Dyuloeti. It was the first village one would reach when descending from Yuder’s hometown in the direction of the capital. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) It wasn’t a large city, but being located at the base of the mountain range, it saw quite a bit of traffic from travelers.

Yuder had visited the village a few times before.

"I never came here with Grandfather, but after he passed, I sometimes helped the villagers carry goods or came to buy things we couldn’t get in the mountain village. I think I also passed through here when I went to take the Cavalry entrance exam."

It was his first time returning since then, so it felt like ages ago. Though in reality, it had only been about a year.

"A shame you never came with your grandfather."

"I was too young to tag along before I turned ten, and after that, we only ever talked about going ‘next time.’ But he passed away before that ever happened. The timing never worked out."

"Did you ever throw a tantrum, wanting to go with him?"

Kishiar, carrying the supply box in one hand, asked with a quiet smile. He held it so lightly it looked empty, but the weight inside was substantial.

"Hmm... He always came back so quickly, so I never really insisted on going. I don’t think I ever truly felt the urge."

Grandfather never stayed long when he went down the mountain. No matter how late, he always returned before sunset. He would bring back food sold only in the lowlands, and Yuder faintly recalled sitting in a tall tree waiting for him to return.

"You really were a good child."

Kishiar chuckled as they walked. They showed an old entry pass from Yuder’s house to the guard at the village gate and passed through without issue. Just beyond, the main road bustled with those climbing into the mountains and those coming down to sell goods—busy since early morning.

Back then, even seeing this many people felt overwhelming. Compared to the capital, it’s nothing...

They blended into the crowd without effort. Kishiar glanced toward the grocery shop Yuder once visited to buy items not sold up the mountain, and the inn he had stayed at when first traveling to the capital. A nostalgic expression crossed his face.

"Hmm... Truly a historic starting point."

"That seems like a bit of an exaggeration."

"If we end up staying here, I’ll definitely stay there."

"..."

Yuder let out a sigh of a laugh at Kishiar’s serious face, as if he’d already made up his mind.

"Please just tell me where Grandfather bought those books mentioned in the ledger."

"It said ‘Sallandin.’ No idea if that’s a person’s name or the name of a shop."

Sallandin...

Yuder couldn’t remember much outside the alley with the grocery store. He’d always left right after finishing business.

Even if it’s been ten years... I’ve been here more than once. I really didn’t pay attention to anything around me.

Seeing Yuder’s face, Kishiar gave a knowing smile and turned direction.

"The market looks pretty big. Wandering around would waste time. Let’s ask someone first."

He headed toward a small stall selling quick breakfast food. He ordered ten zets—thin flatbread wrapped around stir-fried vegetables and spicy marinated meat—and casually spoke to the vendor.

"Weather’s warming up. Has business been good?"

"Well, better than in winter for sure. The season’s coming where we get fresh mountain goods, so merchant groups from the west and south are starting to show up."

"Oh, we’re actually looking for someone named Sallandin. Do you know them?"

Assuming it was a person’s name was a safe bet—many shops were named after their owners.

"Sallandin?"

The vendor’s hands, moving too fast to follow as he spread batter on a pan, paused briefly.

"Hmm. Sallandin’s place isn’t around here—it’s over there. No sign, but the roof’s a weird mix of gray and blue. Collapsed last winter from the snow and was patched up like that. Pretty distinctive, you’ll find it easily."

Kishiar’s guess was right. The vendor didn’t find their question odd and gave a straightforward answer.

"I see. Thank you."

"Though... does that guy sell books?"

The vendor muttered to himself, puzzled, then went back to cooking. Kishiar returned shortly after, grinning, with ten zets in hand.

"Let’s eat and head over there."

"Did you really have to order ten? There’s nowhere to sit. We’ll have to eat standing up."

"Hey, the better the sale, the better the mood for answering questions, right? If you can’t finish them..."

But Yuder could handle it. He leaned on the steps beside the stall and began eating. Kishiar stood next to him, visibly enjoying himself, handing Yuder the next zet as soon as he finished one—as if that had been his plan all along.

After finishing the eighth zet, Yuder brushed off his hands and took the lead.

"Let’s go."

They headed in the indicated direction, and soon spotted a building with a very distinctive roof deep in an alley. The mismatched mix of weathered gray and freshly added blue stood out just as the vendor described.

Approaching the shop, they could see strange objects crowding the windows and the inside through the slightly open door. Most of them looked very old—reminding Yuder of Inon’s apothecary, which had been full of ancient items.

Though in Inon’s case, it was because he’d lived so long... This place must actually be an antique shop.

Now he understood why the vendor had muttered, "Does that guy sell books?"

"Hmm. Judging by what’s displayed, this place has a lot of mage-related antiques. I wouldn’t be surprised if he managed to collect rare magical papers from somewhere."

Kishiar, intrigued, stepped into the shop.

"Excuse me."

"Yes? Who is it?"

Contrary to their vague expectation of a hunched old man, a fairly young woman emerged from the back.

Yuder stepped forward and spoke.

"I’m the grandson of a man named Melah. My grandfather used to visit Sallandin and bought several research books published by mages. I was wondering if you might remember him."

"Melah? Hmm. Just a moment." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The woman tilted her head and pulled out an old ledger from beneath the counter. After flipping through it for a while, she let out a small exclamation.

"Yes, Mr. Mel. He’s listed in my mother’s customer records."

"Your mother?"

"She used to run this shop. She’s not well now, so I’ve taken over."

"I see."

"I never knew his full name, but I do remember someone who used to stop by now and then to buy books. I think I saw him a few times myself. Why do you ask?"

How should they answer that? As Yuder hesitated, Kishiar, of course, stepped in smoothly.

"Actually, he passed away some time ago, and we’d been away from home since then. While sorting through his things after returning, we found in his ledger that he had been doing business with this place for quite a while. He bought some rather unusual books that most people wouldn’t even think to get. Naturally, as family, we were curious why someone who wasn’t a mage kept purchasing such material. We thought we’d stop by, in hopes of learning a bit more—just to remember him better."

"Oh..."

"And, well, we thought it might be nice to let an old supplier know what happened—better late than never."

Everything he said was true, yet the way he wrapped it up so eloquently was a gift.

The shopkeeper’s face softened. She nodded.

"My mother used to wonder what had become of him. Alright. If there’s anything I know, I’ll tell you."