"Excuse me?" the man asked, staring at Reoloy in confusion.
"I'm looking for Gordoi," Reoloy said tentatively. "Do you know where he is?"
He stepped around the large man, peering toward the workshop at the back, scanning for the familiar figure who was supposed to hold the keys to his quest. When he found no one, he slowly turned back, discomfort creeping in.
'There's no way...'
The more he looked at him, the more he saw something that he refused to believe.
The blacksmith stroked the short, neatly trimmed beard framing his jaw, a bright, easy smile spreading across his face as his brown eyes settled warmly on the two of them.
"You're looking at him," he said. "Gordoi Marnsteil. What can I do for you?"
Reoloy went completely blank. He recalled the character design of a decrepit old geezer that looked a few seconds away from death's door.
"For real?" he asked flatly.
Gordoi blinked, half-amused, half-confused.
"Yeah."
And then it clicked.
Every time Reoloy had come here before, it had been mid-game—well into the protagonist's second year at the academy. He was at least two years ahead of schedule.
The discrepancies made sense since he had, in fact, never seen this place this early.
Reoloy glanced back at Gordoi, who had already struck up a casual conversation with Lohan. The version he knew overlapped with the one in front of him, the contrast so jarring it almost made him dizzy.
'What in the world could've happened between now and then...?' he pondered, already thinking about changes he would be making to the story as he knew it.
"Reoloy!" Lohan called excitedly, snapping him back to reality. "What's up with this place?!"
He turned to her, puzzled.
"All the ki users here are insane!" she continued, pointing at the blacksmith. "Even this old man is ridiculously strong."
Gordoi laughed. "You're the impressive one here, young lady."
His gaze shifted briefly to the glove on Reoloy's right hand before returning to Lohan.
"To have that much ki at your age," he continued, smiling. "Your potential's top tier."
Lohan faltered.
"...Is that so?" she replied, forcing a small laugh, though her expression had already dimmed.
Both Reoloy and Gordoi noticed, but neither pressed the matter. They figured it was personal and that she wouldn't want to get into it right now. However, Reoloy filed it away for later.
"So, Reoloy, was it?" Gordoi said, changing the subject. "I doubt it's a weapon you want from me, seeing that you have a Regalia on your hand."
Reoloy raised his right hand slightly, glancing at the glove. He wasn't surprised Gordoi could identify the relic's actual worth. The man did, after all, specialise in such things.
"You don't have an affinity for it, however," the man added, drawing a plain stare from Reoloy. "I don't know why you're in your current condition, but you're a mana user, correct?"
The boy's eyebrow rose. Not from being sniffed out for possessing mana—that was to be expected from someone of this calibre—but from him hinting at the sealed state of the power.
"Yes," he answered. "I do currently have mana."
Gordoi nodded. "I suggest you switch out that relic."
"I'll help you find another one that suits you," he said firmly. "It would be a shame if a great item like that never reached its full potential."
Silence filled the room as the two entered a staring contest. Lohan shifted slightly, watching the exchange, ready to step in if needed. Granted, she stood no chance if it really got to that.
"So?" Gordoi pressed.
"I'm good," Reoloy said, shaking his head. "I have plans for it. Don't worry. It won't waste away in my hands."
Gordoi sighed. "It really isn—"
"That's actually why I'm here," Reoloy cut in.
He smirked, a glint emerging in his eye that immediately made Lohan sigh.
"You're wrong," he continued. "I do want a weapon from you. The one that I intend to use as my main option, actually."
Reoloy paused, straightening slightly.
"Give me permission to enter the ruins."
It was now Gordoi's turn to stare at the boy blankly. He had partly entertained the idea that this was what the teen could be after, but he tried to dissuade himself by hoping he wouldn't even know about it.
"You want the great guardian's treasure?" he asked, dropping onto a stool in the middle of the store. "That's suicide, you know?"
"For me it's not."
Gordoi frowned. "And why's that? You think the guardian will lie down while you do as you please?"
"Yeah," Reoloy replied calmly. "After all, he's the one who brought me here."
Gordoi blinked, dragging in a long inhale before running a hand across his face.
'This kid's lost it,' he thought, scanning the boy's expression. 'He actually believes it too...'
"Absolutely not," Gordoi said. "I'm not letting you run off to your death."
Reoloy frowned. "Isn't there something I can do to prove I have what it takes?"
"Nope."
The blue-black-haired teen cursed inwardly.
This was far too different from anything he knew or could have expected. The Gordoi from the game basically handed you the entry rights on a silver platter.
He didn't know how to change the man's mind, or at least change it quickly enough to progress according to schedule.
