Chapter 7: Working with him

With the request form in hand,

“It has been requested that you meet with the client,” 

The receptionist said, and immediately, the door to this room opened. Conveniently for Ren, Ragna appeared in the guise of the Bag traveler.

Before Ragna noticed Ren standing in front of the reception, he looked at the posted requests on the wall. He realized that his own request form was missing.

“Oh, someone is interested in such a request? Quite the curious individual.”

Then he spotted Ren at the reception counter. His lips, visible from beneath the hood he wore deeply, curved into a pleased smile.

“The client has just arrived.”

Just as she was about to suggest having a meeting since they were here anyway, the receptionist looked surprised.

When Ragna joined Ren, he slammed his hand onto the request form that was placed on the reception desk with a loud bang.

“No need for a meeting. I’ll be working with this young man.”

“Is that alright?”

“Yes, we’re acquaintances. It’s convenient if this young man takes it. I’ve been hesitating to ask directly for various reasons, but the situation has become ideal.”

He went on to provide more details. As he continued, he walked outside of the guild.

After Ragna and Ren left the guild,

“I did consider asking you directly, but you’re still a student. I didn’t want to bother you too much with my own schedule,”

However, seeing Ren’s interest in the Crested Emblem, he decided to approach him.

He didn’t doubt why Ren was in that room anymore. He probably knew the circumstances already.

“Did you become interested in the item I’m looking for, or were you curious about my name when you looked at the request form?”

“Both,” 

It wasn’t a lie. He had a feeling it was related to Lutreche’s advice, but he decided not to bring it up now and kept it to himself.

Ragna continued, 

“Why do you think I’m searching for sacred relics?”

“Not for the sake of romance, I assume. If that were the only reason, you would probably be searching alone. Do you have some other reason?”

“Yes. Do you remember the orphanage in the Old Town?”

The orphanage in the Old Town was a mysterious building that would immediately unlock when touched by Ren. It was where they found letters exchanged between Geno, the orphanage’s director, and Cecil Ashton, also known as Ashton the Adventurer.

It was also where they found a certain painting that Ren had brought back.

“I remember, but did you find something there?”

“Indeed. Investigations have been ongoing since then.”

Saying so, Ragna took out a small key from his pocket. The key had a glittering appearance like blue sapphire, resembling aquamarine. There were jagged notches at the end of the key, but the area around the key’s head was broken and didn’t look good.

“This key was found in the director’s room. It’s not just any key; it’s a magic tool key.”

“So, it means that it doesn’t work properly in its current broken state?”

“As sharp as ever, Ren.”

Ren listened quietly, feeling interested in Ragna, who was so quick to tell him his conclusion.

While walking, Ren was curious about where they were going. When they entered an alley, Ragna stopped and placed the bag on the cobblestone. He snapped his fingers, and the giant bag’s mouth opened by itself.

From the bag, he pulled out an old envelope. Inside, there was another aged parchment.

“Do you know about the legendary bard Mudi?” Ragna asked.

“Sure, she was a woman from the time of the Seven Heroes, right?” 

Her songs, created during her travels around the world, were still sung in various places. Mud’s songs were not only musically exquisite but also magic. They could soothe those who heard them and sometimes even invigorate them. It was said that her songs could even sap the strength of monsters.

“So, what about Mudi?” 

“Having that orphanage’s key might mean there’s some connection to Cecil Ashton. If there are any records hidden in her hideout, I thought it would be a good idea to find them. I definitely want to sneak in.”

“So, the key is for Mudi’s hideout,” 

“That’s right. I’m not sure why this key was at the Geno’s Orphanage, but we should cherish the fact that we found it.”

“In that case, why do you need the key? Can’t you just break the door? Breaking the door alone might be forgiven, I think.”

“Sigh, Ren, you always seem to prefer wild and heroic methods. I appreciate it too, depending on the situation…”

In reality, that was the only option, but there was a reason for it.

“This can’t be helped. Please take a look at this.”

