The objects are being copied? What kind of convenient glitch is this?
I opened the pocket at my waist. Inside were exactly three coins. They were the money that the minor characters had left after drinking the free booze. I threw the coins outside the city wall. Soon after, I heard the faint clinking of metal, and six coins fell at my feet.
Once, twice, three times… It was like finding a gold mine. Before I knew it, the money pouch had grown heavy, even heavier than a stone, and was now at my feet. The stress I had unknowingly accumulated in this strange scenario world seemed to have evaporated a little, thanks to this financial therapy.
Yeah, business really needs strong startup capital.
It was almost dawn. I hummed a tune, dragging the heavy money pouch back to the inn. Just in time, the familiar letters flowed smoothly and appeared in my vision.
[Waiting time expired, a new scenario note has been assigned!]
Take 1. Tavern (Day/Inside).
The tavern owner scolds him. Leonardo is lifting a heavy sack of potatoes.
Leonardo: (Inner voice) "It's better to avoid the Ertinez family. If there's even a hint that I'm not 'Leonardo,' trouble's sure to follow. Even if that's not the case, being confined at home as punishment for running away would be a problem."
Take 2. Tavern (Night/Inside).
Leonardo is busily moving around. He seems deep in thought.
Leonardo: (Inner voice) "I want to deliver a verdict to Godric, but with this body, I can't do anything. I can't even prove myself. First, I need to train my body and gather information about my allies."
Take 3. Sinistra Plaza (Day/Outside).
Leonardo is working day and night to strengthen his weak body. At that moment, a rich carriage speeds toward a street child.
Leonardo rushes forward and throws himself into the path of the carriage. His body, weak and unfamiliar, can't handle the impact of the stunt and he gets injured. The noble scolds the child.
Noble: (Arrogantly and rudely) "This is why commoners are such a hassle!"
Leonardo brings the injured street child, Vittorio, to the tavern.
Main Characters: Leonardo, Street Child Vittorio
Scenario Clear Condition: [Leonardo saves Vittorio, the street child.]
[Viewing Personal Information]
Rank: Minor Character (Scenario Share 2.00%)
Role: Suspicious Innkeeper of Sinistra
Script: [Bosses around Leonardo.], [Runs the tavern day and night.], [Takes care of the street child, Vittorio.]
Dialogue: "I really pick up the strangest things."!Warning! – If your scenario weight reaches 0.00%, your existence will be erased. (Main scenario failure)
'My role has the embellishment of being suspicious.'
It was a scenario that introduced a new role, one that had not appeared before—Vittorio, the street urchin. Glancing at the scenario note, I turned my body. Through the translucent letters, I saw a lively scene of Sinistra City, and it was hard to believe that this world was one big stage.
I was hungry. I took cheese, bacon, and eggs from the basement storage of the inn and made a simple breakfast. I curiously examined the pan with oil stains.
Until yesterday, even after serving drinks to all the guests from one barrel, the barrel still seemed full, and the cups left behind by the guests were tidied up as if they were brand new whenever I turned around. There had been some sort of error in physical laws or preservation phenomena.
Now that the world had stabilized after the dawn, the weight and quantity of ingredients reduced as I used them. It seemed like physical laws and the flow of time were properly applied.
Managing the inn from now on would be a job in itself. How was I supposed to increase the shop's revenue? The only relevant experience I had was playing shop management tycoon games.
Meanwhile, Leonardo came down with a disheveled look. I offered him some food. Leonardo sat at the table, alternating his gaze between the dimly lit scene outside the window and me.
"Did you manage to sleep?"
"I couldn't sleep. Eat, though."
"Do you have anything you want me to do…?"
I stared at Leonardo and smiled.
"First, eat. You need your strength if you're going to work. Make sure to eat well."
Time to put him to work, just as the script says. Leonardo nervously rolled his eyes. And then, just as the script had explicitly written, I started ordering him around.
