It was morning.
The sun had already risen, casting its golden light over the landscape. I went through the various tunnels beneath the bridge, searching carefully. I also sent Squit to search underwater.
When someone forms a contract with a spirit or magical beast, fragments of their thoughts are naturally shared with their master. That's how I understood why he had been looking for his money under this bridge. He always kept the money he earned close to him, since theft was rampant in this state.
That's why he had the money with him on the day he died in the accident. He also kept his family photos with him until the end—a clear sign of how deeply he loved them. He always carried their pictures, and because of that, my respect for him only deepened.
After an extensive search, Squit finally emerged from the water with a bag.
It was black in color. I opened it, only to find another smaller bag inside. When I opened that one, I saw it was filled with gold coins. Nestled among them was a photograph. I carefully took it out. Just seeing that picture brought me a sense of relief.
Without wasting time, I headed straight to the guild. The first person I met there was the Guild Master.
"Mr. Mahiru, how may I assist you today?" he asked.
"I'm here to clarify a misunderstanding," I replied.
"A man submitted a quest saying that some people had been seen wandering around at night, and that there was concern about whether they were demonic entities or magical beasts. But the truth is quite different. The people seen roaming at night are actually detectives, conducting covert investigations."
"And how are you so certain of this?" he asked.
"I took the quest myself and went out at night. At first, I spotted a lone man walking down the road. I didn't confront him immediately. A short while later, I noticed three or four more individuals. I followed them, and they eventually realized I was tailing them. They approached and called out to me."
"So, you got caught following them," he said, chuckling.
"Now I definitely need to hear the whole story."
"I went up to them, and they told me they were detectives, investigating something important. That's why they were moving around at night."
"And how can you be so sure they were detectives? They could have been anyone."
"I'm confident they were. On the right pocket of their shirts, I saw a tiger emblem etched in. It's small, almost unnoticeable unless you're really looking. But I know that symbol. It's made of enchanted crystal—each state assigns a unique emblem to its detectives."
"I see. So you're telling me this entire quest is based on a false assumption?"
"Exactly."
"Well, I like your honesty. I'll go ahead and cancel the quest."
"No—don't cancel it outright just yet."
"Why not?"
"You should mark the quest as completed—but keep the details between us."
"I don't follow. Explain."
"First of all, the detectives told me they'll be more discreet moving forward. It's understandable that people would get alarmed seeing strangers walking around at night. Their movements will now be more covert, so no one will see them again.
Second, if you cancel the quest publicly, people will begin asking questions. And if you tell them the truth—that detectives are working behind the scenes—they'll panic. They might think an attack is imminent, or that something serious is unfolding in the kingdom. The whole point of the detectives working in secrecy is to avoid public alarm."
"You make a fair point. So what should I do?"
"Mark the quest as completed. From now on, no one will report strange people wandering the streets at night."
"Understood. I'll do as you say."
"And one more thing. Donate the reward money to the poor. I don't want a single coin."
(What an intriguing man… such people are rare. A truly kind-hearted soul.)
I left the guild, went straight back to the hotel, packed my belongings, and set off immediately—heading toward my next destination: Pantora.
I had lied to the Guildmaster on purpose—because I didn't want anyone to know about him. I wanted to keep this matter entirely to myself. But you know, a lie is the foundation of your sins… it gives you everything you want.
But the truth collapses that foundation.
Still, it makes you feel light, whereas your sins weigh you down.
Ever since I formed a contract with him, fragments of his life have been revealed to me. When I close my eyes—or even in my dreams—I witness glimpses of his memories, like scenes from a distant past playing vividly in my mind.
His name is Yamato.
He was a man with a kind and noble heart.
But this is the cruel truth of the world: good people don't live long. It's always the wicked who seem to endure.
What kind of twisted reality is this... where the virtuous are forgotten and the corrupt thrive?
