The city walls formed an octagon, with a radius of roughly 10 kilometers.

  The central walls were an actual circle, or rather something very close to one, with a radius of slightly over 4 kilometers.

  What that meant was that the ‘length’ (or width) of each district at the narrowest part, near the central wall, was just about 7.5 kilometers, while the path along the outer walls was twice as long.

  …it’s not that I actually calculated the formula (or even remembered the exact one).

  What I did was buy a spare meter from the Steel Cog (it was only 1 silver, and generally available from many craft-related stores), and use it to approximate those numbers, as well my travel distance, based on the scale that was conveniently placed at the map's bottom-right corner.

  So far, I traversed two thirds of the southern district near the center, and nearly all of Eastern, considering my twisted route. This totalled to nearly 20 kilometers in the span of the last 4 hours or so.

  Of course, with my newly improved body, I wasn't tired yet, and in the city, there was no area where one had to flee to safety at night, except for maybe the slums.

  However, it was already 10 minutes past noon, and I had quite a few things left to do in Northern.

  If this was any other day, as I learned from my short conversation with Alice, I could take some of the carriages that traveled across the city like minibuses or taxies, but today, the regularly scheduled carriages were having their day off, and it's not like there existed a phone which I could use to charter a private carriage. And I wouldn't want to spend the money, either.

  ‘At least all the places I’d want to visit are open on Respite.’

  All temples were open all day, every day, and today would actually be busier than usual. The Adventurer’s Guild was open every day as well, and I heard that in the city, they had a proper night shift.

  The only place I had doubts about was the Ministry – places related to national security usually had someone on the clock at all times as well, but I wasn't sure reception would be open today.

  ‘Well, at worst, I could go tomorrow morning.’

  Either way, looking at the map, I planned my route – the Sun Temple was closest to me, just over half an hour away. Around one hour away was the Ministry, and around the same distance from there was the Adventurer's Guild. The return trip would only take one and a half hours, at least.

  ‘And I still need to eat lunch, train, return here before 10 for dinner.. This is definitely going to be a long day.’

  Well, since I didn't get an opportunity to go shopping down in the ‘eastern industrial zone’, as that area was unofficially called, I had to at least finish most of my other affairs.

  ‘I should also visit Bern, but he wasn't expecting me this soon anyway, so I'll just do it tomorrow.

  Finalizing my plans, I reluctantly got off the fluffy bed, folding the map and hiding it in the already-cramped potion case. At the very least, to conserve some space, I took the now-useless [Arcane Meditation] page, the one gifted to me by that Blackwood Wizard back in Pine Harbor, and placed it in the same leather case that contained my first aid kit.

  ‘I really need to buy another case. Actually, a few. And potions. And smoke grenades, and Alchemist’s Fire bombs.. and also a few sets of more presentable clothes…’

  Now that I thought about it, I also wanted to buy a horse – that would also require some riding equipment. Perhaps even the guidance on how to look after a horse during travels had its own price.

  “Haaa…”

  I was slowly starting to regret my most recent purchase, but, well, what'cha gonna do?

  Trying not to think of what might have been, I made my way outside, and started walking towards the nearest inner gate.

  ***

  “Oi! Tree lover! Ya’ sure kept us waiting.”

  “It’s called doing work, you rock brain.”

  “Anyway, now that ya’ had your vacation, got any good stories to tell?”

  The half-elf sighed, then turned his head towards his other two companions, as if resolved to ignore the dwarf.

  However, his expression turned even more grim.

  “I managed to get an audience. It... didn't go well.”

  “Are you saying-”

  Hilda's question was interrupted before it could even be finished.

  “He didn't outright refuse. However, he knew quite a lot – and deduced the rest, it seems. In the end, he wants us to give him a concrete plan in two weeks. Well, fourteen and a half days, by now.”

  “How concrete?”

  This time, it was Bern who asked the question.

  “Judging by his words and disposition, I'd expect it to be very precise, with multiple fallbacks and contingencies, a moderate chance of success, and a surefire way for him to avoid major damage in case of failure.”

  “That’s a big ask.”

  “True. But they are a big and powerful organization.. and he knows full-well we need them more than they need us.”