Thanks to the great power of the scenario, a cart loaded with groceries arrived, as if it had been trading with this inn for a long time. Leonardo, perhaps confused between his past self as Leovald and his current situation, attempted to move a heavy oak barrel but staggered badly. The porter gave his back a hearty slap.
"Haha! Young man, don't overdo it!"
I joined in and teased Leonardo.
"Yeah, don't push yourself too hard. You might hurt your back!"
Leonardo wore an empty expression, but there was also a look of deep frustration on his face. The look of someone suffering from involuntary muscle loss. All morning, while carrying heavy loads, he muttered angrily, "I'll fix this frail body of mine. I'll make it strong."
It seems even the national hero wasn't happy with the frail body of 'Leonardo Ertinez'.
By late morning, after all the loading was done, Leonardo sat down, drenched in sweat. Anyone could tell he was going to be sore tomorrow. I, his lifeline and temporary employer, teasingly took a jab at him.
"Do you want to rest a bit before continuing? There's still a lot to do. Just thinking about it, we could be busy all day—wiping down tables, oiling the floor with cloths, applying dough to the window frames to keep out drafts, tidying up the rooms, washing dishes, and prepping the ingredients we got today…"
"…I can do it. This is part of my training."
"Wow, sounds just like the noble young master raised in a swordsmanship family. Well then, I'll leave it to you."
As I stood up, Leonardo's gaze followed me.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going out for a bit, to attract some customers and do a little market research."
"Is it alright to leave the shop with a stranger?"
"Who's a stranger here? All I see are my employees."
At that, Leonardo gave me a confused look. He acted like he hadn't expected that response. Maybe he was a bit naive or, like someone seeing an unexpected turn of events. If he's going to be a compelling supporting character, he should be the type who gets caught off guard like this sometimes. I laughed cheerfully and gave him a little encouragement.
"Listing all those tasks earlier was half a joke. You probably haven't done any of this before, so you'll be a bit lost. That's natural. So for today, try doing what you can handle. If something's too difficult or needs instructions, just sort it out and ask me. I'll be back by lunchtime."
I slipped out of the inn, knowing that survival meant staying quick on my feet.
The early morning silence of Sinistra had been nothing but a lie, as the city was now brimming with energy. I figured this too must be some effect of the scenario, so I made a point to speak to as many people as I could.
"Hello, those apples look fresh."
"Of course! Just brought them in today. Want one?"
"I'll take a basket. And a basket of plums as well."
"The plums are from Rilke. I'll give you a special discount on those."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out some coins. Thanks to the duplication glitch, I had more money than I could ever need, so there was no need to be stingy with my spending.
[Viewing information.]
Rank – Extra (Scenario weight 0.05%)
Role – Fruit vendor of Sinistra
Script – [Operates a stall.]
Dialogue – None
As I continued to walk around the market, I memorized the faces and names of the extras, picking up a good amount of food along the way. Thanks to the scenario area's stabilization overnight, the extras and supporting roles now seemed like real people, engaging in conversations and interactions as if they were genuinely alive. The world felt far more realistic than before, almost like an actual living, breathing place.
While I wandered through the market, my hands grew heavy with the items I had collected. A small cart would have been handy. I wondered where I could find one.
I leisurely made my way toward a quiet alley. As I walked aimlessly, I saw a few ragtag kids gathered near the bakery's back door, helping to move sacks of flour and getting paid for their work. One child was delivering newspapers, while another wandered the streets with a broom in one hand and a cleaning bucket in the other.
[Viewing information]
Rank – Extra (Scenario weight 0.02%)
Role – Beggar of Sinistra
Script – [Lives on the streets]
Dialogue – None
I stopped and watched the children for a moment. The children gathered their wages and bought large, hard rye bread. Found them, my precious potential customers.
The children twisted and turned through the alleys, heading to a more secluded, deserted area. I moved my feet again and followed them, eventually reaching a makeshift hideout made from wooden planks. The children, all about the same size, had gathered there. With the insight of the innkeeper, I quickly realized they were all extras or minor roles in the "street urchin" cast.
