One-Eyed Monster

Igor and Kadi listened to the vendor and then started to look around. They were surprised to find that what the vendor said was completely true. It was almost noon, but there were few people at the market, mostly merchants and vendors...

”Why do you all come here to set up stalls when you know there’s no business?” Igor said indifferently, having not spoken a word since Kadi began performing, and his opening statement surprised both the vendor and the big guy Quinn.

”Uh, although he’s a bit like that, his brain isn’t broken; he’s still a smart guy!” Kadi laughed awkwardly, caught off guard by Igor’s sudden comment.

”I think amnesia might have a little impact here,” the vendor pointed to his forehead as he spoke.

Kadi was puzzled, wondering if the vendor meant Igor had a problem with his brain.

”How—How could it be!” Kadi awkwardly chuckled, then looked at the dumbstruck Igor, standing there confused.

”Uh, from what he just said, you can tell, right!” The vendor shrugged and then gave Kadi a somewhat sad look, which made him feel more balanced, the imbalance resulting from the harp he had given away earlier.

Seeing Kadi and Igor’s reactions, the vendor naturally felt sympathetic and decided that giving a harp to two fools wasn’t too much of a loss, considering it as a bit of charity...

The vendor sighed, explaining such things felt like an insult to him. It was common knowledge that circus performances were staged on platforms especially approved by the administrative office, and they didn’t care where market stalls were set up. The circus itself had a business nature and would sell various things around their stage, all branded with the circus label. Food, clothes, weapons, even musical instruments—it had it all, although besides food and clothes, regular folk couldn’t afford them. Most people would get some food and tickets, then eat while watching the circus performance.

As for them, these vendors, they’d earn money wherever they could, unaffected by the circus.

The reason why no one was at their market now was that the circus had just arrived here, generating a wave of excitement. But since the circus performed at night, it wouldn’t be long before people returned to the market to buy things after satisfying their curiosity.

The circus’s arrival impacted the market positively, not negatively.

After experiencing the novelty, people would come to the market looking for substitutes to maintain that excitement. Many would buy food and new clothes to prepare for the evening’s circus show.

The circus inadvertently stimulated people’s consumption!

Neither Igor nor Kadi were aware of this; they foolishly thought that people wouldn’t come to the market because of the circus!

As a wandering bard with extensive experience, they shouldn’t be unaware of such common knowledge. But, if the bard had amnesia, it’s hard to say anything...

The vendor sighed again, having painstakingly explained so much common knowledge to Igor and Kadi, suddenly feeling drained and parched.

Igor and Kadi stared wide-eyed, thinking that without Kadi’s amnesia condition, their assumed identity would have been shattered long ago...

”So, you’re saying this place will soon become lively, huh?”

”Naturally, as it approaches noon and past noon, the flow of people here should reach a peak!” The vendor shrugged, thinking there was no need to explain further about this issue.

Explaining in more detail was pointless compared to seeing it firsthand; once seen, all questions were cleared.

Igor and Kadi exchanged glances, feeling like novices in front of the vendor, clueless about life and unknowledgeable about such common sense. How could they infiltrate the circus like this? It was almost laughable!

Igor was increasingly convinced that Kadi’s amnesia setup was a genius idea!

If it weren’t for Kadi’s setup, their assumed identity might have been riddled with loopholes...

This truly was embarrassing...

Soon, before Igor and Kadi could reflect on their situation, people started trickling into the market.

Suddenly, vendors’ cries arose one after another, and before long, the market truly became lively.

Igor and Kadi watched the influx of people and gradually gained a deeper understanding of the vendor’s words.

The big guy Quinn and the vendor got busy at that moment. As businessmen, they couldn’t miss this opportunity for business. As business picked up, they no longer had time to deal with Igor and the others.

Igor and Kadi were left on the sidelines, watching more and more people flock to the open-air market, looking around aimlessly, feeling a bit foolish.

Igor glanced at Kadi, and Kadi glanced at Igor; both were at a loss.

They didn’t know where to go.

Staying in the market didn’t seem right, but directly heading to the circus felt too abrupt, leaving Igor and Kadi hesitant, especially knowing their life knowledge was so lacking.

What to do now, they didn’t know.

Although they knew they were ultimately heading for the circus, how to go about it was uncertain.

Fortunately, they knew Quinn.

This big guy also had intentions of going to the circus.

Seizing a free moment, Quinn quietly approached Igor and the others: ”What are you still doing here? Haven’t you finished shopping?”

”Uh...” Igor and Kadi didn’t know what to say.

”If you have nothing to do, do me a favor!” Quinn pulled out a feather letter from inside his clothes, the envelope was crumpled, but the feather seal was still intact.

”What...” Igor was curious.

”You take this letter to the circus. I want to join the circus. This is my recommendation letter; deliver it to the circus leader on my behalf!”

”You trust us with such an important matter?”

”You can’t replace me, Quinn. There’s my portrait inside. I’ll head over in the evening, but you go first. The circus doesn’t have many people now, so you can meet the leader.”