Ragna showed Ren a piece of aged parchment. When he brought the broken key close to it, the parchment emitted a faint light for a moment.

According to Ragna, this parchment was a map.

“…So this map is the counterpart magical tool,” 

However, the map only emitted a faint light and didn’t show a specific location. It seemed to vaguely outline some terrain.

“You probably understand by now, but even if we want to destroy it, we don’t even know where the door we need to break is. We haven’t reached that stage yet.”

“So, you’re searching for materials to repair the key…”

“Yes. However, this key was crafted using a gem blessed by the Goddess of Water. It can only be repaired with the same type of material. That’s why items related to sacred relics can be troublesome.”

In other words, what he was looking for was a specific item among sacred relics, one related to the Goddess of Water.

There were several items like that in the Elven Church’s treasure vault, but they couldn’t be obtained through normal means.

Ren could understand that much, but Ragna had indeed issued a challenging request.

“Even with the Crested Emblem, you might not have found anyone willing to take it.”

“You’re right. I’m speaking contradictions with my own mouth. You accepted it, though.”

“That’s a different story. If your name wasn’t on it, things might have been different.”

Perhaps it was due to Lutreche’s advice.

He issued requests primarily related to miscellaneous tasks because he initially intended to handle them by himself.

Ren smiled wryly, but surprisingly, he wasn’t as apprehensive about the uncertain future.

In his mind, he had a particular item in mind.

“I do have a lead, though.”

“Oh?”

Ragna took off his hood and looked at Ren.

He still had the dignified appearance of a Shelgadian from the Sky continent.

“Do you know about the temple in Windea, the place where water and wind sleep?”

“Yeah, the spring’s water fills up only once every few hundred years.”

It also caused water to flow in various places around Windea, creating beautiful scenery.

Vane, who had touched the water from the spring, was strengthened and his presence as the descendant of the hero became even more pronounced.

At the same time, there was confirmation that he was a descendant of the hero. Mostly among the characters, not the players.

“That place supposedly has a connection with the Water Goddess’s Ring, which you mentioned. The ring is said to become visible when filled with magic.”

“…”

“Uhm……”

Ren looked at Ragna, who had widened his eyes.

With gestures and expressions, he was showing an uncharacteristic flustered attitude.

“I was just interested in it before and looked into it! I was just speculating that it might be something like that…!”

“…”

“Uh, well… Can you stop being silent?”

“I apologize. I was just about to embrace Ren and give him a kiss on the cheek.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Ragna was smiling in amusement.

“Indeed, there are such legends. They say there might be a ring like you described hidden somewhere in Windea.”

The Water Goddess’s Ring was a valuable item that enhanced water magic when equipped. However, it had other explanations as well, such as “it still seems to have a special power…”

“And the ring is said to be invisible to the human eye unless filled with magic.”

“Yes, that’s right! I’ve heard about that legend too!”

“Hmm, this time the story might not be so far-fetched. It wouldn’t hurt to check it out in spring.”

“Huh, isn’t that surprising? I thought you’d want to go right now, Ragna-san.”

“It’s not possible during this season. To reach Windea, we would have to go by land or use a magic ship to stop at some rocky terrain.”

During this season, the area around Windea is filled with the magic of wind and water, making even simple travel extremely difficult.

The wind, imbued with the power of the wind element, blew more fiercely. When mixed with the magic of water, it created a freezing blizzard that raged everywhere.

Whether by land or by air, the weather was too dangerous.

“I have other tasks to attend to, so it’s difficult to go immediately. Besides, Ren, your winter break will be over soon. I think it’s better to go in the spring.”

“Yes.”

Ragna, who had repacked his bag, put it on his back, and adjusted his hood, spoke with enthusiasm.

“The issue is that we don’t know when the spring will come and fill the spring with water.”

Ren knew it was this year, but to those unaware of the circumstances, it was a natural question.

For those who didn’t know, it might have been a futile trip. However, for someone like Ragna, the personification of intellectual curiosity, it was a trivial matter. Moreover, even if they attempted to go during this season, the ring had not yet appeared, so there was no reason to go in the first place.

