*The day Geld was created.

Becca is sifting through books in the guild hub’s underground records. A small candle lamp lights up her reading space. She flips through the pages of the book in front of her in discontent.

Becca: Hmm… Nothing here either…

The sound of a contraption clicks at the corner of the room. Becca hears the creaks of the basement stairs dropping down. Another receptionist comes walking down. It is the same one that Tatsuo and friends turned in their papers to get their guild officiated.

Receptionist: Becca?

Becca: Ah, Elena…

Elena cheerfully walks up to Becca. Her body leans over Becca’s shoulder to take a glimpse of what Becca is looking at. She asks what Becca is looking for.

Becca discloses her search for the person named Veloren Aund Gerfuden. She asks Elena if she knew of a sort person under that name. Elena, however, knows of no such person. In fact, she found the name itself to be strange, as it sounded unnatural.

Elena prods Becca by asking her why she’s searching for this person. Becca’s head is riddled with the inconsistencies of Veloren’s existence. These were thoughts she could not simply shake off.

Becca: …No nothing, it’s just my own curiosity. I thought I could find more down here but I guess not…

Elena: Heh~…You’re doing your own personal info collection? Now you’ve got me curious as well.

Becca: No it’s probably nothing. It was just a matter that I couldn’t get out of my head.

Elena puffs her cheeks with her tongue sticking out.

Elena: Boo~!! Well, remember to lock up the basement yeah?

Becca: Ah yeah, no worries. I won’t be here much longer…

Elena goes back upstairs and the stairs close. Becca lets out a stressful sigh.

Becca: Besides that one archived file, there’s really nothing else… I guess that’s it then…

Becca reaches out to grab the basement keys but the keys slip, surprising her. They slide across the floor upon hitting the ground into a dark, obscure corner of the room. Before getting up to fetch the keys, she comments to herself about how clumsy she is. Walking over, Becca notices an unfamiliar box located right next to the keys.

Becca: That’s…

Becca goes through the box.

Becca (thinking): If I remember correctly it’s just a bunch of old things like antiques and collectibles…

Becca grabs a letter.

Becca: A letter?

Becca’s eyes widen.

Becca: …What? For Veloren…?!

Becca (thinking): No way…why is this here…?! And it’s from the Ars Army no less…!

Becca begins to read its contents. Her pupils trail along darting back and forth. Her eyes grew larger the more she read until finally, she got to the end.

Becca: This…!

*Present time in the streets of Pillberry.

Victor finally got his hands on a map.

Victor: Ah finally~! A map…! Now I can go back home~!

Victor turns to face Sharon and Tatsuo.

Victor: Well, we’ve had our ups and downs…But truth be told, I had a lot of fun with you guys! I wish the best of luck for you two and your journey!

Sharon: Thanks victor… Maybe one day we’ll come back and visit you.

Victor: Of course! Just remember to pay the bill this time!

Tatsuo and Sharon bid their farewells to Victor waving at him. Victor cheerfully walks off into the distance waving back until finally, he was gone…

Victor: That’s a shame…Maybe it would’ve been fun to go on a journey with them…But I must return…Father is probably pissed at how long I’ve been missing…

Victor eagerly spreads out the map: Now let’s see! In order to get back to Woodsford I gotta head east….

Victor: Hm? Which way was east again…?

*Back to the streets with Sharon and Tatsuo.

Tatsuo: Well, now that that’s over I guess this means it’s time for us to separate as well…

Sharon: Ah! I forgot to tell you! I’m coming with you to Argonaut!

Tatsuo: What?

Sharon: Yeah! Apparently when I was talking to the folks in the guild hub that day, they’ve told me rumors of how in Argonaut there is a fruit that provides excellent nutritional value and can cure ailments as well!

Tatsuo: Eh!? Really?!

Tatsuo’s sudden outburst startles Sharon.

Sharon:…Eh? Yeah…supposedly…that’s what they told me…it’s unusual to see you get so worked up…

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How strange. This was perhaps the first time Tatsuo has displayed any sort of strong emotions, was what Sharon thought.

Tatsuo (thinking): Could it be…? – Evocative memories begin to surface in Tatsuo’s head.

Tatsuo’s thoughts dial back with the details of Sharon looking for the Mardi Gracias.

He brings his finger to his chin to make a thinking pose – “But hold on, wasn’t the Mardi Gracia a flower?”

Sharon: Well whatever gets the job done am I right? Plus who knows! Maybe people have misconceived the fruit as the flower or they could be referring to the fruit in full bloom.

Tatsuo: Well that’s fine. That means you can help guide me there too. But that’s strange…I was so sure that you’d be quick to leave afterwards…

Sharon nervously flinches: Eh? Ah…! What gave you that idea…?

Tatsuo: I don’t know, it just seems like you disliked being with me.

Sharon: How…How could that be…? Ha ha ha…! Victor may have left us but you know I wouldn’t do that to you…How could I leave you alone..?

