After returning to the royal capital, which was dyed in the sunset, Ardis exchanged words with the gatekeeper, who was becoming a familiar face, and went straight into the city accompanied by Kirill.

　The place to aim for is the bed of the inn--I would like to say that, but for once, that's not the case.
　If it continues into the night, there is probably no doubt that the human form will appear.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.　I'd like you to take a look at something for me.

　A secluded corner off the main street.
　Aldis calls out to her as she opens the door of the shabby, dingy building.

　The door opens to a small room.
　The walls are lined with shelves, and the shelves are filled with books, ceramic containers and what appear to be miscellaneous items.
　At first glance, the scene seemed miscellaneous, but in a sense it made sense, considering who owned the room.

'What is it. It's Aldis, if you ask me.

　An elderly man sitting at an aged counter looks at Ardis as he walks in the door and says, "I'm a witch.
　Many people think of a dubious witch when they hear the word "sorcerer," but in reality, it is a legitimate profession that uses magic to create various medicines and appraise goods.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
　He had an air of being able to call himself a wise man, as long as he wore a reasonably good robe.

　It's been four months since Aldis became active in the royal capital.
　I've been working in the city for that long, you can naturally make acquaintances and familiar shops.
　This building is also a shop that sells and buys goods related to magic, and is one of the shops that Ardis uses regularly, although it does not have a signboard.

　These sorcerers are also involved in mixing potions and selling protective spells.
　Also, the items that are usually brought to a weapon shop or ordinary trading association can be sold at a higher price if they are carrying magical powers.

　But this time Ardis didn't come to sell the swords he got from the ruins.

　A sorcerer often has deep knowledge of magic and magical items.
　Such knowledge can be used to appraise unidentified items.
　Appraising magical items brought in by treasure hunters and breaking the curse on them was an important source of income for spellcasters.

　There are a good number of spellcasters who have shops in the royal capital.
　Among them, the most knowledgeable and skilled spellcaster Aldis knows is the old man in front of him.
　It was just as well to show him the sword he had obtained this time.

'Come to think of it, that Jean fellow was looking for you, wasn't he?　You said you had a job to ask for, have you met him yet?

'No, we haven't seen each other for a while now, but ....... I'll see you tomorrow.

　Jean is the name of the person who arranges jobs for the mercenaries.
　After defeating the three great goblins, Ardis received frequent requests to take them out by appointment from him.
　This could be another example of the connections I've acquired over the past four months.

Hmm. Jean had some problems too. Please lend him a hand if you can. ...... Anyway, what is that boy?　Your disciple?

　The sorcerer looked at Kirill, who had accompanied Ardis, and said.

'No, we just happen to be working together. It's not like we're mercenaries, either.'

Is that so? I'm sure he has a high level of magic for a child, so I thought he was the son of a magician.

'You're talking about high magic power ......, me?'

　Kirill couldn't help but interrupt the sorcerer's words, which he hadn't expected.

'That's right, boy. That's right, boy, you have the makings of a magician. Considering your age, I'm sure you have a lot more magic in you.

I'm ...... and the sorcerer .......

　He didn't think he had the makings of a sorcerer.
　Suddenly, Kirill rolled his eyes.

　The sorcerer, who had been watching Kirill with a smile, shifted his gaze to Ardis and opened his mouth.

''I was thinking of closing up shop already, but ......, did you pick up anything interesting?''

How about a sword with a deformed humanoid attacking you at night?

　The old man shook his head at Aldis's theatrical tone, as if to say, "Oh dear.

...... You're bringing in some more tricky stuff.

　Through the shopkeeper's reaction, Aldis takes the sword from Kirill's hand and places it on the counter.

'It's a sword I got from the ruins in the Caucasus Forest. When you hold it this way and pull it out, it's nothing, but at night, a number of crimson humanoid forms appear and attack you.''

"Hmmm ......, let me have a quick look.

　As soon as he heard the story from Aldis, the sorcerer began to check the sword in his hand.
　He lightly inspects the hilt and scabbard with a magnifying glass, and then pulls it out of the scabbard slightly. The red, wet-looking sword barrel is shot through by the sorcerer's sharp eyes.

