The Chubby Angel and the Pretty Snake

Amber and Wolfgang greet everyone at Greenwich Park, and the group makes their way to the Fishing Kingfisher Tavern. Located in the northern part of the inner city, the tavern is well-known and highly regarded. As they enter, it’s clear why it has such a reputation. Famous for its fresh fish, the tavern offers some of the finest seafood around, and the food overall is exceptional. The rooms are comfortable, though a bit on the pricier side, but the quality makes it worth the cost. It’s one of the more expensive options in the area, but guests are quickly swept up in the warmth and charm of the place.

“I hear their fish is very good,” Tachibana says.

Wolfgang nods, arms crossed. “Superb, at least by the city’s standards.”

Ashira wrinkles her nose. “Do they have anything else? I hate fish.”

Wolfgang exhales sharply. “I admit, I also dislike—”

“There are plenty of other taverns we could go to,” Tachibana cuts in, glancing between them.

“—the smell of fish while eating,” Wolfgang finishes, looking at Ashira knowingly.

She scoffs. “The texture is bad enough, but the smell? That’s definitely up there.”

“I agree,” Wolfgang says, his tone flat.

Ashira pushes her chair back impatiently. “Let’s just go to a tavern already. I could really use a drink.”

Daiki, who has been sitting quietly, raises an eyebrow. “Okay, well—”

Ashira doesn’t let him finish. “No, seriously. I need a tavern. I’m so angry right now.”

Tachibana tilts his head. “Would you prefer one that doesn’t reek of fish?”

“Preferably, yeah,” Ashira mutters. “But I heard Mr. Countspace say something about paying for everyone, so—whatever. Any tavern is fine. Lovely.”

Wolfgang frowns. “I do not recall saying that.”

Tachibana shrugs. “Yeah, I suppose if—”

Wolfgang taps his fingers against the table, cutting in. “I think we are equals in this party, and as such, everyone should provide for their own means. However, I will, of course, provide for Ms. Ablaze, as is appropriate.”

Tachibana smirks. “Fair enough. Then maybe let me suggest a tavern that has an excellent pork roast?” He leans forward slightly. “There’s one in the western district—quite a walk from here, but worth it. The Chubby Angel Tavern. They’re known for their pork roast.”

Ashira perks up slightly. “Nice.”

“Yeah,” Tachibana says, standing. “Let’s go there.”

Daiki protests, “But the tavern isn’t that like a place where a lot of people go and like blah blah blah blah blah and everyone is like yelling because they can’t hear each other?”

Ashira, however, convinces him to go.

“Well, everybody, just let’s get going. Please, please!” Amber urges, her voice eager. She starts huddling everyone together, gathering the picnic items and stuffing them into blankets. With everything bundled up like a knapsack, she slings it over her shoulder and begins gently ushering everyone out of the park.

A carriage would save time, cutting the journey down to around 20 minutes. If they find one, it’ll cost about five silver per person for the ride. Walking would take roughly an hour.

Wolfgang speaks up, “Ms. Ablaze, I think we should traverse all together to the tavern, and if the others are unwilling…”

They all start walking, continuing the conversation as they go.

---

Tachibana Masaki asks, “Okay, so Rüppelshammer-sama, I was curious. Did you just hire Amber, or did you also hire Fury?”

Amber stiffens at the mention of her brother, but she doesn’t respond. The question is directed to Wolfgang, not her.

Wolfgang replies, “Mister Masaki, part of the contract as a merchant includes a bodyguard arrangement between Ms. Ablaze and myself. Her brother is not part of it, other than possibly being involved in a quest to look out for him.”

Masaki looks confused, unsure of what to make of Wolfgang’s explanation.

Tachibana frowns, tilting his head slightly. “Look out for Fury? What do you mean?” His voice is casual, but there’s a sharpness in his eyes. “I was just wondering if he was going to join the party or not.”

Amber exhales, her expression darkening. “No, he isn’t, Masaki.” She hesitates, then delivers the blow. “He went missing a couple of months after you left.”

Tachibana stiffens. “What do you mean, missing?”

Amber shifts uncomfortably. “That’s what I was supposed to tell you.” She lets out a breath, folding her arms. “I’m not sure this is the best way to do it, but…” She trails off, glancing away before gathering herself. “It’s complicated. And painful. He was abducted during a round he and I did a couple of months ago.”

The words slam into Tachibana, sending his thoughts spiraling. “Abducted?” His voice rises. “Then why haven’t I seen missing posters? What’s going on?”

