you obtained will greatly help us in the investigation. Without you, we would have had no information."
"Didn't the guards who were put to sleep describe the appearance of the criminals?"
"No. They remember nothing; an entire day is simply erased from their memory."
Kanashimi tensed.
If the bandits were so concerned about no one knowing or seeing them, why did they let me go? Why didn't they do anything?
Kanashimi carefully dismissed the theory that they simply hadn't noticed him; such luck seemed impossible to him.
The nymph seemed to lose interest in continuing this conversation and turned to Alkey.
"I need to meet with your father, Thomas. Where is he now?"
"Oh, Father is at home now. Should I go get him?"
Kanashimi didn't listen to the rest of their conversation. He silently said goodbye to Alkey and left. He had a lot to think about and felt quite anxious.