  The faces in the room slowly turned more solemn, except for the dwarf, wearing his usual expression.

  “Oh, and he wants to meet us in person. All of us.”

  The half-elf took out the lucrative business card, sliding it across the table towards Bern.

  The latter picked it up, sparing it a single glance before tucking it in his pocket and rising up.

  “Oi, boss. Where are you going?”

  “Downstairs.”

  “What for?”

  “To bring us some snacks. This is going to be a long day…”

  ***

  I stood in front of a massive building. Its walls were white as snow, the upper three of its four floors had long rows of barred windows on each side, and the large yard around the building (which could be also considered a plaza, in the center of which the building stood) was paved with white stone of similar color.

  Atop the building, as well as on the large posts in front of it, dozens of Valorian flags fluttered in the wind.

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  Of course, this was not the Sun Temple, but the Ministry of Internal Security. Silverveil branch. Although the grandiose, somewhat imposing spectacle could probably compete with the local temples.

  Why haven't I visited the temple first? During the walk, I had more time to think, and I came to a simple conclusion – as long as the interrogation was ahead of me, the less I knew, the better.

  After all, what if I learned that one of my soul conditions was the mark of some evil god, or that my impending soul corrosion was somehow considered blasphemy?

  It could mean nothing, or it could lead to my inability to truthfully answer some important question – which, in turn, could lead to severe suspicion, and perhaps the discovery of one of my other secrets, of which there was more than one that I'd rather keep hidden.

  As such, I decided to limit my daily errand run to just the Ministry and the Guild. Oh, and I also asked a few passerbies until I found one that knew the Silver Trout tavern, marking it in my map.

  I considered visiting it on the way back from the guild, since I now had the extra free time – however, this was a worry for later.

  At the Ministry building’s entrance, I didn't see anyone that would seem like a regular visitor, although I did see a few people going in and out. However, those few people all had a particular stern aura about them, leading me to believe none of them came here without authorization.

  ‘Well, won't die if I check. The worst they can do is say no.’

  Slowly but steadily, I walked over to the two big men standing guard in front of the large entrance, its heavy wooden double door left ajar, open just enough for one person to pass through.

  “Halt! The ministry is closed for public reception.”

  Unsurprisingly, one of the guards moved his massive halberd to block the narrow passage.

  Thankfully, I didn't need to get inside, anyway.

  “That’s fine. However, I have an important update I need to pass along. Can one of you do it.?”

  The two men exchanged glances.

  “What kind of update?”

  “I came to this city to testify as part of a very important report. I should be summoned in one or two days. However, I ended up staying in a different inn than expected, so I came to notify you of my new lodgings, to avoid needless confusion.”

  “...what report?”

  “I’m sorry. I can't tell you that.”

  Both guards looked equally annoyed.

  “Listen, kid. You can tell this story about a ‘very important report’ to the receptionist tomorrow.”

  It was clear they weren't buying it.

  “Fine. But if Thomas ends up wasting his time riding all the way to Southern tomorrow, it'll be on your conscience.”

  The first guard, the one doing all the talking until now, just scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. I turned around to leave…

  “Thomas?”

  It was the second guard, who remained silent until now.

  “Deputy Thomas Cleantoe from Pine Harbor. He's the one I came here with.”

  The first guard rolled his eyes, but the second one squinted his.

  “Can you describe him?”

  “Short. Bold. Carries two short swords, and usually a large potion case on his waist. I think his uniform is pretty standard for deputies?”

  The first guard looked at the second one with a raised eyebrow, while the latter wore a look of contemplation.

  “What did you say your name was?”

  “I didn't. But my name is Sebastian.”

  The first guard scoffed once again, dismayed by my impolite attitude, but the second one paid it no mind.

  “Wait here for a moment.”

  He quickly went inside, leaving me under the piercing gaze of Guard A. After a minute or so, he returned.

  “..?”

  “Just wait here for a few minutes.”

  I did just that, glancing at my watch out of boredom – and, true to the guard's word, exactly four minutes and thirty four seconds later, a man looking like a clerk came out.

  “Thank you for updating us. Since you are here now, the man in charge of your.. testimony decided to hasten the ordeal. Please come here 30 minutes past noon tomorrow.”