Small and powerless creatures often band together to survive. Humans, too, evolved this way in the early stages of prehistory, didn't they? Since humans are just animals, it's only natural that we follow the same survival rules as other creatures, banding together in groups.
This was the sanctuary for the lost children of Sinistra, their hidden haven.
I quietly crept along, following the children holding rye bread, making my way into the heart of the city. Not long after turning into an alley, someone shouted in a sharp voice:
"Who's that? You brought an outsider!"
[Viewing information]
Rank – Extra (Scenario weight: 0.85%)
Role – Street Urchin of Sinistra
Script – [Follows Vittorio around]
Dialogue – None
A small boy with chestnut-coloured red hair was glaring at me with fierce eyes.
"What's going on?"
A lower, rougher, but still boyish voice interrupted, and my purpose for being here became clear.
[Accessing information on the specified entity.][The entity's rank is higher than the caster, so some information is excluded from view.][Viewing information.]
Rank – Supporting Character (Scenario weight: ■■.■%)
Role – Street urchin Vittorio
Script – [Regards Leonardo as a benefactor and follows him.]
[Leads a group of street urchins.], [Learned swordsmanship from Leonardo…]
Dialogue – "■■■..."
The writing was somewhat distorted, but at this point, the necessary information had been gathered. The heavy basket filled with food was set down with a thud. The children's eyes were fixed on the glossy food. Freshly baked warm bread, dew-covered apples, fragrant plums, and the salty scent of cheese filled the alley.
"Hello. I just came to greet the neighbours. I'm from Sinistra, too."
He flashed a calm smile.
A boy with messy, unevenly cut short hair, Vittorio, gave him a wary look. He covered his eyes with one hand and picked up some random bread, tearing off a small piece and putting it in his mouth.
"See? It's not bad."
The children hesitated for a moment, then approached and grabbed some food. Their suspicion and distrust of the stranger were overcome by their hunger. For a while, the only sounds that filled the quiet were the hurried munching of food.
"I won't take it away."
I had excluded overly greasy or dry foods in case they might cause stomach issues, but it's still better to be cautious. I watched them blankly for a moment before casually sitting on an empty wooden box. As the meal began to slow down, the children's attention turned towards me.
With my audience now gathered, I began with a light introduction.
"I've seen you helping with the tough jobs and getting paid for it. Carrying heavy loads, delivering newspapers, preparing fish, helping with chimney cleaning—little workers of the city. Am I right?"
"….."
"Then I thought you might be able to help me."
At that, Vittorio, who had been silent for a while, asked sharply.
"What do you want?"
Despite his sharp response, I rested my chin on my hand and said leisurely.
"Don't rush and listen calmly. It's not a bad offer. First, let me introduce myself. I'm the owner of an inn. I run the inn across from the fruit shop. Do you know where that is?"
The children tilted their heads. Some were confused, while others nodded as if they knew. I didn't mind and continued.
"I haven't decided on a name for the inn yet. Business started a while ago, though. And today, I came to ask if you'd help with running the inn. Oh, not as employees. That's already taken care of."
"….."
Vittorio's expression was still grim.
"My inn provides lodging and meals, but it will also serve another purpose. It's going to be a hub for the information guild. People from other places gather at the inn, and they always want information. When traveling through land, there's a need for all sorts of news—like which nobles are at war or if a river has swollen and blocked the passage."
I took a small plum from the basket and bit into it. It wasn't sweet at all, just slightly astringent.
"It's not just that. There's also the silly conversations the guards at the gate share to stay awake, the baker grumbling about the rising price of wheat, the refined talks of gentlemen while polishing their shoes, or the fruit seller talking about how plums from a certain region are unusually sour. I want all of it. Doesn't matter what kind."
"I get the first part, but… do you really think those trivial things are important?"
"Of course they are. In well-polished, ready-made information, there's little to be gained. That's more like what you'd get from a messenger or a bulletin board, not an information guild. It's only when you gather up the fragmented pieces and mold them into something rich with meaning that the true identity of an information guild comes together."
