Dalric immediately followed Ryku to the office that had been mentioned. He needed to know more about Devil Glass, now. The moment he took out the piece and Blood Hunter’s intentions became clear, he should have taken note. Soul suppression was possible, but anything that did so suppressed the whole soul, not just attachments. Suppressing parts? That… hadn’t been a possibility in the world he knew, but if it was in this new version of Frysta then he had to investigate it.

To his quiet dismay, it meant he’d likely have to head to Taiyo, but for now he was already in a facility that used Devil Glass pieces in abundance. Even if he couldn't learn everything he needed to know, it was a good start. Once in the office, they both dove into the files. While Dalric scoured for information about the pieces, Ryku went about looking for the paper trail he sought.

Though sentences had been truncated and grammar seemed to have gone through some structural changes, written Salian was actually easier to understand than verbal Salian. Dalric blamed that on the strange accents, but either way he could comfortably speed through each document he came across.

They both worked largely in silence. Occasionally, they would make the other aware of a box or folder that contained something they might want to look at, but otherwise it was silent. Throughout that entire time, it was clear Ryku wanted to ask something.

Once Dalric was down to his last box, he entertained it, “What is it?”

“... Are you a hidden master? Is that why you know so little about the world?”

His eyes didn’t leave the papers he was reading, “A hidden master is?”

“Hm. A recluse that hides away from the world to practice and master their craft in solitude.”

Dalric thought for a moment.

That’s actually a fairly apt way to describe how I used to live. Though I imagine a ‘hidden master’ wouldn’t travel as much.

“You could say I am. Or was.”

“Is there a reason you left seclusion?”

How do I answer this… why did I leave seclusion? … If I’m going to have to travel to Taiyo anyway.

“I have a problem that requires outside assistance. No man can live on an island forever.”

Ryku instantly turned to him, “You did not answer if my connections could be of assistance?”

Dalric’s eyes still didn’t leave the papers, “They could be, but you have work to complete for the moment.”

“True.”

Silence returned as they both continued sifting through more files.

Nothing.

Dalric finished going through the last of the boxes and like every other before it, it held nothing of use to him. It was a disappointing search, but there were still more offices to go through though. This was only the first

He carried a folder over to Ryku, “The documents in here reference someone named ‘Count B of R’, could be a clue for you."

"Thank you." He received the folder and added it to his pile of other potentially useful information.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Dalric had nothing to pile.

Devil Glass featured in a number of documents, but only when discussing the amount of it needed, bought, used, unused, and sold. None of them mentioned any specifics about how they were made or how they functioned. From the specifics that were discussed, it almost seemed like Devil Glass was actually the main product being smuggled into Whitesails, but Dalric didn't know the situation well enough so he left that to Ryku. He instead left the office to head to the next one.

Ryku’s helpers had marked all of the doors that led to rooms with any sort of papers or files, so Dalric had a good idea of how many more rooms he’d have to go through. There were five more offices and three more stores, but also 7 different private studies, including Sara’s.

That was a lot to go through, but compared to Ryku’s search his was a lot less complex. He felt a little bad throwing all the important work on his shoulders, even if it was technically his job. Not only did he have to finish his original mission here, which included figuring out how to maneuver around the diplomatic volcano he would create, but he also had to plan out how to effectively and efficiently send each and every person on the floor back to their home.

That was an extensive amount of work for a man who was just drooling mindlessly on the floor a few hours ago. Dalric could understand how he had the drive for it. It was more than obvious he still held out hope that Dalric would change his mind, but having the capacity and mental facilities to actually do it would be immensely impressive. It was still very early. The hardest work was yet ahead of him and he had plenty of room to fail from here, but the man hadn't put a single step wrong yet.

A voice called out from behind him, "Mr. Dalric."

Again?

While he sat at the center of attention, only the brave few would come up to him directly. It was the only saving grace of the position. Since he’d stood up however, every step he took one family or the other would come up to him to give their thanks and even hand him a plate of food or a cup of juice.

At first, he was quite appreciative. He'd completely forgotten about his own body's need for sustenance, so finally eating after almost a full day was invigorating. After the fourth plate, he'd been full. Now, after the eighth, he was more stuffed than he'd ever been. He wanted to say no to the subsequent ones after four, but he couldn't. Even though his food sack was full, he could definitely stomach more expressions of gratitude. They lifted him, helping clear the residue of his earlier misstep.

Even as his stomach ached, he steeled his resolve and turned to face the voice. Thankfully, or disappointingly depending on which part of him you asked, it didn't belong to a person or group looking to give thanks. It belonged to one of Ryku's helpers. One of the riftans.

Dalric looked down at the small teen, "Any problems?"

To his credit, his age didn't show in his voice, "No. Yes? They told me to tell you Sunset White woke up."

"Ah."

He moved to reopen the door, then stopped himself. Now that he all but needed Taiyo, he wondered if it would be wise to attempt to use her as a source of information. Her blade still hung from his hip. The way Ryku described the ‘Twelve Arms of the Swordsaint’, they were famed and culturally significant. Which meant one of them should have immense trade value.

He turned back to the Riftan, "I'll speak to h—them first. Ryku is a bit busy at the moment, so wait here until he comes out. Then inform him that I’ve gone to ask a couple of questions."

"Okay, understood."

The teen stood by the door he just exited while Dalric moved towards the room they held ‘The Hero’ Hangaku. He easily spotted it as one of the two draken stood guard outside. The other was inside with three other guards. A bit excessive, but they all knew who she was anyway and none of them had a stake in the matter.

The male draken saluted as he came closer, “Mr. Dalric. She’s awake, but she’s only spoken words of insult or aggression.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else. By the way, we found a few letters that mention your squad. When Ryku comes over, he’ll have more to share.”

The draken’s eyes lit up, “Thank you!”

Dalric only jutted his head behind him as he reached for the door, “Don’t thank me, thank Ryku.”

He hadn’t actually had a meaningful dialogue with anyone aside from Ryku. Partially because there was neither the time nor the need to, but mostly because he was weary of needless attachments. He could already feel himself getting attached to Ryku and he was the only name Dalric even knew.

A small part of him wanted to change that. He instantly silenced it. Though it could be nice to once again have a place, have a community, this was not the time to seek it. He had his priori—

As he pulled the door ajar, a flaming sword flew straight at his chest. He deftly caught it. Unlike the last time he had the pleasure of making the burning blade’s acquaintance, black lightning no longer coated his body. His gauntlet protected him from a burnt hand, but it did not protect him from a heated slice across his palm.

He groaned as the conjured blade slid itself out of his grasp and zipped back into the room. The pain immediately radiated, but he ignored it and flung the door open. Inside, Sara Hangaku was more than just awake, she was active.