  “ I will. Thank you very much.”

  Without letting the odd mixture of relief and nervousness reflect on my face, I turned around, leaving the Ministry building behind, and turning my attention to the most pressing matter – lunch.

  After I finished my impromptu visit to the Ministry, I realized just how hungry I was, having skipped breakfast.

  ‘Actually, the fact that I only noticed this now… could this be because of my suddenly increased Endurance?’

  Of course, there was no one to answer my thoughts, so I just focused on finding any type of food stall or similar shop nearby.

  However, there were none – only expensive-looking multi-story buildings.

  Swallowing my saliva, I decided to soldier on for now, starting to make my way towards the Guild. After 10 minutes, I saw a restaurant, albeit one that was closed. After another 15, I finally saw a place that appeared open.

  The reason for my uncertainty was the lack of visible customers, except for one, leisurely sipping some wine from a large glass at one of the tables visible through the window.

  When I approached the door, a server - or host - wearing a plain, but high quality black suit with white undergarments, arrived before me.

  “Good day, dear adventurer. How may I be of service?”

  “Do you serve meat?”

  “...of course, sir. Our menu includes various meat dishes.”

  “Then, may I come in?”

  The middle-aged man in front of me gave me a hesitant glance.

  “Sir, would you mind leaving your.. equipment at the door?.. It will be kept safe and secure, of course! I'll personally guarantee that.”

  “...sure.”

  I didn't really want to part with my sword, but it was definitely more comfortable to sit at the table wearing normal clothes, no armor or weapons.

  I quickly handed my sword, sheath and its holder included. While he quickly took my weapon to what sounded like a metal locker, I also took off my bracers, leather leg pads, chest armor, and finally, my chainmail. The helmet was left at the inn to begin with, as I wasn't planning on doing any fighting today (or at least, I very much hoped so).

  ‘Come to think of it, I really didn't need to wear most of the other armor, either.’

  It seemed wearing all this protective gear has already ingrained itself into my routine. As I took everything off, wearing nothing but my regular clothes, I suddenly felt naked and exposed. My thought began to dart towards possible escape routes, reclaiming at least the sword-

  I lightly shook my head, watching the host haul off the rest of my gear, followed by the clanking sound of a metallic locker door closing, and the clicking sound of a lock.

  “Thank you, sir. Welcome to the Silver Lotus. If you'd please follow me.”

  The man showed me to one of the only small tables, which just so happened to also stand by the window – right in front of the other customer. The rest of the tables in this luxurious restaurant were empty.

  ‘Are they trying to showcase me? Well.. it does seem like this place is geared towards larger gatherings, perhaps pre-planned events, so passing customers like myself must be quite rare.’

  I sat at the desk, trying to ignore the subtle sense of discomfort, and holding myself from throwing glances at the large lockers a few steps away from the entrance, half-hidden behind a thin curtain.

  “Sir, this is our meat & fish menu. I've also brought the soup and salad menus, in case you'd fancy them with your main course. Also, please note that all meat dishes come with a complementary glass of wine from our standard selection, so I've brought you the wine menu as well.”

  This place was, without a doubt, a high end establishment. And that only amplified my reluctance to look at the prices, which, unfortunately, I had to do anyway.

  ‘2 silver for the simplest salad?! Up to 2.5 gold?..’

  The soups started from 3 silver for the simplest vegetable broth, going up to 3 gold.

  The cheapest meat dish started from 1 gold, and I didn't even look at the bottom of the menu, where the cost passed double digits.

  “I’ll have this soup right here, and then this sour-sweet cashew beef dish.. Resting Porcupine, is it? Anyway, I'll take a glass of Blue Risen Star.”

  “Excellent choice, sir. Please, allow me.”

  Taking away the menus, the host departed for the kitchen, leaving me alone with my empty stomach, the lingering regrets for the nearly 3 gold spent on a single meal, and the copious (or perhaps just ‘copeful’) anticipation for the exquisite food.

  A minute passed. Then another. Without realizing it, I opened the watch, throwing a glance at its all-so-slowly moving hands.

  “That’s an interesting watch.”

  Suddenly, I heard a soft, unfamiliar voice – with only one person as its potential source.