“Even if we find it, it’s probably best not to borrow the ring. It feels awkward to take something I haven’t researched.”

“So, you won’t take it for research purposes?”

“Let me rephrase that. It’s not that it feels awkward, but rather, I don’t like dealing with sacred relics because they are troublesome. I don’t even want to have anything to do with them.”

Come to think of it, this man had a cynical attitude toward the concept of gods. He probably said something similar when they first met at the Mystery Agency.

“In that case, can’t we just borrow the magic of the Water Goddess to repair the key somehow?”

“I’ll prepare for that as well.”

Or so he thought.

“If the statue of Roses Kaitus still contains the power of the Water Goddess…”

“Can’t you go there as a researcher, Ragna?”

“I initially intended to, but the Elven Church seems to have an irrational dislike for researchers like us. Our laboratory’s involvement has been rejected.”

“I see.”

Come to think of it, Klonoa had visited Roses Caitus several times. Ren thought about consulting her.

After finishing their discussion about work, they moved on to casual conversation.

“I just realized, but you came to the Imperial Capital, didn’t you?”

“I was shopping while I was here to make the request. If I feel like it, I’ll go see Radius too.”

As they chatted, Ren remembered something obvious. They wouldn’t be the only ones aiming for Windea in the spring.

(Vane and the others might be going too)

In this world line, Ren still didn’t know what they would do, but he thought they might.

“I hate to ask this after accepting the request, but can I tell Licia and the others about the details later? I don’t want to worry them by going without permission.”

“It’s fine if it’s someone close to you. You can do as you like based on your judgment.”

“Alright.”

A winter wind blew against Ren’s cheek.

And then…

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Ren suddenly felt a sensation he had experienced many times before, where the scenery in front of him blurred as if shifting to another world line. Ren Ashton from a different world line and another Ragna were having a conversation in this alley.

He could faintly hear the conversations of people passing by.

“Ren Ashton was a brat of a knight that served the Clausel family, it seems.”

“He’s the worst criminal. He not only killed the daughter of a noble who took care of him but also got his hands on Klonoa Highland. I wish he’d get caught soon and executed.”

Hearing this, Ragna said to Ren,

“Listen only to my voice, alright?”

Ren Ashton did not show any expression.

The two continued their conversation in the alley.

“Have you met Edgar?”

“Yes, he’s currently on a separate mission.”

From their exchange, it became clear that this scene occurred after Ren’s dream in Eupheim, in chronological order.

“Oh… I’m surprised he’s really alive. And what about the descendants of the Seven Heroes?”

“They’re probably following the traces of the Demon King’s cult by now.”

“I see. So, what are you going to do now, Ren?”

After being asked, Ren Ashton looked up at the sky, seeming unsure, and then said,

“As needed, I’ll lend a hand to Vane and the others. But apart from that, I’m concerned about that woman’s movements.”

Hearing that, Ragna was astonished and widened his eyes.

He regained his composure and seemed to advise Ren Ashton.

“Stop it. That’s dangerous. I’ve traveled the world and seen many powerful individuals, but she’s in a league of her own.”

“I know. But that doesn’t mean I can ignore her.”

Ren Ashton put on a robe he had carried under his arm, pulled the hood deep over his head, disguising himself so that he wouldn’t be recognized.

Even so, he was a criminal who left his mark on Leomel’s history. Walking right in the heart of the Imperial Capital should be dangerous, but Ren Ashton showed no signs of fear.

“Are you serious? You might get more than just injured.”

“I stopped fearing death a long time ago.”

He said that decisively.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The scenery disappeared like a mirage.

Even though the expression “returned to the original world” might not be entirely appropriate, those words came to Ren’s mind.

Ragna, noticing Ren suddenly falling silent, showed an unusual expression of concern and asked,

“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“If there’s anything bothering you, don’t take it lightly. Depending on the symptoms, you should see a doctor right away.”

“Haha… You’re right…”

The winter wind blew against Ren’s cheek once again.

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