I gave a half-smile and explained gently with an example.
"People need exactly that. Want an example? This is a plum from Rilke. It's not sweet, and the flesh is soft. What does that mean?"
Vittorio furrowed his brow and asked gruffly.
"…Does it even mean anything?"
"Of course. If the fruit is unusually not sweet at this time, it means the rainy season was long. If it rained a lot during the rainy season, the rivers along the road to Rilke would have swollen, blocking the passage. After the rainy season, animals that haven't been able to hunt for a while will start hunting in earnest. If you don't know this and just blindly head toward Rilke, travellers would be in big trouble, wouldn't they?"
The children hesitated but nodded. A cheerful laugh escaped.
"So the information I sell is literally a lifeline."
"I… I get it now."
Vittorio nodded.
"You're quick to understand, that's good. Now, back to the work. First, you all know this city, Sinistra, like the back of your hand. You live in this street, meet all kinds of people, and do things for them. But they probably don't even notice you much. Being unnoticed is a good thing. At least for this job. What you need to do is simple. Keep your ears open, listen closely to the stories."
I looked at Vittorio.
"Group the kids who work in the same trade together, and choose the smartest and most reliable one to lead the group. Those kids will be the middle managers. Then bring the information they gather to me directly. They can come to the inn."
"What will we get in return?"
"Enough food, a daily wage, and pure kindness."
"Isn't that last one a bit unnecessary?"
"You don't understand. That's the hardest thing to get in the world."
Vittorio hesitated. I had somewhat expected this, but it seemed this kid was the leader of this street gang. He nodded.
"…Alright."
"I'm glad things are working out."
I shook hands with Vittorio. Since no one in the street was watching for common street urchins unless they were pickpockets, I told them to come to the inn at a set time. I promised I would always have enough food and water ready for them.
It was around lunchtime, the time I had promised to return to Leonardo.
After traveling the long road back to the inn, I spotted Leonardo at the entrance, moving sacks of potatoes. He had pushed the tables, swept and mopped the floors, and the wooden floor was now gleaming. The dishes were washed, and the supplies I had received earlier that morning were neatly organized in the cellar.
Wow. He really works hard.
I wondered if he had ever done this kind of menial work back in his 'Leovald' days. He moved with surprising diligence. I, feeling like a noblewoman feeding a well-behaved servant, prepared an extravagant lunch for Leonardo.
For the side dishes, I prepared a plate of golden-brown sausages and a spicy tomato stew flavoured with paprika powder. I thickly sliced some wheat bread, greased the pan, topped it with cheese, and crisped it up. Then I added a runny, glistening egg yolk and some young greens to make a large, hearty sandwich.
The tomatoes and cheese were especially flavourful since they were fresh from the market. Thanks to a clerical error, I didn't have to worry about money, so I was generous with the salt and pepper.
Leonardo ate diligently. Seeing the colour return to his face, it seemed the meal suited his taste.
"So, how was the work? Have you had some training?"
"A little. It's not like I have no basics at all."
"Definitely doesn't look like you'll collapse from exhaustion while working. Even if you seem inept, you're from a family known for swordsmanship, right?"
"…Inept?"
While Leonardo muttered in mild irritation, guests started arriving, not as lodgers but as diners. They came in like regulars, ordered food, paid, and left. The cooking was good, but there weren't many options, so I was a bit stuck. Fortunately, I had made a large pot of stew for Leonardo, so I could pretend it was today's special and get by.
Once the meal was done, Leonardo got back to work. He did the dishes, shook out the bedding, and opened the windows to air out the rooms. Occasionally, he would lift the sacks of potatoes like weights, as if he were training or something.
The inn that doubled as a restaurant during the day transformed into a tavern when the sun set. Locals came for drinks, as did travelers from out of town, and they all gathered to raise their glasses. I made myself approachable and often joined in their conversations.
"…So, we're planning to build a new barn."
"Oh, about that. I heard from the market today that the carpenter here, Alberto, is really good. They say he even made the stall for Delas Bakery. Why not ask him to do it?"