Amber clenches her jaw. “It was a couple of months ago,” she says, her tone measured but tense. “The city watch and I searched for him for a long, long time.” Her voice tightens. She starts explaining quickly, keeping the details scarce. She isn’t ready to unpack all of it—not yet. “Yes, he was abducted. No, I’m not telling you where and how yet. I’ll tell you that later. What matters is that we searched for him for two months. Then the city watch deemed it a cold case.”

Her hands curl into fists. “I didn’t agree with that,” she says, her voice low but laced with frustration. “He’s my brother. We should have kept looking. He was a valued member of the city watch. But they deemed it useless, and I—I fought them on it, but he’s still missing. No more resources. No more search.”

She exhales, forcing herself to stay composed. “So I left,” she continues. “I quit the city watch. I started looking for him on my own. But my funds ran out fast, so I took work as a bodyguard.” She gestures toward Wolfgang. “Monsieur Wolfgang here is making a journey. I think—maybe—it’ll lead me in the right direction. But at the very least, it’s giving me the resources to keep searching.”

Tachibana takes a deep breath, his fists tightening at his sides. “Obviously, we have to find him.”

---

Amber, distracted, mutters something, while Wolfgang turns to Daiki. “Mr. Daiki—is that your first name, or your family name?”
Daiki exhales. “I don’t have missing family members, I believe. My mom isn’t missing, although she isn’t here. But I never met my father. Mom never talks about him. I don’t even know if I have a father. Maybe I have a second mother? I don’t know.”

Tachibana frowns. “How would that work?”

“I don’t know,” Daiki admits.

Wolfgang chuckles. “Masaki, I think these are not discussions to have—”

“That’s interesting,” Ashira muses. “You know how plants propagate? They can just propagate through saplings. No intercourse required.”

“Probably,” Daiki murmurs. “My mom always called me ‘twig’ when I was little, like I grew out of her. But I don’t know if that really happened.”

Ashira claps her hands together. “That’s so beautiful.”

Daiki, unfazed, turns to Wolfgang. “I mean, I always wondered since I met you a few hours ago—do you eat dead bodies? Because you look like a fraud to me.”

Amber flinches. “That is a very—”

At that moment, Wolfgang rolls his eyes, much like he did earlier when Ashira brought up an inappropriate topic. He exhales dramatically. “My diet is not up for discussion. There are preferences. There are needs. But we will share a meal later this afternoon.” 

Ashira laughs. “I’m so happy Bana chose the tavern. I feel like we would have ended up in a morgue otherwise.”

Amber stiffens. “You are insulting Count Wolfgang, Ashira. Please refrain from doing so in the future. Watch your words.”

Ashira raises an eyebrow. “I’m not insulting him. I’m just stating what he just said.”

Daiki chuckles. “I have to say, I enjoy learning about everyone—despite being called rude for asking the wrong questions.”

Tachibana shakes his head. “I don’t think you asked the wrong questions. I just think Count Rüppelshammer might be delicate.”

Daiki tilts his head. “What does ‘Count’ actually mean? Do you count things?”

Wolfgang scoffs. “More or less. A Count is a noble title. We rule a part of the kingdom, manage wealth, and hold power. It is a title for the high nobility, passed down by birthright.”

Daiki’s eyes widen. “So you got the title just because you were born into it?”

“Obviously,” Wolfgang replies smoothly.

“No voting?” Daiki asks.

Wolfgang chuckles. “Voting? No, my child. Voting is not part of the peerage.”

Daiki frowns. “Huh. Okay. Ashira, do you have a title?”

Ashira grins. “A title? I thought ‘Count’ was just Wolfgang’s name. But no, I don’t have a title… well, unless you count my stage names—the Vibrant, the Glamorous, the Amazing.”

Daiki laughs. “It apparently counts.”

Ashira gasps. “It does! I could be Count Ashira! That’s amazing!”

Amber groans. “Mon dieu, get me out of here.”

Daiki turns to Amber. “You get called ‘Madam’ or ‘Miss.’ Is ‘Miss’ a title?”

Amber shakes her head. “No, it just means I don’t have a life partner. Just call me Amber, please.”

Daiki nods. “Okay, Amber. And Ash—” He smirks at Tachibana. “I understand Masaki Tachibana has many names. Tashibana, Bana, Masaki—”

Tachibana groans. “I roll my eyes when you say ‘Bana.’ That’s not my name. Ashira made it up.”

Ashira winks. “Titles don’t require voting, remember?”

