Morning. A news of an incident reached Selv’s ears while he was leisurely drinking his morning tea.

“Selv, there’s something you need to hear.”

“You have the same face when you did something bad. I won’t be mad, tell me the truth.”

“The inn where Gilbert stayed was assaulted by a group of people last night.”

Upon hearing it was not a light topic, Selv changed his tone.

“…Explain.”

“Yes. Around dawn, people in black coat broke into Gilbert, Astral, and Nely’s rooms separately. They engaged in combat. Gilbert and Astral managed to fend off their opponent despite the numerical disadvantage, but Nely became a hostage and Gilbert suffered injury from trying to save her. They soon left the scene.”

“They took Nely?”

Surprised, he almost dropped his cup.

“Is something wrong?” Annatashya asked.

“Yes. I don’t see why the culprits need to kidnap her. While she was by my side aside, there’s no need to take her when the main targets are also there.”

Certainly, Nelly’s value as a hostage was high. She has influential parents and it was easy to kidnap her because of her voice. She was the perfect piece to make a deal with Gilbert or Astral. But, why bother taking hostage when both were also at the scene?

Selv thought something was strange.

“it’s just my opinion, but I think they decided it was too dangerous to make a deal at that time. By securing Nely first, they sealed his move to rescue her. That will make the negotiation far advantageous for them.”

“That’s might be true. Any information about those people?”

“Unfortunately, no. We were unable to get any useful information due to the lack of source.”

“Can’t you get it from the captured ones?”

He knew on how capable Gilbert was. He believed Gilbert would not let the valuable source of information get away without fighting. It was not strange if one or two was captured during the assault.

Contrasted to his beliefs, Annatashya shook her head.

“There is no one that got captured yesterday. So, there’s no one to ask.”

“What?”

He could not believe his ears. That Gilbert let them all get away? There must be some mistake.

Yet, Annatashya reaffirmed the truth.

The situation was worse than he had expected, Selv thought. Not only they were able to enter this town, they also have the skill t assault and get away without a blunder.

This place was strict when it came to immigration. Not everyone could enter regardless of fame and status. Only after many tests and inspection, one was allowed to enter. Although, it was different for people who return from work like Gilbert and his child.

The chance of insiders’ job was unlikely because of the solidarity among citizens. As someone who interacts with them, Selv thought it was one of the things that have a low chance of happening. So, for them to get inside meant they were skillful folks.

Selv got up from his seat.

“I’m going to see him. Where is he?”

“The cuckoo inn on the business district.”

“Got it. Spread the words. The fire was lit.”

He rose, hand on the sword on his waist. He made the bell rang three times before leaving the place.

Time of silence sipped through from the hole he made. Annatashya, casually, sat on his seat and took the half-finished drink to her mouth.

A time where only the sound of sipping exists in the shop. That too only last for a few minutes. After satisfied with her entertainment, she switched her gear.

She headed toward the hidden room at the back of the shop. Opened a door made of strong metal which was out of place from the wooden building, she entered her ‘private room’. The room was dark except the spot where several lights came out from the wall.

She placed herself on the soft custom-made chair and leaned to it. She swiped the air and, magically, a device appeared out of thin air. Then, she placed it on her head and did as she was told.

“The fire was lit,” she said with a low but clear tone.

With only that, her job was done. She only needs to watch as everything goes. Whatever the outcome was, she would not do anything more than this.

Annatashya silently watched as a certain story was coming to an end.

Selv ran. He did not go straight toward the business district but toward the middle of the commercial district. On a certain street, the sound of footsteps was nil. Instead, sounds of wheel, animal, and machine filled the street. It was at least twice of size compared to the pedestrian street.

Several transportations could be seen going back and forth in an orderly fashion. From horse pulled carriage to mechanical carriage made of iron and steel.

Selv entered the street and thrust his hand forward. His hand made a thump up as he looked at the incoming vehicle. Without delay, the vehicle stopped in front of him. It was a four-wheels horseless steel carriage without a roof.

The driver put on sunglasses and said, “The fastest feet at your service.”

“Cuckoo Inn,” Selv replied short, entered, and put on the safety belt. “As fast as possible.”

“Cuckoo Inn it is. Then, hold on tight.”

