To get her gift back, Castorice eventually went to the market with Yan Huan.
In a corner of the market, they found the short spear Cipher had left behind.
"..."
"Why make us solve a puzzle at a time like this?"
Yan Huan looked at the shattered spear, which would need Oloronis's power to put back together, and asked:
"Does this Demigod of Zagres really love making things difficult for people that much?"
"That's just how Her Excellency Saifeier is." Castorice sighed.
"We may have to go to some trouble."
"Maybe not."
Yan Huan promptly lifted the lid of a nearby trash can and said to the girl hiding inside:
"Aren't you right here?"
"..." Cipher crouched in the trash can, hugging her knees as she stared up at them.
"Uh... why aren't you following the script?"
"Normally, you're supposed to go through all kinds of trouble before you find me."
"Your Excellency Saifeier?" Castorice blinked, staring at the girl in the bin.
"Please give me back my gift."
"Huh? Give it back? Heh heh..."
Cipher slowly stood and climbed out of the bin. Once on the ground, she brushed off her clothes, then faced Castorice.
"You're still so careless. Shouldn't you have kept an important gift tucked close and guarded it?"
Castorice's brows drew together as she met her gaze. "Since you know it's a gift, please return it."
"No, no, no." Cipher smiled.
"Since I know it's a gift, of course I'm going to charge a high price!"
"Children of the wind don't stay in one place for long, unless your sincerity can make the wind stop. So, what do you say?"
"She's asking you for money," Yan Huan said to Castorice. "Are we paying?"
"Yes," Castorice said without hesitation. "Your Excellency Saifeier, I'll pay whatever you ask.