Tachibana sighs. “Fine. Call me whatever you want, Daiki.”

Daiki grins mischievously. “Okay! I’ll call you Whitehead.”

Tachibana groans again. “I already regret this.”

Before the conversation can spiral further, Wolfgang shifts gears. “Shira, where were you born? What was your family situation?”

Ashira tenses. “I was born and raised in Evermere.”

Wolfgang smirks. “So, a city without manners.”

Ashira narrows her eyes. “That doesn’t really matter. What are we going to do about Lord Blackthorn?”

Wolfgang sighs. “Why change the subject?”

Ashira folds her arms. “Because it’s not an interesting topic. Lord Blackthorn is.”

Looking for a safer topic, Daiki asks about favorite colors. Ashira, Wolfgang, and Tachibana both declare their love for purple, which excites Daiki. Ashira, always theatrical, subtly alters her outfit to reflect the color, declaring that it looks perfect on her. Daiki grins, content with the lighter turn in conversation, and confidently declares—purple is the best color.

---

The rain begins to fall slowly at first, just a light drizzle, but it picks up as the party approaches the tavern in the distance. Ahead, a hanging sign swings gently in the wind, depicting an angel with small, chubby wings barely managing to keep it afloat. Beneath the angel, in elegant letters, it reads: The Chubby Angel.

By the time the group arrives at the inn, the rain has intensified, and a steady downpour starts to soak the cobblestones. In front of the door, a well-worn doormat lies, its faded letters barely legible but still readable: Here Be Dragons. Without a word, they all step inside, grateful for the shelter.

Inside, the tavern is alive with chatter and activity. A tiefling sits on a barrel, playing a soft, melodic tune on his lyre, the music blending harmoniously with the clatter of plates and mugs. Patrons are scattered throughout the room, many of them enjoying their meals, while others laugh and talk over their drinks. A tiefling girl moves gracefully through the crowd, delivering food and drinks to the tables with practiced ease.

Behind the bar, a thin human man with a small beard and a hint of brown hair stands, keeping busy with the flow of customers. The tavern is quite full, but the party manages to find a table. There are two options—one near the center of the room and another tucked away against the wall.

It doesn’t take long for the tiefling girl to approach their table, her smile warm as she greets them.

“Well, hi there! My name’s Willow, Willow Snowflake. How can I help you today? Something to eat? Something to drink?”

The party orders their meals and drinks, settling in as the lively atmosphere of the pub surrounds them.

---

Then, the conversation shifts to Lord Blackthorn.
“He didn’t break any laws,” Tachibana argues, though his voice wavers.

Ashira’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean, nothing he’s done?”

“Not legally,” Tachibana clarifies. “But what he did was still wrong. He hurt her.”

Daiki frowns. “But didn’t he lie to the investigators? Isn’t that illegal?”

Amber speaks up. “Obstruction of justice.”

The group falls into thought, weighing their options.

“We should write a letter,” Tachibana suggests, “list everything he did wrong, post it somewhere public. Or send it to a newspaper.”

Ashira scoffs. “A letter? That’s your best idea?”

Daiki perks up. “Or—what if we just go to him and ask for the coins he was going to give? You know, for keeping Lady Seraphina away?”

Ashira shakes her head sharply. “No. We shouldn’t take his dirty money.”

Daiki tilts his head. “Why is it dirty? Can’t we just clean it?”

“Because it’s his,” Ashira snaps. “It binds us to him. It makes us part of the lie.”

Tachibana sighs. “Technically, we were part of the lie, and sort of worked for him.”

“No,” Ashira insists. “We didn’t work for him. We were going to expose him. But then we took her to the Mage Guard instead.”

Tachibana raises a brow. “Expose him to whom? She already knew.”

“To his wife. His child. Do they know? Do you think they know he’s hurting them?”

Silence.

“He probably has mistresses in every city,” Ashira adds bitterly.

Tachibana studies her. “Why are you so upset about this?”

“Because he lied.” Ashira’s voice is tight. “We asked him outright, and he lied. We wanted to help her.”

Amber crosses her arms. “Remind me never to lie to you.”

“So,” Ashira says, exhaling sharply. “What are we going to do about this?”

Daiki hesitates. “We could just ask him why he lied.”

“Or,” Ashira suggests, voice dark, “we burn his house down.”

Tachibana stiffens. “I do not condone arson.”

She exhales. “Fine. I got carried away.”

Tachibana thinks for a moment. “What if we write an anonymous letter to his wife? With evidence.”

