MTM 60

“Ah, no… I told him to wait right in front for a moment…”

Leon repeated the same words again and again as he looked at Zed’s cold, expression. It might have sounded like an excuse, but he also felt unfairly blamed. Strictly speaking, wasn’t Harto older than him and supposed to be the one responsible? Then why did it feel like he was the one being scolded?

“Or maybe he’s just looking around nearby!”

He raised his voice to defend himself. The Feast District was full of sights, so Harto might have gotten distracted by something. Or maybe, since he liked food, he had gone into a shop to eat something.

“You really think Harto would do that…?”

Zed didn’t seem convinced. On the way here, he had carefully scanned the whole area, but he hadn’t seen anyone who looked like Harto. And no matter how distracted or hungry Harto got, he never left without saying anything. Zed knew that from experience.

“Well, that’s true, but… Ah! Right, I almost forgot!”

Leon, who hadn’t known Harto for long, agreed with Zed’s point but suddenly shouted as if remembering something.

“Wait a moment, I can find him with this.”

“With what?”

“I gave Harto a crystal orb. If I send a signal through it, he’ll come back to the inn…”

Leon remembered the black crystal orb he had given to Harto. He opened his left hand and recited an incantation. His hand began to tremble. He murmured rapidly, and the shaking grew stronger and stronger until…

“Ah! What the…! The stone’s moving by itself!”

A passerby nearby screamed when they saw the black crystal orb vibrating on the ground.

“Uh…”

Leon’s face turned pale. He stopped his spell and looked at Zed. Zed didn’t speak, but it was clear he now understood how serious things were.

“Wh-what should we do… Zed, d-don’t tell me Harto’s been… kidnapped or something…”

Leon’s voice trembled. He looked like he might cry.

“It’s too soon to jump to conclusions.”

“B-but…”

“Harto isn’t someone who gets caught easily.”

Knowing what Leon was thinking, Zed spoke in a calm tone, then reached out his hand.

“Zed…?”

“Stay still. If you really want to help.”

Zed placed his hand on Leon’s head and closed his eyes.

In his blurred vision, Harto appeared staggering as he left the tent. Whatever that fortune-teller had said, even in that short time his complexion had clearly worsened. And someone had been staring at Harto’s back as he walked away.

“Wait here.”

Zed opened his eyes and moved without hesitation. He walked toward the little girl standing at the entrance of the tent. When he approached, she seemed to realize he wasn’t a customer and quietly lifted her head.

“The person who stumbled out earlier, where did he go?”

“……”

Zed didn’t need to touch her head. He only met her eyes directly. After hesitating for a moment, the girl raised her hand and pointed toward the end of the alley.

“Thank you.”

Zed said curtly and turned away. Leon, who had followed close behind, looked bewildered.

“Zed? What did you just do…?”

“This way.”

There was no time to explain. Zed started walking in the direction the girl had pointed. Leon followed, still confused, but finding Harto was the priority.

A moment later, they reached a narrow alley that split into three paths. If there had been only two, they could have split up, but with three, it became a problem.

“Hah, hah…! Are you sure he came this way?”

Leon, breathing raggedly, asked while catching up. Zed scanned the surroundings in silence. If there were any sign of life, human or animal, he intended to use his ability.

“That’s…”

Then Zed saw something sparkling under the wall. It was a small piece of candy lying on the dirt. He remembered it perfectly, it was from the candy shop in Belnok, the same one Leon had given Harto as a gift. Harto had said he should save them, but he’d still shared a few with Zed.

Zed picked up the candy and handed it to Leon.

“Use this to find Harto’s trace.”

“W-with candy?”

Leon widened his eyes in confusion and asked again. He was a mage whose skill specialized in tracking, but normally that required a trace such as a strand of hair or a piece of clothing carrying the target’s scent. Yet Zed had told him to follow a trail with candy.

He wanted to say it was impossible, but Zed’s unwavering gaze silenced him. Without another word, Leon nodded and gripped the candy tightly in his hand, reciting an incantation.

A dim blue pattern glowed on Leon’s forehead. The light spread in waves around him and followed Harto’s trace. A moment later, Leon pointed to the middle of the alley.

“I-it seems he went this way!”

As soon as Leon shouted, Zed rushed into the alley without hesitation. The same thing happened at the next intersection. Each time the road divided, they tracked Harto’s trail in the same way.

They followed the trail for a long stretch until a commotion sounded from somewhere ahead.

“Something seems to have happened…?”

“Let’s go up.”

Unlike Leon, who only sounded confused, Zed spoke firmly and jumped up onto the wall. From the higher ground, the scene of the alley below came into view.

“That’s…”

The lights that illuminated the dark streets were going out one by one. It looked as though an invisible hand was drawing darkness across the ground, turning the entire street into shadow in an instant.

“…Harto.”

He knew that it was Harto’s doing. He couldn’t wait any longer. Zed jumped down from the wall and ran into the darkness.

“Wait, Zed! Do you even know where you’re going?!”

Leon called out from behind, but Zed didn’t hear him. The only thought in his mind was that he had to find Harto.

In the dark alleys, confused voices rose from all directions.

“Ah! What’s that thing?!”

“It’s a beast! A wild boar!”

“No, it’s a spirit! Its whole body was white!”

“What are you saying? It was red! With black hair! It’s a monster!”

Everyone shouted different things at once. Zed ran faster. He vaulted over walls and nearly flew across rooftops. His eyes followed the paths where the lights went out, rushing toward where they would meet.

He caught his breath and hid behind a wall, watching the chain of darkened lights and waiting for the right moment.

…Tadatak!

Soon hurried footsteps echoed, and a small shadow ran into view down the alley.

As the light nearby went out, Zed stretched out his hand.

“Ah…!”

A hand emerged from the darkness and caught hold of the small body with a strong grip. The frightened figure struggled, but Zed ignored it. He held the small body tightly in both arms, locking him in place.

Then, as though realizing something, the struggling stopped. Zed pulled the stiff body deeper into his embrace and spoke.

“Harto.”

“……!”

“Why are you crying?”

Harto flinched and lifted his head. His face, wrapped in red cloth, was a mess of tears.

“Hic, Ze, Zed… ugh, Zed…!”

Recognizing Zed, Harto burst into sobs. The sight made Zed’s chest tighten as he took a deep breath and pulled him even closer.

“Yes, I’m here, Harto…”

“Mm…! Zed… hic, huh, Zed…, Zed…”

Harto nodded and repeatedly called Zed’s name, as if that alone wasn’t enough, he snuggled deeper into the warmth of his arms. Zed held him with all his strength so he would calm down and he kissed his forehead and cheeks.