Outside, the sky gradually darkened, and the afterglow of the setting sun stained Hord's ruined streets a layer of blood red.
Unlike He Xi, Trist apparently had no need for an afternoon rest. He simply sat in the corner of the room, meditating quietly like a statue.
Seeing that He Xi had finished resting, he silently rose to his feet and followed He Xi out of the inn.
He Xi's plan was simple: find out where Raymond lived in Hord.
He had chosen to start with the trade union President because the Kareen Cult concealed its movements too well. Aside from vague, hearsay rumors, it was difficult to find any solid lead.
The Holt Family's manor, meanwhile, was surely heavily guarded. With neither the surroundings nor the enemy's strength understood, rashly sneaking in carried far too much risk.
During their earlier carriage journey, He Xi had learned that Annis had lived in Hord for some time.
By comparison, Raymond was a wealthy merchant from elsewhere. Even if he owned property in Hord, it would not be guarded as tightly as the lord's estate.
Given the Tidal Trade Union's wealth, that house certainly would not be ordinary. It should not be too difficult to inquire about.
As for Zander, his build was simply too conspicuous, and the Kareen Cult's people remembered him well. He Xi had therefore left him and Bruce at the inn.
At dusk.
There were even fewer pedestrians on the streets than in the daytime, and the cold wind swept dead leaves into spirals across the stone-paved road.
Two thinly dressed children were staring through the window of a bakery.
He Xi withdrew his gaze and was about to head with Trist toward the market, where there were slightly more people.
"Adventurer sir?"
A timid voice suddenly came