Ashira considers. “Or we tell her in person.”

Tachibana shrugs. “Would she believe us?”

“Would she believe an anonymous letter?” Ashira counters.

“If we include proof,” Tachibana says, “she might.”

Daiki suddenly remembers something. “Can I see the letter you fished from the pond?”

Tachibana frowns. “Oh… I handed it over at the Mage Guard. And, well, it was smudged.”

The conversation trails off, unfinished.

Later, Ashira steps outside. She takes a deep breath. Amber follows.

“You were really angry back there,” Amber says. “Is it just Lord Blackthorn? Or is there something else?”

Ashira shakes her head. “I’m fine. I like your hair. It’s nice and red.”

Amber doesn’t let it drop. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Ashira insists. “I just hate that the others don’t want to do anything.”

“I get it,” Amber says gently. “But rushing into things won’t help. Maybe there’s another way. Maybe we can gather more information first.”

Ashira exhales, then nods. “I have an idea. Let’s go back inside.”

Instead of heading to the table, she strides toward the tavern’s stage.

Ashira steps up to the podium, her presence commanding the room. She gazes out over the crowd, her voice clear and steady as she begins.

“Yeah,” she starts, a small pause as she gathers the room’s attention. “They’ll tell you this story is about a monster. But really, it’s about a man who couldn’t handle the truth. A woman who loved until, well, he was done with her.”

Her eyes shift across the room, making brief but purposeful eye contact with a few individuals in the crowd, as if to ensure they’re listening.

“So if you’re here for the tale where beauty turns to stone,” she continues, her tone sharpening just slightly, “listen carefully. Because this time, it will be her voice that you’ll hear.”

His words stick like a dagger, in between her gentle ribs

His actions even more so, oh god men can be such pigs

A noble in the city here goes by the name blackthorn

Be ready for the lies you spun you've caused a woman's scorn

They locked her up, they called it just, while you sit on your throne

Your wife and kids will hear the truth, your heart has turned to stone

He turned her away won't let us in thinks we'll forget

This song uncovers all never allows him to forget

She's so fair but under there you just caused some pretty snake, heartbreak

She tries so hard you disregard you just reveal the pretty snake, heartbreak

The curse she feared was never true

One with her all her life

The worst curse she got was loving you

Thought she'd be your wife

Wolfgang watches in disbelief as Ashira finishes her performance. The song’s message is clear, too clear, and the consequences feel dangerously unpredictable. He turns to Masaki, voice sharp with frustration.

“Is this what we call trust? Acting on impulse without thinking of the outcome? I won’t be part of this.”

Without another word, he rises and walks out.

Amber hesitates, exchanging a glance with Tachibana before following him. “That was… effective,” she murmurs. “But I should go. Masaki, send my regards to Ashira.”

Outside, rain drizzles over the dimly lit street. Wolfgang signals for a carriage, eyes scanning the road.

Amber steps beside him, uneasy. “Are you alright?”

A voice echoes in Wolfgang’s head—one only he can hear. You need to let go sometimes.

His jaw tightens. This is not okay. The Rüppelshammer family can’t afford another scandal. He exhales sharply. We should have discussed this first. Now, it’s too late.

Amber shifts beside him. “I know why you left, but Ashira’s move was smart. No one can trace the song back to us.”

Wolfgang shakes his head. “It’s not about the song. It’s about control. Reckless actions bring havoc, and I won’t be dragged into it.”

Amber folds her arms. “We aren’t even a real party yet. What makes you think she owes you caution?”

“We walked for forty minutes discussing our plans, and she still acted alone.”

Wolfgang exhales sharply but says nothing. The carriage rattles to a stop. As they climb inside, he mutters, “We’ll meet again at the Kingfisher tomorrow. Then we decide what’s next.”

---

Meanwhile, the others remain in the pub, the lively atmosphere still buzzing around them. Daiki, leaning back in his chair, looks thoughtful as he listens to the soft tune playing in the background.

“I really like this song,” he says, his voice reflecting a quiet intensity. “It felt like a storm to me. Even the storm has a melody. You know, you let your fury become a song, and the song will hear more than your anger. It will hear your truth.”

Ashira nods, her eyes sparkling with understanding. “Exactly. Exactly. And that’s what’s important to me. The truth needs to step out into the light. Then it shines. That’s where it is. That’s where it shines.” She pauses, her gaze drifting for a moment before she continues. “I think this is more effective than a letter. We discussed the letter, but I thought about it. A song would fit much better.”

