On Friday evening, Sifa used the Traveler's Gazetteer to return to Tingen. He first returned the diary to Mr. Hadi, then met with Caven and Nefi that night, arranging to gather at the Pritz Harbor Ticketing Company in White Rose Borough on Monday morning.
On Saturday morning, Sifa took a steam train to Backlund. The train was crowded, carrying countless hopeful people to the city.
When they reached the station, the fog was thin, and sunlight was faintly visible.
The gas lamps hanging over the platform had already been extinguished. Travelers coming and going formed a dense stream of people. With practiced caution, Sifa kept a firm hand over his wallet while Levtor carried his suitcase, and they slowly followed the crowd out of the steam train station.
While waiting for a hired carriage on the street, Sifa suddenly shifted to one side, causing a hand reaching for his pocket to miss.
"There seem to be more pickpockets, too."
Holding his top hat in place, Sifa climbed into a hired carriage and left the chaotic, disorderly area.
When they reached Boklund Street, there were noticeably fewer pedestrians and more carriages. Before long, Sifa spotted the house Bison had rented.
He gave the driver an extra two soli as a tip, stepped out of the carriage amid the man's smiles and well-wishes, and went through the gate.
He had only just entered the hall when a blur flashed before his eyes, and Helibel and Jom blocked his path. Jom was also pulling along the Baron's adopted daughter, Pasha.
The little girl seemed to have been dragged there by Jom. She looked flustered, unsure where to put her little hands, her gaze wavering.
Helibel planted her hands on her hips. "Sifa, where did you run off to have fun without telling us?"