Prince Olivert took Princess Alfin, Estelle, Kloe, and Emma, and they headed into Grancel Market. Lots and lots of stores were available there and it was the biggest market in the entire capital. You could spend entire days without going through all of its shops. The only thing you couldn't really buy there were weapons and gear for your Combat Orbment. That was located in South Block, which is where we were now heading to. Scherazard followed me because of her current assigned escort quest, while Joshua had a weird feeling he couldn't shrug off. Just knowing that alone made me interested in who it was lurking around the South Block.
But I could leave the rest of the group in Prince Olivert's and Kloe's care. They knew how to handle it. They are there to have fun, after all. Just a shame I won't be able to shop with them. Maybe they'll pick out some nice outfits for me. Trails fashion has some really good looking clothes, just like my previous life. It's almost scary how close the two worlds are to each other in that regard, haha!
Just like in the other blocks, South Block was also bustling with activity. Stalls were lined up on each side of the main street. Several pubs and restaurants open for all to enjoy. People were definitely having a good time. We rushed along the left side. Once we were about halfway through, we saw the Bracer Guild. Zin was about to head inside the building as he spotted the three of us, with the guards.
"Yo guys. Did something happen?", Zin asked, seeing the new development before him.
"Something like that. Tell Elnan I'm looking into it, and don't forget to report the ongoing escort to him too.", Scherazard said, and nodded.
"Got it. And you can rest assured Your Highness. I have Sherryl currently staying with Kilika. You won't see her here at the Bracer Guild.", Zin said. That's good. It looks like enough time passed allowing their group to wander back into the city to go about their own business.
"Thanks, Zin.", I replied. "We should hurry."
After that was said, we saw Zin depart into the Bracer Guild while we hurried along. Sure enough, we saw several patrol guards who looked like they were ready to draw out their rifles.
"Oh good, backup finally arrived. We've a troublemaker who won't take no for an answer. He's causing quite a ruckus for the other visitors waiting to enter.", A nearby patrol guard said, and greeted the Sergeant. "He even cut the line, and complained about how long it was taking him."
"Who is this person, exactly?", I stepped forward and asked. It took a moment for the guard to realize me.
"Y-Your Highness! I didn't expect you to arrive with the backup we requested!", The guard said, and saluted me.
"It's nothing. I'm here to make sure the peace is staying secure. We're out having fun like everyone else is. I hope you don't mind.", I said, explaining the situation. It's almost like I'm a record player. Once you're in this position, you end up repeating yourself a lot. After all, you have the whole Royal Army under you now. Soldiers and guards come and go at different intervals.
"Not at all. Please come this way, Your Highness. We have the individual detained nearby so the others can continue heading into the city.", The guard said, and quickly brought us toward the gate.
Looking through the various people, I saw a few guards holding a rather tall individual. He was a man who didn't have a serious look in his eyes. He had a long red shirt which stretched down to his legs, splitting off at each end. It exposed some of his packed muscles. The striking point about this man was his hair color. It was a mixture of blue and pink highlights. My eyes turned wide seeing this man standing before Grancel City.
"McBurn!?", I exclaimed, yelling out to the man. At the same time, I was attracted to the large white sealed cloth placed around his back. It looks like he was...carrying something? It was such an odd shape too. I don't think I've ever seen McBurn do this before.
"McBurn? That's seriously your name?", Scherazard retorted, not expecting to hear such a name.
"Yo. About time you showed up, Your Highness. I tried to speed the process up a little, but these guys decided to block my way. Any longer and I would have burned them all into a crisp.", The man said, and lazily yawned. Yup, that's McBurn all right. It looks like his mood lightened up seeing Joshua beside me. "Well well well it looks like you got an interesting fellow next to ya. Been a while, kid."
After McBurn said that, Joshua's body tensed up, and began to sweat a little.
"I'm sorry, but who are you?", Joshua asked. He tried to recall something, but for some reason, he couldn't.
"Right. You probably wouldn't have remembered. Or more specifically, you can't. Black Fang.", McBurn said, and grinned. Hearing this, the guards paused. One of them turned around to look at me.
"...Could it be you really are acquainted with this individual, Your Highness? He attempted to bar others from entry earlier. We were about to proceed and detain him until further notice.", The guard said, still unsure.
"He is, unfortunately. We can take it from here. Thank you for your service today.", I answered. "Come along with us for now, McBurn. You don't want to suffer more wasting your time doing nothing, do you? Heh.", I said, and grinned at him this time.
"Been there, done that. Rather not do that a second time. As long as it gets me past this gate, I couldn't care less.", McBurn said, and shrugged his shoulders.
"It feels like I've turned a wrong corner or something...", Scherazard said, still surprised to see McBurn before her.
"Why do I get such a familiar feeling looking at you?", Joshua asked, still doubtful.