As the conversation winds down, the topic of payment comes up. Wolfgang, having already left, hasn’t paid for his share. Tachibana steps up, paying for both Wolfgang and Amber, as well as himself. Ashira, without hesitation, covers the cost for herself and Daiki. The group finishes their drinks and gathers their things, the lively buzz of the tavern fading as they prepare to move on.

Ashira grins at Tachibana. “You seem like someone who knows the nightlife around here,” she says. Tachibana laughs. “Oh, definitely,” she replies. “How about taking Daiki for a spin?”

Ashira hesitates. “I’m not sure he’ll be able to handle it. He might run away.”

Tachibana turns to Daiki, raising an eyebrow. “Have you ever danced, Daiki? Do they dance in your grove?”

Daiki looks thoughtful. “We dance.”

“Would you like to go dancing with us?” Tachibana asks.

“Well, if it’s a nice place where we can dance, sure,” Daiki responds.

Tachibana grins. “Sounds like a great plan.”

“We can start here,” Ashira says. “It’s nice. I know some good places that’ll open around midnight, and that’s when the real party starts.”

Daiki looks unsure. “But shouldn’t we get a good sleep?”

Ashira waves him off. “We will. We’ll go to bed around four, and it’s going to be amazing. We’ll meet Rüppelshammer around midday. That still counts as morning, right?”

Tachibana grins. “Sure, sure. But I was thinking we could meet them around nine, don’t you think?”

Ashira raises an eyebrow. “Nine? What, you don’t have stamina?”

Tachibana chuckles. “Okay, how about ten?”

Ashira shrugs. “At least it’s double digits.”

“Perfect. We’ll have breakfast together,” Tachibana says, clearly excited.

“Fine,” Ashira concedes, though she still thinks twelve is the perfect time to meet.

By the time they start dancing, Ashira’s energy is contagious. She beckons the lyre player to join in, and with a stomp of her feet, she leads everyone into a line dance. Daiki, in his own unique way, starts swaying like a tree, still holding his staff, following a melody no one else seems to hear. Others try to copy them but fail miserably.

Tachibana grins and joins in. He attempts the offbeat, swaying like a tree too. Ashira’s laughter rings out when he totally misses the rhythm. The night goes on with more dancing, and Daiki, still in his own world, follows the melody with a peaceful smile.

By 2 a.m., Ashira’s had enough. “I’ll be right back,” she tells the others, walking outside. After a few moments, Daiki notices her and follows her out, concerned. He watches as she stumbles to the pavement, throwing up.

“You okay?” he asks, wrinkling his nose.

Ashira looks back, wiping her mouth. “Don’t worry, Taiki. This is part of the fun.”

Daiki can only sigh, covering his nose. “It smells horrible.”

“I know, but it keeps me in shape,” Ashira jokes.

“Well, if you say so,” Daiki replies, using his magic to make the smell a little more bearable.

Once Ashira cleans herself up and returns inside, she grins at Daiki. “See? I’m fine.”

Tachibana, who had managed to keep her drinking to a minimum, looks on with amusement. “You all still sleeping somewhere tonight?” he asks. He decides to find a place of his own. 

Ashira looks over at Daiki. “Let’s crash at the park.”

Daiki is already nodding. “I like that idea.”

They make their way through the city, the rain falling steadily, and eventually, they end up at Mendal Park. Ashira points to a tree, her voice slightly slurred. “This should work. Thank you, tree, for keeping us dry.”

Daiki laughs. “Yeah, thank you.”

---

Wolfgang steps out of the carriage, handing over a silver piece to the driver. “Thank you for the ride. How much do we owe you?” he asks.

“One silver,” the driver replies.

Wolfgang quickly hands over the coin, but as the carriage drives off, he suddenly realizes something. “Wait a second,” he mutters, turning to Amber. “Did you… by any chance… pay for our food and drinks when we left?”

Amber looks at him, her face betraying nothing. “Oh, you… didn’t pay for that? It was part of our contract. You were supposed to cover it,” she says coolly.

Wolfgang scratches his head. “Ah, my apologies. I must have missed that in the moment. Maybe… emotion got the better of me,” he chuckles awkwardly.

Amber nods knowingly. “High emotion, yes. I assumed you’d already taken care of it.”

Wolfgang sighs. “Right, right. I’ll take care of it as we agreed. But I suppose we should reimburse whoever paid for us.”

Amber gives a small nod. “I think Masaki paid for us. He asked me to meet him tomorrow morning, though it doesn’t mention you or Daiki.”

