The streets on Sunday morning were tranquil.

Even the usually bustling shopping district was mostly closed, with just a few restaurants open, basking in the holiday atmosphere.

The knights left to their own devices by Ian were now strolling leisurely through the quiet streets under the languid sunshine.

A red-haired knight, still youthful with a face straddling the line between a boy and a young man, scurried up to the knight leading the group. He asked with a boldness matching his fiery hair.

“But, Captain, is it really okay to be so relaxed? Yesterday you drank too much, and today you’re staggering like a sick chicken. I think we should be focusing on the commercial district again instead of…”

“You’ll never stop being the youngest if you keep this up.”

A voice laced with irritation cut him off. It was filled with a clear annoyance in every word.

“Passion alone doesn’t solve problems, Odysseus. People aren’t machines; they need to rest to function. Enjoy yourself while Cedric’s not around.”

The red-haired Odysseus called the man leading the group, Eli, as captain. Eli, exuding a sense of ease, sauntered on with a slouched posture.

Had Dion been around, at least he would have pretended to search. But in his absence, there was no one to check the lax attitude of the knights.

“And you should just forget about these things for a while. They’ll show up on their own. You know, like in plays or old stories, where the biggest fools always have the best luck.”

‘But you’re forgetting a bit too comfortably…’

Odysseus swallowed his true thoughts with the help of his 18 years of social skills. He quickened his pace to keep up with the conversation.

“Then maybe Sakin, who ran away from home yesterday, will be the first to find him.”

“He didn’t run away; he just couldn’t return. I’ve already bet 300 Crisants with Eiden that that fool will be the first to find our lord.”

“Already?”

Odysseus’s eyes widened as he continued walking, turning his upper body backward.

“Then who did Eiden bet on?”

“……”

A man with long white hair neatly cascading down adjusted his glasses that had slipped down his nose, looking at the inquirer. Through the clean glass, a calm gaze met Odysseus.

He stared at Odysseus for a moment and then returned his attention to his book.

“…What’s that mean? Why do I feel so uneasy?”

Odysseus scratched the back of his neck, making a small ‘tsk’ with his mouth. Eli patted his red hair as if to comfort him.

“Hmm, it’s nothing. Who knows what that eccentric, who prefers books over swords, is thinking. Don’t worry about it.”

“No, but he just answered with his eyes… Ow!”

While walking along the edge of the street, Odysseus collided with a group emerging from an alley.

He bumped his nose straight on, turning as red as his hair. Rubbing his sore nose, he grumbled.

“Can’t you watch where you’re going? The road is wide enough without bumping into each other.”

“You might say that, but we just came out of an alley.”

“Then you should have looked before coming out… Wait a minute.”

Odysseus removed his hand from his reddened nose and narrowed his eyes.

“Look at that, aren’t they the guys from before?”

“What guys?”

Eli questioned him, facing the suspicious glares Odysseus was throwing.

Odysseus used his hands, feet, and head to energetically explain.
“Why, they look just like the guys who complained about being extorted by Dion’s assistant. Suddenly bumping into us in an alley, cloaked in deep hoods, mountainous in size, and with an intimidating aura!”

Despite Odysseus’s accusation, Eli seemed unbothered and glanced back casually.

“If that’s the case, we have one of those on our side too.”

A knight, as if a turtle retreating into its shell, quickly hid his enormous figure under his robe. He was the spitting image of the person Odysseus described: a deeply hooded robe, a mountainous build, a suppressed aura under static movements.

Knowing full well he was the subject of discussion, he remained as silent as a heavy mountain.

Eli, never expecting a response from him, shifted his gaze away.

That guy might have his reasons, but wearing robes in this area was common. It was a coat worn by everyone, regardless of age or gender, to protect their skin from the harsh sea winds.

However, Odysseus, now ablaze with the fervor of a fiery detective, couldn’t be stopped.

He grabbed the collar of a man taller than himself by a head’s length.

“You must have been thrilled to catch an easy mark last time. But we’re different, understand? We won’t be fooled twice, so don’t even think about getting away this time!”

Clack, clack, clack.

The group behind the man assumed a combat stance in an instant.

Eli stepped in first to stop Odysseus.

“Ease up, Odysseus. Cedric would cry if he heard this.”

He detached Odysseus’s hand from the man’s neck and flashed a charming smile.

“Ah, this young one is still in his spirited years, so please excuse his behavior. Sorry about that, haha.”

“No, let me go! What am I doing… Argh!”