"Really? That sounds great! Hey, Alberto!"
The initial exchanges were light, giving information and setting up deals, much like how adventurer or information guilds operate in RPG games.
"I'm trying to pass through Rilke, but the river's swollen. I couldn't cross it in the end. The locals say it'll take at least three weeks for the water to recede."
Such conversations were remembered and used when travelers heading to those regions would arrive.
"Customer, you're heading to Rilke? That could be tough for you…"
I would bait the traveler, take a deposit, and pass along the information. It wasn't until late at night, when the place had quieted down, that I could finally catch my breath. It was tiring.
"You did well today. Go upstairs and get some rest."
Leonardo, exhausted, went up to the second floor. I stayed on the first, starting the task of organizing the ledgers. I decided to categorize the value of the information, from S to D rank, based on its influence and the cost to acquire it. I also calculated the wages for Vittorio's group and figured out the daily pay for Leonardo as well.
Running both an inn and an information guild, I had ended up taking on far more than I expected. The role of a shady, versatile innkeeper seemed manageable at first, but the reality was that there was always something to do.
In the end, I spent the whole night working again. At dawn, I headed to the city walls once more, taking advantage of the clerical error. I knew these benefits wouldn't last once the next area opened up, so I gathered as much money as I could. Anyway, thanks to the error, I didn't have to worry about basic operational funds or a lump sum for a while.
I went to the basement and packed some food into a basket. Afterward, I came back upstairs and set up a simple breakfast on the cold table, arranging the baskets in a neat line. Not long after, I heard a soft knock at the back door.
"They're here."
When I opened the door, Vittorio and three little ones stood there. I pulled out chairs and made room for them.
The smell of a light breakfast I had prepared earlier filled the air. I could see their wariness melting away. It's funny how much impact scent has on relaxing the mood.
Since it was the first day, I didn't expect much, but I gestured for them to start talking. The kids hesitated for a moment, then quietly began chatting, their voices soft at first.
"The butcher at the intersection sold out all the good-quality pork and beef. What's left are the parts people don't usually buy, so they're cheap. The baker bought the leftover meat at a low price and made meat pies to sell."
"They say 'Golden Droplets' is selling new candies. Plum-flavoured… does that count as information?"
"I carried the goods for a cart headed to Rilke, but it was all just wheat and firewood. Oh, and some blankets too."
"Recently, when I went to work and was polishing a copper basin, the servants from the manor came and bought candles and silver polish."
I asked a few follow-up questions.
"Of course, plum candy counts as information. But servants from the manor?"
"Yeah. From Baron Roald's estate."
I hadn't expected much, but the results were bigger than I thought. A smile slipped out. One of the kids asked.
"Is this really useful?"
The kids looked skeptical.
I nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course. Even today, there's been a lot of progress."
Then, after a moment of silence, Vittorio asked.
"Where exactly is the progress?"
"First of all, we found out that an important guest is arriving at the Baron's estate soon."
The kids looked confused. I began explaining calmly.
"When you think of the butcher at the intersection, what comes to mind?"
"Uh… It's big. It's the biggest butcher in all of Sinistra, they say."
"Right. The biggest and most famous in Sinistra, right? So, the fact that all the expensive cuts of meat were sold out means a big-spending customer showed up. When someone buys up all the expensive meat, it's usually a noble. And the servants from the manor bought candles and silver polish, right?"
I tapped the table, continuing.
"Meat is a common dish for tired travelers to have on their tables. The fact that they bought extra candles means they need more for the guest rooms. The silver polish is likely to buff the silverware or candleholders to make the manor look even more splendid. Do you understand what this means?"
"So… the Baron is expecting an important guest?"
One of the kids asked cautiously.
"Seeing how the Baron is preparing so carefully, this person must be someone important. It could even be a relative. Keep all possibilities open."
In fact, I had already gotten a hint beforehand. It was mentioned briefly in the scenario notes.