Tatsuo: That’s not true, I have Henteko with me so—

Sharon immediately cuts Tatsuo off at the sound of hearing a certain name she has come to loathe: A-anyways! What matters is both of us are going to Argonaut together and thus that makes it easier for you…! More importantly…! We should look for another member now that Victor is gone!

Tatsuo:…You’re not gonna just leave once you get your cure?

Sharon: Well, I’d like to continue being an adventurer even after I’ve cured my pa. Now that I’m with you I mind as well make the best of it like Victor said.

The conversation ends with Sharon remarking how she hopes that the next member they get is a female.

*At the Guild hub.

After briefly discussing with one another, Tatsuo gets up onto one of the bar tables to make an announcement. He clears his throat and adjusts his vocals, like a person getting ready to talk into a microphone.

From the reception area, Elena is surprised to see both Tatsuo and Sharon: Oh…! Those kids are still in town…! If only Becca hadn’t left already…

He yells aloud, demanding the attention of everyone in the guild hub: Everybody listen up!

Tatsuo: Our guild; Geld, is open for recruitment! We are looking for someone who is brave enough to join us on our journey to Argonaut! We care not of gender, age, looks or race, all we ask is for you to be family friendly and your utmost trust!

Tatsuo makes a final decisive statement to close off his speech: Now, who cares to join us?!

Everyone in the guild hub resumes their business, ignoring Tatsuo.

Sharon: Figures…

One of the receptionists nervously asks Tatsuo to get off the table.

Sharon: I suppose this would’ve happened…Our guild was just made so nobody knows who we are since we’re most likely at the very bottom of the rankings…And if you take into account our guild name too…

Sharon assuringly brings her hand to her chest: What we need to do is publicize ourselves! We need to make ourselves stand out amongst the faces of everyone!

Tatsuo: So what do we do then?

Sharon: Tatsuo you’re very strong aren’t you? Maybe we could use that strength of yours to convince these people…!

Tatsuo: I see…

Tatsuo cracks his knuckles: So I just have to beat up everybody here…Yeah?

Sharon: W-wait just a moment! On second thought forget everything I said…!

Sharon begins to whine and mope about their rough situation.

Sharon: AAAaaahh~!!! This sucks! I know it’s just the first day, but of course nobody is going to join our joke guild…!

A cloaked person approaches the two.

???: Um…

Tatsuo and Sharon turns around.

The stranger speaks to them timidly: You guys said you’re going to Argonaut correct? I’m also heading there as well…I don’t mind going there together with you….

Upon the person’s smell and hearing the voice, Tatsuo recognizes the stranger.

Tatsuo: You’re that stranger that gave me the gem the other day!

Sharon: Eh this is the person…?!

???: Ah…! Hello…I’m glad to see you doing better…

Sharon holds up the person’s hands endearingly.

Sharon: Thank you soooo much for giving us that diamond!!! You’re a lifesaver!!!

???: N-no problem…

Sharon: Are you ok…? Tatsuo didn’t do anything to you or anything right…?! That WAS a diamond you gave us that’s why…! Are you sure it was alright to give us something that precious…?!

???:...Yes.

Sharon’s ears manage to pick up a feminine sound coming from the soft spoken voice. She gasps in excitement.

Sharon: And that voice…! You’re a girl! Right?!

???: …Yes.

Sharon: And I see you have a staff…! You’re a mage too?!

???: …Yes…

Sharon squeals in delight. She springs her arms out into the sky – “Finally...! Things are looking my way!”

Sharon rushes up to the stranger’s face: What is your name?!

The cloaked girl pauses in hesitation to reveal her identity.

???: …Queenie.

Sharon: Queenie huh? Welcome to Geld! We’re pleased to have you!

Queenie: Ah…sorry…I’m not joining your guild…I just thought we could tag along together…Since our destination is the same…And you seemed really desperate for people…

Sharon stares blankly at Queenie with an unflinching smile. Meanwhile Tatsuo is side-eyeing Sharon. Already, he is sorting how she will react to this message.

Sharon calmly puts her hands on Queenie’s shoulders.

Sharon: I understand you! And that’s fine too…!

Sharon: But…

Sharon grins creepily at Queenie.

Sharon: By the time we arrive at Argonaut, we’re gonna make you one of us…

Queenie (nervously): I see…

Tatsuo, seeing Sharon’s behavior, murmurs to himself: I think she's gone insane Henteko…

The mood instantly switches up with Sharon gleefully accepting Sharon into the group and introduces themselves to her.

*Outside the front entrance of the guild hub, a couple days ago at night…

Becca gets ready to head out, adjusting her hooded cloak. Elena is leaning against the door entrance to see her off.

Elena: So you’re really going then?

Becca: Yeah…there’s something I want to see…And the guys I was talking about?

Elena: Like I said, I don’t remember what they look like. Much less, I have no clue whether they’re still in town or not.

Becca picks up her bag pouches that were leaning against her legs and slings them over her shoulder.

Elena: But you’re really serious about this investigation of yours aren’t you? For you to even take time off on your job…

Becca: Sorry…

Elena: Don’t worry, it’s only for a couple days right? Let me know what you find…When you get to Argonaut.