The driver combed his hair back. Letting his steel partner roared few times, he placed hands on the handle and nearby stick.

“Let’s go, partner. Let him know our moniker of fastest feet is not a self-proclaimed one!”

With one swift movement, he moved the stick and kicked the gas. It roared. Louder than a factory machine, and more furious than rampaging animals.

As if following its roar, they moved, faster and faster. Leaving dust to other vehicles, they exited the district while dodging them, barely. The scenery instantly changed from shops to a huge plaza then big building.

“Gyahahaha, behold! This is light speed. No one could keep up with us,” The driver said while peeking at Selv.

Look toward the road, he warned.

He was calm. Calm enough to jump out from the vehicle in case of an accident. He looked forward and braced himself.

“A turn! Yaaa-ha!”

Denying the existence of brake, the driver rotated the handle at high speed instead of slowing down.

In exchange for a high heartbeat and shorter lifespan, Selv was able to reach his destination within a few minutes.

“It was a good ride. There’s no need for money. Just call me again next time.”

Without delay, he said his gratitude, then placed few coins on the seat.

He entered the inn. Few short exchanges with the receptionist, he headed to Gilbert’s room.

To his surprise, the man was well except the shallow wound on his waist. But, in the room, there was clear evidence of battle.

“You seem fine.”

“Fine enough to breathe through my wound,” Gilbert replied. He was topless above the bed, bandages coiled around his waist.

“What a surprise. I did not expect a joke from you.”

It was a thing unthinkable from the past him. It was the evidence he had changed. Not that it mattered now.

“Tell me. What do you know about the attacker.”

Selv asked straight to the main topic.

“Nothing except they excel in combat and have a body-clad weapon.”

“…That’s something that can’t be ignored.”

The body-clad weapon was one of the technologies under strict restriction. Its existence was only allowed in the Independent town for a good reason. If it fell to the wrong hand, criminal rates of everywhere will jump high.

“Any ideas on who could be behind it?”

“None. As you know, me and independent town have too many enemies. But, considering their suspicious clothing, the place they could go to is limited. For example, the Slum-.”

“Gilbert,” Selv cut him.

“For example, the outer district,” Gilbert corrected his word.

In this town, other than the four main districts, there was the lower district. It was the place for people with low income and people with something to hide from Selv.

But, in contrast to the negative images of a slum, the public order was not bad because of his daily patrol and hygiene was not a problem. Still, it was a sort of blind spot from Selv, the person who maintains the town.

“It still leaves the question of which lower district. I believe you won’t ask the impossible such as searching every corner of the lower district,” Gilbert said, narrowing his eyebrows.

“Of course. What made you think I would do that again? Despite being divided, its size is pretty much the same as other districts.”

Selv slumped his shoulders. His legs and heart shouted out in complain just by remembering it. If possible, he would refrain from doing it ever again.

“Moreover, the situation is different than then. We don’t have enough time,” he voiced out a logical reason to cover for his unwillingness. “If they took her outside, it will be hard to handle.”

“Strike before they make another move. That sounds just like you.”

“Well, that is what I have learned from my life. Strike while the iron is hot is the key to success.”

That sounded convincing coming out from someone with bountiful life experiences.

Selv sensed the after effect of the previous ride on his legs. So, he took the liberty to sit on the chair. It was not because of age, he convinced himself.

The business district’s might unexpectedly be the one since it is close by. Selv thought. He knew the town and its people like his own backyard. So, he reached the conclusion that it would be impossible for the attacker to go unnoticed except by going there. Well, waiting for Anny seems better for certainty.

“What happened to Astral? Did she get caught too?”

Selv asked upon noticing her figure was missing. Despite not looking like one, she was Nely’s mother. It was strange for her not to be here.

“She went back to her lab,” Gilbert replied indifferently.

“At a time like this, she still went back to her cave?! What is she thinking!”

Selv held his forehead as he looked up the ceiling. He was astonished at her behavior.

“That’s the proof on how much she trusts you. Or, that was what she told me to say in this case.”

Selv could feel the tiny people inside his head was running amok, so he massaged his temple. He got what he wanted. There was no more reason to stay.

“I’m going to check the district. Can you move?”

“No problem,” Gilbert said and took the shirt beside him.