"Not my problem you can't remember. If you can't, you just can't.", McBurn said, and yawned again. He then looked at me again. "Anyway, mind fixing this situation, Your Highness? I am here with purpose."
"Is that right?", I asked, wondering what McBurn was here to do, but nodded my head nonetheless. I looked at the guards. "Anyway, you all can rest assured. This guy's with me. I'll take it from here, like I said."
""Understood, Your Highness!"", The nearby patrol guards said, and saluted me.
After that went down, the patrol guards resumed their patrolling, and the traffic returned to normal before long. McBurn was allowed safe travel inside Grancel City for the time being. He received a stern warning not to cause any trouble.
As we moved along, Scherazard looked at us, still doubtful.
"Out with it. Who are you? Why do you know Joshua?", Scherazard asked, spitting out one question after another.
"Sheesh. Can't a guy rest a moment?", McBurn replied, and yawned. "Is what I'd say, but you sure know some interesting people, Your Highness. It's only right to be interested in someone like me. And well, yes, I do know Joshua here. The Black Fang. Or to be precise, his brother and I are good buddies."
"Now it's starting to fall into place...", Joshua uttered. "So you know Loewe. I just can't recall, for some strange reason."
"Don't bother. In due time, you'll recall on your own.", McBurn responded. More than likely, he was referring to The Faceless. I'm sure he did his magic by now. No matter how hard Joshua could remember about certain things, The Faceless made it so Joshua couldn't. Honestly, that's a scary ability to have. I'm glad The Faceless isn't one of my enemies right now.
"Is that so?", Joshua murmured. He couldn't help but nod. Scherazard glanced at Joshua with confusion again.
"You have a brother, Joshua? Is this part of what you won't tell Estelle?", Scherazard asked, wondering if that truly was the case.
"To put it simply, yeah. This guy here is related to my brother. I'm sorry I can't say more.", Joshua said, nodding his head.
"Well, I won't force you. Just no funny business on my watch, you hear me?", Scherazard asked McBurn.
"I got you.", McBurn said, and nodded his head. "Anyway, you got a place where we can go with less people? I'm actually here on delivery. Got something for you, Your Highness.", McBurn continued, and motioned toward his back. He pointed toward the tightly-wrapped cloth containing a large item within.
"A quiet place, huh? One place comes to mind.", Scherazard said, after pondering for a moment. "Restaurants are too busy, and many people are strolling in the streets. In times like this, it's best to use the Bracer Guild. We can use one of the floors upstairs. I'm Sure Elnan won't mind."
Hearing Scherazard suggest that, I nodded my head in agreement. We were just near the Bracer Build.
"The Bracer Guild eh? Not exactly my cup of tea, but it'll work.", McBurn said, and nodded.
"I'm of the same opinion.", I also said in agreement.
"I also don't mind. I'm sure Zin won't either.", Joshua said too, and nodded.
"Very well. We're here at the Bracer Guild already, so follow me inside.", Scherazard said, and proceeded to open the door.
"Welcome to the Bracer Guild---?", A man's voice called out, only to quickly spot Scherazard. "Well if it isn't Schera. Back already?"
"Hehe, I am for now. Just for a little while. I brought guests. Mind if we use one of the rooms upstairs?", Scherazard asked.
"Third floor is available. You're more than welcome to use it---?", The Guild receptionist named Elnan tried to say, only to spot us beside Scherazard. His gaze landed on a certain violet-haired boy who was quick to recognize. Me. "W-Why do you have His Highness with you, Schera!?"
"It's a long story. Zin can tell you about it later. He did tell you our situation, didn't he?", Scherazard asked back while giggling.
"Well, yes. But I didn't think you'd bring the Crown Prince directly into the Bracer Guild! We're already breaking protocol!", Elnan replied, and exclaimed out of shock.
"Oh if it's related to that, you'll get a phone call from Colonel Richard later. I'm sorry for dropping this on you. You're Elnan, right? Thank you for letting us use the Bracer Guild. It'll only be for a little while at most.", I said, and kept my voice polite.
"It's not like you can't. If paperwork is already being filed, then I will wait for it in the meantime. Just don't do anything out of hand, okay?", Elnan asked us.
"You can be rest assured.", I replied with a nod.
"Can we go already? I'm already getting bored again.", McBurn said.
"Hehe, let's go on up you three.", Scherazard said, and guided us along the staircase toward the upper floors of the Bracer Guild. We soon found ourselves at an empty table. It was big enough to let McBurn place the item in question on it.
We didn't keep McBurn any longer, and he began to unravel the cloth. It soon began to release a hidden and powerful pressure, even leaving me surprised. What soon came into view was an obsidian, pitch-black bow with jagged black scales exquisitely crafted into the shaft.
"Oh dear Aidios, what is this thing!?", Scherazard exclaimed, and immediately backed away, like she had just witnessed a horror film...