Take 3. Sinistra Plaza (Day/Outside). Leonardo trains the weak body of 'Leonardo' day and night. At that moment, he sees a wealthy carriage speeding towards a street urchin. Leonardo throws himself in front. The body of 'Leonardo' is unable to withstand the skill of the nobleman and is injured. The nobleman scolds the child.
Nobleman: "(Arrogantly and rudely) This is why the common folk are so useless!"
Leonardo takes the injured street urchin, Vittorio, back to the inn.
See, the nobleman scolded the kid, right? So I just gave it a shot. I sat nonchalantly, but the kids blinked in curiosity and then asked.
"So, what about the plum candy? Is that important too?"
"Ah, that one. The quality of the plums from Rilke was poor, which means they were sold cheaply in bulk. Plums aren't sweet, but they extract colour well, so the candy shop… Golden Droplets, bought those cheap plums and then added honey or sugar to make a new product."
"Wow."
"So, what about the wheat and firewood in the cart heading to Rilke?"
"Those are relief supplies. Rilke has been hit hard by the rainy season, so the harvest isn't good, and wet firewood won't catch fire easily. With all the rain and the likely changes in the mountain terrain, gathering firewood in the forest is going to be difficult too. For the time being, wheat and firewood will be as valuable as gold in Rilke."
The kids were fascinated. It wasn't a difficult deduction, and at this stage, with no way to verify it, it was just an educated guess—still, the probability of being wrong wasn't high.
After that, we chatted about various odds and ends, and I gathered the basket I had prepared. Vittorio said, "We can carry it ourselves."
I pulled my hand away from the basket, stopping him.
"It's heavy. What you can carry is over there."
I gestured toward the separate portions of bread, potatoes, and jerky. The kids, perhaps having shaken off their wariness, exchanged a few casual words among themselves and headed off without eyeing me suspiciously. It didn't take long for them to return to their usual shady alley, their makeshift home.
"Keep it in a shady spot so it doesn't spoil. You can store it in an empty barrel too. If you crush mint leaves and place them around the food, the rats won't touch it. Rodents are sensitive to the smell of mint, so remember that."
I added a few more pieces of advice, then wondered if I had said too much. Shrugging it off, I left the alley. On my way back to the inn, I stopped by Golden Droplets and bought a bundle of plum candy. I figured I should set some out at the inn as snacks. Maybe I'll give some to the kids next time they come by.
When I opened the door to the inn, Leonardo was tidying the bedding and just starting breakfast. I waved my hand.
"You're up early."
Leonardo paused and asked,
"…You really don't sleep, do you?"
I had been busy working. Honestly, I was still on high alert, and even though I wanted to close my eyes, my body wasn't cooperating. But I smiled, pretending everything was fine.
"Let's eat."
"….."
I decided to make a hearty breakfast today. After all, a person's heart lies in their stomach, doesn't it? The menu included fluffy mashed potatoes mixed with butter and seasoned just right, a rich beef stew simmered with mushrooms for added flavour, roasted eggs, and crispy sausages.
I wondered if Leonardo could cook, so I had him try his hand at a few things. His knife skills were excellent, and he could easily handle heavy tools, but as a cook, he wasn't particularly exceptional. Regardless, today's meal was substantial enough to keep him well-fed, taking into account his appetite. I soaked a piece of hard rye bread in the stew and asked Leonardo,
"Are you sore? You must have pushed yourself hard with things you've never done before."
He responded without hesitation, cutting into his meal.
"Muscles tearing and healing is part of the training process."
Leonardo scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes with determination and answered nonchalantly. His words sounded like something a very methodical personal trainer would say, but with sausages and mashed potatoes stacked high on his plate, trying to sound serious didn't seem all that impressive.
"Oh dear. Did you work so hard your muscles are tearing? I'm suddenly feeling sorry for you."
"Not quite…"
Just as Leonardo was about to say that it wasn't that bad, he paused for a moment with a blank expression, then hesitated and asked.
"…Are you teasing me?"