Selv observed as he was preparing.

It seemed his words were not a lie. He thought. If he was pushing himself, Selv intended to leave him behind regardless of his will.

Still, he was quite something. Despite her daughter was kidnapped last night, he showed no signs of worry or distress. It was as if he felt nothing from this.

Then, they both went out. They were about to go straight to their destination before stopped by a pair of child. One with eye-catching outfit while the other one with a lump of metal on his back.

“He~y there, Selv. Did you perhaps in need of some information, hmm?”

“Prima. Scond. You came just in time. Did you hear something from Anny?” Selv crouched down and asked one of the children, the girl with the colorful-looking outfit.

“Sure do. I have all sort of information about everything in this town from who just got himself in red from gambling yesterday to what Big sis Ann do secretly while you were absent. Just ask me anything!”

Selv’s brain automatically shuts off a part of her words. He wanted to believe he heard wrong but scared to confirm with her.

“Tell me on the location of people who attacked Gilbert last night.”

“Oh, I have it. I really do. But, what should I do~?” Prima looked up and tapped her chin a few times while thinking. “Oh, I know!”

She took three steps back and spun, showing her prided outfit.

“So, how is it? Does it suit me?”

“I’m sure you already know about it, but we don’t have time to mess around,” Selv warned in a slightly harsh tone. But, Prima did not back down.

“Oh, I’m pretty serious here. More than you think I am,” she said with eyes straight to him.

“Now, you’re being silly,” Selv said, looking at Gilbert with some expectation. Unfortunately, he showed no movement to help. He merely observed the situation.

Jokes aside, Selv was troubled on her strange behavior. Granted, this was now her first time asking. She had asked at every opportunity, but not like this. He could not find anything worth such attention before, and now.

She was quite strange today, he thought. She might be worrying about something. No. I should leave it there for now.

“So, how am I?” She made another spun.

Resigned, Selv gave his opinion.

“Fine. I still think your fashion sense is a bit flashy. Bluntly, it’s terrible. The Gothic Lolita clothes suit you, but I keep telling you to stick with one or two colors. You’re ruining the whole thing.”

Upon hearing his honest opinion, she booed.

“What’s so fun sticking with that? I believe we should challenge ourselves just like I do.”

If you wouldn’t listen, why bother asking? Selv was unable to get it through his head. Was this the gap between generation?

No, he convinced himself.

“So, where are they?”

“I’m still not satisfied. I don’t think that covers the bill just yet.”

Come on.

Just he was about to scold her for messing around too much, he felt a tug from his shirt.

“Go. Industri. All. District,” Scond said slowly with a unique break between words. “He. Wait.ing.”

Good thing comes when you least expect it.

“Hey, I told you not to tell him until I’m done!”

Ignoring the voice of complaining, Selv patted the good child’s head and praised him.

“Thank you, Scond. You helped me. But, your language still needs to be improved. If you’re addressing a female, you should use she, not he.”

“Ah,” Scond opened his eyes wide from being told. “Sorry.”

He averted his eyes. Ashamed of something. Once economy took part in life, especially to the point of capitalism, people’s wealth was not equal. Thus, by that nature they were separated into those who succeeded and failed in business. Lower district was the creation of it.

Slum as Gilbert had said.

“Don’t be. Everyone makes mistake.”

Selv said words of encouragement and stood.

“Come, Scond. I will need your help to protect the town.”

He fixed the sword on his waist and lend him a hand.

“kay,” Scond replied with a smile. He was happy to be relied on by Selv.

With the manpower increased to three, they hurried to the lower district in the industrial district. To shorten the time, Selv hitchhiked another vehicle. Unexpectedly, or because of the all mighty being that controls the universe planned so, it was the sunglasses man from earlier.

“Let’s go for another wild ride!”

He made a bitter smile and rode the vehicle. It was when he placed his bottom on the seat, he felt uneasiness. The tiny him inside his brain shouted, be careful! His unconsciousness told him there was something wrong. What was it? The ride? Might be, but he thought it was something else.

He hurried survey the surrounding. He did not know why, but his instinct told him to do so. Before he found out, the vehicle forced him to sit straight on his seat. The last thing he saw was Prima, waving at them while saying goodbye.