“Then we should reimburse him,” Wolfgang agrees. “I’ll make sure to cover the cost for the meal and for the two of us… maybe Daiki, if he really has no coin to spare.”

Amber glances at him, thoughtful. “I think tomorrow we need to make a plan. We could visit Lord Blackthorn’s house, but I wouldn’t do that unless we have a reason. We should focus on the goblins at the gate—petrified ones. We take them to the keep, de-petrify them, and interrogate them under duress, if needed.”

Wolfgang nods, impressed. “Great idea. They could give us valuable information. And then we decide what to do next.”

“Agreed,” Amber says, pausing. “But we should also think about Ashira. She might be a liability, especially with her emotional outbursts. She needs to be controlled, or it could affect the whole group. The same thing goes for Daiki, he doesn’t understand our ways and could get us into trouble without meaning to.”

Wolfgang contemplates. “You’re right. We need to discuss this with everyone tomorrow. And leadership… should we decide who’s in charge of the group? I don’t want to take that role without understanding where everyone stands.”

Amber tilts her head. “Leadership should be between me or Masaki. We both have the right experience.”

Wolfgang nods. “Let’s sleep on it and talk tomorrow.”

They share a drink, the smoky warmth of the fire whiskey filling the room. Amber pours, telling Wolfgang about her mother, Solara, and the legacy of the whiskey that burns with her memory. Wolfgang takes a sip, feeling the heat of it spread down his throat. He nods approvingly. “This is strong. But it’s good.”

Amber laughs softly. “I’m glad you like it. It’s a reminder of where I come from. And no matter what happens tomorrow, we’ll face it together.”

---

It’s early morning when Ashira and Daiki are suddenly jolted awake by a loud voice calling from above. A man perched in a tree shouts at them, demanding to know why they’re sleeping there. “What are you doing up there?” he asks, noticing them both, and then quickly apologizes, realizing he’s speaking to two people, not just one.

Still groggy, Ashira rubs her eyes. “Who are you?”

The man, clearly annoyed, insists, “Why are you sleeping in this tree?”

“We’re tired,” Ashira mutters, still half asleep.

Daiki agrees, nodding. “Yeah.”

The man shakes his head. “This isn’t a place for sleeping.”

Ashira, too tired to argue, glances at the tree. “Could you point us to a tree we could sleep in?”

Daiki, in the mood for a bit of mischief, asks, “Why not this one?”

The man explains, “You’re not allowed to sleep in trees in the city. It’s against the rules. Come down, and we can talk.”

Both Ashira and Daiki reluctantly begin climbing down. The man wears blue armor with a scale symbol on his chest, and Ashira feels a strange sense of recognition, though she can’t quite place it. She vaguely remembers seeing people like him before—guards, maybe? From Clovis Major?

“What’s your name?” the man asks once they’re down, pulling out a notebook.

“Ash,” she says, rubbing her eyes.

“Daiki,” he adds with a yawn.

“Do you have last names?” the man presses.

“Just Daiki,” says Daiki with a shrug.

Ashira thinks for a moment. “I think it’s Willow, if I remember correctly.”

The man writes it down. “Okay, Ash Willow and Daiki Willow, thank you. Just a warning this time—no sleeping in trees in the city. You can stay at an inn or tavern. Those are the legal places.”

“Why not?” Daiki asks, genuinely curious.

“You can’t sleep in public places like this,” the man replies, unfazed. “But you can sleep outside the city in the forest. Just not on the fields.”

Ashira sighs. “Okay, got it.”

Daiki, still half asleep, asks, “Do you have a place for us to sleep?”

The man looks at them sympathetically. “If you don’t have a place to stay, you can go to Luna’s Device. It’s a spot for people who can’t afford an inn.”

“That’s helpful, thanks,” Ashira says, clearly not thrilled about the situation.

“No problem,” the man replies. “Have a good rest.”

Ashira, feeling her frustration rise, says, “Taiki, let’s just find a tavern. I don’t want to walk around more than we have to.”

Daiki nods and asks, “Where’s the closest one?”

The man points. “The Chubby Angel is across the street, but it’s expensive. If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Screeching Griffin Inn is a little further up north.”

“Okay, thanks,” Ashira says with a tired smile, and they begin walking.

As the sun starts to rise, Ashira groans. “Taiki, we need sleep.”

Daiki, still half-conscious, jokes, “Well, I can always use photosynthesis.”

Ashira rolls her eyes. “We walk.”

