Chapter 05 - Glasses Boy Searches for His Sister from Nastiala Castle

Chapter 05 - Glasses Boy Searches for His Sister from Nastiala Castle

Since I was told to wait a few days, I couldn’t leave the royal capital. Royal orders and all. Not sure how much weight this old man’s command carries, though. No idea how much suffering lies behind it.

Either way, since I’m stuck here anyway, I might as well get things done.

First, should I look for my sister, Horn?

Figuring out the "Glasses" can wait. The condensed technology is impressive, but the structure itself seems simple enough just by looking at it. I doubt researching it would yield anything groundbreaking. It’ll probably lead to some specialized field, and that’ll just eat up time.

According to her letter, my sister became an adventurer in the royal capital.

Adventurers occasionally visited my village, so I have a rough idea of what they do.

From what I pieced together from the villagers’ stories, they’re basically a bunch of wannabe criminals—hunting monsters, gathering herbs, or picking fights with rookies to establish dominance. Big in attitude and physique, but small in heart.

They don’t have steady jobs. Instead, they take on odd gigs day by day, barely scraping by while risking their lives. Oh, and they scavenge for food, drink too much, gamble away their money, and take on dangerous jobs when they’re drowning in debt.

Sounds like the perfect career for my sister.

Horn was never the type to fit within the bounds of "normal" or "stable."

She scavenged for food all the time.
After eating meat, she’d gnaw on the bones.
Once, she buried bones in the ground and said, "Maybe a meat tree will grow!" That made me question her sanity.
Later, I pretended not to know her as she wrestled a dog over those same bones. Good times.

"Excuse me!"

Now that I’ve decided, I’ll ask the stern-faced guard where the adventurers’ den is.

"......"

"’Scuse me!"

"............"

"Hey, I got a question—"

"............"

"Excu—"

"Persistent brat! I’m on duty—don’t bother me!"

Whoa, scary. He’s pissed.

"I thought you were ignoring me because you were working."

He didn’t even twitch. I ended up inching closer with each attempt. Now I’m within arm’s reach.

"That’s exactly right! I was deliberately ignoring you! On purpose! If you knew, you should’ve taken the hint!"

"Oh, got it. So, where’re the adventurers?"

"Stop talking to me while I’m working!"

"That way? Or over there?"

"...Head straight down the main road. The Adventurer’s Guild is near the castle gate."

Despite clicking his tongue, the guard answered. Nice. City folks seemed cold, but maybe not.

"Thanks."

I thanked him, but he didn’t respond further. Probably just shy.

Alright. Got the info I needed.
The Adventurer’s Guild, huh? Heard of it. Let’s check it out.

---

Following the main road, I soon spotted a shop bustling with heavily armed folks carrying swords, axes, and armor.

No doubt about it.
This was the Adventurer’s Guild.
The sign said as much—in case the armed crowd wasn’t obvious enough.

But it’s packed… Not too keen on going in.
Plus, isn’t this where some bald, mid-tier adventurer with a chip on his shoulder would pick a fight? Ugh.

...But I can’t not go. I haven’t seen Horn in two years—can’t just ignore that.

Fine. I’ll slip in quietly.

I waited nearby, then tailed a clanking, armored giant heading inside, masking my presence as I followed.

Casually blending in, I bypassed the group tables and slid into a solo counter seat.

No one noticed.
Not a single glance my way. Infiltration successful.

—Wait. No.

One person’s watching me. I feel eyes on my back.

...Hmm… Strong. Stronger than me, for sure.
In the wild, they’d be the predator, and I’d be the prey.
Amid this armed crowd, they’re eyeing me. Regardless of personal feelings, that’s not good.

"...Huh? Welcome…?"

A woman in an apron gave me a puzzled look, as if wondering when I got here. Must be a waitress—we didn’t have those in my village.

She was busy running food and drinks between the kitchen and tables, only noticing me when she came to grab a bottle behind the counter.

To her, I must’ve just appeared out of nowhere.
Even though I brushed right past her earlier. She didn’t notice at all.

I don’t have an order, but… I haven’t eaten breakfast. Might as well grab something.

"Bread-ish thing and soup-ish thing, please."

No clue what they serve, so I kept it vague.

"Bread… ish?"

Given some adventurers here probably aren’t rolling in coin, the menu shouldn’t be too pricey. I’ll trust them—but I’ll bolt if it’s a rip-off.

"Uh, how about the breakfast set? Comes with bread, soup, and fruit."

"Yeah, that’ll do."

Alright.
Order placed. Now to look for my sister… or so I’d like to say, but she doesn’t seem to be here.

Keeping my gaze forward, I sense the room.

Twenty adventurers inside. Six tables, five occupied. People come and go.
Some check papers on the wall, confer with comrades, then leave. Must be job postings.

No trace of Horn.

And that one person is still watching me. No clue why, but they’re stronger than me—better not engage.

Though they seem to be approaching.

"—Hey, kid."

A woman’s voice. Maybe not directed at me.

"—Hey, kid."

Now she’s sitting at the counter next to me, staring.

Still, no guarantee she’s talking to me. Could be someone behind me.
...Except there’s no one else fitting "kid" back there.

"—Here you go."

Ignoring her, the waitress brought my food. Ooh, looks good. The bread’s like what I ate back home, but the soup’s aroma is new. Some unfamiliar spice? And there’s meat! Fancy breakfast. Dig in.

"—Oh, Roloberu? What’s up?"

Still feigning ignorance, I picked up my spoon—but the waitress addressed the woman beside me.

I eavesdropped subtly.

Why’s she watching me? Why’d she call out? I wanna know.
Then again, maybe she doesn’t have business with me.
...Though sitting next to me kinda ruins that theory.

"Ah, got it. Hitting on him? Bit young for you, no? Cute, though."

"Nah, not that. Just curious."

Please don’t be curious.

"Know this kid?"

"Nope. First time seeing him. Right, sweetie?"

The waitress looked at me.
But since she might not be talking to me, I kept slurping soup without a word. Mmm… City soup’s tasty. What’s in it? Some exotic spice?

"...See? That’s how he’s been."

"Probably doesn’t wanna engage. Not like adventurers who avoid interaction are rare."

Exactly. Not rare at all. (Not that I’m an adventurer.)

"Ah… Pretty sure he’s listening, so I’ll just say my piece."

Seeming to accept my disinterest, the woman—Roloberu, was it?—explained why she called out.

"Kid, that… glasses of yours. Wondered where you got ’em."

Glasses?

...Ah, the Glasses.

So that’s her angle.

Under the dual gaze of Roloberu and the waitress, I thought for a moment—then finally turned.

"What about the Glasses?"

I hate trouble, but if it’s about the Glasses, I’ll bite.

Either way, I do need info on Horn.
Might as well ask this Lolobel woman.