Darwin's steps halted in front of an old building that stood out starkly amid the dark and stifling atmosphere around it. A roughly carved wooden plaque hung above the door, its writing faded but still legible. Darwin stared at it for a moment, then opened the door without hesitation.
"Darwin, wait!" called Evelyne from behind, her face slightly pale. "Are you sure you want to go into a place like this? It's so creepy... it looks like... a place where bad people hang out. Oh—look, a black cat! So cute~"
Darwin paused briefly, glancing at the girl from the corner of his eye before letting out a long sigh.
Evelyne, despite her unease, tilted her head, watching the boy's expression. "Ohh, you're making that 'this is such a bother' face again."
Darwin turned to her. "You can read people's expressions?"
"No," Evelyne answered plainly. "But I can tell because people often make that face when they're with me."
The black-haired boy was silent for a moment, then simply replied, "I see."
"You're so cold..." Evelyne pouted. "Don't act like that toward others, it's rude. My brother taught me that."
Darwin ignored her and stepped into the shop. A small bell above the door chimed sharply as they crossed the threshold.
Inside, the room was filled with the stench of metal, sweat, and old straw. Rows of iron cages lined the walls, housing slaves with lifeless eyes and wounds covering their bodies. A heavy, raspy voice greeted them.
"Welcome!" boomed a short and stocky man—a human, but with a body resembling a dwarf, his gray hair tied back. "The name's Gorran, owner of this place. Can I help you? Want to browse, or are you looking for something... specific?"
Darwin stepped forward. "Have you seen a blonde-haired woman, emerald eyes? Elf. She disappeared near this area."
Gorran scratched his thick beard. "Hmm… don't recall seeing anyone like that. No blonde elves around here lately, kid."
Darwin stared at him for a moment, trying to detect a lie in his voice. Finding no certainty, he finally said, "Then let me have a look around."
"Of course, of course. Be my guest!" Gorran said enthusiastically, leading them through a narrow corridor filled with caged slaves.
Evelyne remained silent behind Darwin, her body tense. Her eyes darted across the hopeless faces of the captives. She clenched her hands tightly, visibly disturbed by the scene.
"This one's a half-beastkin, strong but not too bright," Gorran said, pointing at a tall man with wolf-like ears. "That one... yeah, he used to be a singer from the north. Great voice but fragile mind. And this—"
Darwin's gaze grew colder with each passing cage. The injustice that reeked from the place made him want to draw his sword and free them all. But... where would he take them? Even if freed, they'd just be hunted again. He clenched his fist. He wasn't kind enough to shoulder all that.
"None of them are who I'm looking for," he said at last. "But I have a question. There was a small skirmish near your place this morning. Know anything about it?"
Gorran shrugged. "A fight? Nah, I don't know anything, kid. I was busy feeding the slaves this morning. Maybe just the guards messing around."
Darwin gave a faint nod. "Alright. Thank you." He turned and walked out, with Evelyne silently following behind.
Outside, the bright moonlight greeted them. Evelyne blinked a few times before finally speaking.
"The person you're looking for... who is she? Why are you searching for her so desperately?"
"Her name is Liriel," Darwin answered without looking back. "She's missing. I need to find her before they take her too far."
Evelyne gave a slight nod. "Then... why not ask the royal guards for help? With my authority, I could—"
"No," Darwin cut her off quickly. "Deploying a large force will only make them—the kidnappers—suspicious. We need silence, so they don't disappear deeper."
Evelyne fell silent. There was concern in her eyes. But she said nothing more, simply following Darwin as he continued asking around the quiet nighttime streets.
After some time, Evelyne suddenly stopped.
"Darwin..." she called softly.
The boy turned. "What is it?"
"I... I just remembered something. I think I saw someone like the person you described."
Darwin stared at her intently. "Seriously?"
Evelyne nodded. "Shining blonde hair, beautiful emerald eyes like precious stones... I'm sure of it."
"Where did you see her?"
Evelyne smiled, just a little mischievously. "I'll tell you... if you grant me one request."
Darwin fell silent. His gaze was cold, sharp... but Evelyne met it without flinching, like a girl who, for the first time, found the courage to bargain with her own feelings.
"A request?" Darwin finally asked.
Evelyne clasped her fingers together. "Yes. Just one. It won't be troublesome. But you have to promise."
And under the silver light of the moon shining over the narrow street, something in their story began to shift—like the ticking of a clock.
Darwin stared at the noble girl standing before him. His voice was calm, but as flat as always.
"I saved you back then. Doesn't that make us even?"
Evelyne raised her chin arrogantly, her expression as if the world revolved around her. "It's only natural for a princess to be rescued in times of trouble, isn't it?"
Darwin could only stare blankly. His eyes wandered to the sky, as if asking the heavens why he had to deal with a creature this absurd.
Inside his mind, a familiar voice echoed.
Zero's laughter rang loudly in his head, making a vein throb on Darwin's temple.
"I'm busy," he said flatly, taking a few slow steps away. "Don't drag me into your personal whims."
"I just want to go on an adventure!" Evelyne shouted, chasing after him. "That's all I'm asking!"
Darwin stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. "I can find her on my own. I don't need your help."
But before he could take another step, Evelyne grabbed the hem of his shirt. She shook it dramatically, tears streaming down her cheeks—though her eyes still glinted with mischief.
"Uuuu... This is my first time outside the castle! I don't want to go back! I want to see the world! Don't leave me alooone~!"
Darwin panicked. He looked left, then right, wishing there was a hole in the ground he could disappear into. Unfortunately, there wasn't.
"Okay! Okay! Fine! I'll take you on an adventure!" he shouted, trying to pry her off his shirt. "But only after I find the person I'm looking for, so—so stop crying already!"
Evelyne stopped crying like magic. Her tears dried faster than morning dew under the sun. Her face lit up.
"Promise!" she said, holding out her pinky finger.
Darwin looked at her wearily, then gave in with a long sigh. "Promise..." he muttered, like a man who had just sold his soul to the devil.
Evelyne stood tall with renewed spirit, dusting off her dress, then said cheerfully, "The person you're looking for is at Dawnery Merchant!"