They reach the Screeching Griffin Inn after a short walk, and Ashira, a bit grumpy, suggests they find somewhere to rest. But just before they settle in, Daiki has one more silly idea.

“Wait,” he says, crouching by a bush. In an instant, leaves and plants begin to grow around him, covering him completely in a makeshift leafy cocoon.

Ashira stares, confused. “What are you doing?”

Daiki grins, hidden beneath his plant cover. “Just need a quick nap.”

Ashira shrugs, pulling her cloak tighter to blend in with the surroundings. She turns her attention to the inn, but Daiki’s sudden plant cocoon has her raising an eyebrow. She can’t help but laugh softly.

“Whatever works,” she mutters, finally lying down beside him.

In a couple of hours, they are awakened by the market and gushing of people that are shopping around them.

---

Amber wakes up around 7:30, feeling refreshed from a long rest. She takes a moment to stretch before getting ready for the day. The morning feels calm, the air crisp as the sunlight filters through the window. Wolfgang, already up, seems equally rejuvenated. He mentions how delightful the morning is, his spirits high after their rest. He plans to bathe, then have a hearty breakfast. Amber, still groggy, nods. She imagines her own breakfast: a seared salmon with potatoes. Wolfgang enjoys a smoked haddock with poached eggs and some bread.

 

After breakfast, Wolfgang explains to her the significance of the smoked haddock, sourced from South Drift, his mother’s hometown. It’s a delicacy in Westwatch, and now, it’s available in the kingdom’s capital. Amber listens, amused, but also distracted by her thoughts. She greets the waiter, ordering her breakfast with a touch of hesitation. Wolfgang teases her about being surprised by the service after two days at the inn. Amber, still half-asleep, laughs awkwardly but appreciates the attention.

Wolfgang continues speaking, and Amber, now more awake, gathers her thoughts. She plans to meet with Masaki shortly. They chat briefly, with Wolfgang suggesting that he could chaperone, but Amber insists she can handle things on her own. She offers to call for him if necessary, but Wolfgang is curious, teasing her with a smirk. Amber, feeling a bit defensive, wonders if he’s insinuating something about her and Masaki. Wolfgang shrugs off the comment with a cryptic response, and Amber shakes her head, dismissing it.

After breakfast, Amber steps outside to check if Masaki has arrived. She scans the area, her eyes searching the crowd. Wolfgang, meanwhile, makes inquiries with the staff about recent goblin sightings in the city, but learns nothing substantial. He sips his coffee, content in the quiet of the inn. Amber, still preoccupied, is determined to find Masaki.

When she finally spots him arriving at the Fishing Kingfisher, she smiles. “Good morning, Masaki,” she says, though she notices he’s looking a bit too fresh. He doesn’t seem to have been affected by the morning rain, but she teases him anyway. Masaki replies in kind, and they exchange pleasantries.

As they enter, Amber guides Masaki to a more private area, where they can talk. The conversation turns to matters of importance, but Amber is careful to avoid discussing anything too sensitive in the open. She offers Masaki a seat, and they chat as she leads him to her chamber.

“It’s a bit unconventional,” she says with a light chuckle. “But the benefits outweigh the discomfort.”

Masaki, curious about the arrangement, listens intently. Amber, feeling at ease with him, starts to share more about the recent events surrounding Furies’ disappearance, her adventures, and the complications she’s faced.

“So, tell me,” he begins, his voice cutting through the tension in the air, “about Fury. Do you know who abducted him? Do you know why?”

Amber hesitates, a sigh escaping her as she shifts uncomfortably. “Wait,” she mutters, gathering her thoughts. “Ever… Just like me, huh? The efficient one. You want to know exactly what happened.” 

“Well, um, it was about eight months ago… No, wait, a couple of months ago—uh, eight months, yes. It was autumn, and we were together. At some point, we went around the corner, down a narrow street. It was… eerie.” She pauses, her memory replaying the scene. “And then, Fury looked around. There was a portal opening, and… I didn’t know where it came from. And then—an invisible wall. I couldn’t get to him. I tried… I tried… but I couldn’t move. He was trapped.”

Tachibana leans forward, his curiosity piqued. “Did you see it being cast, or was it just there?”

“No, no, I didn’t see a thing,” Amber replies quickly, her face paling as the memory tightens around her. “All I saw was… a big Oni. It came out of that portal and grabbed my brother. Just… took him, like it was nothing. And then… everything disappeared. He was gone. It’s… it’s all just gone.”

“An Oni, you say?” Tachibana murmurs, trying to wrap his mind around it.