Had I told the Guildmaster the truth, he would have pressed for every detail. But I didn't want to share any of it. So, by lying, I ensured the entire incident remained mine alone—buried with me.
While I was walking, I saw Eriza.
She was waving her hand when she saw me.
"Where are you going, Mahiru, at this hour?" she asked me with a gentle smile.
"Leaving this place. What about you? Your working shift?" I said, returning her smile.
"I took the next three days off. They opened a new charity for poor children, so I thought I'd help out as a volunteer," she replied.
"That's great. Best of luck with your work."
"Where are you heading?"
"Uhhh... to find myself, I guess," I said with a smile.
"I see. This will be a great journey."
"Maybe. If you're free, you could invite me today."
"Sure, I was thinking the same. Let's go then."
I arrived at her house. It was full of books. I felt like I had entered another library. Not too small, not too big—a house just right for a girl living alone.
"So, you live alone here."
"Yeah… alone life, alone thoughts… and countless memories."
She seemed sad—but at the same time, happy.
"You know, Mahiru, sometimes people come into our lives—even if only for a little while. And they give us hope. They give us memories."
"Yes, you're right. We enter someone's life by knocking on their door. But when it's time to leave, we can't always say goodbye."
"Exactly. Can you promise me something?"
"Yes, of course. Ask me anything."
"Someday, you'll visit Liora City. And when you do, you'll come to the library. And we'll talk again—with a cup of tea."
"I promise. I'd love that."
"Thank you. If someone gives you hope to live, then I'll have hope too—that you'll return. Both of us, bound by that hope. And who knows? It might help you when you lose your soul's emotion."
"Yeah… that's true."
"Find yourself. Find who you are—and what you can do."
"I will."
"Take this. A locket that I cherish. It will give you hope."
"Isn't that precious to you? Are you sure you want to give it to me?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Take care of it."
"Okay. I'll cherish it too. Thank you. I'll always remember you. Even if our time together was short—it's a memory I'll treasure. Thank you, Eriza."
We finished our tea. I prepared to leave. As we shook hands, she said:
"Next time we meet, give me a warm hug."
"Sure. I'll give you an 'I'm back' hug," I replied.
Then I left. And as I turned back, I saw her smile.
But it wasn't real.
With the intention of heading to Pantora, I boarded a horse-drawn carriage. Several other passengers were already inside. They appeared to be ordinary folk—none carried weapons.
"Young man, are you also a resident of Pantora?"
One of them suddenly spoke to me.
"No, I'm not," I replied. "I'm an adventurer. I'm on a journey to Pantora. Are you from there?"
"Yes, we're Pantora's residents," one of them answered with a warm smile.
"Could you tell me more about Pantora? I'd really like to learn about the place."
"Pantora isn't a large region. It may be small, but the people live in harmony. No fights, no thefts, no crime. It's a safe, peaceful place—and its natural beauty is breathtaking."
He continued, "Most of us make a living through agriculture. We grow crops and sell them in the cities. Life was going smoothly… until the drought came. After that, everything changed. The river's water level dropped drastically. Crops stopped growing. The land cracked open. Economically, the entire village collapsed."
"No financial aid came from neighboring states?" I asked.
"This world isn't as kind as it appears from the outside," he said, his voice heavy with bitterness.
"When times were good, everyone came offering help—even when we didn't need it. But when things turned grim, when we truly needed support, no one came. We became worthless to them. You still have much to learn about this world, young man. The world is as beautiful… as it is cruel."
His words stayed with me.
There is so much I still don't understand about this world. I'm ignorant to the truths that shape it. But I want to learn. I want to understand people's hearts.
And more than anything—I want to change them. I want to change this world.
I want to create a place where people live in peace.
Where corruption doesn't exist.
Where, in times of crisis, people stand for one another—not for power, not for gain, but for humanity.
People live by their will. And within that will lies their purpose.
Fate pushes our desires forward—but the obstacles we face are life's way of testing us.
Those who endure the trials… are the ones who succeed.