"If there's nothing else," Gordoi said, standing up and putting on his gloves. "I have work to do. You two should run along."
It was a kinder way of kicking them out, Reoloy knew that, but he didn't want to give up just yet.
"Wait—"
Gordoi shot him a blank stare, yet it felt so loaded with a weight he couldn't describe that his words died in his throat. His head fell in defeat, his fist clenching tightly with frustration.
"If you can convince him, I won't intervene."
'The Chieftain must've known it would be difficult...' Reoloy thought bitterly. "I'll be back."
He turned and walked out, Lohan following close behind.
Gordoi watched them go, appearing contemplative.
---
The two walked through town, drawing eyes as they went.
Reoloy barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere, turning over problem after problem, searching for a way forward.
He had already considered breaking in, but that was impossible. The ruins were sealed, and the only way inside was with permission from the ruins' designated keeper—Gordoi.
At some point, they had made their way to a more crowded area lined with shops and businesses. The Cardanians weren't a large population. The most generous estimate was around seven thousand people. Yet the place felt lively and electric with the buzz of life.
Though that buzz seemed to be especially focused on them at the moment.
"Umm, Reoloy," Lohan called, shifting nervously from the attention. "Why don't we stop over here for a bit?"
Reoloy followed her finger to the restaurant she pointed towards, remembering that he had been given an "allowance" before he left the great hall.
He reasoned an early dinner wouldn't hurt, and maybe with some food in his stomach, a strategy would miraculously spawn in his mind.
"Sure," he said. "We shouldn't stay out for much longer anyway. Let's eat while we can."
Lohan let out a quiet breath of relief, quickly dragging him into the establishment and away from the unrelenting stares.
They found a quiet spot in a corner and sat down, immediately looking to go through their options.
Just like with everything else, the menu was futuristic, flaring to life on the table.
"Another hologram?" Reoloy muttered, unenthused. "Should I order for us?"
Lohan lit up, nodding eagerly. She had no idea how to use anything in this place, so the offer couldn't have come any sooner.
"Chicken stew it is then," he said, then glanced at her. "And... beef?"
She looked a little unsatisfied.
"Fish?"
Not yet.
"Lamb..." he added, scanning her expression once more. "With some sides."
She smiled, relaxing back into her seat.
Reoloy shifted his attention to the wristband that held their money. Like any relic, it responded to focus—an array of numbers flowing into his mind, outlining his balance.
This was the one thing from Cardana that wasn't different from the rest of Pandora.
Multiple currencies existed, but this virtual transfer relic was the most reliable method of carrying out transactions. A universal fallback.
Essentially, it was just a fantasy bank card tied to an account.
'I wonder if they'll let me keep this one...'
His thoughts drifted back to the problem. He started sorting through what he knew.
In RON, by the time he had come for Luvarne, Gordoi was in despair for whatever reason. That probably made him care much less whether he was letting a teenager run off into danger or not. But then again, maybe it was because he had developed the protagonist character so much that his strength level matched some unspoken criteria.
'So then is it because I'm too weak?' Reoloy wondered. 'Or because the events that break him down mentally and morally haven't happened yet?'
He scowled, contemplating whether this was now a lost cause and if he should switch strategies. He reasoned that a request for some members of the Cardanian Militia to escort them to Academy City could work. From there, he could work the rest out.
But it made his chest feel like it was knotted together.
"Why's your face all twisted up?" a new yet familiar voice chimed.
Reoloy looked up. Lohan was staring—not at him, but beside her. He followed her gaze. It took a moment for the boy to recognise the person since they were dressed much more casually than when they'd met them earlier.
"Ah, sorry," he said dryly. "We never got your name."
"Lavere," the blonde girl said plainly. "I'm joining you for your meal."
Before anyone could say anything, she had already brought up the menu and picked out her order. Reoloy got the feeling that even if they had objected, she would have gone through with it anyway.
"Okay...Lavere," he said, gesturing for Lohan to ease up. "You want something, right?"
The blonde blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You wouldn't just approach us for no reason," Reoloy explained. "And I'm not in the particular mood to beat around the bush, so... what do you want?"
Lavere sat quietly, her expression as stern as ever. She appeared to be choosing her words wisely before uttering them. Reoloy, however, didn't have the patience or desire to let her take her time. Fortunately, she levelled her eyes to his, leaning onto the table and addressing him with no pretence.
"How did you win the Chieftain's favour?"
That wasn't what he expected.
"What makes you think I did?" he asked, leaning back.
Lavere didn't hesitate this time.
"He laughed with you," she said. "That's never happened before."