Amber nods, though her expression is lost in confusion. “Yeah, some of them can plane-shift, but not all. I think… they mostly come from the material plane, but some are more powerful than others.”

Tachibana frowns. “Can you tell me more about the portal? What color was it? How long did it take to appear?”

Amber closes her eyes, struggling to recollect details, the nightmare haunting her every night. “It was red. It appeared quickly… and everything happened so fast. I remember seeing the Oni with a knife at Fury’s neck. I tried to get closer, but I hit my head against the invisible wall. In a blink, they were gone… everything was over.”

Amber falls silent, her mind replaying the moment again. She swallows hard, trying to push the panic down. “I told the City Watch. I did all the reports. I went to Ashwind, my old trainer. But there was nothing they could do. No one knew anything. I even went on a quest for two months, but then…they shut it down. Everything stopped. I couldn’t keep waiting. So, I left the City Watch.”

Tachibana listens intently. “Do you have all the records from the quest?”

Amber shakes her head. “I can’t access them now… I broke my ties. But I know everything. Every report, every detail. I can still remember.”

Tachibana’s eyes narrow as he processes this. “I’ll see if I can get the records. They might help. As for portals, I don’t know much about them, but I’ll dig into it. Portals are tricky magic. It might take some time, but we’ll find Fury.”

Amber gives a quiet sigh of relief. “I’m glad you want to help. I’ve had very little of it since… since then.”

“Of course we have to find him,” Tachibana replies softly, his voice firm. “We’ll find him.”

Amber’s eyes flicker, a brief moment of vulnerability slipping through, but she quickly masks it. “Yeah, but I’ve been searching for six months… I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.”

Tachibana steps forward and gives her a brief, tight hug. “It must have been hard… being without family.”

Amber’s body stiffens, and she pushes herself away from him, shrugging off the hug with practiced indifference. “It’s no picnic. But you have to keep going. I believe he’s still alive. We have to find him.”

Tachibana nods, his resolve unwavering. “We will.”

Amber quickly shifts the conversation. “But now… we have a contract. A goblin mission. What are we going to do about that?”

Tachibana glances around. “We wait. My breakfast and tea… They’re late.”

Amber smirks. “Of course.”

After breakfast, Masaki, Wolfgang and Amber go to a meeting room Montgomery set up for them, and wait for Ashira and Daiki. 

---

Ashira approaches the first person she sees, an elderly woman with a warm smile. “Hello, ma’am,” she greets, “Could you tell me where the Fishing Kingfisher is?”

The woman, who introduces herself as Lorna, nods slowly. “Ah, yes, I believe it’s near the center. My grandson has been there. Good stories, yes, very good stories.”

Ashira, trying to stay focused, asks again, “Which way is the center?”

Lorna points in the direction. “The center is that way, dear. And they have a beautiful cathedral there. You must see the cloister bell. It’s lovely, though it never rings.”

Ashira, trying to keep things moving, nods. “I’m planning to go there. Just point me in the general direction.”

Lorna happily complies, offering a few more details about the prestigious courtyard near the Fishing Kingfisher and mentioning her son who lives in the center. Ashira, politely listening to the stories, thanks Lorna before parting ways, wishing her well.

Once they’re on their way, Ashira and Daiki quickly spot the sign of a Kingfisher bird on top of a fishing rod. Ashira turns to Daiki. “This is the one.”

Daiki, in his usual calm way, asks, “Are you alright?”

Ashira, noticing his outfit, asks, “Do you have anything more fitting? They’re a bit snobby inside.”

Daiki responds with a chuckle. “I don’t have other clothes. Normally, I don’t wear anything like this.”

Ashira adjusts his robe, pulling the fabric to make it look more refined, though it’s a bit of a struggle. She then tweaks her own appearance, making her hair sleek and her outfit more regal for the occasion.

They enter the building and are greeted by Montgomery. “Good morning, how can I help you?”

Ashira, with a confident smile, asks for Mr. Rüppelshammer, also known as Mr. Wolfgang, though she’s only half sure of the name. The servant confirms it and directs them to a meeting room, offering refreshments along the way. Ashira, always quick on her feet, delivers her request with a posh accent, impressing everyone in the room.

The servant leads them through the hall, and Ashira holds herself tall, projecting an air of nobility. Daiki follows quietly, his staff tapping softly as they walk toward their destination.

As they approach the door, Montgomery whispers to the servant, who nods and leads them into the meeting room where Wolfgang awaits.