Peeking into the eateries on the way, we finally arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. The atmosphere in the guild was calm, nothing of concern was happening.
Fran is still more famous than I expected.
Among the adventurers there are rumors about the incredible abilities of the girl nicknamed "Princess of Black Lightning", who easily defeated the adventurer of rank "A" and made the famous Colbert her henchman. And if you get in her way, the "curry teacher" student, you will no longer be allowed into the curry establishments.
Not all of these are lies, but they are still largely wrong. This is the effect of a “broken phone”. Until this becomes a problem for us, we will not fix anything.
In the building, we met with the head of the guild, Gamudo, with whom we fought against Linford. But, we still didn't know where Gallus was.
“Since Fran-chan inquired about his whereabouts, I tried to find information about it in various sources, but failed.
– That's how …
After that, we again exchanged information with informant Regus, who had previously investigated where Gallus could be. But it seems that he also did not have information on this matter.
– At least I can say that he did not return to Barubora.
Regus specialized in errands within the city, and his information network was quite serious. So since he says that Gallus did not return, then it is so.
In search of information about Gallus, we came to the blacksmiths guild, but even then no one had a single guess. For a second, I thought that we were just wasting our time … But suddenly, I heard one very interesting thing.
“Although I thought that Gallus was taken by the Ashton noble family, something has recently begun to happen in the capital. Someone seems to be collecting various materials that the blacksmith might need.
This is actually pretty suspicious.
– And he does not collect it openly … Several times he lied about his name, sent intermediaries instead of himself, and lied in our eyes.
Undoubtedly, we need to go to the opening of the auction in the capital. We can meet him there, and if not, then he may be associated with the strange activities of the Ashton family.
“It looks like we don't know where Gallus is. So let's go to the shelter, I said.
– Yeah.
Fran's grim expression softened. She probably liked the prospect of seeing the children from the orphanage.
At the entrance to the orphanage there was a doorkeeper who had not been here before. It looks like when Amanda became the boss here, she decided to put more effort into fighting crime.
The gatekeeper was a former adventurer, a half-beast man. And he recognized Fran too. Thanks to this, he let us through without any problems, and as soon as Fran went inside, the children immediately ran to her.
– Ooh, it's Fran!
– Sis Fran!
– And Urusi is here!
That's what I understand a warm welcome! The children, as if not at all noticing the terrible muzzle of Urusi, clung to his fluffy fur, laughing with delight. Urusi was also very happy, it was clear from the way he wagged his tail, lying imposingly on the floor. Children who managed to stroke his tail raised even louder cheers.
Although I thought that the enormous size of Urusi should definitely scare at least some of the children, it seems that no one was scared at all. What brave children are in this shelter. Of course, in this world, children probably should be bolder anyway.
Apparently, having heard the noise of children, one of the adults hastily ran out of the building. They had weapons in their hands, and their faces were extremely stern. Apparently, they decided that someone had attacked the children.
And I recognized their faces. One of the adults was Io-san, who is known as a great cook who can make a great soup from the worst vegetables. But there was someone else with her whom I didn’t expect to see.
– Charlotte?
It was the dancer Charlotte who helped us in the fight with Linford.
– Fran-chan? Long time no see. And Urusi-chan is here too!
– Won!
From the conversation it became clear that Charlotte was one of the orphans who grew up in this orphanage. She was very grateful to Fran for making Amanda pay attention to the plight of the orphanage and save him.
– It's so good that it's you, Fran-chan …
– And what happened?
– Actually…
There was a reason why Charlotte and Io came running so hurriedly for the voice of the children. The fact is that about two days ago, a criminal visited here, for whose head a solid reward was assigned.
– In general, although he was dressed differently, he cannot be confused with anyone. When we fought this unclean giant, I was able to get a close look at him.
– Zelsried … Why is he here?
For some reason, Zelsried came to this orphanage. Looks like he said he wanted to transfer one boy to the orphanage who looked like he was three. Despite his appearance, he did not act like a cruel criminal with a bounty on his head, his expression was sincere.
– He said that this is the child of his deceased friend, whom he cannot raise on his own. That the children have nothing to do next to him. He was even going to pay to be taken …
The child looked very tired, apparently, he had a very long journey behind him.
– What is the name of this child?
– As far as I remember, Romio.
I knew it was Romio! That is, Zelsried decided to fulfill the last wish of Murray, which he himself had betrayed before? Why would?
– Where is this child?
– No, the fact is that we did not accept him.
– Why?
It seems that the fact is that Charlotte was not at the orphanage then, and of the adults there was only a teacher, who is not here now. And when she tried to take Romio to her, he began to scream, cry and resist. She said there was nothing she could do. As was the case with Io-san, as soon as Zelsrid hugged him in turn, he immediately stopped crying and even smiled.
It seems that as soon as Zelsried tried to move away from him, he immediately began to cry loudly.
Then she told him that she could not take from a man a child who is so strongly attached to him. She suggested that Zelsried take some more care of him. And if he really can't take care of him, then let him come again.
As a result, not being able to attach Romio here, Zelsrid took the boy in his arms and left. It turns out that Charlotte bumped into him as he was leaving.
– To be honest, he seemed to me a completely different person. Such a calm atmosphere reigned around him that he could not be compared with what he was at our last meeting.
– What, Zelsrida then?
– Yes.
It is impossible to believe in it. Not only did Zelsrid bring Romio to Barubora to give him up to an orphanage, without showing his former cruel disposition, but even the boy himself became attached to him. All this was completely impossible to believe.
– But we could not leave it as it is …
Although we reported it to the soldiers, they never caught it. Although I must say that ordinary soldiers and knights, even at the cost of their lives, could not even touch him with a finger.
– Zelsried … What's on his mind?
– Maybe, although he betrayed Murray, he decided to make her such a farewell order, fulfilling her request? I said to Fran.
“But he ended up taking the child with him. What was he going to do with him? To sacrifice? Fran answered me.
Hmm. Did he take it with him simply because feelings awoke in him? Moreover, if the child himself became attached to him.
I looked at Fran. I remembered the time when we were just starting the journey after our first meeting. Perhaps Zelsried felt for Romio the same way I did for Fran then? Then I can understand why he decided not to take the child to an orphanage against his will.
Although this is just my imagination. Considering the worst could happen, maybe we should find out where Zelsried is now? While Fran’s safety comes first, I’m definitely worried about the exact position of that child.