The reincarnator knew that, of course. Even the game notes had dubbed the man as "joyless". Gaining an understanding of his character had taken him a good number of playthroughs.
He gazed into the girl's eyes. It was clear she wanted the answer badly. A part of him had already started looking for ways he could leverage her desperation. He shut it down, though. There was no point, and he didn't feel like it.
"I met him where he wanted to be met."
"What?" Lavere asked, her expression breaking for the first time in the interaction.
Reoloy sighed. "If you want to understand, then you'll have to learn more about him yourself."
He slumped even further into the seat.
"It's only right to put in the effort if you want his genuine approval."
She seemed to hesitate, but nodded.
Reoloy's previous line of thought had already been interrupted, so now he observed this new acquaintance of theirs. It was yet another key character he had become entangled with that he didn't recognise. Something that had been the recurring theme of this new life.
He hoped that this one didn't attempt to end his life. That brought back to his attention that he was still injured. The pain had numbed thanks to the wonders of ki breathing, but he needed to get properly treated before his body gave up on him.
"Do you want to be the next Chieftain?" he asked carefully, not wanting to seem like he was prying.
"I wouldn't mind..."
'So she does,' he thought dryly.
"Well, best of luck," Reoloy said. "But I'm sure gaining the current chief's approval isn't all you'll need."
Lavere's mood soured, causing Reoloy to frown.
'Did I hit a sore spot?'
"You're right," she said, taking her hands off the table as the food was served. "I need to become someone who can be considered both wise and strong."
Reoloy shot a glance at Lohan, silently telling her to focus less on the food and help him move the conversation along.
Lohan deflated, but relented.
"That shouldn't be too hard, right?" she asked awkwardly, still eyeing the food.
'That's it?' Reoloy thought deadpan.
"If I were like everyone else," Lavere said quietly. "It wouldn't be."
The mood dampened. Reoloy and Lohan shared a look, wondering if it was even okay to eat with the way things were. Their silent question was answered when Lavere herself started eating the sandwich she had ordered.
Both started snacking away slowly at their meals of interest. Though awkwardly, as even Lohan struggled to act normally.
'Great. Just great,' Reoloy thought. 'We had to go and make her feel bad.'
He pondered what her statement meant. Was she terminally ill? Or something of that nature.
He couldn't ask, of course—not right now.
"Ah, right," Reoloy said brightly, trying to raise the energy and change the subject. "Do you know anything about Gordoi?"
It was a random question, and honestly, he didn't expect much in the form of a useful answer, but he just thought it would serve his purposes either way. As long as it got her mind off of whatever it was she was thinking about.
Lavere's brow rose as she looked at him like he had asked the most ridiculous question.
'Of course it comes off as odd, huh?' he thought, scratching his head.
"Well, yes, I do," the blonde said. "He's my father after all."
"...What?"
---
"To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the ruin keeper himself?" the Chieftain asked, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"You know I hate it when you call me that, Leno," Gordoi replied, irritation clear in his voice.
A faint smile tugged at Leno's lips as he gestured for him to walk. They moved through the halls in silence, holographic murals flickering to life along the walls—fragments of Cardana's history drifting and reforming as they passed.
"A boy came to see me today about entering the ruins."
Leno nodded, suppressing a chuckle at the memory of the young teen.
"I know," he said flippantly. "He's an interesting one, so I let him."
Gordoi stopped mid-step.
"You met him first?" he asked incredulously, receiving another nod. "Then... did he tell you his ridiculous claims of being sent by the guardian?"
Leno's head tilted in apparent confusion.
"Claims?" he asked. "He was."
Gordoi wasn't sure what to make of that, despite understanding exactly what the man was saying.
"...Was what?" he asked hesitantly. "You can't actually be saying..."
The Chieftain shook his head, an amused smirk carving into his features.
"I've always had keener senses than you," he said. "But to think that you were this dull."
He traced his fingers through the glowing images, disrupting them as they broke apart upon contact.
"The boy was practically drenched in the guardian's mana," Leno continued. "If it wasn't from having been in direct contact with him, then I don't know how else it would be possible."
Gordoi laughed nervously, then almost giddily ran out of the building before he was held back by the other man.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"This changes everything!" Gordoi said. "I'm going to grant him access to the ruins!"
Leno stared at him blankly, devoid of any emotions or signs of what he was thinking.
"No, you won't," he said plainly.
"What?" Gordoi asked, flabbergasted. "Why?"
The Chieftain didn't answer, starting to walk back to his chambers.
"Let him run around a bit longer," Leno instructed. "I'm sure we'll get a more meaningful outcome that way."