Seedbed of Artifact Species (Twenty-Four)
Persistence didn't mean stupidity, especially not for a man who couldn't even remember his own name yet remained brimming with confidence that he could find his wife.
With someone like that, honesty was important.
And when it came to recognizing people's strengths and assigning them accordingly, I meant every word.
So, after briefly speaking with the Wanderer and steering him toward La Nina, I'd turned him into a Tool Person for the task. I hadn't even bothered to hide that I was using him.
And the results had been quite satisfactory.
The Wanderer Knight, who already had little capacity for logical thought, had sensed my frankness on an instinctive level. At last, the scales had tipped toward cooperation.
Now he'd even taken off his hat, which seemed to be a statement in itself.
At last, I could see what he looked like.
There was indeed something a little abstract about him—not his appearance, but an inhuman quality to his presence.
Though he still seemed rather impatient.
"So do you have any idea where we can find her?"
As he removed his hood, the Wanderer asked without preamble.
"First, she could be found right here. Second, this place isn't very large, and there's a frozen sea outside. Third, she should be hidden in some rather clever way."
How could I possibly object? I cooperated without hesitation.
"And so far, I haven't found any clues. I need you to sense any possible connection, using your sensitivity to women's scents."
As well as admitting I hadn't found anything, I offered a suggestion.
"I understand."
The Wanderer Knight listened seriously and, remarkably, didn't say anything else.
As a knight, whatever the relationship between the Wanderer and Virgo La Nina, they ought to be much closer than she and