"Yep. But still, it's a lot easier to run the inn with you around. You're the wild second son, but you're pulling your weight, right? If you get completely kicked out of your house, you can come to Sinistra. I'll take you in."
"Enough."
"Don't be modest, okay?"
I poked at the grumpy Leonardo a few more times before stopping.
"Today, all you need to do is take care of the food delivery. You've got free time until noon."
"Got it. By the way, is it okay if I use the leftover potato sacks for strength training?"
"Potatoes go bad in the sunlight. You can use the pickled cabbage barrels instead. They're probably about the same weight."
"Understood."
"Then I'll go off to work. Oh, here's dessert."
I tossed the plum candies to Leonardo. He stared at the oil paper-wrapped sweets, looking puzzled, and I headed out.
***
Today's task was this: who, exactly, is the 'noble guest' that's supposed to be arriving in Sinistra?
Ugh. Being an information broker isn't easy.
Anyway, I knew roughly when the visit would happen since they'd bought meat for the occasion. Considering the freshness of the meat, it would likely arrive within the next three to four days.
If someone were arriving soon by carriage from out of town, the guards at the gates would have been informed ahead of time. I lazily made my way toward the city gate.
The section of the city wall I was heading for was on the northern side of Sinistra, while the guard posts and checkpoints were located on the southwest side. This area seemed to be part of the scenario region, as there were no strange fogs or gaps like the ones you usually find in scenario spaces. Instead, there were broad plains and small scattered villages.
A group of guards patrolled the city gate at regular intervals. I used the insight of the innkeeper to get a feel for them.
[Viewing information.]
Rank – Extra (Scenario weight: 0.02%)
Role – Guard #72 of Sinistra
Script – [Chat with the person next to them.], [Guard the gates of Sinistra.]
Dialogue – None[Viewing information.]
Rank – Minor Character (Scenario weight: 0.05%)
Role – Guard #13 of Sinistra
Script – [Guard the gates of Sinistra.]
Dialogue – "All clear during duty!"[Viewing information.]
Rank – Minor Character (Scenario weight: 0.15%)
Role – Sinistra's Guard Captain Antonio
Script – [Guard the gates of Sinistra.]
[Train the soldiers.]
Dialogue – "Identity check complete. Welcome to Sinistra. Welcome, Lord Lopez!"
My eyes widened instinctively.
…An unexpected harvest. The visitor from out of town was a nobleman. Ah, Lopez, to be specific.
I immediately went to find the people I had met at the market yesterday. The merchant, who traveled between regions for business, remembered me as the person who had bought a hand full of food yesterday and greeted me with a smile. As I casually browsed his stall, I asked:
"You've traveled to many regions, so you must have seen and heard quite a lot."
"Of course, of course. People tend to tell a lot more to outsiders who are leaving soon than you might think."
"Your goods are quite varied and of excellent quality. Do the lord or the noble ladies ever ask about them?"
"Of course! Since Sinistra is such a well-maintained city, it's not uncommon to see outsiders and strangers. Usually, when someone from a distant land arrives, people gather to see them. As you mentioned, there have been occasional opportunities to see noble ladies and lords as well."
Impressed by the merchant's words, I asked further.
"You've actually seen nobles? Then, have you ever seen Count Ertinez?"
The chances of that were probably slim. A count would be a high-ranking noble, and a common merchant would rarely have a chance to meet him. As expected, the merchant cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to cover up.
"Well, I haven't met Count Ertinez and his family yet."
"Oh, that's a shame."
I feigned disappointment, then asked again.
"Well then, have you ever met Lord Lopez?"
Meeting someone of his title might be possible. Thankfully, it seemed that the merchant had indeed met him before, as his expression brightened immediately.
"Oh! Lord Lopez, you say. Of course, I have!"
Lucky me. As I showed my interest, the merchant, seemingly eager to shake off the earlier awkwardness, began to share the story enthusiastically.
"There's an interesting story related to him. Did you know that Lord Lopez' family name used to be Bermont when he was young?"
I don't know. What's that about? The name sounds kind of like 1Del MonX.