'Mmmm ....... This is ....... Ah, so that's how it works .......

　The sorcerer collects his thoughts while muttering to himself.

Two silver coins. Six pieces of silver for further study.

　Eventually, he puts the sword back on the counter and offers the amount.

'You mean you can't tell just by looking at it?'

　As he says this, Aldis places six silver coins on the counter.

'I know that's a common thing,'

　The sorcerer pocketed the silver coin as he answered.

'It will take long enough, but shall we wait?'

Yeah, if you're under a curse, I need you to lift the curse.

That won't be necessary. Rather, perhaps, but it is not cursed.

Are you sure you're not cursed?

　Aldis parrots back at the unexpected words.

"Well, I'll explain it to you later. You'll have to sit there for a while.

　As the sorcerer says this, he takes out various small items and places them on the counter.
　Using each one of them, he painstakingly examines the sword.

　Reagents are sprayed on, protective cuffs are applied, and sometimes the sorcerer uses magic to determine the identity of the sword through dozens of tests and checks.
　It was similar to the process of a doctor using a combination of questioning and palpation to narrow down the cause of the disease and find out the name of the disease.

　Eventually, when enough of the sorcerer's message to Ardis had passed, the analysis was finally finished.
　The sorcerer breathed heavily.

'Feng ......, it's done, Ardis.

So?　What kind of thing is this guy after all?

　As soon as possible, Aldis points to the sword on the counter and asks, "Is that right?

He points to the sword on the counter and asks, "Yes, that's right. Well, as I said before, this is not cursed.

So what is it about these people who come after you in the night?

Well, I'm not so pushy.

　The sorcerer chided Aldis for his bite.

Judging from the style of decoration and workmanship, the sword must have been made long ago. This is probably from the time of the kingdom of Corsus, which fell 200 years ago. Look at the pattern here.

　The sorcerer shows you a piece of the scabbard.

This pattern was often used as a ritual decoration in the kingdom of Caucasus. It was hammered by a famous blacksmith and given to the royal families and churches.

I'm not interested in that background.

　Ardis says with a grim face.
　The reason why he brought his sword here is not because he wanted to hear that kind of profound knowledge.

"My goodness, you young people are so impatient.

　'Nonsense,' said the sorcerer, shaking his head.

'You were talking about a curse, weren't you?　As I said before, the curse is not on me. However, it is clear that a strong thought clings to this sword.

What do you mean, a powerful reminder?

Pain, sorrow, anger, and sorrowful thoughts of seeking salvation. These powerful thoughts are looking for a place to go, and they have come to rely on this sword. And they are not alone. There are dozens of powerful thoughts.

　Aldis, who doesn't know the difference between a curse and a strong reminder, continues to ask.

'Is that ...... different from a curse?'

They are similar, but different. It's true that curses are a powerful type of belief. But a curse is a curse that requires harm. When a strong thought is combined with harmful intent, it becomes a curse.

　But," the sorcerer continued to explain.

The thought that surrounds this sword does not mean that it harbors any harm to others. Perhaps it's just an unsaved soul that has lost its way.

I know it's not a curse. The question is, how do we stop 'them' from showing up at night?

Yes, that's right: ......

　The shopkeeper put a finger to his brow and pondered for a while.

It's not a curse, so the usual method of breaking the curse is useless. It's true that it's a good sword in its original form, but shouldn't it be used for no reason?　We can buy it from you if you want. What do you think?

　After declining the shopkeeper's offer, Aldis leaves the shop with Kirill.
　Although we have found out about what seems to be the cause of the appearance of the deformed human form, it does not solve the fundamental problem since the means and methods to prevent it are unknown in the end.

I'm not sure what's going on here: ....... Anyway, I'll think about it after I eat dinner.

　Night is beginning to spread across the skies of King's Landing.
　There are many things to think about what to do in the future.

''At any rate, hunger and lack of sleep are a mercenary's worst enemies. Let's go, Kirill.

Yes, sir.

　Kirill hurriedly chased after Aldis as she began to walk to her permanent residence, the Seseragi-tei.